Temperature-Controlled Container

Abstract

The invention relates to a temperature-controlled container ( 10 ) comprising a cooled or heated inner chamber ( 100 ) and a thermoelectric element ( 20 ), particularly a Peltier element ( 20 ), arranged such that said inner chamber ( 100 ) is cooled or heated by means of the thermoelectric element ( 20 ). In order to control the temperature of the inner chamber ( 100 ), a plurality of thermoelectric elements ( 20 ) are provided which are arranged to be spaced apart from one another.

1 . A temperature-controlled container having a cooled or heated inner space; and having a thermoelectric element, in particular having a Peltier element, that is arranged such that the inner space is cooled or heated by means of the thermoelectric element, characterized in that a plurality of thermoelectric elements that are arranged at a spatial distance from one another are present for the temperature control of the inner space. 
     
     
         2 . A container in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the container has main surfaces; and in that at least two of the thermoelectric elements are arranged at different main surfaces. 
     
     
         3 . A container in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the thermoelectric elements are connected in a thermoconductive manner to a primary heat exchanger which preferably operates passively, with the primary heat exchanger being arranged on the cold side and/or on the hot side of the thermoelectric element. 
     
     
         4 . A container in accordance with  claim 3 , characterized in that the primary heat exchanger consist of a metal body or comprises it, with the metal preferably being aluminum. 
     
     
         5 . A container in accordance with  claim 3 , characterized in that the primary heat exchanger has a cross-sectional area which increases as the spacing from the thermoelectric element increases. 
     
     
         6 . A container in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the thermoelectric element or elements is/are arranged such that it/they are connected in a heat-transferring manner, in particular in a thermoconductive manner, to an outer skin and/or to an inner wall of the container bounding the inner space such that the outer skin and/or the inner wall serve/serves as a secondary heat exchanger. 
     
     
         7 . A container in accordance with  claim 6 , characterized in that the outer skin and/or the inner wall of the unit bounding the inner space consists of metal or comprises metal, with the metal preferably being aluminum. 
     
     
         8 . A container in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the outer skin and/or the inner wall of the container bounding the inner space consist/consists partly or completely of a metal sheet, with provision preferably being made that the metal sheet has a thickness of <3 mm, preferably a thickness of 1 to 2 mm. 
     
     
         9 . A container in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the inner wall bounding the inner space has a smaller thickness than the outer skin of the container. 
     
     
         10 . A container in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the container is designed in cabinet form and has a rear wall, two side walls, a top and a bottom or, in the case of a chest, two side walls, a rear wall, a bottom and a front wall; and in that at least one thermoelectric element is arranged in each or in at least two of the named walls. 
     
     
         11 . A container in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the container has a closing element such as a door, a lid or the like; and in that the at least one thermoelectric element is arranged in the closing element. 
     
     
         12 . A container in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that different temperature zones exist in the inner space. 
     
     
         13 . A container in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that a control or regulation unit is provided which controls all the plurality of thermoelectric elements the same or differently. 
     
     
         14 . A container in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that a thermal insulation is arranged between the inner wall bounding the inner space and the outer wall and comprises a full vacuum system in full or regionally. 
     
     
         15 . A container in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the container is a refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit.