Refrigerated Container with a Closing and/or Opening Device and Corresponding Method

Abstract

A refrigerated container and an associated method for closing or opening a removal cross-section of a refrigerated container by at least one laterally guided and displaceable cover element are known. The closing and/or opening procedure is initiated automatically using a closing and/or opening device after a specific time span and either automatically ended by reaching the closed position or the open position or automatically interrupted by a force component of an interfering force which counteracts the particular lateral movement and exceeds a threshold value.

Description

FIG. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a refrigerated container according to the present invention having a closing device in a closed position,

FIG. 2 schematically shows the refrigerated container from FIG. 1, but in an open position,

FIG. 3 schematically shows a perspective view of a carriage device in a release position of a drive element,

FIG. 4 schematically shows a top view of the carriage device from FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 schematically shows the carriage device from FIG. 4, but in an engaged position of the drive element,

FIG. 6 schematically shows a perspective side view of the carriage device from FIG. 3, and

FIG. 7 schematically shows a side view of the carriage device from FIG. 3.

The refrigerated container 1000 shown in FIG. 1 in the form of a commercially available refrigerated chest has two cover elements 1200, 1200′, laterally guided by guide rails (not shown here), which are both located in a closed position S. In the closed position S, the closure sides 1220, 1220′ of the cover elements 1200,1200′ are drawn over the closure sides (not visible here), in particular the left and right interior sides of the refrigerated container 1000, in such a way that an intermediate space Z which may be reached through is no longer provided. The first cover element 1200 is mounted higher using its guide rail than the second cover element 1200′, so that it may be guided over the latter. Both cover elements 1200, 1200′ have seal elements (not shown here) on their closure sides 1220, 1220′, which ensure better partitioning of the cooled interior 1100, shown in FIG. 2, from the warmer surrounding air.

A closing device 2000 is also shown, which has two carriage devices 2200, 2200′ having cover hoods 2299, 2299′. The carriage devices 2200, 2200′ are movably guided along a guide unit 2300. The two carriage devices 2200, 2200′ are supplied with power via supply lines (not shown here), which are mounted in an energy management unit 2220 in the form of a energy chain having multiple chain links 2222. The entire closing device 2000 is covered by a lid 2400. The lid 2400 has a switch 2500 in the form of a rotary switch, using which the entire power supply for the closing device 2000 may be interrupted, on an information and advertising surface 2420, which is inclined at an angle of approximately 100° to the bases of the cover elements 1200, 1200′. The energy management unit 2220, the guide unit 2300, and the lid 2400 are shown separately from the remaining elements of the closing device 2000 for better visibility. Moreover, the closing device 2000 does not enlarge the area occupied by the refrigerated container 1000, so that two refrigerated containers 1000 having closing devices 2000 may be placed with their back sides (not visible here) flush to one another, for example, for the purpose of improved or equally good space use in aisles in supermarkets.

FIG. 2 shows the refrigerated container 1000 from FIG. 1, but partially in an open position 0, namely that of the first (left) cover element 1200. An intermediate space Z, which allows easy removal or positioning of products (not shown here) from or in the refrigerated container 1000 is thus located between the closure sides 1220 of the cover element 1200 and the (left) closure side 1050 of the refrigerated container 1000. The first carriage device 2200, which is coupled using a first driver element 2210 to the cover element 1200, is not located in a maximum achievable open position, however, but rather having a distance of half the length of the carriage device 2200 in front of it. In addition, the carriage device 2200 does not prevent the complete opening or closing of the cover element 1200 in any way. The second carriage device 2200′, which is coupled using the second driver element 2210′ to the second (right) cover element 1200′, is also located in the closed position S, as already shown in FIG. 1. The energy management unit 2220 is adapted to the new position of the carriage device 2200 in such a way that the peripheral left loop 2223 is located approximately between the left first and second quarter of the guide unit 2300 upon reaching the middle position of the carriage device 2200. The energy management unit 2220, the guide unit 2300, and the lid 2400 are also shown separately from the remaining elements of the closing device 2000 for better visibility in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 shows the carriage device 2200, the guide unit 2300 (shown shortened), and the energy management unit 2220 (also shown shortened) having its individual chain links 2222 in detailed and enlarged form.

The carriage device 2200 runs, using four guide wheels 2201-2204 made of plastic, mounted on friction or ball bearings, in an upper and lower profile groove 2321, 2322 of a guide rail 2320, made of aluminum, of the guide unit 2300, each guide wheel 2201-2204 having a projecting shoulder 2201′-2204′, using which they each engage in the profile grooves 2321, 2322. The guide wheels 2201-2204 are attached to a support plate 2230 using screws 2201″-2204″ and tubular spacer elements 2211-2214 made of steel, which are shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

The driver element 2210, a drive device 2240, an approach device 2250, and a control and regulating device 2265, in the form of control and regulating electronics housed in a plastic housing 2260, are also attached to the support plate 2230. The drive device 2240 is shown in a release position F, in which a drive element 2241 in the form of a gearwheel is at a distance from a guide element 2340 of the guide unit 2300 in the form of a toothed rack made of steel or plastic. The direct form fit, which otherwise exists between the gearwheel as the first connection partner and the toothed rack as the second connection partner, is neutralized in the release position F. The drive element 2241 is connected to a motor shaft 2242 of a drive 2243. The drive 2243 is a 12-V DC voltage motor which receives its current from the control and regulating device 2265 via lines (not shown here). The drive 2243 is attached to a pivotably mounted approach element 2251 of the approach device 2250 using three screws, of which only one screw 2205 is shown. The approach element 2251 is pivoted by a drive disk 2252 of the approach device 2250 in that an eccentrically mounted pin 2253 of the drive disk 2252 engages in an oblong hole 2254 of the approach element 2251, the drive disk 2252 being driven by a servo unit 2255, comprising an electric motor (small gear motor) mounted in a plastic housing 2256.

The electric motor is a 6-V DC voltage motor, which receives its current, like the drive 2243, from the control and regulating device 2265 via lines (not shown here). The approach element 2251 is otherwise shaped in such a way that upon reaching a distance exceeding a threshold value in the release position F, a switch 2206 is actuated, which is electrically connected to the control and regulating device 2265 via lines (also not shown here), the power flow to the servo unit 2255 being interrupted by the switching procedure.

FIG. 4 shows the release position F of the approach element 2251, which is mounted pivotably on one side on a bearing fork 2257, once again especially clearly. The distance between the drive element 2241 and the guide element 2340 shown in

FIG. 4 is the maximum achievable distance, because the pin 2253, which engages in the oblong hole 2254 of the approach element 2251, is located in the greatest possible external position in relation to the guide element 2340. The carriage device 2200 may be displaced without special force application with the cover element 1200 in the release position F, because the carriage device 2200 and the cover element 1200 are coupled to one another by the driver element 2210, but drive element 2241 and guide element 2340 are disengaged.

FIG. 5 shows an engaged position E of the approach element 2251 with the guide element 2340. The distance between the drive element 2241 and the guide element 2340 is the minimum achievable distance, because the pin 2253 is located in an internal position having the smallest possible distance in relation to the guide element 2340 in this position. The carriage device 2200 may no longer be displaced manually with the cover element 1200 in the engaged position in the event of self-locking, or only with greatly increased force application, namely if the drive is not self-locking. There is a formfitting connection between the gearwheel and the toothed rack.

The engaged position E is only assumed after a time span adjustable on the control and regulating device 2265, and always when a closing procedure was not ended or was not ended correctly, in particular manually, or when a closing procedure was interrupted by manual action. The closing procedure is ended by actuation of an end switch 2280 shown in FIG. 7 using a switching angle 2350, which is attached between an angle element 2360 and the guide rail 2320. If actuation does not occur due to manual cover displacement, the closing procedure occurs automatically after a time span which is preferably preselected at approximately 7 seconds, in that first the servo unit 2255 moves the approach element 2251 from the release position F into the engaged position E and, simultaneously or a short time later, the drive 2243 is supplied with power, the drive element 2241 driving the carriage device 2200 with the cover element 1200 in relation to the guide element 2340 in the direction of the closed position S.

If, during the automatic closing procedure, a force component of an interfering force, which counteracts the lateral movement of the cover element 1200 accompanying the closing procedure and exceeds a threshold value, is applied, generated either by impact or contact with the cover element 1200, the drive current consumed by the drive 2243 is increased by a few to a few hundred milliamperes or microamperes. If this current increase exceeds the preset threshold value, the approach element 2251 having the drive 2243 attached thereto is immediately moved back into the release position and the power supply to the drive 2243 is simultaneously interrupted. An interruption signal may be output by suitable signaling means if desired. After a second time span, e.g., after 10 seconds, which is also selectable independently from the first time span, the automatic closing procedure described above is continued until reaching the closed position S. The actuation of the end switch 2280 by the switching angle 2350 indicates to the control and regulating device 2265 that the closed position has been reached properly.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the position of the guide wheels 2201-2204 on the support plate 2230. In addition, a U-profile of the driver element is shown. Using a first angle element 2360 and a second angle element diametrically opposite the first (not shown here), the entire closing device 2000 is attached to the refrigerated container 1000 using screws (also not shown here).

Claims

1. A method for closing or opening a removal cross-section of a refrigerated container (1000) by at least one laterally guided and displaceable cover element (1200, 1200′), the cover element (1200, 1200′) either being transferred from an open position (O), in particular a product removal position, in which there is an intermediate space (Z) between a closure side (1050) of the refrigerated container (1000) or a further cover element and a closure side (1220, 1220′) of the cover element (1200, 1200′), using a closing procedure, in which the cover element (1200, 1200′) is displaced, by a lateral movement which decreases the intermediate space (Z), into a closed position (S), in which there is essentially no intermediate space (Z) between the closure side (1050) of the refrigerated container (1000) or the further cover element and the closure side (1220, 1220′) of the cover element (1200, 1200′), or is transferred using a second lateral movement, which is directed opposite the first lateral movement and enlarges the intermediate space (Z), from the closed position (S) into the open position (O), the closing and/or opening procedure being initiated automatically using a closing and/or opening device (2000) and being ended automatically either by reaching the closed position (S) or the open position (O) or being automatically interrupted by a force component of an interfering force which counteracts the particular lateral movement and exceeds a threshold value, wherein a frictional connection and/or a form fit between the cover element (1200, 1200′) and/or the refrigerated container (1000) and/or the closing and/or opening device (2000) is neutralized outside the time of the automatic closing and/or opening procedure.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the closing and/or opening procedure particularly begins to run after a specific time span when a manual opening or closing movement of the cover element is ended or interrupted.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the closing and/or opening movement is automatically continued again after the interruption by the interfering force.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the threshold value of the force component of the interfering force which triggers the interruption is ascertained using at least one sensor detection of a voltage and/or a current during the interference-free automatic closing and/or opening procedure and upon reaching the closed position (S) or open position (o) and using a program, in particular when the closing and/or opening device (2000) is first put into operation.

5. A refrigerated container (1000) having a removal cross-section and at least one laterally guided and displaceable cover element (1200, 1200′) for closing the removal cross-section, which is transferable from an open position (O), in particular a product removal position, in which there is an intermediate space (Z) between a closure side (1050) of the refrigerated container (1000) or a further cover element and a closure side (1220, 1220′) of the cover element (1200, 1200′), into a closed position (S), in which there is essentially no intermediate space (Z) between the closure side (1050) of the refrigerated container (1000) or the further cover element in the closure side (1220, 1220′) of the cover element (1200, 1200′), an automatic closing and/or opening procedure being able to be initiated by a closing and/or opening device (2000) and being able to be ended automatically by reaching either the closed position (S) or the open position (O) or being able to be interrupted automatically by a force component of an interfering force which counteracts the lateral movement and exceeds a threshold value, wherein a frictional connection and/or a form fit between the cover element (1200, 1200′) and/or the refrigerated container (1000) and/or the closing and/or opening device (2000) is neutralizable outside the time of the automatic closing and/or opening procedure.

6. The refrigerated container (1000) according to claim 5, wherein the closing and/or opening device (2000) may be turned off by a switch (2500).

7. The refrigerated container (1000) according to claim 5, wherein a driver element (2210, 2210′) is attachable to the cover element (1200, 1200′) and is laterally movable, in particular linearly lateral, in relation to the refrigerated container (1000) by the closing and/or opening device (2000).

8. The refrigerated container (1000) according to claim 7, wherein the driver element (2210, 2210′) is adaptable to the particular cover elements (1200, 1200′), in particular their handle elements.

9. The refrigerated container (1000) according to claim 7, wherein the driver element (2210, 2210′) may be folded up using a hinge.

10. The refrigerated container (1000) according to claim 5, wherein a drive element (2241) of a drive device (2240) of the closing and/or opening device (2000) is transferable from a release position (F), in which it is disengaged from a guide unit (2300), into an engaged position (E), in which it is engaged with the guide unit (2300).

11. The refrigerated container (1000) according to claim 10, wherein the drive device (2240) is permanently attachable to the refrigerated container (1000) and the guide unit (2300) is attachable to the cover element (1200, 1200′).

12. The refrigerated container (1000) according to claim 10, wherein the drive element (2241) is transferable between the-release position (F) and the engaged position (E) using an approach element (2251) of an approach device (2250).

13. The refrigerated container (1000) according to claim 12, wherein a switch (2206) may be actuated by the drive device (2240) and/or the approach element (2251) in the release position (F).

14. The refrigerated container (1000) according to claim 12, wherein the approach element (2251) is movable using an approach drive of the drive device (2240).

15. The refrigerated container (1000) according to claim 14, wherein the approach drive is a servo unit (2255) having a drive disk (2252) having eccentrically situated pins (2253), which engage in an oblong hole (2254) in the approach element (2251).

16. The refrigerated container (1000) according to claim 5, wherein the closing and/or opening device (2000) has a control and/or regulating device (2265) in the form of control and regulating electronics, using which the time span and/or the threshold value are adjustable and exceeding the threshold value may be ascertained.

17. The refrigerated container (1000) according to claim 5, wherein the closing and/or opening device (2000) has a carriage device (2200, 2200′) movable along the guide element (2340), which may be coupled to the cover element (1200, 1200′), in particular using the driver element (2210, 2210′).

18. The refrigerated container (1000) according to claim 17, wherein the approach element (2251) is mounted on the refrigerated container (1000) or the carriage device (2200, 2200′) so it is pivotable.

19. The refrigerated container (1000) according to claim 17, wherein an end switch (2280) is attached to the refrigerated container (1000) or the closing device (2000), which is actuated in the closed position (S) by the carriage device (2200, 2200′) and/or the cover element (1200, 1200′).

20. The refrigerated container (1000) according to claim 17, wherein the refrigerated container (1000) has two cover elements (1200, 1200′), which are slidable one over the other, each of which is provided with a carriage device (2210, 2210′) and which are each connected at one end to a shared energy management unit.

21. The refrigerated container (1000) according to claim 17, wherein the carriage device (2210, 2210′) is guided so it is laterally movable on a guide rail (2320) using multiple guide wheels (2201-2204).