FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to coolers, and more particularly to battery pack-powered coolers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Coolers, such as portable insulated coolers in which perishable food items may be stored, can include an onboard cooling system to reduce the internal temperature of the cooler.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides, in one aspect, a cooler comprising an insulated housing at least partially defining an interior space and an opening to the interior space, a lid coupled to the housing to selectively close the opening, and a refrigeration system. The refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and a refrigerant line for transporting refrigerant. The condenser facilitates heat transfer from the refrigerant to an ambient atmosphere. The evaporator facilitates heat transfer from the interior space to the refrigerant. The refrigerant line allows the refrigerant to flow in a cycle between the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator. The cooler further comprises a vacuum system including a vacuum pump that selectively evacuates air from the interior space. The cooler further comprises a battery pack to supply electrical current to both the compressor and the vacuum pump to operate the refrigeration system and the vacuum system, respectively.
The present invention provides, in another aspect, a cooler comprising an insulated housing at least partially defining an interior space and an opening to the interior space. The cooler further comprises a lid coupled to the housing to selectively close the opening and a cooling system including a Peltier element. The Peltier element has a warm side and a cool side. The warm side facilitates heat transfer to an ambient atmosphere, and the cool side facilitates heat transfer from the interior space. The cooler further comprises a vacuum system including a vacuum pump that selectively evacuates air from the interior space. The cooler further comprises a battery pack to supply electrical current to both the Peltier element and the vacuum pump to operate the cooling system and the vacuum system, respectively.
The present invention provides, in another aspect, a method of operating a cooler having an interior space. The method includes cooling the interior space to a set point temperature with a cooling system and creating a vacuum in the interior space with a vacuum system after a temperature of the interior space is less than or equal to the set point temperature.
Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic of a battery pack-powered cooler having an onboard refrigeration system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic of a battery pack-powered cooler having an onboard thermoelectric cooling system, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic of a method of operating the coolers of FIG. 1 or 2.
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
With reference to FIG. 1, a cooler 10 includes a housing 14 and a lid 18. The housing 14 may partially define an interior space 22. The interior space 22 is configured to house material 26 such as, for example, drinks, food, etc. The lid 18 functions to selectively open and close an access opening 20 to allow a user to access the interior space 22 and, in some embodiments, partially defines the interior space 22. The housing 14 includes walls 30 that are insulated with, for example, polystyrene, polyurethane, or other insulating materials. The lid 18 may also be insulated with the same or different materials as the housing 14. The lid 18 may be pivotable relative to the housing 14, removable from the housing 14, or otherwise movably mounted to the housing 14 using a hinge 34 and, in some embodiments, a latch 38 to secure the lid 18 in a closed position.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, the cooler 10 may be equipped with a cooling system, such as a refrigeration system 42, to cool the interior space 22. The refrigeration system 42 includes a compressor 46, a condenser 50, and an evaporator 54. The compressor 46 may cause a flow of refrigerant (which may be one of a variety of refrigerants known in the art, or a mix of refrigerants) along a first refrigerant line 58a to the condenser 50 such that heat is released to an ambient atmosphere 62 at the condenser 50. From the condenser 50, refrigerant may flow along a second refrigerant line 58b to an evaporator 54 such that heat is absorbed by the refrigerant from the interior space 22 at the evaporator 54. From the evaporator, 54, refrigerant may flow along a third refrigerant line 58c to the compressor 46 to complete the refrigeration cycle. In some embodiments, a fan 66 may be positioned adjacent the condenser 50, in a blow-through or draw-through arrangement, to increase the rate of heat transfer from the refrigerant in the condenser 50 to the ambient atmosphere 62. Likewise, in some embodiments, a fan 70 may be positioned adjacent the evaporator 54, in a blow-through or draw-through arrangement, to increase the rate of heat transfer from the interior space 22 to the refrigerant in the evaporator 54.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, the cooler 10 also includes a vacuum system 74. The vacuum system 74 includes a vacuum pump 78 with an air inlet 82 and an air outlet 86. The vacuum pump 78 is configured to selectively operate to draw air within the interior space 22 into the air inlet 82 and through the vacuum pump 78 and to discharge the air to the ambient atmosphere 62 via the air outlet 86. The air outlet 86 may pass through at least one of the walls 30. By evacuating the air in the interior space 22, the air pressure within the interior space 22 is reduced to a sub-atmospheric level, causing the lid 18 to more tightly seal to the housing 14 to inhibit airflow, and thus heat transfer, between the interior space 22 and the ambient atmosphere 62.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, the cooler 10 includes a temperature sensor 90 to sense the temperature of the air inside the interior space 22. In some embodiments, a first temperature sensor 90 may be a “room” temperature sensor to sense a temperature of the interior space 22 and a second temperature sensor 90 may be an evaporator temperature sensor to sense a coil temperature of the evaporator 54. The cooler 10 also includes a pressure sensor 94 to sense an air pressure of the interior space 22.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, the cooler 10 includes a battery receptacle 98 configured to removably receive a portable power tool battery pack 102. As shown in FIG. 1, the battery receptacle 98 is located on the lid 18, which therefore also supports the battery pack 102. The battery pack 102 may be used with power tools such as drills, nailers, saws, grinders, and the like as well as other tools such as grease guns, radios, lights, etc. The battery pack 102 may have a nominal voltage of, for example, 12 volts, 18 volts, etc.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, the cooler 10 includes an electronic control unit 110, which is supplied with electrical current from the battery pack 102 via electrical wiring 106. In this disclosure and the appended claims, “electrical wiring” may include a single wire, multiple wires, bus bars, other electrical conductors, and the like. Additional electrical wiring 118 electrically connects the electronic control unit 110 with the compressor 46, the fans 66, 70, the vacuum pump 78, the temperature sensor 90, and the pressure sensor 94. In some embodiments, one or more of the temperature sensor 90 and the pressure sensor 94 may communicate with the electronic control unit 110 wirelessly. Additionally, other components may communicate wirelessly.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, two or more battery packs 102 supply electrical current to the electrical components of the cooler 10. For example, in one embodiment, a first portable power tool battery pack 102 supplies electrical current to the refrigeration system 42 and a second portable power tool battery pack 102 supplies electrical current to the vacuum system 74. However, two or more battery packs 102 may collectively supply the total necessary electrical current to be distributed between the systems 42, 74.
In operation, and with reference to FIG. 1, the temperature sensor 90 and the pressure sensor 94 communicate a temperature and a pressure, respectively, of the interior space 22 to the electronic control unit 110 by outputting respective temperature and pressure signals to the electronic control unit 110. The refrigeration system 42 is powered by the battery pack 102 and operates to transfer heat from the interior space 22 to the ambient atmosphere 62. Further, the battery pack 102 may power the fans 66, 70. The fans 66, 70 may operate on the same or different duty cycles, and their operation may be controlled by the electronic control unit 110.
The battery pack 102 also supplies electrical current to operate the vacuum system 74, and more specifically the vacuum pump 78. In some embodiments, the electronic control unit 110 may delay activation of the vacuum system 74 to reduce the air pressure of the interior space 22 until the temperature sensor 90 detects that the temperature of the interior space 22 has been lowered to a set point temperature (or, is less than or equal to a set point temperature). When the interior space 22 reaches the set point temperature, the vacuum system 74 is activated to reduce the air pressure of the interior space 22 which, in turn, reduces heat transfer that can occur to the contents in the interior space 22.
In some embodiments, the refrigeration system 42 may temporarily cease operation while the temperature of the interior space 22 is less than or equal to the set point temperature. In other embodiments, the refrigeration system 42 may continue to operate while the temperature of the interior space 22 is less than or equal to the set point temperature. A user may open the lid 18 and access the interior space 22 by actuating the latch 38. In some embodiments, in addition to unlocking the lid 18 from the housing 14, actuating the latch 38 opens an air passageway between the ambient atmosphere 62 and the interior space 22 to permit replacement air to flow into the interior space 22, thereby equalizing the pressure in the interior space 22 with atmospheric pressure. In other embodiments, upon actuation, the latch 38 sends a signal to the electronic control unit 110 to cause the vacuum system 74 operate in reverse to pump air at atmospheric pressure from the ambient atmosphere 62 into the interior space 22, equalizing the air pressure in the interior space 22 with that of the ambient atmosphere 62.
With reference to FIG. 2, a cooler 210 includes a housing 214 and a lid 218. The cooler 210 may be similar in many respects to the cooler 10. The housing 214 may partially define an interior space 222. The interior space 222 is configured to house material 226 such as, for example, drinks, food, etc. The lid 218 functions to provide an access opening 228 to allow a user to access the interior space 222 and, in some embodiments, partially defines the interior space 222. The housing 214 includes walls 230 that are insulated with, for example, polystyrene, polyurethane, or other insulating materials. The lid 218 may also be insulated with the same or different materials as the housing 214. The lid 218 may be pivotably or otherwise movably mounted to the housing 214 using a hinge 234 and, in some embodiments, a latch 238 to secure the lid 218 in a closed position.
With continued reference to FIG. 2, the cooler 210 may be equipped with a thermoelectric cooling system such as a cooling system 242 having a Peltier element 246 to cool the interior space 222. The Peltier element 246 may cause a first side 250 of the Peltier element 246 to become cool and a second side 254 of the Peltier element 246 to become warm when a current is passed through the Peltier element 246. In some embodiments, a fan 258 may be positioned adjacent to the second side 254 to increase a rate of heat transfer from the second side 254 to the ambient atmosphere 62. In some embodiments, a fan 262 may be positioned adjacent to the first side 250 to increase a rate of heat transfer from the interior space 222 to the first side 250.
With continued reference to FIG. 2, the cooler 210 also includes a vacuum system 266. The vacuum system 266 includes a vacuum pump 270 with an air inlet 274 and an air outlet 278. The vacuum pump 270 is configured to selectively operate to draw air within the interior space 222 into the air inlet 274 and through the vacuum pump 270 and to discharge the air to the ambient atmosphere 62 via the air outlet 278. The air outlet 278 may pass through at least one of the walls 230. By evacuating the air in the interior space 222, the air pressure within the interior space 222 is reduced to a sub-atmospheric level, causing the lid 218 to more tightly seal to the housing 214 to inhibit airflow, and thus heat transfer, between the interior space 222 and the ambient atmosphere 62.
With continued reference to FIG. 2, the cooler 210 includes a temperature sensor 282 to sense the temperature of the air inside the interior space 222. In some embodiments, a first temperature sensor may be a “room” temperature sensor to sense a temperature of the interior space 222 and a second temperature sensor may be a Peltier element temperature sensor to sense a temperature of the first side 250 of the Peltier element 246. The cooler 210 also includes a pressure sensor 286 to sense an air pressure of the interior space 222.
With continued reference to FIG. 2, the cooler 210 includes a battery receptacle 290 configured to removably receive a portable power tool battery pack 294. The portable power tool battery pack 294 may be the same as or different from the portable power tool battery pack 102. As shown in FIG. 2, the battery receptacle 290 is located on the lid 18, which therefore also supports the battery pack 294. The battery pack 294 may be used with power tools such as drills, nailers, saws, grinders, and the like as well as other tools such as grease guns, radios, lights, etc. The battery pack 294 may have a nominal voltage of, for example, 12 volts, 18 volts, etc.
With continued reference to FIG. 2, the cooler 210 includes an electronic control unit 302, which is supplied with electrical current from the battery pack 294 via electrical wiring 298. As discussed herein, in this disclosure and the appended claims, “electrical wiring” may include a single wire, multiple wires, bus bars, other electrical conductors, and the like. Additional electrical wiring 310 electrically connects the electronic control unit 302 with the Peltier element 246, the fans 258, 262, the vacuum pump 270, the temperature sensor 282, and the pressure sensor 286. In some embodiments, one or more of the temperature sensor 282 or the pressure sensor 286 may communicate with the electronic control unit 302 wirelessly. Additionally, other components may communicate wirelessly.
With continued reference to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, two or more battery packs 294 supply electrical current to the electrical components of the cooler 210. For example, in one embodiment, a first portable power tool battery pack 294 supplies electrical current to the cooling system 242 and a second portable power tool battery pack 294 supplies electrical current to the vacuum system 266. However, two or more battery packs 294 may collectively supply the total necessary electrical current to be distributed between the systems 242, 266.
In operation, and with reference to FIG. 2, the temperature sensor 282 and the pressure sensor 286 communicate a temperature and a pressure, respectively, of the interior space 222 to the electronic control unit 302 by outputting respective temperature and pressure signals to the electronic control unit 302. The cooling system 242 is powered by the battery pack 294 and operates to transfer heat from the interior space 222 to the ambient atmosphere 62. Further, the battery pack 294 may power the fans 258, 262. The fans 258, 262 may operate on the same or different duty cycles, and their operation may be controlled by the electronic control unit 302.
The battery pack 294 also supplies electrical current to operate the vacuum system 266, and more specifically the vacuum pump 270. In some embodiments, the electronic control unit 302 may delay activation of the vacuum system 266 to reduce the air pressure of the interior space 222 until the temperature sensor 282 detects that the temperature of the interior space 222 has been lowered to a set point temperature (or, is less than or equal to a set point temperature). When the interior space 222 reaches the set point temperature, the vacuum system 266 is activated to reduce the air pressure of the interior space 222 which, in turn, reduces heat transfer that can occur to the contents (e.g., the material 226) of the interior space 222.
In some embodiments, the cooling system 242 may temporarily cease operation while the temperature of the interior space 222 is less than or equal to the set point temperature. In other embodiments, the cooling system 242 may continue to operate while the temperature of the interior space 222 is less than or equal to the set point temperature. A user may open the lid 218 and access the interior space 222 by actuating the latch 238. In some embodiments, in addition to unlocking the lid 218 from the housing 214, actuating the latch 238 opens an air passageway between the ambient atmosphere 62 and the interior space 222 to permit replacement air to flow into the interior space 222, thereby equalizing the pressure in the interior space 222 with atmospheric pressure. In other embodiments, upon actuation, the latch 238 sends a signal to the electronic control unit 302 to cause the vacuum system 266 to operate in reverse to pump air at atmospheric pressure from the ambient atmosphere 62 into the interior space 222, equalizing the air pressure in the interior space 222 with that of the ambient temperature.
With reference FIG. 3, a method 410 of operating a cooler such as, for example, the coolers 10, 210 includes a step 414 of operating a cooling system (e.g., either the refrigeration system 42 or the thermoelectric cooling system 242) that may be powered by a portable power tool battery pack, such as the portable power tool battery packs 102, 294, to cool an interior space 22, 222 of the cooler to a set point temperature. The method 410 further includes a step 418 of operating a vacuum system 74, 266 to create a vacuum in the interior space 22, 222 after a temperature of the interior space 22, 222 is lowered to be less than or equal to the set point temperature. The method 410 may further include a step 422 of sensing a temperature and/or a pressure of the interior space, such as the interior space 22, 222, of the cooler 10, 210. The method 410 may further include a step 426 of, in response to the pressure of the interior space 22, 222 reaching a set point pressure, deactivating the vacuum system 74, 266 to maintain the interior space 22, 222 at the set point temperature and set point pressure. The method 410 may further include a step 430 of comparing the detected temperature of the interior space 22, 222 to the set point temperature and, when the temperature of the interior space 22, 222 exceeds the set point temperature, activating (that is, resuming operation of) the cooling system 42, 242 to cool the interior space 22, 222 to the set point temperature. The method 410 may further include a step 434 of selectively increasing the pressure of the interior space 22, 222 to greater than the set point pressure to allow a user to access the interior space 22, 222.
The steps listed above may be performed in an order other than that explicitly listed. For example, an electronic control unit 110, 302 may cooperate with temperature sensors and pressure sensors such as the temperature sensors 90, 282 and the pressure sensors 94, 286 to continually sense the temperature and pressure of an interior space such as the interior spaces 22, 222.
In some embodiments, the set point temperature and the set point pressure may be preset. In other embodiments, the electronic control units 110, 302 may determine the set point temperature and the set point pressure based on, for example, a user input and/or environmental factors such as ambient temperature and ambient pressure. Therefore, the method 410 may further include a step of determining a set point temperature and a set point pressure of the interior space of the cooler 10, 210.
Features of the embodiments disclosed herein may be interchangeable between constructions. In other words, a construction of a cooler 10, 210 may include any permutation of the features disclosed herein. Articles such as “a,” “an,” and “the” may refer to plural referents.
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described.
Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
Patent Application
20240393029
