Cooler powered by battery pack

Abstract

The chiller includes an insulated housing at least partially defining an interior space and an opening to the interior space. A cover is coupled to the housing to selectively close the opening. The cooler further includes a cooling system for cooling the interior space and a vacuum system for selectively exhausting air from the interior space. The chiller further includes a battery pack that supplies current to both the cooling system and the vacuum system, respectively, to operate the cooling system and the vacuum system.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 468,361, filed on May 23, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The utility model relates to a cooler, and more particularly to a cooler powered by a battery pack. Background Art

[0004] A cooler, such as a portable insulated cooler that can store perishable foods, may include an onboard cooling system to reduce the internal temperature of the cooler. Utility Model Content

[0005] In one aspect, the utility model provides a cooler, which includes an insulated shell, a cover and a refrigeration system, wherein the insulated shell at least partially defines an interior space and an opening to the interior space, and the cover is connected to the shell to selectively close the opening. The refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and a refrigerant line for conveying a refrigerant. The condenser promotes heat transfer from the refrigerant to the ambient atmosphere. The evaporator promotes heat transfer from the interior space to the refrigerant. The refrigerant line allows the refrigerant to flow in a cycle between the compressor, the condenser and the evaporator. The cooler further includes a vacuum system, which includes a vacuum pump that selectively exhausts air from the interior space. The cooler further includes a battery pack, which supplies current to both the compressor and the vacuum pump to operate the refrigeration system and the vacuum system, respectively.

[0006] On the other hand, the utility model provides a cooler, which includes an insulated housing that at least partially defines an interior space and an opening to the interior space. The cooler further includes a cover connected to the housing to selectively close the opening and a cooling system including a Peltier element. The Peltier element has a warm side and a cold side. The warm side promotes heat transfer to the ambient atmosphere, and the cold side promotes heat transfer from the interior space. The cooler further includes a vacuum system that includes a vacuum pump that selectively exhausts air from the interior space. The cooler further includes a battery pack that supplies current to both the Peltier element and the vacuum pump to operate the cooling system and the vacuum system, respectively.

[0007] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for operating a cooler having an interior space, the method comprising cooling the interior space to a set point temperature using a cooling system, and after the temperature of the interior space is less than or equal to the set point temperature, generating a vacuum in the interior space using a vacuum system.

[0008] Other features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent by considering the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a battery-powered cooler with an onboard refrigeration system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a battery-powered cooler with an onboard thermoelectric cooling system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 3 Yes Operation Figure 1 or Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the cooler method.

[0012] Before explaining any embodiment of the utility model in detail, it should be understood that the application of the utility model is not limited to the details of the component construction and arrangement set forth in the following description or shown in the following drawings. The utility model can have other embodiments and can be practiced or executed in various ways. In addition, it should be understood that the words and terms used herein are for descriptive purposes and should not be regarded as limiting. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] refer to Figure 1 , the cooler 10 includes a shell 14 and a lid 18. The shell 14 can partially define an interior space 22. The interior space 22 is configured to contain materials 26 such as beverages, food, etc. The function of the lid 18 is to selectively open and close the access opening 20 to allow a user to enter the interior space 22, and in some embodiments, the lid partially defines the interior space 22. The shell 14 includes a wall 30 that is insulated with, for example, polystyrene, polyurethane, or other insulating materials. The lid 18 can also be insulated with the same or different materials as the shell 14. The lid 18 can be pivotable relative to the shell 14, removable from the shell 14, or otherwise movably mounted to the shell 14 using a hinge 34 and a latch 38 that is used to secure the lid 18 in a closed position in some embodiments.

[0014] Continue to refer Figure 1, the cooler 10 can be equipped with a cooling system (such as a refrigeration system 42) to cool the interior space 22. The refrigeration system 42 includes a compressor 46, a condenser 50, and an evaporator 54. The compressor 46 can cause a refrigerant (which can be one of a variety of refrigerants known in the art, or a mixture of refrigerants) to flow along a first refrigerant line 58a to the condenser 50, so that heat is released to the ambient atmosphere 62 at the condenser 50. The refrigerant can flow from the condenser 50 along a second refrigerant line 58b to the evaporator 54, so that the refrigerant absorbs heat from the interior space 22 at the evaporator 54. The refrigerant can flow from the evaporator 54 along a third refrigerant line 58c to the compressor 46 to complete the refrigeration cycle. In some embodiments, a fan 66 can be positioned adjacent to the condenser 50 in a blow-through or draw-through arrangement to increase the rate of heat transfer from the refrigerant in the condenser 50 to the ambient atmosphere 62. Likewise, in some embodiments, the fan 70 may be positioned adjacent to the evaporator 54 in a blow-through or pull-through arrangement to increase the rate of heat transfer from the interior space 22 to the refrigerant in the evaporator 54 .

[0015] Continue to refer Figure 1 , the cooler 10 also includes a vacuum system 74. The vacuum system 74 includes a vacuum pump 78 having an air inlet 82 and an air outlet 86. The vacuum pump 78 is configured to selectively operate to draw air within the interior space 22 into the air inlet 82 and through the vacuum pump 78, and exhaust the air to the ambient atmosphere 62 via the air outlet 86. The air outlet 86 may pass through at least one wall 30. By exhausting the air in the interior space 22, the air pressure within the interior space 22 is reduced to a level below atmospheric pressure, so that the cover 18 is more tightly sealed to the housing 14 to inhibit airflow between the interior space 22 and the ambient atmosphere 62, thereby inhibiting heat transfer.

[0016] Continue to refer Figure 1 , the cooler 10 includes a temperature sensor 90 to sense the temperature of the air inside the interior space 22. In some embodiments, the first temperature sensor 90 may be an "indoor" temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the interior space 22, and the second temperature sensor 90 may be an evaporator temperature sensor for sensing the coil temperature of the evaporator 54. The cooler 10 also includes a pressure sensor 94 to sense the air pressure of the interior space 22.

[0017] Continue to refer Figure 1 , the cooler 10 includes a battery receptacle 98 configured to removably receive a portable power tool battery pack 102. Figure 1As shown, the battery receptacle 98 is located on the cover 18, so the cover also supports the battery pack 102. The battery pack 102 can be used with power tools such as drills, nailers, saws, grinders, etc. and other tools such as grease guns, radios, lights, etc. The battery pack 102 can have a nominal voltage of, for example, 12 volts, 18 volts, etc.

[0018] Continue to refer Figure 1 , the cooler 10 includes an electronic control unit 110, which is supplied with current from the battery pack 102 via wires 106. In the present disclosure and the appended claims, "wires" may include single wires, multiple wires, bus bars, other electrical conductors, etc. Additional wires 118 electrically connect the electronic control unit 110 to the compressor 46, fans 66, 70, vacuum pump 78, temperature sensor 90, and pressure sensor 94. In some embodiments, one or more of the temperature sensor 90 and the pressure sensor 94 can communicate wirelessly with the electronic control unit 110. Additionally, other components can communicate wirelessly.

[0019] Continue to refer Figure 1 In some embodiments, two or more battery packs 102 supply current to the electrical components of the cooler 10. For example, in one embodiment, a first portable power tool battery pack 102 supplies current to the refrigeration system 42, and a second portable power tool battery pack 102 supplies current to the vacuum system 74. However, two or more battery packs 102 may jointly supply the total necessary current to be distributed between the systems 42, 74.

[0020] In operation and reference Figure 1 , the temperature sensor 90 and the pressure sensor 94 communicate the temperature and pressure of the interior space 22 to the electronic control unit 110 by outputting corresponding temperature signals and pressure signals to the electronic control unit 110, respectively. The refrigeration system 42 is powered by the battery pack 102 and operates to transfer heat from the interior space 22 to the ambient atmosphere 62. Further, the battery pack 102 can power the fans 66, 70. The fans 66, 70 can operate at the same or different duty cycles, and their operation can be controlled by the electronic control unit 110.

[0021] The battery pack 102 also supplies current to operate the vacuum system 74, more specifically the vacuum pump 78. In some embodiments, the electronic control unit 110 can delay activation of the vacuum system 74 for reducing the air pressure of the interior space 22 until the temperature sensor 90 detects that the temperature of the interior space 22 has been reduced to the set point temperature (or, less than or equal to the set point temperature). When the interior space 22 reaches the set point temperature, the vacuum system 74 is activated to reduce the air pressure of the interior space 22, which in turn reduces heat transfer that may occur to the contents of the interior space 22.

[0022] In some embodiments, the refrigeration system 42 may temporarily cease operation when the temperature of the interior space 22 is less than or equal to the set point temperature. In other embodiments, the refrigeration system 42 may continue to operate when the temperature of the interior space 22 is less than or equal to the set point temperature. A user may open the lid 18 and enter the interior space 22 by actuating the latch 38. In some embodiments, in addition to unlocking the lid 18 from the housing 14, actuating the latch 38 opens an air passage between the ambient atmosphere 62 and the interior space 22 to allow replacement air to flow into the interior space 22, thereby equalizing the pressure in the interior space 22 with atmospheric pressure. In other embodiments, when actuated, the latch 38 sends a signal to the electronic control unit 110 to cause the vacuum system 74 to operate in reverse to pump air at atmospheric pressure from the ambient atmosphere 62 into the interior space 22, thereby equalizing the air pressure in the interior space 22 with the air pressure of the ambient atmosphere 62.

[0023] refer to Figure 2 , cooler 210 includes a housing 214 and a lid 218. Cooler 210 can be similar to cooler 10 in many aspects. Housing 214 can partially define an interior space 222. Interior space 222 is configured to contain materials 226 such as beverages, food, etc. The role of lid 218 is to provide an entry opening 228 to allow a user to enter interior space 222, and in some embodiments, the lid partially defines interior space 222. Housing 214 includes walls 230 insulated with, for example, polystyrene, polyurethane or other insulating materials. Lid 218 can also be insulated with the same or different materials as housing 214. Lid 218 can be pivotally or otherwise movably mounted to housing 214 using hinges 234 and latches 238 for fixing lid 218 in a closed position in some embodiments.

[0024] Continue to refer Figure 2 , the cooler 210 can be equipped with a thermoelectric cooling system (such as a cooling system 242 having a Peltier element 246) to cool the interior space 222. When an electric current passes through the Peltier element 246, the Peltier element 246 can cool a first side 250 of the Peltier element 246 and warm a second side 254 of the Peltier element 246. In some embodiments, a fan 258 can be positioned adjacent to the second side 254 to increase the rate of heat transfer from the second side 254 to the ambient atmosphere 62. In some embodiments, a fan 262 can be positioned adjacent to the first side 250 to increase the rate of heat transfer from the interior space 222 to the first side 250.

[0025] Continue to refer Figure 2, the cooler 210 also includes a vacuum system 266. The vacuum system 266 includes a vacuum pump 270 having an air inlet 274 and an air outlet 278. The vacuum pump 270 is configured to selectively operate to draw air within the interior space 222 into the air inlet 274 and through the vacuum pump 270, and exhaust the air to the ambient atmosphere 62 via the air outlet 278. The air outlet 278 may pass through at least one wall 230. By exhausting the air in the interior space 222, the air pressure within the interior space 222 is reduced to a level below atmospheric pressure, so that the cover 218 is more tightly sealed to the housing 214 to inhibit airflow between the interior space 222 and the ambient atmosphere 62, thereby inhibiting heat transfer.

[0026] Continue to refer Figure 2 , the cooler 210 includes a temperature sensor 282 to sense the temperature of the air inside the interior space 222. In some embodiments, the first temperature sensor may be an "indoor" temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the interior space 222, and the second temperature sensor may be a Peltier element temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the first side 250 of the Peltier element 246. The cooler 210 also includes a pressure sensor 286 to sense the air pressure of the interior space 222.

[0027] Continue to refer Figure 2 , the cooler 210 includes a battery receptacle 290 that is configured to removably receive a portable power tool battery pack 294. The portable power tool battery pack 294 may be the same as or different from the portable power tool battery pack 102. Figure 2 As shown, the battery receptacle 290 is located on the cover 18, so the cover also supports a battery pack 294. The battery pack 294 can be used with power tools such as drills, nailers, saws, grinders, etc. and other tools such as grease guns, radios, lights, etc. The battery pack 294 can have a nominal voltage of, for example, 12 volts, 18 volts, etc.

[0028] Continue to refer Figure 2 , the cooler 210 includes an electronic control unit 302, which is supplied with current from the battery pack 294 via the wire 298. As discussed herein, in the present disclosure and the appended claims, "wire" can include a single wire, multiple wires, a bus bar, other electrical conductors, etc. Additional wires 310 electrically connect the electronic control unit 302 with the Peltier element 246, the fans 258, 262, the vacuum pump 270, the temperature sensor 282, and the pressure sensor 286. In some embodiments, one or more of the temperature sensor 282 or the pressure sensor 286 can communicate wirelessly with the electronic control unit 302. Additionally, other components can communicate wirelessly.

[0029] Continue to refer Figure 2In some embodiments, two or more battery packs 294 supply current to the electrical components of the cooler 210. For example, in one embodiment, a first portable power tool battery pack 294 supplies current to the cooling system 242, and a second portable power tool battery pack 294 supplies current to the vacuum system 266. However, two or more battery packs 294 may collectively supply the total necessary current to be distributed between the systems 242, 266.

[0030] In operation and reference Figure 2 , the temperature sensor 282 and the pressure sensor 286 communicate the temperature and pressure of the interior space 222 to the electronic control unit 302 by outputting corresponding temperature signals and pressure signals to the electronic control unit 302. The cooling system 242 is powered by the battery pack 294 and operates to transfer heat from the interior space 222 to the ambient atmosphere 62. Further, the battery pack 294 can power the fans 258, 262. The fans 258, 262 can operate at the same or different duty cycles, and their operation can be controlled by the electronic control unit 302.

[0031] The battery pack 294 also supplies current to operate the vacuum system 266, more specifically the vacuum pump 270. In some embodiments, the electronic control unit 302 can delay activation of the vacuum system 266 for reducing the air pressure of the interior space 222 until the temperature sensor 282 detects that the temperature of the interior space 222 has been reduced to the set point temperature (or, less than or equal to the set point temperature). When the interior space 222 reaches the set point temperature, the vacuum system 266 is activated to reduce the air pressure of the interior space 222, which in turn reduces heat transfer that may occur to the contents of the interior space 222 (e.g., the material 226).

[0032] In some embodiments, the cooling system 242 may temporarily stop operating when the temperature of the interior space 222 is less than or equal to the set point temperature. In other embodiments, the cooling system 242 may continue to operate when the temperature of the interior space 222 is less than or equal to the set point temperature. A user may open the lid 218 and enter the interior space 222 by actuating the latch 238. In some embodiments, in addition to unlocking the lid 218 from the housing 214, actuating the latch 238 opens an air passage between the ambient atmosphere 62 and the interior space 222 to allow replacement air to flow into the interior space 222, thereby equalizing the pressure in the interior space 222 to atmospheric pressure. In other embodiments, when actuated, the latch 238 sends a signal to the electronic control unit 302 to cause the vacuum system 266 to operate in reverse to pump air at atmospheric pressure from the ambient atmosphere 62 into the interior space 222, thereby equalizing the air pressure in the interior space 222 to the air pressure at ambient temperature.

[0033] refer to Figure 3 , a method 410 for operating a cooler (e.g., cooler 10, 210) includes step 414: operating a cooling system (e.g., refrigeration system 42 or thermoelectric cooling system 242), which may be powered by a portable power tool battery pack (e.g., portable power tool battery pack 102, 294), to cool the interior space 22, 222 of the cooler to a set point temperature. The method 410 further includes step 418: after the temperature of the interior space 22, 222 is reduced to less than or equal to the set point temperature, operating the vacuum system 74, 266 to create a vacuum in the interior space 22, 222. The method 410 may further include step 422: sensing the temperature and / or pressure of the interior space (e.g., interior space 22, 222) of the cooler 10, 210. The method 410 may further include step 426: in response to the pressure of the interior space 22, 222 reaching the set point pressure, deactivating the vacuum system 74, 266 to maintain the interior space 22, 222 at the set point temperature and the set point pressure. The method 410 may further include step 430: comparing the detected temperature of the interior space 22, 222 with the set point temperature, and when the temperature of the interior space 22, 222 exceeds the set point temperature, enabling (i.e., resuming operation) the cooling system 42, 242 to cool the interior space 22, 222 to the set point temperature. The method 410 may further include step 434: selectively increasing the pressure of the interior space 22, 222 to above the set point pressure to allow the user to enter the interior space 22, 222.

[0034] The steps listed above may be performed in an order other than the order explicitly listed. For example, the electronic control unit 110, 302 may cooperate with temperature sensors and pressure sensors (such as temperature sensors 90, 282 and pressure sensors 94, 286) to continuously sense the temperature and pressure of the interior space (such as interior space 22, 222).

[0035] In some embodiments, the set point temperature and the set point pressure may be preset. In other embodiments, the electronic control unit 110, 302 may determine the set point temperature and the set point pressure based on, for example, user input and / or ambient environmental factors (such as ambient temperature and ambient pressure). Therefore, the method 410 may further include the step of determining the set point temperature and the set point pressure of the interior space of the cooler 10, 210.

[0036] Features of the embodiments disclosed herein may be interchangeable between configurations. In other words, the configurations of the coolers 10, 210 may include any arrangement of features disclosed herein. Articles such as "a," "an," and "the" may refer to plural referents.

[0037] Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention described.

[0038] Various features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cooler, characterized in that: The cooler includes: an insulated housing at least partially defining an interior space and an opening to the interior space; a cover coupled to the housing to selectively close the opening; a refrigeration system comprising a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and a refrigerant line configured to transport a refrigerant, the condenser configured to facilitate heat transfer from the refrigerant to ambient atmosphere, the evaporator configured to facilitate heat transfer from the interior space to the refrigerant, and the refrigerant line configured to allow the refrigerant to flow in a cycle between the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator; a vacuum system comprising a vacuum pump configured to selectively exhaust air from the interior space; and A battery pack is configured to supply current to both the compressor and the vacuum pump to operate the refrigeration system and the vacuum system, respectively.

2. The cooler according to claim 1, characterized in that The cooler further includes: a controller, a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor, the temperature sensor being configured to output a temperature signal indicating the temperature of the internal space to the controller, the pressure sensor being configured to output a pressure signal indicating the pressure in the internal space to the controller, and wherein the controller is configured to control the operation of the refrigeration system and the vacuum system based at least in part on the temperature signal and the pressure signal.

3. The cooler according to claim 2, characterized in that The controller is configured to: The temperature of the interior space is compared to the set point temperature. operating the refrigeration system when the temperature of the interior space is above the set point temperature, and When the temperature of the interior space is less than or equal to the set point temperature, the refrigeration system is disabled.

4. The cooler according to claim 3, characterized in that The controller is configured to activate the vacuum system to create a vacuum within the interior space when the temperature of the interior space is less than or equal to the set point temperature.

5. The cooler according to claim 2, characterized in that The temperature sensor is in wireless communication with the controller, and wherein the pressure sensor is in wireless communication with the controller.

6. The cooler according to claim 1, characterized in that The battery pack is a portable power tool battery pack that is interchangeable with at least one power tool other than the cooler.

7. The cooler according to claim 6, characterized in that The battery pack is supported by a battery receptacle on the cover.

8. The cooler according to claim 1, characterized in that The cooler further comprises: an evaporator fan positioned within the cooler and configured to facilitate heat transfer from the interior space to the refrigerant; and A condenser fan is positioned outside the cooler and is configured to facilitate heat transfer from the refrigerant to the ambient atmosphere.

9. A cooler, characterized in that: The cooler includes: an insulated housing at least partially defining an interior space and an opening to the interior space; a cover coupled to the housing to selectively close the opening; a cooling system comprising a Peltier element having a warm side and a cold side, the warm side configured to facilitate heat transfer to ambient atmosphere and the cold side configured to facilitate heat transfer from the interior space; a vacuum system comprising a vacuum pump configured to selectively exhaust air from the interior space; and A battery pack is configured to supply current to both the Peltier element and the vacuum pump to operate the cooling system and the vacuum system, respectively.

10. The cooler according to claim 9, characterized in that The cooler further includes: a controller, a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor, the temperature sensor being configured to output a temperature signal indicating the temperature of the internal space to the controller, the pressure sensor being configured to output a pressure signal indicating the pressure in the internal space to the controller, and wherein the controller is configured to control the operation of the cooling system and the vacuum system based at least in part on the temperature signal and the pressure signal.

11. The cooler according to claim 10, characterized in that The controller is configured to: The temperature of the interior space is compared to the set point temperature. operating the cooling system when the temperature of the interior space is above the set point temperature, and When the temperature of the interior space is less than or equal to the set point temperature, the cooling system is deactivated.

12. The cooler according to claim 11, characterized in that The controller is configured to activate the vacuum system to create a vacuum within the interior space when the temperature of the interior space is less than or equal to the set point temperature.

13. The cooler according to claim 10, characterized in that The temperature sensor is in wireless communication with the controller, and wherein the pressure sensor is in wireless communication with the controller.

14. The cooler according to claim 9, characterized in that The battery pack is a portable power tool battery pack that is interchangeable with at least one power tool other than the cooler.

15. The cooler according to claim 9, characterized in that The cooler further comprises: an internal fan positioned within the cooler and configured to facilitate heat transfer from the interior space to the cold side of the Peltier element; and An external fan is positioned outside the cooler and is configured to facilitate heat transfer from the warm side of the Peltier element to the ambient atmosphere.

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