GB2401168A

GB2401168A - Refrigeration system

Info

Publication number: GB2401168A
Application number: GB0314198A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andreas Hoffmann
Original assignee: Dometic SARL
Current assignee: Dometic SARL
Priority date: 2003-04-30
Filing date: 2003-06-18
Publication date: 2004-11-03
Also published as: GB0314198D0; DE20306747U1

Abstract

A refrigerated system 1 has a thermally insulated container, accessible through a closable access opening (4 fig 2). The system is formed by two modules, a passive refrigeration container 10 and an active refrigeration unit 20, both functionally connectable to and separable from each other via an adaption arrangement 6. The container may define a chamber 3, adapted to include an opening 11 for connection to the refrigeration unit, which may include air circulation apertures (25 fig 2) which permit refrigerated air to pass between the refrigeration unit and the refrigerated housing in a sealed and form-fitting manner via an adaption device 16. The opening 11 may be closable by means of a flap (12 fig 2) in an air-tight and thermally insulating manner. The container may also include support members 13 on the side walls of its inner surface, onto which shelf elements or the active refrigeration unit or units may be inserted for storage during transit. The container may also include carrying handles 14, height adjusting elements 15 on its underside, and a door (19 fig 2) which is secured by a locking mechanism.

Description

24011 68 Refrigeration System This invention relates to a refrigeration

system having a passive refrigeration container and an active refrigeration unit.

A refrigeration system is known that consists of a stationary housing which forms a cold, insulated refrigeration space, and in which the refrigeration unit is arranged in a partially integrated manner. Parts of the active refrigeration apparatus are in that case also situated on the rear side of the appliance. In general, the interior of such a refrigeration system, in which highly perishable items requiring refrigeration, especially foodstuffs, are stored, is accessible via a closable access opening on the front side. This type of appliance is in everyday use, typically being fixed in a desired position in a stationary manner specific to the application, and not being moved again after being levelled.

When the field of application is broadened, especially with regard to mobile use, these appliances have to meet special requirements. These requirements include a robust constructional design of the housing of the refrigeration system, in order to be able to cope with the many stresses during use, especially those caused by numerous transport operations.

An important disadvantage of known refrigeration systems is that such robustness is not guaranteed since they are primarily designed for household, stationary use when they are not subjected to dynamic stresses of the kind that act on a refrigeration system especially during transport. Moreover, the size of the housings, and the constructional design of appliances of the kind described above, are not as suitable for mobile use of refrigeration systems. The constructional design of the housings is not geared to their being stowable in as space-saving a manner as possible during transport, since the built-in size, and hence also the available space which is deemed sufficient depending on the application, are not considered to be critical in the case of conventional refrigeration appliances.

A further disadvantage is that, if the environmental influences on the appliance are altered, the sensitive technology of the refrigeration unit of a refrigeration system of the kind described above is not adequately protected against the stresses and the magnitude of disturbance that occur. Above all, it needs to be protected from the outside in a housing which is also robust, without external components which might be damaged during transport and under other stresses. In addition, the ease of maintenance and accessibility for service and repair must be increased, or the operating readiness of the refrigeration technology must be guaranteed at all times, especially in mobile use.

Furthermore, in the event of any faults, especially in the electronic components and also in the refrigeration components of conventional refrigeration units, repairs can be carried out only with a great deal of effort by opening the entire housing. As a result of such intervention in such a per se closed refrigeration system, it is not possible to guarantee that the refrigerating function will be maintained and thus guarantee insulated storage of the stored items requiring refrigeration.

The aim of the invention is to provide a refrigeration system that can be used in a versatile and flexible manner, especially with regard to mobile use, which is designed for good transportability and stowability, and which has a particularly robust refrigeration system housing and refrigeration system technology.

The present invention provides a refrigeration system having a thermallyinsulating housing, accessible through a closable access opening, for storing items requiring refrigeration, especially foodstuffs, and having an active refrigeration unit, wherein the refrigeration system is formed by two modules, a passive refrigeration container and an active refrigeration unit, the two modules being functionally connectable to, and seperable from, each other.

The connection of the two modules, the passive refrigeration container which maintains the refrigerating effect, and the active refrigeration unit which produces the refrigerating effect and contains the compressor which produces the refrigerating effect, is effected by means of an adaptation arrangement suitable for the purpose.

Corresponding counterparts of the adaptation arrangement are provided on both modules of the refrigeration system. By means of that adaptation arrangement, the two modules can be functionally connected to, and separated from, each other so that, for example, when the refrigeration unit is switched off, it can be separated from the refrigeration container in order to reduce the overall size of the refrigeration system especially for transport purposes.

The refrigeration chamber for holding the items requiring refrigeration, especially highly perishable foodstuffs, is formed by the passive refrigeration container. For coupling of the active refrigeration unit, an appropriate adaptation opening is provided on one face of an outwardlyfacing surface of the container, by means of which opening the refrigeration unit is connected to the refrigeration container. The adaptation opening of the passive refrigeration container is preferably arranged on the upper face of the housing which is opposite the face on which it stands. By that means, coupling and securing of the coupling of the active refrigeration unit is achieved, merely by the refrigeration unit's own weight, without additional securing measures being required.

To ensure insulation of the refrigeration chamber towards the outside, the adaptation opening can be closed and locked in an air-tight and thermally-insulating manner with respect to the system boundaries defining the refrigeration container by a suitable closure flap. During passive operation of the refrigeration container, in particular, with the refrigeration unit which produces the refrigeration power separated from the refrigeration container, an insulating closure is necessary in order to prevent refrigerated air from escaping from the refrigeration chamber inside the refrigeration container and thus prevent, in particular, spoiling of the foodstuffs requiring refrigeration which are stored therein.

With regard to flexible organization of the refrigeration space, which is adaptable to the particular application, the passive refrigeration container has special support members on its inner surfaces, especially on the side walls of the refrigeration chamber. For flexible organization of the refrigeration space, suitable shelf elements on which the items requiring refrigeration are placed during refrigerating operation can be inserted onto those support members.

On the outer surface of the passive refrigeration container, carrying handles or suitable S carrying arrangements are provided, especially on the side walls, in order to achieve easy transport both of the refrigeration system as a whole with adapted refrigeration unit, and of the separated refrigeration container.

Owing to the versatile application of the refrigeration system, especially in mobile use, it is not always possible to guarantee a uniformly level surface in the desired installation position. Often, it is used on uneven terrain. In order, however, to ensure reliable operation of the appliance, and to prevent items inside from sliding out of place, a secure and stable standing position of the refrigeration system is obtained by means of suitable adjusting elements constructed on the underside of the outer surface of the refrigeration container at all four corner positions. The adjusting elements each have for that purpose, a screw-threaded member, by means of which they can be screwed into the underside of the refrigeration container, that is to say retracted, or screwed out, as required, in order to adapt the standing position of the refrigeration container to individual floor irregularities.

For access to the refrigeration chamber, an access opening is provided, for example, on the front side of the refrigeration container. In conformity with the above-described adaptation opening of the refrigeration container, the access opening can similarly be closed in an air-tight and thermally-insulating manner by means of a door. To prevent unintentional opening of the door, an appropriate locking mechanism is provided by means of which the door can be secured. This is necessary, especially during transport of the refrigeration system, in order to secure stored items against falling out, and to maintain the refrigerating effect of the refrigeration container also during transport.

In conformity with the adaptation opening of the passive refrigeration container, the active refrigeration unit has an adaptation device, preferably on the underside of the housing, by means of which the refrigeration unit can be placed on the adaptation opening of the refrigeration container and connected to the refrigeration container. In detail, air circulation apertures, serving to pass refrigerating air into and out of the refrigeration container, are formed in the adaptation device of the active refrigeration unit.

To ensure exact and secure seating of the refrigeration unit on the refrigeration container, upon coupling the refrigeration unit module to the refrigeration container, the adaptation device of the refrigeration unit engages in a form-fitting and sealing manner in the adaptation opening of the refrigeration container. This ensures sealing of the modular refrigeration system with respect to its system boundaries, and avoids a rise in temperature in the refrigeration chamber.

Externally, the active refrigeration unit is shaped in such a manner that, after removal from the refrigeration container, it can be inserted into the refrigeration chamber for transport purposes. Special support projections are formed for that purpose, especially on the lateral outer surfaces of the refrigeration unit, by means of which projections the refrigeration unit can be pushed onto the corresponding support members of the refrigeration chamber of the passive refrigeration container. Securing against uncontrolled falling out during transport of the refrigeration system is effected by the door which is secured by the locking mechanism.

In the context of the present invention, a modular refrigeration system is described wherein the active refrigeration unit can be separated from the refrigeration container, especially for transport purposes. In order, at the same time, to protect the refrigeration unit against stresses and damage occurring during transport, it is robust in its construction, and its dimensions are advantageously such that it can be accommodated in the refrigeration chamber of the refrigeration container. At the same time, in the event of any fault in the refrigeration unit, there is the possibility of replacing it quickly and without any problem by another refrigeration unit so as to render possible an uninterrupted refrigerating effect in the refrigeration chamber of the refrigeration container.

Further features, details and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure I is a front view of a refrigeration system constructed according to the invention; Figure 2 is a part-sectional side view of the refrigeration system of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of a refrigeration unit module forming part of the refrigeration system of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a side view of the refrigeration unit module of Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a modular refrigeration system 1 which consists of two modules, a passive refrigeration container 10 and an active refrigeration unit 20. Figure 1 shows the system 1 with the unit 20 in its operational position on top of the container 10. This figure also shows the system l with two of the units 20 stored inside the container 10 for transport purposes. As shown, the two modules 10 and 20 are connected to each other by means of an adaptation arrangement 6. The passive refrigeration container 10 has an adaptation opening 11 on its top face for coupling of the active refrigeration unit 20. Alternatively, the opening 11 may be formed on other surfaces in alternative embodiments not shown here. The adaptation opening 11 of the refrigeration container 10 is shaped in such a manner that a corresponding adaptation device 16 (see Figures 3 and 4) of the refrigeration unit module 20 engages therein in a form-fitting and sealing manner for coupling of the refrigeration unit 20. As is further shown in Fig. 1, the corresponding adaptation device 16 of the refrigeration unit 20 is arranged on the underside thereof, but this could also be varied in other embodiments so that the adaptation device 16 is formed, for example, at the side.

As can be seen in Fig. 1, the refrigeration unit 20 is inserted into the adaptation opening 11 of the refrigeration container 10 in a form-fitting manner. In alternative embodiments, further securing of the connection can additionally be provided, for example by means of catch elements or snapaction elements. The refrigeration container 10 further has, on its side walls, handles 14 which enable the refrigeration system 1 to be transported easily. In the embodiment under consideration, these are designed for manual transport by a person. In an alternative embodiment, however, it is also conceivable for the handles 14 to be designed for automated or mechanised transport, for example by fork-lift trucks. The position of the handles 14 on the outer surface of the refrigeration container 10 can also be varied in order to adapt the container to the particular form of transport.

In the embodiment under consideration, four adjusting elements 15 are disposed on the underside of the refrigeration container lO in order to permit levelling, and hence ensure a secure standing position of the refrigeration system 1 on uneven terrain. Each individual adjusting element 15 consists of two elements in functional engagement with each other, namely a screw-like foot part 17, having a stand plate and a threaded shaft, and a corresponding counterpart 18 in the form of a nut which is formed in the base of the refrigeration container 10. For individual adjustment to accommodate irregularities of the terrain, the foot part 17 of a given element can be screwed by the threaded shaft into, or out of, the counterpart 18 in the base of the refrigeration container 10, producing a change in height appropriate to the floor structure.

A refrigeration chamber 3, which serves to hold the items requiring refrigeration is formed in the interior of the refrigeration container 10. Support members 13 onto which suitable shelf elements, for example grids or plastics trays, can be placed to sub-divide the refrigeration chamber 3 as appropriate to its use are provided preferably on the inner side walls. In the embodiment under consideration, those support members 13 are constructed in the form of ledges extending over the entire width of the inside of the refrigeration chamber 3. The number and positioning of the individual support members 13 can be varied, and depend on the particular configuration of the refrigeration container 10.

As shown in Fig. 1, two identical refrigeration units 20 can be stored in the refrigeration container during transportation. The number of refrigeration units 20 that can be stored may vary in another embodiment of the present invention, since the number depends on the overall size of the refrigeration container 10. In this case, support projections 21 are formed on the lateral surfaces of the individual refrigeration units 20, which projections correspond to the support members 13 on the inner side walls of the refrigeration container 10.

As shown in Fig. 2, for insertion onto the support members 13 in the refrigeration con- tainer 10, each refrigeration unit 20 is pushed into the refrigeration container 10 from its front side, and is then secured against falling out by closing a door 19 provided at the front of the refrigeration container 10. This is advantageous, especially during transport of the modular refrigeration system 1, since the sensitive technology of the refrigeration units 20 is thereby protected against jolting and other transport effects. In addition, the space required for stowing the refrigeration system 1 can thereby be reduced. For access to the refrigeration chamber 3 for filling the refrigeration container 10 with items, an access opening 4 is provided, for example, on the front side of the refrigeration container 10. In conformity with the above-described adaptation opening 11 of the refrigeration container 10, the access opening 4 can similarly be closed in an air-tight and thermally-insulating manner by means of the door 19. To prevent unintentional opening of the door 19, an appropriate locking mechanism (not shown) is provided, by means of which the door 19 can be secured in the closed position. This is necessary, especially during transport of the refrigeration system 1, in order to secure the stored items against falling out and to maintain the refrigerating effect of the refrigeration container 10.

Fig. 2 shows the refrigeration system 1 with two refrigeration units 20 stored by means of the support members 13, as shown in Fig. 1. The refrigeration units 20 are securely fixed inside the refrigeration chamber 3 during transport in the manner described above by closing and locking the door 19. During use of the system 1, the refrigeration unit is coupled to the refrigeration container 10 at the top face of the refrigeration con- tainer 10 by means of the adaptation arrangement 6. The refrigeration unit 20 contains, as shown in Fig. 2, a refrigeration unit 5 required to provide the refrigeration.

Refrigerating air circulates through air circulation apertures 25 formed in the adaptation device 16 of the refrigeration unit 20. After removal of the refrigeration unit 20 from the refrigeration containerlO, the adaptation opening 11 of the refrigeration container can be closed in an air-tight and thermally-insulating manner with respect to the system boundaries defining the refrigeration container 10 by means of a closure flap 12 provided on the rear side of the refrigeration container.

Figures 3 and 4 show one of the centrifugally-moulded, refrigeration units 20. Its support projections 21 are formed on its lateral outer surfaces. The adaptation device 16 by which the refrigeration unit 20 can be coupled to the refrigeration container 10 is provided preferably on the underside. Air is supplied to the refrigeration unit 20 by way of ventilation and venting apertures 22 provided, for example, in the front side.

The cooling system 1 in its entirety is equipped for regulation of the refrigerating effect by means of control elements 23 which are preferably positioned on the front side of the refrigeration unit 20. The refrigeration unit 5 is accessible for any maintenance work via a closable maintenance flap 24 formed preferably on the upper surface of the refrigeration unit 20. 1J r l

thermally-insulating manner by means of a door and the door is securable by a locking mechanism.

9. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the active refrigeration unit has an adaptation device formed with air circulation apertures for passing refrigerating air into, and out of, the refrigeration container.

10. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the refrigeration unit can be inserted into the adaptation opening of the refrigeration container in a form-fitting manner and in a sealing manner with respect to the refrigeration system.

11. A system according to claim 5, or any one of claims 6 to 10 when appendant to claim 5, wherein the active refrigeration unit is of such a shape externally and is provided with support projections such that, for transport purposes, a plurality of refrigeration units can be positioned on respective support members of the refrigeration container.

12. A system according to claim 11 when appendant to claim 8, wherein the arrangement is such that the door secures the refrigeration units against falling out of the refrigeration container. lo

Claims

Claims 1. A refrigeration system having a thermally-insulating housing,

accessible through a closable access opening, for storing items requiring refrigeration, especially foodstuffs, and having an active refrigeration unit, wherein the refrigeration system is formed by two modules, a passive refrigeration container and an active refrigeration unit, the two modules being functionally connectable, to and separable from, each other.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the two modules are connectable to, and separable from, each other by means of an adaptation arrangement.

3. A system according to claim I or claim 2, wherein the passive refrigeration container defines a refrigeration chamber, and is formed with an adaptation opening for coupling of the refrigeration unit.

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the adaptation opening of the refrigeration container is closable in an air-tight and thermallyinsulating manner with respect to the system boundaries defining the refrigeration container by means of a closure flap.

5. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the passive refrigeration container has support members on its inner surfaces, especially on the side walls, onto which suitable shelf elements can be inserted.

6. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the passive refrigeration container has carrying handles for easy transport thereof.

7. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the passive refrigeration container has height adjusting elements on its underside.

8. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the access opening of the passive refrigeration container is closable in an air-tight and L.- c- Àe e À À . À a; Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. A refrigeration system having a thermally-insulating housing, accessible through a closable access opening, for storing items requiring refrigeration, especially foodstuffs, and having an active refrigeration apparatus, wherein the refrigeration S system is formed by two modules, a passive refrigeration container and an active refrigeration unit, the two modules being functionally connectable, to and separable from, each other.
2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the active refrigeration unit includes the active refrigeration apparatus.
3. A system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the two modules are connectable to, and separable from, each other by means of an adaptation arrangement.
4. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the passive refrigera- tion container defines a refrigeration chamber, and is formed with an adaptation opening for coupling of the active refrigeration apparatus.
5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the adaptation opening of the refrigeration container is closable in an air-tight and thermallyinsulating manner with respect to the system boundaries defining the refrigeration container by means of a closure flap.
6. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the passive refrigeration container has support members on its inner surfaces, especially on the side walls, onto which suitable shelf elements can be inserted.
7. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the passive refrigeration container has carrying handles for easy transport thereof.
8. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the passive refrigeration container has height adjusting elements on its underside.

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9. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the access opening of the passive refrigeration container is closable in an air-tight and thermally-insulating manner by means of a door and the door is securable by a locking mechanism.
10. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the active refrigeration apparatus has an adaptation device formed with air circulation apertures for passing refrigerating air into, and out of, the refrigeration container.
11. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the active refrigeration apparatus can be inserted into the adaptation opening of the refrigeration container in a form-fitting manner and in a sealing manner with respect to the refrigeration system.
12. A system according to claim 6, or any one of claims 7 to 11 when appendant to claim 6, wherein the active refrigeration apparatus is of such a shape externally and is provided with support projections such that, for transport purposes, a plurality of active refrigeration apparatuses can be positioned on respective support members of the refrigeration container.
13. A system according to claim 12 when appendant to claim 9, wherein the arrangement is such that the door secures the active refrigeration apparatus against falling out of the refrigeration container.