DE102015102436A1 - Cold store and method of operating such - Google Patents

Abstract

A cold storage (4) comprises a plurality of storage spaces (5) with the same dimensions for receiving refrigerated goods, a cooling device (9) for cooling the air in the cold storage (4), and one or more mobile fan modules, each mobile fan module (5). 10) electrically operated, adapted to the dimensions of the parking spaces (5) and optionally on one of the parking spaces (5) can be turned off to act from a parking space (5) from at least one adjacent parking space (5) with an air flow, for the air within of the cold storage (4) from the vicinity of the parking space (5) of the respective mobile blower module (10) is sucked. This allows in a cold chain with the simplest means an at least occasional increase in manufacturing capacity in the production of refrigerated goods.

Description

The invention relates to a cold storage, comprising a plurality of parking spaces with the same dimensions for receiving refrigerated goods and a cooling device for cooling the air located in the cold storage.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating such a bearing and to a mobile blower module for use in a cold storage

In the production of refrigerated goods, namely goods, in which the maintenance of the economic value of product-specific controlled temperatures during transport and storage depends on bottlenecks in the cold chain, a limitation of manufacturing capacity, unless a loss of refrigerated goods is to be accepted.

Such a cold chain usually includes, after assembly and palletizing of the chilled goods, cooling in a cooling tunnel in order to quickly bring the chilled goods up to storage temperature. Subsequently, the storage takes place in a cold storage for temperature maintenance until the chilled goods are finally brought to the transport path.

If the capacities of the cooling tunnel are utilized, an increase in the production of refrigerated goods is difficult, since an extension of a cooling tunnel usually requires a great deal of effort.

In DE 20 2005 000 167 U1 It is proposed to carry out the cooling of the goods after packaging and palletizing directly in the cold storage and thus to dispense with an upstream cooling tunnel. Suggests this DE 20 2005 000 167 U1 to provide so-called rapid cooling stations in the cold storage, to which the stored refrigerated goods is increasingly subjected to cooling air. For this purpose, additional Luftverteilschächte and louvers must be provided in the cold storage, which ultimately shifts only the design effort of the cooling tunnel on the side of the cold storage. The manufacturing capacity is limited in this case by the number of permanently installed fast cooling stations.

The invention has for its object to allow for existing cold chain with the simplest means an at least occasional increase in manufacturing capacity in the production of refrigerated goods.

This object is achieved by a cold storage according to claim 1. Such includes a plurality of locations with the same dimensions for receiving refrigerated goods and a cooling device for cooling the air in the cold storage and is characterized by one or more mobile fan modules, each mobile fan module electrically operated, adapted to the dimensions of the spaces and optionally can be parked on one of the parking spaces, to be acted upon by a parking space from at least one adjacent parking space with an air flow, is sucked for the air within the refrigerated warehouse from the vicinity of the parking space of the respective mobile blower module.

Any production spikes that exceed the capacities of an existing cooling tunnel or existing permanently installed fast cooling stations can be absorbed by the temporary introduction of one or more mobile fan modules into the warehouse.

The blower modules are practically self-sufficient. All you need is an electrical connection. As a result, the construction effort on the part of the cold storage remains minimal.

Depending on requirements, the mobile fan module (s) within the cold storage can be quickly and easily moved. In addition, their arrangement can be adapted very flexible warehouse logistics aspects.

By a uniform distribution of the formation of hot springs can be counteracted in the cold storage.

Since the mobile fan modules are also adapted to the dimensions of the parking spaces, thus can be placed on these, operation of the camp is not affected by the mobile fan modules.

In general, with the present invention, a flexibility of the capacity of a cold chain is achieved with extremely little effort, whereby it is possible to keep cooling overcapacity low and thus save energy.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of further claims

For example, a mobile fan module may have two opposite air outlets that are directed from a parking space to two adjacent parking spaces. This makes it possible to cool with a mobile fan module at the same time refrigerated goods at two parking spaces and thus to keep the expenditure on equipment particularly low. By an individual control of the two adjacent parking spaces, a further flexibility can be achieved.

The mobile blower modules are, as already mentioned, adapted to the dimensions of the parking spaces. Preferably, these can be offset with the same storage and retrieval unit as the refrigerated goods themselves.

Furthermore, a control device for controlling the storage and retrieval device and the mobile or the blower modules may be provided, which makes it possible to automate the warehouse management largely. Preferably, the control device is configured in such a way, after a predetermined time interval, to move the refrigerated goods to the parking space on the opposite side of the mobile blower module. In principle, however, the fan module can be moved to the parking space on the opposite side of the refrigerated goods, including, however, to ensure a corresponding electrical connection of the mobile fan module to the new parking space. Further, it is possible to exchange the positions of the refrigerated goods and the mobile blower module. As a result, a particularly rapid and effective cooling of the cooled goods to storage temperature is achieved.

The above-described cold storage allows operation in which refrigerated goods with increased cooling requirement after its introduction into the cold storage is brought to a parking space, which is located next to another parking space on which a mobile fan module is already turned off or then turned off, whereupon by switching of the mobile fan module, the refrigerated goods with increased cooling demand through the mobile fan module flows with air located in the cooling storage and is accelerated accelerated due to the increased heat transfer thereby.

To accelerate the cooling, after a predetermined time interval, the refrigerated goods can be transferred to the parking space on the opposite side of the mobile blower module, and from there, air can be passed on. The duration of the time interval can either be specified or, for example, result from the observation of the temperature of the chilled goods. If a certain target temperature is reached, the refrigerated goods are displaced. The temperature of the item to be cooled can be measured, for example, by means of at least one non-contact sensor. However, it is also possible to move the mobile fan module to the parking space on the opposite side of the refrigerated goods and then to feed the refrigerated goods from the other side with air. It is also possible to exchange the positions of the goods to be cooled and the mobile fan module and then to feed the refrigerated goods from the other side with air.

Furthermore, the present invention proposes a mobile fan module for use in refrigerated warehouses, which comprises at least one pressure chamber, the air outlets on the outer sides of the fan module facing each other, and at least one fan for generating an overpressure in the at least one pressure chamber.

Such a unit can be used very flexibly in a cold storage. It is characterized by an extremely simple structure and requires only a power connection in the cold storage. The air used for cooling is obtained from the immediate environment within the cold storage. Air distribution shafts and other structural measures on the part of the cold store, as described in DE 20 2005 000 167 U1 are proposed, are not required in the present case.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the mobile blower module whose air outlets are designed as nozzle plates with a plurality of outlet openings, wherein the outlet openings are arranged distributed over the surface of the respective nozzle plate. As a result, a favorable outflow behavior is achieved over the entire surface of the air outlets, whereby, for example, refrigerated goods stacked on pallets can be cooled very uniformly.

The mobile blower module can be formed with two separate pressure chambers, which are separated by an inlet shaft arranged between them, wherein in each pressure chamber, a fan is arranged, the air inlet opens into the inlet duct. This allows an individual flow of two adjacent parking spaces.

An individual setting of the operating times of the two fans can be carried out via a control unit provided on the mobile fan module. Furthermore, the fans can be configured as radial fans whose axis of rotation is perpendicular to the respective nozzle plate. This allows compared to axial fans a more uniform flow behavior of the air to the nozzle plates and allows the attachment of two pressure chambers over the surface of a Euro pallet.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawing. The drawing shows in:

1 a schematic view of a cold chain with a cold storage according to the invention,

2 a view of a cold storage from above with multiple mobile fan modules,

3 a side view of several pitches,

4 a spatial view of a first embodiment of a mobile blower module according to the invention,

5 a spatial view of a second embodiment of a mobile blower module according to the invention, and in

6 a sectional view of the mobile blower module according to 5 ,

The embodiments relate to a cold chain for refrigerated goods, which in the present case are understood in addition to some industrial materials and products in particular foods such as dairy products.

Such chilled goods get as in 1 shown, after production and filling in a suitable facility 1 in a palletizer 2 Where appropriate, the corresponding outer packaging may be stacked on a pallet with the aid of additional supports. The loaded with refrigerated goods pallet is then in a cooling tunnel 3 introduced to cool the refrigerated goods accelerated. After cooling, the pallet is stored in a cold store 4 where it remains until it is transported away and kept at cooling temperature.

This in 2 illustrated cold storage 4 has a variety of parking spaces 5 with the same dimensions for receiving refrigerated goods K on. The pitches 5 are sized so that they can each take a pallet with refrigerated goods. Inside the cold storage 4 There are several parking spaces 5 side by side. Preferably, the pitches 5 in rows 6 arranged. In addition, adjacent parking spaces 5 be arranged one above the other in one or more levels, as shown in FIG 3 is shown. Between parking lots 6 are alleys 7 provided, which gives access to the parking spaces 5 for a stacker crane 8th enable.

Furthermore, in 2 a cooling device 9 for cooling in the cold storage 4 to recognize air. By means of the cooling device 9 is the air temperature in the cold storage 4 maintained at a temperature in the range of about 0 to 25 ° C, preferably 2 to 10 ° C. If necessary, the temperature can also be kept below freezing point of water.

Reaches the capacity of the cooling tunnel 3 not from, can be refrigerated goods from the palletizer 2 directly into the cold storage 4 to be brought. For refrigerated goods such as yogurt, it would be without cooling in a cooling tunnel 3 however, take a few days for the chilled goods to reach the desired cooling temperature inside a stack arranged on a pallet. To the cooling process within the cold storage 4 To accelerate, in this case in addition a mobile blower module 10 in the cold storage 4 introduced.

The mobile fan module 10 is the dimensions of the pitches 5 adapted and can optionally on one of the pitches 5 be turned off. If required, several mobile fan modules 10 in the cold storage 4 be introduced, as in 2 is shown. Because the mobile fan modules 10 on the pitches 5 be housed, remains an operation of the other parking spaces 5 by stacker cranes 8th unimpaired. The latter are not only able to deliver the refrigerated goods to the desired parking spaces 5 to transport, but also the mobile fan modules 10 inside the cold storage 4 to transport and put off. These can be the mobile fan modules 10 with for the respective stacker crane 8th suitable coupling structures, which preferably in the frame of the mobile blower module 10 are integrated.

The mobile fan modules 10 are each electrically operated and do without their own cooling unit. They are configured to move from a parking space 5 from at least one adjacent parking space 5 to apply an air flow. Due to the increased flow speed, this is in addition to the mobile fan module 10 refrigerated goods are cooled faster. The air required for this is inside the cold storage 4 from the surroundings of the pitch 5 of the respective mobile fan module 10 sucked. For the mobile fan module 10 are therefore, apart from a power supply and, where appropriate, a signaling integration into a warehouse management system no further measures on the part of the cold storage 4 required. A retrofit of the mobile fan modules 10 in an existing cold storage 4 can therefore be accomplished with minimal effort.

About the mobile fan modules 10 can be very short-term increase the cooling capacity of a cold chain. Will the mobile fan modules 10 no longer needed and is temporarily a higher storage capacity needed, this can be out of the cold storage at short notice 4 be removed. About the mobile fan modules 10 This will make it possible to flexibly increase the capacity of a cold chain, which will help to avoid bottlenecks and to keep cooling capacity low, thereby saving energy.

Embodiments of a mobile fan module 10 for use in cold stores 4 are in the 4 to 6 shown in more detail.

In the simplest case, this includes the mobile fan module 10 a pressure chamber 11 whose air outlets 15 and 16 on outsides of the mobile blower module 10 Opposite each other, as in 4 is shown. The air outlets 15 and 16 If necessary, each a louver 13 and 14 upstream in the flow direction. Furthermore, this includes at least one fan 17 for generating an overpressure in the pressure chamber 11 , Over a flap 19 can the air supply to the air outlets 15 and 16 be controlled so that, for example, only one of the air outlets 15 and 16 Cooling air can be discharged.

In the in the 5 and 6 illustrated embodiment, the mobile fan module 10 two separate pressure chambers 11 and 12 on, which by an arranged between these inlet shaft 20 are separated. In every pressure chamber 11 and 12 is a private fan 17 and 18 arranged, whose air inlet into the inlet shaft 20 empties. The pressure chambers 11 and 12 each have an air outlet 15 and 16 on each other on outsides of the mobile blower module 10 are opposite. Optionally, here too the air outlets 15 and 16 in each case a louver 13 and 14 be upstream. In the 5 and 6 this results in a respect to the inlet shaft 20 mirror image arrangement of the pressure chambers 11 and 12 , Louvers 13 and 14 and fans 17 and 18 ,

However, it is also possible the air outlets 15 and 16 to arrange over the corner or those on three or all four outsides of a roughly cuboid blower module 10 provided.

The air outlets 15 and 16 The aforementioned embodiments are as nozzle plates 21 with a variety of outlet openings 22 educated. The outlet openings 22 can essentially over the entire surface of the respective nozzle plate 21 be arranged distributed in order to achieve a good flow of the goods to be cooled.

By using fans 17 and 18 , which are designed as radial fans and whose axis of rotation A perpendicular to the respective nozzle plate 21 runs can in particular with several pressure chambers 11 and 12 a compact design and a uniform pressure build-up in the pressure chambers 11 and 12 be achieved. The flow is in 6 indicated by arrows.

Furthermore, on the mobile fan module 10 a control unit 23 for individual adjustment of the operating times of the two fans 17 and 18 be provided. This allows the the mobile fan module 10 adjacent parking spaces are individually air-flowed. In the case of the erstgenanten embodiment according to 4 can for the same purpose the fan 17 and the flap 19 be controlled. About a sensor 24 For example, a photocell, the presence of a product to be cooled on a neighboring parking space 5 recognized and then an influx of the goods to be started.

Will such a mobile fan module 10 on a parking space 5 parked, its opposite air outlets 15 and 16 on the two neighboring pitches 5 be directed to cool down there refrigerated more. Depending on your needs, this will either be a mobile fan module 10 brought to the respective refrigerated goods or refrigerated goods to be cooled next to an already in place mobile fan module 10 switched off. Subsequently, by switching on the mobile blower module 10 the refrigerated goods with increased cooling demand through the mobile blower module 10 with in the cold storage 4 air flowed. About the control unit 23 For example, the required cooling time can be set.

However, the control can also take place from a central warehouse management system. In an automated cold storage 4 This can also be the location of the parking space and the operation of the control panels 8th be made.

In order to achieve a faster and more uniform cooling, it is expedient to flow the refrigerated goods to be cooled from two sides with air. For this purpose, it is basically possible to refrigerate between two mobile fan modules 10 to place, wherein an influx can be made simultaneously or alternately. By changing the location, however, it is possible to save a second mobile blower module.

A control device for controlling the storage and retrieval unit 8th and the mobile fan module (s) 10 may be configured to be after a predetermined time interval, the refrigerated goods to the parking space 5 on the opposite side of the mobile blower module 10 where this is further, now from the other side, with air flows. Alternatively, the blower module 10 on the pitch 5 offset on the opposite side of the refrigerated goods and the refrigerated goods are then flowed from the other side with air. Furthermore, it is possible, the positions of the refrigerated goods and the mobile blower module 10 to swap. Also in this case, the refrigerated goods are successively from two opposite sides with air flow-type. These operations can be repeated as needed.

Furthermore, there is the possibility of displacing the item to be cooled and / or the mobile blower module 10 make a turn. If the refrigerated goods are offset, this can be returned to the original parking space after a 90 ° or 180 ° turn 5 be reset so that then another side of the same is flowed with cooling air.

The invention has been described above with reference to various embodiments and further modifications. In particular, individual technical features, which have been explained above in the context of further individual features, can be implemented independently of these as well as in combination with further individual features, even if this is not expressly described, as long as this is technically possible. The invention is therefore expressly not limited to the described embodiments, but includes all embodiments defined by the claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 Production and filling plant

2

 palletizing

3

 cooling tunnel

4

 cold storage

5

 parking space

6

 Pitch Series

7

 alley

8th

 Storage and retrieval unit

9

 cooling device

10

 mobile fan module

11

 pressure chamber

12

 pressure chamber

13

 Cowl

14

 Cowl

15

 air outlet

16

 air outlet

17

 fan

18

 fan

19

 flap

20

 Einlasschacht

21

 nozzle plate

22

 outlet

23

 control unit

24

 sensor

A

 Rotary axis of the fan

K

 refrigerated

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 202005000167 U1 [0006, 0006, 0022]

Claims (11)

Cold storage, comprising: a plurality of storage spaces ( 5 ) with the same dimensions for receiving refrigerated goods, and a cooling device ( 9 ) for cooling in the cold storage ( 4 ), characterized by one or more mobile blower modules ( 10 ), each mobile blower module ( 10 ) electrically operated, the dimensions of the parking spaces ( 5 ) and optionally on one of the pitches ( 5 ) is adjustable to move from a parking space ( 5 ) from at least one adjacent parking space ( 5 ) with an air flow, for the air inside the cold storage ( 4 ) from the surroundings of the pitch ( 5 ) of the respective mobile blower module ( 10 ) is sucked. Cold store according to claim 1, characterized in that the mobile blower module ( 4 ) two opposite air outlets ( 15 . 16 ), from a parking space ( 5 ) to two adjacent parking spaces ( 5 ) are directed. Cold store according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by at least one storage and retrieval unit ( 8th ) for moving the refrigerated goods and the at least one mobile blower module ( 10 ). Cold storage according to claim 3, characterized by a control device for controlling the storage and retrieval device ( 8th ) and the mobile blower module (s) ( 10 ), which is configured to either after a predetermined time interval or reaching a target temperature: the goods to be refrigerated ( 5 ) on the opposite side of the mobile blower module ( 10 ) or the blower module ( 10 ) on the pitch ( 5 ) on the opposite side of the chilled goods or the positions of the chilled goods and the mobile blower module ( 10 ) to swap. Method for operating a refrigerated warehouse of the type according to one of the preceding claims, in which refrigerated goods to be cooled with increased cooling requirement after its introduction into the cold storage warehouse ( 4 ) to a parking space ( 5 ), which next to another pitch ( 5 ) on which a mobile blower module ( 10 ) is already turned off or subsequently turned off, and thereafter by switching on the mobile blower module ( 10 ) the refrigerated goods with increased cooling demand through the mobile blower module ( 10 ) with in the cold storage ( 4 ) is flowed through air. Method for operating a cold storage according to claim 6, characterized in that after a predetermined time interval or after reaching a target temperature, either the refrigerated goods to the parking space ( 5 ) on the opposite side of the mobile blower module ( 10 ) and from there continues to be flown with air or the mobile blower module ( 10 ) on the pitch ( 5 ) is displaced on the opposite side of the refrigerated goods and the refrigerated goods is then flown from the other side with air or the positions of the refrigerated goods and the mobile blower module ( 10 ) are exchanged and the refrigerated goods is then flown from the other side with air. A mobile blower module for use in refrigerated warehouses, comprising: at least one pressure chamber ( 11 . 12 ) with two air outlets ( 15 . 16 ) on the outside of the mobile blower module ( 10 ) are opposed to each other, and at least one fan ( 17 . 18 ) for generating an overpressure in the at least one pressure chamber ( 11 . 12 ). Mobile blower module according to claim 8, characterized in that the air outlets ( 15 . 16 ) as nozzle plates ( 21 ) with a plurality of outlet openings ( 22 ) are formed, wherein the outlet openings ( 21 ) over the surface of the respective nozzle plate ( 21 ) are arranged distributed. Mobile blower module according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by two separate pressure chambers ( 11 . 12 ), which by an arranged between these inlet shaft ( 20 ) are separated, wherein in each pressure chamber, a fan is arranged, the air inlet opens into the inlet shaft. Mobile fan module according to claim 10, characterized by a control unit ( 23 ) for individually setting the operating times of the two fans ( 17 . 18 ). Mobile fan module according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the fans ( 17 . 18 ) are designed as radial fans, in the axis of rotation (A) perpendicular to the respective nozzle plate ( 21 ) runs.

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