EP2795210A1 - Cooling element and cooling device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a cooling element (1) for use in a cooling device (11), comprising a front face and a rear face and four side faces. The cooling element (1) is characterised in that the rear face of the cooling element (1) is substantially planar and the front face has reinforcing elements, wherein the reinforcing elements prevent deformation of the cooling element (1) during cooling and freezing. The invention also relates to a cooling device (11), in particular a freezer, comprising at least one cooling circuit, wherein the cooling circuit has a compressor, an evaporator, and a condenser. The cooling device (11) also has a closable cooling space (15) that comprises a plurality of cooling space side walls, a cooling space base, a space for cooling goods (17), and at least one cooling element (1) according to the invention. The cooling device (11) is characterised in that the evaporator and the cooling element (1) are arranged within the cooling space (15), such that the rear face of the cooling element (1) rests against the evaporator and the front face is facing the space for cooling goods (17).

Description

 Cooling element and cooling device

The present invention relates to a cooling element for use in a cooling device, having a front side, a back side and four side surfaces. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a cooling device with at least one cooling circuit with a com pressor, an evaporator and a condenser and a closable cooling chamber with a plurality of cooling space side walls, a Kühfraumboden and a Kühlgutraum. Typically, such cooling elements and devices are used in remote areas in developing countries where a stable and secure power supply can not be guaranteed. Nonetheless, in these areas in particular, an uninterrupted cold chain for food and medical products, such as vaccines or blood products, is essential. In particular, the handling of the latter products is often difficult, which is considered one of the causes of the extremely poor living conditions of people living there and significantly contributes to the high mortality rate.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has therefore established a catalog of test criteria to be met by the refrigeration equipment used for the transport and storage of medical products. For transport over short distances, therefore, in particular insulated boxes with latent heat storage, ice bags or so-called freeze packs have been established. There are stricter requirements for the storage of medical products. For example, the refrigerator temperature must not exceed + 8 ° C and not less than + 2 ° C. Furthermore, sufficient cooling for at least 3 days must be ensured even in the event of a power failure. Thus, in particular electric refrigerators with or without Kühlelernenten, or battery-powered Kühleiemente come into consideration. It turned out to be practicable to produce the necessary energy for the operation photovoltaic, since the solar irradiation in most developing countries over the entire year is sufficiently high. However, it is usually necessary to resort to additional batteries in order to be able to store a sufficient amount of medical products for a longer period of time. batteries However, have the disadvantage that the devices have a very high price and the proper disposal of waste batteries has proven to be difficult in some cases.

Therefore, acute need for action has arisen in order to avoid the disadvantages described above as far as possible. In the cooling devices known from the prior art, a plurality of cooling elements in a separate compartment of a cooling device are purely photovoltaic deep-frozen. The thus stored cold is then introduced via a blower in the actual refrigerator, in which the medical products are stored. In this case, the compressor runs permanently in the presence of solar radiation in order to obtain a sufficient cooling capacity. So that the refrigerator compartment temperature does not fall below the minimum required level of + 2 ° C, resulting in damage to the medical products stored in the cooling device, such cooling devices have a heater which, as required, provides thermal energy.

This system has proven to be extremely practical in long-term field tests. However, in this system, sufficient thermal mass must be provided to store the cold, which limits the storage capacity of the medical products accordingly. Furthermore, a variety of components, such as the heater and the blower, necessary, whose spare parts supply or maintenance can sometimes cause problems.

Thus, it is an object of the present invention, a cooling element for use in a cooling device and a cooling device show, in which the above criteria of the WHO can be met, with a sufficient storage capacity of the cooling device can be provided in the absence of additional heating.

The solution of the problem is achieved with a cooling element according to claim 1 and a cooling device according to claim 8. Advantageous developments are described in the subclaims.

Compared to the cooling elements known from the prior art, the cooling element according to the invention is characterized in that the rear side of the cooling element is substantially planar and the front side has stiffening elements, wherein the stiffening elements prevent deformation of the cooling element during cooling and freezing. This has the advantage that the Kühieiemente depending on the coolant used during cooling and freezing by the concomitant expansion or by the shrinkage does not inflate or contract. Thus, an optimal cold entry into the cooling element can be achieved at any time, since the rear side of the cooling element provided for transmission retains its shape and thus over a large area and permanently bears against, for example, a plate-like evaporator. Furthermore, a complete and homogeneous freezing of the cooling elements will thus be achieved. Conveniently, the stiffening elements on Verbindungsseiemente. The connecting elements connect the front of the cooling element to the back of the cooling element. Thus, these bridge-like connections extend through the cooling element and help to maintain the shape of the cooling element during the cooling process.

It is advantageous if the cooling element also has stiffening elements in the peripheral edge region between the front side and the side surfaces, wherein the stiffening elements protrude into the front side and into the side surfaces. This stiffening elements thus represent an additional connection between the front and at least one side surface. Thus, here also results in an additional stiffening, which contributes to Aufrecherhaltung the shape of the cooling element during the cooling process. Furthermore, it has been found to be expedient if the cooling element has a depression on the front side, wherein a plate-like insulating element can be inserted into the depression. The advantage of the insulating element is that when cooling faster heat is released from the cooling element to the evaporator, as is supplied from the refrigerator. This allows a rapid freezing of the cooling element without the temperature of the cooling chamber falls below the intended minimum temperature. Furthermore, the insulation element prevents, for example, a good to be cooled can have direct contact with the Kühleiement. Since the water can adhere to the cooling good, thus freezing can be effectively prevented. Furthermore, it can also be prevented that the temperature in an adjacent cold room becomes too deep and thus damage to the stored therein refrigerated goods. In addition, the reaction rate of the temperature in the refrigerated goods space is advantageously reduced and a desired inertia is achieved.

It is advantageous if the plate-like insulating element is made of a plastic foam. Advantageously, the insulation element is foamed directly into the depression with plastic insulation means, so that the insulation element forms a unit with the cooling element. As a plastic foam can be used in particular polyurethane, expanded polystyrene or expanded polypropylene. Alternatively, the plate-like insulating element can also be a vacuum element. This has the advantage that optimum isolation is achieved. Conveniently, the cooling element on a side surface on a valve or an opening for loading and deflating the cooling element. Thus, the cooling element can be filled only when needed at the place of use with coolant, so that in particular during transport advantages result from the lower weight.

It is advantageous if the cooling element can be filled with a cooling liquid. In particular, it is advantageous if water is used as the cooling liquid. Water is also usually available in remote areas in developing countries, which makes it possible to fill the factory with lelemente is not necessary. Furthermore, water has relatively good cold storage properties and is non-toxic.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a cooling device, in particular a freezer. Under a freezer is understood here a cooling device with a lid, wherein the material to be cooled is introduced from above into the cooling device or in the Kühigutraum. The cooling device according to the invention is distinguished from the known from the prior art freezers in that the evaporator and the cooling element are arranged within the refrigerator, that the back of the Kühleiements abuts the evaporator and the front faces the Kühlgutraum. In other words, the cooling element is therefore not arranged in a separate compartment of the cooling device, but directly in the cooling chamber, wherein the front of the cooling element faces the Kühlgutraum, in which the good to be cooled, so for example. The medical products are. On the one hand, this has the advantage that it is possible to dispense with a further component for kite transport. On the other hand results from the arrangement of the cooling element directly on the evaporator an optimal cold entry into the cooling element, so that a homogeneous freezing of the cooling element is achieved. It is advantageous if the evaporator is constructed plate-like, and the cooling element rests with its entire back to the evaporator.

It is expedient if the evaporator extends at least partially over all cooling space side walls and each cooling space side wall is assigned a cooling element. Thus, an optimal cooling performance can be achieved by using a plurality of cooling element. Advantageously, the cooling elements are arranged spaced from each other, wherein insulating means are arranged between the cooling elements. In a quadrangular cooling chamber, therefore, columnar insulation means are provided in all four corners, which extend at least over the length of the corresponding side edge of the cooling elements. As fsolations medium in particular hard foam parts made of polyurethane, expanded polystyrene or expanded polypropylene can be used. This has the advantage that no direct contact between the evaporator and the Kühlgutraum is present, so standing can not set cold bridges in the form of cold air. Conveniently, the cooling device has at least one partition, wherein the partition separates the Kühlgutraum from the at least one cooling element. In the case of a four-walled construction of the cooling space with four cooling elements, therefore, it is possible, in particular, to consider an inner container consisting of four partitions. The partition wall or the inner container are advantageously made of metal, in particular aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Through the partition wall or the inner container results in a further separation between Kühlgutraum and evaporator, which can be the temperature in the Kühlgutraum particularly well controlled. Particularly preferably, the cooling device has a connection for an external energy source, in particular for a photovoltaic energy source. This connection can also be used to connect another energy source, for example to connect a diesel generator. It is advantageous if the connection is provided with a safeguard against unintentional loosening, for example due to carelessness. Conveniently, the cooling device has a second cooling space and a second evaporator associated with the second cooling chamber, wherein the second evaporator is connected via a valve to the Kühlkreisiauf. As a valve, for example, a 3-way solenoid valve can be used. Thus, the cooling capacity between the two cold rooms can be switched back and forth. This has the advantage that when the predetermined temperature has already been reached in a cold room, the available energy can be used to cool the second cold room. The second cooling chamber can have a buffer memory, the buffer memory can be used for cooling the Kühlgutraums. Alternatively, the second refrigerator can be a freezer in which cooling elements, for example, for the transport of medical products over short distances, deep-frozen.

The cooling device according to the invention may further comprise a second cooling circuit, the second cooling circuit cooling an extra cooling space. On the one hand, this has the advantage that the cooling system is redundant and, on the other hand, the second cooling circuit can be optimized depending on the type of extra cooling space. Thus, the extra cooling space can have a buffer memory, wherein the buffer memory can be used for cooling the Kühlgutraums, or the extra cooling space can also be a freezer. Thus, therefore, the second cooling circuit can be optimally adapted to the needs.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 shows a perspective front view of a cooling element according to the invention with inserted insulation element; FIG. 2 shows a perspective rear view of a cooling element according to the invention; FIG. Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of a Kühleiements invention without

Insulation element; FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of four cooling elements according to the invention with insulating means therebetween; FIG. the cooling elements shown in Figure 4 with evaporator. FIG. 6 shows a cooling device according to the invention with inserted cooling elements without a dividing wall; FIG. FIG. 7 shows the partition-type cooling device shown in FIG. 6; FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of the structure of the cooling device; and FIG. 9 shows a schematic representation of the cooling system;

In Fig. 1 to 3, a cooling element 1 with a front side 2, a back 3 and four side surfaces 4 is shown. The cooling element has on its front side 2 a plurality of Verstetfungseiementen 5a, which are at least partially connected via Verbindungssefemente 6 with the back 3 of the cooling element 1. The stiffening elements 5a are projectingly arranged in a recess 7 on the front side 2 and have a quadrangular shape with rounded edges. Furthermore, the cooling element has nine stiffening elements 5b in the peripheral edge region between the front side 2 and the two longer side surfaces 4. The stiffening elements are constructed like a recess and protrude into both the respective side surfaces 4, as well as in the front side 2, in Fig. 1, the cooling element 1 according to the invention with a plate-like insulating member 8 made of polyurethane, which is inserted into the recess 7, shown. Furthermore, the cooling element 1 according to the invention has a valve 9, with soft the cooling element

I can be filled or emptied with coolant. The valve 9 may be performed for example by a screw or bolt closure.

As shown in particular in FIGS. 1 and 3, the cooling element 1 has a plurality of fastening regions 10, which are used for fastening the cooling element in the cooling space 15 of the cooling device

I I serve (see also Fig. 4 and Fig. 6), as well as for fixing the evaporator 13 (see Fig. 5). In this embodiment, the cooling element 1 has four mounting portions 10 to which mounting tabs 19 can be attached (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

The cooling element 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is made of polyethylene and is produced by rotational molding. It is also conceivable, however, that other materials and / or methods of production are used. 4 shows four cooling elements 1 according to the invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, which are arranged in a rectangular manner with insulating means 18 lying therebetween. The cooling elements 1 are arranged at a distance from one another such that no direct contact occurs between the cooling elements 1, wherein in each of the four corner regions an insulation means 18 is arranged, which keeps the cooling elements 1 at a distance. The Isoiationsmittei 18 are executed like a column and in particular made of polyurethane. Each insulation means 18 has two side surfaces and a rounded outer surface. In this embodiment, the side surfaces of the Isoiationmittei 18 is not identical, the actual size or geometry resulting from the geometry of the cooling space 15 of the cooling device 11 (see FIGS. 6 and 7),

The Kühtelement 1 are arranged so that the front sides 3 are turned with the insulation elements 8 to each other. The insulation means 18 can be fastened to the respectively adjacent cooling elements 1, for example, with a readily releasable adhesive for securing the position. Further, in Fig. 4, the fastening tabs 19 are shown, which extend in a U-shape from the front side 2 to the back 3 of the cooling element. As illustrated, the attachment tabs 19 may have an opening for a fastener such as a screw or a pin at each end. Overall, four mounting lugs 19 are used per cooling element 1 in this embodiment, with more or less mounting tabs 19 can be used. Fig. 5 shows the arrangement of the cooling elements 1, as also shown in Fig. 4, wherein here the evaporator 13 is still shown. The evaporator 13 comprises four interconnected plates, each of which abuts flat against the flat back 3 of each cooling element 1. The evaporator 13 is fastened by the fastening straps 19 to the cooling elements 1 or the cooling elements 1 are fastened by the fastening straps 19 to the evaporator 13. From Fig. 5 is also clear that due to the arrangement of the cooling elements 1 in conjunction with the insulation means 18 no direct contact between the Kühlgutraum 17 (see FIG. 6) and the evaporator 13 results, so that no cold bridges can establish.

In Fig. 6, a cooling device according to the invention in the form of a freezer 11 with two closable cooling chambers 15, 20 is shown. The cooling chambers 15, 20 are closed by covers 23a, 23b. The blanket! 23a, 23b are attached via a hinge to the cabinet body 22 and can be fastened via Verschtussmittel 24. These closure means 24 may be lockable so that protection against theft can be accomplished.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the arrangement of four cooling elements 1 shown in FIG. 5 is already fastened in the first cooling space 15. As can also be seen well in FIG. 5, the cooling elements 1 or the evaporator 13 do not extend over the entire depth of the cooling space 15. Thus, a cooling goods space 17 results, which is defined in part by the cooling elements 1 and partly by the cooling space side walls becomes.

The second Kühlgutraum 20 (in the figure right) is in this embodiment, a freezer in the (not shown) ice pack or freeze packs can be frozen. These ice packs or freeze packs can then be removed when the refrigerated goods have to be transported over limited distances, for example to a patient, so that the cold chain is not interrupted. The refrigerator 11 shown in Fig. 7 corresponds to the freezer 11 as shown in Fig. 6, wherein in Fig. 7, in addition, the partition walls 21 are shown for the individual cooling elements 1. The partitions 21 are designed here in the form of a innenbehäiters 21, which rests against the insulation elements 8 of the cooling elements 1. The inner container 21 fulfills the function that the Kühlgutraum- temperature can be even better controlled or adjusted. Not shown, but to mention in this context, is a temperature sensor that detects the Kühlgutraum-temperature. This sensor is preferably arranged on the bottom of the first cooling space 15.

The schematic structure of the freezer 11 consisting of cabinet body 22, evaporator 13, cooling element 1, insulation element 8 and partition 21 is shown for clarity in Fig. 8 as a schematic diagram. The evaporator 13 is shielded from the Kühigutraum 17. 9 shows the schematic structure of a first (top) cooling circuit 25 and an optional second cooling circuit 31 (bottom). As seen in the direction of flow of the refrigerant, the first cooling circuit 25 consists of a compressor 12, a condenser 14 and a dryer 28. The dryer 28 may in particular be designed as a filter dryer. The dryer 28 is followed by a 3-way valve 27, which is connected to a controller 26. In this embodiment, a 3-way solenoid valve is used. The 3-way valve 27 is switched by the controller 26 so that either a first evaporator 13 or a second evaporator 29 is driven. The first evaporator 13 can be, for example, the above-described evaporator 13 in the cooling space 15 for cooling the refrigerated goods, wherein the second evaporator 29 is associated, for example, with the freezer compartment or second cooling space 20 shown on the right in FIGS. 5 and 6. Alternatively, the second evaporator 29 may also be associated with a buffer memory (not shown) which is used for cooling the refrigerated goods space 17, for example, during inadequate solar radiation. Before the evaporators 13, 29 is still a throttle 30 is provided to relax the refrigerant. The controller 26 is in this case programmed so that the second evaporator 29 is only activated when in the Kühlgutraum 17 a sufficiently low temperature has been reached, namely a temperature in the range between + 2 ° C and + 8 ° C.

The optional second cooling circuit 31 shown below in FIG. 9 essentially corresponds to the first cooling circuit 25, wherein the valve and the corresponding control are dispensed with. Thus, the second cooling circuit 31 consists of a compressor 12, a condenser 14, a dryer 28, a throttle 30 and an evaporator 32. The second cooling circuit 31 may cool, for example, a buffer tank as described above or also for cooling the freezer compartment or second cooling space 20 be used.

Claims

 A cooling element (1) for use in a cooling device, having a front side (2) and a rear side (3) and four side surfaces (4),  characterized in that  the back side (3) of the cooling element is substantially planar, and the front side (2) comprises stiffening elements (5), wherein the stiffening elements (5) prevent deformation of the cooling element (1) during cooling and freezing. 2. Cooling element (1) according to claim 1,  characterized in that  the stiffening elements (5) comprise connecting elements (6), wherein the connecting elements (6) connect the front side (2) and the rear side (3). 3. Cooling element (1) according to claim 1 or 2,  characterized in that  the cooling element (1) stiffening elements (5) in the peripheral edge region between the front side (2) and the side surfaces (4), wherein the Versteifungseiemente (5) in the front (2) and in the side surfaces (4) protrude. 4. cooling element (1) one of the preceding claims,  characterized in that  the cooling element (1) on the front side (2) has a recess (7), wherein a plate-like Isoiationseiement (8) in the recess (7) can be inserted. 5. Kühleiement (1) claim 4,  characterized in that  the Isoiationseiement (8) is made of a plastic foam or a vacuum element. 6. Cooling element according to one of the preceding claims,  characterized in that  the cooling element (1) on a side surface (4) has a valve (9) for loading and Entfüilen the cooling element {1). 7. Cooling element (1) according to claim 6,  characterized in that  the cooling element (1) can be filled with a cooling liquid, in particular with water. 8. Cooling device (11), in particular freezer, with at least one cooling circuit (25), wherein the cooling circuit (25) a compressor (12), an evaporator (13) and a Kon- having a capacitor (14),  and a closable cooling space (15) having a plurality of cooling space side walls, a cooling floor and a refrigerated goods space (17),  and at least one cooling element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that  the evaporator (13) and the cooling element (1) are arranged inside the cooling space (15) such that the rear side (3) of the cooling element (1) rests against the evaporator (13) and the front side (2) faces the refrigerated goods space (17) is. 9. Cooling device (11) according to claim 8,  characterized in that  the evaporator (13) extends at least partially over all Kuhlraumseitenwände and each cooling space side wall is associated with a cooling element (1). 10. Cooling device (11) according to claim 9,  characterized in that  Cooling elements (1) are arranged spaced from each other, wherein between the cooling elements (1) insulating means (13) are arranged. 11. Cooling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims 8 to 10,  characterized in that  the cooling device (11) has at least one partition wall (21), wherein the partition wall (21) separates the refrigerated goods compartment (17) from the at least one cooling element (1). 12. Cooling device (11) according to one of the preceding claims 8 to 11,  characterized in that  the cooling device (11) has a connection for an external energy source, in particular for a photovoltaic energy source. 13. Cooling device (11) according to one of the preceding claims 8 to 12,  characterized in that  the cooling device (11) has a controller (26), wherein the controller (26) keeps the Kühlgutraumtemperatur in the range between 2 ° C and 8 ° C. 14. Cooling device (11) according to one of the preceding claims 8 to 13,  characterized in that the cooling device (11) has a second cooling space (20) and a second cooling chamber (20) associated with the second evaporator (29), wherein the second evaporator (29) via a valve (27) to the cooling circuit (25) is connected. 15. Cooling device (11) according to claim 14,  characterized in that  the second cooling space (20) has a buffer memory, wherein the buffer memory can be used for cooling the Kühtgutraurns (17). 16. Cooling device (11) according to claim 14,  characterized in that  the second refrigerator compartment (20) is a freezer compartment. 17. Cooling device (11) according to one of the preceding claims 8 to 16,  characterized in that  the cooling device (11) has a second cooling circuit (31), wherein the second cooling circuit (13) cools an extra cooling space. 18. Cooling device (11) according to claim 17,  characterized in that  the extra cooling space has a buffer memory, wherein the buffer memory for cooling the Kühtgutraurns (17) can be used. 19. Cooling device (10) according to claim 17,  characterized in that  the extra fridge is a freezer.