TEMPERATURE CONTROL DEVICE AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL PROCEDURE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for tempering and thawing a temperature-controlled item, comprising a housing in which the temperature-controlled item, a heating module for introducing heat to at least one side of the temperature-controlled item, and an actuator by means of which the temperature-controlled item can be set in motion. US Pat. No. 6,748,164 B1 discloses a device for thawing a temperature-controlled item, in which the temperature-controlled item is surrounded by a heating element. Warm liquid is circulated in the heating element. Due to the direct thermal contact between the heating element and the temperature-controlled item, heat is transferred from the heating element to the temperature-controlled item. To accelerate the thawing process, a housing base on which the heating element is arranged and which can be periodically moved up and down serves as the actuator. This sets the heating element in a pivoting movement, with a pivot axis running along an edge of the heating element.The material to be tempered is thus pivoted indirectly, with one edge side being arranged close to the pivot axis.

[0002] US 8 012 416 B2 discloses a device for thawing a temperature-controlled item, wherein the temperature-controlled item is in contact with a heating element on opposite sides. The lower heating element is arranged on several base plates, each of which is assigned inflatable cushions. The cushions are inflated countercyclically so that, relative to a central plane, one half of the heating element is lifted on the one hand and then the other half of the heating element on the other hand. This allows the temperature-controlled item to be compressed, relative to the central plane, first onto a first half and then onto a second half. A disadvantage of the known device is that the effort required for the temporary and partial compression of the temperature-controlled item is relatively complex. The frequency or acceleration is relatively limited.

[0003] EP 0 318 924 B1 discloses a device for tempering and thawing a product to be tempered. The product is arranged between two heating elements of a heating module. The heating elements are designed as plastic bags in which a warm liquid is circulated by a pump. A crank is arranged at the edge of the heating elements. This crank is rotated by a motor and alternately compresses the edges of the upper heating bag and the lower heating bag, so that the warm liquid inside the heating bag is moved away from the crank. This creates kinetic vibrations within the heating bag, which can be transmitted to the product to be tempered.

[0004] WO 2017 / 153761 A1 discloses a device for tempering and thawing a material to be tempered. It provides a heating module for introducing heat into the material to be tempered. The heating module comprises a heating plate and a plurality of heating elements that can be moved linearly and perpendicularly to the plane of extension of the material to be tempered. The heating elements can be moved independently of one another, allowing different areas of the material to be tempered to be subjected to different motion impulses. The heat is transferred to the material to be tempered via the contact of the heating elements with the material to be tempered.

[0005] US 2015 / 0122793 A1 discloses a device for tempering and thawing a product. It provides a heating module with a first heating element and a second heating element. The first heating element can be moved back and forth. The second heating element is pivotally mounted on an axis, allowing it to exert a compressive force on opposite sides of the product.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to further develop a device for tempering and thawing a tempering product in such a way that the effectiveness of the tempering is further improved in a simple manner.

[0007] To solve this problem, the invention has the features of patent claim 1.

[0008] The device according to the invention enables targeted and direct movement control of the material to be tempered by directly applying a mechanical actuating element to the material to be tempered, so that heat transfer from the heating element into the material to be tempered can be accelerated. Advantageously, the movement specified by the actuating element can be transmitted directly and immediately to the material to be tempered. Undesirable disruptions in the transmission of movement from the actuating element to the material to be tempered by other components can be avoided. In particular, the invention enables a relatively rapid exchange of a usually heated part of the material to be tempered, located in an outer region, with a usually cool part of the material to be tempered, located in a core region of the same. This ensures relatively rapid mixing of the material to be tempered.The material to be tempered can, for example, be in the form of a fluid or gel arranged in an outer packaging. The invention thus enables relatively rapid mixing of the fluid or gel. The material to be tempered can be heated by conduction or by radiation (infrared radiation, microwave), or by air flow. According to the invention, the mechanical actuating element is directly mechanically coupled to the material to be tempered. This allows for the immediate introduction of a preferably shock-like movement impulse partially to the material to be tempered.

[0009] According to the invention, the mechanical actuator can be controlled in such a way that a pivoting movement occurs. The material to be tempered is partially deflected from its plane of extension by varying distances. The material to be tempered is deformed or "kneaded," which leads to an internal flow or movement of the frozen core as well as the already thawed portion of the material to be tempered. The pivot axis preferably runs in the region of a central plane or transverse central plane of the material to be tempered, so that the material to be tempered is pivoted back and forth about its central axis like the paddle of a rowboat. Advantageously, this allows the frozen part of the material to be tempered as well as the already thawed portion to be continuously moved in a back-and-forth motion within the already melted part of the material to be tempered.This creates inhomogeneous flows within the material being heated, with cold liquid flowing to the surface of the material, creating a higher temperature gradient from the heating element to the material being heated. This has been shown to reduce thawing times by 30%.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mechanical actuating element is flat. It can be adapted to the shape of the material being tempered, so that linear and / or flat contact exists between the actuating element and the material being tempered. Preferably, the actuating element is flat, so that it can be positioned between the material being tempered and the heating element in a space-saving manner.

[0011] According to a further development of the invention, the adjusting element is designed as a strut element comprising several struts enclosing an opening. The opening allows the heating element to be directly applied to the material being tempered, whereby the heat transfer surface between the heating element and the material being tempered is only minimally reduced compared to a device without an adjusting element.

[0012] According to a further development of the invention, the actuating element has a peripheral surface adapted to the peripheral surface of the material being tempered. By adapting to the size of the material being tempered, the pivoting movement can be achieved with relatively little force.

[0013] According to a further development of the invention, the actuating element is coupled to an actuator, in particular a stepper motor, wherein the actuator controls the actuating element such that the actuating element is pivoted back and forth periodically and / or non-periodically between a maximum and minimum actuating angle. The pivoting movement preferably has a constant amplitude. Instead of a motor, the actuator can also be designed as a magnetic or pneumatic element. This results in a cyclical and homogeneous back-and-forth movement or paddling movement of the material to be tempered about the pivot axis. Alternatively, this movement can also be implemented with a time-varying amplitude.

[0014] According to a further development of the invention, the actuator can be controlled such that it is continuously pivoted at a frequency of 0.1 to 25 Hz. It has been found that the best temperature control results are achieved in this frequency range. The reduction in thawing time is achieved in particular by the impact force, which is applied cyclically or anticyclically at several points on the temperature-controlled item. To this end, the actuator acts on the item with high acceleration at different points on the item.

[0015] According to a further development of the invention, the actuator is controlled such that it executes a linear movement and / or pivoting movement with an amplitude in the range of + / - 2 mm to + / - 100 mm, for example + / - 10 mm to + / - 30 mm, preferably + / - 25 mm. It has been shown that even these relatively small deflections lead to a good temperature control result.

[0016] According to a further development of the invention, the struts of the strut element are formed from a wire material. Advantageously, the metallic wire allows for minimal loss of heat transfer surface. Due to the low mass of the wire material, the strut element also has a low inherent heat capacity. A rigid or stable design of the wire material allows for rapid movements and high accelerations that directly affect the temperature-controlled material. If the heating element is designed as a fluid cushion, not only the temperature-controlled material but also the fluid cushion can be mixed or stimulated simultaneously. The actuator element can thus be easily manufactured and has sufficient rigidity for the intended application.

[0017] According to a further development of the invention, several strut elements can also be arranged along a pivot axis. This advantageously creates several smaller enclosed surfaces, through which the pivoting movement is directly transmitted to the material being tempered.

[0018] According to a further development of the invention, the heating element can be designed as a temperature-regulating pad or a gel pad, the contents of which are heated electrically. Alternatively, the heating element can also be designed as a plastic bag containing a liquid, temperature-controlled medium, with the medium being circulated by a pump. The control element according to the invention can be used universally, regardless of the mode of operation of the heating element.

[0019] An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0020] They show: Fig. 1 a perspective front view of a temperature control device with an opened lid, wherein a heating element and a mechanical actuating element are arranged on a base of the housing, Fig. 2 a perspective view of an actuating element, Fig. 3 an exploded view of the components arranged in a temperature control chamber of the temperature control device in vertical section, Fig. 4 an exemplary time diagram of a motor and a movement of the actuating elements, Fig. 5 an exemplary time diagram of a deflection of an outer region of a temperature control item or of an edge strut of the actuating element, Fig. 6 a plan view of a temperature control chamber of the temperature control device, wherein three temperature control items are assigned to the two width sections of the actuating element arranged offset along the pivot axis, Fig.7 shows a plan view of a temperature control chamber of the temperature control device, wherein four temperature control items are assigned to the two width sections of the control element arranged offset along the pivot axis, Fig. 8 shows a path / time diagram according to a first exemplary movement profile of the invention, Fig. 9 shows a path / time diagram according to a second exemplary movement profile of the invention, and Fig. 10 shows a plan view of several control elements.

[0021] A device according to the invention for tempering and thawing a product 1 to be tempered comprises a housing 2, the upper side of which is designed as a hinged lid 3. A lower base chamber 4 is provided in the interior of the housing 2, within which an electrical control unit and other components for enabling temperature control are arranged in a tempering chamber 5 arranged above the base chamber 4. At the level of the base chamber 4, the housing 2 has operating elements 6 and a display unit 7 on the front, so that the thawing device enclosed by the housing 2 can be operated by one person.

[0022] The temperature control chamber 5 has a solid floor 8, which also forms a partition wall to the base chamber 4. The heating element consists, among other things, of the first heating element 9 located on the floor 8 and a corresponding heating module 10 arranged in the base chamber 4. A mechanical actuating element 12 is arranged at the level of an upper side 11 of the lower heating element 9. In the operating state of the thawing device, in which the lid 3 is closed, the temperature control chamber 5 has the Figure 3The temperature control chamber 5 has a layered structure as shown in the drawing. The temperature control material 1 is connected vertically upwards to the first adjusting element 12. Above the temperature control material 1 is a second upper adjusting element 13. Above the second adjusting element 13 is a second heating element 14 of the heating module 10. With respect to a longitudinal center plane LT of the temperature control material 1, the temperature control chamber 5 has an ideally symmetrical structure. An adjusting element 12, 13 is arranged on both sides of the temperature control material 1, followed by a heating element 9, 14.

[0023] The item 1 to be tempered comprises, for example, a plasma or blood material enclosed in a bag as outer packaging. Ideally, the bags of the item 1 to be tempered are relatively flat, so that the item 1 has two opposite sides 15, 15' and circumferential narrow sides 16. The narrow sides 16 connect the opposite sides 15, 15'. The sides 15, 15' are preferably rectangular.

[0024] Alternatively, the temperature-controlled item 1 can also be polygonal with different or equal-sized sides. For example, the temperature-controlled item 1 can also be pear-shaped, cube-shaped, or lump-shaped. The temperature-controlled item 1 is inserted into the temperature-control chamber 5, where it is clamped by the adjusting elements 12, 13 and / or the heating elements 9, 14. Due to the preferably flexible design of the temperature-controlled item, at least when it is in an advanced thawed state, flat sides can form, so that the heat input surface is increased compared to the initial state.

[0025] For better representation, the components are in Figure 3arranged at a distance from one another. In fact, they lie closely one above the other. Thus, the first lower adjusting element 12 lies directly and flatly against the lower side 15 of the temperature-controlled item 1 and against the upper side 11 of the first lower heating element 9. The upper second adjusting element 13 lies directly and flatly against the upper side 15' of the temperature-controlled item 1 and against an underside 17 of the upper second heating element 14.

[0026] The first actuating element 12 and the second actuating element 13 can preferably be constructed identically. They each have two paddle sections 18 which are distributed in the longitudinal direction of the actuating element 12, 13 and each consist of rectangular struts 19. The paddle sections 18 are connected to one another by a connecting strut 20. The connecting strut 20 can run continuously from a first end to a second end of the actuating element 12, 13. At one end of the connecting strut 20 there is a T-piece 21 which is mounted, for example, in a locking manner, in a receptacle 22. The receptacle 22 has a groove for this purpose in which an end cross strut of the T-piece 21 is mounted. Adjacent to the receptacle 22 is a hollow cylinder 23 in which a shaft of a motor (not shown) can be engaged in a rotationally fixed manner. In the operating position, the hollow cylinder 23 orThe shaft is coaxial with the connecting strut 20, which thus runs along a pivot axis S. The motor serves as the actuator. Alternatively, the actuator can also be pneumatic or magnetic, for example, as a lifting magnet or a rotary magnet.

[0027] The first actuating element 12 and the second actuating element 13 can be pivoted periodically and / or non-periodically between a maximum and a minimum actuating angle φ MAX , -φ MAX by means of the motor, to which they are coupled via the shaft directly or via a gear. As can be seen from Figure 1 As can be seen, the adjusting elements 12, 13 are mounted centrally at different heights of the temperature control chamber 5. The pivot axes S usually run parallel to a side wall 24 of the temperature control chamber 5 and perpendicular to a rear wall 25 and a front wall 26 of the temperature control chamber 5. The receptacle 22 of the adjusting elements 12, 13 is arranged in the area of ​​the rear wall 25.

[0028] The pivot axes S, about which the adjusting elements 12, 13 are pivotally mounted back and forth, run along or close to a center plane, namely a transverse center plane QT, of the temperature-controlled item 1. A first lateral half 27 of the paddle section 18 of the adjusting elements 12, 13 is thus assigned to a first half 28 of the temperature-controlled item 1. A second half 27' of the paddle sections 18 of the adjusting elements 12, 13 is assigned to a second half 28' of the temperature-controlled item 1. Both halves 27, 27' and 28, 28' can be arranged symmetrically to the pivot axis S or transverse center plane QT.

[0029] The actuating elements 12, 13, which are arranged offset in the direction of the pivot axis S, are preferably controlled identically, so that during half a period T / 2, the first halves 27 of the paddle sections 18 are rotated by a positive angle φ in the direction +φ MAX and the second halves 27' are rotated by a negative angle -φ in the direction -φ MAX. While the first halves 27 of the actuating elements 12, 13 are pivoted upwards, the second halves 27' of the same are pivoted downwards. A compressive force FD is thus exerted on the temperature-controlled material 1 on opposite sides 15, 15' and on opposite halves 28, 28'. This allows targeted inhomogeneous flows to be generated in the temperature-controlled material 1, wherein, for example, a frozen core 29 moves back and forth and is surrounded by inhomogeneous flows of the already thawed liquid 30.

[0030] This allows a particularly high temperature control gradient to be generated. The frozen core 29 is a part of the temperature-controlled item 1 that is located in a core region of the temperature-controlled item 1. The liquid 30 surrounding the core 29 corresponds to a part of the temperature-controlled item 1 that is located in an outer region of the temperature-controlled item 1. At the beginning of the temperature control process, the temperature-controlled item 1 is in a frozen state, with both the outer region and the core region of the temperature-controlled item being in a solid state, i.e., having a temperature of 0°C or lower. By subjecting the temperature-controlled item 1 to the device according to the invention, the temperature-controlled item 1 is thawed relatively quickly, thereby thawing the outer region of the temperature-controlled item 1, and by rapid movement with high acceleration of the temperature-controlled item 1, the item is completely thawed until it has the desired temperature at the end of the temperature control process.

[0031] As from Figure 3As can be seen, the pivot axes S of the adjusting elements 12, 13 intersect in orthogonal projection onto a longitudinal center plane LT of the tempering material 1.

[0032] The paddle sections 18 of the adjusting elements 12, 13 usually have a circumferential surface that is smaller than a circumferential surface of the material 1 to be tempered.

[0033] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, several tempering goods 1 can also be assigned to the paddle sections.

[0034] As from Figure 4As can be seen, the paddle sections 18 are periodically pivoted about the pivot axis S in the example such that an edge strut 19' running parallel to the pivot axis S cyclically undergoes a maximum deflection + / - s MAX relative to an initial position or initial level 31. The initial position 31 runs in a plane parallel to the longitudinal center plane LT of the tempered material 1. The maximum deflection S MAX , -S MAX can be in the range of + / - 30 mm, preferably in the range of + / - 25 mm.

[0035] The edge struts 19' each have a distance a from the pivot axis S which corresponds to 0.2 to 0.7 of half the width b T of the tempered material 1.

[0036] In the present embodiment, the mechanical actuating element 12, 13 or the paddle section 18 is flat.

[0037] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention not shown, the contour of the adjusting element 12, 13 or the paddle sections 18 can also be, for example, arc-shaped and / or spoon-shaped in order to be better adapted to the shape of the material 1 to be tempered.

[0038] The struts 19, 19' of the paddle sections 18 define an opening 32 into which the flexible item 1 to be tempered and / or the heating element 9, 14 can partially engage. This creates direct contact between the item 1 to be tempered and the heating element 9, 14 in the area of ​​the opening. Since the actuating element 12, 13 according to the present embodiment is designed entirely as a strut element, essentially direct contact between the heating elements 9, 14 and the item 1 to be tempered can be achieved.

[0039] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the paddle section 18 can also be made entirely of a heat-conducting material, either rigid or flexible. Optionally, the full-surface adjusting element or paddle section 18 can consist of several rigid segments that are connected to one another, for example, like a film hinge.

[0040] The motor pivots the actuating element 12, 13 preferably at a frequency in the range of 0.5 to 5 Hz. With this frequency, an optimal heat input into the tempering material 1 can be achieved.

[0041] The heating elements 9, 14 each have a plastic bag in which a liquid, temperature-controlled medium is circulated by a pump (not shown). The pump and heating coils for temperature control of the liquid medium are arranged in the base chamber 4.

[0042] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the heating elements 9, 14 can also be formed by temperature-regulating pads or gel pads, each of which is heated electrically. This results in comparatively low installation space requirements.

[0043] The struts 19, 19' of the adjusting element 12, 13 consist of a wire material.

[0044] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention (not shown), the thawing device can also have only a single actuating element 12, 13, which is arranged either above or below the item to be tempered 1. In contrast to the described embodiment, a compressive force FD is not constantly applied to both sides 15, 15' of the item to be tempered 1, but only alternately to a single side 15, 15', namely during a first half-period T / 2 on the first side 15 and during the second half-period T / 2 on the second side 15'.

[0045] According to an embodiment not shown, the motor can also be designed as a stepper motor, by means of which the shaft is rotated by a predetermined angle. Figure 4 In this case, the motor curve shown with the motor current I will not have a sinusoidal shape.

[0046] As seen in summary of Figure 3 and Figure 4As can be seen, compressive forces FD are periodically exerted on both sides of the item 1 to be tempered, i.e. on the first side 15 and the second side 15'. It is assumed that the adjusting elements 12, 13 are pivoted synchronously and / or in the same direction in the same pivoting directions. Thus, when the first half 27 of the paddle sections 18 is pivoted upwards from the starting position in plane A, a compressive force F D11 is exerted by the lower adjusting element 12 and when the second half 27' of the paddle sections 18 is pivoted downwards, an oppositely directed compressive force F D22 is exerted by the upper adjusting element 13. Once the adjusting elements 12, 13 have reached their maximum deflection S MAX while forming the maximum angle φ MAX to the plane A of the initial position, the movement is reversed so that the compressive forces F D11 , F D22 decrease.Upon reaching the initial position A after a half-period T / 2, a compressive force F D12 acts from the other halves 27' of the lower actuating element 12 onto the second half 27' of the lower side 15, while a compressive force F D21 acts from above onto the first half 27 of the tempered material 1 from a first half 27 of the upper actuating element 13. In . Figure 4 This is illustrated by corresponding force arrows. The halves 27, 27' of the paddle sections 18 thus act like pivoting levers that have openings. A compressive force FD is constantly exerted on the lower side 15 and the upper side 15' of the tempered material 1, with the compressive forces FD11 and FD22 or FD21 and FD12 acting asymmetrically on the tempered material 1 with respect to the transverse center plane QT.

[0047] If only a single actuating element 12, 13 is provided, the pressure forces F D11 , F D12 or F D21 , F D22 are applied only from a single side, alternately from the halves 27, 27' of the paddle sections 18 to both halves 28, 28' of the side 15 or 15' of the material to be tempered 1.

[0048] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention (not shown), the two actuating elements 12, 13 could also be controlled such that they are not pivoted in the same direction, but in opposite directions (anticyclically), so that a compressive force FD is generated alternately in the halves 28 of the lower side 15 and the upper side 15' of the temperature-controlled item 1, on the one hand, and in the halves 28' of the lower side 15 and the upper side 15' of the temperature-controlled item 1. While the first half 27 of the first actuating element 12 is pivoted upwards, the first half 27 of the second actuating element 13 is pivoted downwards. While the second half 27' of the first actuating element 12 is pivoted downwards, the second half 27' of the second actuating element 13 is pivoted upwards. This counter-directional or opposite movement of the adjusting elements 12, 13 results in a more intensive movement of the frozen core 29 as well as the already thawed components of the tempering material 1.Advantageously, in comparison to the embodiment with a single actuating element, the same effect can be achieved with a reduced maximum swivel angle φ MAX , -φ MAX or maximum deflection S MAX , -S MAX .

[0049] Alternatively, the adjusting elements 12, 13 can also be moved periodically and / or non-periodically in the same direction or in opposite directions to each other, so that the deformation force on the tempered material 1 or its core 29 as well as its already thawed surrounding liquid 30 is further increased.

[0050] According to an embodiment not shown, instead of a periodic movement, a non-periodic movement or a non-periodic pivoting movement of the at least one actuating element 12, 13 can be provided.

[0051] According to an embodiment not shown, a temporal sequence of a periodic movement and a non-periodic movement of the at least one actuating element 12, 13 can be provided.

[0052] According to an embodiment of the control element according to Figure 6 , which is also in Figure 1 As shown, the adjusting element 12, 13 consists of a plurality of wide sections 40 and narrow sections 41 arranged offset from one another along the pivot axis S. The wide section 40 of the adjusting element 12, 13 comprises a pair of edge struts 19' running at a relatively large distance d2. The edge struts 19' run parallel to the pivot axis S. Struts 19 that run essentially perpendicular to the pivot axis S are connected to the edge struts 19'. The edge struts 19' and the adjacent struts 19 form the O-shaped paddle section 18. The O-shaped paddle section 18 is designed as an open paddle that has an opening.

[0053] In the direction of the pivot axis S, the wide section 40 is adjoined by the narrow section 41 with struts 19" running parallel to the pivot axis S, which are arranged at a relatively small distance d1 from one another. The struts 19" of the narrow section 41 run in the direction of the pivot axis. The struts 19" of the narrow section 41 are adjoined by the struts 19 of the wide section 40 running transversely to the pivot axis or are coupled to the actuator at one end of the actuating element 12, 13.

[0054] As from Figure 6As can be seen, a first width section 40' rests on the sides 15, 15' of a tempering item 1 arranged transversely to the pivot axis S. The first width section 40' is adapted to the tempering item 1 in such a way that the edge struts 19' run in the range of + / - 20%, preferably + / - 10% or alternatively close to a center of mass or on the center of mass of the halves 28, 28' of the tempering item 1. In the present exemplary embodiment, a distance g1 of the first half 28 is 8 cm and a distance g2 of the second half 28' is 7 cm. The distance d2 of the edge struts 19' is thus selected to be large enough that the tempering item 1 can be deflected about the pivot axis S running in a transverse center plane QT thereof with appropriate expenditure of force. The line of attack caused by the edge struts 19' in the direction of the pivot axis S on the halves 28, 28' thus runs in the area of ​​the center of mass of these halves 28, 28'.

[0055] A second width section 40" of the actuating element 12, 13 engages two adjacently arranged temperature-controlled items 1. All temperature-controlled items 1 are arranged in a common plane. A first half 44 of the width section 40" is assigned to the second temperature-controlled item 1, and a second half 44' of the width section 40" is assigned to the third temperature-controlled item 1. The halves 44, 44' of the width section 40" are arranged symmetrically to the pivot axis S. The edge struts 19' of the halves 44, 44' each have the same half distance d2 / 2 from the pivot axis S. The edge struts 19' run in the region of a center of mass of the respective temperature-controlled items 1 or in the vicinity of or in the region of an axis of symmetry X1 of the temperature-controlled items 1.

[0056] According to a further embodiment of the invention according to Figure 5Instead of a continuous deflection of the actuating elements 12, 13 (harmonic and / or linear oscillation), a pulse-like deflection can occur. For example, the edge strut 19' can be suddenly deflected from 0 cm to 15 cm at time t1. The actuating element 12, 13 then remains at rest for a time interval of Δt2 before being suddenly returned to its starting position at time t2, but with a lower acceleration than during the deflection movement. After reaching the starting position at time t3, the actuating element 12, 13 remains at rest until time t4, before the same deflection movement occurs in the other pivoting direction. According to this embodiment, shock-like periodic and / or non-periodic deflections are provided, wherein the actuating element 12, 13 is at rest in the maximum deflection position in the time interval Δt2 and in the initial position in the time interval Δt1.

[0057] The maximum deflection and / or the frequency 1 / T and / or the acceleration of the movement of the actuating element 12, 13 can be selected depending on the current temperature of the temperature-controlled item 1 in conjunction with a predetermined threshold temperature or a fixed time. The actuation of the actuating elements 12, 13 does not have to be periodic or non-periodic over the entire duration of the temperature-control process, or with the same pulse sequence or with the same deflection profile. The magnitude of the deflection or the frequency as well as the acceleration can be changed depending on the temperature-controlled item 1 to be temperature-controlled. Different movement profiles can thus be selected for different temperature-controlled items 1. For example, at the beginning of the temperature-control process, the frequency of the pulse-like deflections can be increased until the frozen core 29 of the temperature-controlled item 1 has shrunk to a minimum volume.The frequency of the pulse train can then be reduced. Alternatively, in a first section of the tempering process, the maximum deflection can be selected to be relatively small until the outer region of the tempering material has thawed and is in a liquid state. In the second part of the tempering process, the maximum deflection of the actuating element 12, 13 can then be increased so that the mixing within the tempering material can be increased and thus the thawing process can be accelerated. As the tempering process continues, the maximum deflection and / or the frequency and / or the acceleration can be reduced again until the tempering material 1 has reached the desired target temperature.

[0058] Instead of a servomotor, a stepper motor, a DC / AC motor with a gear, or an electrically operated lifting / rotating solenoid can be used as an actuator. Alternatively, a pneumatically or hydraulically operated cylinder can be used to control the actuating element 12, 13.

[0059] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, instead of a frozen tempering material, any chemical substance or any material that is in a liquid or viscous state can be brought to a desired temperature.

[0060] If the material to be tempered consists of a relatively large-area or large-volume material, such as concrete or the like, the deflection of the material to be tempered occurs at several points, preferably from opposite sides, exclusively via linearly moved actuators. This preferably results in several points of contact on the material to be tempered, at which the actuators act in a common actuating direction or offset parallel to one another. In particular, the actuators can be arranged in a cascade, offset transversely to their actuating direction, whereby the actuators can be controlled or act on the material to be tempered with a time offset transversely to the actuating direction.

[0061] In Figure 8A tempering process according to a first motion profile is shown. In principle, depending on operating or process parameters, a compressive force can be partially exerted on the tempered material 1 by means of the actuating element 12, 13. The duration of action, the actuating size, and / or the actuating strength (acceleration) of the actuating element 12, 13 can be varied within the tempering process.

[0062] In Figure 8a movement profile for thawing a temperature-controlled item (plasma) from a frozen state into a liquid state at a predetermined target temperature T target is shown. In a lead time interval between the times t A1 and t A2 , the temperature-controlled item 1 is still almost completely in its initial frozen state and no movement has yet taken place. In a first time interval TZ1 between the times t A2 and t A3 , part of the temperature-controlled item has already liquefied and the actuating element 12, 13 is operated periodically, for example, with a first frequency and a first, reduced amplitude as well as a first increase in magnitude (acceleration), so that the temperature of the temperature-controlled item 1 approaches 0°C. The time interval TZ2 begins at the time t A3 and ends at the time t A4 .In comparison to the first time interval TZ1, the actuating element 12, 13 is moved periodically, for example, with a larger amplitude A2 and a larger second increase in deflection (acceleration) to amplitude A2, but with the same frequency. The changed control of the actuating element 12, 13 takes place at a fixed time t A3 or as a function of an operating or process parameter, for example the change in load of the actuating element 12, 13, which can be detected by a changed motor current of the actuator. The increase in the amplitude of the actuating element 12, 13 is understood to be the gradient of the path / deflection or the acceleration of the actuating element 12, 13, which extends from the zero point to the amplitude A1, A2. As can be seen from the second time interval TZ2, the amount of the increase in deflection to amplitude A2 or-A2 is greatest, while the return movement to the zero line occurs with a smaller increase or acceleration.

[0063] According to a further embodiment of a movement profile according to Figure 9the actuation of the actuating element 12, 13 takes place with respect to a temperature-controlled item 1 which is in a cooled but not frozen state. The temperature-controlled item 1 can be in the form of a chemical additive. The temperature-controlled item 1 can therefore be in a liquid or viscous state at the start of the temperature-control process. The temperature-controlled item 1 is to be heated to a target temperature T target. For this purpose, in a first time interval TZ1', which begins at time tB1 and ends at time tB2, the actuating element is moved periodically, for example, with a first frequency, a first amplitude and a first increase in magnitude (acceleration) to the maximum deflection A1', -A1'. The change in the movement of the actuating element 12, 13 takes place when a critical temperature Tkrit is reached, at which the temperature-controlled item 1 tends to undesirable foaming.In the second time interval T Z2 ' which now begins, the movement of the actuating element 12, 13 takes place with the same amplitude A1, -A1', but with a lower frequency and a lower acceleration or a smaller increase in magnitude to the maximum deflection A1', -A1'.

[0064] As from Figure 10 As can be seen, the examples in Figure 6 The control elements 12, 13 shown are arranged in pairs next to each other at a predetermined distance from each other within the temperature control chamber 5, see bottom left in Figure 10 Alternatively, a single adjusting element 50 can be arranged in the temperature control chamber 5, which has rectangular struts 19 with edge struts 19' extending symmetrically to the pivot axis S. The edge struts 19' preferably extend continuously and in a straight line over the entire length of the adjusting element 50.

[0065] According to an alternative embodiment, the actuating element can also have circular struts 51 (circular paddle section), see. Figure 10 in the middle below, or elliptical struts 52 (elliptical paddle section), see Figure 10 top center.

[0066] According to a further embodiment, an actuating element 53 can be provided which has a diamond-shaped paddle section 54, see. Figure 10 top right.

[0067] According to a further embodiment, an actuating element 55 can be provided which has paddle sections 56 arranged asymmetrically with respect to the pivot axis S.

[0068] Depending on the dimension of the material 1 to be tempered, differently shaped adjusting elements 12, 13, 50, 51, 53, 55 can be used.

[0069] It is understood that the aforementioned features can be used individually or in combination. The described embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive, but rather serve as examples for describing the invention. List of reference symbols

[0070] 1Temperature material 2Housing 3Lid 4Base chamber 5Temperature chamber 6Control elements 7Display unit 8Base 91st heating element 10Heating module 11Top 121st adjusting element 132nd adjusting element 142nd heating element 15, 15'Sides of the temperature material 16Narrow sides 17Bottom 18Paddle sections 19, 19', 19"Struts / edge struts 20Connecting strut 21T-piece 22Receptacle 23Hollow cylinder 24Side wall 25Rear wall 26Front wall 27, 27'1st half / 2nd half of the paddle section 28, 28'1st half / 2nd half of the paddle section 29Frozen core 30Liquid 31Starting position 32Opening 40,40',40"Wide sections 41Narrow sections 44,44'1st half / 2ndHalf of a width section S Swivel axis a Distance φ MAX maximum positive setting angle -φ MAX maximum negative setting angle QT Transverse center plane Φ positive angle -φ negative angle FD ,F D11 ,F D22 Compressive force F D21 ,F D12 Compressive force A Plane of the initial position I Motor current LT Longitudinal center plane b T Half the width T / 2 Half period S MAX ,-S MAX maximum deflection d1,d2 Distance d2 / 2 Half the distance g1,g2 Distance X1 Axis of symmetry Δt1,Δt2,Δt3 Duration 1 / TFrequency t1-t4 Time T setpoint Setpoint temperature t A1 -t A4 Times A1,-A1,A1',-A1' Deflection / amplitude T Z1 ,T Z1 '1. Time interval A2,-A2Deflection / amplitude T Z2 ,T Z2 '2nd time interval t B1 ,t B2 Time point T crit critical temperature 50Actuator, large version 51Actuator, circular 52Actuator, elliptical 53Actuator, diamond-shaped 54Paddle section, diamond-shaped 55Actuator, asymmetric 56Paddle section, asymmetric TD Time interval / duration.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling the temperature of and thawing a temperature-controlled product (1), comprising a housing (2), containing - the temperature-controlled product (1), - a heating module (10) for introducing heat to at least one face (15, 15') of the temperature-controlled product (1), - an actuator, by means of which the temperature-controlled product (1) can be moved, that the actuator is configured as a mechanical actuation element (12, 13) which extends in ideally direct contact with the temperature-controlled product (1) and which can be actuated so as to perform a periodic and / or non-periodic movement, that the mechanical actuation element (12, 13) is arranged between a heating element (9, 14) of the heating module (10) and the temperature-controlled product (1) and that the actuation element (12, 13) can be actuated such that the actuation element (12, 13) performs a pivoting movement, so that the temperature-controlled product (1) is partly deflected from the plane of extension thereof in different paths.

2. The apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that a second heating element (14) of the heating module (10) is arranged on an opposite side of the temperature-controlled product (1).

3. The apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a first actuation element (12) is arranged between a first heating element (9) of the heating module (10) and the temperature-controlled product (1) and that a second actuation element (13) is arranged between a second heating element (14) of the heating module (10) and the temperature-controlled product (1).

4. The apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the actuation element (12, 13) has an areal, preferably flat, design.

5. The apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the actuation element (12, 13) is configured as a rod element, wherein rods (19, 19') surround an opening (32).

6. The apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the actuation element (12, 13) can be actuated by a coupled actuator in such a way that the actuation element (12, 13) is pivoted back and forth between a maximum and minimum actuation angle (φMAX, -φMAX).

7. The apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the actuation element (12, 13) can be actuated so as to be continuously pivoted at a frequency of 0.1 to 25 Hz.

8. The apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the actuation element (12, 13) performs a linear movement and / or pivoting movement at an amplitude in the range of + / - 2 mm to + / - 100 mm, for example + / - 10 mm to + / - 30 mm, preferably + / - 25 mm.

9. The apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the actuation element (12, 13) has an edge (19') which extends in parallel with the pivot axis (S) and which, at a distance (a) of 0.2 to 0.7, corresponds to a half width (bT) of the temperature-controlled product (1) from the transverse center plane (QT) of the temperature-controlled product (1).

10. The apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that an actuation element (12, 13) is in contact with each of the opposite faces (15, 15') of the temperature-controlled product (1), and in that the actuation elements (12, 13) can be actuated so as to be synchronously or asynchronously pivoted in preferably the same rotational direction about pivot axes (S) that are arranged in parallel and offset from one another.

11. The apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the rods (19, 19', 19") of the actuation element (12, 13) ideally consist of a wire material.

12. The aparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the actuation element (12, 13) has a plurality of paddle portions (18) that are arranged offset along the pivot axis (S) and have O-shaped rods (19, 19', 19").

13. The apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a resting surface area of the actuation element (12, 13) on the temperature-controlled product (1) and / or on the heating element (9, 14) is smaller than 10% of a face (15, 15') of the temperature-controlled product (1) facing the actuation element (12, 13) and / or of an upper face (11) or lower face (17) of the heating element (9, 14) facing the actuation element (12, 13).

14. The apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the heating element (9, 14) is integrated in the actuation element (12, 13), wherein the heating element (9, 14) is configured as a plate heater with rigid heating surfaces.

15. The apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the temperature-controlled product (1) is arranged in relation to the actuation element (12, 13) such that the temperature-controlled product (1) entirely or at least in part covers the paddle portion (18) of the actuation element (12, 13).

16. The apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the actuation element (12, 13) comprises a wide portion (40, 40', 40") with a pair of edge rods (19') that extend at a large distance (d2) from one another and parallel to the pivot axis (S).

17. The apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the deflection and / or the frequency and / or the acceleration of the pivoting or linear movement of the actuation element (12, 13) is dependent on operating or process parameters, such as the current temperature of the temperature-controlled product (1), in conjunction with a specified threshold temperature, and / or on a specified point in time of the temperature-control process and / or on the state of the temperature-controlled product (1) and / or or on the viscosity of the temperature-controlled product (1).