DE20013775U1 - Cooling device with universal exchangeable module for cooling - Google Patents

Description

Cooling devices with a universal exchange module for cooling.

The invention relates to devices with a universal exchangeable module (1) for cooling. The module can be used for cooling in various devices (applications), such as cool boxes, cooling hoods (52), barrel coolers (32), bottle coolers (42), salad coolers, refrigerated display cases, refrigerated cake hoods (22), mini fridges, product displays, chafing dish coolers, cooling trays, cosmetic cases, can coolers and others. The user can use the exchangeable module (1) in the application he requires. In an advantageous embodiment, the cooling unit of the exchangeable module is implemented with Peltier elements (14).

Description

Devices and applications for cooling, particularly using Peltier technology, have been known in numerous patent documents and products for around 40 to 50 years. Some interesting examples are listed below by category:

Cool boxes: 04.08.1980-Reed-ÜS 4,326,383 // 06.06.1986-Langner-OS DE 36 19 176 // 13.02.1987-Burke-US 4,726,193 // 04.07.1997-Jäger-OS DE 197 28 539;

Cosmetic case: 23.08.1995-Paechter-PCT WO 96/07063

Goods presenter: 07.11.1967-Chanoch-US 3,351,233 // 22.07.1985-Ferrero-OS DE 35 26 147 // 06.11.1973-Corini-US 3,769,805 // 16.10.1986-Mullen-PCT WO 88/02836

Draft beer cooler: 14.01.1986-Knopf-OS DE 36 00 806

Can cooler: 09/28/1993-Collard-US 5,247,798 // 06/30/1988-Cech-PCT WO 88/04758 // 04/19/1988-Rudick-ÜS 4,738,113

Bottle cooler: 02.06.1995-Nemeth-GBM DE 295 08 881 // 02.10.1992-Bannemann-OS DE 42 33 172 // 17.03.1970-Feldman-US 3,500,649

All known cooling applications have in common that the corresponding cooling units are permanently installed in the devices.

The disadvantage is that the manufacturing costs for the cooling units are usually disproportionately higher than the manufacturing costs of the application. An example of this is an electronic cooling box, where around 80% of the manufacturing costs are for the cooling units and only 20% for the rest of the actual box. Since the corresponding applications are usually known on the market uncooled or cooled with, for example, ice packs, there is a considerable discrepancy and non-acceptance among consumers. They are usually not prepared to pay the incomprehensibly high price.

This is particularly true because cooling devices with Peltier technology cannot compare in price/performance with the well-known compressor cooling devices (e.g. refrigerators). In addition, with the current manufacturing method, only the completely assembled cooling devices can be tested and, if necessary, revised. This makes production and maintenance more expensive.

The German OS 2 257 850 discloses that manufacturing costs can be reduced by standardizing components (e.g. heat sinks, fans, Peltier elements). However, the corresponding components are also intended for permanent installation in the corresponding devices (e.g. bottle coolers, cool boxes).

A cooling box with an exchangeable cooling module is known from US Patent 5,301,508. However, the solution presented there is not intended for the user to change the module frequently, but rather to facilitate production and maintenance. The module can only be changed using tools. In addition, it is designed as a slide-in module. This results in a necessary and complex guide mechanism for the module. Central positioning of the module, where no edge of the module lines up with a corresponding edge of the device housing, either results in the insulation at the edge being correspondingly thinner, or the insulation inside having to be made thicker overall, or at least in parts. In addition, it is very complicated and expensive to produce such a guide for materials that are difficult to deform, such as Plexiglas.

A module structure for installation in cooling devices is known from US Patent 5,315,830 or WO 94/24495. The structure shown here is, however, intended for permanent installation in corresponding cooling devices. The housing in which the module is to be installed must be equipped with appropriate devices for air flow. In these places, the insulation of the housing is correspondingly thin, and power losses occur due to thermal bridges. In addition, in this construction, the thickness of the insulation layer depends on the thickness of the Peltier elements used. These are usually approx.

up to 5 mm thick. It has been shown that for commercially available cooling devices, which generate a temperature difference of about 20 ⁰ K, an insulation of about 20 to 30 mm is optimal. A thinner insulation with a generated temperature difference of 20 ⁰ K or more causes a high power loss between the warm and the cold

US Patent 5,501,076 is a further development of 5,315,830. A module for installation in a cooling device is known here. However, this has the disadvantage that it is completely installed in the cooling device using a complex mechanism. In addition to the costs for the mechanics, a correspondingly large amount of space is required for the module and the air supply. Complete installation also has functional disadvantages. Since the warm exhaust air side of the cooling module is inside the device, the heat released to the device housing is greater than with an external module. The insulation must be adapted accordingly. A correspondingly high level of effort must also be made to prevent thermal bridges between the cold inside and the warm outside. In particular, the warm air blown out in the warm area of the module must under no circumstances reach the cold area of the housing. This would significantly reduce the performance of the cooling module. Due to the overall effort required, this design is not suitable for an exchangeable module that is to be exchanged frequently and easily.

To eliminate these disadvantages, the invention is based on the object of increasing the price/performance ratio and the benefit for the consumer by using a frequently and

A changeable module that can be easily swapped between different applications offers a significant cost advantage in production and can therefore achieve corresponding market acceptance. The change mechanism for exchanging the changeable modules on the application side should be designed so simply that production should be possible both in large series with appropriate tools and in small series and one-off production without any problems.

According to the invention, the object is achieved in that the cooling is designed as a separate exchange module. It is not permanently installed in the device, but is inserted into the respective device using a corresponding exchange mechanism. The exchange mechanism is implemented, for example, by a screw, clamp or spring mechanism that is easy to operate without tools. This allows the user to use several applications alternately with one exchange module, significantly reducing the number of expensive cooling systems compared to previous solutions.

Depending on the size of the application used, the cooling of the exchangeable modules can be carried out using different technical processes. It is recommended to divide this up according to the cooling capacity required. Small and medium cooling capacities (up to approx. 500 watts) are achieved using Peltier cooling units and absorber cooling units. For higher capacities, the use of compressor cooling units is recommended.

The mechanism for changing the modules must meet two requirements. Firstly, it must be quick, easy and can be used without tools. Secondly, the mechanism must ensure that no air can exchange between the cold inside and the warm outside. This can be achieved, for example, by a circumferential fastening bar with an insulator (e.g. foam or rubber) attached to the underside. The fastening bar is attached to the device in a corresponding opening using appropriate screw, clamp or field mechanisms. The insulator is pressed onto the housing and

At the same time as the mechanical fastening, the insulation of the inside from the outside is ensured.

Furthermore, the housing of the exchangeable module must be designed in such a way that there are no thermal bridges between the cold inside and the warm outside. Especially with metal housings, it is therefore advisable to manufacture the housing from at least two parts, with the inner parts not touching the outer parts at any point. The gaps that arise are also sealed with an insulator.

In an advantageous design with a cooling unit made of Peltier elements, the exchange module can also be used to heat the interior by simply reversing the polarity of the current flow. 15

Examples of embodiments are shown in the drawings and are described in more detail below. They show:

Fig. 1: A removable module with Peltier cooling and a

Screw-type change mechanism.

Fig. 2: An exploded view of the exchange module from Fig. 1. Fig. 3: A cake cover with an opening for an exchange module. Fig. 4: A cake cover with an inserted exchange module. Fig. 5: A beer keg cooler with an opening for an exchange module. Fig. 6: A beer keg cooler with an inserted exchange module. Fig. 7: A bottle / beverage crate cooler with an opening for

an interchangeable module.

Fig. 8: A bottle / beverage crate cooler with an inserted exchange module.

Fig. 9: A cooling hood e.g. for buffet plates with an opening for

an interchangeable module.
Fig. 10: A cooling hood e.g. for buffet plates with a

used exchange module.
35

Figure 1 shows an advantageous design of the exchange module with Peltier cooling. The exchange module (1) has a warm side (4) and a cold side (5). The sides are connected by a circumferential

I *»·&iacgr; »· ·· y · y 2y

The fastening bar (7) separates them from each other. Hand screws (6) are inserted into the fastening bar (7) with which the interchangeable module (1) can be screwed into the application without tools. When the interchangeable module is in operation, air is sucked in through the cooling openings (3) inside the application and blown out cooled in direction (5). The ambient air is sucked in through the ambient openings (2) and blown out as heated exhaust air in direction (4).

Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the exchange module (1). The housing of the exchange module (1) is divided into two parts. Firstly, there is the cover (10) of the warm side with the surrounding fastening bar (7) and the hand screws (6), and secondly the cover (11) of the cold side. When both parts are assembled, a small gap remains between them, which prevents a thermal bridge between the housing parts (10) and (11). The exchange module is cooled using one or more Peltier elements (14). These split heat from one side, thereby creating a warm and a cold side. The warm side is connected to a heat sink (13), which releases the heat produced into the ambient air. A fan (12) generates an air flow through the heat sink (13). The cold side is connected to a guide block

(15) made of aluminum or copper, which conducts the cold to another heat sink (17). The conducting block (15) controls the distance between the warm heat sink (13) and the cold heat sink

(17) is enlarged. The resulting space has an inner housing

(16) and is filled with an insulating foam to prevent heat flow from the heat sink (13) to the heat sink (17). The cold at the heat sink (17) is distributed by a fan (18) in the device to be cooled.

Figure 3 shows a generally known cake hood (22) with an opening (20) for receiving an interchangeable module and with internal threads (21) for fastening the module.

Figure 4 shows the cake cover (22) with the interchangeable module (1) inserted. This rests on the fastening bar (7) and is fixed by hand screws (6). It is advantageous to attach a flexible insulation, such as foam sealing tape, to the

Underside of the fastening bar (7) between this and the hood (22) to prevent air exchange between the inside of the hood and the outside.

Figure 5 shows a keg cooler (32) for putting over beer kegs. In the top there is an opening (30) for receiving an exchange module and there are internal threads (31) for fastening the exchange module. The opening (33) allows the beer to be tapped.

Figure 6 shows the barrel cooler (32) with the exchange module (1) inserted. This rests on the fastening bar (7) and is fixed by hand screws (6). It is advantageous to attach a flexible insulation, such as foam sealing tape, to the underside of the fastening bar (7) between it and the barrel cooler (32) in order to prevent air exchange between the inside of the barrel cooler and the outside.

Figure 7 shows a device for cooling bottles (42) with an opening (40) for receiving an interchangeable module and with internal threads (41) for fastening the interchangeable module. The device consists of a box or a bottomless frame (43) and a lid (44) .

Figure 8 shows the bottle cooling system (42) with the interchangeable module (1) inserted. This rests on the fastening bar (7) and is fixed using hand screws (6). It is advantageous to attach flexible insulation, such as foam sealing tape, to the underside of the fastening bar (7) between it and the lid (44) in order to prevent air exchange between the inside of the hood and the outside.

Figure 9 shows a cooling hood (52), eg for buffets, with an opening (50) for receiving an interchangeable module and with internal threads (51) for fastening the interchangeable module. The cooling hood has a front flap (53). The cooling hood (52) is advantageously made of transparent plastics.

Figure 10 shows the cooling hood (52) with the exchange module (1) inserted. This rests on the mounting bar (7) and is held in place by

Hand screws (6). It is advantageous to attach a flexible insulation, such as foam sealing tape, to the underside of the fastening bar (7) between this and the hood (52) in order to prevent air exchange between the inside of the hood and the outside.

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Claims (8)

1. Devices for cooling, characterized in that the actual cooling unit is not built into the devices, but is designed as a compact and easily exchangeable interchangeable module ( 1 ) which can be frequently exchanged between different devices by the user without the aid of tools, and the warm exhaust air side ( 4 ) of the cooling with a built-in interchangeable module does not require any air flow through the device housing, or is located outside the device. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the unit of the exchange module is realized with Peltier technology ( 14 ). 3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the unit of the exchange module is realized with compressor cooling. 4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the unit of the exchange module is realized with absorber cooling. 5. Devices according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the change mechanism for exchanging the exchange module is designed by a circumferential fastening web ( 7 ) and a simple screw ( 6 ), clamp or spring mechanism which can be operated without tools, and on the application side does not require any special devices or tools for production, such as casting molds, drawing molds or the like. 6. Devices according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the change mechanism for exchanging the exchange module is designed so that there are no thermal bridges between the cold (inside) ( 5 ) and the warm (outside) side (4) of the devices. 7. Devices according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the change mechanism for exchanging the exchange module is designed so that there is no exchange of air between the cold (inside) ( 5 ) and the warm (outside) side (4) of the devices. 8. Device according to one of claims 1, 2, 5, 6 or 7, characterized in that the device can also be used to heat the inside ( 5 ) by reversing the polarity using Peltier elements ( 14 ).