Refrigerator With Humidity-Optimized Storage Compartment

Abstract

A refrigeration appliance includes a coolant circuit in which a speed-controlled compressor, an adjustable restrictor and a forced-air cooled first evaporator are connected in series. An evaporator chamber receives the first evaporator, a first storage compartment communicates with the evaporator chamber and a second storage compartment communicates with the evaporator chamber. A control unit or controller is configured to distribute cold air from the evaporator between the first and second storage compartments according to desired temperatures which can be adjusted differently for the first and the second storage compartments.

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A refrigeration appliance, comprising:
 a speed-controlled compressor, an adjustable restrictor and a forced-air cooled first evaporator connected in series in a coolant circuit;   an evaporator chamber receiving said first evaporator;   a first storage compartment communicating with said evaporator chamber;   a second storage compartment communicating with said evaporator chamber; and   a control unit configured to distribute cold air from said evaporator between said first and second storage compartments according to desired temperatures being adjustable differently for said first and second storage compartments.   
     
     
         17 . The refrigeration appliance according to  claim 16 , wherein said control unit is configured to limit a temperature difference to a maximum of 7° C. between an evaporation temperature in said first evaporator and a desired temperature of said second storage compartment. 
     
     
         18 . The refrigeration appliance according to  claim 16 , wherein said control unit is configured to maintain a temperature difference of a minimum of 20° C. between an evaporation temperature in said first evaporator and a desired temperature of said second storage compartment. 
     
     
         19 . The refrigeration appliance according to  claim 16 , which further comprises at least one passage between said evaporator chamber and said storage compartments, and a flap disposed at said at least one passage, said flap being adjustable by said control unit. 
     
     
         20 . The refrigeration appliance according to  claim 19 , wherein:
 said flap has two stable positions;   in one of said positions said passage between said evaporator chamber and said first storage compartment is open and said passage between said evaporator chamber and said second storage compartment is closed; and   in another of said positions said passage between said evaporator chamber and said first storage compartment is closed and said passage between said evaporator chamber and said second storage compartment is open.   
     
     
         21 . The refrigeration appliance according to  claim 19 , which further comprises:
 a first fan accommodated in said passage between said evaporator chamber and said first storage compartment; and   a second fan accommodated in said passage between said evaporator chamber and said second storage compartment;   said fans having throughputs being controllable by said control unit.   
     
     
         22 . The refrigeration appliance according to  claim 21 , wherein said fans do not operate simultaneously. 
     
     
         23 . The refrigeration appliance according to  claim 16 , which further comprises a second evaporator disposed in said coolant circuit downstream of said first evaporator, and a restrictor disposed between said first and second evaporators. 
     
     
         24 . The refrigeration appliance according to  claim 23 , wherein said restrictor is an adjustable restrictor and another restrictor is connected upstream of said first evaporator. 
     
     
         25 . The refrigeration appliance according to  claim 23 , which further comprises a third storage compartment, said second evaporator cooling at least said third storage compartment. 
     
     
         26 . The refrigeration appliance according to  claim 25 , wherein said evaporator chamber is separate from said third storage compartment, and said second evaporator is forced-air cooled and is accommodated in said evaporator chamber. 
     
     
         27 . The refrigeration appliance according to  claim 26 , which further comprises:
 a fourth storage compartment;   said control unit being configured to use desired temperatures of said third and fourth storage compartments to control:
 an exchange of air between said evaporator chamber and said third storage compartment, and 
 an exchange of air between said evaporator chamber and said fourth storage compartment. 
   
     
     
         28 . The refrigeration appliance according to  claim 27 , wherein said second and fourth storage compartments are identical. 
     
     
         29 . The refrigeration appliance according to  claim 27 , which further comprises an adjustable partition provided between said second and fourth storage compartments. 
     
     
         30 . The refrigeration appliance according to  claim 16 , wherein said control unit is configured to continuously operate said speed-controlled compressor.