JP2003189986A - Open showcase and its operation control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an open showcase capable of properly securing a displaying space for commodities corresponding to demand of customers with a change of seasons or the like by changing over cold insulation and heat insulation of a commodity housing part and not exchanging the open showcase. <P>SOLUTION: The open showcase 10 has the commodity housing part 21 formed in a showcase body 11, a cold insulating means of insulating cold by covering the commodity housing part 21 by an air curtain of cold air, and a heating means composed of heaters 22a and 22b provided in a plurality of display shelves 22 in the commodity storing part 21. It has an operation control means of changing over the cold insulation and the heat insulation of the commodity housing part 21 by controlling operation of the cold insulating means and operation of the heat insulating means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to storing and storing refrigerated products.
The present invention relates to an open showcase having a product storage unit for displaying, which has a product display unit capable of storing and displaying hot products, and an operation control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in stores such as supermarkets and convenience stores, refrigerated products such as refrigerated foods and fresh foods are provided with an opening for taking out the product at the front of the main body case, and the opening is cooled. An open showcase for refrigeration is widely used, which is covered with an air curtain to keep the product storage in the refrigerator cool.

[0003] On the other hand, for example, in the winter season, as a showcase for displaying and keeping warm products such as hot dishes, the display shelf provided in the product storage unit is provided with a heater. Is used. As described above, conventionally, either a refrigerating showcase or a refrigerating showcase has been used according to the demand of customers in each season.

[0004]

However, the conventional open showcase described above has only one function of refrigeration or warm storage. Therefore, in order to switch between refrigerating and hot storage, it is necessary to replace the showcase itself, but this is difficult especially in small stores such as convenience stores. It was not possible to effectively utilize the display space. In other words, in winter, demand for refrigerated products will decrease compared to summer, and demand for refrigerated products will increase. Therefore, some open showcases will be replaced with those for refrigeration only. Is desirable. However, it is difficult to replace at the small stores,
Generally, an open showcase for refrigeration is left as it is, and a small showcase installed on a customer service counter in a store is used as a dedicated one for hot storage separately. Therefore, in the winter, chilled products, whose demand will decrease, will be displayed in open showcases with a large display area, and in demand, hot products will be displayed in a showcase with a narrow display area. There was a problem that the products could not be displayed.

In view of the above, the present invention properly secures a product display space that meets customer demand due to seasonal changes and the like by switching between cold storage and heat storage of the product storage portion without replacing the open showcase. The purpose is to provide an open showcase that can be used.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has a main body case having a substantially U-shaped cross section having an opening for taking out goods on the front surface, and a plurality of product displays in the main body case. In an open showcase including a product storage unit including a shelf and a cold storage unit that cools the product storage unit with an air curtain of cold air, the display unit includes one or a plurality of heat generating members provided in the product display shelf. Heating means,
Operation control means is provided for switching between the operation of the cold storage means and the operation of the heating means to bring the entire inside of the product storage unit into a cold storage state or a heat retention state. As a result, it is possible to display the products according to the customer's demand due to changes in seasons and the like. Further, the operation control means includes a temperature control means for performing on / off control of energization of the heat generating member for each product display shelf, and further provided on the product display shelf in correspondence with the heat generating member. The temperature control means for detecting the temperature of each of the displayed display shelves, the temperature control means, in the heat retention state,
According to the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means, ON / OFF control of energization to the heat generating member is performed,
During the warming operation, appropriate temperature control can be performed for each display shelf. By arranging the heat generating member on each of the front end side and the rear end side of the product display rack, the supplementary product placed on the rear end side of the product display rack can be quickly brought to an appropriate temperature. .

Further, according to the operation control method of the present invention, a product storage unit having a plurality of product display shelves is provided in a main body case having a substantially U-shaped cross section having an opening for taking out products at the front surface, and the cold storage means is provided. According to the above, in the operation control method of the open showcase in which an air curtain of cold air is formed in the product storage unit to cool the product, the operation of the cold storage unit is controlled to be off, and the heat generating member provided in the product display shelf is controlled. The energization is on-controlled to keep the product storage unit warm. As a result, the product storage portion can be easily kept in the cold state or the warm state without replacing the open showcase, and the products can be displayed according to the customer's demand due to seasonal changes or the like. Further, when keeping the temperature of the product storage unit, ON / OFF control of energization to the heat generating member is performed for each of the product display shelves, and further, detection by a temperature detecting means provided corresponding to the heat generating member. By controlling the power supply to the heat generating member to be turned on and off according to the temperature, it is possible to perform appropriate temperature control for each display shelf during the heat retention operation. Further, heat generating members are arranged on the front end side and the rear end side of the product display shelf, respectively, and when the product storage unit is kept warm, according to the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means,
By controlling the energization of any one of the heat generating members arranged on the front end side or the rear end side and controlling the other off,
It is possible to reduce variations in the temperature of the entire display shelf,
In addition, the supplemented product can be appropriately warmed without requiring a large capacity heater.

Further, when the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means is equal to or lower than a preset lower limit temperature, among the heat generating members arranged on the front end side or the rear end side of the commodity display shelf,
By controlling the energization of only the heat generating member on the side corresponding thereto for a predetermined time and turning off the energization of the heat generating member on the other side for the predetermined time, the supplemented product can be quickly brought to an appropriate temperature. Furthermore, before the predetermined time has elapsed,
When the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means corresponding to the on-controlled heat generating means becomes higher than a preset upper limit temperature, the heating means is turned off to optimize the quality of the product. The temperature can be maintained.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an open showcase to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a display shelf used in the open showcase of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, an open showcase 10 according to the present embodiment includes a showcase main body 11 having a substantially U-shaped cross section, which has an opening 20 for taking out products.
The product storage unit 2 formed in the showcase body 11
1, and a cold storage unit that covers the product storage unit 21 with a cool air curtain to cool it. As the cooling means, a fan 13 provided in the duct 12 and a cooler 14 for cooling air drawn into the duct 12 by the fan 13 are provided. The product storage portion 21 is cooled by blowing air as an air curtain from the honeycomb-shaped blowout port 15 provided in, and sucking it from the suction port 16 provided at the lower part of the main body case 11 to circulate cool air.

The product storage section 21 is provided with a plurality of display shelves 22, and a bar-shaped heater 22a is provided on each of the front and rear ends of the display shelves 22 as a heating member constituting a heating means. , 22b are provided. The heater 22a on the front end side and the heater 22b on the rear end side are provided so as to have a substantially U-shape, and are arranged so that the inner peripheral sides of the U-shape face each other. In this respect, in the conventional showcase exclusively for hot storage, the heater is arranged only on the front end of the display shelf 22 near the opening 20, but in this case, the supplementary product etc. placed on the rear end side are There is a problem that it is difficult to heat and a large capacity heater is required. In addition, the display shelf 22
There is a problem that variations occur in the overall temperature. Therefore, in this embodiment, the heaters 22a and 22b are provided at the front end and the rear end, respectively. Further, corresponding to the heaters 22a and 22b, the temperature sensors 23a and 23b as the temperature detecting means have the U-shaped heater 22.
It is arranged at the approximate center of the inner peripheral side of a, 22b.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, each heater 22
A temperature control device 24 is provided for performing a heat retention operation by controlling on / off of energization to a and 22b. The temperature control device 24 includes heaters 22a and 22b, temperature sensors 23a and 23b, and optional Is connected to a temperature setter 25 capable of inputting the temperature. In the present embodiment, one temperature control device 24 is provided for every two stages of the display shelf 22. The temperature control device 24 turns on the energization of the heaters 22a and 22b according to the set temperature input to the temperature setter 25 and the detected temperatures of the temperature sensors 23a and 23b.
Off control is performed. Here, in addition to the optimum temperature for keeping the displayed products warm, the temperature setter 25 has a lower limit temperature (a temperature difference between the optimum temperature and the detected temperature) as a temperature for switching from normal operation to rapid heat operation, which will be described later. Setting) and the upper limit temperature (limit temperature) as a limit for maintaining the quality of displayed products. Although not shown in the figure, a temperature control device that performs a cold insulation operation by controlling the on / off of the fan 13 and the like, and an operation control device that switches the cold insulation operation or the warm insulation operation by each temperature control device are provided. There is. This makes it possible to switch between refrigeration and hot storage of products without replacing the open showcase, and it is possible to display products that meet customer demand due to seasonal changes and the like.

Next, an operation control method during the warming operation of the open showcase 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the operation control similar to that in the related art is performed during the cold insulation operation, and thus the description thereof is omitted.
As a premise, the operation control device provided in the open showcase 10 switches from the cold keeping operation to the warm keeping operation. In this case, the temperature control device that performs the cold insulation operation controls the power supply to the fan 13 to be turned off, and the circulation of the cool air that forms the air curtain is stopped. In addition, control is performed to stop the operation of each device that is not needed during the heat retention operation, such as turning off the power to the dew-proof heater.

After that, a temperature control device 24 for performing a heat retention operation
Thus, the normal operation shown in the processing flow of FIG. 4 is performed. As shown in this figure, first, the heater 2 on the front end side of the display shelf 22 is displayed.
A process for controlling the on / off of the power supply of 2a is performed. In this case, the detected temperature FS of the temperature sensor 23a on the front end side is compared with the corresponding set temperature FTS previously input to the temperature setter 25 (step S401) to detect the detected temperature F.
When S is low, the energization of the heater 22a on the front end side is turned on (step S402). On the other hand, when the detected temperature FS is higher than the set temperature FTS, the energization of the heater 22a is controlled to be off (step S403), and then the control process of the heater 22b on the rear end side is performed. In this case, the detected temperature BS of the temperature sensor 23b on the rear end side is compared with the corresponding set temperature BTS previously input to the temperature setter 25 (step S404), and when the detected temperature BS is low, ,
The energization of the heater 22b on the rear end side is turned on (step S405). On the other hand, when the detected temperature BS is higher than the set temperature BTS, the heater 22b on the rear end side is turned off (step S406). Thus, during normal operation, the front end side heater 22a is energized and the rear end side heater 2 is energized according to the temperatures detected by the temperature sensors 23a and 23b.
The on / off control of the energization of 2b is repeated.

As described above, in the normal operation, the temperature control on the front end side, which is affected by the outside air from the opening 20, is preferentially performed, and the temperature control on the rear end side is supplementarily performed. . Thereby, the commodities placed on the front and rear sides of the display shelf 22 can be appropriately heated. That is, even when the front-end heater 22a sufficiently warms the display product placed on the front end side, the display product placed on the rear end side may not be sufficiently warmed. Appropriate temperature control can be performed by supplementarily using the heater 22b on the rear end side according to the temperature detected by each of the temperature sensors 23a and 23b.

On the other hand, when replenishing the display shelves 22 with products, it is necessary to preferentially heat the replenished products in order to bring them to an appropriate temperature quickly. Normally, in such an open showcase 10, since the replenishment product is placed on the rear side of each display shelf 22, the temperature control on the rear end side is prioritized when replenishing the product. FIG. 5: is a figure which shows the process flow regarding the rapid heating operation at the time of such a product replenishment. First, during the above-described normal operation, the temperature difference X between the set temperature BTS input to the temperature setter 25 on the rear end side and the corresponding detected temperature BS of the temperature sensor 23b is calculated, The result is a preset temperature difference set value (see FIG. 5).
Then, it is determined whether or not the setting value = 3) or more (step S
501). As a result, when the value of the temperature difference X is equal to or more than the set value, the normal operation is switched to the fast heating operation, and the temperature difference X
The heater 22a on the front end side is turned off and the heater 22b on the rear end side is turned on until a preset on-time BT elapses according to the value of (step S50).
2). On the other hand, as a result of the determination (step S501), if the value of the temperature difference X is smaller than the set value, the normal operation is continued (step S503).

After switching to the fast heating operation, it is determined whether or not the set ON time BT has passed (step S50).
4) When the on-time BT has elapsed, the temperature control device 24 switches from the fast heating operation to the normal operation described above (step S503). On the other hand, if the ON time BT has not yet passed, the detected temperature BS of the temperature sensor 23b on the rear end side is compared with the preset upper limit temperature (step S505), and the detected temperature BS Is higher than the limit temperature, the heater 22 on the rear end side
The energization of b is turned off (step S506).

On the other hand, when the detected temperature BS is lower than the limit temperature, BT time, the heater 22b on the rear end side
The ON control of the energization of is continued.

After the energization of the heater 22b on the rear end side is turned off (step S506), the heater 22 on the front end side is controlled.
Regarding the energization of a, the on / off control is performed as in the normal operation (step S707), and when the detected temperature BS becomes lower than the limit temperature (step S508), the on-control of the heater 22b on the rear end side is performed. To do. On the other hand, if the detected temperature BS is higher than the limit temperature (step S
508) and the control to turn off the power supply to the heater 22b on the rear end side is continued (step S506).

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the temperature on the rear side becomes equal to or lower than the lower limit temperature, such as when replenishing products,
As the rapid heating operation, the energization of the heater 22b at the rear end is turned on for a predetermined time regardless of the optimum temperature.
Replenishment products can be quickly brought to an appropriate temperature. Also,
In the rapid heating operation, when the temperature on the rear side becomes equal to or higher than the upper limit temperature, the heater 2 at the rear end portion even before the predetermined time has elapsed.
Since the energization of 2b is controlled to be off, it is possible to maintain the optimum temperature for maintaining the quality of the product.

The operation control in the normal operation and the rapid heating operation may be carried out collectively for a plurality of display shelves, but it is desirable to carry out for each display shelf. Thereby, temperature control of each display shelf can be performed more appropriately. That is, since the display replenishment timings of the display shelves are different, it is possible to switch to the rapid heating operation or the like in accordance with the replenishment of the respective products. In addition, if all display shelves are collectively controlled for operation, warmed air may rise and only the upper display shelves may become hot, but control is performed for each display shelf. As a result, such a problem can be avoided.

The number of temperature control devices provided in the open showcase or the number of temperature sensors provided in each display shelf can be set arbitrarily, and a plurality of temperature sensors are provided for each heater. In this case, the energization of the heater may be controlled to be turned on and off based on the average value of the temperatures detected by the temperature sensors.

The number of heaters formed on the display rack is not limited to one at the front end and one at the rear end.
It is also possible to form a plurality at each of the front and rear ends. For example, as shown in FIG.
It is also possible to arrange one left side and one right side on each of the rear end sides. Also in this case, the temperature sensors 27a to 27d corresponding to the heaters 26a to 26d are provided as in the above-described embodiment.
Is provided. In this case, the heaters 26a, 26b and the heaters c, 26d arranged at the front and rear ends are set as one set, and the same operation control as described above is performed for each set. In this way, a plurality of sets of heaters provided at the front and rear ends are arranged side by side on one display shelf, and operation control is performed for each set, so that a plurality of types of products can be displayed on one display shelf. When placed, etc., appropriate temperature control can be performed according to the timing of replenishment of each product.

[0024]

As described above, according to the open showcase of the present invention, it is possible to switch between the heat retention and the cold retention of the product storage section without replacing the showcase itself, so that the customer's change due to a seasonal change or the like can be performed. It is possible to display products according to demand. Further, appropriate temperature control can be performed for each display shelf, and the supplemented product placed on the rear end side of the product display shelf can be quickly brought to an appropriate temperature. Furthermore, when the temperature becomes higher than a preset upper limit temperature, the heating unit is controlled to be off, so that the optimum temperature for maintaining the quality of the product can be maintained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an open showcase to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an arrangement of heaters in the open showcase of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main part of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation control method during normal operation of the open showcase of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an operation control method at the time of immediate heating operation of the open showcase of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing another example of arrangement of heaters in the open showcase of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 open showcase 11 Showcase body 12 ducts 13 fans 14 Cooler 15 Outlet 16 Suction port 20 openings 21 Product Storage 22 display shelves 22a, 22b heater 23a, 23b Temperature sensor 24 Temperature control device 25 Temperature setter 26a-d heater 27a-d temperature sensor

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A main body case having a substantially U-shaped cross section having an opening for taking out a product on the front surface, a product storage unit having a plurality of product display shelves in the main body case, and a cold storage for the product storage unit. In an open showcase provided with a cold insulation means for covering with an air curtain and keeping cold, a heating means composed of one or a plurality of heat generating members provided in the product display shelf, and an operation of the cold insulation means and the heating means. And an operation control unit that keeps the entire inside of the product storage unit in a cold keeping state or a warm keeping state. 2. The open show according to claim 1, wherein the operation control means includes a temperature control means for performing on / off control of energization of the heat generating member for each product display shelf. Case. 3. The product display shelf is provided with temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the surface of each display shelf provided corresponding to the heat generating member, and the temperature control means, in the heat retention state, the temperature detection means. The open showcase according to claim 1 or 2, wherein energization of the heat generating member is controlled to be turned on and off according to the detected temperature. 4. The open showcase according to claim 1, wherein the heat generating member is arranged on each of a front end side and a rear end side of the product display shelf. 5. A product storage unit provided with a plurality of product display shelves is provided in a main body case having a substantially U-shaped cross section having an opening for taking out products at the front surface, and the product storage unit is cooled by a cooler. In the operation control method of an open showcase for forming an air curtain to keep cold, the operation of the cold keeping unit is controlled to be off, and the power supply to the heat generating member provided in the product display shelf is controlled to be turned on. A method for controlling the operation of an open showcase, which is characterized by keeping the storage warm. 6. The open showcase according to claim 5, wherein when the product storage unit is kept warm, the power supply to the heat generating member is turned on and off for each product display shelf. Operation control method. 7. When the temperature of the commodity storage unit is kept warm, the energization of the heat generating member is controlled to be turned on and off according to the temperature detected by a temperature detecting means provided corresponding to the heat generating member. 7. The operation control method for an open showcase according to claim 5, wherein the operation control method is an open showcase. 8. A heat generating member is arranged on each of a front end side and a rear end side of the product display shelf, and when the product storage unit is kept warm, the front end side or The operation control method for an open showcase according to claim 7, wherein energization of one of the heat generating members arranged on the rear end side is on-controlled and the other is off-controlled. 9. When the detected temperature of the temperature detecting means is equal to or lower than a preset lower limit temperature, the heat generating member arranged on the front end side or the rear end side of the product display shelf is handled as a corresponding member. 9. The open according to claim 7, wherein energization of only the heat generating member on the heating side is on-controlled for a predetermined time, and energization of the heat generating member on the other side is off-controlled for the predetermined time. Showcase operation control method. 10. The temperature detected by the temperature detecting means corresponding to the on-controlled heat generating means before the predetermined time elapses,
The temperature control method for an open showcase according to claim 9, wherein when the temperature becomes higher than a preset upper limit temperature, the heating means is turned off.