Climate-controlled container for storing emergency medical equipment, especially defibrillators

Abstract

Climate-controlled container for storing emergency medical equipment, in particular defibrillators, comprising a housing body and a door movable relative to the housing body, characterized in that at least the housing body is manufactured in one piece from a polymeric material using an additive manufacturing process, at least one wall of the housing body is designed as a sandwich structure with a closed inner wall, a closed outer wall and an integrally printed cavity structure in between for thermal insulation, and In the transition area between the housing body and the door, a circumferential, integrally manufactured labyrinth structure is provided, free of separate, subsequently added sealing elements, which in the closed position of the door forms a multi-stage labyrinth channel through spaced-apart, interacting profile sections, wherein the labyrinth channel has at least partially inclined guide surfaces and in a lower area an outward-leading drainage section, so that fluid penetrating the labyrinth channel is discharged to the outside by gravity.

Description

Title of the invention

[0001] Climate-controlled container for storing emergency medical equipment, especially defibrillators Technical field

[0002] The invention relates to a container for the protected storage of medical emergency equipment, in particular automated external defibrillators (AEDs), for use in indoor and outdoor areas.

[0003] In particular, the invention relates to an air-conditioned container with heat-insulating wall structures, a transition zone between the door and the housing body protected against penetrating moisture, and a design suitable for outdoor use. State of the art

[0004] Storage containers for emergency medical devices, particularly automated external defibrillators, are known in various designs from the prior art. Since such devices can be sensitive to extreme temperatures, moisture, and high humidity, the containers, especially when installed outdoors, must be climate-controlled and protected against the elements.

[0005] Common enclosures are frequently made of plastic or metal. Thermal insulation is often achieved through additional, separately applied insulating materials. The transition area between the enclosure body and the door is usually sealed with separate sealing elements, particularly elastomeric gaskets.

[0006] Such designs have several disadvantages. Separate insulation and sealing elements increase assembly effort and the number of components that need to be joined. Furthermore, sealing elements used outdoors can age due to environmental influences, impairing their function. In addition, known climate-controlled enclosures often incorporate extra openings or separate design features for ventilation and pressure equalization.

[0007] Furthermore, conventional manufacturing processes for housing arrangements with complex internal structures, integrated functional areas and individual dimensional adjustments are only flexible to a limited extent or involve increased tooling and assembly effort. Object of the invention

[0008] The invention is based on the objective of providing an air-conditioned container of the type mentioned above, which, with reduced assembly effort, enables improved thermal insulation and effective protection against penetrating fluid and is at the same time suitable for economical and flexible manufacturing.

[0009] In particular, a container should be created in which the number of separate components and subsequent joining processes is reduced, and in which essential insulation and sealing functions are structurally integrated into the housing structure. Description of the invention

[0010] The problem is solved by a container with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are described in the dependent claims.

[0011] The climate-controlled container according to the invention comprises a housing body and a door movable relative to the housing body. At least the housing body is manufactured in one piece from a polymeric material using an additive manufacturing process. At least one wall of the housing body is designed as a sandwich structure with a closed inner wall, a closed outer wall, and an integrally printed cavity structure between them for thermal insulation.

[0012] In the transition area between the housing body and the door, a continuous, integrally manufactured labyrinth structure is provided, free of separate, subsequently added sealing elements. When the door is closed, this structure forms a multi-stage labyrinth channel through spaced, interacting profile sections. The labyrinth channel has at least partially inclined guide surfaces and, in a lower section, an outward-leading drainage section, so that any fluid entering the labyrinth channel is discharged to the outside by gravity.

[0013] Through additive manufacturing, functional structures, in particular heat-insulating cavity structures, transition profiles, fastening areas and other functional elements, can be directly integrated into the component.

[0014] The sandwich structure with a closed inner wall, a closed outer wall, and an intermediate cavity structure allows for a suitable combination of mechanical stability and thermal insulation. The cavity structure can be designed, in particular, as a three-dimensional, essentially isotropic lattice structure, preferably as a gyroid pattern.

[0015] In one embodiment, the door is also manufactured in one piece from the polymeric material using the additive manufacturing process and at least partially also has a sandwich structure with a closed inner wall, a closed outer wall and an integrally printed cavity structure in between.

[0016] Preferably, the polymeric material is a weather- and UV-resistant thermoplastic, in particular acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA).

[0017] In another embodiment, the labyrinth structure is simultaneously designed as an exhaust air and pressure equalization channel for the interior of the container.

[0018] An active air conditioning unit, preferably a fan heater, may be located in the interior.

[0019] Furthermore, the container may include an electronic control unit connected to sensors, the sensors comprising at least a door sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor and an air pressure sensor.

[0020] In another version, the door is secured by an electronic locking system which is connected to the control unit and can be unlocked remotely via a network connection.

[0021] The labyrinth structure can comprise interlocking, multi-stage tongue-and-groove profiles whose profile flanks are trapezoidal or angled to the horizontal, preferably at an angle of at least 45 degrees.

[0022] Preferably, the lower, ground-level section of the labyrinth structure has an outward slope and at least one drainage opening, preferably a plurality of drainage openings.

[0023] In a further embodiment, the interior is divided by a partition, preferably integrally printed, into a main compartment for housing the medical emergency device and a technical compartment for housing the electronic control unit and the air conditioning unit.

[0024] Furthermore, fastening elements for wall mounting and / or hinge receptacles for the door can be integrally manufactured on the outer wall of the housing body using additive manufacturing processes.

[0025] The electronic control unit may also include a primary mains power supply and an integrated secondary emergency power supply, in particular a rechargeable battery or accumulator, to maintain the sensory capabilities and the unlockability of the electronic locking system in the event of a failure of the primary mains power supply.

[0026] Finally, the container may have an optical and / or acoustic alarm device which is coupled to the electronic control unit and is configured in such a way that a local alarm is issued depending on a signal from the sensor, in particular the door sensor, and / or when a signal is received via the network connection. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a container with a housing body and door. Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-section through a wall of the housing body and / or the door with sandwich structure. Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-section through the transition area between the housing body and the door with a labyrinth structure. Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic interior view of the container with main compartment and technical compartment. Description of an exemplary embodiment

[0027] Fig. Figure 1 shows a container 1 for storing a medical emergency device 2, in particular a defibrillator. The container 1 comprises a housing body 3 and a door 4 that is movable relative to the housing body 3.

[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, at least the housing body 3 is manufactured in one piece from a polymeric material using an additive manufacturing process. Preferably, the door 4 is also manufactured using the additive manufacturing process. A weather- and UV-resistant thermoplastic, in particular ASA, can be used as the material.

[0029] Fig. Figure 2 shows that at least one wall 5 of the housing body 3 is designed as a sandwich structure. The wall 5 comprises a closed inner wall 6, a closed outer wall 7, and an integrally printed cavity structure 8 between them for thermal insulation. In the illustrated embodiment, the cavity structure 8 is designed as a three-dimensional, substantially isotropic lattice structure, preferably as a gyroid pattern. The door 4 can also have a corresponding sandwich structure, at least in sections.

[0030] Fig. Figure 3 shows the transition area between the housing body 3 and the door 4. A circumferential labyrinth structure 9 is provided in this area, which is integrally manufactured and free of separate, subsequently added sealing elements. When the door 4 is closed, spaced-apart, interacting profile sections 10, 11 form a multi-stage labyrinth channel 12. The labyrinth channel 12 has inclined guide surfaces 13. An outward-leading drain section 15 is provided in the lower, floor-level section 14. Additionally, at least one drainage opening 16 may be present. The labyrinth structure 9 can also simultaneously serve as an exhaust air and pressure equalization channel for the interior 17 of the container 1.

[0031] Fig.Figure 4 shows the interior 17 of the container 1. This is divided by a partition 18 into a main compartment 19 for housing the medical emergency device 2 and a technical compartment 20. An air conditioning unit 21, preferably a fan heater, is arranged in the technical compartment 20. Furthermore, an electronic control unit 22 is provided, which is connected to sensors. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensors comprise a door sensor 23, a temperature sensor 24, a humidity sensor 25, and an air pressure sensor 26.

[0032] Door 4 is secured by an electronic locking system 27, which is connected to the control unit 22 and can be unlocked remotely via a network connection. Furthermore, an optical and / or acoustic alarm device 28 can be provided, which issues a local alarm depending on sensor signals and / or upon receiving a signal via the network connection.

[0033] Fastening elements 29 for wall mounting and / or hinge receptacles 30 for the door 4 can be integrally manufactured on the outer wall of the housing body 3.

[0034] The control unit 22 can be powered via a primary mains power supply 31. Additionally, an integrated secondary emergency power supply 32, in particular a rechargeable battery or a battery, can be provided to maintain the sensor functionality and the unlockability of the electronic locking system in the event of a failure of the primary mains power supply.

Claims

[1] Climate-controlled container for storing emergency medical equipment, in particular defibrillators, comprising a housing body and a door movable relative to the housing body, characterized by , that at least the housing body is manufactured in one piece from a polymeric material using an additive manufacturing process, at least one wall of the housing body is designed as a sandwich structure with a closed inner wall, a closed outer wall and an integrally printed cavity structure in between for thermal insulation, and In the transition area between the housing body and the door, a circumferential, integrally manufactured labyrinth structure is provided, free of separate, subsequently added sealing elements, which in the closed position of the door forms a multi-stage labyrinth channel through spaced-apart, interacting profile sections, wherein the labyrinth channel has at least partially inclined guide surfaces and in a lower area an outward-leading drainage section, so that fluid penetrating the labyrinth channel is discharged to the outside by gravity. [2] Container according to claim 1, characterized by , that the door is also manufactured in one piece from the polymeric material using the additive manufacturing process and has at least a section-by-section sandwich structure with a closed inner wall, a closed outer wall and an integrally printed cavity structure in between. [3] Container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the printed cavity structure for thermal insulation is a three-dimensional, essentially isotropic lattice structure, preferably a gyroid pattern. [4] Container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the polymeric material is a weather- and UV-resistant thermoplastic, in particular acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA). [5] Container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the labyrinth structure simultaneously serves as an exhaust air and pressure equalization channel for the interior of the container. [6] Container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that an active air conditioning unit, preferably a fan heater, is located in the interior. [7] Container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the container includes an electronic control unit connected to a sensor system, wherein the sensor system includes at least a door sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor and an air pressure sensor. [8] Container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the door is secured by an electronic locking system which is connected to the control unit and can be unlocked remotely via a network connection. [9] Container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the labyrinth structure comprises interlocking, multi-stage tongue-and-groove profiles, the profile flanks of which are trapezoidal or at an angle to the horizontal, preferably at an angle of at least 45 degrees. [10] Container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the lower, ground-level section of the labyrinth structure has an outward slope and at least one drainage opening, preferably a plurality of drainage openings. [11] Container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the interior is divided by a partition, preferably integrally printed, into a main compartment for housing the medical emergency equipment and a technical compartment for housing the electronic control unit and the air conditioning unit. [12] Container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that fastening elements for wall mounting and / or hinge receptacles for the door are integrally manufactured on the outer wall of the housing body using the additive manufacturing process. [13] Container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the electronic control unit includes a primary mains power supply and an integrated secondary emergency power supply, in particular a rechargeable battery or accumulator, to maintain the sensory capabilities and unlockability of the electronic locking system in the event of a failure of the primary mains power supply. [14] Container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the container has an optical and / or acoustic alarm device which is coupled to the electronic control unit and is configured in such a way that a local alarm is issued depending on a signal from the sensor, in particular the door sensor, and / or upon receipt of a signal via the network connection.

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