DE29913807U1 - Refrigerated cabinets - Google Patents

Description

Applicant: akf Allgemeine Kühlmöbelbau GmbH & Co. KG Zusamstr. 24
86165 Augsburg

Representatives: Patent attorneys

Dipl.-Ing. H.-D. Ernicke Dipl.-Ing. Klaus Ernicke Schwibbogenplatz 2b 86153 Augsburg / DE

Date: 12.08.1999

File: 782-101 ern/ge

- 1 DESCRIPTION

Refrigeration cabinets

The invention relates to a refrigeration cabinet of any design, which is equipped with a conventional refrigeration unit and a control system which keeps the temperature in the goods compartment constant within the set range.

In such refrigerated cabinets, it is common for sensors to monitor the temperature in the goods compartment to ensure that it does not rise above a set level. The refrigeration unit is then switched on or off depending on the reaction of the sensors.

The invention addresses the problem of preventing outside temperatures in the freezing range from affecting the temperature in the goods compartment. This problem arises, for example, when the refrigeration unit is not installed inside a house, but outside, for example on a balcony, for reasons of space. This creates the risk that sharply falling outside temperatures in the freezing range can lead to the goods in the refrigerator compartment freezing.

In order to avoid this disadvantage, the invention provides that a heating system acting on the goods compartment and controlled depending on the outside temperature is provided to prevent a drop in temperature below the desired cooling range.

This makes it possible to protect the goods in the goods room against the effects of frost, which is particularly desirable when cooling food and drinks.

The heating according to the invention can be designed in various ways. For example, it is possible to arrange at least one primarily electrically operating radiator in the goods room, which acts as a heat exchanger. If the cooling temperature in the goods room falls below the set range, a sensor responds, which temporarily switches on the radiator until the cooling room temperature returns to the set range.

It is also possible to provide wall areas in the cold room with channels for a heating medium to flow through. This heating medium can also be introduced into the wall of the refrigeration unit from the outside. For this purpose, it is recommended to connect it to a service water pipe or to another external heat source.

The invention is shown schematically and by way of example in the drawing. It shows:

Figure 1: a vertical section through a refrigerated cabinet with a

Radiators and

Figure 2: a vertical section through another refrigerated cabinet with heating channels in the wall of the goods compartment.

Figure 1 shows an example of a refrigerated cabinet (1) of upright design, for example a refrigerator. The goods compartment (2) is cooled by a refrigeration unit (7) of known design.

Within the goods compartment (2) there is a heater (3) in the form of a radiator (4), which can be designed as an electric radiator, for example.

The cooling unit (7) generates a cooling temperature in a predetermined range, for example from 0° C to 10° C. If this cooling temperature is undercut due to external influences, for example due to severe frost, there is a risk that the goods in the goods compartment (2), in particular foodstuffs, drinks or the like, could freeze.

In this case, the heater (3) or the radiator (4) are temporarily switched on depending on the temperature in order to keep the cooling temperature in the goods compartment constant within the set range.
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For this purpose, it is recommended to install sensors outside the refrigerator to measure the outside temperature and

Additional sensors shall be provided in the goods compartment (2) which, together or individually, control the energy supply.

The example in Figure 2 shows another variant, according to which heating channels (5) are integrated into the wall areas (6) of the refrigeration unit (1), through which a heating medium can flow if required. The source for the heating medium can certainly be arranged externally, for example in such a way that the channels (5) are connected to the building's domestic water pipe and the flow is controlled by valves, which in turn act depending on sensors.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown, but includes all variants that become apparent to the person skilled in the art with knowledge of the disclosure of the invention.

- 5 - DESCRIPTION

1 Refrigeration cabinets 2 Goods room 3 Heating 4 radiator 5 Heating channel 6 Wall area 7 Cooling unit

Claims (4)

1. Refrigeration cabinet, characterized in that a heater ( 3 ) acting on the goods compartment ( 2 ) and controlled as a function of the outside temperature is provided to prevent a drop in temperature below the desired cooling range. 2. Refrigeration cabinet according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one primarily electrically operating heating element ( 3 ) is arranged in the goods compartment ( 2 ). 3. Refrigeration cabinet according to claim 1, characterized in that wall areas ( 6 ) in the cooling chamber ( 2 ) are provided with channels ( 5 ) for the flow of a heating medium. 4. Refrigeration cabinet according to claim 1 or one of the following, characterized in that the heating ( 3 ) can be switched on and off under the control of sensors which monitor the inside and outside temperature.