WO2024037961A1

WO2024037961A1 - Functional unit

Info

Publication number: WO2024037961A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/072163
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel PIESS; Elmar Ströhle; Peter Wickelmaier
Original assignee: Truma Gerätetechnik GmbH & Co. KG
Priority date: 2022-08-18
Filing date: 2023-08-10
Publication date: 2024-02-22
Also published as: DE102022003028A1; WO2024037965A1; WO2024037963A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a functional unit comprising a housing (2), wherein the housing (2) has a loading compartment (3) for at least one energy source (110), which is a gas cylinder, wherein the housing (2) has a plurality of functional compartments (4) for accommodating a plurality of functional devices (40, 42, 44), and each functional device (40, 42, 44) is assigned a functional compartment (4), and wherein the functional unit (1) is designed as a self-contained unit, wherein one of the functional devices is a heating device (44) which has a decoupling unit (45) for thermal energy, and wherein a further functional device is an air temperature control device (42), wherein the air temperature control device (42) has at least one air outlet (43), and wherein the air outlet (43) opens outside the housing (2).

Description

Functional unit

The present invention relates to a functional unit. It is used, for example, in a mobile home, a caravan or on another vehicle or e.g. B. on a boat.

Caravans or motorhomes are usually equipped with components such as heaters, air conditioners, refrigerators, hobs or hot water heaters. The energy required to operate these components is obtained, for example, from a car battery, solar cells or by burning diesel fuel or liquid gas. Particularly when using liquid gas, it is known that corresponding gas bottles are located in a so-called gas box, which is characterized primarily by the fact that it is open to the outside world in order to allow any escaping gas to escape. For operation, connections must then be laid between the individual components and the gas box. Standards and safety requirements must be met. This is therefore complex and cost-intensive.

The object on which the invention is based is to enable the attachment of components, e.g. B. in a caravan and to enable the required energy supply as easily as possible.

The invention solves the problem by a functional unit with a housing, the housing having a loading space for at least one energy source, which is a gas bottle, the housing having functional spaces for accommodating several functional devices and a functional space being assigned to each functional device, and the functional unit as self-contained unit is designed, one of the functional devices being a heating device, the heating device having a decoupling unit for thermal energy, another functional device being a Air temperature control device is, wherein the air temperature control device has at least one air outlet, and wherein the air outlet opens outside the housing. The air temperature control device is also referred to below as room air heating. The heating device is preferably assigned an electrical heating element, for example a resistance heating element, in which electrical current is converted into heat via an electrical resistance.

The air temperature control device allows air to be heated. It is a (space) air heater, which e.g. B. obtains a combustible gas from a gas bottle as an energy source. The tempered air is led out of the housing of the functional unit via an air outlet.

The functional unit offers space for an energy source and at least two functional devices, so that no separate connections, connections or fixing options need to be created. In particular, all connections between the energy source and the multiple functional devices are located within the housing or are located directly on the housing. The functional unit is a self-contained, ready-to-install module that can be used, for example: B. can be mounted in a motorhome or caravan. The energy source is, for example, a liquid gas bottle. The functional devices are preferably components permanently mounted in the functional unit. Alternatively, the functional equipment can be reversibly removed from the housing of the functional unit and z. B. can be replaced by a differently designed functional device.

A functional device is therefore generally a device which converts a form of energy, which is preferably, but not only, provided by the energy source into another form of energy - in particular thermal energy. For example, if the energy source is a gas bottle and a functional device is a room air heater, the heater burns the gas that comes from the gas bottle. Another functional device is a heating device, which preferably comprises an electrical heating element and receives electrical energy from an additional energy connection of the functional unit or from a battery or a rechargeable battery. In other words: The functional unit accommodates a unit for providing energy - i.e. the energy source - and energy consumers, namely functional equipment.

The functional unit is therefore a self-contained and ready-to-install module that includes functional equipment and can provide its energy supply.

In general terms, the functional unit according to the invention can fulfill two functions: On the one hand, it can heat air with which an interior of a mobile home, a caravan or another vehicle such as a boat can be heated. On the other hand, a liquid gas bottle contained in the functional unit can be heated, which is particularly an advantage if the gas bottle contains butane, which no longer changes into a gaseous state at low temperatures.

One embodiment provides that the loading space and the functional space are decoupled from each other with regard to the exchange of air. This configuration prevents air from getting into the functional space from the cargo space. This is relevant, for example, if the energy source is a gas bottle. In this case, no gas can enter the functional space uncontrolled.

In a further embodiment, the loading space is completely decoupled from the remaining volume of the housing with regard to the exchange of air.

In one embodiment, the cargo space has a separate air opening. In this configuration, for example, gas can escape from the cargo space. The air opening preferably has no further contact with the rest of the interior of the housing. There is therefore preferably no air or gas transfer between the air opening and a functional space. In one embodiment, the air temperature control device allows, in addition to heating the air, also the heating of a liquid, e.g. B. Process water.

In one embodiment, the decoupling unit opens into an interior of the housing. In this embodiment, heat generated by the functional equipment, i.e. thermal energy, enters the housing. In an alternative embodiment, the decoupling unit is, for example, a recess in a wall component or, for example, an adjustable air flap.

The thermal energy from a functional device in one of the functional spaces can be transferred to the other functional space. In particular, the thermal energy that is generated by functional equipment in a first functional space can be conducted into a second functional space. Preferably, additional thermal energy, which is generated by further functional equipment in the second functional space, is transferred to the first functional space. This exchange can be realized, for example, by circulating air between the two functional spaces. Thus, for example, the decoupling unit is a closable air flap.

In particular, the energy source is tempered with the thermal energy of the heating device. For example, a combustible gas present in liquefied form in the energy source is converted from the liquid to the gaseous state.

In one embodiment, the air outlet opens outside the housing and has a grille.

In a further embodiment, the air outlet has at least one connection option for connecting an air pipe or air hose. According to one embodiment, another functional device is a liquid heater. This is, for example, a boiler or a thermal bath as variants of a water heater.

One embodiment provides that the functional unit also has an interface for connection to an additional energy source located outside the functional unit. In this embodiment, the functional unit allows the connection of another energy source, e.g. B. can be connected to the functional equipment of the functional unit and then supplies it with energy. Alternatively or additionally, in one embodiment it is provided that the energy source in the functional unit is supplied with energy, i.e. refilled, by the additional energy source. In one embodiment, the additional energy source is a gas bottle.

One embodiment includes that the interface has an adapting device, and that the adapting device adapts a form of energy provided by the additional energy source to operating parameters specified for the functional unit. If the energy source and the additional energy source are, for example, gas bottles, the adjusting device has a regulator that regulates the pressure of the additional energy source to a necessary standard pressure for the functional equipment. Depending on the design, the adapting device is completely or partially integrated into the interface. In one embodiment, components of the adapting device can be arranged away from the interface. However, the assignment still exists from the adapting device to the interface.

One embodiment provides that the functional unit further has a control unit, and that the control unit is coupled to at least one functional device in order to intervene on the functional device. In this embodiment, a control unit is present which intervenes or accesses the functional equipment and controls or regulates it. In one embodiment, the control unit distributes thermal energy that comes from one functional device to at least one further functional device and/or to the Interior in the housing and/or to the exterior space around the functional unit. For example, a room air heater can be used to enable a thermal water heater to provide hot water more quickly.

In a further embodiment, the functional unit has at least one sensor, with the control unit receiving and processing measurement signals from the sensor. In this embodiment, for example, the internal temperature in the housing is regulated by the control unit operating a heater based on temperature measurements. If the form of energy in the energy source is, for example, a gas that only changes to the gaseous state above a certain temperature, the control unit regulates in particular the functional equipment designed as a heating device until this temperature is reached. Then gas operation takes place. The functional unit therefore preferably also has a second energy source, e.g. B. via a connection to an electrical energy network. In an additional or alternative embodiment, the control unit ensures that the temperature in the functional unit does not become too high. If such a case occurs, the control unit then switches off at least one functional device, for example.

The following embodiments relate to the area in which the energy source is installed.

One embodiment is that a thermally conductive unit is arranged in the cargo space. The thermally conductive unit is preferably coupled to the energy source, so that thermal energy can be supplied to or removed from the energy source. If the energy source is, for example, a gas bottle with a liquefied combustible gas, it can be heated via the thermally conductive unit.

One embodiment provides that the thermally conductive unit is coupled to a decoupling unit of the functional equipment. In this embodiment, the functional unit has functional equipment that can ensure heating or cooling in it. The decoupling unit is used a thermally conductive connection is created from the functional equipment to the thermally conductive unit and then preferably to the energy source. The functional equipment is in particular the functional equipment designed as a heating device, which outputs thermal energy via the decoupling unit, which heats the energy source via the thermally conductive unit.

Furthermore, an embodiment provides that a drawer is arranged in the loading space, that a rotation axis is arranged in the loading space, that the drawer is rotatable about the rotation axis, that the drawer has a floor surface, and that the floor surface is in a resting state of the drawer is deeper than a plane in which the axis of rotation lies. In the loading space there is therefore a carrier unit, referred to as a drawer, which is movable relative to the housing and which carries the energy source and through which the energy source is movable relative to the housing. In one embodiment, the energy source is located - directly or indirectly - on the floor surface. This is in particular a drawer that can be rotated about an axis of rotation of the loading space. In a resting state, i.e. in a state that is not rotated relative to the housing, the base surface is lower than the axis of rotation. This results in a kind of tilting out of the housing when the drawer is rotated around the axis of rotation. This makes it easier to remove and replace the power source. This is relevant, for example, if the energy source is a gas bottle, which is usually heavy. In one embodiment, the base surface forms a positive fit with the housing in the resting state. In one embodiment, the base surface rests on a component inside the housing.

In a supplementary embodiment it is provided that in the idle state a rotational movement of the drawer is blocked relative to the load space. In this embodiment, for example, a barrier is provided to prevent the drawer from being moved unintentionally. In one embodiment, this lock is effected by a door that is located in front of the cargo space.

An alternative or additional embodiment is that a connection for a gas hose is arranged near the axis of rotation. In In this embodiment, the energy source is in particular a gas bottle. If there is a connection for a gas hose near the axis of rotation, a gas hose that is connected to the connection as part of the functional unit and to the gas bottle experiences only little mechanical stress and preferably only a small change in length. The proximity of the rotation axis and connection ensures that the gas hose can only carry out a specific and well-defined movement. This also prevents the gas hose from being installed incorrectly, which could potentially cause the hose to get pinched. The defined movement also prevents unacceptably small bending radii, which could damage the hose.

In one embodiment, a movable door is arranged in front of the loading space.

The door (as a general name for a unit that reversibly closes a room on one side) is, in one embodiment, part of a holding device for holding the energy source, for example a gas bottle, in a locked position of use. The door therefore preferably prevents the drawer from tipping over. The user thus completes a lock by tilting the drawer into the rest position and bringing the door into the closed position. This simplifies the application, since e.g. B. no tension bands or straps need to be guided around the gas bottle and tightened.

One embodiment provides that the functional unit can be subjected to a standard test, and that after it has been subjected to a standard test and is thereby approved in the assembled state of the functional unit at an installation location, the approval continues to apply. In this embodiment, the functional unit is subjected to a test to determine whether the standards required for the application are met. The functional unit is then z. B. mounted in a motorhome. The functional unit is so self-contained that installation does not change the approval conditions. The functional unit can therefore be manufactured in such a way that it can only be set up by a manufacturer of mobile homes and needs to be fixed. All relevant normative or general legal requirements have already been met and no inspection needs to be carried out in the assembled state. Such a test is e.g. B. gas testing when liquid gas is used as an energy source. A gas test refers to the tightness of the entire system, which consists, for example, of devices, connection fittings, lines, regulators or shut-off devices. This overall system is preferably completely encompassed by the functional unit and is subjected to a test before assembly in the application area.

According to one aspect of the invention, a functional unit is provided with a housing, a loading space for a drawer for a liquid gas bottle, a functional space with a room air heater and a decoupling unit with which thermal energy can be transferred into the loading space. With regard to the resulting advantages, in particular with regard to the possibility of heating a butane liquid gas bottle to a temperature at which the butane evaporates, reference is made to the explanations above.

According to one embodiment, it is provided that an electrical heating element is assigned to the decoupling unit, so that the decoupling unit and thus the loading space can be heated. In other words, a heating device is provided which - preferably alone - serves to heat the liquid gas bottle. This means that when, for example, a motorhome has cooled down in winter, the liquid gas bottle can be preheated electrically to a temperature at which it releases gaseous butane again, which can then be used to operate a gas-powered burner, which is part of the room air heating with which the motorhome is heated can be heated to a comfortable temperature.

The decoupling unit can be a thermally conductive plate with conductor tracks and at least one resistance heating element, which is arranged at the interface between the functional space and the loading space. The resistance heating element represents an electrical heating element and, together with the decoupling unit, forms the heating device. The decoupling unit can also be assigned a receiving space for a heating element that generates heat through an exothermic reaction. For example, fuel rods such as those known for hand or pocket warmers can be inserted in the recording room. In this way, the gas bottle can be warmed up independently of electrical energy.

If the room air heater also includes an electrical heating element, this electrical heating element can be assigned to the decoupling unit. In this embodiment, if the room air heater is operated electrically, there is no need for an additional heating element for the gas bottle. Instead, the heat generated electrically by the room air heater can be used to heat the gas bottle.

A thermally conductive unit can be provided in the cargo space, which is coupled to the decoupling unit. With the thermally conductive unit, the heat that is transferred from the extraction unit into the cargo space can be transferred to the contents of the liquid gas bottle without noticeable losses.

The invention also provides a method for controlling the temperature of a liquid gas bottle in a functional unit, in which the decoupling unit is assigned an electrical heating element, wherein in a first step a characteristic temperature for the liquid gas bottle is determined, then in a second step if the characteristic temperature is below a predetermined threshold, the electrical heating element is switched on, and in a third step, when the characteristic temperature is above the predetermined threshold, the electrical heating element is switched off and the cargo space is further heated by means of the room air heater. Here too, reference is made to the explanations above with regard to the resulting advantages, in particular with regard to the possibility of heating a butane liquid gas bottle to a temperature at which the butane evaporates. The first step, the second step and/or the third step can be carried out using a control unit assigned to the functional unit. In detail, there are a variety of options for designing and developing the functional unit according to the invention. Reference is made to the following description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawing. Show it:

1: a schematic representation of a functional unit according to the invention in a state mounted in a mobile home,

Fig. 2: a partially sectioned spatial representation of a functional unit and

Fig. 3: a section through a part of the functional unit of Fig. 2 in two different states (a) closed, b) opened).

Fig. 1 shows schematically a functional unit 1 within a room 100, as is the case, for example, within a mobile home or a caravan.

An important aspect is that a connection - indicated by the dashed line - between the energy source 110 and the functional equipment 40, 42, 44 only exists within the housing 2 of the functional unit 1. There is therefore no effort for relocating components outside the functional unit 1. The connections may also include all components, such as. B. include shut-off valves or regulators etc., which are required in each case.

In the example shown, the functional unit 1 has three functional devices 40, 42, 44. In this example, this is a water heater 40 (also called a liquid heater), a room air heater 42 (also called an air temperature control device) and an electric heater 44, which serves to heat the energy source 110. For this purpose, the electric heating device 44 is also located nearby below the energy source 110. Accordingly, the room air heater 42 has an air outlet 43 which opens outside the housing 2. A loading space 3 is assigned to the energy source 110. A special design of the loading space 3 will be described in connection with FIG. 3. A functional space 4 is each assigned to the three functional devices 40, 42, 44. The functional spaces 4 are indicated here separately from one another and can also merge into one another or partially overlap one another.

A control unit 6 is also arranged in the functional unit 1, which is connected to a sensor 7 and receives measurement data from it. The control unit 6 is connected to a user's input unit, for example via a Bluetooth connection, so that the user can specify target values. The control unit 6 acts on the functional devices 40, 42, 44 (only one connection is indicated here). Furthermore, the control unit 6 is also connected here to the energy source 110 and more precisely to a fill level sensor - not shown here - which, in the exemplary embodiment shown, determines the fill level of a liquid gas within the energy source 110. In one variant, the control unit 6 regulates how much heat is conducted from the functional devices 40, 42, 44 into the housing 2 and how much is conducted to the outside.

The functional unit 2 has an interface 5 to which an external additional energy source 111 is connected outside the functional unit 2 and here outside the enclosed space 100. The interface 5 has an adaptation device 50, which adapts the energy provided by the additional energy source 111 to the requirements in the functional unit 1. In the example shown, the energy source 110 is a liquid gas bottle. Accordingly, the additional energy source 111 should also be a gas bottle. Thus, the adjustment device 50 has a pressure regulator here, which regulates the gas pressure provided by the additional energy source 111 to a predetermined target pressure.

2 allows a look at an embodiment of the functional unit 1. At the top of the housing 2 is the loading space 3 for the energy source 110, which is a gas bottle. The interface 5 is located on the back of the housing 2.

In the embodiment shown, there is an air outlet 43 near the floor, which is designed here as an air grille and through which heated room air is blown out. Above this there is a decoupling unit 45 assigned to the electrical heating device 44, via which thermal energy is removed from the electrical heating device 44 in order to be available in the housing 2.

The loading space 3 is decoupled from the rest of the interior of the housing 2 with regard to the exchange of air. This is relevant because the energy source 110 is a gas bottle. Since no air exchange takes place, no gas can get from the loading space 3 into the remaining space of the housing 2. In other words, the decoupling in relation to the exchange of air can also be described as the gas-tightness of the cargo space 3.

It is indicated that an exhaust pipe is located on the back of the housing 2. The relevant components are therefore not only attached in the housing 2, but also if necessary.

Below the loading space 3, two functional spaces 4 can be seen, in each of which functional equipment 40, 42 is arranged. An exchange of air is possible between the functional rooms 4, through which the exchange of thermal energy is realized here. This is indicated here by the recess, which can be closed reversibly and/or gradually with a flap (not shown here). This, especially in conjunction with the air outlet 43, allows the extraction or circulation of thermal energy to be controlled.

Furthermore, the cargo space 3 receives thermal energy from a heating or thermal unit - not shown here - which is located below the cargo space 3 located. This is, for example, an electrical heating element of the heating device 44, which is supplied with electrical energy from outside the functional unit. The electrical heating element here allows in particular the heating of the energy source 110, so that the other functional equipment can then be supplied with the gas converted into the gaseous state.

Fig. 3 is dedicated to the loading space 3 for the energy source 110 - which is gas-tight with respect to the rest of the interior of the housing. Fig. 3 a) shows a rest state and Fig. 3 b) shows a tilted state.

Inside the housing 2 is the loading space 3, which is closed at the front by a movable and lockable door (alternative name: flap) 33. In the loading space 3 there is a drawer 30 which can be rotated about an axis of rotation 31. This axis of rotation 31 is realized, for example, by a rod fastened in the housing 2. The drawer 30 and thus the energy source 110 can thus be tilted out of the housing 2. Near the axis of rotation 31, which here is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, there is a connection 34, onto which a gas hose 35 opens, which is connected to the energy source 110. By placing it near the axis of rotation 31, the gas hose experiences little mechanical stress and safe laying of the hose within the cargo space 3 is also ensured.

Within the drawer 30, the energy source 110 stands - indirectly via a thermally conductive unit 36 - on a floor surface 32 (see FIG. 3 b)), which in turn rests on a level of the housing 2 in the idle state (see FIG. 3 a)). . In the resting state, the bottom surface 32 is located below the plane in which the axis of rotation 31 lies, which results in the forward tilting movement in the rotated state. As can be seen in FIG. 3 b), the drawer 30 is shaped in such a way that it can be tilted out of the housing 2. In an alternative embodiment - not shown - the energy source 110 is located above the floor surface 32 by a holding mechanism that is coupled, for example, to the drawer 30, so that a gap is created. In a further alternative - and not shown - embodiment comes the Bottom surface 32 does not rest on a level or support of the housing 2, but is in a position that does not allow further tilting into the housing 2.

Between the bottom surface 32 and the bottom of the energy source 110 there is also a thermally conductive base plate as an example of the thermally conductive unit 36, which is coupled to the decoupling unit 45 of the electrical heating device 44 (see FIG. 1). In this way, the energy source 110 can be heated.

In the embodiment shown, the loading space 3 has its own air opening 37. This air opening 37 is designed here so that it is long enough to pass through a wall, for example. B. a mobile home to pass through. The air opening 37 thus allows, for example, that escaping gas can be discharged directly into the environment. In the embodiment shown, the air opening 37 and the interface 5 are designed as a common component. In an alternative embodiment - not shown - the air opening 37 is designed separately or is only the air opening 37 and no interface 5 is present.

The gas bottle 110 can be heated as follows:

At low temperatures (in particular <10 ° C in the cargo space 3), the electrical heating element of the heating device 44 is first operated in order to heat the gas bottle or the gas contained in it. The temperature in the cargo space 3 is detected, for example, by means of the sensor 7, which can be a temperature sensor. Depending on the detected temperature and in particular the course of time, the temperature of the butane located in the gas bottle 110 can be deduced. This temperature of the butane contained in the gas bottle 110 is a characteristic temperature for the liquid gas bottle. If it can be concluded based on the temperature in the cargo space 3 that the gas is heated sufficiently for the operation of the air temperature control device/room air heater 42, then the electric heating device 44 or its electric Heating element must be switched off. Furthermore, the temperature in the cargo space 3 is maintained solely via the air temperature control device/room air heater 42. The heat generated by the air temperature control device 42 can also be used to additionally heat the water in the preferably additionally provided liquid heater 40, which includes the bottles and pipes indicated in the (upper) functional space 4.

Claims

Claims Functional unit (1) with a housing (2), the housing (2) having a loading space (3) for at least one energy source (110), which is a gas bottle, the housing (2) having a plurality of functional spaces (4) for accommodation several functional devices (40, 42, 44) and each functional device (40, 42, 44) is assigned a functional space (4), and wherein the functional unit (1) is designed as a self-contained unit, which is one of the functional devices is a heating device (44) which has a decoupling unit (45) for thermal energy, and another functional device is an air temperature control device (42), the air temperature control device (42) having at least one air outlet (43), and wherein the air outlet (43) opens outside the housing (2). Functional unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the loading space (3) and the functional spaces (4) are decoupled from one another with regard to the exchange of air. Functional unit (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the air outlet (43) has a grille. Functional unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heating device (44) has an electrical heating element. Functional unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein further functional equipment (40) is a liquid heater. Functional unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the functional unit (1) further has an interface (5) for connection to an additional energy source (111) located outside the functional unit (1). Functional unit (1) according to claim 6, wherein the interface (5) has an adapting device (50), and wherein the adapting device (50) provides a form of energy, which is provided by the additional energy source (111), for the functional unit (1). adjusts specified operating parameters. Functional unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the functional unit (1) further comprises a control unit (6), and wherein the control unit (6) is coupled to at least one functional device (44) in order to access the functional device (44). to intervene. Functional unit (1) according to claim 8, wherein the functional unit (1) has at least one sensor (7), and wherein the control unit (6) receives and processes measurement signals from the sensor (7). Functional unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a thermally conductive unit (36) is arranged in the loading space (3). Functional unit (1) according to claim 10, wherein the thermally conductive unit (36) is coupled to the decoupling unit (45) of the functional equipment (44). Functional unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a drawer (30) is arranged in the loading space (3), a rotation axis (31) being arranged in the loading space (3), the drawer (30) being arranged around the Axis of rotation (31) is rotatable, wherein the drawer (30) has a bottom surface (32), and wherein the bottom surface (32) is deeper than a plane in which the axis of rotation (31) lies when the drawer (30) is at rest.

13. Functional unit (1) according to claim 12, wherein in the idle state a rotational movement of the drawer (30) is blocked relative to the load space (3).

14. Functional unit (1) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein a connection (34) for a gas hose (35) is arranged near the axis of rotation (31).

15. Functional unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein a movable door (33) is arranged in front of the loading space (3).

16. Functional unit (1) with a housing, a loading space (3) for a drawer (30) for a liquid gas bottle (110), a functional space (4) with a room air heater (42) and a decoupling unit (45), with the thermal energy in can be transferred to the loading space (3).

17. Functional unit (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that the decoupling unit (45) is assigned an electrical heating element, so that the decoupling unit (45) and thus the loading space (3) can be heated.

18. Functional unit (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that the decoupling unit (45) is a thermally conductive plate with conductor tracks and at least one resistance heating element.

19. Functional unit (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that the decoupling unit is assigned a receiving space for a heating element which generates heat through an exothermic reaction.

20. Functional unit according to one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that a thermally conductive unit (36) is provided in the loading space (3), which is coupled to the decoupling unit (45). 21. Method for tempering a liquid gas bottle in a

Functional unit (1) according to one of claims 17 and 18, wherein in a first step a characteristic temperature for the liquid gas bottle is determined, then in a second step, if the characteristic temperature is below a predetermined threshold, the electrical heating element is switched on, and in a third

Step, when the characteristic temperature is above the predetermined threshold, the electrical heating element is switched off and the loading space (3) is further heated by means of the room air heater (42).