Patent ID: 12247779

The illustrated mobile cooling boxes1inFIGS.1to7are basically rectangular in shape. Basically, the mobile cooling boxes according to some embodiments have a box main body2and one or a plurality of lids, for example two lids3for opening the box1and providing access to the inside of the box1. In the present case, access to the inside of the box1is possible from above, but is not limited thereto. The front edge of the lid3can be pivotally opened. The rear edge is hinged to the box main body2. At its front and rear edges, the mobile cooling box1is rounded, while the side edges are covered and protected by a fender frame23that forms part of the box main body2. The height of the fender frame23is equal to the level of the lid3when the mobile cooling box1is closed. Thus, the lid3when being closed sort of sinks or recesses between the two opposite fender frames23thus offering a smooth, uniform and robust look of the mobile cooling box.

In this context and within the framework of the present embodiments, but without limitation, all directional terms, like front, rear, back, upper, lower, above, sink, as well as broadness and depth refer to the mobile cooling box1standing on the ground as usually intended and from a perspective facing the side of the mobile cooling box1were the edge of the lid is pivotable to the above while opening, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Each illustrated mobile cooling box1is of different depth and width. The lid3or the lids3are to be opened from a side where the fender frame23is not located. This is in case of the mobile cooling box1of rather small size, as illustrated inFIGS.1to3, the shorter side of the mobile cooling box1. In case of the two mobile cooling boxes1of rather large size, as illustrated inFIGS.4and5andFIGS.6and7, it is the longer side of the mobile cooling box1, respectively.

The mobile cooling box1has an electrically driven cooling unit and comprises an internal battery (not shown). The mobile cooling box1can be used in plugged-in mode or in battery mode. The mobile cooling box1, therefore, has the required sockets24located at one of its sides.

In the following, different aspects and features of the mobile cooling box are described. As will become apparent, many of the following aspects relate to readily mountable modules for various functions which can be mounted without limitation to the mobile cooling box1regardless of the size thereof.

TheFIGS.8to10show a user interface. With such a user interface it is possible for the user to sort of communicate with the mobile cooling box1, that is, retrieving information from the mobile cooling box1and entering controls into the mobile cooling box1. The mobile cooling box1is equipped with the user interface module100for operation and control by the user. The user interface module100is mounted at the mobile cooling box1in a way that a part of it is engaged with a designated opening at the mobile cooling box1on one side of the user interface module100and fixed with additional fixation structure at the other side of the user interface module100. For example, as illustrated, screws (or fasteners)170are used for fixing the module100at the left side, however other structures may be utilized. On the right side, no screw is necessary. At this side the module100is engaged with the designated opening at the mobile cooling box.

As shown inFIGS.9and10, the user interface module100is an assembly of components, namely a circuit board110, a housing120and a front cover130. The assembly is mounted in a recessed part of the mobile cooling box1so that only the front cover130is directly visible for the user.

The circuit board110forms a latch111extending away from the right side of the assembly with respect to the housing120and the front cover130. The latch111is engaged with the designated opening at the mobile cooling box1. The circuit board110is essentially longer in size than the housing120at the right side. The circuit board110extends over the edge of the housing120and the front cover130. In the illustrated embodiment, the circuit board110extends over the edge of the housing120and the front cover130for about 1 cm, but also other dimensions are possible. At the backside of the circuit board110the part forming the latch111is further strengthened by additional material provided in this area.

As shown inFIG.10, the circuit board110has a connector112. The connector112is located at the backside of the circuit board110. The user interface module100is electronically connected with the mobile cooling box1by using the connector112. A respective plug (not shown) is provided in the inside of the box main body2of the mobile cooling box1and can be reached from the opening in which the user interface module100is hooked.

The user interface module100further has a USB port113. In the illustrated embodiment a single USB port113is provided. However, there can be also a plurality of USB ports provided, for example depending on the size of the mobile cooling box. The USB port113is present at the circuit board110. Moreover, two through holes for a screw connection are provided. By using the USB port113the user can recharge external devices like batteries, lamps, smartphones, etc. Moreover, the USB port113provides access to the internal control of the mobile cooling box1and, depending on the settings and version, enables download of internal data and/or programming of functions of the mobile cooling box1.

The housing120is clamped onto or over the circuit board110by respective clip-in elements121. In the shown example, three clip-in elements121on each of the upper and the lower side of the housing120are sufficient to achieve a stable and robust fixation of the housing120. The housing120is formed of an injection molded plastic component. The housing provides co-injected regions of plastic that is softer than at other regions of the housing120.

At the housing120, the area of the USB port113is left open to allow access to the USB port113. A rubber cap140is provided for covering the USB port113when not in use. In the present embodiments, the rubber cap140is swingably attached to the housing120to avoid losing the rubber cap140. By removing the rubber cap113from the housing120access to the USB port113becomes possible. Here, the size and design of the rubber cap140ensures coverage of the through holes121provided for the screw connection at the same time.

The user interface module100further has a display160, the display160is arranged behind the front cover130and the front cover130of the user interface module100is transparent at least in the area of the display160.

The user interface module100further has three operation devices, here in the form of buttons150extending from the user interface module100. One of the buttons150is located at the right side of the display160and provides an up-and-down selection button150for navigating through the menu of the control menu of the implemented software. In the illustrated embodiment, two further buttons150, here designed in form of single round buttons, are provided at both sides next to the display160, or, respectively, the afore-mentioned button150. The buttons150are made of rubber, or covered by rubber, in order to provide good haptics and provide a stable and robust design.

The front cover130user interface module100is of a scratch resistant material or has a scratch resistant coating.

The user interface module100is capable of wireless communication with an external electronic device, for example by Bluetooth technology, WLAN or any other suitable technology. The external electronic device can be a remote control, a smartphone or the like. Hence, the user interface100and thus the mobile cooling box is remote controllable with the external electronic device. In case of using a smartphone, a respective app is available and to be used on the smartphone.

The user interface module100provides to the user functions and controls like ON/OFF-switching the cooling, temperature control including setting, if desired in a time-shift manner, displaying current temperature, temperature history graphs, temperature type setting (° C./° F.), alarm setting, energy saving mode, displaying battery status, including voltage level and/or battery remaining time, power consumption history graphs, lid3open indication, wireless communication ON/OFF and setting display brightness. The below list shall not be construed as conclusive. Further functions are, thus, also possible.

For mounting the user interface module100, the part on the right side of the user interface module100that is supposed to be engaged with the designated opening at the mobile cooling box1is laterally slid into the designated opening. This step is illustrated inFIG.11. InFIG.11the rubber cap140is shown in its open position. However, the rubber cap140itself is not involved in the inserting and assembling process of the user interface module100. After being inserted with the latch111, the left side of the user interface module100is rotated in place as shown inFIG.12and, in the next step, the user interface module100is fixed with two screws to complete the mounting process.

The mobile cooling box1according to some embodiments and as described before has at least one lid3. By using the lid3the mobile cooling box1can be opened from one side-edge of the lid3. Thereby, access is provided to the inside of the box1. At the opposite side-edge of the lid3, the lid3is hinged to the box main body2. By this hinge connection the lid3can be pivoted upwards.

As shown inFIGS.14to17, the mobile cooling box11is equipped with a latch handle module200. The latch handle module200allows manually locking and unlocking of the lid3and, thus, opening and closing the mobile cooling box1by the lid3. The latch handle module200is integrated in the lid3and located at the front side edge of the lid3of the illustrated embodiment of the mobile cooling box1.

The latch handle module200is an assembly of components including an actuating element201, a locking element202and a casing203. The actuating element201is manually operable by the user. The locking element202is engageable with a corresponding counterpart at the box main body2. By engaging the corresponding counterpart at the box main body2the lid3is locked from being opened.

The latch handle module200provides a mechanism for locking and unlocking the lid3. According to the latch handle module200the actuating element201and the locking element202are mechanically connected to each other. As illustrated inFIG.17, by operating the actuating element201, the locking element202disengages with its corresponding counterpart at the box main body2and allows up-folding the lid3. In this embodiment, the locking element202is designed as a snap-in latch. The snap-in latch, in a closed state, extends into the corresponding counterpart being a recess in the box main body2. Furthermore, the actuating element201has a surface which can be pushed by the fingers of the user's hand. In the illustrated embodiment the actuating element201has a width of about 10 cm. However, according to the overall size the width of the actuating element201can have also a different size. For opening the lid3, the actuating element201is pivoted about an axis of rotation with a pivoting direction that is the same as that of the lid3when being opened. Therefore, there are no opposing movements for the user's hand, which has been found to be comfortable for the user.

As regards the working principle of the latch handle module200, the latch handle module200further comprises a shaft204. The shaft204has a longitudinal axis being co-linear with the axis of rotation of the actuating element201. The actuating element201is connected to and pivotable about the shaft204. The shaft204is of a rigid metal material and extends over the entire width of the latch handle module200. The latch handle module200further has two springs205by means of which the mechanism provided by the latch handle module200is spring loaded. The mechanism provided by the latch handle module200is spring loaded for providing a restoring force that ensures that the actuating element201and the locking element202return to their respective initial positions after an operation of the actuating element201by the user.

As shown inFIGS.18and19, the mobile cooling box1is equipped with two handle modules300. The two handle modules300are located at an outer side surface of the box main body2. One handle module300has a handlebar301. The handlebar301is intended to be grasped by the hand of the user and has a longitudinal axis as well as two ends, two hangers302and two brackets303. The handlebar301is attached at its two ends to the two hangers302. The hangers302are rotatably mounted at the two brackets303. The two brackets are fixed to the outer side surface of the box main body2.

The handle module300is designed in a way that the handle301hangs downwards in an unactuated state and can be swung out and upwards for carrying the mobile cooling box1.

Each of the brackets303comprises a mounting area, or mount,304and a shielding area, or shield,305. The mounting area304faces the outer side surface of the box main body2to which the bracket303is fixed. The shielding area305hides the hangers302and the handlebar301in an unactuated state of the handle module300and in a lateral perspective along the longitudinal axis of the handlebar301.

The handle module300is designed so that, in an unactuated state of the handle module300and in a lateral perspective along the longitudinal axis of the handlebar301, at least a section of the outer contour of the shielding area305is flush with the handlebar301and with the hangers302. Thus, when the mobile cooling box1is not carried, the handlebar301with its hangers302exactly hides behind the bracket303in the respective lateral perspective.

The handlebar301and its hangers302are spring-loaded. Thus, in an unactuated state, the handlebar301and the hangers302are forced in a direction to the mobile cooling box1and are thus kept hidden in-between the shielding areas305of both brackets303. For this purpose, two springs308are arranged within the handle module300. The springs308force the hangers302relative to the brackets303to abut against the part with the mounting area304.

The handle module300is designed in a way that, in an actuated state, the hangers302with the handlebar301are swung out and upwards and rest in a position relative to the mobile cooling box1. Thus, the mobile cooling box1can be carried in a comfortable way. The hangers302with the handlebar301rest in the position by means of a region of the hangers302abutting against a region of the brackets303. Thereby, at the joint between the brackets303and the hangers302, the hangers are rounded in a section around the respective pivot axis. Moreover, a corresponding roundness is present at the brackets303to the extent that, when the hangers pivot out, the round part of the brackets303that enclose the round part of the hangers abut against the flanks of the hangers302. Thus, further rotation of the hangers302is blocked.

Furthermore, at its mounting area304each bracket303comprises two through holes306for fixing the bracket303to the outer side surface of the box main body2by means of fixing elements307. In the illustrated embodiment of the mobile cooling box the fixing elements are designed in the form of screws309but are not limited thereto. The through holes306and the respective fixing elements307are covered by the hanger302that is mounted to said bracket303, in an unactuated state of the handle module300. Thereby, the hanger302abuts against said mounting area304.

An additional accessory, like for example a bottle opener (not shown) or other equipment or tooling, can be attached at the through holes306by respective means, like for example screws309.

As mentioned, the mobile cooling box1is basically rectangular in shape and has different dimensions in width and depth and height. Further, the two handle modules300are located at the respective two shorter outer side surfaces of the mobile cooling box1being opposite to each other. Thereby, when carrying the mobile cooling box1a tilting of the mobile cooling box1can be avoided.

In the present embodiment the handlebar301has a circular cross-section. Moreover, the handlebar301has a length of at least 10 cm to ease gripping the handlebar by the user's hand. However, other dimensions are also possible. The lower part of the hangers302correspond with this rounded contour. Also, the lower part of the brackets303partly correspond with this contour. Hence, the components are flush in an unactuated state.

At least the handlebar301, the hangers302and the brackets303of the handle module300are made of aluminum. At least part of the surface of the aluminum is roughened and has an oxidic protective layer.

As illustrated inFIGS.20and21, the mobile cooling box1is equipped with air vents400. The air vents400are located on at least one outer side wall25of the box main body2. In the periphery of the air vents400cord fixation means are present (not shown). The electrical cord (not shown) provided for connecting the mobile cooling box to electrical power can be, especially in case the cord is not in use, attached to the outside of the mobile cooling box1in a known manner. The cord fixation means can for example be formed in the shape of hooks to which the cord can be removably attached. Nearby the air vents400, as illustrated inFIG.20, at least one power connector is present to connect the removable power cord (not shown) to the mobile cooling box1to supply electrical power to the mobile cooling box1.

The air vents400comprise a plurality of horizontal opening or slots401(in the following generally referred to as slots), respectively, allowing air circulation through the respective side wall of the mobile cooling box1. The slots401comprise shielding elements402protruding inside the mobile cooling box1. Each of the shielding elements402is designed in such a way that the shielding element at least partly blocks the view into the inside of the mobile cooling box1from the outside. In other words, the inside of the mobile cooling box1is not visible from the outside due to the design of the shielding elements402.

One slot401has an upper edge403and a lower edge404. Both, the upper edge403and the lower edge404lie in the plane of the respective side wall. One of the shielding elements402extends from the lower edge404to the inside of the mobile cooling box1and further upwards with respect to said lower edge404, virtually in the direction of and at least up to the height of the upper edge402. Thus, the inside of the mobile cooling box1is not visible from the outside due to the design of the shielding element402

Particularly, in a vertical cross section perpendicular to said side wall, the shielding element402extends from the lower edge404in upward curved form, namely in the form of a segment of a circle.

Furthermore, one of the shielding elements402extends from the upper edge403to the inside of the mobile cooling box1.

Particularly, in a vertical cross section perpendicular to said side wall, the shielding element402extends from the upper edge403to the inside of the mobile cooling box1in a straight horizontal direction. This has essentially the function of providing more stability to the side wall and to uniform the upper and lower edges403and404with regard to the roundness.

The side wall where the vents are present is manufactured together with the shielding elements402as a one-piece component which is made of plastic and manufactured by injection molding.

As is shown inFIGS.22-26, the mobile cooling box1has a lid3. The lid3is pivotally attached to the box main body2by means of two hinge modules500. Each hinge module500comprises a pin module510. The pin module510has a hinge pin511with a front end, a rear end, a longitudinal axis about which the lid3is pivotable, and a smooth outer surface having a cylindrical shape.

The hinge module500further comprises a bearing module530. The bearing module530has a hinge bearing531accommodating the hinge pin511. The hinge pin511laterally extends with its front end into the hinge bearing531. Thus, during pivoting the lid3with respect to the box main body2an axis of the hinge bearing531remains co-linear with the longitudinal axis of the hinge pin511.

For the mounting of the pin module510, the pin module510further comprises an engaging portion, here in form of a bolt portion513. The bolt portion513has a male thread and extends from the rear end of the hinge pin511. The bolt portion513has a longitudinal axis being co-linear to that of the hinge pin511.

The pin module510further comprises a backing plate514between the hinge pin511and the bolt portion513. The backing plate514lies in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hinge pin511and has a pin-side surface and a bolt-side surface. The backing plate514has a circular shape so that it is symmetrical with regard to rotation.

The pin module510is mounted to the box main body2at a vertical surface thereof which is the inner sider of a part of the box main body2. The backing plate514abuts with its bolt-side surface against said vertical surface of the box main body2.

Furthermore, the vertical surface of the box main body2to which the pin module510is attached to has a pin module attachment portion520. The pin module attachment portion520comprises a bore521having a female thread, in which the bolt portion513is fastened, and a recess522for accommodating the backing plate514. The recess522has a depth corresponding to the thickness of the backing plate514. Hence, the transition from said vertical surface of the box main body2to the surface of the pin-side surface of the backing plate514is flush. In order to provide for sufficient stability, the thickness of the backing plate514is about 2 mm.

Furthermore, the hinge pin511has a tool engagement portion512at its front end for fastening the pin module510. The tool engagement portion512is a hexagonal socket that is engageable with a hex key at the front end face of the hinge pin511. Moreover, the entire hinge pin511has a smooth outer surface of a cylindrical shape, so that the pivoting movement can be guided over the entire length of the hinge pin511.

The entire pin module510including the hinge pin511, the backing plate514and the bolt portion513is formed of metal. Moreover, the entire pin module510is formed as one single and integral component. Thus, the pin module510is very robust component.

The bearing module530is present at the lid3and the pin module510is present at the box main body2. The hinge bearing531only partly envelops the hinge pin511and is open in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hinge pin511. Thus, the bearing module530allows the hinge pin511to be released from the hinge bearing531, thereby enabling the lid3to be removed completely from the box main body2. In particular, when it is pivoted in an open direction for about 60° and more the lid3can be removed. Thus, the bearing module530is configured so that the lid3cannot be removed from the box main body2when the mobile cooling box1is closed.

The bearing module530further comprises a spring element533. The spring element533protrudes out of an upper surface part of the hinge bearing531. The spring element533is configured to hold the hinge pin511within the hinge bearing531and to provide a certain resistance during removing the lid3from the box main body2.

The bearing module530further comprises an abutting portion532. When the lid3is pivoted in the open direction for an angle of about 100° the abutting portion532abuts against a region of the box main body2. Thereby, the lid3is enabled to rest in an open position.

As shown inFIGS.27to29the mobile cooling box1has an inside that is laminated with a lining601at the inner side walls21and at the floor22of the box main body2.

The mobile cooling box1is equipped with an ice maker module600. The ice maker module600has a freezing compartment606. The ice maker module600can be removably placed on a freezing zone602on a floor part of the lining601.

The mobile cooling box1further comprises an evaporator603arranged underneath the lining601at the freezing zone602, for providing sufficient cooling power for freezing goods.

The ice maker module600is an assembly of components, namely a frame604and a cover607. The frame604has lateral walls605limiting the freezing compartment606. The cover607is attached to the upper side of the frame604for opening and closing the ice maker module600and providing access from above to the freezing compartment606. The freezing compartment606is limited at its ground by the lining601at the freezing zone602. Thus, the goods to freeze are placed directly on the floor part of the freezing zone602for efficient freezing.

The freezing zone602is rectangular and is located in a niche limited by the lining601of three of the inner side walls21. The ice maker module600fits in the niche.

At least one pair of corresponding attachment means608configured to releasably engage with each other is present at the lining601of the inner side walls21adjacent to the freezing zone602and at the ice maker module600, respectively. By the at least one pair of corresponding attachment means608the position of the ice maker module600is secured. The pair of attachment means608provides for a form-locked connection being a snap-in connection. The snap-in connection consists of hook and a corresponding recess. The hook is a projecting element that is configured to snap in the recess. The hook is located at the ice maker module600and the corresponding recess is located at the lining601of the respective inner side wall21. The hook is located at the frame604of the ice maker module600.

The hook and the recess of one pair of corresponding attachment means608are formed as integral parts of the lining601and the ice maker module600, respectively.

Furthermore, the cover607is hinged to the frame604. Thus, the cover607is swingably openable to the above and can be opened about an angle of about 100°. The cover607has a grip portion609by means of which the cover607can be opened and closed by the hand of the user.

The ice maker module600further comprises two ice trays610. The ice trays610fit into the freezing compartment606. Each of the ice trays610is equipped with a cap611. Each ice tray610has a plurality of recesses for forming ice cubes. The cap611has small holes612in form of bores with a rather small diameter. By these holes air exchange is enabled between inside and outside of the ice tray, but predominantly preventing water from leaking out.

The opening of the tiny holes has a cross section of about 0.20 mm. Above each recess, one of the tiny holes is arranged.

As shown inFIG.30the mobile cooling box1comprises a lamp module700. By the lamp module700light can be provided in the inside of the box main body2. To turn on the lamp module700it does not have any mechanical switches as in usual refrigerators. In the present embodiment of the lamp module700can be switched ON or OFF by means of a reed sensor (not shown). The front cover of the lamp module700is perfectly flush with the surface at which the lamp module700is arranged.

The front cover is mounted to the inner lining in a waterproof manner. Specifically, the front cover of the lamp module700is clipped in a corresponding recessed part of the inner lining and is equipped with sealed portions.

Furthermore, the front cover of the lamp module700is transparent and provides a diffuse light. The light is emitted from diodes inside the lamp module700and both, the light-emitting diodes and the reed sensor are mounted on a circuit board of the lamp module700.

For switching the light ON and OFF, a magnet is incorporated in the part of the lid3that functionally corresponds with the reed sensor. In the closed state of the lid3, the magnet is located in the vicinity of the light module700so that the light module is switch OFF. While opening or in the opened state the distance of the magnet, thus, is increased and the light module is switch ON by the reed sensor.

REFERENCE SIGNS

1Mobile cooling box2Box main body3Lid21Inner side wall of box main body22Floor of box main body23Fender frame24Socket25Outer side wall of box main body100User interface110Circuit board111Latch112Connector113USB port120Housing121Clip-in element130Front cover140Rubber cap150Operation device/button160Display170Screw200Latch handle module201Actuating element202Locking element203Casing204Shaft205Spring at the latch handle300Handle module301Handlebar302Hanger303Bracket304Mounting area305Shielding area306Through hole307Fixing elements308Springs at the handle309Screws of the handle400Air vents401Opening/slot402Shielding element403Upper edge404Lower edge500Hinge module510Pin module511Hinge pin512Tool engagement portion513Engaging portion/bolt portion514Backing plate520Pin module attachment portion521Bore522Recess530Bearing module531Hinge bearing532Abutting portion533Spring element600Ice maker module601Lining602Freezing zone603Evaporator for the freezing zone604Frame605Walls of frame606Freezing compartment607Cover of ice maker module608Attachment means609grip portion610Ice tray611Ice tray cap612Tiny holes700Lamp module