JP7596889B2 - Humidification device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a humidifier.

Conventionally, there is known technology that creates a low-temperature, high-humidity environment for storing perishable foods such as seafood and vegetables that require freshness. This technology achieves humidification by vaporizing ice using cold air blown in.

For example, a high humidity storage technology is known that cools fresh food to a low temperature while storing it at a high humidity by circulating air from a blower through a heat exchanger that drops ice (see, for example, Patent Document 1). With this technology, moisture is added from the ice to the air being cooled, creating a low temperature and high humidity inside the storage, thereby preserving the freshness of the fresh food.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-332654

However, with the technology described in Patent Document 1, the amount of humidification provided by ice was small, so fresh food and the like could not be sufficiently humidified.

The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide a humidifier that can increase the amount of humidification.

In one aspect, the humidifier of this embodiment is characterized by having a supply unit that supplies crushed ice, a blower unit that blows basic cold air, a humidifier unit that humidifies the basic cold air blown from the blower unit with the crushed ice supplied by the supply unit, and a heating unit that melts the crushed ice supplied by the supply unit.

The present invention allows for increased humidification.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a temperature and humidity control device 100 including a humidifier according to a first embodiment. 1 is a schematic side view of a humidifier 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic enlarged view of a portion of the humidifier 30. FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a portion of the humidifier 30. FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a portion of the humidifier 30. FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a conventional humidifier 30'. FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a portion of a conventional humidifier 30'. FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a humidifier 30 according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating a portion of a humidifier 30 according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a humidifier 30 according to a third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating a portion of a humidifier 30 according to a third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a humidifier 30 according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating a portion of a humidifier 30 according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a humidifier 30 according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating a portion of a humidifier 30 according to a fifth embodiment.

(First embodiment)
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of a humidifier according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a temperature and humidity control device 100 including a humidifier according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the temperature and humidity control device 100 can also be called a cooling machine or a cooling storage. The temperature and humidity control device 100 is a commercial cooling storage device for storing and controlling the temperature of fresh food such as meat, fish, and vegetables.

The temperature and humidity control device 100 stores fresh food in a warehouse and continuously maintains the target temperature, for example 0°C, which is an appropriate temperature for storage inside the warehouse, and can uniformly cool the temperature of the fresh food from its surface to its center to 0°C. Furthermore, during this cooling process, the temperature and humidity control device 100 prevents the moisture in the fresh food stored in the warehouse from freezing to form frozen matter (ice crystals), and prevents the fresh food from reaching a freezing temperature in the range of -1°C to -5°C, for example. This allows the temperature and humidity control device 100 to maintain the quality, such as the freshness, of the fresh food.

As shown in FIG. 1, the temperature and humidity control device 100 includes a storage unit 10, a cooling unit 20, and a humidifier 30. The temperature and humidity control device 100 may have other configurations not shown in FIG. 1. The cooling unit 20 and the humidifier 30 are disposed inside the storage unit 10. The cooling unit 20 and the humidifier 30 may be disposed outside the storage unit 10.

The storage 10 is made of a metal such as stainless steel and has a box shape, and is placed on the floor. The cooling unit 20 is, for example, an air conditioner cooling device, and generates basic cold air that is cold air at a temperature lower than the target temperature.

As shown in FIG. 1, the humidifier 30 has an intake 31 and an exhaust 32. The intake 31 and the exhaust 32 are formed in a mesh or lattice shape, and are formed so that the air inside the storage 10 can pass through. The humidifier 30 takes in the basic cold air supplied from the cooling unit 20 through the intake 31, humidifies it, and then exhausts it through the exhaust 32. The thick arrows show a schematic view of the flow of the cold air.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the humidifier 1 according to this embodiment, seen from the side. As shown in Figure 2, the humidifier 30 includes an intake port 31, an exhaust port 32, a control unit 33, an ice maker 34, an ice conveyor 35, a supply unit 36, a blower unit 37, a humidifier unit 38, a heater unit 39, and an insulating unit 40. The positional relationship of each component of the humidifier 30 is not limited to that shown in Figure 2. In addition, the humidifier 30 may include other components not shown in Figure 2.

The control unit 33 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU). The control unit 33 controls each component of the humidifier 30, including the ice maker 34, ice conveyor 35, supply unit 36, blower unit 37, humidifier unit 38, heater unit 39, and insulation unit 40, according to a control program stored in a memory unit (not shown). The memory unit is, for example, a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM).

The ice maker 34 cools water supplied from a water tank (not shown) to produce crushed ice. The ice transporter 35 transports the crushed ice produced by the ice maker 34 to the supply unit 36. The supply unit 36 supplies the crushed ice transported by the ice transporter 35 to the humidification unit 38.

The supply unit 36 is formed by a number of chute units 50 arranged in the Y direction. The ice conveyor 35 is, for example, a screw conveyor (not shown). The screw conveyor has, for example, continuous spiral blades. The ice conveyor 35 has the function of continuously linearly conveying the crushed ice supplied from the ice maker 34 under the control of the control unit 33 in the Y direction, i.e., the direction in which the multiple chute units 50, 50 are arranged. The supply unit 36 can continuously linearly convey the crushed ice in the Y direction, which is the conveying direction, by driving a motor according to commands from the control unit 33.

The chute section 50 is formed to be hollow. The chute section 50 may be formed to have a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The chute section 50 may also have a circular, elliptical, triangular, polygonal, or other cross-sectional shape.

The heating unit 39 melts the crushed ice supplied by the chute unit 50. The heating unit 39 is composed of, for example, a heater controlled by the control unit 33. The heating unit 39 is disposed outside the chute unit 50.

The heat insulating section 40 blocks heat radiation from the heating section 39 to the surroundings. The heat insulating section 40 is, for example, made of a heat insulating material. The heat insulating section 40 is arranged outside the chute section 50. The heat insulating section 40 is also arranged outside the heating section 39. Therefore, the chute section 50, the heating section 39, and the heat insulating section 40 are arranged in this order from the inside to the outside. The heating section 39 may be arranged inside the chute section 50. When the heating section 39 is arranged inside the chute section 50, the heat insulating section 40 may be arranged inside or outside the chute section 50. When the heat insulating section 40 is arranged inside the chute section 50, the heat insulating section 40 is arranged between the heating section 39 and the chute section 50. In this case, the heating section 39, the heat insulating section 40, and the chute section 50 are arranged in this order from the inside to the outside. When the insulation section 40 is placed outside the chute section 50, the chute section 50 is placed between the heating section 39 and the insulation section 40. In this case, the heating section 39, chute section 50, and insulation section 40 are placed in this order from inside to outside. The insulation section 40 prevents heat exchange from the heating section 39 placed outside or inside the chute section 50 to the cold air blown by the air blower section 37, and prevents a rise in temperature.

The blower 37 blows the cold air taken in from the intake 31 towards the humidifier 38. The blower 37 is, for example, a fan. The humidifier 38 is hollow. The humidifier 38 is formed of multiple ice-filled tanks 51 arranged in the Y direction. The ice-filled tanks 51 are formed with multiple holes that allow air and water to pass through at the inner and outer edges. The ice-filled tanks 51 are, for example, formed of mesh or punched holes. The air blown towards the humidifier 38 is humidified by the humidifier 38 and then discharged from the exhaust port 32.

The chute section 50, ice tank 51, heating section 39, and heat insulating section 40 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 3, 4A, and 4B. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged portion of the humidifier 30. Figure 4A is a plan view of a portion of the humidifier 30. Figure 4B is a side view of a portion of the humidifier 30.

At least a portion of the chute portion 50 is inserted into the upper portion 381 of the ice tank 51. The chute portion 50 is formed in a shape that guides the water w melted by the heating portion 39 to the inner edge 382 of the ice tank 51. For example, the chute portion 50 is formed in a skirt shape (flare shape) downward from the lower portion 361. The lower end portion 362 of the chute portion 50 contacts the inner edge 382 of the ice tank 51.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the ice i transported by the ice transporter 35 is transported to the chute section 50, the ice i falls through the inside of the chute section 50 due to gravity. Then, as the ice i passes through the chute section 50, it is melted by the heat provided by the heating section 39 arranged outside the chute section 50 and becomes water w. The ice i that has passed through the chute section 50 gradually accumulates in the ice-filled tank 51. As a result, the upper end of the ice i piled up in the ice-filled tank 51 approaches the chute section 50 as shown in FIG. 3, so that the ice i is melted by the heat provided by the heating section 39 arranged outside the chute section 50 and becomes water w. The melted water w flows along the heating section 39 and the lower end 362 of the chute section 50 and can wet the inner edge 382 of the ice-filled tank 51. The water w that has wet the inner edge 382 can wet the outer edge 381 of the ice-filled tank 51. This allows the surface of the ice tank 51 to be kept wet, increasing the amount of humidification when cold air is blown by the air blower 37. If the heating unit 39 is placed inside the chute unit 50, the ice i comes into direct contact with the heating unit 39 as it passes through the chute unit 50, and is melted by the heat provided by the heating unit 39 to become water w.

As shown in Figures 3, 4A, and 4B, the humidifier 30 of this embodiment is equipped with a heat insulating section 40 that blocks heat dissipation from the heating section 39 to the surroundings. This allows the amount of humidification to be increased without increasing the temperature of the basic cold air supplied from the cooling section 20, preventing a rise in temperature inside the storage cabinet 10. At the same time, heat exchange between the basic cold air and the heating section 39 can be prevented, reducing energy costs.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the humidifier according to the present invention will be described. The basic configuration of the humidifier of the second embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

Figures 5A and 5B are diagrams showing the configuration of a conventional humidifier 30'. Figure 5A is a plan view simulating a portion of a conventional humidifier 30'. Figure 5B is a side view simulating a portion of a conventional humidifier 30'.

As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, in the conventional humidifier 30', multiple ice tanks 51 are arranged in groups of three along the Y direction. In this case, the cold air blown from the blower 37 toward the humidifier 38 escapes through, for example, the gap 71a between the ice tanks 51a and 51b, or the gap 71b between the ice tank 51c and the side wall of the humidifier 30'.

As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, in the conventional humidifier 30', the chute unit 50 is disposed above the humidifier unit 38. In this case, the cool air blown from the blower unit 37 toward the humidifier unit 38 escapes through, for example, the gap 72a between the chutes 50a and 50b.

As a result, the amount of cool air that comes into contact with the humidifying unit 38 is reduced, and the amount of humidification by the humidifying unit 38 is reduced. Therefore, in addition to the configuration of the humidifying unit 30 of the first embodiment, the humidifying device of the second embodiment further includes a shielding plate that prevents a gap from being formed between the chute unit 50 and the humidifying unit 38.

Figures 6A and 6B are diagrams showing the configuration of the humidifier 30 of the second embodiment. Figure 6A is a plan view simulating a portion of the humidifier 30 of the second embodiment. Figure 6B is a side view simulating a portion of the humidifier 30 of the second embodiment.

The second embodiment of the humidifier 30 shown in Figures 6A and 6B includes a first shielding plate 61 as a shielding plate. In the second embodiment, the supply section 36 of the humidifier 30 is formed by a plurality of chute sections 50. In the example of Figures 6A and 6B, the plurality of chute sections 50 are disposed above each humidifier section 38. The first shielding plate 61 is disposed so as to shield the gaps between the chute sections 50.

In the example of Figures 6A and 6B, the first shielding plate 61 is formed to shield each chute section 50 on the front side (i.e., the -X direction side) where cold air is supplied from the blower section 37. This allows the cold air blown from the blower section 37 towards the humidifier section 38 to be supplied to the humidifier section 38 without passing through the gap 72a between the chutes 50a, 50b as in the conventional example shown in Figures 5A and 5B. As a result, the amount of cold air supplied to the humidifier section 38 can be increased, and the amount of humidification by the humidifier section 38 can be increased.

Third Embodiment
Next, a third embodiment of the humidifier according to the present invention will be described. The basic configuration of the humidifier of the third embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

Figures 7A and 7B are diagrams showing the configuration of a humidifier 30 according to a third embodiment. Figure 7A is a plan view simulating a portion of a humidifier 30 according to the third embodiment. Figure 7B is a side view simulating a portion of a humidifier 30 according to the third embodiment.

In the third embodiment of the humidifier 30 shown in Figures 7A and 7B, second shielding plates 62a and 62b are provided as shielding plates. In the third embodiment, the humidifier section 38 of the humidifier 30 is formed by a plurality of ice tanks 51. In the example of Figures 7A and 7B, the plurality of ice tanks 51 are arranged in groups of three along the Y direction. The second shielding plate 62a is arranged so as to shield the gaps between the ice tanks 51. The second shielding plate 62b is arranged so as to shield the gaps between the ice tanks 51 and the side wall of the humidifier 30.

In the example of Figures 7A and 7B, the second shielding plate 62a is formed in a V-shape along the side of the ice tank 51 between the ice tanks 51. This allows the cold air blown from the blower 37 toward the humidifier 38 to come into contact with the surface of the ice tank 51 without passing through the gap 71a between the ice tanks 51a and 51b as in the conventional case shown in Figures 5A and 5B. As a result, the amount of humidification by the humidifier 38 can be increased.

In the example of Figures 7A and 7B, the second shielding plate 62b is formed obliquely along the side of the ice tank 51c between the ice tank 51c and the side wall of the humidifier 30. This allows the cold air blown from the blower 37 toward the humidifier 38 to come into contact with the surface of the humidifier 38 without passing through the gap 71b between the humidifier ice tank 51c and the side wall of the humidifier 30' as in the conventional example shown in Figures 5A and 5B. As a result, the amount of humidification by the humidifier 38 can be increased.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the humidifier according to the present invention will be described. The basic configuration of the humidifier of the fourth embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

Figures 8A and 8B are diagrams showing the configuration of the humidifier 30 of the fourth embodiment. Figure 8A is a plan view simulating a portion of the humidifier 30 of the fourth embodiment. Figure 8B is a side view simulating a portion of the humidifier 30 of the fourth embodiment.

The fourth embodiment of the humidifier 30 shown in Figures 8A and 8B includes the first shielding plate 61 described in the second embodiment and the second shielding plates 62a and 62b described in the third embodiment as shielding plates. The details of the first shielding plate 61 and the second shielding plates 62a and 62b overlap with the explanations of the second and third embodiments, so the explanation will be simplified.

In the fourth embodiment of the humidifier 30, in addition to the first shielding plate 61, second shielding plates 62a and 62b are provided. As a result, the cold air blown from the blower 37 toward the humidifier 38 does not escape through the gap 72a between the chutes 50a and 50b, the gap 71a between the ice tanks 51a and 51b, or the gap 71b between the ice tank 51c located immediately adjacent to the side wall of the humidifier 30' and the side wall of the humidifier 30', as in the conventional case shown in Figures 5A and 5B. As a result, it can be brought into contact along the surface of the humidifier 38, and the amount of humidification by the humidifier 38 can be increased.

Fifth Embodiment
Next, a fifth embodiment of the humidifier according to the present invention will be described. The basic configuration of the humidifier of the fifth embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

Figures 9A and 9B are diagrams showing the configuration of a humidifier 30 according to a fifth embodiment. Figure 9A is a plan view simulating a portion of a humidifier 30 according to the fifth embodiment. Figure 9B is a side view simulating a portion of a humidifier 30 according to the fifth embodiment.

In the fifth embodiment of the humidifier 30 shown in Figures 9A and 9B, another ice tank 78 is provided between the multiple ice tanks 51. In the example of Figures 9A and 9B, the multiple ice tanks 38 are arranged in groups of three along the Y direction. The other ice tank 78 is arranged between the ice tanks 51 along the side of the other ice tanks 51. This allows the cold air blown from the blower 37 toward the humidifier 38 to come into contact with the surface of the newly provided other ice tank 78 without passing through the gap 71a between the ice tanks 51a and 51b as in the conventional case shown in Figures 5A and 5B. As a result, the amount of humidification can be increased by the ice tank 78.

In addition, in the fifth embodiment, a second shielding plate 62b may be provided, as in the second embodiment. This allows the cold air blown from the blower 37 toward the humidifier 38 to come into contact with the surface of the humidifier 38 without passing through the gap 71b between the ice tank 38c and the side wall of the humidifier 30', as in the conventional case shown in Figures 5A and 5B. As a result, the amount of humidification by the humidifier 38 can be increased.

The humidifier of the present invention has the effect of increasing the amount of humidification when humidifying with ice, and is suitable for all humidifiers.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Storage 20 Cooling section 30 Humidifying device 31 Inlet 32 Outlet 33 Control section 34 Ice maker 35 Ice conveyor 36 Supply section 37 Blower section 38 Humidifying section 39 Heating section 40 Insulation section 50 Shooter section 51 Ice-filled tank 61 First shielding plate 62a Second shielding plate 62b Second shielding plate 78 Ice-filled tank 100 Temperature and humidity control device

Claims (12)

a supply unit for supplying crushed ice;
A blower that blows basic cool air;
A humidification unit that humidifies the basic cool air blown from the blowing unit by the crushed ice supplied by the supply unit;
A humidifier comprising: a heating unit that melts the crushed ice supplied by the supply unit. The humidifier according to claim 1,
The supply section is formed in a hollow shape,
A humidifier characterized by: The humidifier according to claim 1,
The humidifying unit includes an ice-filled tank having a plurality of holes formed between an inner edge and an outer edge to allow air and water to pass therethrough,
The supply unit is hollow and shaped to guide water melted by the heating unit to an inner edge of the ice-filled tank . The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The heating section is disposed outside or inside the supply section.
A humidifier characterized by: The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A humidifier, wherein at least a portion of the supply section is inserted into an upper portion of the humidifier section. The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The humidifier further comprises a heat insulating section that insulates the heating section from the surroundings. The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The humidifier further comprises a shielding plate that closes a gap formed between the supply unit and the humidifier unit. The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ,
The supply unit is formed by a plurality of shooters ,
The apparatus further includes a first shielding plate for shielding the gap between the chute portions.
A humidifier characterized by: The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ,
The humidification section is formed by a plurality of ice-filled tanks,
The ice storage tank further includes a second shielding plate for shielding the gap between the ice storage tanks.
A humidifier characterized by: The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ,
Further comprising a first shielding plate and a second shielding plate ,
The supply unit is formed by a plurality of shooters,
The first shielding plate shields the gap between the chute portions,
The humidification section is formed by a plurality of ice-filled tanks,
The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the second shielding plate shields the gap between the ice-filled tanks. The humidifier according to claim 9 or 10,
The side surfaces of the ice tanks are inclined with respect to the direction of the basic cold air blown by the blower,
The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the second shielding plate is formed between the ice tanks and inclined along the inclination of the ice tanks. The humidifier according to any one of claims 9 to 11,
A humidifying device comprising: an ice tank for storing ice; a water tank for storing ice;

Images