DE20306747U1 - cooling system - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a cooling system with a passive refrigerated container and an active cooling unit according to the preamble of claim 1.

Cooling systems are known that are made up of a fixed housing that forms the cold-insulated cooling chamber and in which the cooling unit is partially integrated. Parts of the active cooling device are also located on the back of the device. In general, the interior of such cooling systems, in which easily perishable objects that require cooling, especially food, are stored, is accessible via a lockable access opening on the front. These are devices for everyday use, whereby the devices are typically fixed in the desired position for specific use and are no longer moved once they have been aligned.

O 3 Ui

If the area of application is expanded, particularly with regard to mobile use, these devices must meet special requirements. These primarily include a robust design of the cooling system housing in order to cope with the diverse stresses during use, particularly due to numerous transport processes.

Forstenrieder Allee 59
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Springlin^tr. $3 Jv .· D-45133tSseft

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D-34109L<Jip>zig··

Phone +49(0)341 - 1495860
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Expl.pefspcfia No.l.4-Izda ES-S3002 AlicMnte···

Tel. +49(0)89-745541-0 Fax +49 (0)89 - 7593869

LARGE · BOCKHORNI · S

80 years or service * ** **

A major disadvantage of the cooling systems known from the state of the art is that this robustness is not guaranteed for the devices of the type described above, as these are mainly designed for domestic, stationary use and are not exposed to dynamic loads, such as those that act on the cooling system during transport. Likewise, the housing size and the structural design for mobile use of the cooling system in the devices of the type described above are not considered suitable. The structural design of the housing is not geared towards storing the device in the most space-saving way possible during transport, as the installation size and thus the sufficient space available depending on the use are not considered critical for conventional cooling devices.

A further disadvantage is that the sensitive technology of the cooling unit in cooling systems of the type described above is not adequately protected against the stresses and disturbances that occur when the environmental influences on the device change. Above all, it requires an arrangement that is protected from the outside in a robust housing without external components that could be damaged during transport or other stresses. In addition, the ease of maintenance and accessibility must be increased and the operational readiness of the cooling technology, especially in mobile use, must be guaranteed at all times. In the event of any defects, especially in the electronic components and the refrigeration components of conventional cooling units, they can only be repaired with great effort by opening the entire housing. This intervention in the otherwise closed cooling system means that the cooling function cannot be maintained and thus the insulated storage of the stored items that require cooling cannot be guaranteed.

The invention is therefore based on the object of proposing a cooling system which is versatile and flexible in use, in particular with regard to mobile use, and which is designed with regard to good transport and storage capacity as well as a particular technical robustness of the cooling system housing and technology.

GROSSE-BOCKHORMI■ SCWfM&fi ER%.2 "V '

80 veais of service

This object is achieved according to the invention in that the cooling system is formed by two modules, a passive cooling container and an active cooling unit module, wherein both modules can be functionally connected to or separated from one another.

The connection between the two modules, the passive refrigerated container that maintains the cooling effect and the active refrigerated unit that generates the cooling effect and contains the compressor that generates the cooling effect, is made via a suitable adaptation device. Corresponding counterparts of the adaptation device are provided on both modules of the cooling system. The two modules can be functionally connected to or separated from one another via this adaptation device, so that, for example, when the refrigerated unit is switched off, it can be separated from the refrigerated container in order to reduce the overall size of the cooling system, particularly for transport purposes.

The cooling chamber for holding the items that need cooling, especially easily perishable foodstuffs, is formed by the passive cooling container. To connect the active cooling unit, a corresponding adaptation opening is provided on one side of the outward-facing surface, by means of which the cooling unit module is connected to the cooling container. The adaptation opening of the passive cooling container is preferably arranged on the upper side of the housing opposite the standing side. This means that the active cooling unit is connected or secured by the weight of the cooling unit itself, without the need for additional securing measures.

In order to ensure that the cooling chamber is insulated from the outside, the adaptation opening can be closed and locked using a suitable closure flap in an airtight and heat-insulating manner with respect to the system boundaries that delimit the cooling container. In particular, in passive operation of the cooling container with a cooling unit that generates the cooling power and is separate from the cooling container, an insulating closure is necessary to prevent the cooled air from escaping from the cooling chamber inside the cooling container and thus preventing spoilage, particularly of the stored food that requires cooling.

LARGE · BOCKHORNI -SdMüifo«RER ⁵ ,.·

SQ years of service

In order to ensure a flexible cold room design that can be adapted to the respective use, the passive refrigerated container has special storage facilities on the inner surfaces, particularly on the side walls of the cooling chamber. Suitable storage elements can be inserted into these storage facilities for flexible cold room design, on which the objects requiring cooling can be placed during cooling operation.

Carrying handles or suitable carrying devices are provided on the outer surface of the passive refrigerated container, particularly on the side walls, in order to achieve easy transport of both the entire refrigerated system with adapted refrigeration unit and the separated refrigerated container.

Due to the wide range of uses of the cooling system, particularly in mobile applications, a uniformly level surface in the desired installation position cannot always be guaranteed. It is often used on uneven terrain. However, to ensure safe operation of the device and to prevent objects inside from slipping, a safe and stable position of the cooling system is achieved using suitable adjustment elements, which are designed on the underside of the outer surface of the cooling container at all four corner positions. For this purpose, the adjustment elements have a thread, similar to a screw, via which they can be screwed into the underside of the cooling container, i.e. countersunk or unscrewed, as required in order to adapt the position of the cooling container to individual uneven ground.

For example, an access opening is provided on the front of the refrigerated container to access the cooling chamber. In line with the adaptation opening of the refrigerated container described above, this can also be closed with a door in an airtight and heat-insulating manner. To prevent the door from opening accidentally, a corresponding locking mechanism is provided with which the door can be secured. This is particularly necessary during transport of the refrigerated system in order to prevent the stored items from falling out and to maintain the cooling effect of the refrigerated container during transport.

LARGE · BQCKHORNI -SCHUMACHSiI

büyeois of service

In accordance with the adaptation opening of the passive refrigerated container, the active refrigerated unit module preferably has an adaptation device on the underside of the housing, by means of which the refrigerated unit module is placed on the adaptation opening of the refrigerated container and connected to it. In detail, air circulation openings are formed in the adaptation device of the active refrigerated unit module, which serve to introduce or discharge cooling air into or out of the refrigerated container.

To ensure that the cooling unit module is positioned precisely and securely on the refrigerated container, the cooling unit module's adaptation device engages the adaptation opening of the refrigerated container in a form-fitting and sealing manner when the cooling unit module is coupled to the refrigerated container. This ensures that the modular cooling system is sealed with regard to its system boundaries and prevents a rise in temperature in the cooling chamber.

The external dimensions of the active cooling unit module are designed in such a way that it can be pushed into the cooling chamber after being separated from the cooling container for transport purposes. For this purpose, special insertion lugs are designed on the side outer surfaces of the cooling unit, by means of which the cooling unit module can be pushed into the corresponding storage facilities in the cooling chamber of the passive cooling container. The door, which is secured by the locking mechanism, prevents the cooling system from falling out uncontrollably during transport.

Within the scope of the present invention, a modular cooling system is described, whereby the active cooling unit module can be separated from the refrigerated container, in particular for transport purposes. In order to protect it against stress and damage occurring during transport, the cooling unit module is robust in its structural design and its dimensions are advantageously designed in such a way that it can be accommodated in the cooling chamber of the refrigerated container. At the same time, it is possible to replace the cooling unit module quickly and easily if it is defective.

LARGE ■ BOCKHORNI

bQ yecas of service

time to replace it with another refrigeration unit module in order to enable uninterrupted cooling in the refrigeration chamber of the refrigerated container.

Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying figures, in which

Fig. 1 shows a front view of the cooling system according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a sectional side view of the cooling system of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a front view of the cooling unit module;

Fig. 4 shows a side view of the cooling unit module of Fig. 3.

The modular cooling system 1 shown in Fig. 1 consists in detail of two modules, a passive cooling container 10 and an active cooling unit module 20, which in the embodiment shown are connected to one another by means of an adaptation device 6. In the embodiment shown, the passive cooling container 10 has an adaptation opening 11 on the top for coupling the active cooling unit module 20, which, however, can also be formed on other surfaces in alternative embodiments not shown here. The adaptation opening 11 of the cooling container 10 is designed in such a way that a corresponding adaptation device 16 of the cooling unit module 20 engages in it in a form-fitting and sealing manner for coupling the cooling unit module 20. As further shown in Fig. 1, the corresponding adaptation device 16 of the cooling unit module 20 is arranged on the underside thereof, but this can also be varied in other embodiments, so that, for example, the adaptation device 16 is formed laterally.

As can be seen in Fig. 1, the cooling unit module 20 is inserted into the adaptation opening 11 of the refrigerated container 10 in a form-fitting manner. In alternative embodiments, the connection can be further secured, for example by means of suitable locking or snap-on elements. The refrigerated container 10 also has

LARGE ■ BOCKHORNI-SCHUMACHa?:

SO years of service * * '

side walls have carrying devices 14 which enable easy transport of the cooling system 1. In the present embodiment, these are designed for manual transport by humans. However, in an alternative embodiment, a design of the carrying devices 14 with regard to automated or mechanical transport, for example by forklift truck, is conceivable. The position of the carrying device 14 can also be varied on the outer surface of the refrigerated container in order to adapt it to the respective form of transport.

In the present embodiment, there are four adjustment elements 15 on the underside of the refrigerated container 10 to ensure that the cooling system 1 is stable on uneven terrain. The individual adjustment element 15 consists of two elements that are functionally engaged with one another, namely a screw-like base part 17 with a base plate and a threaded shaft and a corresponding counterpart 18 in the form of a nut, which is formed in the floor of the refrigerated container 10. To individually adjust to uneven terrain, the base part 17 with the threaded shaft can now be screwed in or out of the counterpart 18 in the floor of the refrigerated container 10, so that a height change occurs according to the floor structure.

A cooling chamber 3 is formed inside the cooling container 10 and is used to hold the objects that require cooling. Storage devices 13 are preferably provided on the side inner walls, into which suitable storage elements, such as grids or plastic plates, can be inserted in order to divide the cooling chamber 3 according to the application. In the present embodiment, these storage devices 13 are designed in the form of strips that extend over the entire width of the inside of the cooling chamber 3. The number and positioning of the individual support devices 13 is variable and depends only on the manufacturing process of the cooling container 10.

As shown in Fig. 1, two identical cooling unit modules 20 are stored in the cooling chamber 3 as an alternative to the storage elements. The number of cooling unit modules 20 that can be stored can vary in another embodiment of the present invention, since this depends on a change in the size of the refrigerated container 10 and thus

BIG ■ BOCKHORNI · SCHUMACHfi«

SOveaisofserv.ee

connected to the cooling chamber 3. Special insertion lugs 21 are formed on the left and right side surfaces of the individual cooling unit module 20, which correspond to the storage devices 13 on the side inner walls of the refrigerated container 10.

As shown in Fig. 2, the cooling unit module 20 is pushed into the storage devices 13 in the cooling container 10 from the front of the cooling container 10 and then secured against falling out by closing a door 19 formed on the front of the cooling container 10. This is particularly advantageous during transport of the modular cooling system 1, as it protects the sensitive technology of the cooling unit module 20 against impacts and other transport effects. In addition, the storage space required for the cooling system 1 can be reduced. For access to the cooling chamber 3 with regard to loading the cooling container 10 with objects, the access opening 4 is provided, for example, on the front of the cooling container 10. In accordance with the adaptation opening 11 of the cooling container 10 described above, this can also be closed in an airtight and heat-insulating manner using the door 19. In order to prevent the door 19 from being opened accidentally, a corresponding locking mechanism is provided by means of which the door 19 can be secured. This is particularly necessary during transport of the cooling system 1 in order to secure the stored objects against falling out and to maintain the cooling effect of the cooling container 10 even during transport.

Fig. 2 shows the cooling system 1 with the two cooling unit modules 20 stored by means of the storage devices 13 according to Fig. 1. The safe fixing of the cooling unit modules 20 during transport inside the cooling chamber 3 is carried out as described above by closing and locking the door 19. On the top of the cooling container 10, for example, the cooling unit module 20 is coupled to the cooling container 10 via the adaptation device 6. The cooling unit module 20 contains, as shown in Fig. 2, the cooling unit 5 required to generate the cooling effect. The cooling air circulates through air circulation openings 25 which are formed in the adaptation device 16 of the active cooling unit module 20. The adaptation opening 11 of the cooling container 10 can be closed after removing the attached cooling unit module 20 by means of a

BIG ■ BOCKHORNI · SCHUMACHER
80 years of service "* '

side of the refrigerated container 10 can be closed airtight and heat-insulated with respect to the system boundaries delimiting the refrigerated container 10.

The rotationally sintered cooling unit module 20 is shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The insertion lugs 21 are formed on the lateral outer surfaces of the cooling unit module 20. The adaptation device 16, via which the cooling unit module 20 can be coupled to the refrigerated container 10, is preferably provided on the underside. The air supply to the cooling unit module 20 takes place via ventilation openings 22, for example, in the front. The entire cooling system 1 is equipped to regulate the cooling effect via control elements 23, which are preferably formed on the front of the cooling unit module 20. The internal cooling unit 5 is accessible for maintenance work via a lockable maintenance flap 24, preferably formed on the surface of the cooling unit module 20.

Claims (11)

1. Cooling system ( 1 ) with a heat-insulating housing accessible through a closable access opening ( 4 ), for storing objects requiring cooling, in particular foodstuffs, and an active cooling unit ( 5 ), characterized in that the cooling system ( 1 ) is formed by two modules, a passive cooling container ( 10 ) and an active cooling unit module ( 20 ), wherein both modules can be functionally connected to one another or separated from one another. 2. Cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that the two modules ( 10 , 20 ) can be connected to or separated from one another by means of an adaptation device ( 6 ). 3. Cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that the passive cooling container ( 10 ) forming the cooling chamber ( 3 ) has an adaptation opening ( 11 ) on one side of the surface for coupling the cooling unit module ( 20 ). 4. Cooling system according to claim 3, characterized in that the adaptation opening ( 11 ) of the refrigerated container ( 10 ) can be closed by means of a closure flap ( 12 ) in an airtight and heat-insulating manner with respect to the system boundaries delimiting the refrigerated container ( 10 ). 5. Cooling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the passive cooling container ( 10 ) has storage devices ( 13 ) on the inner surfaces, in particular on the side walls, into which suitable storage elements can be inserted. 6. Cooling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the passive cooling container ( 10 ) has carrying handles ( 14 ) for easy transport thereof. 7. Cooling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the passive cooling container ( 10 ) has adjusting elements ( 15 ) on its outside. 8. Cooling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the access opening ( 4 ) of the passive refrigerated container can be closed in an airtight and heat-insulating manner by means of a door ( 19 ) and this is secured with a locking mechanism. 9. Cooling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the active cooling unit module ( 20 ) has an adaptation device ( 16 ) in which air circulation openings ( 25 ) are formed for the cooling air inlet and outlet into and from the refrigerated container ( 10 ). 10. Cooling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling unit module ( 20 ) can be inserted into the adaptation opening ( 11 ) of the refrigerated container ( 10 ) in a form-fitting and sealing manner with respect to the cooling system boundaries. 11. Cooling system according to one of claims 1 or 9, characterized in that the active cooling unit module ( 20 ) is designed in its external dimensions and has special insertion lugs ( 21 ) such that, for transport purposes, several cooling unit modules can be inserted into the corresponding storage devices ( 13 ) of the cooling chamber ( 3 ) of the passive cooling container ( 19 ) and these are secured against falling out by the door ( 19 ).