Portable thermoelectric coolers

Abstract

Portable, modular, thermoelectric cooling box (1, 20, 30) comprising: a container (2) with an interior (6) for storing goods at constant temperatures; at least one base (2), one lid (4, 21, 31) and side walls (5) made of insulating material, each designed to thermally enclose the interior (6) intended for storing the goods; at least one cooling unit (8) in the lid (4, 21, 31); a holder (11, 23, 34) and electrical contacts (9, 22, 32) for at least one electric accumulator (10, 33) attachable to the lid (4, 21, 31), which is / are electrically connectable to the at least one cooling unit (8) for power transmission via the electrical contacts (9, 22, 32).

Description

The invention relates to portable thermoelectric cooling boxes having the features of claim 1.When transporting and storing temperature-sensitive goods, such as grill items and / or beverages for a picnic, it is important for users at high external temperatures to ensure sufficiently long cooling, even in an environment without connection to an electrical network. Transportable electric cooling boxes with thermoelectric cooling elements as cooling units and electric accumulator are known, in which the charge of the electric accumulator serves to operate the thermoelectric cooling element for cooling an interior space of the transportable electric cooling box which is insulated from the outside.From document DE 20 2020 001 306 U1, for example, a transportable electric cooling box is known, having an interior for receiving goods at constant temperatures, having an insulating base, a cover and side walls made of insulating material, which are each designed to enclose the interior provided for receiving the goods in a heat-tight manner. A Peltier element as a thermoelectric cooling element is provided for cooling goods in the cover of the transportable electric cooling box. On a side wall, an electric accumulator is interchangeably attached to the outside of the transportable electric cooling box. The electric accumulator designed for the current requirement of the Peltier element plus the circulating air fan can be connected to the Peltier element outside the electric cooling box via an electric line for transmitting electric power. If the electrical rechargeable battery and / or the cover are separated from the cooling box for cleaning or service purposes, the electrical line must be separated from the Peltier element and stored.The object of the invention is to create portable, modular, thermoelectric cooling boxes without the disadvantages of the prior art.The object is achieved with portable, modular, thermoelectric cooling boxes having the features of claim 1.According to the invention, a portable, modular thermoelectric cooling box has an interior space in a container for receiving goods at constant temperatures, with at least one base, a cover and side walls made of insulating material, which are each designed to enclose the interior space provided for receiving the goods in a heat-tight manner when the cover closes the container. In addition, at least one cooling unit is provided in the cover, a holder and electrical contacts for at least one electrical accumulator which can be attached to the cover and / or which can be connected electrically to the at least one cooling unit. Advantageously, the portable thermoelectric cooling boxes according to the invention have the result that the cooling unit installed in the cover can be directly connected to the electric accumulator held on the cover of the cooling box for power transmission via the electric contacts on the cover, so that connecting cables, for example from an electric accumulator mounted on the outside on a side wall of the container of a thermoelectric cooling box of the prior art, to the cover can be dispensed with, and therefore devices for storing connecting cables if no electric accumulator is provided.According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover is separable from the container of the portable, modular, thermoelectric cooling box for improved handling. The connection for the electric rechargeable battery integrated in the cover according to the invention facilitates cleaning and servicing of portable thermoelectric cooling boxes according to the invention. The cover with the receptacle for the at least one electric accumulator can be separated from the container of the portable thermoelectric cooling box according to the invention for cleaning purposes and only the container can be cleaned solely, for example with water. Even for electrical service or repair work that may be necessary on the at least one cooling unit, it is not necessary to ship the portable thermoelectric cooling box according to the invention as a whole, but the cover with the at least one cooling unit can be removed and shipped individually without a container at low cost.According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one electric accumulator is interchangeably fastened to the cover for improved operational readiness of at least one cooling unit of the portable thermoelectric cooling box according to the invention.According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the electrical contacts on top of the cover of the portable, modular, thermoelectric cooling box are provided with a movable, watertight cover, so that when the electrical accumulator is not inserted, the electrical contacts can be protected with this cover.According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the electrical contacts provided for the at least one electrical accumulator are arranged on top of the cover of the portable, modular, thermoelectric cooling box with the advantage that no space in the cover is reduced for the at least one electrical accumulator at the expense of the cooling unit.According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the electrical contacts are recessed 2 cm up to 4 cm in a receptacle for the at least one electrical accumulator in the cover for a small reduction in space for the cooling technology in the cover. Preferably, the cover for the electrical contacts recessed in the receptacle is designed as a flap or slide in the cover in order to protect the electrical contacts from moisture or dirt.According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the receptacle in the cover is open from one side of the cover in order to keep the region of the receptacle in the cover as small as possible and to provide a simple insertion possibility from the outside in the direction of the cover center.According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover is recessed and enlarged at its lower part in order alternatively to be able to integrate the electrical contacts and the battery holder plus electrical battery completely into the cover of the cooling box. Even if the depression and enlargement then reduce the coolable interior space, the advantage arises that the carrying handle of the cooling box and the carrying hand would not be restricted by an inserted electrical rechargeable battery. Furthermore, there would be the advantage that a cover could completely cover the battery holder, including an inserted, electrical battery, in the upward direction and protect it from moisture.According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the container of the portable, modular, thermoelectric cooling box is provided with a carrying handle pivotable about an axis of symmetry of the container and the electrical contacts are inserted on top of the cover centrally to this axis of symmetry, but preferably eccentrically to the centre of the cover next to one of the articulation points for the carrying handle, so that even when the electrical accumulator is inserted in the centre of the carrying handle, a carrying hand finds sufficient space to be able to carry the portable, modular, thermoelectric cooling box of the invention without colliding with an electrical accumulator on top of the cover.The invention is described below with reference to preferred exemplary embodiments. The following are shown: FIGS. 1 a- c : show a portable, modular, thermoelectric cooling box according to the invention with different connections for an electric accumulator on top of the cover, FIG. 1 d : shows a cross section through the portable, modular, thermoelectric cooling box with an electric accumulator at the top of the cover according to the invention FIGS. 2 a- d : show a further portable, modular, thermoelectric cooling box according to the invention with a connection for an electric accumulator partly integrated into the cover, FIG. 2 e : a cross section through the further portable, modular, thermoelectric cooling box according to the invention, FIGS. 3 a- d: show yet another portable, modular, thermoelectric cooling box according to the invention with a connection for the electric accumulator integrated into the cover, and FIG. 3 e : shows a cross section through the still further portable, modular, thermoelectric cooling box according to the invention.FIGS. 1 a- d: A portable, modular, thermoelectric cooling box 1 usable for picnics has a container 2 with an outwardly insulating base 3, a cover 4 and side walls 5 made of insulating material, which are each designed to enclose an interior space 6 provided for receiving goods / beverages in a heat-tight manner. The portable, modular, thermoelectric cooling box 1 has a substantially rectangular outline. The container 2 and the lid 4 are connected in a separable manner.On the cover, an opening 7 is provided for exchanging heat of a cooling unit 8 inside the cover 4 with the environment. Provided on the top of the lid 4 are electrical contacts 9 for receiving an electrical rechargeable battery 10, which can be inserted, essentially parallel to the surface of the lid 4, in the direction of the arrow transversely to the longer side wall 5 of the container 2, in a replaceable manner into a holder 11 provided on the top of the lid 4 for this purpose in such a way that the electrical contacts 9 are conductively connected to the electrical rechargeable battery 10. A charging interface 14 of the electric accumulator 10 remains accessible.The electric accumulator 10 is connected to the cooling unit 8 inside the cover 4 via the electric contacts 9. A 12 volt Peltier element as cooling unit 8 in cover 4 is arranged for heat exchange between interior space 6 of portable, modular, thermoelectric cooling box 1 and the environment.The holder 11 on top of the cover 4 can be provided with a watertight cover (not shown) which protects the electrical contacts 9 when the electrical rechargeable battery 10 is not inserted.The portable, modular, thermoelectric cooling box 1 is provided with a carrying handle 12 which is mounted pivotably about an axis of symmetry (not shown) at articulation points 13 on the two opposite shorter side walls 5 of cover 4. The holder 11 with the electrical contacts 9 on the cover 4 for the electrical rechargeable battery 10 is arranged on both sides of the axis of symmetry directly next to one of the articulation points 13 at a distance from the center of cover 4. Even when the electric accumulator 10 is inserted, a carrying hand continues to find sufficient space in the middle of the carrying handle 12 to be able to carry the portable, modular, thermoelectric cooling box 1 without colliding with the electric accumulator 10 in the cover 4.If the electric rechargeable battery 10 is inserted into the holder 11 in such a way that current can flow via the electric contacts 9 to the cooling unit 8 in the interior of the cover 4, the electric rechargeable battery 10 is positioned on the cover 4 on both sides of the axis of symmetry in such a way that the portable, modular, thermoelectric cooling box 1 again oscillates vertically downward after being lifted on the carrying handle 12.The electric accumulator 10 is a lithium-ion accumulator having 2 to 10 Ah at 18 to 20 volts output power. The length, height and width of the electric rechargeable battery 10 are in each case approximately: 130 mm, 80 mm and 90 mm.FIGS. 2 a- e : corresponding features are provided with the reference numerals from FIGS. 1 a- d. A further portable, modular, thermoelectric cooling box 20 has a cover 21 with electrical contacts 22 for an electrical rechargeable battery 10, which can be inserted in an exchangeable manner, substantially parallel to the surface of the cover 21, in the direction of the arrow transversely to the longer side, into a holder 23 provided for this purpose in a receptacle 24 in the cover 21. The receptacle 24 with the electrical contacts 22 for the electrical rechargeable battery 10 is arranged directly next to one of the articulation points 13 at a distance from the center of the carrying handle 12.The depth for the receptacle 24 of the electric rechargeable battery 10 in the cover 21 is 2 cm to a maximum of 4 cm. Integration of the receptacle 23 of the electric accumulator 10 into an approximately 2 to 4 cm depression of the cover 21 is associated with only little space reduction for the cooling technology in the cover 21. The holder 23 is provided with a watertight, foldable or slidable cover 25 on the lid 21 so that the holder 23 can be covered when no electric accumulator 10 is inserted in this holder 23, thus protecting the electric contacts 22 of the holder 23 from moisture or dirt.In order to keep the area of the receptacle 24 in the cover as small as possible, it is advantageous to open the insert in the cover 21 from one side of the cover 21, in order to create a simple insertion possibility for the electric rechargeable battery 10 from the outside in the direction of the center above the pendulum axis of the cover 21, so that the portable, modular, thermoelectric cooling box 20 can again oscillate vertically downward after being lifted on the carrying handle 12.FIGS. 3 a- e : corresponding features are provided with the reference numerals from FIGS. 1 a- 2 e. A further portable, modular, thermoelectric cooling box 30 has a cover 31 with electrical contacts 32 for an electrical accumulator 33, which can be inserted in a substantially vertical manner in a space 35 in a lower part of the cover 31 that is recessed and enlarged for this purpose in order to accommodate the holder 34 plus electrical accumulator 33. A cover 36 can completely cover space 35 with holder 34, including inserted electric battery 33, toward the top and protect it from moisture.The portable, modular, thermoelectric cooling box 30 is provided with the carrying handle 12 which can be pivoted about an axis of symmetry of the container 2 about articulation points 13. The electrical contacts 32 in the cover 31 are centered with respect to this axis of symmetry, but eccentric with respect to an axis perpendicular to the axis of symmetry. The electric accumulator 33 is insertable into the recessed and enlarged space 35 in the bottom of the lid 31 when the carrying handle 12 is parallel to the plane of the lid 31.With and without inserted electric accumulator 33 in the middle of the carrying handle 12, a carrying hand continues to find sufficient space to be able to carry the portable, modular thermoelectric cooling box 30 without colliding with the electric accumulator 33 in the cover 31.References included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedDE 20 2020 001 306 U1

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Claims

Portable, modular, thermoelectric cooling box (1, 20, 30) having - a container (2) with an interior space (6) for receiving goods at constant temperatures, - at least one base (2), a cover (4, 21, 31) and side walls (5) made of insulating material which are insulated from the outside and are each designed to enclose the interior space (6) provided for receiving the goods in a heat-tight manner, - at least one cooling unit (8) in the cover (4, 21, 31), - a holder (11, 23, 34) and electrical contacts (9, 22, 32) for at least one electrical accumulator (10, 33) which can be attached to the cover (4, 21, 31) and / or which can be electrically connected to the at least one cooling unit (8) for power transmission via the electrical contacts (9, 22, 32).Portable, modular, thermoelectric cooling box (1, 20, 30) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the cover (4, 21, 31) can be separated from the container (2).Portable, modular, thermoelectric cooling box (1, 20, 30) according to claim 1 and / or 2, characterised in that the at least one electric accumulator (10, 33) is interchangeably fastened to the cover (4, 21, 31).Portable, modular thermoelectric cooling box (1, 20, 30) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical contacts (9, 22, 32) on the cover (4, 21, 31) are provided with a movable, watertight cover (25, 36).Portable, modular, thermoelectric cooling box (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical contacts (9) and holder (11) are provided on top of the cover (4) for the at least one electrical accumulator (10).Portable, modular, thermoelectric cooling box (20) according to at least one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the electrical contacts (22) are recessed 2 cm to 4 cm into a receptacle (24) in the cover (21), and the movable, watertight cover (25) is designed as a flap or slide in the cover (21).Portable, modular, thermoelectric cooling box (20) according to claim 6, characterised in that the receptacle (24) in the cover (21) is open from one side of the cover (21).Portable, modular, thermoelectric cooling box (30) according to claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the cover (31) is recessed and enlarged at its lower part to form a space (35) for integration of electrical contacts (32), holder (34) and electrical accumulator (33) into the cover (31).Portable, modular, thermoelectric cooling box (1, 20, 30) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (2) is provided with a carrying handle (12) which can be pivoted about an axis of symmetry of the container (2), and the electrical contacts (9, 22, 32) and holder (11, 23, 34) on the cover (4, 21, 31) are inserted centrally with respect to this axis of symmetry and eccentrically next to one of the articulation points (13) for the carrying handle (12).

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