US20090135587A1 - Showcase - Google Patents
Showcase Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20090135587A1 US20090135587A1 US12/274,599 US27459908A US2009135587A1 US 20090135587 A1 US20090135587 A1 US 20090135587A1 US 27459908 A US27459908 A US 27459908A US 2009135587 A1 US2009135587 A1 US 2009135587A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- led illumination
- illumination apparatus
- display chamber
- led
- door frame
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- A47F3/00—Show cases or show cabinets
- A47F3/001—Devices for lighting, humidifying, heating, ventilation
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- A47F3/00—Show cases or show cabinets
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- A47F11/00—Arrangements in shop windows, shop floors or show cases
- A47F11/06—Means for bringing about special optical effects
- A47F11/10—Arrangements of light sources
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- A47F3/00—Show cases or show cabinets
- A47F3/04—Show cases or show cabinets air-conditioned, refrigerated
- A47F3/0404—Cases or cabinets of the closed type
- A47F3/0426—Details
Definitions
- a showcase in which a display chamber is constituted in a main body constituted of an insulating box body having an open front surface and in which the front-surface opening is openably closed by a rotary glass door.
- a door frame made of a metal is attached to an opening edge of a main body on which the door abuts, and a magnet-embedded packing is attached to the outer edge of the door on an opening side.
- the door rotatable around one side of the opening comes in close contact with a metal frame member on the opening side by the magnetic force of a magnet provided in the door, and the closed state is maintained in a state in which cold air is effectively prevented from leaking.
- the above-mentioned door frame comes in contact with the outside, and comes close to the inside of the display chamber cooled to a predetermined temperature, so that dew condensation easily occurs owing to a difference between an outside temperature and a temperature in the display chamber.
- dew adheres to such an opening to wet the inside of the display chamber, the installation floor surface of the showcase or the like or a disadvantage that the dew flies and scatters by the opening/closing operation of the door.
- a fluorescent lamp or an LED illumination apparatus has been used as an illumination apparatus (e.g., see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-34047).
- the fluorescent lamp or the LED illumination apparatus for use as the illumination apparatus generates heat itself by the energization.
- the inside of the display chamber is cooled by a cooling apparatus for use, since the illumination apparatus is provided in the display chamber, there is a problem that the cooling efficiency of the cooling apparatus is lowered by the illumination apparatus generating the heat when lit.
- the turning ON/OFF or the illumination intensity of the illumination apparatus be adjusted, depending on whether or not a customer is present.
- the heretofore used fluorescent lamp requires a certain degree of time for realizing a predetermined illumination intensity immediately after the lamp is turned on.
- the fluorescent lamp is frequently turned on/off, which causes a problem that the life of the fluorescent lamp itself shortens.
- the heater for use in heating the door frame is constantly energized regardless of the turning ON/OFF of the illumination apparatus provided in the display chamber. Since the heat generated by the heater leaks into the display chamber, there is also a problem that the cooling efficiency of the cooling apparatus lowers.
- the present invention has been developed to solve a conventional technical problem, and an object thereof is to provide a showcase in which appropriate illumination can be realized by an LED illumination apparatus having a high durability against turning ON/OFF and capable of securing a predetermined illumination intensity even under an environment at a low temperature and in which dew condensation caused in a door frame can effectively be suppressed.
- a showcase in which the inside of a display chamber constituted in a main body so as to display commodities is illuminated by an LED illumination apparatus, characterized by comprising: a glass door which openably closes an opening of the display chamber; and a metal door frame which is provided in the main body so as to constitute an opening edge of the display chamber and on which the glass door abuts, wherein the LED illumination apparatus is provided on the surface of the door frame on the side of the display chamber in a heat exchange relation.
- a showcase of the invention of a second aspect is characterized in that the above invention further comprises: an electric heater which heats the surface of the door frame on the side of the glass door, wherein the electric heater is energized at a time when the LED illumination apparatus is turned off.
- a showcase of the invention of a third aspect is characterized in that in the invention of the first aspect, the LED illumination apparatus includes an electric heater, and the electric heater is energized at a time when the LED illumination apparatus is turned off.
- the showcase in which the inside of the display chamber constituted in the main body so as to display the commodities is illuminated by the LED illumination apparatus comprises the glass door which openably closes the opening of the display chamber; and the metal door frame which is provided in the main body so as to constitute the opening edge of the display chamber and on which the glass door abuts.
- the LED illumination apparatus is provided on the surface of the door frame on the side of the display chamber in the heat exchange relation.
- the heat of the LED illumination apparatus itself generated by energization can be transmitted to the surface of the door frame on the side of the display chamber, and the dew condensation of the door frame which easily causes the dew condensation owing to a difference between an outside air temperature and a temperature in the display chamber can effectively be suppressed.
- the showcase further comprises the electric heater which heats the surface of the door frame on the side of the glass door, and the electric heater is energized at a time when the LED illumination apparatus is turned off. Even in a case where the LED illumination apparatus is turned off and the door frame cannot be heated by the heat generated by the apparatus itself, when the LED illumination apparatus is turned off, the electric heater for heating the surface of the door frame on the glass door side can be energized to effectively suppress the dew condensation of the door frame.
- the LED illumination apparatus includes the electric heater, and the electric heater is energized at a time when the LED illumination apparatus is turned off.
- the electric heater is energized at a time when the LED illumination apparatus is turned off.
- FIG. 1 is a front view of a showcase to which the present invention is applied;
- FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged sectional view of the showcase of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a side view of an illumination apparatus
- FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of a substrate
- FIG. 6 is an electric block diagram of a control apparatus
- FIG. 7 is an electric circuit diagram showing the connection of a person detecting sensor.
- FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged sectional view of a showcase as another embodiment.
- FIG. 1 shows a front view of a showcase 1 to which the present invention is applied
- FIG. 2 shows a partially enlarged sectional view of the showcase 1
- the showcase 1 is a low-temperature showcase installed in a supermarket, a convenience store or the like, and a main body is constituted of an insulating box body (an insulating wall) 2 having an open front surface.
- This insulating box body 2 is constituted of an outer box 3 having an open front surface and formed of a steel plate; an inner box (not shown) assembled in this outer box 3 with a space being left between the inner box and the outer box, having an open front surface, and formed of a steel plate or a hard resin; and an insulating material with which a space between the outer box 3 and the inner box is foam-filled and which is made of foam polyurethane.
- a display chamber 5 is constituted in this inner box, and a front-surface opening 6 of the display chamber 5 across the upper and lower ends of the opening is openably closed by a plurality of (three in the present embodiment) rotary glass doors 7 , 7 and 7 through which the inside can be seen.
- Each of the glass doors 7 is constituted of a frame member 7 A constituting a door edge, and a glass plate 7 B which is provided in the frame member 7 A and through which the inside can be seen, and the rear surface of the frame member 7 A is provided with a gasket 7 C.
- a plurality of (in this case, the three doors 7 are provided, and hence two) pillars 8 are vertically provided with a predetermined space being left between the pillars.
- This pillar 8 is constituted of a vertically extending pole-like insulating material 40 , a door frame 45 which abuts on the front surface of the insulating material 40 to constitute the front surface of the pillar 8 , and an illumination attachment portion 46 provided so as to perform heat exchange between the portion and the door frame 45 .
- the insulating material 40 is provided with a hollow portion 40 A positioned substantially in the center of a transverse section so as to vertically extend.
- the door frame 45 abuts on the back surface (the gasket 7 C) of the glass door 7 which openably closes the front-surface opening 6 of the insulating box body 2 , and is constituted of a satisfactorily thermally conductive metal material.
- the illumination attachment portion 46 is constituted of a satisfactorily thermally conductive metal material in the same manner as in the door frame 45 .
- the front end of the portion is provided so as to abut on the rear surface of the door frame 45 , and the end of the portion is bent rearwards along the hollow portion 40 A of the insulating material 40 , and formed so as to extend rearwards as much as a predetermined dimension from the rear wall of the insulating material 40 .
- the rear end of this illumination attachment portion 46 is formed so as to tilt as much as a predetermined angle behind the center of the pillar 8 .
- the illumination attachment portion 46 may be constituted of a plurality of (in this case, two) plate-like members which abut on the inner walls (side surfaces) of the hollow portion 40 A of the insulating material 40 so as to efficiently release the heat transmitted via a holding member 21 and transmit the heat to the door frame 45 provided in the heat exchange relation with respect to the illumination attachment portion 46 .
- reference numeral 47 in the drawing is an insulating material with which a space surrounded by the illumination attachment portion 46 and the rear surface of the door frame 45 is filled.
- the gasket 7 C on the rear surface of each glass door 7 comes in close contact with the edge of the front-surface opening 6 and the door frame 45 constituting the front surface of the pillar 8 , to close the display chamber 5 .
- shelf pillars 10 are vertically provided in the back surface and front part of the display chamber 5 , and a plurality of stages of shelves 9 are disposed on the shelf pillars 10 . It is to be noted that the shelf pillars 10 are provided with a plurality of engagement holes formed with a predetermined space being left between the holes. When the engagement holes for disposing the shelves 9 are changed, the height positions of the shelves 9 can be changed.
- the shelf pillars 10 are provided in the back surface and front part of the display chamber 5 behind the pillars 8 . Therefore, the plurality of stages of shelves 9 are disposed behind the glass doors 7 .
- a cooler and a blower constituting a cooling apparatus R are installed in the upper part of the display chamber 5 .
- the cooler constitutes the cooling apparatus in which a so-called refrigerant cycle is constituted together with a compressor (not shown), a condenser (not shown) and the like separately installed.
- a compressor not shown
- a condenser not shown
- FIG. 3 shows a side view of the LED illumination apparatus 15
- FIG. 4 shows a partially enlarged view of FIG. 3
- FIG. 5 shows a partially enlarged view of a substrate 18 , respectively.
- the LED illumination apparatuses 15 are vertically provided on the inner side from the edge of the opening 6 of the insulating box body 2 constituting the main body, specifically on the front corners of the display chamber 5 and the pillars 8 .
- Each of the LED illumination apparatuses 15 is constituted of a plurality of LED illumination members 16 , holding members 21 holding the LED illumination members 16 and attached on the inner side from the edge of the opening 6 of the insulating box body 2 , shades 30 and cover members 61 .
- each of the LED illumination members 16 is constituted of a substrate 18 provided with a plurality of LED elements 17 and a plurality of electric heaters (resistors) 41 , and the substrate 18 is fixed to a satisfactorily thermally conductive attachment plate 20 .
- the substrate 18 is constituted so as to extend in a longitudinal direction, and the substrate 18 is provided with the plurality of LED elements 17 with a predetermined space being left between the elements.
- the LED elements 17 in the present embodiment are chip-type white LED elements.
- the predetermined number of the LED elements 17 regarded as one group are connected to a connector 42 provided in the end of the substrate, and the predetermined number of the electric heaters 41 regarded as one group are similarly connected to the connector 42 in parallel with the LED elements 17 .
- the attachment plate 20 is provided with screw holes so that the plate is fixed to the holding member 21 with screws.
- the holding member 21 is a satisfactorily thermally conductive metal member constituted so as to vertically extend with respect to the front-surface opening 6 of the insulating box body 2 .
- the holding member 21 has a substantially U-shaped section, and the upper and lower ends of the member are closed by the cover members 61 . This holding member 21 abuts on the illumination attachment portion 46 constituting the pillar 8 or the rear surface of the front wall of the insulating box body 2 constituting the front corner, when attached.
- a side wall 24 of the holding member 21 which faces the substantially U-shaped opening abuts on the illumination attachment portion 46 of the pillar 8 formed so as to extend rearwards, and is fixed to the portion with screws (not shown).
- This side wall 24 is provided with a plurality of vertically long extending elongated holes 26 . . .
- the elongated holes 26 are holes to be superimposed on the screw holes of the attachment plate 20 of the LED illumination member 16 so that the holding member is fixed with the screws, and the vertical attachment position of the LED illumination member 16 can be changed as much as the length dimension of the elongated holes 26 (the attachment position can be changed in an arrow direction of FIG. 4 ).
- the rear wall of the substantially U-shaped holding member 21 is provided with an engagement portion 27 to be engaged with the shade 30
- the front wall of the holding member is provided with a reflective plate portion 23 positioned behind the insulating material 40 of the pillar 8 and bent rearwards as much as a predetermined angle.
- the shade 30 is constituted of a light transmitting colorless transparent material for covering the holding member 21 from the outside, and the shade is detachably attached to the holding member 21 with decorative screws or the like.
- the holding member 21 is attached on the inner side from the edge of the opening 6 of the insulating box body 2 .
- the holding members are attached to both front corners of the display chamber 5 and the rearward extending illumination attachment portions 46 of the pillars 8 .
- the pillar 8 is positioned between the glass doors 7 and 7 , two holding members 21 are attached via the illumination attachment portions 46 provided on the pillar 8 so that the back surfaces of the side walls 24 face each other.
- the LED illumination apparatuses 15 provided in the front corners are attached so that irradiation light from the LED elements 17 is emitted toward the inside of the display chamber 5 .
- the attachment plates 20 provided with the LED elements 17 are attached to the side walls 24 of the holding members 21 , and the screw holes of the attachment plates 20 are superimposed on the elongated holes 26 to fix the attachment plates with the screws.
- the substrate 18 of the LED illumination apparatus 15 is provided on the surface of the door frame 45 on the display chamber 5 side in a heat exchange relation via the attachment plate 20 constituted of the satisfactorily thermally conductive material and the side wall 24 of the holding member 21 .
- the LED elements 17 of the LED illumination apparatus 15 are provided on the display chamber 5 side slightly from a position parallel to the front-surface opening 6 .
- the plurality of (four) LED illumination members 16 described above are attached to the holding member 21 .
- the LED illumination apparatus 15 may be constituted of the single LED illumination member 16 constituted across the upper and lower ends of the front-surface opening 6 , and the vertical position of the apparatus may be changed in accordance with the elongated holes 26 for the attachment.
- the apparatus is constituted of a plurality of LED illumination members 16 as in the present embodiment, production cost can be decreased, and handleability can be improved.
- the reflective plate portion 23 of the holding member 21 is positioned on the glass door 7 side of the LED illumination member 16 . Furthermore, on the opening side of the holding member 21 , the shade 30 for covering the LED illumination member 16 from the outside is attached. It is to be noted that the shade 30 is detachably engaged with the engagement portion 27 formed on the opening side of the holding member 21 and the end of the reflective plate portion 23 . In consequence, the shade 30 is attached so that the shade is directed to the inside of the display chamber 5 slightly from a position substantially parallel to the glass door 7 .
- the control apparatus C of the present embodiment is constituted of a versatile microcomputer. This control apparatus on an input side is connected to an illumination switch 53 of the LED illumination apparatus 15 , a person detecting sensor 11 which detects that a person has approached the showcase 1 , an illumination intensity sensor 48 for detecting an illumination intensity (the surrounding illumination intensity) in the store or the like where the showcase 1 is installed, a door opening/closing switch (door opening/closing detection means) 49 for detecting the opening/closing of each glass door 7 , and an in-chamber temperature sensor 50 for detecting a temperature in the display chamber 5 .
- the illumination intensity sensor 48 is provided on the outer surface of the main body 2 , for example, the top surface of the main body as a position which is not easily influenced by the shade of a peripheral device.
- the door opening/closing switch 49 since the plurality of (three) glass doors 7 are provided in the present embodiment, door opening/closing switches 49 A, 49 B and 49 C corresponding to the glass doors 7 . . . are provided in order from the left glass door 7 as one faces the front surface. It is to be noted that the person detecting sensor 11 will be described later.
- control apparatus C on an output side is connected to the cooling apparatus R constituted of the compressor, the blower and the like as described above, and is also connected to the LED elements 17 and the electric heaters 41 of the LED illumination apparatus 15 , respectively.
- the LED elements 17 are connected to the control apparatus C via an inverter 54 .
- control apparatus C on the output side is connected to a temperature display section (temperature display means) 51 provided on the front surface of the upper part of the main body 2 so as to display the temperature in the display chamber 5 or the present mode.
- the person detecting sensor 11 is connected to an LED illumination control section 32 constituting the control apparatus C via a terminal plate 31 for connection to the person detecting sensor.
- the person detecting sensor 11 is provided on, for example, the front surface of the center of the upper part of the insulating box body 2 or the like, and has therein a power source 33 of the person detecting sensor itself, and a person detecting contact 34 which detects the approaching of the person to open or close.
- the power source 33 is connected to a power source terminal 35 , and both sides of the person detecting contact 34 are connected to an output contact terminal 36 and a common contact terminal 37 .
- the terminal plate 31 provided in the showcase 1 main body is provided with a first connecting portion 55 , a second connecting portion 56 and a third connecting portion 57 .
- the first connecting portion 55 is connected to the power source on the side of the showcase 1 main body and the LED illumination control section 32
- the second connecting portion 56 is connected to the LED illumination control section 32
- the third connecting portion 57 is connected to the power source on the side of the showcase 1 main body via the illumination switch 53 provided in the showcase 1 main body.
- the power source on the side of the showcase 1 main body is connected to the LED elements 17 of the LED illumination apparatus 15 via a DC power source unit 58 in parallel with the LED illumination control section 32 .
- the power source terminal 35 of the person detecting sensor 11 is connected to the first connecting portion 55 of the terminal plate 31
- the output contact terminal 36 of the person detecting sensor 11 is connected to the second connecting portion 56 of the terminal plate 31
- the common contact terminal 37 of the person detecting sensor 11 is connected to the third connecting portion 57 of the terminal plate 31 .
- the LED illumination control section 32 turns off the LED illumination apparatus 15 after delay of a predetermined time of, for example, several ten seconds from a time when the person detecting sensor 11 is turned off.
- a short circuit line 60 is connected between the second connecting portion 56 and the third connecting portion 57 of the terminal plate 31 to cause short-circuiting, whereby the ON/OFF control of the LED illumination apparatus 15 can be performed by the ON/OFF control of the illumination switch 53 provided in the main body 2 . Therefore, when the person detecting sensor 11 is connected, the ON/OFF control of the LED illumination apparatus 15 can be performed by the ON/OFF control of the person detecting contact 34 provided in the person detecting sensor 11 . Moreover, when the person detecting sensor 11 is not connected, the short circuit line 60 causes the short circuit of each connecting portion of the terminal plate 31 , so that the ON/OFF control of the LED illumination apparatus 15 can be performed only by the illumination switch 53 on the main body 2 side.
- the control apparatus C detects an illumination intensity in the store (the surrounding area) where the showcase 1 is installed by the illumination intensity sensor 48 , and determines the maximum illumination intensity of the LED illumination apparatus 15 provided in the display chamber 5 based on the illumination intensity.
- the maximum illumination intensity is determined so that the inside of the display chamber 5 is brightened as much as a predetermined illumination intensity as compared with the surrounding illumination intensity detected by the illumination intensity sensor 48 .
- the control apparatus C energizes the LED elements 17 of the LED illumination apparatus 15 by the LED illumination control section 32 based on the detection output of the person detecting sensor 11 indicating that the person has approached the showcase 1 , that is, the person has entered a predetermined range of a distance from the showcase 1 . Therefore, in principle, the LED elements 17 of each LED illumination apparatus 15 are not energized and are turned off in a state in which the person detecting sensor 11 does not detect the approaching of the person.
- the LED illumination control section 32 of the control apparatus C controls a current/voltage for energizing the LED elements 17 of the LED illumination apparatus 15 so as to gradually increase the illumination intensity from a state in which the elements are turned off. Finally, the illumination intensity is increased to the maximum illumination intensity determined based on the surrounding illumination intensity as described above.
- each LED element 17 for illuminating the inside of the display chamber 5 is gradually increased based on the detection of the approaching of the person by the person detecting sensor 11 provided in the showcase 1 . Therefore, as compared with a case where the display chamber is rapidly illuminated by the LED elements 17 with a predetermined high illumination intensity, a customer can gradually be adapted to lights which can avoid a disadvantage that the customer is dazzled by the light or the like.
- the light from the LED elements 17 of the LED illumination members 16 fixed to the side walls 24 of the holding members 21 is emitted in a lateral direction (substantially parallel to the glass door 7 ) behind both the side portions of the glass door 7 .
- the LED elements are formed so as to slightly tilt rearwards (toward the display chamber 5 side) with respect to the edge of the opening 6 of the insulating box body 2 as described above.
- the light from the LED illumination apparatus 15 is emitted toward the front parts of the shelves 9 disposed in the display chamber 5 . Therefore, the light having high directivity can be emitted from the LED elements 17 to the front parts of the shelves 9 .
- the commodities on the shelves 9 especially on the foremost parts of the shelves can evenly satisfactorily be illuminated, and the front surfaces of the commodities can effectively be illuminated. Consequently, the illumination effect and display effect of the commodities can be improved.
- the LED illumination control section 32 of the control apparatus C gradually increases the illumination intensity from the state in which the LED elements 17 are turned off, and the section illuminates the inside of the display chamber 5 with the maximum illumination intensity determined based on the surrounding illumination intensity. Therefore, the brightness of each LED element 17 of the LED illumination apparatus 15 of the showcase 1 can be determined in accordance with the brightness of a surrounding area such as the store where the showcase 1 is installed, and incompatibility with the surrounding illumination can be avoided.
- the inside of the display chamber 5 can effectively be illuminated by the LED illumination apparatus 15 with an appropriate illumination intensity, and the improvement of the illumination effect can be realized.
- the LED illumination control section 32 of the control apparatus C stops the energization of the LED elements 17 of the LED illumination apparatus 15 to turn off the LED elements.
- the showcase when the person approaches the showcase 1 , the showcase is illuminated by the LED illumination apparatus 15 with a bright illumination intensity, so that it is possible to suppress the high rise of running cost due to the lighting of the LED illumination apparatus 15 more than necessary.
- the LED illumination control section 32 of the control apparatus C executes presenting illumination in a state in which the LED illumination apparatus 15 is lit while the person detecting sensor 11 detects the approaching of the person as described above, or for a predetermined time after the non-detection of the approaching of the person.
- the control apparatus C controls the current/voltage for energizing the LED elements 17 of the LED illumination apparatus 15 to perform the bright/dark control of the illumination intensity of the LED illumination apparatus 15 periodically between the maximum illumination intensity and the turned-off state.
- the LED elements are turned off as a dark state, but this is not restrictive, and the dark illumination intensity may have a predetermined minimum illumination intensity (a state in which the LED elements are not turned off).
- the illumination presentation effect of the LED illumination apparatus 15 can be improved, and the sales effect of the commodities in the display chamber 5 can be improved.
- the control apparatus C controls the current/voltage for energizing the LED elements 17 of the LED illumination apparatus 15 illuminating the display chamber 5 part closed by the corresponding glass door 7 to decrease the illumination intensity of the LED illumination apparatus 15 .
- the control apparatus C lights the LED illumination apparatus 15 with an original illumination intensity, that is, the maximum illumination intensity in this case.
- the door opening/closing switch 49 A detects that the glass door 7 has been opened. Based on this detection, the control apparatus C decreases the illumination intensities of the LED illumination apparatuses 15 provided for the glass door 7 , specifically, the LED illumination apparatus 15 provided in the left front corner of the display chamber 5 as one faces the front surface, and the LED illumination apparatus 15 provided on a side opposite to the above LED illumination apparatus 15 via the glass door 7 , that is, the LED illumination apparatus 15 provided on the left side of the pillar 8 positioned on the left side as one faces the front surface.
- the control apparatus C decreases the illumination intensity of the LED illumination apparatus 15 . Therefore, the intense light from the LED illumination apparatus 15 to the front part of the display chamber 5 , which has been blocked by the closed glass door 7 , can be prevented from directly entering customer's eyes or the like at a time when the glass door 7 is opened.
- control apparatus C may gradually or immediately perform the illumination intensity change accompanying the opening/closing operation of the glass door 7 .
- the illumination intensity is gradually changed, the incompatibility with the presenting illumination of the whole showcase 1 can be eased.
- the illumination intensity is immediately changed, it is possible to early eliminate a disadvantage that the light to the front part of the display chamber 5 which has been blocked by the glass door 7 enters the customer's eyes at a time when the glass door 7 is opened.
- the control apparatus C executes the illumination intensity control of the LED illumination apparatus 15 as described above.
- the control apparatus C beforehand holds, as a high temperature value, an in-chamber temperature supposed as a temperature having a high possibility that the LED illumination apparatus 15 itself might remarkably incur deterioration, failure or the like. It is to be noted that the high temperature value can arbitrarily be set.
- control apparatus C controls the current/voltage for energizing the LED elements 17 of the LED illumination apparatus 15 to decrease the illumination intensity.
- the illumination intensity is decreased to an illumination intensity of about 50% of the maximum illumination intensity. It is to be noted that the illumination intensity is not limited to this example, and based on the detection of the high temperature value, the LED illumination apparatus 15 may be turned off, or the illumination intensity of the LED illumination apparatus 15 may gradually be decreased.
- the heat generated from the energized LED elements 17 themselves of the LED illumination apparatus 15 can be decreased. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a disadvantage that the LED illumination apparatus 15 is lit with the bright illumination intensity in a state in which the inside of the display chamber 5 is not cooled to a predetermined cooling temperature in the trial operation mode or the non-cooling mode to abnormally heat the LED elements 17 of the LED illumination apparatus 15 and cause the deterioration or failure of the elements themselves.
- the control apparatus C displays the trial operation mode or the non-cooling mode at present by the temperature display section 51 provided in the main body 2 of the showcase 1 .
- each LED element 17 constituting the LED illumination apparatus 15 has a high durability against turning ON/OFF as compared with a fluorescent lamp heretofore used as the illumination apparatus, and the element can secure a predetermined illumination intensity following ON/OFF control even under an environment at a low temperature, so that appropriate illumination control can be realized.
- the LED element 17 has a remarkably long life as compared with the fluorescent lamp, and hence can obviate the need for an illumination replacing operation. In consequence, the need for a laborious operation such as the constant storage of a replacing component or the disposal of wastes discharged due to the replacement can be obviated.
- the LED elements 17 are energized by the control of the current/voltage for energizing the LED elements 17 of each LED illumination apparatus 15 as described above, the substrate 18 provided with the LED elements 17 generates heat. As the energization is large, the heat increases. Therefore, when the inside of the display chamber 5 is illuminated by the LED elements 17 , the heat is transmitted to the satisfactorily thermally conductive attachment plate 20 to which the substrate 18 is attached and the side wall 24 of the satisfactorily thermally conductive holding member 21 to which the attachment plate 20 is attached.
- this side wall 24 is provided so as to abut on the door frame 45 made of the metal, the heat generated by the LED illumination apparatus 15 is transmitted to the door frame 45 provided in a heat exchange relation. Since the door frame 45 comes in contact with the outside, dew condensation is easily caused by a difference between the outside air temperature and the temperature in the display chamber 5 . However, the door frame 45 can be heated by the heat generated by the LED illumination apparatus 15 , and hence the dew condensation of the door frame 45 can effectively be suppressed.
- the heat generated by the energization of the LED elements 17 is used in heating the door frame 45 , the heat can smoothly be released from the substrate 18 provided with the LED elements 17 , and the deterioration or failure of the LED illumination apparatus 15 can be prevented or suppressed. Furthermore, the deterioration of a cooling efficiency in the display chamber 5 can thus be decreased.
- the control apparatus C energizes the electric heaters 41 provided on the substrate 18 together with the LED elements 17 .
- the heat of the electric heaters 41 generated by the energization can be transmitted to the surface of the door frame 45 on the display chamber 5 side to effectively suppress the dew condensation of the door frame 45 .
- the LED elements 17 or the electric heaters 41 constituting the LED illumination apparatus 15 are energized. Consequently, unlike the conventional example, an electric heater does not have to be especially embedded in the door frame 45 .
- the surface of the door frame 45 on the glass door 7 side is heated by the energization of the LED elements 17 , the need for the separate energization of the electric heater is obviated during the illumination by the LED illumination apparatus 15 , and the running cost can be decreased.
- the electric heaters 41 for heating the door frame 45 are provided on the substrate 18 constituting the LED illumination apparatus 15 to heat the surface of the door frame 45 on the display chamber 5 side provided in a heat exchange relation with respect to the substrate 18 , but this is not restrictive, and a constitution shown in FIG. 8 may be used. That is, electric heaters 41 are not provided on a substrate 18 constituting an LED illumination apparatus 15 , LED elements 17 only may be arranged on the substrate, and electric heaters 52 may be embedded in the back surface of a door frame 45 constituting a pillar 8 .
- the electric heaters 52 heat the surface of the door frame 45 on a glass door 7 side by energization, and a control apparatus C energizes the electric heaters accompanying the stop of the energization of the LED elements 17 of the LED illumination apparatus 15 .
- the electric heaters 52 for heating the surface of the door frame 45 on the glass door 7 side can be energized to effectively suppress the dew condensation of the door frame 45 .
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
- Freezers Or Refrigerated Showcases (AREA)
- Arrangement Of Elements, Cooling, Sealing, Or The Like Of Lighting Devices (AREA)
- Refrigerator Housings (AREA)
Abstract
An object is to provide a showcase in which appropriate illumination is realized by an LED illumination apparatus having a high durability against turning ON/OFF and capable of securing a predetermined illumination intensity even under an environment at a low temperature and in which dew condensation caused in a door frame can effectively be suppressed. The showcase in which the inside of a display chamber constituted in a main body so as to display commodities is illuminated by the LED illumination apparatus includes a glass door which openably closes an opening of the display chamber, and a metal door frame which is provided in the main body so as to constitute an opening edge of the display chamber and on which the glass door abuts, and the LED illumination apparatus is provided on the surface of the door frame on the side of the display chamber in a heat exchange relation.
Description
- The present invention relates to a showcase in which the inside of a display chamber for displaying commodities is illuminated by an LED illumination apparatus.
- Heretofore, in a supermarket or a convenience store, a showcase has been used in which a display chamber is constituted in a main body constituted of an insulating box body having an open front surface and in which the front-surface opening is openably closed by a rotary glass door. To appropriately maintain the closed state of the door for use in such a showcase, a door frame made of a metal is attached to an opening edge of a main body on which the door abuts, and a magnet-embedded packing is attached to the outer edge of the door on an opening side.
- In the closed state, the door rotatable around one side of the opening comes in close contact with a metal frame member on the opening side by the magnetic force of a magnet provided in the door, and the closed state is maintained in a state in which cold air is effectively prevented from leaking.
- The above-mentioned door frame comes in contact with the outside, and comes close to the inside of the display chamber cooled to a predetermined temperature, so that dew condensation easily occurs owing to a difference between an outside temperature and a temperature in the display chamber. There occurs a disadvantage that dew adheres to such an opening to wet the inside of the display chamber, the installation floor surface of the showcase or the like or a disadvantage that the dew flies and scatters by the opening/closing operation of the door.
- Consequently, heretofore, to avoid the generation of such dew condensation in advance, in the opening edge of the main body on which the door abuts, a heater has been embedded in the inner surface of the door frame made of the metal, and the surface of the door frame on the side of the glass door has been heated constantly by the energization of the heater.
- On the other hand, to illuminate commodities displayed in the display chamber, a fluorescent lamp or an LED illumination apparatus has been used as an illumination apparatus (e.g., see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-34047).
- Moreover, the fluorescent lamp or the LED illumination apparatus for use as the illumination apparatus generates heat itself by the energization. In the showcase in which the inside of the display chamber is cooled by a cooling apparatus for use, since the illumination apparatus is provided in the display chamber, there is a problem that the cooling efficiency of the cooling apparatus is lowered by the illumination apparatus generating the heat when lit.
- To solve the problem, it is considered that the turning ON/OFF or the illumination intensity of the illumination apparatus be adjusted, depending on whether or not a customer is present. However, since the display chamber as a cooling space has a low temperature, the heretofore used fluorescent lamp requires a certain degree of time for realizing a predetermined illumination intensity immediately after the lamp is turned on. Moreover, the fluorescent lamp is frequently turned on/off, which causes a problem that the life of the fluorescent lamp itself shortens.
- On the other hand, the heater for use in heating the door frame is constantly energized regardless of the turning ON/OFF of the illumination apparatus provided in the display chamber. Since the heat generated by the heater leaks into the display chamber, there is also a problem that the cooling efficiency of the cooling apparatus lowers.
- The present invention has been developed to solve a conventional technical problem, and an object thereof is to provide a showcase in which appropriate illumination can be realized by an LED illumination apparatus having a high durability against turning ON/OFF and capable of securing a predetermined illumination intensity even under an environment at a low temperature and in which dew condensation caused in a door frame can effectively be suppressed.
- According to the invention of a first aspect, there is provided a showcase in which the inside of a display chamber constituted in a main body so as to display commodities is illuminated by an LED illumination apparatus, characterized by comprising: a glass door which openably closes an opening of the display chamber; and a metal door frame which is provided in the main body so as to constitute an opening edge of the display chamber and on which the glass door abuts, wherein the LED illumination apparatus is provided on the surface of the door frame on the side of the display chamber in a heat exchange relation.
- A showcase of the invention of a second aspect is characterized in that the above invention further comprises: an electric heater which heats the surface of the door frame on the side of the glass door, wherein the electric heater is energized at a time when the LED illumination apparatus is turned off.
- A showcase of the invention of a third aspect is characterized in that in the invention of the first aspect, the LED illumination apparatus includes an electric heater, and the electric heater is energized at a time when the LED illumination apparatus is turned off.
- According to the invention of the first aspect, the showcase in which the inside of the display chamber constituted in the main body so as to display the commodities is illuminated by the LED illumination apparatus comprises the glass door which openably closes the opening of the display chamber; and the metal door frame which is provided in the main body so as to constitute the opening edge of the display chamber and on which the glass door abuts. The LED illumination apparatus is provided on the surface of the door frame on the side of the display chamber in the heat exchange relation. In consequence, the heat of the LED illumination apparatus itself generated by energization can be transmitted to the surface of the door frame on the side of the display chamber, and the dew condensation of the door frame which easily causes the dew condensation owing to a difference between an outside air temperature and a temperature in the display chamber can effectively be suppressed.
- Consequently, it is possible to effectively avoid a disadvantage that the dew condensation occurs in the door frame to wet the inside of the display chamber, the installation floor surface of the showcase or the like. Moreover, it is possible to avoid a disadvantage that dew flies and scatters owing to the opening/closing operation of the glass door.
- According to the invention of the second aspect, in addition to the above invention, the showcase further comprises the electric heater which heats the surface of the door frame on the side of the glass door, and the electric heater is energized at a time when the LED illumination apparatus is turned off. Even in a case where the LED illumination apparatus is turned off and the door frame cannot be heated by the heat generated by the apparatus itself, when the LED illumination apparatus is turned off, the electric heater for heating the surface of the door frame on the glass door side can be energized to effectively suppress the dew condensation of the door frame.
- Moreover, according to the invention of the third aspect, in addition to the invention of the first aspect, the LED illumination apparatus includes the electric heater, and the electric heater is energized at a time when the LED illumination apparatus is turned off. In consequence, even in a case where the LED illumination apparatus is turned off and the door frame cannot be heated by the heat generated by the apparatus itself, when the LED illumination apparatus is turned off and the electric heater is energized, the heat generated by the electric heater can be transmitted to the surface of the door frame on the display chamber side to effectively suppress the dew condensation of the door frame.
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FIG. 1 is a front view of a showcase to which the present invention is applied; -
FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged sectional view of the showcase ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a side view of an illumination apparatus; -
FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view ofFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of a substrate; -
FIG. 6 is an electric block diagram of a control apparatus; -
FIG. 7 is an electric circuit diagram showing the connection of a person detecting sensor; and -
FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged sectional view of a showcase as another embodiment. - An embodiment of the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a front view of ashowcase 1 to which the present invention is applied, andFIG. 2 shows a partially enlarged sectional view of theshowcase 1. Theshowcase 1 is a low-temperature showcase installed in a supermarket, a convenience store or the like, and a main body is constituted of an insulating box body (an insulating wall) 2 having an open front surface. - This
insulating box body 2 is constituted of anouter box 3 having an open front surface and formed of a steel plate; an inner box (not shown) assembled in thisouter box 3 with a space being left between the inner box and the outer box, having an open front surface, and formed of a steel plate or a hard resin; and an insulating material with which a space between theouter box 3 and the inner box is foam-filled and which is made of foam polyurethane. - A
display chamber 5 is constituted in this inner box, and a front-surface opening 6 of thedisplay chamber 5 across the upper and lower ends of the opening is openably closed by a plurality of (three in the present embodiment)rotary glass doors glass doors 7 is constituted of aframe member 7A constituting a door edge, and aglass plate 7B which is provided in theframe member 7A and through which the inside can be seen, and the rear surface of theframe member 7A is provided with agasket 7C. - In the edge of the front-surface opening 6 of the
insulating box body 2, a plurality of (in this case, the threedoors 7 are provided, and hence two)pillars 8 are vertically provided with a predetermined space being left between the pillars. Thispillar 8 is constituted of a vertically extending pole-likeinsulating material 40, adoor frame 45 which abuts on the front surface of theinsulating material 40 to constitute the front surface of thepillar 8, and anillumination attachment portion 46 provided so as to perform heat exchange between the portion and thedoor frame 45. - The
insulating material 40 is provided with ahollow portion 40A positioned substantially in the center of a transverse section so as to vertically extend. Thedoor frame 45 abuts on the back surface (thegasket 7C) of theglass door 7 which openably closes the front-surface opening 6 of theinsulating box body 2, and is constituted of a satisfactorily thermally conductive metal material. Moreover, theillumination attachment portion 46 is constituted of a satisfactorily thermally conductive metal material in the same manner as in thedoor frame 45. The front end of the portion is provided so as to abut on the rear surface of thedoor frame 45, and the end of the portion is bent rearwards along thehollow portion 40A of theinsulating material 40, and formed so as to extend rearwards as much as a predetermined dimension from the rear wall of theinsulating material 40. The rear end of thisillumination attachment portion 46 is formed so as to tilt as much as a predetermined angle behind the center of thepillar 8. - It is to be noted that as described later, the
illumination attachment portion 46 may be constituted of a plurality of (in this case, two) plate-like members which abut on the inner walls (side surfaces) of thehollow portion 40A of theinsulating material 40 so as to efficiently release the heat transmitted via aholding member 21 and transmit the heat to thedoor frame 45 provided in the heat exchange relation with respect to theillumination attachment portion 46. Moreover,reference numeral 47 in the drawing is an insulating material with which a space surrounded by theillumination attachment portion 46 and the rear surface of thedoor frame 45 is filled. - According to such a constitution, the
gasket 7C on the rear surface of eachglass door 7 comes in close contact with the edge of the front-surface opening 6 and thedoor frame 45 constituting the front surface of thepillar 8, to close thedisplay chamber 5. - Moreover,
shelf pillars 10 are vertically provided in the back surface and front part of thedisplay chamber 5, and a plurality of stages ofshelves 9 are disposed on theshelf pillars 10. It is to be noted that theshelf pillars 10 are provided with a plurality of engagement holes formed with a predetermined space being left between the holes. When the engagement holes for disposing theshelves 9 are changed, the height positions of theshelves 9 can be changed. - It is to be noted that in the present embodiment, the
shelf pillars 10 are provided in the back surface and front part of thedisplay chamber 5 behind thepillars 8. Therefore, the plurality of stages ofshelves 9 are disposed behind theglass doors 7. - Furthermore, in the upper part of the
display chamber 5, a cooler and a blower constituting a cooling apparatus R (shown only inFIG. 6 ) are installed. The cooler constitutes the cooling apparatus in which a so-called refrigerant cycle is constituted together with a compressor (not shown), a condenser (not shown) and the like separately installed. When cold air from this cooler is forcibly circulated through thedisplay chamber 5 by the blower, the inside of thedisplay chamber 5 is cooled to a predetermined temperature. - Next, an
LED illumination apparatus 15 provided in thedisplay chamber 5 will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 2 to 5 .FIG. 3 shows a side view of theLED illumination apparatus 15,FIG. 4 shows a partially enlarged view ofFIG. 3 , andFIG. 5 shows a partially enlarged view of asubstrate 18, respectively. - In the present embodiment, the
LED illumination apparatuses 15 are vertically provided on the inner side from the edge of theopening 6 of the insulatingbox body 2 constituting the main body, specifically on the front corners of thedisplay chamber 5 and thepillars 8. Each of theLED illumination apparatuses 15 is constituted of a plurality ofLED illumination members 16, holdingmembers 21 holding theLED illumination members 16 and attached on the inner side from the edge of theopening 6 of the insulatingbox body 2, shades 30 andcover members 61. - As shown in
FIG. 5 , each of theLED illumination members 16 is constituted of asubstrate 18 provided with a plurality ofLED elements 17 and a plurality of electric heaters (resistors) 41, and thesubstrate 18 is fixed to a satisfactorily thermallyconductive attachment plate 20. Thesubstrate 18 is constituted so as to extend in a longitudinal direction, and thesubstrate 18 is provided with the plurality ofLED elements 17 with a predetermined space being left between the elements. TheLED elements 17 in the present embodiment are chip-type white LED elements. - It is to be noted that the predetermined number of the
LED elements 17 regarded as one group are connected to aconnector 42 provided in the end of the substrate, and the predetermined number of theelectric heaters 41 regarded as one group are similarly connected to theconnector 42 in parallel with theLED elements 17. Moreover, theattachment plate 20 is provided with screw holes so that the plate is fixed to the holdingmember 21 with screws. - The holding
member 21 is a satisfactorily thermally conductive metal member constituted so as to vertically extend with respect to the front-surface opening 6 of the insulatingbox body 2. The holdingmember 21 has a substantially U-shaped section, and the upper and lower ends of the member are closed by thecover members 61. This holdingmember 21 abuts on theillumination attachment portion 46 constituting thepillar 8 or the rear surface of the front wall of the insulatingbox body 2 constituting the front corner, when attached. - That is, a
side wall 24 of the holdingmember 21 which faces the substantially U-shaped opening abuts on theillumination attachment portion 46 of thepillar 8 formed so as to extend rearwards, and is fixed to the portion with screws (not shown). Thisside wall 24 is provided with a plurality of vertically long extendingelongated holes 26 . . . Theelongated holes 26 are holes to be superimposed on the screw holes of theattachment plate 20 of theLED illumination member 16 so that the holding member is fixed with the screws, and the vertical attachment position of theLED illumination member 16 can be changed as much as the length dimension of the elongated holes 26 (the attachment position can be changed in an arrow direction ofFIG. 4 ). - Moreover, the rear wall of the substantially U-shaped holding
member 21 is provided with anengagement portion 27 to be engaged with theshade 30, and the front wall of the holding member is provided with areflective plate portion 23 positioned behind the insulatingmaterial 40 of thepillar 8 and bent rearwards as much as a predetermined angle. - The
shade 30 is constituted of a light transmitting colorless transparent material for covering the holdingmember 21 from the outside, and the shade is detachably attached to the holdingmember 21 with decorative screws or the like. - A procedure for attaching the
LED illumination apparatus 15 having such a constitution will be described. First, the holdingmember 21 is attached on the inner side from the edge of theopening 6 of the insulatingbox body 2. In the present embodiment, since theLED illumination apparatuses 15 are positioned on both sides of eachglass door 7, the holding members are attached to both front corners of thedisplay chamber 5 and the rearward extendingillumination attachment portions 46 of thepillars 8. It is to be noted that since thepillar 8 is positioned between theglass doors members 21 are attached via theillumination attachment portions 46 provided on thepillar 8 so that the back surfaces of theside walls 24 face each other. Moreover, theLED illumination apparatuses 15 provided in the front corners are attached so that irradiation light from theLED elements 17 is emitted toward the inside of thedisplay chamber 5. - Then, the
attachment plates 20 provided with theLED elements 17 are attached to theside walls 24 of the holdingmembers 21, and the screw holes of theattachment plates 20 are superimposed on theelongated holes 26 to fix the attachment plates with the screws. In consequence, thesubstrate 18 of theLED illumination apparatus 15 is provided on the surface of thedoor frame 45 on thedisplay chamber 5 side in a heat exchange relation via theattachment plate 20 constituted of the satisfactorily thermally conductive material and theside wall 24 of the holdingmember 21. Moreover, since theillumination attachment portion 46 of thepillar 8 fixed to theside wall 24 is formed so as to tilt as much as the predetermined angle behind the center of thepillar 8 as described above, theLED elements 17 of theLED illumination apparatus 15 are provided on thedisplay chamber 5 side slightly from a position parallel to the front-surface opening 6. - It is to be noted that in the present embodiment, the plurality of (four)
LED illumination members 16 described above are attached to the holdingmember 21. However, theLED illumination apparatus 15 may be constituted of the singleLED illumination member 16 constituted across the upper and lower ends of the front-surface opening 6, and the vertical position of the apparatus may be changed in accordance with theelongated holes 26 for the attachment. When the apparatus is constituted of a plurality ofLED illumination members 16 as in the present embodiment, production cost can be decreased, and handleability can be improved. - Moreover, the
reflective plate portion 23 of the holdingmember 21 is positioned on theglass door 7 side of theLED illumination member 16. Furthermore, on the opening side of the holdingmember 21, theshade 30 for covering theLED illumination member 16 from the outside is attached. It is to be noted that theshade 30 is detachably engaged with theengagement portion 27 formed on the opening side of the holdingmember 21 and the end of thereflective plate portion 23. In consequence, theshade 30 is attached so that the shade is directed to the inside of thedisplay chamber 5 slightly from a position substantially parallel to theglass door 7. - Next, a control apparatus C of the
showcase 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 6 . The control apparatus C of the present embodiment is constituted of a versatile microcomputer. This control apparatus on an input side is connected to anillumination switch 53 of theLED illumination apparatus 15, aperson detecting sensor 11 which detects that a person has approached theshowcase 1, anillumination intensity sensor 48 for detecting an illumination intensity (the surrounding illumination intensity) in the store or the like where theshowcase 1 is installed, a door opening/closing switch (door opening/closing detection means) 49 for detecting the opening/closing of eachglass door 7, and an in-chamber temperature sensor 50 for detecting a temperature in thedisplay chamber 5. - The
illumination intensity sensor 48 is provided on the outer surface of themain body 2, for example, the top surface of the main body as a position which is not easily influenced by the shade of a peripheral device. As to the door opening/closing switch 49, since the plurality of (three)glass doors 7 are provided in the present embodiment, door opening/closing switches glass doors 7 . . . are provided in order from theleft glass door 7 as one faces the front surface. It is to be noted that theperson detecting sensor 11 will be described later. - Moreover, the control apparatus C on an output side is connected to the cooling apparatus R constituted of the compressor, the blower and the like as described above, and is also connected to the
LED elements 17 and theelectric heaters 41 of theLED illumination apparatus 15, respectively. It is to be noted that theLED elements 17 are connected to the control apparatus C via aninverter 54. In addition, the control apparatus C on the output side is connected to a temperature display section (temperature display means) 51 provided on the front surface of the upper part of themain body 2 so as to display the temperature in thedisplay chamber 5 or the present mode. - Here, as shown in an electric circuit diagram of
FIG. 7 , theperson detecting sensor 11 is connected to an LEDillumination control section 32 constituting the control apparatus C via aterminal plate 31 for connection to the person detecting sensor. Theperson detecting sensor 11 is provided on, for example, the front surface of the center of the upper part of the insulatingbox body 2 or the like, and has therein apower source 33 of the person detecting sensor itself, and aperson detecting contact 34 which detects the approaching of the person to open or close. Thepower source 33 is connected to apower source terminal 35, and both sides of theperson detecting contact 34 are connected to anoutput contact terminal 36 and acommon contact terminal 37. - On the other hand, the
terminal plate 31 provided in theshowcase 1 main body is provided with a first connectingportion 55, a second connectingportion 56 and a third connectingportion 57. The first connectingportion 55 is connected to the power source on the side of theshowcase 1 main body and the LEDillumination control section 32, the second connectingportion 56 is connected to the LEDillumination control section 32, and the third connectingportion 57 is connected to the power source on the side of theshowcase 1 main body via theillumination switch 53 provided in theshowcase 1 main body. Moreover, the power source on the side of theshowcase 1 main body is connected to theLED elements 17 of theLED illumination apparatus 15 via a DCpower source unit 58 in parallel with the LEDillumination control section 32. - According to such a constitution, the
power source terminal 35 of theperson detecting sensor 11 is connected to the first connectingportion 55 of theterminal plate 31, theoutput contact terminal 36 of theperson detecting sensor 11 is connected to the second connectingportion 56 of theterminal plate 31, and thecommon contact terminal 37 of theperson detecting sensor 11 is connected to the third connectingportion 57 of theterminal plate 31. Consequently, in a state in which theillumination switch 53 on themain body 2 side is turned on, when theperson detecting contact 34 of theperson detecting sensor 11 turns ON/OFF, the energization of the LEDillumination control section 32 of theLED illumination apparatus 15 can be controlled. In consequence, the ON/OFF control of theLED illumination apparatus 15 can be performed based on the turning ON/OFF of theperson detecting sensor 11. It is to be noted that when theperson detecting sensor 11 is turned on and then turned off, the LEDillumination control section 32 turns off theLED illumination apparatus 15 after delay of a predetermined time of, for example, several ten seconds from a time when theperson detecting sensor 11 is turned off. - It is to be noted that in a state in which the
terminals person detecting sensor 11 are not connected to theterminal plate 31, that is, in a state in which theperson detecting sensor 11 is detached, as shown inFIG. 7 , ashort circuit line 60 is connected between the second connectingportion 56 and the third connectingportion 57 of theterminal plate 31 to cause short-circuiting, whereby the ON/OFF control of theLED illumination apparatus 15 can be performed by the ON/OFF control of theillumination switch 53 provided in themain body 2. Therefore, when theperson detecting sensor 11 is connected, the ON/OFF control of theLED illumination apparatus 15 can be performed by the ON/OFF control of theperson detecting contact 34 provided in theperson detecting sensor 11. Moreover, when theperson detecting sensor 11 is not connected, theshort circuit line 60 causes the short circuit of each connecting portion of theterminal plate 31, so that the ON/OFF control of theLED illumination apparatus 15 can be performed only by theillumination switch 53 on themain body 2 side. - The illumination control of the
LED illumination apparatus 15 of theshowcase 1 in the present embodiment having the above constitution will be described. First, the control apparatus C detects an illumination intensity in the store (the surrounding area) where theshowcase 1 is installed by theillumination intensity sensor 48, and determines the maximum illumination intensity of theLED illumination apparatus 15 provided in thedisplay chamber 5 based on the illumination intensity. In the present embodiment, the maximum illumination intensity is determined so that the inside of thedisplay chamber 5 is brightened as much as a predetermined illumination intensity as compared with the surrounding illumination intensity detected by theillumination intensity sensor 48. - Moreover, in a state in which the
person detecting sensor 11 is connected to theterminal plate 31 as described above, the control apparatus C energizes theLED elements 17 of theLED illumination apparatus 15 by the LEDillumination control section 32 based on the detection output of theperson detecting sensor 11 indicating that the person has approached theshowcase 1, that is, the person has entered a predetermined range of a distance from theshowcase 1. Therefore, in principle, theLED elements 17 of eachLED illumination apparatus 15 are not energized and are turned off in a state in which theperson detecting sensor 11 does not detect the approaching of the person. - At this time, based on the detection of the approaching of the person by the
person detecting sensor 11, the LEDillumination control section 32 of the control apparatus C controls a current/voltage for energizing theLED elements 17 of theLED illumination apparatus 15 so as to gradually increase the illumination intensity from a state in which the elements are turned off. Finally, the illumination intensity is increased to the maximum illumination intensity determined based on the surrounding illumination intensity as described above. - In consequence, the illumination intensity of each
LED element 17 for illuminating the inside of thedisplay chamber 5 is gradually increased based on the detection of the approaching of the person by theperson detecting sensor 11 provided in theshowcase 1. Therefore, as compared with a case where the display chamber is rapidly illuminated by theLED elements 17 with a predetermined high illumination intensity, a customer can gradually be adapted to lights which can avoid a disadvantage that the customer is dazzled by the light or the like. - Here, the light from the
LED elements 17 of theLED illumination members 16 fixed to theside walls 24 of the holdingmembers 21 is emitted in a lateral direction (substantially parallel to the glass door 7) behind both the side portions of theglass door 7. It is to be noted that in the present embodiment, the LED elements are formed so as to slightly tilt rearwards (toward thedisplay chamber 5 side) with respect to the edge of theopening 6 of the insulatingbox body 2 as described above. In consequence, the light from theLED illumination apparatus 15 is emitted toward the front parts of theshelves 9 disposed in thedisplay chamber 5. Therefore, the light having high directivity can be emitted from theLED elements 17 to the front parts of theshelves 9. In consequence, the commodities on theshelves 9, especially on the foremost parts of the shelves can evenly satisfactorily be illuminated, and the front surfaces of the commodities can effectively be illuminated. Consequently, the illumination effect and display effect of the commodities can be improved. - Moreover, in this case, the LED
illumination control section 32 of the control apparatus C gradually increases the illumination intensity from the state in which theLED elements 17 are turned off, and the section illuminates the inside of thedisplay chamber 5 with the maximum illumination intensity determined based on the surrounding illumination intensity. Therefore, the brightness of eachLED element 17 of theLED illumination apparatus 15 of theshowcase 1 can be determined in accordance with the brightness of a surrounding area such as the store where theshowcase 1 is installed, and incompatibility with the surrounding illumination can be avoided. - In consequence, the inside of the
display chamber 5 can effectively be illuminated by theLED illumination apparatus 15 with an appropriate illumination intensity, and the improvement of the illumination effect can be realized. - Furthermore, based on the non-detection of the approaching of the person by the
person detecting sensor 11, after the elapse of a predetermined time of, for example, several ten seconds from a non-detection time, the LEDillumination control section 32 of the control apparatus C stops the energization of theLED elements 17 of theLED illumination apparatus 15 to turn off the LED elements. - Thus, in the control apparatus C, when the person approaches the
showcase 1, the showcase is illuminated by theLED illumination apparatus 15 with a bright illumination intensity, so that it is possible to suppress the high rise of running cost due to the lighting of theLED illumination apparatus 15 more than necessary. - On the other hand, the LED
illumination control section 32 of the control apparatus C executes presenting illumination in a state in which theLED illumination apparatus 15 is lit while theperson detecting sensor 11 detects the approaching of the person as described above, or for a predetermined time after the non-detection of the approaching of the person. - In this presenting illumination, the control apparatus C controls the current/voltage for energizing the
LED elements 17 of theLED illumination apparatus 15 to perform the bright/dark control of the illumination intensity of theLED illumination apparatus 15 periodically between the maximum illumination intensity and the turned-off state. It is to be noted that in the present embodiment, the LED elements are turned off as a dark state, but this is not restrictive, and the dark illumination intensity may have a predetermined minimum illumination intensity (a state in which the LED elements are not turned off). - In consequence, the illumination presentation effect of the
LED illumination apparatus 15 can be improved, and the sales effect of the commodities in thedisplay chamber 5 can be improved. - On the other hand, in a case where one of the
glass doors 7 is opened in a state in which theLED illumination apparatus 15 is lit as described above, based on the detection of the door opening by the door opening/closing switch 49 (49A to 49C) which detects the opening/closing of thedoor 7, the control apparatus C controls the current/voltage for energizing theLED elements 17 of theLED illumination apparatus 15 illuminating thedisplay chamber 5 part closed by the correspondingglass door 7 to decrease the illumination intensity of theLED illumination apparatus 15. Moreover, based on the door opening/closing switch 49 detecting that the correspondingglass door 7 has been closed, the control apparatus C lights theLED illumination apparatus 15 with an original illumination intensity, that is, the maximum illumination intensity in this case. - For example, in a case where the
leftmost glass door 7 as one faces the front surface is opened, the door opening/closing switch 49A detects that theglass door 7 has been opened. Based on this detection, the control apparatus C decreases the illumination intensities of theLED illumination apparatuses 15 provided for theglass door 7, specifically, theLED illumination apparatus 15 provided in the left front corner of thedisplay chamber 5 as one faces the front surface, and theLED illumination apparatus 15 provided on a side opposite to the aboveLED illumination apparatus 15 via theglass door 7, that is, theLED illumination apparatus 15 provided on the left side of thepillar 8 positioned on the left side as one faces the front surface. - Consequently, in a case where the door opening/closing switch 49 detects that the
glass door 7 has been opened, the control apparatus C decreases the illumination intensity of theLED illumination apparatus 15. Therefore, the intense light from theLED illumination apparatus 15 to the front part of thedisplay chamber 5, which has been blocked by the closedglass door 7, can be prevented from directly entering customer's eyes or the like at a time when theglass door 7 is opened. - In consequence, even when the customer performs the opening operation of the
glass door 7, it is possible to suppress a disadvantage that the frontward light leaking from theLED illumination apparatus 15 illuminating the inside of thedisplay chamber 5 is emitted to the customer and that the customer feels dazzled. - In this case, the control apparatus C may gradually or immediately perform the illumination intensity change accompanying the opening/closing operation of the
glass door 7. When the illumination intensity is gradually changed, the incompatibility with the presenting illumination of thewhole showcase 1 can be eased. On the other hand, when the illumination intensity is immediately changed, it is possible to early eliminate a disadvantage that the light to the front part of thedisplay chamber 5 which has been blocked by theglass door 7 enters the customer's eyes at a time when theglass door 7 is opened. - Next, there will be described the illumination intensity control of the
LED illumination apparatus 15 in a trial operation mode during the trial operation or maintenance of theshowcase 1, or in a non-cooling mode which is not involve a cooling operation. In principle, the control apparatus C executes the illumination intensity control of theLED illumination apparatus 15 as described above. At this time, to protect theLED elements 17 of theLED illumination apparatus 15 which generate heat when energized, the control apparatus C beforehand holds, as a high temperature value, an in-chamber temperature supposed as a temperature having a high possibility that theLED illumination apparatus 15 itself might remarkably incur deterioration, failure or the like. It is to be noted that the high temperature value can arbitrarily be set. - Moreover, in a case where based on the temperature detected by the in-
chamber temperature sensor 50 installed in thedisplay chamber 5, it is detected that the temperature has reached the high temperature value, the control apparatus C controls the current/voltage for energizing theLED elements 17 of theLED illumination apparatus 15 to decrease the illumination intensity. - In the present embodiment, the illumination intensity is decreased to an illumination intensity of about 50% of the maximum illumination intensity. It is to be noted that the illumination intensity is not limited to this example, and based on the detection of the high temperature value, the
LED illumination apparatus 15 may be turned off, or the illumination intensity of theLED illumination apparatus 15 may gradually be decreased. - In consequence, the heat generated from the energized
LED elements 17 themselves of theLED illumination apparatus 15 can be decreased. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a disadvantage that theLED illumination apparatus 15 is lit with the bright illumination intensity in a state in which the inside of thedisplay chamber 5 is not cooled to a predetermined cooling temperature in the trial operation mode or the non-cooling mode to abnormally heat theLED elements 17 of theLED illumination apparatus 15 and cause the deterioration or failure of the elements themselves. - Moreover, when the control is performed so as to decrease the illumination intensity of (or turn off) the
LED illumination apparatus 15 based on the detection of the high temperature value, the control apparatus C displays the trial operation mode or the non-cooling mode at present by thetemperature display section 51 provided in themain body 2 of theshowcase 1. - In consequence, at present, a user can be informed that the control is performed so as to decrease the illumination intensity of the
LED illumination apparatus 15, and it can be recognized that the display chamber is not darkened owing to the failure or the like. - Even when the illumination intensity of the
LED illumination apparatus 15 is controlled as described above, eachLED element 17 constituting theLED illumination apparatus 15 has a high durability against turning ON/OFF as compared with a fluorescent lamp heretofore used as the illumination apparatus, and the element can secure a predetermined illumination intensity following ON/OFF control even under an environment at a low temperature, so that appropriate illumination control can be realized. - Moreover, the
LED element 17 has a remarkably long life as compared with the fluorescent lamp, and hence can obviate the need for an illumination replacing operation. In consequence, the need for a laborious operation such as the constant storage of a replacing component or the disposal of wastes discharged due to the replacement can be obviated. - On the other hand, when the
LED elements 17 are energized by the control of the current/voltage for energizing theLED elements 17 of eachLED illumination apparatus 15 as described above, thesubstrate 18 provided with theLED elements 17 generates heat. As the energization is large, the heat increases. Therefore, when the inside of thedisplay chamber 5 is illuminated by theLED elements 17, the heat is transmitted to the satisfactorily thermallyconductive attachment plate 20 to which thesubstrate 18 is attached and theside wall 24 of the satisfactorily thermally conductive holdingmember 21 to which theattachment plate 20 is attached. - Moreover, since this
side wall 24 is provided so as to abut on thedoor frame 45 made of the metal, the heat generated by theLED illumination apparatus 15 is transmitted to thedoor frame 45 provided in a heat exchange relation. Since thedoor frame 45 comes in contact with the outside, dew condensation is easily caused by a difference between the outside air temperature and the temperature in thedisplay chamber 5. However, thedoor frame 45 can be heated by the heat generated by theLED illumination apparatus 15, and hence the dew condensation of thedoor frame 45 can effectively be suppressed. - In consequence, it is possible to effectively avoid a disadvantage that the dew condensation occurs in the
door frame 45 to wet the inside of thedisplay chamber 5, the installation floor surface of theshowcase 1 or the like. Moreover, it is possible to avoid a disadvantage that the dew flies and scatters by the opening/closing operation of theglass door 7. - Moreover, when the heat generated by the energization of the
LED elements 17 is used in heating thedoor frame 45, the heat can smoothly be released from thesubstrate 18 provided with theLED elements 17, and the deterioration or failure of theLED illumination apparatus 15 can be prevented or suppressed. Furthermore, the deterioration of a cooling efficiency in thedisplay chamber 5 can thus be decreased. - It is to be noted that in the above-mentioned illumination (illumination intensity) control, when the inside of the
display chamber 5 is not illuminated by theLED illumination apparatus 15, the heat generated by the energization of theLED elements 17 cannot be used in heating thedoor frame 45. - Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the
LED elements 17 of theLED illumination apparatus 15 are not energized, the control apparatus C energizes theelectric heaters 41 provided on thesubstrate 18 together with theLED elements 17. - In consequence, even when the
LED illumination apparatus 15 is turned off and thedoor frame 45 cannot be heated by the heat generated by the apparatus itself, the heat of theelectric heaters 41 generated by the energization can be transmitted to the surface of thedoor frame 45 on thedisplay chamber 5 side to effectively suppress the dew condensation of thedoor frame 45. - Therefore, even when the
LED illumination apparatus 15 illuminates the inside of the display chamber or is turned off, theLED elements 17 or theelectric heaters 41 constituting theLED illumination apparatus 15 are energized. Consequently, unlike the conventional example, an electric heater does not have to be especially embedded in thedoor frame 45. In particular, since the surface of thedoor frame 45 on theglass door 7 side is heated by the energization of theLED elements 17, the need for the separate energization of the electric heater is obviated during the illumination by theLED illumination apparatus 15, and the running cost can be decreased. - It is to be noted that in the above present embodiment, the
electric heaters 41 for heating thedoor frame 45 are provided on thesubstrate 18 constituting theLED illumination apparatus 15 to heat the surface of thedoor frame 45 on thedisplay chamber 5 side provided in a heat exchange relation with respect to thesubstrate 18, but this is not restrictive, and a constitution shown inFIG. 8 may be used. That is,electric heaters 41 are not provided on asubstrate 18 constituting anLED illumination apparatus 15,LED elements 17 only may be arranged on the substrate, andelectric heaters 52 may be embedded in the back surface of adoor frame 45 constituting apillar 8. Theelectric heaters 52 heat the surface of thedoor frame 45 on aglass door 7 side by energization, and a control apparatus C energizes the electric heaters accompanying the stop of the energization of theLED elements 17 of theLED illumination apparatus 15. - In consequence, when the
LED illumination apparatus 15 is turned off, theelectric heaters 52 for heating the surface of thedoor frame 45 on theglass door 7 side can be energized to effectively suppress the dew condensation of thedoor frame 45.
Claims (3)
1. A showcase in which the inside of a display chamber constituted in a main body so as to display commodities is illuminated by an LED illumination apparatus, comprising:
a glass door which openably closes an opening of the display chamber; and
a metal door frame which is provided in the main body so as to constitute an opening edge of the display chamber and on which the glass door abuts,
wherein the LED illumination apparatus is provided on the surface of the door frame on the side of the display chamber in a heat exchange relation.
2. The showcase according to claim 1 , further comprising:
an electric heater which heats the surface of the door frame on the side of the glass door,
wherein the electric heater is energized at a time when the LED illumination apparatus is turned off.
3. The showcase according to claim 1 , wherein the LED illumination apparatus includes an electric heater, and the electric heater is energized at a time when the LED illumination apparatus is turned off.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2007303587A JP5140392B2 (en) | 2007-11-22 | 2007-11-22 | Showcase |
JP2007-303587 | 2007-11-22 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20090135587A1 true US20090135587A1 (en) | 2009-05-28 |
Family
ID=40351745
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/274,599 Abandoned US20090135587A1 (en) | 2007-11-22 | 2008-11-20 | Showcase |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20090135587A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2062509B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5140392B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR101075436B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN101438909B (en) |
AT (1) | ATE516728T1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2643876A1 (en) |
Cited By (7)
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US20110017102A1 (en) * | 2009-07-22 | 2011-01-27 | Metal Masters Foodservice Equipment Co.,Inc. | Lighted retail display shelving |
US20120293069A1 (en) * | 2011-05-20 | 2012-11-22 | David Irvin | Task-Lit Cabinet |
US20120312798A1 (en) * | 2010-03-15 | 2012-12-13 | Panasonic Corporation | Refrigerator |
US20130208447A1 (en) * | 2010-05-21 | 2013-08-15 | Maslen Technology Australia Pty Ltd | Internal Lighting for Refrigerated Display Cabinets |
US20130229789A1 (en) * | 2010-11-15 | 2013-09-05 | Syuuichi Yoshida | Showcase |
US20140160731A1 (en) * | 2011-01-24 | 2014-06-12 | Wanjiong Lin | Led lamp and illumination area having same |
US10539300B2 (en) | 2015-06-09 | 2020-01-21 | Lg Innotek Co., Ltd. | Lighting apparatus |
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KR101407247B1 (en) * | 2012-05-16 | 2014-06-13 | 권민호 | LED Printed Circuit Board for preventing troubles by cold and LED lamp unit for thereof |
TWI529675B (en) * | 2012-06-22 | 2016-04-11 | 友達光電股份有限公司 | Transparent display module and applications thereof |
JP2016114254A (en) * | 2014-12-11 | 2016-06-23 | 中野冷機株式会社 | Reach-in show case |
US9955803B2 (en) | 2014-12-15 | 2018-05-01 | Hussmann Corporation | Door for a refrigerated merchandiser |
JP6377668B2 (en) * | 2016-05-16 | 2018-08-22 | 株式会社アルテクナ | Beverage storage equipment |
JP2019080797A (en) * | 2017-10-31 | 2019-05-30 | 富士電機株式会社 | Show case |
CN110873495A (en) * | 2018-09-03 | 2020-03-10 | 张广舜 | A kind of refrigerator |
CN112229123B (en) * | 2020-09-12 | 2021-11-09 | 西安交通大学 | Refrigerator with adjustable sealing strength and working method thereof |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN101438909B (en) | 2011-08-10 |
EP2062509B1 (en) | 2011-07-20 |
EP2062509A1 (en) | 2009-05-27 |
CA2643876A1 (en) | 2009-05-22 |
KR101075436B1 (en) | 2011-10-24 |
JP5140392B2 (en) | 2013-02-06 |
ATE516728T1 (en) | 2011-08-15 |
KR20090053728A (en) | 2009-05-27 |
CN101438909A (en) | 2009-05-27 |
JP2009127941A (en) | 2009-06-11 |
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Legal Events
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD., JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:OKETANI, TETSUYA;KANAI, WATARU;MAKISHIMA, YOSHIKI;REEL/FRAME:021905/0790 Effective date: 20081113 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- AFTER EXAMINER'S ANSWER OR BOARD OF APPEALS DECISION |