Cooling device for cooling elements and methods for cooling cooling elements
The cooling device with a transport carriage and partitioned chamber system addresses the inefficiencies of conventional cooling devices by enabling rapid loading and unloading and optimizing airflow phases, resulting in faster and more energy-efficient cooling of cooling elements.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE102024131584
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-30
AI Technical Summary
Conventional cooling devices for cooling elements, such as cooling packs or latent heat storage elements, are time-consuming and energy-inefficient due to the need for lengthy loading processes and temperature equalization, which delays the cooling process and increases energy consumption.
A cooling device with a transport carriage system that allows for quick insertion and removal of cooling elements through aligned mounting points on the device and carriage, enabling continuous operation without obstructing airflow, combined with a partitioned chamber system for independent cooling control and adjustable airflow phases to achieve rapid cooling.
The solution significantly reduces loading and unloading times, maintains efficient cooling processes, and enhances energy efficiency by minimizing temperature equalization and allowing simultaneous preparation of additional batches, thus accelerating the overall cooling process.
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Abstract
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a cooling device for cooling elements and to a method for cooling cooling elements to a predetermined target temperature.
[0002] Cooling elements are also known as cooling packs, cold storage elements, eutectic plates, or latent heat storage elements. They consist of a cooling element container filled with a coolant or phase change material (PCM). During cooling, the coolant preferably undergoes a phase change from liquid to solid. For this purpose, the cooling elements are preferably cooled to a target temperature that is lower than the phase transition temperature of the coolant from liquid to solid. If a large portion of the supplied thermal energy is stored in the form of conversion enthalpy, the temperature of the coolant does not rise immediately despite the heat input. Therefore, latent heat storage systems can store very large amounts of heat within a narrow temperature range around the phase change. Cooling elements cooled to an operating temperature are used, for example, for the transport or storage of pharmaceuticals or food.For this purpose, the cooling elements are placed together with the goods to be cooled in a thermally insulated container, such as a cooler, insulated packaging, or a thermally insulated vehicle attachment. Thanks to the cooling elements, which are pre-cooled to a specific temperature or temperature range, a certain temperature can be maintained in the thermally insulated container for a period of time. Active cooling at the storage location or during transport is therefore unnecessary.
[0003] Since cooling elements heat up over time at their point of use, they must be cooled down again before being used again. This can be done in a freezer, a cold storage room, or a special cooling device. Cooling in a standard freezer or a cold storage room has the disadvantage of being time-consuming. It usually takes many hours for the cooling element to reach a predetermined operating temperature. However, for commercial use of cooling elements, it is necessary to cool them down to the operating temperature as quickly as possible.
[0004] From DE 10 2005 029 907 B4, a special recirculating air cooling machine designed for cooling elements is known, which is equipped with a housing with a door, a shelf for the cooling elements, a refrigeration unit, and a cross-flow fan. The cross-flow fan generates an airflow. The flowing air is directed past an evaporator of the refrigeration unit and past the cooling elements. This is intended to achieve faster cooling of the cooling elements.
[0005] A disadvantage of this known device is that loading the cooling elements into the rack is time-consuming. Since the door must remain open for a relatively long time during this process, a temperature equalization occurs between the interior of the housing and its surroundings. Cooling of the elements can only begin once they are placed in the rack and the door is closed. This loading of the rack and the subsequent temperature equalization significantly delay the cooling process and result in high energy consumption.
[0006] The invention is based on the objective of providing a cooling device and a method for cooling cooling elements that enable an acceleration of the cooling process and an increase in energy efficiency.
[0007] This problem is solved by a cooling device with the features of claim 1, by a cooling device with the features of claim 16, and by a method with the features of claim 17. The cooling device according to the invention with the features of claim 1 is characterized in that it is equipped with a transport carriage that accelerates the storage of the cooling elements in the cooling device and the removal of the cooling elements from the cooling device. For this purpose, the housing of the cooling device is equipped with first receptacles into which the cooling elements are directly inserted. Alternatively, the first receptacles are designed such that they accommodate containers or cooling element racks in which the cooling elements are arranged. The containers and the cooling element racks accommodate several cooling elements in such a way that the distance between each pair of cooling elements is defined and the flow of cold air around the cooling elements is enabled.The containers can be, for example, baskets or boxes with sufficiently large openings to allow the cold air in the cooling device to flow around the cooling elements. The cooling element racks consist, for example, of several profiles. The first mounting points are located directly or indirectly on the inside of the side walls of the cooling device housing. They are spaced vertically and horizontally at intervals adapted to the size of the cooling elements and, if applicable, to the size of the containers or cooling element racks. The transport cart is equipped with a frame and second mounting points attached to it, the vertical and horizontal spacing of which corresponds to the spacing of the first mounting points.The first and second mountings are designed as linear guides, for example, as rails, so that the cooling elements or the containers or racks containing the cooling elements can be moved along the first and second mountings. The transport cart is always located outside the housing of the cooling device. While the housing is still closed, the cooling elements are inserted directly or by means of a container or rack into the second mountings of the transport cart. To load the cooling elements, the door of the housing of the cooling device is opened, and the transport cart is moved up to the open housing so that the second mountings are essentially flush with the first mountings. Then, the cooling elements or the containers or racks containing the cooling elements are slid from the second mountings of the transport cart onto the first mountings of the housing.Once all cooling elements are arranged in the cooling unit's housing, the transport trolley is removed from the housing and the housing door is closed. The cooling process can then begin. Removing the cooled cooling elements from the cooling unit is performed as follows: the door is opened, the empty transport trolley is moved to the door and aligned so that the trolley's second mounting points are flush with the housing's first mounting points. The cooling elements, or the containers or racks containing them, are then pushed or pulled from the housing's first mounting points to the transport trolley's second mounting points. Finally, the trolley is removed from the door and the door is closed. This significantly reduces the time required for loading and unloading the cooling elements compared to conventional cooling units.Since a second batch of cooling elements can be inserted while a first batch is being cooled in the cooling device, the cooling process is not slowed down by filling the transport cart with the cooling elements. In this case, two transport carts are required: a first cart, which is initially empty and is filled with the first batch of cooled cooling elements once the cooling process is complete, and a second cart, which is filled with a second batch of cooling elements while the first batch is cooling.
[0008] If the cooling elements are arranged in containers or cooling element racks, the process of storing and removing the cooling elements can be further accelerated.
[0009] To ensure the cooling elements can be inserted into and removed from the housing from the transport cart without obstruction, the level of the first mounting points in the housing and the level of the second mounting points on the transport cart are adjusted to each other. This can be achieved, for example, by adjusting the height of the cooling device housing or the transport cart. The level of the first and second mounting points can also be adjusted so that the first mounting points are positioned a few millimeters above or below the second. This facilitates the linear movement of the cooling elements from the second mounting points to the first mounting points, or vice versa.
[0010] The housing door only needs to be opened briefly for inserting and removing cooling elements from the cooling unit. While some temperature equalization with the surroundings cannot be completely avoided during this time, the housing interior will not heat up to ambient temperature if the cooling elements are inserted and removed quickly. If the housing interior is still at a lower temperature from a previous cooling cycle, less energy is required for subsequent cooling.
[0011] Since the transport trolley always remains outside the cooling unit's housing, it has no influence on the cooling process of the cooling elements inside the unit. In particular, it does not need to be cooled itself. It does not occupy any space within the cooling unit's housing. Furthermore, the cold airflow within the housing is not obstructed or otherwise affected by the transport trolley.
[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first recordings are arranged in the housing with a substantially horizontal orientation.
[0013] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second recordings are arranged on the transport trolley with a substantially horizontal orientation.
[0014] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, several first receptacles are arranged in the housing such that several cooling elements or containers equipped with cooling elements can be positioned one above the other in the housing. In this arrangement, defined by the first receptacles and optionally by the containers or cooling element racks, the cooling elements are spaced apart from one another so that each cooling element in the cooling device is surrounded by the generated cold airflow.
[0015] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the distance between the first mounting points in the housing is adjustable in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the distance between the second mounting points on the transport carriage is also adjustable in the vertical direction. This allows the cooling device to be adapted to cooling elements of different sizes.
[0016] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first receptacles are arranged at a distance from the side walls of the housing such that cold air can flow between the cooling elements arranged in the first receptacles and the side walls of the housing.
[0017] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the transport cart and / or the housing of the cooling device are equipped with magnets by which the transport cart is magnetically coupled to the housing of the cooling device when the door is open. This facilitates the positioning of the transport cart when loading or unloading the cooling elements. The magnets can be, in particular, permanent magnets. Alternatively, electromagnets arranged on the housing of the cooling device are also suitable. By selectively energizing the electromagnets, the magnetic force between the housing and the transport cart can be limited to the time during which the cooling elements are being transferred between the housing of the cooling device and the transport cart.Once this transfer process is complete, the electromagnet can be switched off, making it easier to remove the transport trolley from the cooling device.
[0018] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cooling device is equipped with containers into which the cooling elements are received. The containers are designed such that they can be arranged and moved within the first and second receptacles. The containers allow for the arrangement of several cooling elements at a predetermined distance from one another. Furthermore, the containers are designed such that the cold airflow generated in the cooling device flows around the cooling elements arranged in the container when the container with the cooling elements is received in the first receptacles of the cooling device.
[0019] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the containers are designed as baskets which are equipped with supports for the cooling elements. The supports determine the spacing of the cooling elements arranged in the basket.
[0020] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the refrigeration machine is equipped with an evaporator. The evaporator is arranged in the rear wall of the housing.
[0021] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the refrigeration machine, with the exception of the evaporator, is arranged on the ceiling of the housing.
[0022] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fan is arranged on the rear wall of the housing. In particular, it can be arranged in the immediate vicinity of the evaporator.
[0023] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a collection container is arranged at the bottom of the housing, which collects the water that condenses in the cooling device. This water is produced, for example, as condensation of the humidity in the air due to the dew point being reached. In addition, water may be produced during cleaning of the cooling device. The collection container is attached to the housing in such a way that it can be detached and reattached without tools.
[0024] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the collection container is arranged on the outside of the base of the housing. This has the advantage that the dripping water is not located inside the housing. The base of the housing is equipped with a drain which directs the dripping water collecting at the bottom of the housing to the collection container.
[0025] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the refrigeration machine is equipped with an adjustable defrost heater. This prevents icing of the evaporator and the resulting reduction in performance.
[0026] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the adjustable defrost heater is equipped with hot gas defrosting. In this case, hot gas is diverted from the refrigeration unit and used to defrost the evaporator.
[0027] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one temperature sensor is arranged in the housing of the cooling device, which detects the temperature of the cold air stream. The temperature sensor can, for example, be arranged in the direction of flow of the cold air stream directly upstream of the evaporator, so that the temperature of the cold air stream is detected in the housing when the cold air stream is returned to the evaporator.
[0028] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the housing is equipped with a partition wall which divides the interior of the housing, bounded by the side walls, the rear wall, the bottom, and the top, into a first chamber and a second chamber. Each of the chambers is equipped with a door, a refrigeration unit, a fan, and first mountings, so that the first chamber and the second chamber can be operated independently of each other for cooling the cooling elements. The cooling device forms a two-chamber system with independent refrigeration circuits and integrated refrigeration units. If, for example, only a small number of cooling elements need to be cooled, it is sufficient to operate one of the two chambers and supply only the associated refrigeration unit and fan with energy.Furthermore, redundancy is achieved: should one of the two refrigeration units fail, the cooling system can still be used. Preferably, mounting points for the cooling elements are arranged on the dividing wall on the side facing the first chamber and on the side facing the second chamber.
[0029] The cooling device equipped with a partition wall, which has a first chamber and a second chamber, each with a refrigeration machine and a fan, is claimed on its own and also in combination with the other features of a cooling device with transport trolley.
[0030] The method with the features of claim 17 is characterized in that the temperature of the cold air stream is reduced to a temperature T during a cooling phase. Abkühlphase The temperature is set to a value lower than a predetermined target temperature T1, to which the cooling elements are to be cooled: T Abkühlphase< T1. The target temperature T1 can be set by the user. For example, it is between 15°C and -30°C. The target temperature is lower than the temperature T. Phasenübergang of the phase transition of the coolant from liquid to solid. By cooling the cooling elements to a temperature lower than the target temperature, it is ensured that all cooling elements exhibit the least possible temperature fluctuation at a given extraction time.
[0031] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, in a first phase, which takes place after the door has been closed and before the cooling phase, the temperature of the T erste Phase of the cold air flow continuously down to a temperature T Frostphase reduced. With the directed cold airflow at this temperature T Frostphase A phase transition from liquid to solid is triggered in the coolant of the cooling elements. The temperature T Frostphaseis preferably higher than the temperature T Abkühlphase The temperature T Frostphase can be higher or lower than the target temperature T1.
[0032] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, in a frost phase which follows the first phase and which takes place immediately before the cooling phase, the temperature of the cold air stream is kept essentially constant at temperature T. Frostphase held.
[0033] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the directed cold air stream generated by the fan spreads out in a horizontal plane.
[0034] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the temperature of the cold air stream in the housing is measured during the return of the cold air stream to the evaporator.
[0035] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the transition from one phase to the next phase occurs through the elapsed time of a predetermined period.
[0036] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the transition from one phase to the next phase is temperature-controlled.
[0037] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the following description, the drawing and the claims. drawing
[0038] The drawing shows an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 1 Cooling device in perspective view with closed doors, Fig. 2 Cooling device according to Fig. 1 with open door and transport trolley in perspective view, Fig. 3 Cooling device according to Fig. 1 with open door and transport trolley in side view, Fig. 4 transport trolleys in perspective view, Fig. 5 Cooling device according to Fig. 3, wherein the side wall of the housing is transparent and the cooling elements arranged in the cooling device are visible, Fig. 6 Cooling device according to Fig. 6 after the cooling elements have been unloaded from the cooling device, Fig. 7 Cooling device according to Fig. 1: Removal of the base tray, Fig. 8 Cooling device according to Fig. 1: Removal of the collection container, Fig. 9 Cooling device according to Fig. 1: Arrangement of the fans and the evaporator, Fig. 10 Cold air flow in the cooling device according to Fig. 1, Fig. 11. Temperature in the cooling device as a function of time. Description of the exemplary embodiment
[0039] In the Fig. Figures 1 to 10 show an embodiment of a cooling device 1 comprising a housing 2 with side walls 3, a rear wall 4, a base 5, and a top 6. The housing is equipped with two doors 7, 8, which close the housing 2. Each of the doors 7, 8 is equipped with a handle 9, 10. A screen 11 is located on one of the doors 7, on which settings and parameters of the cooling device are displayed. A supply line 33 for the screen 11 and a door heater (not shown in the drawing) are arranged on the housing 2. A cover 34 is arranged on the top of the housing 2, so that the refrigeration units 15, 16 are not visible from the side and from the front. The illustration in Fig. Figure 10 shows that the housing 2 is divided by a partition 12 into a first chamber 13 and a second chamber 14. Each chamber 13, 14 is assigned a door 7, 8, as well as a refrigeration unit 15, 16 and a fan 17, 18, so that each of the chambers 13, 14 can be operated independently of the other chamber for cooling cooling elements 19. The cooling device forms a two-chamber system with independent refrigeration circuits with integrated refrigeration units. Each of the refrigeration units has an evaporator 20, 21. The fans 17, 18 and the evaporators 20, 21 are located in the Fig. 9 and Fig. Figure 10 shows the evaporators 20, 21 and the fans 17, 18 are arranged in the rear wall 4 of the housing 2. Fig. Figure 9 shows the cover 22 of the fan 17 of the first chamber 13 and the cover 23 of the evaporator 20 of the first chamber 13. Fig. Figure 10 shows the cold airflow. Due to the arrangement of the fans 17 and 18 in the rear wall, the cold airflow spreads out in parallel horizontal planes. The direction of flow of the cold airflow is shown in Fig. Figure 10 is represented by arrows. The air passed through the evaporators 20, 21 is forced by the fans 17, 18 towards the doors 7, 8. Along the doors 7, 8, the cold airflow is deflected towards the side walls 3 and finally drawn back in by the fans 17, 18 to be fed again to the evaporators 20, 21. This creates an air circulation. As the air flows through the evaporators 20, 21, it is cooled.
[0040] With the exception of the evaporators 20, 21, the refrigeration units 15, 16 are arranged on top of the ceiling 6 of the housing 2. During operation, the refrigeration circuit of the refrigeration units 15, 16 extracts heat from the first chamber 13 and the second chamber 14 and dissipates it to the surroundings. This heat dissipation to the surroundings of the cooling device 1 is facilitated by the position of the refrigeration units 15, 16 on top of the housing 2.
[0041] The first recordings 24 are arranged on the inside of the side walls 3 and on the partition wall 12. These are particularly well in the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 are recognizable. The first recordings 24 run horizontally. They are designed as linear guides in the form of rails.
[0042] The cooling device 1 is equipped with a transport trolley 25. It has a trolley frame 26 on which wheels 27 and secondary supports 28 are arranged. The secondary supports 28 extend horizontally. They project beyond the trolley frame 26 on one side. This is in Fig. 4 recognizable.
[0043] The Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 6 shows that the cooling elements 19 are arranged in cooling element racks 29. The cooling elements 19 are in the form of rectangular plates. Several cooling elements 19 are arranged in each cooling element rack 29. The cooling elements 19 are aligned parallel to each other. Within the cooling element rack 29, each pair of adjacent cooling elements is spaced apart to allow the cold air stream to flow around each cooling element.
[0044] The Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 6 shows the storage and removal of the cooling elements 19 using the transport trolley 25. In the illustration according to Fig. In section 5, the cooling element racks 29 with the cooling elements 19 are located in the first chamber 13 of the housing 2 of the cooling device 1. Each cooling element rack 29 is arranged on first receptacles 24. To remove the cooling elements, the door 7 of the first chamber 13 is opened, and the transport trolley 25 is moved towards the housing 2 such that the second receptacles 28 of the transport trolley 25 are flush with the first receptacles 24 of the first chamber 13 of the housing 2. Since the second receptacles 28 project beyond the transport trolley frame 26, they can touch the first receptacles 24 or be only slightly away from them. The transport trolley 25 is pushed in front of the housing 2 such that each second receptacle 28 forms an extension of a first receptacle 24.The precise positioning of the transport carriage is aided by magnets located on the transport carriage frame 26 or on the housing 2, which are not shown in the drawing. Once the transport carriage 25 is positioned, the cooling element racks 29 with the cooled cooling elements 19 are moved from the first receptacles 24 of the housing 2 to the second receptacles 28 of the transport carriage 25. For this purpose, they are moved linearly along the first receptacles 24 and second receptacles 28, which are designed as rails. To ensure all six are in position... Fig. 5 and Fig. To remove the six cooling element racks 29 shown from the housing 2 of the cooling device 1, the six cooling element racks 29 simply need to be moved onto the transport trolley. This is done manually in a very short time. Fig. Figure 6 shows the state when all six cooling element racks 29 are on the transport trolley 25. The transport trolley 25 with the cooled cooling elements can then be removed from the cooling device 1 and the door 7 closed again.
[0045] The housing 2 of the cooling device 1 is filled with cooling elements 19 accordingly.
[0046] Fig. Figure 7 shows a drip tray 30, which is slidably arranged on the inside of the base 5. Drip water or condensation can collect in this drip tray. To empty the drip tray 30, it is pulled out of the housing 2.
[0047] Fig. Figure 8 shows two collection containers 31, which are slidably arranged on the underside of the base 5. Each of the chambers 13, 14 is equipped with a collection container 31. The collection container 31 is connected to that of the first chamber 13 via a water drain 32. The second chamber 14 has a corresponding water drain, which, however, is not shown in the drawing. To empty the containers, they are pulled forward and removed from the housing 2.
[0048] In Fig. Figure 11 shows the time course of the temperature of the cold air flow and the cooling elements in the cooling device during the cooling of the cooling elements:
[0049] The cooling elements are filled with water as a coolant. They should be used with the cooling device according to the instructions. Fig. 1 to 11 and the procedure are cooled to a target temperature of -11°C. The cooling of the cooling elements begins when the door of the relevant chamber of the cooling device is closed. This corresponds to the temperature-time diagram in Fig. 12 at time t=0 s. In the temperature-time diagram shown in the figure, it is assumed that the temperature in the cooling device at time t=0 s corresponds to the room temperature of 18°C: T(0 s)=18°C. When the door is closed, a cold airflow is generated in the chamber of the cooling device. In a first phase, which is referred to as the sensible phase, the temperature of the cold airflow is continuously lowered until it reaches a predetermined temperature T. Frostphase corresponds to where T Frostphase < 0°C. The temperature of the cooling elements drops below 0°C. During the subsequent freezing phase, the temperature of the cold air stream is reduced to temperature T. FrostphaseThe temperature of the cooling elements remains essentially constant at 0°C. Frostphase The process is designed so that the coolant in the cooling elements, which are exposed to a cold airflow at this temperature, undergoes a phase transition from liquid to solid. The water in the cooling elements freezes into ice. The duration of the freezing phase is predetermined. A cooling phase follows the freezing phase, which lasts for approximately 10 minutes. Fig. This is referred to as the cool-down phase. During this cooling phase, the temperature of the cold air stream is further reduced to a temperature T. Abkühlphase , which is smaller than T1: T Abkühlphase < T1. In the temperature-time diagram according to Fig. 12 is T Abkühlphase = -20°C. If the temperature of the cold air stream is this temperature T AbkühlphaseOnce the target temperature is reached, it is held constant at this temperature for a predetermined time. During the cooling phase, the temperature of the cooling elements decreases to a value that is lower than the target temperature T1 and higher than the temperature T. Abkühlphase of the cold airflow. In this case, the temperature of the cooling elements at the end of the cooling phase is -17°C. The cooling phase is followed by the holding phase. During this holding phase, the temperature T Haltephase The directed cold airflow is regulated with the target temperature T1. While the temperature of the cold airflow fluctuates between T1 and a slightly lower temperature T2 during the holding phase, the temperature of the cooling elements remains essentially constant at T1. Once the cooling elements have reached their target temperature T1 during the holding phase, they can be removed from the cooling device.
[0050] All features of the invention can be essential to the invention, both individually and in any combination. Reference figures 1 cooling device 2 cases 3 side wall 4 Back panel 5 Floor 6 Ceiling 7 Door 8 Door 9 handle 10 handle 11 screen 12 Partition wall 13 First Chamber 14 Second Chamber 15 refrigeration unit 16 refrigeration unit 17 Fan 18 fans 19 Cooling element 20 evaporators 21 evaporators 22 Fan cover 23 Evaporator cover 24 First recording 25 transport trolleys 26 Transport trolley frame 27-inch wheel 28 Second shots 29 Cooling element rack 30 floor tray 31 collection containers 32 Water drain 33 Supply line 34. Fairing QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION
[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature
[0000] DE 10 2005 029 907 B4
[0004]
Claims
[1] Cooling device for cooling elements designed as latent heat storage units and comprising a cooling element container filled with coolant, wherein the cooling device (1) is equipped with a housing (2) which has side walls (3), a rear wall (4), a bottom (5) and a top (6) and which can be closed with at least one door (7, 8), with at least one refrigeration unit (15, 16) with an evaporator (20, 21), with at least one fan (17, 18) which generates a directed cold air flow in the housing (2), with first receptacles (24) for the cooling elements (19) arranged in the housing (2), characterized by , that the first receptacles (24) are designed as linear guides into which the cooling elements (19) or containers or cooling element racks (29) equipped with cooling elements are inserted when the door (7, 8) is open, that the cooling device (1) is equipped with a transport carriage (25) with wheels (27) and with a transport carriage frame (26), wherein second receptacles (28), which are designed as linear guides, are arranged on the transport carriage frame (26) at the same horizontal and vertical intervals as the first receptacles (24) of the housing (2), such that the cooling elements (19) arranged in the transport carriage (25) can be slid from the transport carriage (25) positioned directly in front of the open door (7, 8) into the first receptacles (24) of the housing (2), wherein the transport carriage (25) always remains outside the housing (2). [2] Cooling device according to claim 1, characterized by , that the distance between the first recordings (24) in the housing (2) is adjustable in the vertical direction, and that the distance between the second recordings (28) on the transport carriage (25) is adjustable in the vertical direction. [3] Cooling device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the first recordings (24) are arranged at a distance from the side walls (3) of the housing (2). [4] Cooling device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the transport trolley (25) and / or the housing (2) of the cooling device (1) are equipped with magnets, via which the transport trolley (25) is coupled to the housing (2) of the cooling device (1) by magnetic forces when the door (7, 8) is open. [5] Cooling device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that it is equipped with containers and / or cooling element racks (29) into which the cooling elements (19) are received, and that the containers and / or cooling element racks (29) are designed to be received in the first receptacles (24) and in the second receptacles (28). [6] Cooling device according to claim 5, characterized bythat the containers are designed as baskets which are equipped with supports for the cooling elements, the supports defining the distance between the cooling elements arranged in the basket. [7] Cooling device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the evaporator (20, 21) is arranged in or on the rear wall (4) of the housing (2). [8] Cooling device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the refrigeration machine (15, 16) with the exception of the evaporator (20, 21) is arranged on the ceiling (6) of the housing (2). [9] Cooling device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the fan (17, 18) is arranged on the rear wall (4) of the housing (2). [10] Cooling device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that a collection container (31) is arranged on the bottom (5) of the housing (2), which collects the dripping water that condenses in the cooling device (1), and that the collection container (31) is attached to the housing (2) in such a way that it can be detached from and attached to the housing (2) without tools. [11] Cooling device according to claim 10, characterized by , that the collection container (31) is arranged on the outside of the base (5) of the housing (2), and that the base (5) of the housing (2) is equipped with a water drain (32) which directs the dripping water collecting at the bottom of the housing to the collection container (31). [12] Cooling device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the housing (2) is equipped with a partition (12) which divides an interior space of the housing (2) bounded by the side walls (3), the rear wall (4), the floor (5) and the ceiling (6) into a first chamber (13) and a second chamber (14), that each of the chambers (13, 14) is equipped with a door (7, 8), a refrigeration unit (15, 16), a fan (17, 18) and first inlets (24), such that the first chamber (13) and the second chamber (14) can be operated independently of each other. [13] Cooling device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the refrigeration unit (15, 16) is equipped with an adjustable defrost heater. [14] Cooling device according to claim 13, characterized by that the adjustable defrost heater is equipped with hot gas defrosting. [15] Cooling device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that at least one temperature sensor is arranged in the housing (2) which detects the temperature of the cold air stream. [16] Cooling device for cooling elements designed as latent heat storage devices and comprising a cooling element container filled with coolant, wherein the cooling device (1) is equipped with a housing (2) comprising side walls (3), a rear wall (4), a bottom (5) and a top (6), with a partition wall (12) which divides an interior space of the housing (2) bounded by the side walls (3), the rear wall (4), the floor (5) and the ceiling (6) into a first chamber (13) and a second chamber (14), wherein each of the chambers (13, 14) is equipped with a door (7, 8) closing the housing (2), a refrigeration machine (15, 16), a fan (17, 18) and first receptacles (24) for the arrangement of the cooling elements (19), such that the first chamber (13) and the second chamber (14) can be operated independently of each other. [17] Method for cooling cooling elements (19) which have a cooling element container filled with coolant, to a predetermined target temperature T1, which is lower than the temperature T Phasenübergangof the phase transition of the coolant from liquid to solid, using a cooling device (1) which is equipped with a housing (2) with side walls (3), a rear wall (4), a bottom (5), a top (6) and a door (7, 8) closing the housing, a refrigeration machine (15, 16) with evaporator (20, 21), a fan (17, 18), a temperature sensor and with first receptacles (24) for the cooling elements (19), with the following steps: - Arranging the cooling elements (19) in the first shots (24), - Closing the door (7, 8), - Generating a directed cold air flow along the arranged cooling elements (19) with the refrigeration machine (15, 16) and the fan (17, 18), - During a cooling phase: Setting the temperature T Abkühlphase of the cold air flow to a value smaller than T1: T Abkühlphase < T1, - During a holding phase: Controlling the temperature T Haltephaseof the directed cold air flow with the target temperature T1, - Opening the door (7, 8) and removing the cooling elements (19). [18] Method according to claim 17, characterized by , that in a first phase, which occurs after the door is closed and before the cooling phase, the temperature T of the cold air stream is continuously reduced until it reaches a temperature T Frostphase corresponds to the directed cold air flow at this temperature T Frostphase a phase transition from liquid to solid is triggered in the coolant of the cooling elements, and where T Frostphase > T Abkühlphase and T Frostphase ≤ T1. [19] Method according to claim 18, characterized by , that in a frost phase which follows the first phase and which takes place immediately before the cooling phase, the temperature of the cold air stream remains essentially constant at temperature T Frostphase is held. [20] Method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, characterized by , that the directed cold air stream generated by the fan (17, 18) spreads out in a horizontal plane. [21] Method according to any one of claims 17 to 20, characterized by , that the temperature of the cold air stream in the housing (2) is recorded during the return to the evaporator (20, 21). [22] Method according to any one of claims 17 to 21, characterized by that the transition from one phase to the next phase occurs through the passage of a predetermined time. [23] Method according to any one of claims 17 to 22, characterized by that the transition from one phase to the next phase is temperature-controlled.
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