DE102020114820A1 - Refrigerated cabinets and processes for cooling goods to be chilled - Google Patents

Abstract

Refrigerated cabinet (10) with a cooling chamber (12) defined by a first side wall (14) and a second side wall (16) and a rear wall (18) with a plurality of essentially horizontally arranged receiving elements (22) for goods to be cooled (50), wherein Air supply openings (24) provided in the first side wall (14) are arranged in such a way that exiting cooling air (L) sweeps horizontally over an assigned receiving element (22) and through assigned air outlet openings (16) arranged essentially at the same height in the opposite second side wall (16). 26) exits.

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a refrigerated cabinet and a method for cooling goods to be cooled.

Description of the prior art

Refrigerated furniture with a cooling chamber defined by a first and a second side wall and a rear wall with a plurality of essentially horizontally arranged receiving elements for goods to be cooled are, for example, from the EP 1 669 707 B1 known.

the CN 110044113 A discloses a top-loading refrigerator in which cooling air is blown horizontally into the cooling space through a plurality of air outlet nozzles arranged one above the other. The blown cooling air sinks and is guided back on the floor via a return channel into a temperature control room extending vertically upwards on the side wall.

Summary of the invention

On the basis of this, according to the invention a refrigeration unit, in particular a refrigerator, with the features of claim 1 and a method for cooling items to be cooled with the features of claim 13 are proposed.

The knowledge of the invention, as a departure from the previously usual principles in refrigerator construction, consists in cooling goods located in a cooling chamber on essentially horizontally arranged receiving elements by means of a horizontally running cooling air flow.

For this purpose, according to the invention, air supply openings are designed in a first side wall in such a way that exiting cooling air sweeps over a respectively assigned receiving element essentially horizontally. Furthermore, in an opposite, second side wall, the air supply openings are provided which are respectively associated with the air supply openings and are arranged essentially at the same height, through which the cooling air exits again.

The cooling chamber of the refrigerator is defined by the two opposite side walls and a rear wall. The top and bottom of the cooling chamber is bounded by a floor and a ceiling. A front side opposite the rear wall is designed to bring items to be cooled into and out of the cooling chamber.

To create a cooling air flow (air circulation), at least one air circulation means and at least one heat exchanger can be provided, which, for example, can be arranged in a temperature control room. The air circulation means can be, for example, speed-controllable fans. The heat exchangers are, for example, installed copper or aluminum heat exchangers that work, for example, on the water / air principle. The temperature control space can be formed, for example, in the rear wall or in the first or also in the second side wall.

The refrigeration cabinet according to the invention is suitable for the formation of superimposed cooling zones in which goods to be cooled are cooled at different temperatures. For this purpose, at least two receiving elements lying one above the other can be designed as a cooling zone. Cooling zones lying one above the other can be designed to seal against one another. In addition, each cooling zone can be assigned its own heat exchanger.

In a further embodiment, the essentially horizontally arranged receiving elements can be designed to seal against one another on the front side, so that a refrigerator door can be dispensed with. For this purpose, the receiving elements can be designed as sliding shelves.

A particularly suitable application for the refrigerated cabinet according to the invention is as a wine refrigerator. For this purpose, the refrigeration unit can be designed as refrigerated goods to accommodate wine or champagne bottles. For example, the receiving elements can have recesses designed for the horizontal insertion of bottles.

Further advantages and refinements of the invention emerge from the subclaims, the description and the accompanying drawing.

It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The invention is shown very schematically in the drawing using an exemplary embodiment and is described in detail below with reference to the drawing.

Figure list

• 1 shows a cut-open plan view of a refrigerated cabinet according to the invention.
• 2 shows a transparent side view of the refrigerated cabinet of 1 .

Detailed description

Identical and similar features shown in the individual figures are denoted by the same reference symbols.

1 shows a cut-open top view from a bird's eye view of a refrigerated cabinet according to the invention 10 , and 2 shows the refrigerated cabinet according to the invention 10 in a lateral transparent view according to the direction of the arrow II of the 1 .

The refrigeration cabinet according to the invention 10 has a cooling chamber 12th on that by a first side wall 14th (in the representation of the 1 right), a second side wall 16 and a back wall 18th is defined. One of the back wall 18th opposite front 20th is for bringing in and out of refrigerated goods 50 into the cooling chamber 12th educated. In the illustrated embodiment, the cabinet is refrigerated 10 designed as a wine bottle refrigerator, and the refrigerated goods 50 Representative wine and champagne bottles are shown by way of example with dotted lines.

To accommodate the refrigerated goods 50 are several recording elements 22nd in the cooling chamber 12th intended. The receiving elements 22nd are arranged essentially horizontally, as is usual with front-loading refrigerators. Depending on the type of goods to be stored, the receiving elements 22nd also have a slight inclination, for example in the direction of the rear wall 18th . In order to securely receive the wine bottles, the receiving elements in the illustrated embodiment are designed with recesses, the shape of which allows the wine or champagne bottles to be inserted horizontally. This is in the representation of the 2 shown schematically by the dotted lines of the bottles 50 also below the receiving element 22nd extend, since the bottles protrude lying in the recesses through the surface of the receiving element.

The side walls 14th , 16 are each with air guiding elements 15th or. 17th , for example. Air ducts, formed. The air ducts 15th , 17th can, for example, as longitudinal depressions in the side walls 14th or. 16 be designed. The air ducts 15th , 17th extend substantially horizontally and substantially an entire depth of the side walls 14th , 16 between rear wall 18th (especially an inner wall 19th the back wall 18th ) and the front 20th .

In the first side wall 14th are air supply openings 24 provided, and in the second side wall 16 are air outlet openings 26th intended. The air intakes 24 and the air outlet openings 26th can, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the air ducts 15th or. 17th assigned and for example. Be arranged distributed along their longitudinal extent. The, for example, slot-shaped or gap-shaped air supply openings 24 and air outlets 26th put in the cooling chamber 12th opening openings to create air circulation.

Furthermore, there are the air supply openings 24 designed in such a way that cooling air L exiting from them has a respective associated receiving element 22nd stroked horizontally. As in the present case, this can be achieved in that a sequence of horizontal air outlet openings 24 a horizontally extending receiving element 22nd is assigned such that the receiving element 22nd essentially at the same level or slightly below the air outlet openings 24 is located, as can be seen from the representation of the 2 can be seen. In this way, several superposed receiving elements 22nd each a horizontal sequence of air outlet openings 24 be assigned.

Furthermore, those are in the opposite second side wall 16 trained air outlet openings 26th analogous to the air outlet openings 24 formed so that from a sequence of horizontal air outlet openings 24 outflowing cooling air after passing over the associated receiving element 22nd through the correspondingly assigned air outlet openings, ie located essentially at the same height in the opposite side wall 26th exits again (is sucked off).

The refrigeration cabinet according to the invention 10 further comprises at least one air circulation means such as a fan 32 and at least one heat exchanger 34 . These can be in a temperature control room 30th be arranged, which - as shown - for example. In the rear wall 18th of the refrigerated cabinet 10 can be formed.

The temperature control room is in the illustrated embodiment 30th in the double-walled rear wall 18th behind the inner wall 19th arranged. The temperature control room 30th is thus an intermediate space in which the control electronics and the temperature control elements (heat exchangers) are arranged and in which the air flow also takes place. According to the invention, this intermediate space is, for example, not insulated from the interior (cooling chamber) and forms a thermal unit with it. Alternatively, it is of course also possible to design the temperature control space in one of the two side walls, for example in the first side wall.

According to the illustrated embodiment is a first fan 32.1 provided that the air outlet openings 26th assigned air duct 17th is assigned to cooling air L from the cooling chamber 12th through the air outlet openings 26th and the air duct 17th suction (cf. 1 ).

Downstream of the first fan 32.1 is a heat exchanger 34 arranged, the one from the cooling chamber 12th stirring (so to speak “used”) cooling air L is supplied for cooling. The cooling of the cooling air L by the heat exchanger 34 takes place in a manner known per se by the heat exchanger 34 is flowed through with a coolant of lower temperature. The coolant is part of a secondary circuit through the heat exchanger 34 and is itself cooled down in a known manner (e.g. by means of a compressor cooling circuit) as part of a primary circuit for generating cold. The supply and discharge lines of the secondary circuit to the heat exchanger 34 are in 1 shown very schematically and denoted by the reference symbol SK.

From the heat exchanger 34 cooled cooling air L then flows through the temperature control room as part of the cooling air circuit 30th in the direction of the air intakes 24 assigned air duct 15th the first side wall 14th to get through the air intakes 24 the cooling chamber again 12th to be fed. An additional fan can be used for this (as shown) 32.2 be provided. That other fan 32.2 can be further downstream in the temperature control room 30th be arranged. For example, the additional fan can 32.2 the air duct 15th with the air intakes 24 be assigned to the feeding of cooled cooling air L into the air duct 15th to improve. A suitable filter can be used to remove any undesirable odors 38 , for example. Activated charcoal filter, be provided, for example. The further fan 32.2 can be connected upstream.

According to the invention, temperature sensors are used to detect a respective temperature of the cooling air L 36 intended. At least one first temperature sensor 36.1 is in the cooling chamber 12th to record the actual cooling temperature inside the refrigerated cabinet 10 arranged (cf. 1 ). The first temperature sensor 36.1 the receiving element 22nd be assigned, for example. Directly on an upper side of the receiving element between two refrigerated goods positions. In order to obtain the most differentiated image of the cooling profile possible, on every level in the cooling cabinet 10 , so in particular at the level of each receiving element 22nd or on each receiving element 22nd , Temperature sensors must be provided (cf. 2 ). In the illustrated embodiment are per receiving element 22nd two first temperature sensors 36.1 provided (cf. 1 ). Of course, the respective exact position of the at least one first temperature sensor 36.1 in the cooling chamber 12th can be chosen at the discretion of the specialist.

Another, second temperature sensor 36.2 is provided for measuring the temperature of the cooling air directly before it is cooled and, for example, directly upstream of the first fan 32.1 arranged. Alternatively, the second temperature sensor 36.2 also between the first fan 32.1 and the heat exchanger 34 be arranged. About the height of the refrigerated cabinet 10 several such second temperature sensors can be used 36.2 be provided, depending on how differentiated a cooling profile in the cooling chamber 12th should be designed. For example, each horizontal row of air outlet openings 26th be assigned a second temperature sensor, or - as will be described below - cooling zones are formed, each of which is assigned a second temperature sensor.

Finally, downstream of the heat exchanger 34 a third temperature sensor according to the invention 36.3 be provided to measure the temperature of the heat exchanger 34 cooled cooling air L is used. About the height of the refrigerated cabinet 10 can in turn several such third temperature sensors 36.2 be provided, depending on how differentiated a cooling profile in the cooling chamber 12th should be designed. For example, there can be any horizontal row of air supply openings 24 a third temperature sensor can be assigned, or - as will be described below - cooling zones are formed, each of which is assigned a third temperature sensor.

The side view of the 2 illustrates a possible embodiment of the invention with two heat exchangers arranged one above the other 34.1 and 34.2 . The arrangement for each of the two heat exchangers 34.1 , 34.2 is as already described above and in 1 shown. That means each of the two heat exchangers 34.1 , 34.2 are a second temperature sensor 36.2 and a first fan 32.1 upstream.

To create a temperature layer across the width of the temperature control room 30th (i.e. from left to right in the illustration of the top view of the 1 ) can avoid vertical mixing from the heat exchangers 34.1 , 34.2 escaping cooling air. For this purpose, means can be provided which cause the respective cooling air flow emerging from the heat exchanger to be deflected from the horizontal. This can be done, for example, by means of suitable air deflection elements (not shown) such as baffles or the like. respectively. The air deflection elements can be arranged, for example, downstream of the respective heat exchanger. They can be designed to deflect the exiting air at a desired angle to the horizontal. she can be designed so that the air exiting the heat exchangers is in a central area (e.g. in an area before, around or after the third temperature sensor 36.3 (see. 1 )) hits and mixes. The aim is vertical mixing in order to avoid different temperature layers in the air flows from heat exchangers lying one on top of the other. The air deflection elements can be arranged at the same or different spacing from the associated heat exchangers. Other air deflection elements are also conceivable. A comparable effect can also be achieved with inclined air circulation means (downstream or upstream of the heat exchanger). The segregation to the downstream end of the temperature control room 30th can through the air circulation means arranged there 32.2 . respectively.

One like in 2 The arrangement shown also opens up the possibility of defining cooling zones inside the cooling chamber 12th . A heat exchanger can then be assigned accordingly to each cooling zone. In the embodiment of 2 this means that, for example, the two lower horizontal rows of air supply openings 24 and the two receiving elements assigned to them 22nd a lower cooling zone K1 form, which is assigned to the lower (34.1) of the two heat exchangers. The remaining top three horizontal rows of air vents 24 and the two receiving elements assigned to them 22nd accordingly form an upper cooling zone K2 , which is assigned to the upper (34.2) of the two heat exchangers. Typically the target cooling temperature is in the lower cooling zone K1 lower than the target cooling temperature in the upper cooling zone K2 .

To design the cooling zones, at least the uppermost receiving element of the lower cooling zone and the lowermost receiving element of the upper cooling zone can be designed to be sealed to one another, so that an exchange of air between these two receiving elements is prevented or at least reduced. Even within cooling zones, individual or all of the receiving elements can be designed in a correspondingly sealing manner with respect to an adjacent receiving element adjoining upwards or downwards.

The illustrated embodiment has on the front 20th over no door. In order to prevent an unnecessary outflow of cooling air, the receiving elements are designed as sliding shelves (drawers) with vertical face elements at their front ends 40 (Thrust fronts) have. According to the invention, the sliding shelves face the front 20th towards the adjacent sliding shelves formed sealing against each other. This can be achieved, for example, in that the end face elements 40 Sliding shelves lying one above the other rest against one another by means of suitable seals such as sealing lips. The face elements 40 can at least partially transparent visual elements 42 , for example. Inserts or attachments made of Plexiglas, which allow a view of the refrigerated goods even when the drawer front is closed.

By means of the described fans and corresponding horizontal air ducts in the side walls, it is achieved according to the invention that the cooling air circulates horizontally over the stored items to be cooled.

The circulating air passes through at least a heat exchanger. Each heat exchanger is supplied with exactly the amount of cooling energy that is required to keep the cooling air at the target temperature or to bring it up to it via an electronic control system. The regulation is permanent and computer-controlled by adjusting the flow rate of the secondary circuit through the heat exchanger, for example by means of a proportional valve. The air temperature is measured as described in the interior of the cooling chamber, during the air intake and, for example, additionally in the temperature control room. In addition, the temperature of the flow of the secondary circuit is measured in order to be able to readjust the cold generator.

If the target temperature deviates significantly from the actual temperature (adjustable, standard 3 ° C), the air is slowly cooled, e.g. according to the difference method. The difference between the air temperature before and after the heat exchanger corresponds at most (adjustable, standard 3 ° C) to the defined number of Kelvin. This is to avoid that a) there is an unintentionally high level of condensation and b) the refrigerated goods (the wine bottles) experience an unintentionally rapid cooling. Such a high difference occurs, for example, when the target temperature is lowered, after restarting or after filling new, warm wine bottles.

The regular, horizontal air circulation prevents the formation of different, unwanted temperature layers, since only a few height units (e.g. max. 5) are temperature controlled via a heat exchanger circuit with its own control. In addition, this ensures very precise and permanent temperature control of the air.

As already briefly described, the cold is supplied via a so-called primary circuit in which cold cooling medium such as cold water is generated in a manner known per se. This cold water can then either be fed directly into the cooling circuit of the wine refrigerator or via a plate heat exchanger or a hydraulic separator be decoupled. The cold generator can, but does not have to be, part of the described refrigeration unit (wine refrigerator). The refrigeration unit can therefore also be connected to an existing refrigeration system.

Optionally, a dehumidifying unit can also be located in the temperature control room, which can cool a smaller heat exchanger very strongly. In a special module, the air is first actively guided over the very cold heat exchanger and then heated back to the target temperature using the waste heat from the cooling module. Due to the strong temperature difference between the air and the strongly cooled heat exchanger, the water from the air condenses on the heat exchanger and is diverted. The necessary cooling energy is calculated and made available by determining the dew point.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was 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.

Patent literature cited

• EP 1669707 B1 [0002]
• CN 110044113 A [0003]

Claims (15)

Refrigerated cabinet (10) with a cooling chamber (12) defined by a first side wall (14) and a second side wall (16) and a rear wall (18) with a plurality of essentially horizontally arranged receiving elements (22) for goods to be cooled (50), wherein Air supply openings (24) provided in the first side wall (14) are arranged in such a way that exiting cooling air (L) sweeps horizontally over an assigned receiving element (22) and through assigned air outlet openings (16) arranged essentially at the same height in the opposite second side wall (16). 26) exits. Cooling cabinet (10) after Claim 1 , in which a front side (20) opposite the rear wall (18) is designed for introducing and removing items to be cooled (50) into the cooling chamber (12). Cooling cabinet (10) after Claim 2 , in which the essentially horizontally arranged receiving elements (22) are designed as sliding shelves adjoining one another in a sealing manner towards the front side (20). Cooling cabinet (10) according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , in which one or more of the essentially horizontally arranged receiving elements (22) are formed in a sealing manner with respect to an adjacent receiving element (22) adjoining upwards or downwards. Cooling cabinet (10) according to one of the Claims 1 until 4th which comprises at least one air circulation means (32.1, 32.2) and at least one heat exchanger (34; 34.1, 34.2). Cooling cabinet (10) after Claim 5 , in which the at least one air circulation means (32.1, 32.2) and the at least one heat exchanger (34; 34.1, 34.2) are arranged in a temperature control space (30) which is formed, for example, in the rear wall (18) or in the first side wall (14) is. Cooling cabinet (10) after Claim 6 , in which the air supply openings (24) and the air outlet openings (26) are connected to the temperature control chamber (30) via essentially horizontally extending air guide elements (15, 17) in the side walls (14, 16). Cooling cabinet (10) after Claim 6 or 7th , whose temperature control space (30) extends essentially over an entire (vertical) height of the cooling chamber (12). Cooling cabinet (10) according to one of the Claims 5 until 8th , in which at least one temperature sensor (36.1, 36.2, 36.3) is assigned in the cooling chamber (12), for example a receiving element (22), and upstream or downstream of the heat exchanger (34; 34.1 , 34.2) is provided. Cooling cabinet (10) according to one of the Claims 5 until 9 , in which at least two heat exchangers (34; 34.1, 34.2) arranged in different vertical positions are provided, with cooling air emerging from the heat exchangers (34; 34.1, 34.2) being mixed vertically. Refrigerator (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which at least two superposed receiving elements (22) are designed as a cooling zone, and which comprises, for example, several cooling zones, each of which is assigned at least one heat exchanger (34), for example. Refrigerated cabinet (10) according to one of the preceding claims, which is designed to receive wine or champagne bottles as refrigerated goods (50), for example the receiving elements (22) having recesses designed for the horizontal insertion of bottles. Method for cooling goods (50) to be cooled on essentially horizontally arranged receiving elements (22) in a refrigerated cabinet (10), in which cooling air (L) sweeps over a receiving element (22) essentially horizontally. Procedure according to Claim 13 , in which the cooling air (L) is passed through air supply openings (24) onto the goods to be cooled (50) and is sucked in through associated air outlet openings (26) arranged essentially at the same level, in order to then be cooled and fed back to the air supply openings (24), wherein the setting of a target cooling air temperature based on temperature measurements at least in the area of the receiving elements (22) and the air intake upstream of the cooling takes place by means of an electronic control. Procedure according to Claim 13 or 14th , in which at least two superposed receiving elements (22) are designed as a cooling zone, and each cooling zone is assigned an independently controllable heat exchanger (34).

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