EP3076106A2 - Cooling unit - Google Patents

Abstract

Cooling unit (1), in particular for cooling food, comprising at least the goods space (W) at least partially spanning boundary elements comprising at least one ceiling element (2), at least one back wall (4) and at least one bottom element (6), at least one Kühlmediumzuführleitung ( 16) for supplying a cooling medium into the cooling unit (1) and / or at least one Kühlmediumabführleitung (18) separate from the Kühlmediumzuführleitung (16) for discharging the cooling medium from the cooling unit (1) out to form a cooling medium network within the cooling unit (1) at least one control element (14) for controlling the temperature and / or the pressure of the cooling medium at least partially flowing through the cooling unit, wherein the control unit (14) within the cooling unit (1) is arranged.

Description

The invention relates to a cooling unit, in particular for cooling food.

Commercially available cooling units in the form of refrigerated shelves are known from the prior art, which are provided, for example, in supermarkets for the cooling of fresh foods in the plus degree range, such as, for example, sausage or cheese.

Commercial refrigerated shelves have a rear wall, a bottom plate and a cover plate, so that spans an at least partially open to be cooled goods space between these components.

In order to enable cooling at all, outside of the cooling unit, the corresponding Kühlmediumzuführleitungen or Kühlmediumabführleitungen provided with the corresponding throttle bodies, so that due to the heating of the refrigerant medium in the goods compartment to be cooled heat from this can be withdrawn.

When laying central supply lines or discharge lines of the cooling medium to the cooling unit or from this away, it always requires a complex and complex insulation or insulation of the pipes. This insulation prevents condensation forms on the supply lines and discharge lines, which are flowed through by a cooling medium and freeze the lines outside the goods space to be cooled.

Furthermore, in the outer region of the cooling unit, for example on the outer surface of the cover plate, throttle bodies are provided for controlling the mass flow and thus also for the heat removal from the goods compartment to be cooled.

Disadvantage of this technique is that constantly condenses moisture, in particular at the throttle bodies, which condense as a result and impaired in their function or are completely unusable. Furthermore, the liquid condensate proves to the throttle bodies, which are even formed without insulation, and / or in the area around the throttle bodies, which is also formed without insulation due to the structural fixation measures between cooling medium lines and throttle body, for the subsequent insulation-free area insulation, disadvantageous, because the insulation absorbs spongy with water, which significantly accelerates the corrosion of the pipe. In addition, the wetting of the Kühlmediumzuführleitungen or Kühlmediumabführleitungen always causes the loss of their isolation Eigenhaft. Due to the design of known cooling units, it is always necessary, as mentioned above, to provide insulation and / or insulation of the cooling medium lines. However, this insulation is interrupted by the throttle bodies, which are flanged, for example, on the lines. Consequently, it is not possible the Damper organs themselves. Also, it is not possible to insulate the nearer environment of the throttle bodies, so that the throttle bodies and their environment are formed without insulation and just condensate condenses and freezes here.

Due to the formation of ice and the associated restriction of function of the throttle bodies, it requires in known cooling units consuming Abtauschritte and long Abtauzeiten to defrost the throttle bodies again. Of course, during this Abtauschritte no cooling of the chilled goods is possible, so that goods losses are to be taken at any time in purchasing. Furthermore, due to the soaking of the insulation this is permanently damaged, so that the insulation effect is lost and must be laboriously re-insulated.

Furthermore, the prior art is disadvantageous in that additional drip pans have to be fitted directly below the throttle bodies in order to catch the defrost water and remove it.

Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a cooling unit whose control unit avoids ice formation on the throttle elements, which is known from the prior art, and / or a wetting of the insulation.

This object is achieved according to the features of claim 1 or claim 2.

An essential point of the invention according to claim 1 is that the control unit is disposed within the cooling unit. This essentially has the advantage that a Icing as in known throttle bodies of the prior art is avoided. The control unit of the present invention is thus designed to be permanently ice-free. In addition, this arrangement is advantageous because the central Kühlmediumszuführ- and / or -abführleitungen can be formed completely isolated by the control units within the cooling unit without the insulating material, as in known cooling units is interrupted by the throttle bodies. Further advantageously, the control unit during operation has a self-temperature in the range of -20 ° C to 25 ° C, more advantageously depending on the refrigerator temperature in the range of 0.25 K to 20 K higher than the refrigerator temperature, so that during operation of the Control unit, which also at the same time corresponds to the operation of the cooling unit, the temperature of the control unit is always equal to or higher than the temperature of the liquefied cooling medium and / or the expanded cooling medium.

For simplified removal of condensation of the control unit, which may still form at extremely high humidity, may be due to a clearance between the control unit and the bottom element, which has no relevant, in particular electronic, components of the cooling unit. This ensures that the condensate on the cooling medium lines or directly on the control unit itself can drip down toward the bottom element and thus advantageous known corrosion, rust and electronic damage due to water (condensate / ice) are completely avoided. This is particularly advantageous for the duration of the cooling unit and the significantly reduced maintenance intervals. Furthermore, this arrangement proves In addition, less expensive, since fewer components are worn.

Another advantage of the bottom element is that it is also suitable for maintenance of cooling medium to capture and dissipate the cooling medium through the drain, so that contamination of the cooling unit itself is avoided.

The explanations to the embodiment according to claim 1 also apply to the independent claim 2. An essential point of the invention according to claim 2 is that the control unit is disposed within the cooling unit at least partially within an insulation unit. This arrangement has the advantage that the control unit is arranged here at least partially, advantageously completely, within an insulation unit. This is particularly advantageous in order to isolate the control unit from the humidity of the room air, so that in addition a way is created to avoid condensation and ice formation. The insulation unit is further advantageously formed of insulating material, for example of at least one polymer foam, advantageously made of expanded polypropylene or polystyrene, so a temperature gradient between the inner volume of the insulation unit and the cooling unit itself conditions. Advantageously, the internal volume of the insulation unit is heated to a higher temperature than the external environment. Consequently, here too the control unit is ice-free and / or icing-free.

The control units described here are advantageous within a cooling unit, more preferably at least partially, most advantageously arranged in the goods compartment to be cooled of the cooling unit.

An advantage of both described here cooling units according to patent claim 1 or 2 is that the cooling unit is hydraulically balanced optimally. The basis of the hydraulic balancing is a corresponding design of the cooling network via pipe network calculation programs. The cooling capacity of the individual cooling units, as well as the pressure losses of all components of the pipe network, must be known. Hydraulic balancing is lacking in the prior art, so that certain cooling units, which are close to the cold generator, are oversupplied and under-supplied cooling units, which are not related to the cold generator. In this case, a supplier of refrigerants is advantageously understood to mean a device which conveys the cooling medium, for example a heat pump whose cooling medium or cooling carrier is selected as brine. This means that the cooling of the undersupplied cooling units, the brine temperature must be lowered, so that the chiller clocks more often. Furthermore, the lowering of the brine temperature also means that the brine concentration must be increased, which causes a deterioration in the value of the specific heat capacity and consequently the efficiency. With the control unit described here are overcome precisely these disadvantages of the prior art and produces an optimal hydraulic balance.

Further advantageous embodiments are listed in the subclaims.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed as a pump arrangement. An advantage of Pump arrangement is that this emits heat energy during operation. This self-heat prevents the pump assembly itself from sweating or icing. Another advantage is also that the dew point is raised due to the self-heating in electrical control units, in particular by a pump assembly. This means that due to the self-heating of the control unit, the temperature, in particular in the housing of the pump assembly is raised to a temperature, so that no moisture can precipitate within the housing of the pump. Consequently, during operation of the pump assembly, which also corresponds to the operation of the cooling unit, the temperature in and / or on the housing of the pump assembly is always higher than the dew point temperature in the goods compartment to be cooled.

In addition, the provision of a pump arrangement per cooling point proves to be advantageous because it also pump assemblies can be used with a lower power. This decentralized individual arrangement is also advantageous since each cooling unit is designed to be individually controllable, so that each cooling unit can be variably adjusted in the cooling temperature, for example, depending on the goods to be cooled.

The provision of at least one pump arrangement per cooling unit also implies an ideal hydraulic balancing, as stated above, so that each pump arrangement always provides only as much delivery height as is actually required by the respective cooling unit.

In this case, the pump arrangement is designed such that this advantageously permanently the pressure loss of the heat extraction transformer and the supply line and discharge line, which are traversed by the cooling medium, overcomes.

In addition, it is possible to arrange the control unit, advantageously the pump assembly, additionally and / or alternatively in the ventilation flow of the heat exchanger of the cooling unit, so that the control unit is at least during operation in addition by means of the ventilation flow of the heat exchanger free of sweat and / or free of ice.

Furthermore, it is also possible to keep the pump assembly free of condensate and / or ice, in which the control unit additionally to insulate within the cooling unit and / or to isolate. This can be done, for example, with a simple insulation unit, which encloses the control unit. In the simplest case, the insulation unit may be formed only temperature-insulating. Alternatively, it would also be conceivable to form the insulation unit diffusion-tight.

Furthermore, in a further advantageous embodiment, the pump arrangement is designed as a high-efficiency pump. This is advantageous because a controlled mass flow of the cooling medium is promoted by controlled high-efficiency pump and thereby a uniform, continuous flow velocity of the cooling medium within the cooling unit is made possible with higher energy efficiency.

This is of course not to be understood as limiting, so that it is also conceivable to provide several pump arrangements per cooling unit.

In particular, the design of the control unit as a pump arrangement is advantageous in that since thus the pressure loss of the cooling medium network of a cooling unit can be significantly reduced. For example, the provision of a central coolant delivery pump and throttle devices as known from the prior art requires that a significantly higher delivery pressure be provided by the requirement for effective valve authority (P _Veff ) in the coolant network with a central coolant delivery pump. Thus, for an effective valve authority of at least 0.4, the total pressure to be provided would have to be increased by 67%, compared to a cooling medium network in which the mass flow per cooling unit is controlled by one pump assembly each.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed as a control element, advantageously comprising a plurality of throttle bodies and at least one pump arrangement. For example, the throttling members may be selected from the group of 2-point valves, 2-way valves, 3-way valves and / or balancing valves.

In addition, it is possible additionally and / or alternatively to arrange the throttle element in the ventilation flow of the heat exchanger of the cooling unit, so that the throttle member is at least during operation of the cooling unit by means of the ventilation flow of the heat exchanger free of sweat and / or free of ice.

Thus, advantageously, the control unit can be designed as a pump arrangement and / or as a throttle body with a central cooling medium pump in the goods compartment to be cooled. For example, it is conceivable that, within the cooling unit, Advantageously within the goods compartment to be cooled pump assemblies and / or throttle body and / or combinations thereof are arranged, wherein the throttle body advantageously from the group 2-point valves, 2-way valves, 3-way valves and / or regulating valves are selected. In particular, the pumping arrangement within each cooling unit, more advantageously within each cooling space, has proven to be effective and reliable since the pump assembly always remains ice-free.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that the cooling units described here also comprise at least one local control device which regulates and / or controls, for example, the flow rate of the pump arrangement or the mass flow of the throttle body. This control device can be integrated in both the pump arrangement and / or the throttle element and / or be arranged separately in the cooling unit and / or outside the cooling unit. Furthermore, the control device is advantageously designed such that it controls the local control units within the cooling unit and also increases or reduces the delivery height of the central cooling medium delivery pump and / or decentralized pump arrangement as needed.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed to be controllable via at least one sensor element. This is advantageous because, depending on the cooling medium, the supply of the cooling medium, the temperature and / or pressure of the control unit, in particular the pump assembly, is individually controlled accordingly to make a pressure equalization and / or a temperature compensation / -. Advantageously, the sensor element is designed as a sensor and at least one interface connected to the control unit, advantageously the pump assembly, and / or the control device. The interface is advantageously designed as a bus, even more advantageous than Modbus and / or as a PWM signal and / or as a 0 to 10 volt interface.

In particular, it has proved to be advantageous to provide two sensor elements in the flow direction of the cooling medium, that is to say of the coolant, before and after the control unit, wherein both sensor elements are advantageously arranged at the same distance from the control unit. This allows a reliable control of the mass flow of the cooling medium. Advantageously, both sensors are connected via an interface with the control unit. This can be wired and / or wireless, for example via radio or RFID. Thus, for example, it is conceivable that the data acquired by the sensor elements can be transmitted wirelessly to the control unit and / or to the control device and processed there. Alternatively, it would also be conceivable for the control unit and / or the control device to pick up the data detected by the sensor elements in predeterminable time intervals of these for further processing.

In a further advantageous embodiment, in particular with regard to claim 2, the insulation unit comprises at least a first opening for passing the Kühlmediumszuführleitung in the insulation unit and at least one further opening for performing the Kühlmediumsabführleitung out of the Dämmeinheit, wherein the insulation unit additionally comprises at least one condensate collection channel , The provision of an insulation unit is advantageous to the control unit in the reduced operation of the pump assembly or Even with the formation of the control unit as a throttle body with a central cooling medium pump to keep almost free of ice and / or condensate.

Advantageously, the insulation unit biases a closed space around the control unit, so that the insulation effect of the insulation unit is used. In the simplest case, the insulation unit is designed as a cuboid, cube or as a ball. Of course, this is not meant to be limiting, so that any other polygonal shapes and bodies are conceivable.

Should condensate nevertheless form on the control unit, then the insulation unit, which is advantageously made of at least one insulating material, comprises at least one condensate collecting channel. In the simplest case, this condensate collecting channel is formed as a depression, for example as an inclined channel, so that the condensate is collected in at least one catchment area of the insulating unit, advantageously at its bottom, and consequently can be easily removed.

Advantageously, the passage openings of the Kühlmediumszuführ- and discharge lines with suitable sealing elements moisture and / or gas-tight.

Further advantageously, the condensate collecting channel opens into the collecting area, which comprises a further opening within the wall of the insulating device. To ensure here also the moisture and / or gas tightness of this opening, it has proved to be advantageous to open the opening by means of a valve, such as a solenoid valve, abruptly to the condensate quickly and completely dissipate from the insulation unit. Advantageously, the control of the solenoid valve in dependence on the amount of condensate and / or the condensate weight. Corresponding sensor elements are provided for this detection. In addition, it would be conceivable to provide a heating device within the insulation unit in order to avoid condensation and to temper the control unit.

In addition, it is also conceivable to remove the condensate from the insulation unit via a control flap and / or tilt flap, which is then provided instead of the solenoid valve. Advantageously, these two flaps are mechanically and / or electronically controllable, so that an automatic opening and / or closing of the control flap and / or tilting flap takes place depending on the amount of condensate and / or the condensate weight.

In addition, it is conceivable to arrange a further conveying device, for example an additional pump, within the insulating unit, which pumps off the condensate in the collecting area of the insulating unit. Advantageously, the pump is arranged inside the insulation unit. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to suck the condensate in the collecting area from the outside. In this case, the suction device, for example a pump, is advantageously arranged outside the insulation unit. Both pumps are preset in such a way that, depending on the amount of condensate and / or the condensate weight, they directly supply the corresponding power and actively remove the condensate from the insulation unit. For this purpose, advantageously sensor or other sensor elements within the insulation unit, advantageously in and / or at the collecting area of the Damping unit and / or be arranged on and / or in the condensate collecting channel.

Advantageously, here insulation unit and insulation device are used synonymously. Furthermore, it has been shown that it is particularly advantageous to form the insulation unit made of expanded polypropylene. This material is particularly lightweight and can be made in any shape.

Furthermore, it is advantageous to provide the insulation unit at least partially on and / or in the upper ceiling element of the cooling unit. This is advantageous because then the removal of the condensate from the insulation device can be done via the cooling unit. Consequently, expensive piping systems are avoided. The insulation unit is advantageously provided as part of the cooling unit and may for example also be integrally formed therewith.

In a further advantageous embodiment, it is conceivable to arrange the control unit in a further, additional housing section within the cooling unit, wherein this housing section may be provided alternatively or in addition to the insulation unit. This is advantageous because an additional fixation of the control unit is provided by the housing section, which is advantageously designed to be open downwards in the direction of the floor element. In addition, the housing section continues to reduce noise. Advantageously, the housing portion is arranged on the back wall of the cooling unit, for example screwed thereto. Further, the housing portion may also be formed as a screen, so that he, for example, the arranged on the cooling unit back wall control unit advantageously complete spanned, wherein the screen can for example be plate-shaped or formed as a C-profile. The function of the control unit is not affected by this.

Furthermore, it is conceivable to provide further control devices or control devices within the housing section, so that the further housing section is designed as a decentralized control unit. Advantageously, the entire control of the cooling unit via this control unit. Advantageously, each cooling unit further comprises at least one power supply.

If no corresponding housing section is provided in a cooling unit, then the control unit is advantageously firmly fixed to the cooling unit so that it does not become damaged during transport, for example.

It has also proved to be advantageous to arrange the control unit on the back wall, more advantageously executed executed in the lower third of the back wall of the cooling unit to the refrigerator. This is advantageous since this significantly reduces the influence of the turbulence of the air flow, which is generated by the control unit designed as a pump arrangement. If the control unit, advantageously arranged the pump assembly too far up in the cooling unit, this can bring the disadvantage in particular in open cooling units that the cooling curtain is interrupted and cause unevenness in the cooling of the goods.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the bottom element is fixed or detachable formed as part of the stud work. Is the floor element fixed to the cooling unit formed connected, this is advantageous because it increases the stability of the entire cooling unit. In addition, it is also advantageous because further components of the cooling unit, such as fans or heat extraction transformer, herein and / or can be arranged by the bottom element.

If the floor element is detachably formed with the cooling unit, then it is advantageous if the floor element has a trough-like section whose opening is directed towards the interior of the cooling unit. For example, the condensate that forms on the lines or on the pump assembly within the cooling unit can be easily and easily removed from the cooling unit.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the cooling unit is designed as a cooling space and / or cooling furniture and / or as a cooling rack. This is advantageous, since the cooling unit described here is thus versatile. Depending on the design, it is advantageous to make the cooling unit open, at least partially closed and / or also completely closed. For example, it is also conceivable that the cooling units described here are designed as a cooling space and / or as a mobile refrigerated container.

In a further advantageous embodiment, it has proved to be advantageous that the Kühlmediumzuführleitung having a lower temperature than the Kühlmediumabführleitung, is formed longer in its longitudinal extent within the cooling unit than the Kühlmediumabführleitung for discharging the cooling medium from the cooling unit out. As a result, for example, an insulation of the lines almost, advantageously completely, be dispensed with.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the cooling unit is designed as a cooling module unit. This is advantageous to understand a modular unit, so that depending on the dependence of the local conditions several such modular cooling units are formed serially or in parallel coupled to each other. Consequently, it is advantageous to provide several of the cooling units described here, which are even more advantageously designed as cooling module units, connected to one another. In this case, it is the advantage of the cooling module units that each unit can be separately controlled and / or controlled and in each case comprise at least one separate control unit, in particular a pump arrangement.

This is of course not to be understood as limiting, so that it is also conceivable to control central control processes, such as, for example, the supply of cooling medium, via central control devices and / or to be able to control them.

The cooling module units are consequently both jointly (controllable) and / or controllable and / or controllable as well as separately controllable and / or controllable and / or controllable, so that, for example, if several cooling module units are connected in series, each Cooling module unit can have, for example, a different cooling temperature. For example, the requirements of the foods to be cooled can be easily taken into account with energy savings.

Moreover, it is also advantageous that the cooling units described here further advantageously each comprise a power supply unit and / or a control unit. This ensures, for example, that even if one single cooling module fails, the functionality of the other cooling units will continue to be ensured and the entire system will not have to be switched off for maintenance or spare parts replacement.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the cooling units, advantageously the cooling module units, each have at least one coupling element for quick assembly. The coupling element may be formed, for example, as a latching connection and / or clip connection and / or bayonet connection. The advantage of providing at least one coupling element, advantageously two coupling elements, on the cooling medium supply line and / or the Kühlmediumabführleitung, make a significant relief in the installation of the cooling units on site. Depending on the dependence of the local conditions any number of cooling units can quickly and easily together can be arranged by two cooling units via the corresponding coupling elements interact with each other, so that the cooling medium network extends to a cooling unit, the cooling medium networks are differently controllable and / or (to) controllable and / or controllable formed, in particular by the respectively provided pump assembly ,

Furthermore, the present invention discloses a cooling system with at least two cooling module units according to at least one of the aforementioned features whose cooling medium networks via coupling elements stand together in medium sealed connection. In this case, it has also proven to be advantageous that the coupling elements further comprise at least one sealing element, so that the leakage of cooling medium is prevented. Depending on the embodiment, it is advantageous for the coolant supply lines and cooling medium discharge lines to extend in and / or on the cooling unit such that a simple connection of two cooling units arranged adjacent to one another can take place.

Thus, it is conceivable to provide these lines on the outside of the cooling units, for example on the outside of the ceiling element or in the bottom area and / or the back wall of the cooling unit, where advantageously also the control unit is located. Thus, structurally, a further simplification can be achieved, since the corresponding lines are disposed within the base region of the cooling unit or along the inside of the back wall and correspondingly formed condensate directly downwards on the bottom trough from the cooling unit can be discharged.

A further advantageous point of the cooling units described here is that the cooling system resulting from the coupling of the individual cooling units comprises a ductwork which can be used for cooling goods rooms, for example, refrigerated shelves in supermarkets. By providing the control units within the goods rooms to be cooled or / and in the cold generator is completely dispensed throttle body outside of the cooling units. The superordinate network of the cooling system, which consists of the central Kühlmediumszuführ- and discharge lines, which run to the individual cooling units out or away, is rule-free, advantageous ruleorganfrei, trained, so that in particular no control elements for controlling the mass flow of the cooling medium are installed. This essentially has the advantage that icing is avoided as in known arrangements of the prior art, so that the control unit of the present invention is permanently free of ice. Furthermore, it is thus effectively prevented that the control unit loses its functionality due to the icing.

Furthermore, it would also be conceivable that in addition to the decentralized control unit within each cooling unit a central pump arrangement is provided with local throttle bodies. It has proven advantageous in this case if the central pump arrangement is likewise arranged within the goods compartment to be cooled.

Another arrangement of the invention is a variant in which the central pump assembly is part of the refrigeration unit. In this variant is z. B. the central pump assembly within the housing of a heat pump.

The cooling units and cooling module units described here are advantageously part of a cooling circuit, in which the transport of the cooling medium designed as a coolant is controlled by at least one heat pump, in particular a brine pump. Consequently, the formulations cooling medium and refrigerant are used synonymously.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Ausführungsform einer Kühleinheit;

Fig. 2

eine schematischer Ausschnitt einer Kühlanlage;

Fig. 3

eine schematische Ansicht einer Anlage mit mehreren Kühleinheiten;

Fig. 4

eine weitere schematische Darstellung einer Kühleinheit;

Fig. 5

eine weitere schematische Darstellung einer Kühleinheit;

Fig. 6

eine weitere schematische Darstellung einer Kühleinheit;

Fig. 7

eine weitere schematische Darstellung einer Kühleinheit;

Fig. 8a bis c

eine seitliche Schnittdarstellung einer Kühleinheit;

Fig. 9

eine weitere schematische Darstellung einer Kühleinheit; und

Fig. 10

eine weitere schematische Darstellung einer Kühleinheit.

Advantages and expediencies can be found in the following description in conjunction with the drawing. Hereby show:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of an embodiment of a cooling unit;

Fig. 2

a schematic section of a cooling system;

Fig. 3

a schematic view of a system with multiple cooling units;

Fig. 4

a further schematic representation of a cooling unit;

Fig. 5

a further schematic representation of a cooling unit;

Fig. 6

a further schematic representation of a cooling unit;

Fig. 7

a further schematic representation of a cooling unit;

Fig. 8a to c

a side sectional view of a cooling unit;

Fig. 9

a further schematic representation of a cooling unit; and

Fig. 10

a further schematic representation of a cooling unit.

Fig. 1 shows a cooling unit 1, which comprises a space W to be cooled. Characteristic of the space W to be cooled is that the space is bounded by a ceiling element 2, a back wall 4 and a floor element 6. The ceiling element 2 closes the goods space W to be cooled upwards. The bottom element 6 limits the cooling unit 1 downwards, wherein the waste water can be removed from the goods compartment to be cooled via openings in the base element. Advantageously, 6 standing elements 8 can be provided on the bottom element, which are adjustable in dependence on the local conditions. In the simplest case, the stand elements 8 as feet, which are designed to be adjustable in height provided. Furthermore, it is also conceivable to form the cooling unit closed and, for example, form a closable with a glass door.

The cooling unit 1 shown here in this embodiment further comprises vertical struts 10, which are provided for additional stabilization of the back wall 4 and which also support the ceiling element 2 with. In addition, these struts 10 serve to receive storage shelves for the food to be cooled (not shown).

Furthermore, a line section 12 is shown as an example on the outside surface of the ceiling element 2. In this case, the line section 12 constitutes a part of the cooling medium supply line 16. The line section 12 extends in the longitudinal direction of the cooling unit 1 and may comprise at the respective ends E coupling elements (not shown) or also end elements (not shown), depending on whether further cooling units to connect to it are. The supply of the cooling units 1 with cooling medium via the line sections 12th

Furthermore, in the cooling space W, a unit is withdrawn via the heat from the space W to be cooled. Part of this unit is u.a. a heat exchanger 34 or a heat exchanger 20, a control device 24 and sensor elements (not shown).

In this embodiment of the cooling unit 1, a cooling medium is supplied to the space W to be cooled via a line section 12. Depending on requirements, the pump arrangement 14 of the cooling unit 1 conveys the cooling medium within the cooling unit 1, so that the cooling medium flows via the heat exchanger 34 into the line section 13 and is again carried out from the cooling unit 1. Both line sections are advantageously part of the central line network of a cooling system 22. The cooling system 22 further comprises at least one cold generator, for example a brine heat pump (not shown).

The directions in the FIGS. 1 to 10 shown arrows represent the flow or flow direction of the cooling medium within a cooling unit 1 and within the cooling system 22 (not shown).

An advantage of the local, decentralized pump arrangement 14 is that the delivery pressure of the pump arrangement is such that the pressure loss of the respective line section 12 and 13 and the heat exchanger 34 can be overcome. To control the necessary mass flow of the cooling medium sensor elements (not shown) allow the determination of the demand for the cooling capacity each cooling unit 1. An advantageous variant of the requirement determination is the detection of the temperature in the space to be cooled W. Rises z. B. this temperature in the space W to be cooled, the mass flow of the cooling medium is increased by the control unit 14, 15. If the temperature in the room W to be cooled drops, the mass flow of the cooling medium is reduced.

The line section 13 of the Kühlmediumabführleitung 18 extends advantageously parallel to the line section 12. This is not to be understood as limiting, so that it is also conceivable that the two line sections 12, 13 extend within the cooling unit in the longitudinal direction, for example along the back wall 4th The arrangement of the two line sections 12, 13 or also their diameter is hereby freely selectable and can either be already firmly established in terms of production technology or else also be established only on the construction site depending on the local conditions. Thus, for example, it is conceivable that the cooling medium is supplied near the bottom through the bottom element 6 of the cooling unit 1, whereas the discharge takes place at the opposite end of the cooling unit 1 via the ceiling element 2.

The regulating device 14 is designed here as a pump arrangement, for example as a high-efficiency pump, which regulates and / or controls and / or controls the cooling medium pressure and / or the cooling medium temperature. For this purpose, the control unit 14 is connected to the Kühlmediumzuführleitung 16. The Kühlmediumzuführleitung 16 again leads to the pump assembly 14 in a heat exchanger 34, which is advantageously designed as a brine heat exchanger 20. In this Embodiment, the illustrated cooling unit 1 comprises a plurality of subsections, wherein only one pump assembly 14 is provided. The cooling medium supply pipe 16 extends in the longitudinal direction of the cooling unit 1.

The heat exchanger 34, 20 is connected to the Kühlmediumabführleitung 18. Characteristic is also that the Kühlmediumzuführleitung 16 is connected to the line section 12 and the Kühlmediumabführleitung 18 with the line section 13 and are integrally formed therewith. The cooling medium flows into the cooling unit 1 in the direction of the arrow Z and out of the cooling unit 1 again in the direction of the arrow.

Advantageously, the Kühlmediumzuführleitung 16 with the control unit, advantageously the pump assembly 14 and / or the throttle body 15 (not shown), placed in the longitudinal extension of the cooling unit 1 in front of the heat exchanger 20 of the cooling space W. This is advantageous because the steady flow around the control unit 14, 15, this does not sweat and / or can freeze. The reason for this is that the air flowing through the heat exchanger 34, 20 can absorb significantly more moisture than air that does not flow.

The cooling unit 1 described here may furthermore, of course, also have known components (not shown here) and can be replaced by the higher-order line sections 12, 13 with the refrigeration circuit and / or the central line network of a refrigeration device, such as a refrigerator. B. be connected to a heat pump.

Fig. 2 shows a section of two mutually coupled cooling units 1, which via a coupling element 32 with each other are connected. The same reference numerals as before correspond to the same components and will not be explained again here. The coupling element 32 forms an operative connection between the two cooling units 1. Advantageously, the two mutually adjacent line sections 12 of each cooling unit 1 via coupling elements 32, such as tees made of plastic or metal, with each other in a cool medium-tight connection. The course of the Kühlmediumzuführ- / removal lines 16, 18 is indicated here only schematically and can be determined depending on the actual local conditions.

Advantageously, for a low pressure and / or temperature loss, the Kühlmediumzuführleitung 16 is formed in its longitudinal extent within the cooling unit 1 longer than the Kühlmediumabführleitung 18. This is compared to this significantly shortened. Advantageously, the ratio of the Kühlmediumzuführleitung 16 to the length of the Kühlmediumabführleitung 18 in the ratio of 5: 1 to 1.1: 1 is formed. The cooling unit 1 described here can furthermore of course also have known components (not shown here) and is connected by the higher-order line sections 12, 13 to the refrigeration cycle of the heat pump (not shown).

In Fig. 3 a further embodiment is shown. Here, three cooling units 1 arranged at a distance form a cooling system 22. The same reference numerals as before correspond to the same components and will not be explained again here. Each of the cooling units 1 comprises both a cooling medium supply and removal line 16, 18, as well as a pump arrangement 14 and also a control device 24. The medium lines 16, 18 are free of control units with the central line sections 12, 13 connected. The line sections 12, 13, in turn, form the line network with a cold generator, for. B. a heat pump 11, from. In this arrangement of one pump 14 per cooling unit, the individual control of the pump proves to be advantageous. All three cooling units 1 can thus be controlled differently depending on requirements, for example the product to be cooled, so that, for example, each cooling unit has a different temperature.

Each cooling unit 1 comprises an internal cooling medium network and a control device 24, which advantageously controls and / or controls the power of the pump arrangement 14. The cooling medium entering the cooling unit 1 first flows through the pump arrangement 14, in order then to be transferred subsequently into the heat exchanger 20. After flowing through the heat exchanger 20, the cooling medium is transported via the Kühlmediumabführleitung 18 to the line section 13 and exits from the cooling unit 1 again. The two central line sections 12 and 13, together with the heat pump 11, which is formed for example as a heat pump, the line network outside of the cooling units 1 from. Due to the extremely advantageous arrangement of the pump assemblies 14 in each cooling unit 1, the line network is formed up to heat pump 11 rule-free. This increases the efficiency.

In Fig. 4 a modification is shown, wherein the same reference numerals as above, same components correspond here as well. The cooling unit 1 shown here comprises, in addition to the pump arrangement 14, additional power electronics 14a. Furthermore, shut-off valves 25, which control the cooling medium flow, are also provided within the cooling unit 1. Fig. 5 different This is characterized by the fact that additionally throttle bodies 15, z. B. throttle bodies are provided with an associated power electronics 15a. The power electronics 15a is advantageously designed as a servomotor. The servo motor, which is assigned to each throttle member 15, is responsible for adjusting the throttle member 15, for example, to adjust the cooling medium flow.

Fig. 6 corresponds to the structure Fig. 3 , wherein here, instead of the pump assembly 14, throttle body 15 are arranged in each cooling unit 1. These serve to fine-tune the need. In the Fig. 6 shown cooling system 22 also includes a single pump assembly 14 which is disposed within a cooling unit.

In Fig. 7 a further embodiment with throttle bodies 15 is shown, in which case the pump assembly 14 is disposed within the heat pump. This is also advantageous to keep the pump assembly ice-free and / or condensate-free.

Fig. 8a-c shows a schematic side view of a cooling unit 1, wherein the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1 same ingredients and will not be explained again here.

The bottom element 6 is here trough-shaped in the front region, advantageously the back wall 4 opposite, formed. The depression serves as a condensate collection trap and / or as a refrigerant collection trap during maintenance work.

It is also conceivable to form the rear wall 4 of different materials, so that, for example, an upper Rear wall portion 4a has a different insulating property than the lower rear wall portion 4b. The arrangement of the control element 14, advantageously a high-efficiency pump, has proved to be advantageous in the lower third of the cooling unit 1 due to the control of the control and / or control function. The two cooling medium lines 16, 18 extend within the cooling unit 14 and only occur on the outside of the ceiling element 2 with the line sections 12, 13 in medium-tight connection. This ensures that within the entire cooling system 22, which comprise a plurality of cooling units 1, the continuous cooling medium flow between the cooling units 1 is ensured.

Furthermore, the in Fig. 8a shown cooling unit 1 still shelves 26 and an outlet region 30, from which the cold air flow exits like a curtain and the gravity falls down.

Fig. 8b . c show further embodiments of the cooling unit 1, wherein the cooling medium lines 12 and 13 are integral parts of the cooling space. This means that the line sections 12 and 13 are introduced into the insulation or the insulation of the rear wall 4 or the ceiling element 2.

Fig. 9 finally shows yet another embodiment. Here, the cooling units 1 are formed as cooling chambers. In this case, the arrangements of the individual components within the cooling chambers are different from the exemplary cooling units listed above. Each cooling unit, here each cooling chamber, comprises in addition to a pump arrangement 14 and a control device 24 additionally at least one sensor element 38, advantageously for temperature detection. Also the one shown here Cooling system 22 is connected via the pipeline network to a heat pump 11.

In Fig. 10 a further advantageous embodiment of the cooling unit 1 is shown. The cooling unit 1 is here, as in the upper figures, designed as a cooling unit module, which can be arranged individually and / or in combination with further cooling module units 1. In the latter case, several cooling units 1 form components of a cooling system 22.

The same reference numerals as in the previous figures correspond to the same components and will not be explained again here again.

In the in Fig. 10 illustrated embodiment of the cooling unit 1, this includes an insulation unit 36, which is arranged on the upper side of the cooling unit 1. This arrangement can be fixed and / or detachable, so that a simple replacement of the insulation unit 36 is possible. On the other hand, it is also advantageous to provide the insulation unit 36 already during production as a fixed component of the cooling unit 1, since such complex assembly costs can be saved.

The insulation unit 36 is firmly connected to the ceiling element 2.

Within the insulation unit 36, which is advantageously made of insulating material 40, advantageously made of at least one polymer foam, more preferably made of at least one expanded polypropylene, the pump assembly 14 and / or throttle body 15 is arranged. In the direction of flow of the cooling medium of the pump assembly 14 and / or the throttle body 15 a check valve 25 upstream. This regulates the flow of the cooling medium and can completely prevent it, for example during repairs or transport. Another shut-off valve 25 is also arranged in the insulation unit 36 in Auströmrichtung the cooling medium.

What has proven to be advantageous is the connection of insulation unit 36 with cooling unit 1, in that both components have a common opening 42. Advantageously, the opening 42 may be formed as a connection between the internal volume of the insulation unit 36 and the interior of the cooling unit 1. In this case, possible condensate can flow directly out of the insulation unit 36, over its inclined bottom surface 44 and removed via the cooling unit 1.

Another alternative, for example, the inclined bottom surface 44 of the insulation unit 36 form as a condensate collection channel, so that the condensate can be removed even easier and faster from the insulation unit 36. The condensate collecting channel advantageously comprises a recess, which is advantageously designed as a groove in which the condensate collects.

Furthermore, it has proven to be advantageous that the opening is reversibly closable with a closure cap, for example with a solenoid valve, a tilting flap or a control flap (not shown), so that depending on the amount of condensate and / or the condensate, the flap opens automatically to allow the condensate to drain off and then automatically closes and seals again. It is advantageous if the condensate is removed offset to the cooling medium lines, so as to their corrosion avoid. Advantageously, the cooling medium lines in the inlet and / or outlet area on the insulation unit 36 are provided with sealing elements (not shown), which seal them in a liquid-tight and / or gas-tight manner.

Advantageously, the condensate collecting channel and / or the inclined bottom region 44 may be formed of a further material, for example of a water-resistant and / or water-repellent organic and / or inorganic coating, for example of at least one polymer, at least one block copolymer, at least one surfactant, at least one sol or at least one sol-gel composition and / or a mixture thereof. Further advantageously, the organic coating may comprise at least one halogen, for example fluorine. Advantageously, the at least one coating material is hydrophobic, advantageously formed superhydrophobic, so that on the one hand a large contact angle of greater and / or equal 90 ° spans and consequently only small wetting surfaces between the condensate and coating material are formed. This for a much easier draining of the condensate. In addition to the chemical modification of the inclined bottom region 44, a physical treatment is likewise conceivable, such that the surface properties of the inclined bottom region 44 and in particular of the condensate collecting channel are determined by means of plasma, laser or the like. is negatively affected, so that the aqueous condensate is rather repelled and flows more easily.

All disclosed in the application documents features are claimed as essential to the invention, provided they are new individually or in combination over the prior art.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

cooling unit

2

ceiling element

4

rear wall

4a

upper rear wall section

4b

lower rear wall section

6

floor element

8th

standing element

10

vertical strut

11

heat pump

12, 13

line section

14

pump assembly

14a

power electronics

15

Regulating element / throttle member

15a

power electronics

16

Cooling medium supply line

18

Kühlmediumabführleitung

20

Heat exchanger

22

refrigeration Equipment

24

control device

26

shelves

30

exit area

32

coupling element

34

heat exchangers

36

insulation unit

38

sensor element

40

insulation material

42

opening

44

inclined floor surface

W

goods space

Z

inflow direction

A

drain direction

arrow

Flow direction of cooling medium

Claims (10)

Cooling unit (1), in particular for cooling food, comprising at least a. the goods space (W) at least partially spanning boundary elements, which comprise at least one ceiling element (2), at least one back wall (4) and at least one bottom element (6), b. at least one Kühlmediumzuführleitung (16) for supplying a cooling medium in the cooling unit (1) and / or at least one separate from the Kühlmediumzuführleitung (16) arranged Kühlmediumabführleitung (18) for discharging the cooling medium from the cooling unit (1) out to form a cooling medium network within the Cooling unit (1), c. at least one control unit (14, 15) for controlling the temperature and / or the pressure of the cooling medium at least partially flowing through the cooling unit, characterized in that
the control unit (14; 15) is arranged inside the cooling unit (1). Cooling unit (1), in particular for cooling food, comprising at least a. the goods space (W) at least partially spanning boundary elements, which at least one ceiling element (2), at least one back wall (4) and at least one bottom element (6), b. at least one Kühlmediumzuführleitung (16) for supplying a cooling medium in the cooling unit (1) and / or at least one separate from the Kühlmediumzuführleitung (16) arranged Kühlmediumabführleitung (18) for discharging the cooling medium from the cooling unit (1) out to form a cooling medium network within the Cooling unit (1), c. at least one control unit (14, 15) for controlling the temperature and / or the pressure of the cooling medium at least partially flowing through the cooling unit, characterized in that
the control unit (14; 15) within the cooling unit (1) is arranged at least partially within an insulation unit (36). Cooling unit according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that
the control unit designed as a pump assembly (14). Cooling unit according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that
the control unit as a control element (15), advantageously designed as a throttle body. Cooling unit according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the pump arrangement (14) is designed as a high-efficiency pump, advantageously speed-controlled. Cooling unit according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the pump arrangement (14) is arranged in a housing section within the cooling unit (1). Cooling unit according to claim 2,
characterized in that
the insulation unit (36) comprises at least one first openings for passing the cooling medium supply line into the insulation unit and at least one further opening for passing the cooling medium discharge line out of the insulation unit, wherein the insulation unit additionally comprises at least one condensate collecting channel. Cooling unit according to claim 7,
characterized in that
each of these has at least one coupling element (32) for quick assembly. Cooling unit according to at least one of the preceding claims
characterized in that
the cooling unit (1) is designed as a cooling space and / or cooling furniture and / or as a cooling rack. Cooling system (22) with at least two, at least partially juxtaposed cooling module units (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling module units (1) are formed cool medium sealed together.

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