Outdoor Box, System and Use of an Outdoor Box and/or a System

Abstract

An outdoor box is designed for keeping at least one battery pack that supplies an electrically driven garden, forestry, construction and/or ground working apparatus with electrical driving power. The outdoor box is configured to receive at least one charger for supplying the battery pack with electrical charging power. The outdoor box has an electrical line for transmission of electrical power to the charger. The outdoor box has an exchange fan for exchange of outside air outside the outdoor box and inside air inside the outdoor box in contact with the battery pack and/or the charger. The outdoor box has a recirculation fan, different from the exchange fan, for recirculating, inside the outdoor box, the inside air, and/or the outdoor box has a further exchange fan for exchange of the outside air and the inside air. The one exchange fan is designed for being supplied with electrical power at least for the most part by an energy source. The further exchange fan is designed for being supplied with electrical power at least for the most part by a further energy source, different from the energy source.

Claims

1. An outdoor box for keeping at least one battery pack that supplies an electrically driven garden, forestry, construction and/or ground working apparatus with electrical driving power, wherein the outdoor box is configured at least for receiving at least one charger for supplying the battery pack with electrical charging power, comprising: an electrical line for transmission of electrical power to the charger; an exchange fan for exchange of outside air outside the outdoor box and inside air inside the outdoor box in contact with the battery pack and/or the charger; and at least one of: (a) a recirculation fan, different from the exchange fan, for recirculation inside the outdoor box of the inside air, or (b) a further exchange fan for exchange of the outside air and the inside air, wherein the exchange fan is designed for being supplied with electrical power at least for the most part by an energy source, and wherein the further exchange fan is designed for being supplied with electrical power at least for the most part by a further energy source, different from the energy source.

2. The outdoor box according to claim 1, wherein the outdoor box is a transporting outdoor box and/or a mobile outdoor box, and/or wherein the outdoor box is designed so as to be fastenable on a loading area of a vehicle.

3. The outdoor box according to claim 1, wherein the outdoor box contains the charger.

4. The outdoor box according to claim 1, wherein the electrical line has an electricity mains connection, and wherein the electrical line is designed for transmission of electrical power from the electricity mains connection to the recirculation fan and/or the further exchange fan.

5. The outdoor box according to claim 1, further comprising: a radiation-energy conversion device for supplying the exchange fan, independently of an inside temperature of the inside air and/or an outside temperature of the outside air, with electrical power.

6. The outdoor box according to claim 5, further comprising: an electrical energy store for supplying the exchange fan, independently of an inside temperature of the inside air and/or an outside temperature of the outside air, with electrical power from the radiation-energy conversion device.

7. The outdoor box according to claim 6, further comprising: a box container; and a box lid, wherein the box container is designed for keeping the battery pack and at least for receiving the charger, and wherein at least one of: the electrical line, the recirculation fan, or the further exchange fan, is arranged on the box container, wherein, for opening and closing the box container, the box lid is movable with respect to the box container, and wherein at least one of: the exchange fan, the radiation-energy conversion device, or the electrical energy store, is arranged on the box lid.

8. The outdoor box according to claim 7, further comprising: at least one air inlet opening for letting the outside air into the outdoor box; and at least one air outlet opening for letting the inside air out of the outdoor box, wherein the air outlet opening is positioned above in relation to the air inlet opening in a vertical direction from an underside to an upper side of the outdoor box, and is offset in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction.

9. The outdoor box according to claim 8, wherein the air outlet opening is on the box lid, and/or wherein the air inlet opening is on the underside and/or a peripheral side of the box container.

10. The outdoor box according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one air inlet opening for letting the outside air into the outdoor box, and/or at least one air outlet opening for letting the inside air out of the outdoor box, wherein the outdoor box is designed for keeping the battery pack and/or at least for receiving the charger in relation to the air inlet opening and/or the air outlet opening above in a vertical direction from an underside to an upper side of the outdoor box, and/or offset in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction.

11. The outdoor box according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one air inlet opening for letting the outside air into the outdoor box, and/or at least one air outlet opening for letting the inside air out of the outdoor box, wherein the exchange fan and/or the further exchange fan is in the air inlet opening or the air outlet opening and is at an exchange distance from said opening along an air flow path, and wherein a recirculation distance of the recirculation fan along an air flow path from the air inlet opening and/or the air outlet opening is greater than the exchange distance.

12. The outdoor box according to claim 1, wherein at least one of: the exchange fan is aligned for delivering an air flow substantially in a first direction from an underside to an upper side of the outdoor box, or the recirculation fan is aligned for delivering an air flow substantially in a second direction, different from the first direction, or the further exchange fan is aligned for delivering an air flow substantially in a third direction, different from the first direction and/or the second direction.

13. The outdoor box according to claim 12, wherein the first direction is a vertical direction, and the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction, and the third direction is orthogonal to the first and/or second direction.

14. The outdoor box according to claim 1, further comprising: a heater and/or a cooler, and wherein the recirculation fan is designed for recirculating the inside air along the heater and/or the cooler.

15. The outdoor box according to claim 14, further comprising: an open-loop and/or closed-loop control device for open-loop and/or closed-loop control of operation of the recirculation fan and of the heater and/or the cooler, and/or of the further exchange fan, dependent on an inside temperature, detected by an inside temperature sensor of the outdoor box, of the inside air and/or an outside temperature, detected by an outside temperature sensor of the outdoor box, of the outside air, in such a way that the inside temperature reaches and/or exceeds a minimum temperature value, and/or reaches and/or falls below a maximum temperature value.

16. A system, comprising: an outdoor box according to claim 1; and at least one of: the battery pack, the charger, the garden, forestry, construction and/or ground working apparatus, or a vehicle.

17. A method for supplying a battery pack with electrical charging power by a charger, which comprises utilizing the outdoor box of claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of an outdoor box according to an embodiment of the invention and a use according to an embodiment of the invention of the outdoor box.

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a further schematic sectional view of the outdoor box of FIG. 1.

[0041] FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a system according to an embodiment of the invention having the outdoor box of FIG. 1 and a use of the outdoor box and/or of the system, in particular when the outdoor box is closed.

[0042] FIG. 4 shows a further schematic perspective view of the system of FIG. 3, in particular when the outdoor box is open.

[0043] FIG. 5 shows schematic variations over time of an inside temperature of an inside air and a state of charge of a battery pack in the case of a use not according to the invention of an outdoor box not according to the invention, in particular when there is a cold outside temperature of an outside air.

[0044] FIG. 6 shows further schematic variations over time of an inside temperature of an inside air and a state of charge of a battery pack in the case of the use according to an embodiment of the invention, in particular, of the outdoor box of FIG. 1, in particular when there is a cold outside temperature of an outside air.

[0045] FIG. 7 shows further schematic variations over time of an inside temperature of an inside air and a state of charge of a battery pack in the case of a use not according to the invention of an outdoor box not according to the invention, in particular when there is a warm outside temperature of an outside air.

[0046] FIG. 8 shows further schematic variations over time of an inside temperature of an inside air and a state of charge of a battery pack in the case of the use according to an embodiment of the invention, in particular, of the outdoor box of FIG. 1, in particular when there is a warm outside temperature of an outside air.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] FIGS. 1 to 4 show an outdoor box 1. The outdoor box 1 is designed for keeping, in particular keeps, at least one battery pack 2 for supplying an electrically driven garden, forestry, construction and/or ground working apparatus 3 with electrical driving power AL. Furthermore, the outdoor box 1 is designed at least for receiving, in particular receives, at least one charger 4 for supplying the battery pack with electrical charging power LL. Furthermore, the outdoor box 1 has an electrical line 5 for the transmission of electrical power eL to the charger 4. Also, the outdoor box 1 has an exchange fan 6 for the exchange of outside air OL outside the outdoor box 1 and inside air IL inside the outdoor box 1 in contact with the battery pack 2 and/or the charger 4.

[0048] In addition, the outdoor box 1 has a recirculation fan 7, different from the exchange fan 6, for the recirculation inside the outdoor box 1 of the inside air IL.

[0049] Also in addition or as an alternative, the outdoor box 1 has a further exchange fan 22 for the exchange of the outside air OL and the inside air IL. The one exchange fan 6 is designed for being supplied with electrical power eL at least for the most part by an energy source 11, 12. The further exchange fan 22 is designed for being supplied with electrical power eL at least for the most part by a further energy source 23, different from the energy source 11, 12.

[0050] In alternative exemplary embodiments, the outdoor box may have in addition to the, in particular one, exchange fan either the recirculation fan or the further exchange fan. In particular, if the outdoor box has in addition to the exchange fan, in particular only, the recirculation fan, the exchange fan and the recirculation fan may be designed for being supplied with electrical power at least for the most part by the, in particular same, energy source.

[0051] Furthermore, FIGS. 3 and 4 show a system 100 that has the outdoor box 1 and the battery pack 2 and/or the charger 4 and/or the garden, forestry, construction and/or ground working apparatus 3 and/or a vehicle 9.

[0052] Furthermore, FIGS. 1 and 3 show a use of the outdoor box 1 and/or of the system 100 for supplying the, in particular kept, battery pack 2 with electrical charging power LL by the, in particular received, charger 4.

[0053] In detail, the outdoor box 1 is designed as a transporting outdoor box 1′ and/or a mobile outdoor box 1″.

[0054] In addition or as an alternative, the outdoor box is designed, in particular arranged, in particular fastened, for arranging, in particular for fastening, on an, in particular open, loading area 8, in particular a loading platform 8′, of the vehicle 9.

[0055] The outdoor box 1 also has the charger 4.

[0056] Moreover, the electrical line 5 has an electricity mains connection 10, in particular a mains plug 10′.

[0057] In the exemplary embodiment shown, an external power grid has the further energy source 23.

[0058] Furthermore, the outdoor box 1 has an, in particular direct, radiation-energy conversion device 11, in particular a solar cell 11′, for supplying, in particular for operating, the, in particular one, exchange fan 6, in particular independently of an inside temperature IT of the inside air IL and/or an outside temperature OT of the outside air OL, with electrical power eL.

[0059] In alternative exemplary embodiments, the outdoor box need not have the radiation-energy conversion device.

[0060] Furthermore, the outdoor box 1 has an electrical energy store 12, in particular a battery 12′, for supplying, in particular for operating, the, in particular one, exchange fan 6, in particular independently of the inside temperature IT of the inside air IL and/or the outside temperature OT of the outside air OL, with electrical power eL, in particular from the radiation-energy conversion device 11.

[0061] In alternative exemplary embodiments, the outdoor box need not have the electrical energy store.

[0062] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the one energy source 11, 12 has the radiation-energy conversion device 11 and/or the electrical energy store 12.

[0063] The outdoor box 1 also has a box container 13 and a box lid 14. The box container 13 is designed for keeping, in particular keeps, the battery pack 2 and at least for receiving, in particular receives, the charger 4. In particular, the electrical line 5 and/or the recirculation fan 7 and/or the further exchange fan 22 are/is arranged, in particular fastened, on the box container 13. For opening and closing the box container 13, the box lid 14 is movable with respect to it. The, in particular one, exchange fan 6, in particular and the radiation-energy conversion device 11 and/or the electrical energy store 12 is, in particular are, arranged, in particular fastened on the box lid 14.

[0064] In alternative exemplary embodiments, the outdoor box need not have a box lid. In addition or as an alternative, in alternative exemplary embodiments, the outdoor box may have at least one box door, in particular on a peripheral side of the outdoor box, in particular of the box container, it being possible for opening and closing the box container for the box door to be, in particular designed as, movable with respect to it. Also in addition or as an alternative, in alternative exemplary embodiments, the, in particular one, exchange fan, in particular and the radiation-energy conversion device and/or the electrical energy store, in particular if present, may be arranged, in particular fastened, on the box container, in particular on an upper side, in particular of the outdoor box.

[0065] Moreover, the outdoor box 1 has at least one air inlet opening 15 for letting the outside air OL into the outdoor box 1 and/or at least one air outlet opening 16 for letting the inside air IL out of the outdoor box 1.

[0066] In addition, the air outlet opening 16 is with respect to the air inlet opening 15 above in a vertical direction z from an underside 1U to an upper side 1O of the outdoor box 1, in particular and offset in a horizontal direction x orthogonal to the vertical direction z. In particular, the air outlet opening 16 is on, in particular in, the upper side 1O, in particular the box lid 14. In addition or as an alternative, the air inlet opening 15 is on, in particular in, the underside 1U and/or a peripheral side 1S of the outdoor box 1, in particular the box container 13.

[0067] Also in addition or as an alternative, the outdoor box 1 is designed for keeping, in particular keeps, the battery pack 2 and/or at least for receiving, in particular receives, the charger 4 in relation to the air inlet opening 15 and/or the air outlet opening 16 above in the vertical direction z from the underside 1U to the upper side 1O of the outdoor box 1 and/or offset in the horizontal direction x orthogonal to the vertical direction z.

[0068] Also in addition or as an alternative, the, in particular one, exchange fan 6 and/or the further exchange fan 22 are/is arranged on, in particular in, the air inlet opening 15 or the air outlet opening 16 and are/is at an, in particular respective, exchange distance 6A, 22A from this opening along an, in particular respective, air flow path 6W, 22W. A recirculation distance 7A of the recirculation fan 7 along an, in particular own, air flow path 7W from the air inlet opening 15 and/or the air outlet opening 16 is greater than the exchange distance 6A, 22A.

[0069] Furthermore, the, in particular one, exchange fan 6 is aligned for delivering, in particular delivers, an air flow 6L substantially, in particular exactly, in a first direction z, in particular the vertical direction z, from the underside 1U to the upper side 1O of the outdoor box 1. In addition or as an alternative, the recirculation fan 7 is aligned for delivering, in particular delivers, an air flow 7L substantially, in particular exactly, in a second direction x, in particular the horizontal direction x, and/or different from, in particular orthogonal to, the first direction z. Also in addition or as an alternative, the further exchange fan 22 is aligned for delivering, in particular delivers, an air flow 22L substantially, in particular exactly, in a third direction y, in particular an, in particular further, horizontal direction y, and/or different from, in particular orthogonal to, the first direction x and/or the second direction z.

[0070] In alternative exemplary embodiments, the, in particular one, exchange fan, the recirculation fan and/or the further exchange fan, may, in particular in each case, deliver in a different direction.

[0071] In addition or as an alternative, in alternative exemplary embodiments the, in particular one, exchange fan need not be arranged on the upper side. In particular, the, in particular one, exchange fan may be arranged on the peripheral side.

[0072] Furthermore, the outdoor box 1 has a heater 17, in particular a radiator 17′, and/or a cooler 18, in particular a Peltier element 18′. The recirculation fan 7 is designed for the recirculation of the inside air IL along the heater 17 and/or the cooler 18.

[0073] Moreover, the outdoor box 1 has an open-loop and/or closed-loop control device 19 for the open-loop and/or closed-loop control of, in particular respective, operation of the recirculation fan 7, in particular and of the heater 17 and/or the cooler 18, and/or of the further exchange fan 22 dependent on the inside temperature IT, in particular detected by means of an inside temperature sensor 20 of the outdoor box 1, of the inside air IL and/or the outside temperature OT, in particular detected by means of an outside temperature sensor 21 of the outdoor box 1, of the outside air OL. In particular in such a way that the inside temperature IT reaches and/or goes above a minimum temperature value Tmin and/or reaches and/or goes below a maximum temperature value Tmax, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8.

[0074] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the charger 4 and/or the recirculation fan 7 and/or the heater 17 and/or the cooler 18 and/or the open-loop and/or closed-loop control device 19 are/is designed, in particular in each case, for being supplied with electrical power eL at least for the most part by the further energy source 23.

[0075] Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the electrical line 5 is designed for the transmission of electrical power eL from the electricity connection 10 to the charger 4 and/or the recirculation fan 7 and/or the further exchange fan 22 and/or the heater 17 and/or the cooler 18 and/or the open-loop and/or closed-loop control device 19.

[0076] In FIGS. 1 and 3, the electrical line 5 transmits electrical power eL, in particular from the electricity connection 10, to the charger 4 and/or the recirculation fan 7 and/or the further exchange fan 22 and/or the heater 17 and/or the cooler 18 and/or the open-loop and/or closed-loop control device 19.

[0077] In FIGS. 1 and 3, the charger 4 and/or the recirculation fan 7 and/or the heater 17 and/or the cooler 18 and/or the open-loop and/or closed-loop control device 19 are/is supplied with electrical power eL by the further energy source 23.

[0078] Not shown is how the further exchange fan 22 is supplied with electrical power eL by the further energy source 23.

[0079] In FIG. 1, the recirculation fan 7 recirculates the inside air IL, in particular along the heater 17 and/or the cooler 18.

[0080] Not shown is how the further exchange fan 22 exchanges the outside air OL and the inside air IL.

[0081] In FIG. 1, the, in particular received, charger 4 supplies the, in particular kept, battery pack 2 with electrical charging power LL.

[0082] In FIG. 4, the battery pack 2, in particular removed or not being kept, supplies the garden, forestry, construction and/or ground working apparatus 3 with electrical driving power AL.

[0083] In FIG. 2, the one exchange fan 6 is supplied, in particular operated, with electrical power eL by the one energy source 11, 12, in particular the radiation-energy conversion device 11 and/or the electrical energy store 12.

[0084] In FIG. 2, the exchange fan 6 exchanges the outside air OL and the inside air IL.

[0085] FIG. 5 shows schematic variations over time of an inside temperature IT of an inside air IL and a state of charge of a battery pack 2 in the case of a use not according to the invention of an outdoor box not according to the invention, in particular when there is a cold outside temperature OT of an outside air OL. The vehicle is in use from morning until evening. Consequently, the state of charge of the battery pack 2 falls. From evening until, in particular the next, morning, the vehicle is parked and supplied by an, in particular further, energy source 23. However, the inside temperature IT of the inside air IL goes below the minimum temperature value Tmin, in particular of 5° C. (degrees Celsius). Consequently, charging of the battery pack 2 is not possible. Consequently, the state of charge of the battery pack 2 does not increase.

[0086] FIG. 6 shows further schematic variations over time of the inside temperature IT of the inside air IL and the state of charge of the battery pack 2 in the case of the use according to an embodiment of the invention, in particular, of the outdoor box 1 according to an embodiment of the invention, in particular in the case of the cold outside temperature OT of the outside air OL. The vehicle 9 is in use from morning until midday and from midday until evening. Consequently, the state of charge of the battery pack 2 falls. At midday and from the evening until, in particular the next, morning, the vehicle 9 is parked and supplied by the, in particular further, energy source 23. The recirculation fan 7 makes it possible, in particular and the, in particular heating, heater 17 and/or not the exchange fan 6 make it possible that the inside temperature IT reaches and/or goes above the minimum temperature value Tmin, in particular controlled by the open-loop and/or closed-loop control device 19. Consequently, an, in particular complete, charging of the battery pack 2 is possible. Consequently, the state of charge of the battery pack 2 increases, in particular completely.

[0087] FIG. 7 shows further schematic variations over time of an inside temperature IT of an inside air IL and a state of charge of a battery pack 2 in the case of a use not according to the invention of an outdoor box not according to the invention, in particular when there is a warm outside temperature OT of an outside air OL. The vehicle is in use from morning until evening. Consequently, the state of charge of the battery pack 2 falls. From evening until, in particular the next, morning, the vehicle is parked and supplied by an, in particular further, energy source 23. However, the inside temperature IT of the inside air IL goes above the maximum temperature value Tmax, in particular of 45° C., in particular during the charging of the battery pack 2. Consequently, complete charging of the battery pack 2 is not possible. Consequently, the state of charge of the battery pack 2 does not increase completely.

[0088] FIG. 8 shows further schematic variations over time of the inside temperature IT of the inside air IL and the state of charge of the battery pack 2 in the case of the use according to an embodiment of the invention, in particular, of the outdoor box 1 according to an embodiment of the invention, in particular when there is the warm outside temperature OT of the outside air OL. The vehicle 9 is in use from morning until midday and from midday until evening. Consequently, the state of charge of the battery pack 2 falls. At midday and from the evening until, in particular the next, morning, the vehicle 9 is parked and supplied by the, in particular further, energy source 23. The one exchange fan 6 makes it possible, in particular from morning until evening, and/or the recirculation fan 7 and/or the further exchange fan 22, in particular, and the, in particular cooling, cooler 18, make/makes it possible, in particular from evening until, in particular the next, morning, that the inside temperature IT reaches and/or goes below the maximum temperature value Tmax and/or an avoidance or even a prevention of a buildup of heat in the outdoor box 1, in particular controlled by the open-loop and/or closed-loop control device 19. Consequently, an, in particular complete, charging of the battery pack 2 is possible. Consequently, the state of charge of the battery pack 2 increases, in particular completely.

[0089] Otherwise, the outdoor box 1 is thermally insulated, in particular on its upper side 1O and/or its peripheral side 1S. This makes stability of the inside temperature IT of the inside air IL possible.

[0090] In addition or as an alternative, the outdoor box may be designed for keeping at least two, in particular at least five, in particular at least ten, in particular at least twenty, and/or a maximum of one hundred, in particular a maximum of fifty, in particular twenty-eight, battery packs. Also in addition or as an alternative, the outdoor box may be designed at least for receiving at least two, in particular at least five, and/or a maximum of twenty, in particular a maximum of ten, in particular seven, chargers. Also in addition or as an alternative, the charger may be a multi-compartment charger.

[0091] Also in addition or as an alternative, the outdoor box may be a minimum of 50 cm (centimeters), in particular a minimum of 100 cm, and/or a maximum of 400 cm, in particular a maximum of 300 cm, in particular 193 cm, wide, in particular in the horizontal direction x, and/or a minimum of 25 cm, in particular a minimum of 50 cm and/or a maximum of 200 cm, in particular a maximum of 100 cm, in particular 65 cm, deep, in particular in the horizontal direction y, and/or a minimum of 25 cm, in particular a minimum of 50 cm, and/or a maximum of 200 cm, in particular a maximum of 100 cm, in particular 75 cm, high, in particular in the vertical direction z.

[0092] As the exemplary embodiments shown and explained above make clear, the invention provides an advantageous outdoor box that has improved properties, in particular makes possible a simple and/or, in particular consequently, robust structure and/or simple and/or more independent operation of the outdoor box, in particular for charging a battery pack, an advantageous system having such an outdoor box and an advantageous use of such an outdoor box and/or such a system.