EP1899662A1

EP1899662A1 - Method and device for maintaining a temperature

Info

Publication number: EP1899662A1
Application number: EP06742829A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Manfred Zorn
Original assignee: IPV Inheidener Produktions- und Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH
Current assignee: IPV Inheidener Produktions- und Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH
Priority date: 2005-06-29
Filing date: 2006-05-08
Publication date: 2008-03-19
Also published as: DE102005030362B3; WO2007000208A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for maintaining a desired temperature by means of a thermal accumulator (1) in a thermal container (2). According to the invention, a desired temperature in relation to the outer temperature is generated in the thermal container (2) during an active tempering phase. During another passive tempering phase, a thermal element is not activated. A temperature accumulator medium is also selected for the thermal accumulator (1), said medium changing state in the positive degree Celsius temperature range, thereby cooling the inner chamber. The invention also relates to a thermal accumulator.

Description

Method and device for maintaining a temperature

The invention relates to a method for maintaining a desired temperature by means of a thermal battery in a thermal container according to the preamble of claim 1, in particular in a operated by Peltier elements Kühloder or heat box, wherein in the thermal container in an active temperature control by means of a thermocouple with a thermal radiator the desired temperature is generated due to a temperature difference to the outside temperature and wherein in a passive tempering the thermocouple is not operated.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a thermal battery for a thermal container, in particular for a operated by Peltier element cooling or heat box, according to the preamble of claim 6. Hereinafter, the thermal container thermally insulated walls and at least one thermocouple with at least one Thermoabstrahler on.

The use of cold batteries with cooling pockets for temperature control of the interior is a known measure. These cold batteries usually have an optimum range of use between -20 ° to a maximum of 0 ⁰ C. They have inside a thermo medium, for example H ₂ O. This thermo medium leads in the said temperature range between about 0 ° and -20 ⁰ C a Aggregatszu- Stands change from solid to liquid and vice versa. With H ₂ O, this change takes place between ice and water at 0 ^° C. For a change of the state of aggregation from solid to liquid, energy is needed, whereby the medium does not heat itself. In order to convert ice from 0 ⁰ C into water from 0 ⁰ C, energy must be supplied to the ice. The required energy usually comes from the ambient heat and thus cools the environment accordingly.

To reuse such a thermal battery, the thermal medium must be returned to the solid state of aggregation. This is conventionally carried out in a stationary freezer, as this in turn also a temperature between 0 ° and -20 ⁰ C or lower is needed. It is about the same temperature range in which the aggregate change from liquid to solid takes place.

Most thermal containers themselves have no active cooling. Thus, when using such Kühlakkus with thermal containers, only a single use of the cooling batteries is possible. Thereafter, the rechargeable battery in a stationary freezer must be re-cooled to be ready for use again.

Conventional electrically operated coolers usually have electrical energy stores for off-line use. These energy stores are heavy, which increases the overall weight of the thermal box. Also, these thermobondings achieve - not the low cooling temperatures necessary to cool and reinsert a known rechargeable battery. From DE 200 13 855 Ul an energy-optimized Peltier cooling device is known. Here, a special air duct for discharging the waste heat of the Peltier element is provided. In addition, a battery for energy storage is present when, for example, solar collectors excess energy is available. Furthermore, it is mentioned, in addition to the supply battery to provide a cold storage to save energy e.

In EP 13 02 410 Al a transport container for blood plasma and samples is described, which must be transported in a positive temperature range near 0 °. For this purpose, the housing is double-walled. In this double wall, a tempering medium is filled in, which ensures the maintenance of a temperature in the range of low plus degrees Celsius.

The invention is based on the invention to provide a method and an apparatus, with which in mobile, for example electrically operated, thermal containers, without supplying external energy, a desired temperature can be maintained simply and effectively for a longer time.

The object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and a thermal battery for Thermobe- ratios with the features of claim 6.

Further advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent subclaims. _

The method according to the invention for maintaining a desired temperature in a thermo box is characterized indicates that for a thermal battery, a temperature storage medium is selected, in which the change of the state of aggregation in the positive degree Celsius range is performed, and that in the passive tempering about the temperature difference, which was achieved in the active tempering in the Thermobehält- nis, by a Changing the state of aggregation of the temperature storage medium in particular from solid to liquid in the thermal battery over a longer time is substantially maintained.

A basic idea of the invention is not to use conventional cold accumulators, which only resume the solid state of aggregation at lower minus temperatures, but to use newer temperature storage media, which carry out this aggre- gate state change already in the positive temperature range. Electric coolers achieve a temperature difference of about 20 ⁰ C. At + 25 ° C ambient temperature to a maximum of + 5 ° C as the inside of the box can be achieved. At + 5 ° C, conventional temperature storage media do not undergo an aggre- gate state change from the liquid to the solid state. The temperature storage medium used, which may be, for example, certain paraffins, but already in this temperature range, the aggregate state change in the solid state. This makes it possible for the state of aggregate state of the temperature storage medium to be converted into the solid state during the network-connected operation of an electric cool box. In this way it is possible, after the separation of the thermal container, for example an electric refrigerator from the supply network, by a change in the state of aggregate from the solid to the liquid _. Condition to produce an additional cooling effect, whereby the temperature reached in the thermal container without additional power supply longer, for example, two to four hours, can be maintained, as without such a rechargeable battery. With sufficiently large prostitutes Accordingly, when sizing such a thermal battery, a cool box can be kept at the refrigerated temperature level for two to four or more hours. This also depends on the internal volume, the quality of the external insulation, the outside temperature and similar factors. However, it is also possible to use any other state change of state, such as from gaseous to solid state.

In principle, it is possible to arrange the thermal battery anywhere in the thermal container, ie in a cooling or heat box. However, it is according to the invention if, in the active tempering phase, the temperature storage medium is arranged in the thermal battery, in particular in the vicinity of the thermal radiator in the thermal container.

So that the change of the aggregate state of the temperature storage medium from liquid to solid is performed well and safely, the thermal battery is placed in the vicinity of the Thermoabstrahlers. Here, the desired or a slightly lower temperature is radiated through the thermocouple, without it being significantly influenced by the air inside the container, such as heated or cooled. In the area of the radiator, depending on the operating mode, it is particularly cold in a cool box or warm in a heat box.

It is preferred if in the temperature storage medium of the thermal battery in the active temperature phase, a change of the state of matter, in particular from liquid to solid, approximately in the desired temperature range, in the positive degree Celsius range is realized. In principle, it is also possible to carry out the method according to the invention in that the thermal battery in an external cooling device, a freezer, executes the change of the state of aggregation from the liquid to the solid state. But it is quite advantageous if this Zöststandswechsel can be performed in the network-bound operation of the Thermobehältnis- ses. This eliminates the need for an external cooling device.

The temperature range in which the change in the state of aggregation of the temperature storage medium takes place can be selected close to the maximum, achievable extreme temperature of the thermobondment, such as a cool box, in order to allow a particularly good cooling or heating effect. Another possibility is to design the cooling battery with the thermo medium so that it is cooled down further in the solid state. As a result, the cold energy of the battery can be used in the passive phase.

In principle, every desired shape of a thermal battery is possible. Since the thermal battery but also acts as a cold or heat extraction during the passive tempering, it is advantageous if the volume of the temperature storage medium is provided in a surface enlarged thermal battery. As a result, a particularly good thermal radiation can be achieved. This is possible, for example, a wave-like or sawtooth surface basic shape.

If the method is carried out with a thermal container which is operated, for example, by means of a Peltier element, it is advantageous if the change of the state of aggregation of the temperature-storage medium in the temperature range between + 3 ° C and + 12 ⁰ C, in particular between + 5 ° C and + 10 ⁰ C, preferably at about +8 ⁰ C is selected. In principle, the temperature storage medium can be chosen such that the state of aggregate change is carried out at the temperature which can be reached as the extreme temperature. This means the coldest temperature, when the thermal battery is intended for cooling, or the highest achievable temperature, as far as the Keeping warm is used. Likewise, however, the temperature range, when cooling over, and during heating can be below the respective extreme temperature. Thus, the corresponding temperature to the state of aggregate change must first be achieved.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if, in the active tempering phase, a high temperature transmission capacity is created by the spatial arrangement and envelope structure of the thermal battery. This can be achieved, for example, in that the thermal battery has direct contact with the thermocouple of the Peltier element. In such a method, the temperature storage medium in the thermal battery performs the change of state of aggregation, for example, from liquid to solid, particularly well.

An inventive thermal battery is characterized in that it has at least one temperature storage medium in which the change of state of aggregation is also for cooling in the positive degree Celsius range and that the thermal battery is arranged detachably in the region of the thermocouple.

In principle, the temperature storage medium and its melting point can be chosen so that the change of state of aggregation takes place in any temperature range. It is preferred that the temperature range between + 3 ° C and + 12 ° C, in particular between + 5 ° C and + 10 ⁰ C, and especially at about +8 ⁰ C. These ranges are preferred because they describe the minimum achievable internal temperature with a Peltier cooler, in which still a state of aggregate state change of the temperature storage medium can be performed. A possible, suitable for this temperature storage medium are paraffins. The choice of this temperature range can also offer the advantage that the state of aggregate change in the passive cooling phase very early in the direction of positive temperature temperatures, and so the cooling effect of the thermal battery starts very early. This maintains a low temperature for a long time. However, it is also conceivable to use the cooling effect of the state of aggregate change later.

If such a cooler is used for heating or for maintaining warm temperatures, it is preferred if the temperature range for the change of the state of aggregation between +40 ⁰ C and +60 ⁰ C. When choosing this temperature range, the desired temperature to be maintained in the interior of the thermo box plays a significant role. The state of aggregate change upon heating may be set a few degrees above the desired temperature to be maintained. Depending on the intended use, this can be between +40 ⁰ C and +60 ⁰ C or between + 45 ° C and + 55 ° C or in the range around +50 ⁰ C.

In principle, such a thermal container can be operated with any type of cooling or heating device. However, it is particularly advantageous to operate the container with a thermocouple in the form of a Peltier element, which can be designed and / or connected as a cooling element or heat element.

Instead of a Peltier element, other cold or heat generating devices are used. So the use of cooling compressor technology is conceivable.

Peltier thermocouples offer the advantage that they can be used to achieve both cooling and heating effects. In addition, they have little or no noise and take up little space compared to devices of other cooling techniques. In principle, it is possible to arrange the thermal battery anywhere in the thermobond. However, it is preferred if the thermal battery is in positive contact with the thermal radiator, in particular the radiator fins of the thermal radiator. This ensures that the temperature generated by the thermocouple on the thermocouple transitions particularly well on the thermal battery. Thus, the desired state of aggregation, usually the solid state, is achieved quickly and effectively in the active tempering phase. Through intensive positive contact, it is also possible to avoid insulating layers of air between the radiating fins and the thermal battery.

Likewise, it is also possible that the thermal battery is designed in the form of a bag, in particular an aluminum bag, and is fastened to the thermal emitter by holding and tensioning means. Thus, a particularly simple and flexible attachment of the thermal bag on Thermoabstrahler is possible. Due to the detachable attachment of the thermal battery is basically the possibility of cooling the thermal battery in external cooling devices, although this is not necessary with the described cooler or the method according to the invention. Also, the thermal box, when used only in stationary use with power connection, can be used without the space-taking thermal battery, whereby a larger internal volume is available. But there are no limits to the basic shape of the thermal battery.

In order to be able to radiate particularly well in the passive tempering phase the temperature which is maintained or "generated" by the thermal battery, it is provided that the thermal battery has a relatively large thermal surface, in particular flat and thermal radiation surface. As a result, the internal temperature can be influenced particularly well by the thermal battery become. Such a surface enlargement can be realized for example by a waveform or a sawtooth-like basic shape.

Furthermore, it is preferred if the container is designed as a minibar. This offers in hotels, for example, the advantage of cooling the minibar only by electricity at night, and provide during the day by means of the thermal battery according to the invention for a temperature. As a result, cheaper night stream can be used for cooling. It is also possible to actively cool during the day in the case of noisier minibars and passively heat them at night through thermal batteries in order to avoid any operating noise.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to preferred embodiments and schematic drawings. In these drawings show:

1 is a perspective view of a portion of a cooler with a thermal battery according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a thermal battery according to the invention; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional side view of a cool box with thermal battery according to the invention.

In Fig. 1, a cooler 2 is shown with a thermal battery 1 according to the invention. The thermocouple is located in this cooler 2 in the lid 3. Since the Thermoabstrahler 22 (not visible here) is also attached to the cover 3, the thermal battery 1 according to the invention is mounted there. The thermal battery 1 shown here has an elevated thermal radiation surface 12 through a sawtooth-like surface. This serves to improve Changing the temperature with the air and objects inside the cooler. The thermal container 2 also has an insulated wall 4, whereby the generated temperature difference to the environment can be better maintained.

Through the recess of the thermal battery 1, it is possible to achieve a positive contact with the thermocouple 22 of the thermocouple when attaching this thermal battery 1, as shown in Fig. 2. As a result, a very good heat or cold transfer between the thermal radiator 22 and the thermal battery 1 is achieved. Thus, the state of aggregate change, for example from liquid to solid, can be realized particularly well in the active thermal phase. The fact that the battery is not firmly connected to the cool box, it can be easily removed, for. to pre-cool it in an external cooling device. It is also possible, in the network operation of the cooler, during which the mobile cooling effect of the battery is not needed to remove it, and thus to obtain more space in the interior.

The thermal battery 1 has a U-shaped cross-section 14. In its interior, a channel 13 is formed. This is used to hold the Thermoabstrahlers 22. In the embodiment shown here, the cooling battery 1 is designed so that the Thermoabstrahler 22 is fully absorbed by the thermal battery 1. However, it is also conceivable to receive only a portion of the thermocouple 22 through the thermal battery 1 and to keep the remaining surface of the Thermoabstrahlers 22 directly in contact with the air of the inner region of the thermal container 2 in contact.

In Fig. 3 is a sectional side view of the thermal container 2 of FIG. 1 is shown. For illustration, a bottle 23 is located inside the thermal container 2. The thermo-battery 1 is in positive-locking contact with the thermobattery 2. Due to the fact that the thermal battery 1 does not fill the entire longitudinal side of the thermal container 2, it is possible to cool even higher bottles 23 in the cooler 2. The better the insulation of the wall 4 is designed, the longer can be kept with the thermal battery 1, the interior at the desired temperature. The ventilation slots 24 serve for exchanging air with the side of the spacer element facing away from the interior. The larger and better the air flow is here, the higher the performance of the Peltier element. The ventilation slots are therefore closely related to the design of the temperature of the physical state change of the thermal storage medium in the thermal battery 1.

With the method according to the invention and the thermal battery according to the invention, it is possible to maintain the temperature within a thermal container without external power supply simply and effectively over a longer period of time.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. A method for maintaining a desired temperature by means of a thermal battery (1) in a Thermobe- ratio (2), in particular in a operated by Peltier element

Cooling or heat box,

wherein in the thermal container (2) in an active tempering phase by means of a thermocouple with thermal radiator (22) the desired temperature due to a temperature difference is generated to the outside temperature, and

in which case the thermocouple is not operated in a passive tempering phase, this results in no more

-that a temperature storage medium is selected for the thermal battery (1), in which the change of the state of aggregation in the positive degrees Celsius range, in particular from liquid to solid and vice versa, is performed,

-that in the passive tempering as about the temperature difference that was achieved in the active temperature control in the thermal container (2), by changing the state of aggregation, in particular from solid to liquid, the temperature storage medium in the thermal battery (1) over a longer time substantially maintained will, and

in the active temperature control phase, the temperature storage medium in the thermal battery (1) is arranged in the vicinity of the thermocouple radiator (22) in the thermal container.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the temperature storage medium of the thermal battery (1) in the active temperature phase, a change of state of aggregation, in particular from liquid to solid, is realized in the desired temperature range, in the positive degree Celsius range.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the volume of the temperature storage medium is provided in a surface-enlarged thermal battery (1).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the change of the state of aggregation of the temperature storage medium in the temperature range between + 3 ° C and + 12 ° C, in particular between + 5 ° C and + 10 ⁰ C, preferably at about + 8 ° C, is selected.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that in the active tempering phase by spatial arrangement and envelope structure of the thermal battery (1) a high temperature transmission capacity is created.

6. Thermoakku (1) for a thermal container (2), in particular for a operated by Peltier element cooling or heat, with thermally insulated walls (4) and at least one thermocouple, which has at least one Thermoabstrahler (22), in particular for carrying out the Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized ,

in that the thermal battery (1) has at least one temperature storage medium,

-wobei the change of state of aggregation of the temperature storage medium, in particular from liquid to solid and vice versa, also for cooling in the positive degree Celsius range, and

-that the thermal battery (1) is arranged detachably in the region of the thermal radiator (22).

7. Thermoakku according to claim 6, characterized in that the temperature storage medium is selected so that the change of state of aggregation in the temperature range between + 3 ° C and + 12 ° C, in particular between + 5 ° C and + 10 ⁰ C, preferably at about + 8 ° C.

8. Thermoakku according to claim 6, characterized in that the temperature range for the change of aggregate state while maintaining the heat between +40 ⁰ C and +60 ⁰ C.

9. thermoelectric battery according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the thermocouple is a Peltier element and that the thermocouple is designed and / or connected as a cooling element or heat element.

10. Thermoakku according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that e e e ce n e c e s that the thermal battery (1) in positive contact with the thermal radiator (22), in particular the radiating ribs of the Thermoabstrahlers (22) stands.

11. Thermoakku according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that e e e c e s e s that the thermal battery (1) in the form of a bag, in particular an aluminum bag, by holding or clamping means on the thermal radiator (22) is attached.

12. Thermoakku according to any one of claims 6 to 11, characterized in that e e e c e s e s that the thermal battery (1) with a relatively large thermal surface, in particular thermal absorption surface and Thermoabstrahlflache (12) is formed.

13. Thermoakku according to any one of claims 6 to 12, characterized e e c e e n e e c e s e that the container is designed as a minibar.