JP2593399B2 - Cooling device and cooler - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cooling device and a cooling box suitable for cooling foods used in a vacuum cooking method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a vacuum cooking method or a cooked chill method for preserving food materials or frozen storage for re-cooking, and a new cooking method are known. Vacuum cooking is a method of storing and storing foodstuffs in a vacuum pack, especially in the cooling process of foodstuffs necessary in the cooking process, suppressing the growth of various bacteria,
Since it is necessary to maintain freshness, taste, nutritional value, and the like, a cooler for rapidly cooling the heat-treated high-temperature (70 to 100 ° C.) food is required. The freezing point (0-3 ° C)
A similar cooling box is also required in a cooking processing system (cook chill) in which quenching and storage are performed under the above-described low-temperature conditions and then reheated before being provided to customers.

[0003] Conventionally, as this type of cooling cabinet,
2. Description of the Related Art A cooling cabinet disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 10-6343 is known. By installing a cooling device consisting of a blower fan and a refrigerator using a refrigeration cycle inside a cooling case made of heat insulating material, and supplying cool air to a cooling room containing foodstuffs, It was configured so that the heated ingredients could be quenched efficiently.

[0004]

However, in addition to the above-described refrigerators, conventional refrigerators have the following problems to be improved.

First, since the cooling device is integrally assembled in the cooling case, the specifications and performance of the cooling device are specified by the built-in cooling device. Therefore, the cooler lacks developability and general versatility, requires a great deal of maintenance, and has low reusability, which is disadvantageous from the viewpoint of economy and resource saving.

Second, since the direction of the cool air is perpendicular to the inner wall surface of the cooling case and is often directed to the center of the cooling chamber, stagnation of cool air is generated in the rectangular parallelepiped cooling chamber.
Insufficient cooling, uneven cooling, and a decrease in cooling efficiency are caused.

The present invention has been made to solve the problems existing in the prior art and can solve the problem of insufficient cooling of foods and the unevenness of cooling, prevent the cooling efficiency from lowering, and have the expandability and general versatility. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cooling device and a cooling box that can improve economic efficiency and resource saving and can facilitate maintenance and the like.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A cooling apparatus 1 according to the present invention.
Supports the blower fan 3 and the cooling heat exchanger 4 on the left and right sides of the support frame 2, respectively, arranges the directions of the blower fan 3 and the cooling heat exchanger 4 symmetrically, and adjusts the blow direction D1 of the blower fan 3 Ventilation direction D in cooling heat exchanger
The cooling module 5 is characterized in that the intersection angle Q of 2 is selected in the range of approximately 90 to 150 °. In this case, it is desirable that the intersection angle Q between the ventilation direction D1 and the ventilation direction D2 is selected to be approximately 120 °.

The cooling cabinet 10 according to the present invention is characterized in that the cooling module 5 is disposed inside a cooling cabinet case 11. In this case, a pair of cooling modules 5, 5 x are arranged inside the cooling case 11 so as to face each other, and the cooling modules 5 are formed separately from the cooling case 11. Note that the outdoor unit 12 including the compressor 13 and the condenser 14 connected to the cooling module 5 (the same applies to the 5x side) can be arranged outside the cooling case 11.

[0010]

According to the cooling apparatus 1 and the cooling box 10 of the present invention, the cooling module 5 in the cooling apparatus 1 is installed inside the cooling box case 11. At this time, by configuring the cooling module 5 separately from the cooling case 11,
The cooling module 5 can be installed or removed freely, and different cooling modules 5 can be selectively installed in the cooling case 11. Therefore, it is possible to change the specification, performance, and the like of the cooling box 10, and furthermore, it can be easily realized. Then, the cooling case 11 and the cooling module 5 can be reused. Note that the outdoor unit 12 including the compressor 13 and the condenser 14 connected to the cooling module 5 is disposed outside the cooling case 11, whereby the outdoor unit 12 is connected to the cooling case 1.
1 from the cooling chamber.

On the other hand, the module 5 in the cooling device 1
Supports the blower fan 3 and the cooling heat exchanger 4 on the left and right sides of the support frame 2, respectively, and arranges the blower fan 3 and the cooling heat exchanger 4 symmetrically, and furthermore, the blow direction D1 of the blower fan 3 The crossing angle Q between the airflow direction D2 and the cooling heat exchanger 4 is selected in the range of approximately 90 to 150 °, preferably approximately 120 °, so that the air cooled by the cooling heat exchanger 4 is supported by the fan 3 2
Is sent diagonally forward from one side. Therefore, if the pair of cooling modules 5 and 5x are arranged inside the cooling case 11 so as to face each other, the cool air sent obliquely forward from one side of one of the cooling modules 5 will be cooled by the other cooling module 5
x is sucked from the other side, so that the cool air is
Circulates in a horizontal direction in the cooling chamber. In this case, the circulation direction of the cool air is also reversed by the forward rotation or reverse rotation of the blowing fans 3.

[0012]

Next, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, the structure of a cooling device 1 according to the present embodiment and a cooling box 10 provided with the cooling device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a cooling box according to the present embodiment, which includes a cooling box case 11 made of a heat insulating material. The cooling case 11 has an entrance 11o on the front surface and an opening / closing door 21 for opening and closing the entrance 11o. In addition,
22 are legs provided on the lower surface of the bottom. This cooling box 10
By opening and closing the opening / closing door 21, only a part of the food transport cart 31, that is, only the cart body 31 m that supports the trays Sa, Sb, Sc. 31r ... and caster part 31c ...
Are exposed outside the cooling case 11.

Reference numerals 5 and 5x denote cooling modules formed separately from the cooling case 11. Cooling module 5
Has a support frame 2, and at least a front surface 2f and left and right side surfaces 2s, 2s of the support frame 2 are provided with a ventilation opening A, and legs 2r are provided at a bottom portion.
As shown in FIG. 1, a cooling heat exchanger (evaporator) 4 and a blower fan 3 are supported on the left and right sides of the support frame 2, respectively. In this case, the directions of the cooling heat exchanger 4 and the blower fan 3 are symmetrically arranged, and the intersection angle Q between the blower direction D1 of the blower fan 3 and the blower direction D2 of the cooler heat exchanger 4 is approximately 90 to 150. ° range, preferably about 120
°. Thus, the cooling heat exchanger 4 and the blower fan 3 have a C-shaped positional relationship in plan view. The cooling module 5 includes an expansion valve 15 (see FIG. 3).
Is arranged.

On the other hand, the other cooling module 5x is configured similarly to the cooling module 5. The cooling module 5
In x, 2x is a support frame, 3x is a blower fan,
4x indicates a cooling heat exchanger.

Further, reference numerals 12 and 12x denote outdoor units disposed outside the cooling case 11, and are connected to the corresponding cooling modules 5, 5x, respectively. In this case, the cooling modules 5, 5x are indoor units. The outdoor unit 12 (the same applies to the outdoor unit 12x side) includes the compressor 13 and the condenser 1 shown in FIG.
The compressor 13 is connected to the cooling heat exchanger 4 via an electromagnetic on-off valve 16, and a series circuit of an evaporation pressure regulating valve 17 and an electromagnetic on-off valve 18 is connected in parallel to the electromagnetic on-off valve 16. I do. Thus, the refrigerator C shown in FIG. 3 is configured.

Next, the operation and the method of use of the cooling cabinet 10 provided with the cooling device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the examples, the heated ingredients E ...
Is cooled.

First, the cooling module 5 is connected to the cooling case 1
Since it is configured separately from the device 1, it can be installed or removed inside an arbitrary cooling case 11, that is, in the cooling chamber R. In the embodiment, a pair of cooling modules 5 and 5x are prepared and installed on the left and right inside the cooling case 11, respectively. In this case, the cooling modules 5, 5x are connected to the legs 21r.
Therefore, it is placed on the lower surface of the cooling chamber R as it is and is brought into contact with the left and right wall surfaces. Thus, different cooling modules 5 can be selectively installed in an arbitrary cooling case 11.

The outdoor units 12 and 12x connected to the cooling modules 5 and 5x are arranged outside the cooling case 11 (on the rear side). Thereby, the outdoor units 12 and 12x are isolated from the cooling room R.

On the other hand, foods E to be cooled are placed on the trays Sa, Sb..., And the trays Sa, Sb.
And the cart 31 is the entrance 11o of the cooling case 11
To be housed inside. In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, the opening / closing door 21 is opened, and the cart 31 is left as it is at the entrance 11o.
The cart body 31m
Are located between the left and right cooling modules 5 and 5x, and when the opening / closing door 21 is closed, the legs 31f and the casters 31c are exposed to the outside of the cooling case 11,
In this state, the cooling case 11 is sealed.

Then, first, cooling in the rapid cooling mode is performed. At this time, the refrigerator C (the other refrigerator C is the same)
In this case, one electromagnetic on-off valve 16 is opened and the other electromagnetic on-off valve 18 is closed, and cooling with full power by a normal refrigeration cycle is performed. In addition, the cooling temperature of the refrigerator C is set to about −20 ° C. During operation, the blower fans 3 and 3x
But, for example, repeat forward rotation or reverse rotation at intervals of several minutes,
The cool air circulates around the cooling chamber R in the horizontal direction while repeating reversal as shown by the arrows H1 and H2. Therefore, food E ...
Is cooled (quenched) uniformly and efficiently. This rapid cooling mode is performed until a certain time elapses or until a certain temperature is reached.

Next, when the cooling in the rapid cooling mode is completed, the cooling in the storage mode is performed. In the preservation mode, chilled cooling is performed so that the food material temperature becomes about 2 ° C. In this case, the refrigerator C (the other refrigerator C is the same)
The one electromagnetic opening / closing valve 16 is closed and the other electromagnetic opening / closing valve 18 is opened, and the refrigerant flows by bypassing the evaporation pressure regulating valve 17. Thereby, the temperature is controlled to be weak.

The embodiment has been described in detail above.
The present invention is not limited to such an embodiment.
For example, it does not prevent the case where the cooling module is fixedly attached to the cooling case. Also, the number of cooling modules installed in the cooling case does not prevent the case of only one cooling unit, and the installation of one cooling module on the rear side of the cooling case does not prevent the installation of three cooling modules in total. In addition, in the details of configuration, shape, method, quantity, numerical value, etc.
It can be arbitrarily changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0025]

As described above, the cooling device according to the present invention has the following features.
In addition to supporting the blower fan and cooling heat exchanger on the left and right sides of the support frame, respectively, the directions of the blower fan and cooling heat exchanger are arranged symmetrically, and the airflow direction of the blower fan and the ventilation direction of the cooling heat exchanger cross each other. Angle is about 90-15
The cooling cabinet according to the present invention is provided with the cooling module selected in the range of 0 °, and the cooling module is arranged inside the cooling cabinet case, so that the following remarkable effects are obtained.

Since the circulation of the cool air is performed smoothly and effectively, the stagnation of the cool air in the cooling chamber is eliminated, and the insufficient cooling and the uneven cooling of the food can be eliminated, and the cooling efficiency can be improved. Further, by repeating the forward and reverse rotation of the fan, it is possible to prevent icing on the food material surface on the side of the cool air blowing.

By configuring the cooling module separately from the cooling case, it is possible to change the specification and performance of the cooling cabinet, thereby improving development and versatility and facilitating maintenance and the like. In addition, since the cooling case and the cooling module can be reused, it is excellent in economy and resource saving.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an internal configuration diagram of a cooling device according to the present invention and a cooling box provided with the cooling device as viewed from a plane direction,

FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of a cooling storage provided with the cooling device, as viewed from the front.

FIG. 3 is a block configuration diagram of a refrigerator provided in the cooling device,

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cooling device 2 Support frame 3 Blow fan 4 Cooling heat exchanger 5 Cooling module 5x Cooling module 10 Cooling cabinet 11 Cooling cabinet case 12 Outdoor unit 13 Compressor 14 Condenser D1 Ventilation direction D2 Ventilation direction Q Crossing angle

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A blower fan and a cooling heat exchanger are respectively supported on left and right sides of a support frame, the directions of the blower fan and the cooling heat exchanger are arranged symmetrically, and the blowing direction of the blower fan and the cooling heat exchanger are arranged. A cooling module having a crossing angle of a ventilation direction in the range of approximately 90 to 150 °. 2. The intersection angle between the blowing direction and the ventilation direction is approximately 120.
The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling device is selected to be °. 3. A blower fan and a cooling heat exchanger are respectively supported on the left and right sides of the support frame, the directions of the blower fan and the cooling heat exchanger are arranged symmetrically, and the blowing direction of the blower fan and the cooling heat exchanger are arranged. A cooling cabinet characterized in that a cooling module having a crossing angle of a ventilation direction selected in the range of approximately 90 to 150 ° is disposed inside a cooling cabinet case. 4. The cooling box according to claim 3, wherein a pair of cooling modules are arranged inside the cooling box case so as to face each other. 5. The cooling cabinet according to claim 3, wherein the cooling module is formed separately from the cooling cabinet case. 6. The cooling cabinet according to claim 3, wherein an outdoor unit including a compressor and a condenser connected to the cooling module is disposed outside the cooling cabinet case.