EP2708161A1 - Refrigerated display counter with air circulation and method for operating a refrigerated display counter with air circulation - Google Patents

Abstract

The refrigerated counter (1) has a product space (3) in which air stream (2) is circulated by an air duct (4), and in which a product base (8) is arranged. The air duct and a fan (19) are arranged in the product base. A cold point (18) of refrigeration unit is arranged in the flow direction behind the fan. The fan is inclinedly arranged with respect to two mutually arranged sections (12,13) of the air duct. The angle of inclination on both sections is of specific value. An independent claim is included for a method of operating refrigerated counter.

Description

The invention relates to a circulating air cooling counter, in which an air flow circulates through a goods compartment and through a recirculating air duct and sweeps over a goods floor arranged in the goods floor, wherein in the recirculation duct a fan and in the circulation direction behind the fan, a cold point of a cooling unit is arranged. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for operating a recirculating air cooling counter, in which an air flow through a goods room and through a recirculating air duct and arranged in the recirculating air duct fan and circulating at a circulation point behind the fan cold spot circulates and sweeps over a shelf.

Such recirculating air cooling counters are well known in various forms in the prior art and in the public, wherein to be cooled goods presented on the bottom of the goods and is usually protected by a glass top. The goods floor is usually arranged horizontally or slightly inclined to a customer side, the glass top is usually on a seller side, ie on a side facing away from the customer, open, so that the goods from the sales staff from the back on the Goods floor can be placed and removed again.

Recirculating refrigerated counters of this type are common in food retail, for example, confectionery, such as cakes and pieces of cake, or meat and sausage products. To offer cheese or fish.

It is an object of the present invention to optimize the efficiency of such recirculating air cooling counters and thus to minimize energy consumption.

As a solution Umluftkühltheken with the features of claims 1, 5 and 7 and methods for operating a convection refrigerated counter with the features of claims 13 or 16 are proposed. Further advantageous embodiments can be found in the present description and in the dependent claims.

In this respect, a recirculating air cooling counter, in which an air flow circulates through a goods compartment and through a recirculating air duct and sweeps over a goods floor arranged in the goods floor, wherein in the recirculation duct a fan and in the circulation direction behind the fan, a cold point of a cooling unit is arranged characterized in that the fan with respect to two arranged at an angle to each other and successive sections of the circulating air channel is arranged inclined, wherein the angle of inclination to both sections is less than 90 °.

Also, a method for operating a recirculating air cooling counter, in which an air flow through a cloth beam and through a recirculating air duct and arranged in the circulating air duct fan and circulating at a behind arranged in the circulation direction cold spot over circulates and sweeps over a shelf, characterized in that the fan accelerates the airflow with a direction that deviates in at least one component from both an initial direction and an end direction of a change in direction of the airflow in the recirculating air passage.

Both the aforementioned air-cooled counter and the aforementioned operating method require that an air flow following a change in direction is accelerated by the fan. This means that turbulences, which reduce the efficiency by the air can be driven against changes in the circulating air duct or can only reach the fan through a narrow access space, are minimized and the air flow is not subject to unnecessary flow losses. Accordingly, the recirculating air channel can be made narrower overall, whereby the efficiency also increases.

A corresponding improvement in efficiency follows in particular if the operating method is designed such that the direction in which the fan accelerates the air flow is arranged at an acute angle both to the initial direction and to the output direction.

Preferably, the fan is arranged in a transition region between the two sections of the circulation channel. As a result, it can be particularly effective in reversing the direction support, without the air flow is too much affected.

In the present context, it should be emphasized that a recirculating air channel is defined by a thickness and a width which are perpendicular to each other and both perpendicular to the direction of circulation. Here, the width is aligned horizontally and is therefore to be understood in parallel to the width of the convection refrigerated display. Depending on the specific embodiment, the recirculating air duct can be extended at least in the partial area almost over the entire width of the refrigerated display counter. Likewise, several smaller recirculating air ducts can be arranged parallel to each other. In particular, when the recirculation duct extends almost over the entire width of the recirculating air cooling counter, it is usually below the goods space as a subchannel run and be connected via air inlets or air outlets in the conversion of the goods space with this. In addition, in the present context, the transitional region between the two sections of the recirculating air duct is defined as the area which extends in each case at the maximum over the thickness of the circulating air duct into the two sections in parallel to the direction of circulation. The central region of the transition region, in which at least one of the conversions makes a change in direction in order to pass from one section to the other section, is referred to in the present context as the connecting region of the two sections.

Depending on the specific embodiment of such recirculating air cooling counters, a plurality of fans and / or a plurality of cooling points can be provided over the width of the recirculation air duct.

A particularly effective flow or flow around the cold spot and thus beyond maximized efficiency follows, when the cold spot is arranged in the rear in the direction of circulation portion of the two at an angle arranged portions. The fan can then possibly from the transition region accelerate the air directly to the Katstelle, so that it comes as intimately as possible due to the turbulence caused by the fan with the air flow in contact.

The fan can be arranged in an extended and tapered in the direction of circulation region of the rear part in the circulation direction, so that it can be effective over a large area in relation to the total size of the air conditioning chilled counter. By the rejuvenation takes place an advantageous acceleration of the air flow.

In addition, the cross-section, as the strength and width, of the recirculation passage in the influx to the fan can be advantageously chosen smaller than in the outflow from the fan. As a result, the space can be optimally used, since then the largest possible Abtromlänge for the fan is available, which this can work very effectively and thus the efficiency further increases.

A particularly compact arrangement follows when the rear portion of the two sections is aligned vertically and the other of the two sections horizontally. These orientations are understood to be perpendicular to the width of the circulating air channel.

Also, in order to optimize the efficiency and thus to minimize energy consumption, a convection refrigerated counter, in which a stream of air circulates through a cloth beam and through a recirculating air duct and a arranged in the goods compartment goods space arranged goods floor sweeps, wherein in the circulating air duct, a fan and in the circulation direction behind the fan a cold point of a cooling unit is arranged, characterized in that between the fan and the cold point an air guide body is arranged. This breaks up an outgoing air flow from the fan, so that this evenly distributed and highly turbulent reaches the cold junction, which ultimately increases the efficiency.

A break of the air flow is particularly effective when the air guide body has a directed to the fan surface component. In this case, such a surface component convex, so with a curvature to the outside, be aligned with the fan, so that a very effective deflection of the air flow can be ensured without losses due to excessive rebounds.

Likewise, in order to optimize the efficiency of such circulating air cooling counters and thus to minimize energy consumption, a method for operating a convection refrigerated counter, in which an air flow through a goods room and through a recirculating air duct and arranged in the circulating air duct fan and at a direction of circulation behind the Fan arranged cold spot circulates over and sweeps over a goods floor, characterized in that the air flow is expanded behind the fan before reaching the area of the cold spot. This requires, in particular, that the cold point can be flowed over a much larger area, which also increases the efficiency.

Preferably, the expansion of the air flow takes place with a component perpendicular to the width of the circulating air channel, so that areas laterally of the fan swept by the air flow and therefore the cold spot over a maximum width can cool the air flow.

In this context, it should be explained that the cold point may be, for example, an evaporator of a cooling unit, wherein an associated compressor and other components of the cooling unit, such as a heat exchanger and the like, then below the circulating air duct, especially if this is designed as a subchannel and / or in a base, which carries the cloth tree, can be arranged.

Preferably, the goods tree is open on the personnel side, so that goods can readily be grasped by the staff or stored in the goods space without the risk that the goods will be compromised by customers.

Cumulatively or alternatively to the other features of the present invention can, in order to optimize the efficiency of such Umluftkühltheken and thus minimize energy consumption, a convection refrigerated counter, in which an air flow through a goods room and circulating through a recirculating air duct and a arranged in the goods compartment floor goods strokes, wherein in the circulating air duct a fan and in the circulation direction behind the fan, a cold point of a cooling unit is arranged, characterized in that above the fan and below the Kalstelle a drip protection is arranged. There is, of course, the danger that condensate will form at the cold point which can not be removed in good time before it drips off. Such drops can, especially when they hit the center of the fan, reduce its performance, which can be avoided by such a drip protection, so that the efficiency increases accordingly. Also can be avoided in this way that drops are accelerated back up, which also lowers the efficiency, especially if the drops should thereby evaporate again.

Corresponding drip protection is effective if it has a directed to the cold spot surface component.

Preferably, the air guide body or the drip protection is arranged perpendicular to the width of the circulating air channel, so that air distributed in the width around the air guide body or can paint around the drip protection. This requires a special uniform distribution of the air, which is correspondingly advantageous when it comes to the cold spot.

With regard to its surface component, the drip protection preferably has a concave configuration which facilitates accumulation of dripping water or condensate and its targeted removal.

Preferably, the air guide or the drip protection is inclined, so that any condensate can be dissipated purposefully.

The air guide body or the drip protection can be designed flat, which on the one hand allows an extremely simple and cost-effective design and on the other hand easy handling of these modules. Due to the planar configuration, one and the same module can readily act both as an air guide body and as drip protection, in particular, a concave surface design in the direction of the cold junction and a convex surface design in the direction of the fan can readily be realized simultaneously.

Preferably, the air guide body or the drip protection in the circulation direction does not completely cover the fan. In this way it is ensured that such body does not obstruct the air flow too much, which would ultimately be detrimental to the efficiency again.

A recirculating air cooling counter or an operating method for a recirculating air cooling counter can be characterized in that arranged on one edge of the product bottom, a first bearing point and the top side with respect to the first bearing offset by a bearing distance from the center of the commodity floor in the direction of the edge, a second bearing and that a support and an abutment are arranged on a counter body of the convection refrigerated counter, wherein the horizontal distance between the support and abutment smaller than the bearing distance and the vertical distance between support and abutment are selected to be smaller than the distance of the two bearings perpendicular to the goods floor. In this way, the goods floor can be placed clamped in an inclined position, for example, for maintenance or cleaning work on the counter body, making such activities considerably easier.

It is understood that preferably mutually interacting bearings are arranged in relation to the width of the circulating air cooling counter to exactly one width. In such an embodiment, the goods floor can be made accordingly straight.

Preferably, the edge on which the corresponding bearing points are provided is a customer-side and / or a staff-side edge. This is advantageous, in particular in conjunction with a glass cover which may be present, but also in the case of very wide recirculating air cooling counters, since corresponding maintenance or cleaning steps can then be carried out by the customer or the personnel. Preferably, both a customer-side and a personnel-side edge is provided with corresponding bearing points, and accordingly corresponding supports and abutments are preferably also arranged on the counter body for each of the edges. In such a configuration, the goods floor can be clamped in two different positions accordingly to the counter body.

The bottom of the goods is particularly compact when at least one of the bearings is seconded to a body which serves as a storage location for the goods floor for the purpose of merchandise presentation. Then need for such bearings for the purpose of goods presentation no separate bearings can be provided.

It is understood that the features of the solutions described above or in the claims can optionally also be combined in order to implement the advantages in a cumulative manner.

Figur 1

einen Warenraum und einen Umluftkanal einer Umluftkühltheke im Schnitt;

Figur 2

eine alternative Umluftkühltheke in ähnlicher Darstellung wie Figur 1 im Detail;

Figur 3

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie A in einer Detailansicht;

Figur 4

den Luftleitkörper bzw. Tropfschutz der Anordnung nach Figuren 2 und 3;

Figur 5

einen alternativen Luftleitkörper bzw. Tropfschutz;

Figur 6

einen alternativen Warenboden in einer Detailansicht;

Figur 7

die Anordnung nach Figur 1 mit dem Warenboden nach Figur 6 in einer Detailansicht;

Figur 8

den Warenboden nach Figuren 6 und 7 in angestelltem Zustand;

Figur 9

die Anordnung nach Figuren 7 und 8 beim Anstellen des Warenbodens; und

Figur 10

geometrische Überlegungen zu der Anordnung nach Figuren 7 bis 9.

Further advantages, objects and features of the present invention will be explained with reference to the following description of exemplary embodiments, which are shown in particular in the appended drawing. In the drawing show:

FIG. 1

a goods room and a recirculation duct of a convection refrigerated counter in section;

FIG. 2

an alternative convection refrigerated counter in a similar representation as FIG. 1 in detail;

FIG. 3

a section along the line A in a detail view;

FIG. 4

the air guide body or drip protection of the arrangement according to FIGS. 2 and 3 ;

FIG. 5

an alternative air guide or drip protection;

FIG. 6

an alternative goods floor in a detail view;

FIG. 7

the arrangement after FIG. 1 with the goods floor after FIG. 6 in a detailed view;

FIG. 8

the bottom of the goods FIGS. 6 and 7 in the employed state;

FIG. 9

the arrangement after FIGS. 7 and 8th when hiring the goods floor; and

FIG. 10

geometric considerations for the arrangement according to FIGS. 7 to 9 ,

At the recirculating air cooling counter 1 FIG. 1 In this exemplary embodiment, the goods space 3 is protected in its upper area by a transparent cover 5, which is closed towards a customer side 6 and by a personnel side 7 facing the customer side 6 lies, is accessible from.

In the goods room 3, a goods floor 8 is arranged, wherein the circulating air cooling counter 1 has on its counter body 9 several presentation pads 10, on which the goods floor 8 can be placed in different angles of attack for the presentation of goods.

The circulating air channel 4 can be divided into four essential sections, a substantially vertical section 11, which is provided on the customer side 6 and in which the circulating air flow 12 flows from the goods compartment 3, a substantially horizontally oriented portion 12, in which the air flow. 2 flows from the customer side 6 from the personnel side 7 under the goods floor 8, a vertical portion 13, which is provided in a counter area 14 and a horizontal portion 15 in the upper area the counter area 14, from which the air flow 2 enters the goods compartment 3 again. As clearly understandable, however, not shown in the drawing, the convection refrigerated counter 1 extends perpendicular to the plane in the horizontal direction, which defines the width of the convection refrigerated counter 1 by this extension. Accordingly, the circulating air channel 4 extends over this width, the direction of which only by way of example by a double arrow 16 in FIG. 3 is indicated. Naturally, the thickness 17 of the recirculating air duct 2 varies considerably, as shown by way of example in FIG FIG. 1 shown.

As is immediately apparent, a cold spot 18 is arranged in the vertical section 13 of the circulating air channel 4, which is impinged by a fan 19, which causes a directed to the cold spot 18 air flow and circulate the air flow 2 in this way.

As can be seen immediately, the fan 19 is disposed in an extended region 20 of the vertical section 13 of the circulating air duct 4, which extends through a baffle 21, which extends in the horizontal portion 12 of the recirculating air duct 4 and this in its thickness 17 to a minimum thickness 22 reduced. In this way, the smallest thickness 22 of the horizontal portion 12 is smaller than the largest thickness 23 of the vertical portion 13 and even smaller than the smallest thickness 24 of the vertical portion 13, which ultimately the fan 18 can work very effectively.

Above the fan, an air guide body 25 is arranged with a directed onto the fan 19 surface component 26, which is made of a sheet and thus formed flat, at the same time serves as drip protection 27 and having a surface component 28, which is directed to the cold spot 18.

The air guide body 25 is arranged obliquely and has with respect to the fan 19 a convex configuration which corresponds to a concave configuration with respect to the cold spot 18.

The air guide body 25 of this embodiment is bent and formed without kinks, but this is not absolutely necessary, as in FIG. 5 illustrated embodiment, which may alternatively be used.

As in FIG. 3 represented, the air flow 2 is deflected by the air guide 25, 29 or by the drippers 27, 30 in the width of the circulating air duct 16 and distributed as extremely effective on the entire cold spot 18.

The in the FIGS. 6 to 10 shown goods floor has a presentation storage point 32, which is provided on an edge 33 of the merchandise floor 31 and can be placed on the presentation pads 10 in a conventional manner so that goods can be presented in a suitable manner on the bottom of goods 31.

On the underside 34 of the product floor 31, a bearing body 35 is arranged in the region of the edge 33, which has a first bearing 36. A second bearing 37 is provided by the presentation bearing 32 or by the associated assembly therefor.

In a lowermost presentation position, the bearing body 35 rests against the baffle 21 and thus likewise serves for a storage of the goods floor 31 for presentation purposes.

For cleaning or maintenance of the goods floor 31 can be clamped in the convection refrigerated display 1. For this purpose, the convection refrigerated counter 1 in its the goods compartment 3 and the circulating air duct 4 forming the counter body 38 a support 39, which is formed in this embodiment by the lower conversion of the horizontal portion 12 of the recirculating air duct 4, and an abutment 40, which in this embodiment by a lower edge of the baffle 21 is formed.

In this case, the support 39 upwardly and interacts with the first bearing 36, while the abutment 40 faces downward and the interaction with the second bearing 37, which at an upper side 41 of the merchandise floor 31 and the presentation storage 32, which down is directed, is arranged. For clamping, the first bearing 36 and the second bearing 37 are arranged offset with respect to the plane of the product floor 31 by a bearing distance 42, wherein the second bearing 37 is arranged from a center 43 of the bottom 31 further outward. Accordingly, the support 39 and the abutment 40 are spaced horizontally by a distance 44 from each other. The vertical distance H of the two bearings 39, 40 is in this case smaller than and the distance L between the two bearings 36, 37 perpendicular to the bottom of the goods 31 and the horizontal distance 44 between support and abutment is smaller than the bearing distance 42nd

The goods floor 31 can then, as in FIGS. 8 to 10 indicated, be clamped in the counter body 38. It is self-evident that such a configuration can also be provided on another edge, for example instead of or in addition to the personnel-side edge 33, also on the opposite edge facing the customer side 6. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 1 Convection cooling counter 24 smallest thickness of the vertical section 13 2 airflow 25 Air deflectors 3 goods space 26 surface component 4 return air duct 27 drip 5 cover 28 surface component 6 customer page 29 Air deflectors 7 personal page 30 drip 8th were ground 31 were ground 9 counter body 32 Presentation bearing 10 presentation edition 33 Edge of the product floor 31 11 vertical section 34 bottom 12 horizontal section 35 bearing body 13 vertical section 36 first depository 14 bar area 37 second depository 15 horizontal section 38 counter body 16 Width of the circulating air channel 4 39 In stock 17 Strength of the circulating air channel 4 40 abutment 18 cold junction 41 top 19 fan 42 bearing spacer 20 extended area 43 Center of the goods floor 8, 31 21 baffle 44 horizontal distance 22 smallest thickness of horizontal section 12 H Vertical distance 23 largest thickness of the vertical section 13 L distance

Claims (22)

Umluftkühltheke (1), in which an air flow (2) through a goods room (3) and through a recirculating air duct (4) circulates and sweeps over a goods in the tree (3) goods floor (8, 31), wherein in the recirculating air duct (4 ) a fan (19) and in the circulation direction behind the fan (19) a cold point (18) of a cooling unit is arranged, characterized in that the fan (19) with respect to two at an angle to each other arranged and successive sections (12, 13) of the circulating air channel (4) is arranged inclined, wherein the inclination angle to both sections (12, 13) is less than 90 ° Air-cooled refrigerated counter according to claim 1, characterized in that the cold point (18) is arranged in the rear part in the direction of circulation (13). Refrigerated air conditioning counter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fan (19) in an extended and in the direction of circulation tapered region (20) of the rear part in the circulation direction (13) is arranged. Refrigerated air conditioning counter according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rear portion (13) of the two sections (12, 13) vertically and the other of the two sections (12, 13) is aligned horizontally. Umluftkühltheke according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the rear portion (13) extends over a guide plate (21) and the smallest thickness (22) of the front portion (12) of the circulating air duct (4) smaller than the largest strength ( 23), preferably smaller than the smallest thickness (24) of the rear portion (13) of the circulating air duct (4). Umluftkühltheke (1), in which an air flow (2) through a goods space (3) and through a recirculating air duct (4) and circulates over a goods in the space (3) arranged goods floor (8, 31) sweeps, wherein in the recirculation duct (4 ) a fan (19) and in the circulation direction behind the fan (19) a cold point (18) of a cooling unit is arranged, characterized in that between the fan (19) and the Katstelle (18) an air guide body (25, 29) is arranged , The recirculating air cooling counter according to claim 6, characterized in that the air guiding body (25, 29) has a surface component (26) directed onto the ventilator (19). Umluftkühltheke (1), in which an air flow (2) through a goods space (3) and through a recirculating air duct (4) and circulates over a goods in the space (3) arranged goods floor (8, 31) sweeps, wherein in the recirculation duct (4 ) a fan (19) and in the circulation direction behind the fan (19) a cold point (18) of a Kühlaggegats is arranged, characterized in that above the fan (19) and below the cold point (18) a drip protection (27, 30) is. The recirculating air cooling counter according to claim 8, characterized in that the drip protection (27, 30) has a surface component (28) directed towards the cold spot (18). Umluftkühltheke according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the air guide body (25, 29) and the drip protection (27, 30) perpendicular to the width (16) of the circulating air channel (4) is arranged. Refrigerated air conditioning counter according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the air guide body (25, 29) and the drip protection (27, 30) is arranged inclined. Umluftkühltheke according to one of claims 6 to 11, characterized in that the air guide body (25, 29) and the drip protection (27, 30) is formed flat. Refrigerated air conditioning counter according to one of claims 6 to 12, characterized in that the air guide body (25, 29) and the drip protection (27, 30) in the circulation direction, the fan (19) is not completely covered. Method for operating a recirculating air cooling counter (1), in which an air flow (2) through a goods compartment (3) and by a recirculating air duct (4) and in the recirculation duct (4) arranged fan (19) and at a circulation direction behind the fan (19) arranged cold passage (18) circulated past and sweeps over a goods floor (8, 31), characterized in that the fan (19) accelerates the air flow (2) in a direction which in at least one Component deviates both from an initial direction and from an output direction of a change in direction of the air flow (2) in the recirculating air channel (4). Operating method according to claim 14, characterized in that the fan (19) accelerates the air flow (2) in the direction of the cold point (18). Method for operating a recirculating air cooling counter (1), in which an air flow (2) through a goods compartment (3) and by a recirculating air duct (4) and in the recirculation duct (4) arranged fan (19) and at a circulation direction behind the fan (19) arranged cold passage (18) circulated past and sweeps over a goods floor (8, 31), characterized in that the air flow (2) behind the fan (19) before reaching the region of the cold spot (18) is widened. Operating method according to claim 16, characterized in that the expansion takes place with a component perpendicular to the width (16) of the circulating air channel (4). Refrigerated air cooling counter or operating method according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the goods compartment (3) has a customer side (6) and a personnel side (7) and is open on the personnel side. Refrigerated air cooling counter or operating method according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the circulating air duct (4) is a subchannel. Umluftkühltheke or operating method according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that at one edge (33) of the goods bottom (31) underside a first bearing (36) and the upper side with respect to the first bearing (36) by a bearing distance (42 ) from the center (43) of the goods floor (31) in the direction of the edge (33) offset a second bearing (37) is arranged and that on a counter body (9, 38) of the convection refrigerated counter (1) has a support (39) and an abutment (40) is arranged, wherein the horizontal distance (44) between support (39) and abutment (40) smaller than the bearing distance (42) and the vertical distance (H) between the support (39) and abutment (40) smaller as the distance (L) of the two bearing points (36, 37) are selected perpendicular to the goods bottom (31). Umluftkühltheke or operating method according to claim 20, characterized in that the edge (33) is a customer side and / or a staff-side edge. Umluftkühltheke or operating method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that at least one of the bearing points (36, 37) on a bearing body (35) is arranged, which serves for the goods bottom (31) as a storage location for the purpose of merchandise presentation.

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