JP6947371B2 - Cooling container - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cooling container capable of containing and cooling fruits and vegetables such as vegetables, fruits and flowers.

Fruits and vegetables live alive after harvesting, but in order to maintain their freshness for a long time, it is necessary to suppress the respiratory action as soon as possible after harvesting. As a method for cooling vegetables among fruits and vegetables, for example, cold air is circulated in a cooler that houses vegetables, and the cold air that has cooled the vegetables is recooled and circulated by a heat exchanger of a cooling device provided in the cooler. There is a way. In this cooling method, when the temperature of the air in the cooler decreases, the saturated water vapor amount of the air decreases accordingly, and the water content of the vegetables may evaporate and the vegetables may be reduced.

Therefore, in order to enable a high humidity state at a low temperature, a cooling method in which water is brought into direct contact with air has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). In the cooling method described in Patent Document 1, a refrigerant flow path through which low-temperature refrigerant flows is provided in a cooling chamber installed in a container in which vegetables and the like are stored, and above the air in the container sucked into the cooling chamber. When moving to, the air flows around the refrigerant flow path and is cooled by the latent heat of evaporation of the refrigerant. At the same time, the water stored in the bottom of the cooling chamber is sprinkled from above the cooling chamber, and the air and the water come into direct contact with each other to raise the humidity of the air to a high humidity.

Utility Model Registration No. 3199521

The water supplied to the air is pumped from the water stored in the cooling chamber and sprayed in a squeezed state from above, so the water may become fine mist and scatter, causing inconvenience. There is.

Moreover, since the water supplied to the air is pumped and dropped from an upper position, the temperature of the water is not controlled at all. Since the evaporation of water is related to the temperatures of water and air, there is a risk that the humidity of air cannot be controlled.

Further, it is known that the optimum conditions of humidity (early leaving humidity) of fruits and vegetables differ depending on the type of fruits and vegetables. Therefore, depending on the type of fruits and vegetables, it may not be possible to obtain the optimum humidity simply by supplying the water stored in the cooling chamber to the air as it is.

At least one embodiment of the present invention is an invention based on such a situation of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is that the water supplied in the cooling chamber is scattered in the form of mist. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cooling container in which there is no risk and the humidity of the air for cooling the fruits and vegetables can be adjusted to the optimum humidity according to the type of fruits and vegetables.

The cooling container according to at least one embodiment of the present invention is
The cooling device is provided with a container body configured by using a heat insulating material and extending in a rectangular shape in the lateral direction, and a cooling device provided in the container body inside the end wall on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the container body. The device has a box-shaped cooling chamber arranged on one end side in the longitudinal direction in the container body and extending in the vertical direction, and a cooling cycle arranged outside the cooling chamber. A suction port provided in the lower part of the other end side of the cooling chamber and communicating with the inside of the container body and air sucked from the suction port provided in the upper part of the other end side of the cooling chamber and rising are inside the container body. A cooling container having an air outlet that blows out into a cooling chamber and a cooling unit provided between the suction port and the air outlet in the cooling chamber.
The cooling unit has a water supply unit that cools the water stored in the bottom of the cooling chamber by the heat exchange unit of the cooling cycle, guides the water to the cooling chamber, and supplies the water to the bottom of the cooling chamber.
A type determination unit that determines the type of fruits and vegetables stored in the container body,
The state of the water supplied from the water supply unit is controlled by controlling the operation of the cooling cycle so that the humidity of the air in the container body is optimized according to the type of fruits and vegetables determined by the type determination unit. It is configured to have a control unit for controlling.

According to the cooling container described in (1) above, the cooling unit cools the water stored in the bottom of the cooling chamber by the heat exchange portion of the cooling cycle, guides it to the cooling chamber, and supplies it toward the bottom of the cooling chamber. The water supply unit, the type determination unit that determines the type of fruits and vegetables stored in the container body, and the air humidity inside the container body that determines the type of fruits and vegetables determined by the type determination unit are optimized. It is configured to have a control unit that controls the operation of the cooling cycle and controls the state of the water supplied from the water supply unit. The water cooled by the heat exchange section of the cooling cycle exchanges heat with the rising air supplied downward through the water supply section to cool the air. At the time of heat exchange between the cooled water and the air, the water and the air come into direct contact with each other in the cooling unit, so that the heat exchange efficiency is high and mass transfer is involved. For example, water vapor in the air condenses or evaporates. Therefore, the absolute humidity of the air at the outlet and the watering temperature of the water supplied from the water supply unit are closely related. On the other hand, the air temperature in the container body is mainly determined by the amount of air circulating in the container body. That is, it is determined by the amount of air passing through the cooling unit. Therefore, the humidity can be controlled by the sprinkling temperature, and the temperature can be controlled by the amount of circulating air. Therefore, it is possible to realize a cooling container capable of adjusting the humidity of the air to the optimum humidity according to the type of fruits and vegetables to be cooled.

(2) In some embodiments, in the cooling container according to (1) above.
The control unit is cooled by the heat exchange unit of the cooling cycle and supplied from the water supply unit so that the humidity of the air according to the type of fruits and vegetables determined by the type determination unit is optimized. Control the temperature of water

According to the cooling container described in (2) above, the control unit is cooled by the heat exchange unit of the cooling cycle so that the humidity of the air according to the type of fruits and vegetables determined by the type determination unit is optimized. Controls the temperature of the water supplied from the water supply unit. Water condensation is related to the temperature of the supplied water. Therefore, by controlling the temperature of water, the amount of condensed water can be controlled, so that the humidity of air can be adjusted. Therefore, the humidity of the air can be optimized according to the type of fruits and vegetables to be cooled.

(3) In some embodiments, in the cooling container according to (1) or (2) above.
Between the cooling chamber and the heat exchange unit, a communication passage including a pump for sending water stored in the bottom of the cooling chamber to the heat exchange unit of the cooling cycle is provided.
The control unit is configured to control the amount of water discharged from the pump and the temperature of the water so that the humidity of the air is optimized according to the type of fruits and vegetables determined by the type determination unit.

According to the cooling container described in (3) above, between the cooling chamber and the heat exchange section, there is a communication passage provided with a pump for sending the water stored in the bottom of the cooling chamber to the heat exchange section of the cooling cycle. Provided. Then, the control unit is configured to control the amount of water discharged from the pump and the temperature of the water so that the humidity of the air according to the type of fruits and vegetables determined by the type determination unit is optimized. When the flow rate of the water discharged from the pump is changed, the flow rate of the water supplied to the heat exchange unit changes. Therefore, the amount of heat exchange of water in the heat exchange unit can be changed according to the flow rate of water. Further, the temperature of the water to be cooled is controlled by the load control of the cooling cycle. Therefore, since the temperature of the water supplied from the water supply unit can be controlled, the amount of condensed water in the rising air can be controlled, and the humidity of the air can be adjusted.

(4) In some embodiments, in the cooling container according to any one of (1) to (3) above.
The cooling chamber is provided with a fan which is arranged at a position above the introduction pipe of the water supply unit and moves the air sucked from the suction port upward in the cooling chamber.
A temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the air in the container body is provided in the container body.
The control unit is configured to control the rotation speed of the fan so that the temperature of the air according to the type of fruits and vegetables determined by the type determination unit is optimized.

According to the cooling container described in (4) above, the cooling container is arranged in the cooling chamber at a position above the introduction pipe of the water supply unit, and the air sucked from the suction port is moved upward in the cooling chamber. A fan is provided. A temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the air inside the container body is provided inside the container body. Then, the control unit controls the rotation speed of the fan so that the temperature of the air according to the type of fruits and vegetables determined by the type determination unit is optimized. It is known that the temperature suitable for storing fruits and vegetables depends on the type of fruits and vegetables as well as humidity. Therefore, by controlling the rotation speed of the fan according to the type of fruits and vegetables, the flow rate of the air supplied into the container body can be changed to change the temperature of the air in the container body. Therefore, by controlling the rotation speed of the fan, the temperature of the air inside the container body can be adjusted to the optimum temperature for the type of fruits and vegetables.

(5) In some embodiments, in the cooling container according to (1) above.
The cooling unit includes a water flow dispersion filler that receives and disperses the water supplied from the water supply unit and moves it downward.
A heat exchange filler that is disposed below the water flow dispersion filler and receives the water flowing out of the water flow dispersion filler to bring the water into contact with the rising air sucked from the suction port. And, it is configured to have.

According to the cooling container described in (5) above, the cooling unit is more than a water flow dispersion filler that receives and disperses the water supplied from the water supply unit and moves it downward, and a water flow dispersion filler. It is configured to have a heat exchange filler which is disposed below and receives the water flowing out from the filler for water flow dispersion and brings the water into contact with the rising air sucked from the suction port. The water cooled by the heat exchange section of the cooling cycle is supplied downward through the water supply section. Then, the cooled water is received by the filler for water flow dispersion and moves downward while being dispersed. Therefore, it is not necessary to diffuse and eject the water supplied from the water supply unit in order to expand the contact between the water and the air. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the supplied water from becoming mist, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of inconvenience due to the mistized water. Further, the water received by the water flow dispersion filler spreads in the width direction of the water flow dispersion filler and falls. Therefore, water can be uniformly dropped from the lower surface of the water flow dispersion filler, and water can be uniformly supplied to the upper surface of the heat exchange filler. Further, the water supplied to the heat exchange filler moves downward in the heat exchange filler and exchanges heat with the rising air to cool the air. Here, since the water supplied to the heat exchange filler is uniformly supplied to the upper surface of the heat exchange filler, the water moving in the heat exchange filler also crosses the heat exchange filler. Moves evenly with respect to the surface. Therefore, the frequency of contact between water and air can be improved, the efficiency of heat exchange between water and air can be improved, and the humidity of low-temperature air can be raised higher. Further, it is possible to prevent the generation of inadvertent droplets. Then, the cooled and rising air passes through the heat exchange filler and the water flow dispersion filler, and is returned to the inside of the container body from the outlet. Therefore, it is possible to realize a cooling container in which the water supplied in the cooling chamber does not become mist and scatter.

(6) In some embodiments, in the cooling container according to (5) above, in the cooling container.
The water supply unit includes an introduction pipe that guides the cooled water into the cooling chamber, and the water flow unit that is provided on the lower surface of the introduction pipe at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction of the introduction pipe. It is configured to have a plurality of holes that naturally fall toward the packing material for dispersion.

According to the cooling container described in (6) above, the water supply unit is provided on the lower surface of the introduction pipe at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction of the introduction pipe and the introduction pipe that guides the cooled water into the cooling chamber. It is configured to have a plurality of holes for allowing cooled water to naturally fall toward a filler for water flow dispersion. The water cooled in the cooling cycle is introduced into the cooling chamber through the introduction pipe and naturally falls downward from the plurality of holes. Therefore, the cooled water can be gently dropped, and the generation of droplets can be prevented.

(7) In some embodiments, in the cooling container according to (5) above, in the cooling container.
The water flow dispersion filler is configured to disperse the cooled water sprinkled from the water supply unit in the width direction of the water flow dispersion filler and to be movable downward. Will be done.

According to the cooling container described in (7) above, the water flow dispersion filler can disperse the cooled water supplied from the water supply unit in the width direction of the dispersion filler and move downward. Since it is not necessary to supply water evenly in the width direction of the cooling chamber, the number of introduction pipes for supplying water can be reduced. Therefore, the pressure loss of the rising air can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

According to at least some embodiments of the present invention, the water supplied in the cooling chamber is not likely to become mist and scatter, and the humidity of the air for cooling the fruits and vegetables is optimal according to the type of fruits and vegetables. A cooling container that can be humid can be provided.

It is sectional drawing of the cooling container which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the cooling apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing in the longitudinal direction of the blowout duct provided in a cooling container. It is sectional drawing of the blow-out duct in the lateral direction.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to that alone unless otherwise specified.

For example, expressions that represent relative or absolute arrangements such as "in a certain direction", "along a certain direction", "parallel", "orthogonal", "center", "concentric" or "coaxial" are exact. Not only does it represent such an arrangement, but it also represents a state of relative displacement with tolerances or angles and distances to the extent that the same function can be obtained.

For example, expressions such as "same", "equal", and "homogeneous" that indicate that things are in the same state not only represent exactly the same state, but also have tolerances or differences to the extent that the same function can be obtained. It shall also represent the existing state.

For example, an expression representing a shape such as a quadrangular shape or a cylindrical shape not only represents a shape such as a quadrangular shape or a cylindrical shape in a geometrically strict sense, but also an uneven portion or chamfering within a range in which the same effect can be obtained. The shape including the part and the like shall also be represented.

On the other hand, the expressions "equipped", "equipped", "equipped", "included", or "have" one component are not exclusive expressions that exclude the existence of other components.

Further, in the following description, the same components may be designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof may be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional structural view of a cooling container according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cooling device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cooling container 1 of the present embodiment includes a container body 5 that is configured by using a heat insulating material and extends in a rectangular shape in the lateral direction, and an end wall on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the container body 5. A cooling device 10 provided in the container body 5 inside the 5a is provided, and the cooling device 10 includes a box-shaped cooling chamber 13 arranged on one end side in the longitudinal direction in the container body 5 and extending in the vertical direction. The cooling chamber 13 has a cooling cycle 30 arranged on the outside of the cooling chamber 13, and the cooling chamber 13 has a suction port 13a provided in the lower portion on the other end side of the cooling chamber 13 and communicates with the inside of the container body 5 and cooling. Between the air outlet 13b provided in the upper part on the other end side of the chamber 13 and blowing out the rising air A sucked from the suction port 13a into the container body 5 and the suction port 13a and the air outlet 13b in the cooling chamber 10. In the cooling container 1 having a cooling unit 20 provided in the cooling unit 20, the cooling unit 20 cools the water W stored in the bottom of the cooling chamber 13 by the heat exchange unit 41 of the cooling cycle 30 and is cooled. A type determination unit 47 having a water supply unit 21 that guides the water to the cooling chamber 13 and supplies it toward the bottom of the cooling chamber 13 and determines the type of fruits and vegetables f housed in the container body 5, and a type. The operation of the cooling cycle 30 is controlled so that the humidity of the air A in the container body 5 according to the type of fruits and vegetables f determined by the determination unit 47 is optimized, and the water W supplied from the water supply unit 21 is controlled. It is configured to include a control unit 46 for controlling the state.

The container body 5 is formed in a box shape (rectangular parallelepiped shape) by a wall plate 6 having heat insulating properties. A loading space 5b capable of storing fruits and vegetables f is formed inside the container body 5. A loading / unloading door (not shown) is provided on the end wall 5c at the other end of the container body 5 in the longitudinal direction so that the fruits and vegetables f can be loaded / unloaded. The carry-in / out door is, for example, a Kannon-type door, and when the carry-in / out door is opened, one end of the container body 5 in the longitudinal direction is greatly opened. A cooling device 10 is installed on one end side of the container body 5.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cooling device 10 includes a refrigerant circuit 31 in which a refrigerant (for example, ammonia) circulates. In FIG. 2, the refrigerant circuit 31 is shown on the other side of the cooling chamber 13 in the width direction in order to facilitate understanding of the configuration of the refrigerant circuit 31. The refrigerant circuit 31 is provided with a cooling cycle 30 including a compressor 33, a condenser 35, a liquid receiver 37, an expansion valve 39, and a heat exchange unit 41. In the illustrated embodiment, the cooling cycle 30 is provided in a box-shaped cooling box 43, unitized, and arranged below the cooling chamber 13 (see FIG. 1).

The condenser 35 is provided with a heat transfer tube 35a that communicates with the refrigerant circuit 31 and meanders. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat transfer tube 35a is described in the refrigerant circuit 31 in a non-communication state in the description of the drawing. The heat transfer tube 35a is arranged on the passage of the outside air formed by a fan installed above the condenser 35, for example, and the NH ₃ gas flowing through the heat transfer tube 35a is deprived of heat by the outside air and condensed, and the NH is condensed. It is configured to improve the cooling capacity of the _{three gases.}

The cooling chamber 13 is formed in a square cylinder shape and extends in the vertical direction, and a storage portion 15 for storing water W cooled by the cooling cycle 30 is formed in the lower portion of the cooling chamber 13. In the illustrated embodiment, the storage portion 15 is formed in a convex shape in which the side walls 15a arranged to face each other approach each other as they extend downward. Therefore, the water W collected in the storage unit 15 can be collected in the lower top portion 15b of the storage unit 15. A communication passage 16 for sending the water W accumulated in the storage unit 15 to the heat exchange unit 41 of the cooling cycle 30 is connected to the lower top portion 15b of the storage unit 15. The communication passage 16 is provided with a pump 17 for forcibly sending the water W accumulated in the storage unit 15 to the heat exchange unit 41 side.

A suction port 13a is formed in the lower part of the side wall 13c on one side of the cooling chamber 13. In the illustrated embodiment, the suction port 13a is provided above the storage portion 15. The loading space 5b in the container body 5 and the inside of the cooling chamber 13 communicate with each other through the suction port 13a.

An air outlet 13b is formed above the side wall 13c on one side of the cooling chamber 13. An outlet duct 50 communicates with the outlet 13b. The blowout duct 50 sends out the cooled air A blown out from the blowout port 13b into the cargo space 5b in the container body 5. Therefore, the air A sucked from the suction port 13a forms a circulation path that becomes ascending air and is returned to the loading space 5b in the container main body 5 through the air outlet 13b and the air outlet duct 50.

A cooling unit 20 is provided in the vertical intermediate portion of the cooling chamber 13. The cooling unit 20 is arranged between the suction port 13a and the air outlet 13b in the cooling chamber 13. The cooling unit 20 includes a water supply unit 21, a water flow dispersion filler 23, and a heat exchange filler 25 from above to below.

The water supply unit 21 has an introduction pipe 22 that guides the water W cooled by the cooling cycle 30 (heat exchange unit 41) into the cooling chamber 13 and a predetermined interval on the lower surface of the introduction pipe 22 in the longitudinal direction of the introduction pipe. It is configured to have a plurality of holes 22a in which the cooled water is naturally dropped toward the filler 23 for water flow dispersion.

The introduction pipe 22 is installed so as to extend from one side end in the width direction to a position near the other side end in the cooling chamber 13. In the illustrated embodiment, one introduction pipe 22 is installed, but a plurality of introduction pipes 22 may be installed in the cooling chamber 13 depending on the size of the water flow dispersion filler 23. .. A plurality of holes 22a for allowing the cooled water to fall naturally are provided on the lower surface of the introduction pipe 22. The holes 22a are provided at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the introduction pipe 22. The hole 22a may be formed so that water can fall naturally, and the opening shape of the hole may be any of a circular shape, a rectangular shape, an elliptical shape, and the like.

One end of the introduction pipe 22 is opened and communicates with the heat transfer pipe 41a in the heat exchange portion 41 of the refrigerant circuit 31 via a joint 14 provided on the side wall 13c on one side in the cooling chamber 13. The heat transfer tube 41a and the joint 14 communicate with each other via the communication passage 18. The other end of the introduction pipe 22 is closed. Therefore, the water flowing into the introduction pipe 22 flows in the introduction pipe 22 from one end side to the other end side and flows out downward from the plurality of holes 22a.

The water flow dispersion filler 23 is formed in a mesh shape and a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is installed in close contact with the entire inner surface of the side wall 13c of the cooling chamber 13 formed in a square cylinder shape. When the water flow dispersion filler 23 receives the water W supplied by spontaneously falling from the introduction pipe 22, the water W is configured to move downward while being dispersed in the width direction of the water flow dispersion filler 23. There is. In the illustrated embodiment, when the water W falls on the upper surface 23a of the water flow dispersion filler 23, the water W is configured to be radially dispersed and move downward. Therefore, by providing the introduction pipe 22 with a plurality of holes 22a, the water W supplied from the introduction pipe 22 can be uniformly dispersed in the width direction of the water flow dispersion filler 23.

The heat exchange filler 25 is arranged below the water flow dispersion filler 23, receives the water W flowing out from the water flow dispersion filler 23, and is sucked from the water W and the suction port 13a to rise. Air A is cooled by heat exchange with A. Like the water flow dispersion filler 23, the heat exchange filler 25 is formed in a mesh shape and a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and adheres to the entire circumference of the inner surface of the side wall 13c of the cooling chamber 13 formed in a square cylinder shape. Is installed. The heat exchange filler 25 is provided with a passage wide enough to cool the rising air while the water W falls through the heat exchange filler 25. The material of the heat exchange filler 25 is made of vinyl chloride, wood, bamboo, pottery, or the like.

The cooling cycle 30 is configured so that the temperature of the water W to be cooled can be adjusted. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the evaporation temperature of the heat exchange unit 41 can be changed by changing the compression ratio of the compressor 33. Therefore, the temperature of the water W can be changed by changing the amount of heat exchange between the water W and the refrigerant in the heat exchange unit 41. The operation of the cooling cycle 30 is controlled by the control unit 46.

Further, in the cooling chamber 13, a fan 19 is arranged at a position above the introduction pipe 22 of the water supply unit 21 and moves the air A sucked from the suction port 13a upward in the cooling chamber 13. Is provided, and a temperature detection unit 45 for detecting the temperature of the air A in the container body 5 is provided in the container body 5.

The cooling container 1 is provided with a type determination unit 47 for determining the type of fruits and vegetables f housed in the container body 5. The type determination unit 47 sets and displays a switch corresponding to the type of fruits and vegetables f stored in the container body 5, such as cabbage, carrots, oranges, and roses, on a display screen of a personal computer or the like. When any of the plurality of switches on the screen is selected, it is configured to determine that it is the type of fruit and vegetable f corresponding to the selected switch.

The control unit 46 is cooled by the heat exchange unit 41 of the cooling cycle 30 and supplied from the water supply unit 21 so that the humidity of the air A according to the type of fruits and vegetables f determined by the type determination unit 47 is optimized. The amount of water discharged from the pump 17 and the water so as to control the temperature of the water and to optimize the humidity of the air A according to the type of the fruit and vegetable f determined by the type determination unit 47. It is configured to control the temperature. Further, the control unit 46 is configured to be able to control the rotation speed of the fan 19 according to the detection value of the temperature detection unit 45 so that the temperature of the air in the container body 5 is optimized.

The control unit 46 stores in advance the optimum humidity and the optimum temperature of the air A according to the type of fruits and vegetables f. Further, the control unit 46 stores in advance the humidity of the air A according to the temperature of the water cooled by the heat exchange unit 41. In the cooling chamber 13, the water supplied downward through the water supply unit 21 exchanges heat with the rising air to cool the air, but when the cooled water exchanges heat with the air, the cold water is used. Cools the air. Here, the condensation of water is related to, for example, the respective temperatures of water and air, the flow rate of water, the flow rate of air, and the like. Therefore, by controlling the temperature of water, the amount of condensed water can be controlled, and therefore the humidity of air can be adjusted. Therefore, the control unit 46 can control the temperature of the water cooled by the heat exchange unit 41 so that the humidity of the air A according to the type of the fruit and vegetable f becomes the optimum humidity. Further, the temperature of the air in the container body 5 can be adjusted by adjusting the flow rate of the air supplied into the container body 5, so that the control unit 46 controls the rotation speed of the fan 19. , The temperature of the air A according to the type of fruits and vegetables f can be set to the optimum temperature.

In the illustrated embodiment, the fan 19 is arranged above the water flow dispersion filler 23. The temperature detection unit 45 is provided in the container body 5. A fan 19 and a temperature detection unit 45 are electrically connected to the control unit 46. The control unit 46 controls the rotation speed of the fan 19 so that the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 45 becomes a desired temperature. For example, if the value detected from the temperature detection unit 45 is lower than the desired temperature, the rotation speed of the fan 19 is increased, and if the value detected from the temperature detection unit 45 is higher than the desired temperature, the rotation speed of the fan 19 is increased. Decrease the number.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional structure view of the blowout duct 50 provided in the cooling container 1 in the longitudinal direction, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional structure view of the blowout duct 50 in the lateral direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, a blowout duct 50 is arranged on the upper part of the container body 5. As shown in FIG. 3, the blowout duct 50 extends in the longitudinal direction of the container main body 5 along the inner surface of the upper wall plate 6 of the container main body 5, and one end of the blowout duct 50 communicates with the outlet 13b. ing. The blowout duct 50 is made of a tightly packed resin cloth woven with a resin thread. By discharging the cooled air A from the clogged eyes, the air A can be uniformly dispersed in the longitudinal direction of the blowout duct 50. However, since the hole through which the air A is discharged is a clogged portion knitted with a resin thread, the pressure loss of the air becomes large.

Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, a non-discharge portion 51 that cannot discharge air at predetermined intervals is provided in the longitudinal direction of the blow-out duct 50. For this reason, the area of the clogged portion (hereinafter, referred to as “discharge portion 52”) having a large pressure loss is reduced, so that the pressure loss of the air flowing through the blowout duct 50 can be reduced. The non-discharging portion 51 is formed by applying resin to a duct portion made of resin cloth to close the holes, or attaching a resin plate to close the holes.

By using such a resin cloth blowing duct 50, the cooled air in the container body 5 can be uniformly supplied in the longitudinal direction of the blowing duct 50.

The cross-sectional structure of the blowout duct 50 is formed in a rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 4 (a) so that air A is discharged from the lower surface 50a of the duct, or as shown in FIG. 4 (b), is downward. The air A is discharged from the lower side surface 50b of the blowout duct 50, which is formed in a semicircular shape protruding into the shape, or is formed in a circular shape and is formed in a circular shape so that the air A is discharged from the lower side surface 50b. Air A may be discharged from the air.

As shown in FIG. 1, fruits and vegetables f such as vegetables, fruits, and flowers are housed in the cooling container 1 configured in this way. The fruits and vegetables f are housed in a mesh box container 60 having a large number of ventilated holes on the wall surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the mesh box containers 60 containing the fruits and vegetables f are stacked in a plurality of stages and are arranged and stored in a plurality of rows in the longitudinal direction of the cooling container 1.

When the cooling device 10 is driven, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the air A that has flowed into the cooling chamber 13 of the cooling device 10 from the suction port 13a becomes an updraft and passes through the heat exchange filler 25. do. When the air A passes through the heat exchange filler 25, the air A is cooled by the latent heat of evaporation of the cooled water W supplied from the introduction pipe 22, and the water W supplied from the introduction pipe 22 and falls. It comes into contact with and becomes a state close to saturated water vapor. Since the water W supplied from the introduction pipe 22 is supplied so as to fall naturally, the cooled water W can be gently dropped and the generation of droplets can be prevented.

Further, since the cooled water W is received by the filling material 23 for water flow dispersion and moves downward while being dispersed, it is not necessary to eject the water W supplied from the water supply unit 21 so as to diffuse. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the supplied water W from becoming mist, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of inconvenience due to the mistized water. Further, the water W received by the water flow dispersion filler 23 spreads in the width direction of the water flow dispersion filler 23 and falls. Therefore, water can be uniformly dropped from the lower surface 23b of the water flow dispersion filler 23, and the water W can be uniformly supplied to the upper surface 25a of the heat exchange filler 25. Further, the water flow dispersion filler 23 is configured to disperse the cooled water supplied from the water supply unit 21 in the width direction of the water flow dispersion filler 23 and to move downward. The number of introduction pipes 22 for supplying water W can be reduced. Therefore, the pressure loss of the rising air can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

Further, since the water W supplied to the heat exchange filler 25 is uniformly supplied to the upper surface 25a of the heat exchange filler 25, the water W moving in the heat exchange filler 25 also exchanges heat. It moves uniformly with respect to the cross section of the filler 25. Therefore, the heat exchange efficiency between the water W and the air A can be improved, and the generation of inadvertent droplets can be prevented.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the air A in the low temperature and high humidity state passes through the water flow dispersion filler 23 and is blown out from the outlet 13b. The air A blown out from the blowout port 13b flows through the blowout duct 50 and is blown downward from the upper side of the container body 5 from a plurality of discharge portions 52 arranged in the longitudinal direction of the blowout duct 50. Then, the downward air A flows through the ventilation space in the plurality of mesh box containers 60 loaded in the cargo space 5b, and passes through the circulation flow path 61 formed in the lower part of the container body 5 and flowing toward the suction port 13a. Return to the suction port 13a. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, a fan 62 for forcibly sending the air flowing through the circulation flow path 61 to the suction port 13a is provided.

Further, it is known that the optimum conditions of humidity (relative humidity) of fruits and vegetables f differ depending on the type, but in the present embodiment, the temperature of the water W cooled by the heat exchange unit 41 of the cooling cycle 30 is the same. By changing, the humidity of the air A can be changed in relation to the temperature of the air A rising in the cooling chamber 13. For example, if the temperature of the water W to be cooled is set low, the humidity of the air A is low, and if the temperature of the water W to be cooled is set high, the humidity of the air A is high. Therefore, the humidity of the air A can be adjusted to the optimum humidity according to the type of fruits and vegetables f to be cooled.

Further, it is known that the temperature suitable for storing the fruit and vegetable f differs depending on the type of the fruit and vegetable f as well as the humidity. Therefore, by controlling the rotation speed of the fan 19 by the control unit 46 according to the detection value of the temperature detection unit 45 according to the type of the fruit and vegetable f, the air A in the container body 5 is optimized for the type of the fruit and vegetable f. The temperature can be adjusted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cooling container 1 is provided with an information transmitter 54. The information transmitter 54 can store and transmit storage history information such as fruits and vegetables f stored in the container body 5, such as temperature, humidity, stored items, period, production area information, and location information. ing. In the illustrated embodiment, the information transmitter 54 is provided on the wall plate 6 forming the upper surface of the container body 5, but the present invention is not limited to this, and if information transmission is possible, the information transmitter 54 is not limited to this. Any position of the container body 5 may be used.

By providing such an information transmitter 54 in the cooling container 1, it is possible to easily obtain information such as where and in what environment the fruits and vegetables f and the like are currently stored. Therefore, in the market, it becomes easy to grasp the distribution and storage of the whole fruits and vegetables f and the like, and it is possible to contribute to the construction of the distribution system and the storage system of the whole fruits and vegetables f and the like.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the above-described embodiments may be combined, and various modifications can be made without departing from the object of the present invention.

1 Cooling container 3 Container body 3a, 3c End wall 3b Loading space 6 Wall plate 10 Cooling device 11 Cooling circuit 13 Cooling chamber 13a Suction port 13b Air outlet 13c, 15a Side wall 14 Joint 15 Storage section 15b Lower top 16, 18 consecutive passages 17 Pump 19, 62 Fan 20 Cooling unit 21 Water supply unit 22 Introductory pipe 22a Hole 23 Water flow dispersion filler 23a Upper surface 23b, 50a Lower surface 25 Heat exchange filler 30 Cooling cycle 31 Refrigerant circuit 33 Compressor 35 Condenser 37 Receiver Liquidator 39 Expansion valve 41 Heat exchanger 41a Heat transfer tube 43 Cooling box 45 Temperature detector 46 Control unit 47 Type judgment unit 50 Blow-out duct 50b Lower side 50c Half circle 51 Non-discharging part 52 Discharge part 54 Information transmitter 60 Mesh box container 61 Circulation route A Air f Fruits and vegetables W Water

Claims (8)

The cooling device is provided with a container body configured by using a heat insulating material and extending in a rectangular shape in the lateral direction, and a cooling device provided in the container body inside the end wall on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the container body. The device has a box-shaped cooling chamber arranged on one end side in the longitudinal direction in the container body and extending in the vertical direction, and a cooling cycle arranged outside the cooling chamber. A suction port provided in the lower part of the other end side of the cooling chamber and communicating with the inside of the container body and air sucked from the suction port provided in the upper part of the other end side of the cooling chamber and rising are inside the container body. A cooling container having a cooling port that blows out into a cooling chamber and a cooling unit provided between the suction port and the air outlet in the cooling chamber.
The cooling unit has a water supply unit that cools the water stored in the bottom of the cooling chamber by the heat exchange unit of the cooling cycle, guides the water to the cooling chamber, and supplies the water to the bottom of the cooling chamber.
A type determination unit that determines the type of fruits and vegetables stored in the container body,
The state of the water supplied from the water supply unit is controlled by controlling the operation of the cooling cycle so that the humidity of the air in the container body is optimized according to the type of fruits and vegetables determined by the type determination unit. It has a control unit to control
The cooling unit
A filler for water flow dispersion, which is formed in a mesh shape and a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is configured to receive the water supplied by spontaneously falling from the water supply section which is an introduction pipe and disperse it in the width direction while moving it downward. When,
A heat exchange filler that is disposed below the water flow dispersion filler and receives the water flowing out of the water flow dispersion filler to bring the water into contact with the rising air sucked from the suction port. When,
Is composed of
The water flow dispersion filler is a cooling container characterized in that the water supplied from the water supply unit is radially dispersed and moved downward. The control unit is cooled by the heat exchange unit of the cooling cycle and supplied from the water supply unit so that the humidity of the air according to the type of fruits and vegetables determined by the type determination unit is optimized. The cooling container according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of water is controlled. Between the cooling chamber and the heat exchange unit, a communication passage including a pump for sending water stored in the bottom of the cooling chamber to the heat exchange unit of the cooling cycle is provided.
The claim is characterized in that the control unit controls the amount of water discharged from the pump and the temperature of water so that the humidity of the air is optimized according to the type of fruits and vegetables determined by the type determination unit. Item 2. The cooling container according to item 1 or 2. The cooling chamber is provided with a fan which is arranged at a position above the introduction pipe of the water supply unit and moves the air sucked from the suction port upward in the cooling chamber.
A temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the air in the container body is provided in the container body.
Any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit controls the rotation speed of the fan so that the temperature of the air according to the type of fruits and vegetables determined by the type determination unit is optimized. The cooling container described in. The water supply unit includes an introduction pipe that guides the cooled water into the cooling chamber, and the water flow unit that is provided on the lower surface of the introduction pipe at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction of the introduction pipe. The cooling container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cooling container is configured to have a plurality of holes that naturally fall toward the packing material for dispersion. The water flow dispersion filler is characterized in that the cooled water supplied from the water supply unit is dispersed in the width direction of the water flow dispersion filler and is movable downward. The cooling container according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The cooling container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the filler for water flow dispersion is closely attached to the entire circumference of the inner surface of the side wall of the cooling chamber. The cooling container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the heat exchange filler is closely attached to the entire circumference of the inner surface of the side wall of the cooling chamber.

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