JP2001147065A - Refrigeration/defrosting chamber for detection of food temperature - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerating/defrosting chamber, that minimizes quality deterioration in foods by completing defrosting at specified time, when defrosted food is required, and by counting backward, from the specified time for refrigerating and preserving them as long as possible. SOLUTION: Internal temperature of food is calculated b a food temperature operation means 15 according to a cooling means 3 that cools the food, a heating means 4 that heats the food, and food temperature sensors 13a and 13b for detecting the ambient temperature of the food, the ambient temperature of the food, and the heat transfer characteristics of the food being stored by a storage means 14, defrosting requirement time when the food being subjected to refrigerating and defrosting is defrosted at fixed defrosting atmosphere temperature which is higher than refrigerating one is calculated, by a defrosting requirement time operation means 18 according to the heat transfer characteristics of food, and control is made by an atmosphere temperature control means 19 so that the atmosphere temperature is changed automatically from defrosting temperature to the defrosting atmosphere, one at time when the defrosting requirement time is counted backward from defrosting completion preset time, and defrosting is completed at the defrost completion preset time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a freezing and thawing storage for freezing and storing food while detecting the temperature of the food, and thawing the stored food.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A method and an apparatus for thawing frozen food are disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-253265. Hereinafter, the conventional thawing method and apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of a thawing apparatus for realizing a conventional thawing method. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 51 denotes a thawing device, and a storage chamber 53 is disposed inside a main body of a heat insulating box 52 which is opened forward.

[0004] A cooling means 54 is constituted by a compressor 55, a cooler 56, a cooling fan 57 and the like, and cools the food F inside the storage room 53.

Reference numeral 58 denotes a heater as a heating means. Numeral 59 denotes an internal circulation fan, which circulates the air heated by the heater 58 into the storage room 53 and stores the air in the storage room 5.
The food F inside 3 is heated.

Reference numeral 60 denotes an internal temperature sensor,
The temperature inside the refrigerator is detected.

[0007] The operation of the decompression device 51 configured as described above will be described below.

First, the thawing device 51 sets the refrigeration temperature of food (for example, 0 ° C.) as a set temperature in the refrigerator, and sets an upper limit temperature and a lower limit temperature above and below the set temperature (for example, ± 0.5 ° C.). . The frozen food F is stored inside the storage room 53,
After the thawing operation is started, the inside temperature of the storage room 53 is detected by the inside temperature sensor 60, and when the inside temperature decreases to the lower limit temperature by the cooling action from the frozen food F, the heater 58 is operated. When the inside temperature of the refrigerator rises to the upper limit temperature by the operation of the heater 58, the heater 58 is stopped and the frozen food F is thawed.

Further, the heating time from the start of thawing to the time when the heater 58 is not operated is integrated, the thawing end time is estimated based on the heating time, and the thawing operation is ended at the thawing end time. After that, the operation shifts to the cooling operation, and the cooling means 54 maintains the inside temperature between the upper limit temperature and the lower limit temperature.

[0010]

However, in the above conventional example, the thawing end time is estimated based on the heating time from the start of thawing until the heater 58 is not operated. Decompression could not be completed at the required time.

Therefore, it is necessary for an operator to empirically predict the time required for decompression in advance, calculate the time required for decompression from a specified time, and start decompression before that.

It is difficult to predict the time required for the thawing, so that it cannot be performed by anyone, and even if it is possible, the accuracy is low.

[0013] In addition, if the thawed food is needed in the morning at a restaurant or the like due to the time of the operator, for example, when the thaw is started at night and when the store is closed (before the operator returns), the defrosting starts at midnight. It is assumed that the thawing is completed. Then, to keep it at refrigerated temperature from that point until morning,
Compared with frozen storage, the quality of the food was likely to deteriorate.

The present invention has been made to solve the conventional problem, and it is possible to complete thawing at a specified time when a thawed food is required. It is an object of the present invention to provide a freezing and thawing storage that can minimize deterioration of food quality by preserving frozen food to the last minute.

[0015]

To achieve this object, the present invention provides a cooling means for cooling food, a heating means for heating food, and a temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temperature of the food. The food temperature calculating means calculates the internal temperature of the food from the ambient temperature of the food detected by the food temperature sensor and the heat transfer characteristics of the food stored in the storage means. Based on the temperature of the food during freezing and storage calculated by the temperature calculating means, the thawing time required for thawing at a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature is calculated from the heat transfer characteristics of the food, and the thawing completion designation time setting means Calculate the required thawing time back from the specified thawing completion time, and set the ambient temperature of the food from the freezing temperature to
The temperature is automatically changed to a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature, and the atmosphere temperature is controlled so that thawing is completed at the designated time of thawing completion.

[0016] Thereby, it is possible to complete the thawing at the designated time when the thawed food is required,
By calculating backward from the designated time and storing the frozen food as long as possible, it is possible to minimize the deterioration of food quality.

[0017]

The invention according to claim 1 has a cooling means for cooling food, and a heating means for heating food.
A food temperature sensor for detecting an ambient temperature of the food, a storage means for storing heat transfer characteristics of the food, an ambient temperature of the food detected by the food temperature sensor, and a heat transfer characteristic of the food stored by the storage means A temperature calculating means for calculating an internal temperature of the food; a defrosting temperature setting means for setting the defrosting temperature of the food; a defrosting completion time setting means for setting a defrosting completion specified time of the food; The time required for thawing when thawing from the food temperature of the food being frozen and stored calculated by the temperature calculating means to the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means at a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature. A decompression time calculating means for calculating from the heat transfer characteristic of the food stored in the storage means; a decompression time calculated by the decompression time calculation means; and a decompression completion time set by the decompression completion designation time setting means. finger From the time, before the designated time of thawing completion, before changing the atmosphere temperature of the food to a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature, and an atmosphere temperature control means for controlling the atmosphere temperature so that the thawing is completed at the designated time of thawing completion. Is a product temperature detection freezing and thawing storage, which allows thawing to be completed at the specified time when the thawed food is needed, and back-calculates from the specified time to keep it as frozen as possible for as long as possible. By doing so, there is an effect that deterioration of the quality of food can be minimized.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooling means for cooling the food, a heating means for heating the food, an article temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temperature of the food, and storing the heat transfer characteristics of the food. Storage means, an ambient temperature of the food detected by the food temperature sensor, and a heat transfer characteristic of the food stored in the storage means, a food temperature calculating means for calculating the internal temperature of the food,
Defrosted product temperature setting means for setting the defrosted product temperature of the food, defrosting completion specified time setting means for setting the defrosting completion specified time of the food, and from the food temperature of the food being frozen and stored calculated by the food temperature calculating means, At a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature, the thawing time required for thawing to the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means is calculated from the heat transfer characteristics of the food stored in the storage means. The decompression time calculated by the decompression time calculation means, the decompression time calculated by the decompression time calculation means, and the decompression specified time set by the decompression specified time setting means. Atmosphere temperature control means that changes the temperature to a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature and controls the atmosphere temperature so that thawing is completed at the designated time of thawing completion, and whether the food being stored is frozen or thawed It is a product temperature detection freezing and thawing warehouse consisting of a status display means that displays whether the thawing is completed at the specified time when the thawed food is needed and can be calculated backward from the specified time. By preserving the food as long as possible and keeping it to the last minute, deterioration of the quality of the food can be minimized. In addition, by indicating whether the food being stored is frozen or thawing, even if there is a schedule change such as a decrease or increase in the amount of food to be cooked, the amount of food to be thawed should be changed if it is frozen. Thus, even if there is a change in the cooking schedule or the like, it has the effect of minimizing the disposal due to excessive thawing and adjusting the amount of thawed food optimally.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooling means for cooling the food, a heating means for heating the food, an article temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temperature of the food, and storing the heat transfer characteristics of the food. Storage means, an ambient temperature of the food detected by the food temperature sensor, and a heat transfer characteristic of the food stored in the storage means, a food temperature calculating means for calculating the internal temperature of the food,
Defrosted product temperature setting means for setting the defrosted product temperature of the food, defrosting completion specified time setting means for setting the defrosting completion specified time of the food, and from the food temperature of the food being frozen and stored calculated by the food temperature calculating means, At a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature, the thawing time required for thawing to the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means is calculated from the heat transfer characteristics of the food stored in the storage means. The decompression time calculated by the decompression time calculation means, the decompression time calculated by the decompression time calculation means, and the decompression specified time set by the decompression specified time setting means. Atmosphere temperature control means that changes the temperature to a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature and controls the atmosphere temperature so that thawing is completed at the designated time of thawing completion, and whether the food being stored is frozen or thawed This is a product temperature detection freezing and thawing cabinet consisting of a status display means for displaying the food temperature and a food temperature display means for displaying the food temperature of the food being stored, and completes thawing at a specified time when the food that has been thawed is required. In addition, it is possible to minimize the deterioration of the quality of food by storing the frozen food as long as possible, by calculating backward from the designated time, as far as possible. In addition, if the food being stored is frozen,
By displaying whether the food is being thawed and displaying the temperature of the food being stored, even if the scheduled cooking time has changed, if it is frozen, change the designated thawing completion time, and then thaw. Even in the middle, if the temperature rise is small when looking at the food temperature (for example, if the food frozen at -20 ° C has been thawed only to -18 ° C), the thawing completion specified time is set. By changing, even if there is a change in the cooking schedule, etc., there is an effect that disposal due to excessive thawing is minimized, and the amount of thawed food can be optimally adjusted.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooling means for cooling the food, a heating means for heating the food, an article temperature sensor for detecting an ambient temperature of the food, and storing a heat transfer characteristic of the food. Storage means, an ambient temperature of the food detected by the food temperature sensor, and a heat transfer characteristic of the food stored in the storage means, a food temperature calculating means for calculating the internal temperature of the food,
Defrosted product temperature setting means for setting the defrosted product temperature of the food, defrosting completion specified time setting means for setting the defrosting completion specified time of the food, and from the food temperature of the food being frozen and stored calculated by the food temperature calculating means, At a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature, the thawing time required for thawing to the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means is calculated from the heat transfer characteristics of the food stored in the storage means. The decompression time calculated by the decompression time calculation means, the decompression time calculated by the decompression time calculation means, and the decompression specified time set by the decompression specified time setting means. Atmosphere temperature control means that changes the temperature to a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature and controls the atmosphere temperature so that thawing is completed at the specified time of thawing completion, and the thawing product temperature or the thawing completion time specified At the set time, even if the thawing is started at the thawing atmosphere temperature, a warning means for issuing a warning when the thawing cannot be performed to the thawing temperature at the designated thawing completion time, and a thawing completion time display for displaying a time when the thawing is completed This is a product temperature detection freezing and thawing warehouse, which makes it possible to complete thawing at a specified time when you need thawed food, and to calculate backward from the specified time, as long as possible, to the last minute By preserving frozen, deterioration of the quality of food can be minimized. Furthermore, even if the thawing is started at the thawing atmosphere temperature when the thawing temperature or the thawing completion specified time is set, a warning is issued when the thawing cannot be performed to the thawing temperature at the thawing completion specified time, and the thawing is completed. By displaying the time of the decompression, the operator can be notified of the correct decompression completion time.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooling means for cooling the food, a heating means for heating the food, an article temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temperature of the food, and storing the heat transfer characteristics of the food. Storage means, an ambient temperature of the food detected by the food temperature sensor, and a heat transfer characteristic of the food stored in the storage means, a food temperature calculating means for calculating the internal temperature of the food,
Defrosted product temperature setting means for setting the defrosted product temperature of the food, defrosting completion specified time setting means for setting the defrosting completion specified time of the food, and from the food temperature of the food being frozen and stored calculated by the food temperature calculating means, At a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature, the thawing time required for thawing to the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means is calculated from the heat transfer characteristics of the food stored in the storage means. The decompression time calculated by the decompression time calculation means, the decompression time calculated by the decompression time calculation means, and the decompression specified time set by the decompression specified time setting means. Atmosphere temperature control means that changes the temperature to a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature and controls the atmosphere temperature so that thawing is completed at the specified time of thawing completion, and the thawing product temperature or the thawing completion time specified At the set time, even if the thawing is started at the thawing atmosphere temperature, a warning means for issuing a warning when the thawing cannot be performed to the thawing temperature at the designated thawing completion time, and a thawing completion time display for displaying a time when the thawing is completed Means, selection means for selecting whether to complete at the designated time of thawing completion, or to complete at the time displayed by the thawing completion time display means, and when selecting to complete at the designated time of thawing completion, the thawing atmosphere temperature A thawing-freezing / thaw storage unit for starting thawing at a minimum higher rapid thawing atmosphere temperature and forcing the ambient temperature control means to complete thawing at a designated time of completion of thawing; At the specified time when the food needs to be defrosted, and by back-calculating from the specified time and keeping it frozen as long as possible, It is possible to minimize. Furthermore, even if the thawing is started at the thawing atmosphere temperature when the thawing temperature or the thawing completion specified time is set, a warning is issued when the thawing cannot be performed to the thawing temperature at the thawing completion specified time, and the thawing is completed. By displaying the time of the decompression, the operator is notified of the correct decompression completion time.
Further, selecting means for selecting whether to complete at the designated time of thawing completion or completion at the time displayed by the thawing completion time display means, Starts thawing at the minimum high-speed thawing atmosphere temperature, and completes thawing at the specified time of thawing completion. At the time,
It has the effect that thawing can be completed.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a freezing and thawing product temperature detecting and freezing storage according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a freezing and thawing chamber for detecting the temperature of a product according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a heat transfer model diagram of a food for showing the heat transfer characteristics of the food, FIG. 3 is a characteristic diagram showing a change in the internal temperature of the food in the freezing and thawing storage, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a freezing and thawing storage, which has a storage 2 in which food can be stored in a frozen state and the food can be thawed. A cooling unit 3 cools the inside of the refrigerator, and circulates cooled air (hereinafter, abbreviated as cold air) into the refrigerator. Reference numeral 4 denotes a heating means for heating the inside of the refrigerator, and circulates heated air (hereinafter abbreviated as hot air) into the refrigerator. Reference numeral 5 denotes an internal temperature sensor provided in the storage 2. Reference numeral 6 denotes an inside temperature detecting means for detecting the inside temperature by the inside temperature sensor 5. Reference numeral 7 denotes an internal temperature setting unit for setting the internal temperature. Reference numeral 8 denotes an internal temperature determining unit that determines whether the internal temperature detected by the internal temperature detecting unit 6 exceeds the set temperature set by the internal temperature setting unit 7. Reference numeral 9 denotes cooling control means for controlling cooling in the refrigerator based on the determination result of the refrigerator temperature determining means 8. Reference numeral 10 denotes a heating control unit that controls heating of the inside of the refrigerator based on the determination result of the inside temperature determination unit 8. Numeral 11 denotes food stored in the refrigerator.

Reference numeral 12 denotes an article temperature detecting device, and an article temperature sensor 1
3a, 13b, storage means 14, and product temperature calculating means 15. 13a and 13b are product temperature sensors which are installed at positions opposite to each other with the food 11 therebetween in the refrigerator and detect the ambient temperature of the stored food 11; 13a is installed in the circulating air at the upper part of the refrigerator; An upper temperature sensor 13b detects the upper ambient temperature of the stored food 11, and 13b is a lower temperature sensor that is installed in the circulating air in the lower part of the refrigerator and detects the lower ambient temperature of the stored food 11.

Reference numeral 14 denotes storage means for storing the heat transfer characteristics of the stored food 11.

A product 15 calculates the internal temperature of the food 11 from the ambient temperature of the food 11 detected by the upper temperature sensor 13a and the lower temperature sensor 13b and the heat transfer characteristics of the food 11 stored in the storage means 14. Temperature calculation means.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a defrosting product temperature setting means for setting a defrosting product temperature of the food, and 17 is a defrosting completion designation time setting means for setting a defrosting completion designation time of the food.

Reference numeral 18 denotes a defrosted product temperature set by the defrosted product temperature setting means 16 at a constant defrosting atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature based on the internal temperature of the food during frozen storage calculated by the food temperature calculating means 15. The thawing time calculating means calculates the thawing time required for thawing from the heat transfer characteristics of the food stored in the storage means 14.

The reference numeral 19 denotes the temperature of the food before the designated time of thawing completion, based on the required thawing time calculated by the required thawing time computing means 18 and the designated thawing completion time set by the designated thawing completion time setting means 17. Is a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature, and an atmosphere temperature control means for controlling the atmosphere temperature so that thawing is completed at a designated thawing completion time.

Numeral 20 denotes state display means for displaying whether the stored food is frozen or thawing, and 21 denotes food temperature display means for displaying the temperature of the stored food.

FIG. 2 is a heat transfer model diagram of the food for representing the heat transfer characteristics of the food stored in the storage means 14. In the present embodiment, as the food whose internal temperature is to be detected, a frozen food, such as frozen gratin, in a container is used.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 31 denotes gratin,
Reference numeral 2 denotes a heat-resistant resin container for holding the gratin 31. Reference numeral 33 denotes an upper cover made of a dust-proof resin. T1 is the upper atmosphere temperature of the food, T2 is the lower atmosphere temperature of the food, T3 is the internal temperature of the food to be detected this time, and is the temperature of the inner center of the food indicated by a black circle in FIG. A1 is the upper surface area of the food, which is the outer surface area of the food above the horizontal plane including the inner center of the food. A2 is the lower surface area of the food, which is the outer surface area of the food below the horizontal plane including the inner center of the food. K1 is an overall heat transfer coefficient of the upper portion of the food, and is a value derived from the heat transfer coefficient of air from the upper atmosphere of the food to the center of the food, the heat conductivity of the upper lid 33, and the heat conductivity of the gratin 31. K2 is the overall heat transfer coefficient of the lower part of the food, which is a value derived from the heat transfer coefficient of air from the lower atmosphere of the food to the center of the food, the heat conductivity of the container 32, and the heat conductivity of the gratin 31. C is the heat capacity of the food,
In the present embodiment, most of the gratin is occupied by the gratin 31, which is a value derived from the product of the specific heat and the weight of the gratin.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a change in the internal temperature of the food in the storage of the food stored in the storage at the time of thawing.

In FIG. 3, the thawing is started, and the atmosphere temperature of the food is changed from the thawing temperature (for example, around -20 ° C.) to a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature. At this time, assuming that the ambient temperature is a refrigeration temperature (for example, about 5 ° C.), the internal temperature of the food in the storage gradually increases from the first frozen state (point a) and reaches the melting start temperature Ts (b
point). Then, the melting of the food starts from the melting start temperature Ts, and the rise in the internal temperature of the food becomes slow. This is because the moisture in the food absorbs the latent heat of fusion and melts. Then, when the melting end temperature Te is reached (point c)
Then, all the moisture in the food is melted, and the internal temperature of the food increases again in speed, and eventually reaches the refrigeration temperature. Therefore,
Points a to b are frozen, points b to c are melted, point c
In a refrigerated state.

The storage means 12 stores an upper overall heat transfer coefficient K1a, K1b, K1c, and a lower overall heat transfer coefficient K in a frozen state, a thawed state, and a refrigerated state, respectively.
2a, K2b, K2c, and heat capacity Ca, Cb, C of food
c and the upper surface area A1 and the lower surface area A2 of the food.

[0037] Strictly speaking, food can be frozen even at a freezing temperature.
Moisture in food is not completely frozen, and the freezing rate, which indicates the rate of freezing of moisture in food, varies with temperature. According to the author's experience, below -5 ° C, the overall heat transfer coefficient and heat capacity, which are the heat transfer characteristic values of food, hardly change, that is, below -5 ° C, K1a and C in a frozen state.
a can be regarded as a constant value. Similarly, the heat transfer characteristic value of the food hardly changes even at -1 ° C or higher, that is, K1c and Cc can be regarded as constant values in a refrigerated state at -1 ° C or higher. Accordingly, the melting start temperature Ts is −5 ° C., and the melting end temperature Te is −1 ° C. which is the same as the freezing point.

[0038] Therefore, in the case of gratin in a melting state at -5 ° C to -1 ° C, the heat capacity of the gratin in this state is simply calculated as the latent heat of fusion of water per unit water content of 79 cal / g is multiplied by the melting temperature range Te
It is determined by adding a value derived from the product of the specific heat of gratin and the weight to the value divided by -Ts.

In the heat transfer model shown in FIG. 2, taking the frozen state as an example, the amount of heat entering from the top of the food is Q1,
Assuming that the amount of heat entering from the lower part of the food is Q2, the amounts of entering heat ΔQ1 and ΔQ2 per unit time are given by the following equations, respectively.

ΔQ1 = K1aA1 (T1−T3) ΔQ2 = K2aA2 (T2−T3) Accordingly, when the total amount of heat entering the food is Q, the total amount of heat of penetration ΔQ per unit time becomes Is the sum of the invading heat quantities of

ΔQ = ΔQ1 + ΔQ2 = (K1aA1T1
+ K2aA2T2)-(K1aA1 + K2aA2) T3 The total amount of heat penetrated per unit time ΔQ is represented by a differential value of the total amount of heat Q permeated with time t. In addition, since the internal temperature T3 of the food having the heat capacity Ca rises due to the invading heat amount Q, ΔQ = dQ / dt = Ca · dT3 / dt. Therefore, Ca · dT3 / dt = (K1aA1T1 + K2aA2T)
2)-(K1aA1 + K2aA2) T3, and the solution of this differential equation is expressed by (Equation 1), where the initial value of the internal temperature T3 of the food is T0.

[0042]

(Equation 1)

Further, even when the temperature of the food decreases as the food cools, Q is determined by the amount of heat released from the food.
The exact same equation as (Equation 1) is obtained.

Next, in the molten state,

[0045]

(Equation 2)

Is obtained.

Next, in the refrigerated state,

[0048]

(Equation 3)

Is obtained.

The product temperature calculating means 15 sets the upper ambient temperature of the food 11 detected by the upper temperature sensor 13a to T1, the lower ambient temperature of the food 11 detected by the lower temperature sensor 13b to T2, Storage means 1
4, the heat transfer characteristics K1a, K2a,
From A1, A2, and Ca, food 11 according to (Equation 1)
Is calculated. In the molten state,
Heat transfer characteristic K1 of food 11 stored in storage means 14
From b, K2b, A1, A2, and Cb, the internal temperature T3 of the food 11 is calculated according to (Equation 2). In the refrigerated state, the internal temperature T3 of the food 11 is calculated from the heat transfer characteristics K1c, K2c, A1, A2, and Cc of the food 11 stored in the storage means 14 according to (Equation 3).

The initial value T0 of the food internal temperature T3 is:
Taking the frozen state as an example, assuming that the temperature when the food is first put into the storage is the frozen temperature (for example, -20 ° C),
By repeating the calculation according to (Equation 1), even if there is an error in the initial value, the internal temperature T3 converges to a true value after a certain period of time.

The operation of the freezing and thawing product temperature detecting / freezing storage constructed as described above will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4.

In FIG. 4, first, the inside temperature of the freezing and thawing room 1 is set to the freezing temperature (−20) by the inside temperature setting means 7.
C), and the food 11 stored in the refrigerator is stored frozen.

First, the inside temperature detecting means 6 detects the inside temperature of the storage 2 by the inside temperature sensor 5 (Step).
1).

Then, the inside temperature judging means 8 judges whether the inside temperature detected by the inside temperature detecting means 6 exceeds the inside temperature set by the inside temperature setting means 7 (see FIG. 2). Step2). As a result, when the internal temperature is higher than the internal set temperature, the cooling control means 9
Circulates the cold air produced in the storage 2 (Step
3). When the temperature in the refrigerator is lower than the set temperature in the refrigerator, the cooling control means 9 cuts off the cool air in the storage 2 (Step).
4).

Next, the upper temperature sensor 13a detects the upper atmosphere temperature of the food 11 as T1, and the lower temperature sensor 13b
Detects the lower atmosphere temperature of the food 11 as T2 (Step Ste).
p5).

Then, the product temperature calculating means 15 stores the storage means 1
4 shows the frozen state heat transfer characteristic K1 of the food 11 stored
a, K2a, A1, A2, and Ca are used to calculate the internal temperature T3 of the food 11 according to (Equation 1) (Step
6). Thereby, the food 1 by opening and closing the door of the storage 2 etc.
1 accurately detects the temperature fluctuation.

Next, when the thawing product temperature Td and the thawing completion designation time tf are set by the thawing product temperature setting means 16 and the thawing completion designation time setting means 17 (Step 7), the thawing required time calculating means 18 The storage means 14 stores the required thawing time td when thawing to the thawing product temperature Td at a constant thawing atmosphere temperature Tw higher than the freezing temperature from the internal temperature T3 of the food 11 being frozen and stored calculated by the temperature calculating means 15. Calculate from stored heat transfer characteristics of food (Step
8).

For example, assuming that the current internal temperature T3 of the food 11 is −18 ° C., the defrosting product temperature Td is 0 ° C., and the defrosting atmosphere temperature Tw is 5 ° C., the defrosting time td is the defrosting time in the frozen state. ta, the melting time tb in the melting state, and the thawing time tc in the refrigerated state, that is, td = ta + tb + tc.

Then, the thawing time ta in the frozen state
Is the melting start temperature T from the current internal temperature T3 of the food 11
During the thawing time up to s (−5 ° C.), during thawing, the amount of warm air circulating in the refrigerator is increased and the temperature in the refrigerator is equalized. Assuming that they are equal, that is, if Tw = T1 = T2, (Equation 1) becomes the following equation.

Ts = Tw− (Tw−T3) exp (−ta / τa) Accordingly, the thawing time ta in the frozen state is represented by the following equation.

Ta = τa · ln {(Tw−Ts) / (Tw−T3)} Similarly, the thawing time tb in the melting state is calculated from the melting start temperature Ts (−5 ° C.) to the melting end temperature Te (−1 ° C.). ), The inside of the refrigerator is equalized, and (Equation 2) is expressed by the following equation.

Te = Tw− (Tw−Ts) exp (−tb / τb) Accordingly, the thawing time ta in the frozen state is represented by the following equation.

Tb = −τb · ln ｛(Tw−Te) /
(Tw-T3)｝ Similarly, the thawing time tc in the refrigerated state is the thawing time from the melting end temperature Te (−5 ° C.) to the thawed product temperature Td (0 ° C.), and the inside of the refrigerator is equalized. And (Equation 3) becomes the following equation.

Td = Tw− (Tw−Te) exp (−tc / τc) Accordingly, the thawing time ta in the frozen state is given by the following equation.

Tc = −τc · ln ｛(Tw−Td) /
(Tw−Te)｝ According to the above equation, the required decompression time calculating means 18 calculates the required decompression time td.

Next, the ambient temperature control means 19 calculates the required thawing time td calculated by the required thawing time calculating means 18;
The decompression start time ts = tf-td is calculated from the decompression completion specified time tf set by the decompression specified time setting means 17 (Step 9).

Then, it is determined whether or not the current time has reached the decompression start time ts (Step 10).
s, the food temperature display means 21 displays the current internal temperature T3 of the food 11, and the state display means 20 displays that the food being stored is "frozen" (St).
ep11), and return to Step1.

If the current time is the decompression start time ts
Is reached, the ambient temperature control means 19 acts on the internal temperature setting means 7 to control the internal temperature to be changed from the freezing temperature to the thawing atmospheric temperature Tw (Step 1).
2).

The inside temperature detecting means 6 detects the inside temperature of the storage 2 by the inside temperature sensor 5 (Step 1).
3), the inside judging means 8 judges whether or not the inside temperature detected by the inside temperature detecting means 6 exceeds the thawing atmosphere temperature Tw set by the inside temperature setting means 7 (Step 14). As a result, when the internal temperature is lower than the thawing atmosphere temperature Tw, the heating control means 10 circulates the warm air generated by the heating means 4 into the storage 2 (Step 1).
5). If the internal temperature is higher than the thawing atmosphere temperature Tw, the heating control means 10 shuts off the warm air in the storage 2 (Step 16).

In this way, the inside of the storage 2 is kept at the thawing atmosphere temperature Tw, and the food 11 stored in the storage is thawed.

The food temperature display means 21 displays the current internal temperature T3 of the food 11, and the state display means 20 displays that the food being stored is "thawing" (Step Ste).
p17).

Next, it is determined whether the current time has reached the decompression completion specified time tf (Step 18). If the current time has not reached the decompression completion specified time tf, the process returns to Step 5.

If the current time has reached the thawing completion specified time tf, the atmosphere temperature control means 19 acts on the inside temperature setting means 7 to change the inside temperature from the thawing atmosphere temperature Tw to the thawing temperature Td. Control is performed to change the setting to the same ambient temperature (Step 19), and the process returns to Step 1.

After the thawing is completed, the storage 2
The inside temperature is kept the same as the thawed product temperature Td, and the food 11 stored in the refrigerator is maintained at the thawed product temperature Td.

When the thawed food 11 is taken out from the freezing and thawing cabinet 1 and used, and new frozen food is stored in the freezing and thawing cabinet 1 again, the inside temperature setting means 7 sets the inside temperature to the freezing temperature ( (−20 ° C.), and restart from Step 1.

With the above operation, the product temperature detecting freezing and thawing storage of the present embodiment allows the food to be frozen and stored in the storage 2, the internal temperature of the stored food is detected, and the operator uses the internal temperature of the food to perform the operation. Complete the decompression at the specified time.

In the method for detecting the food temperature according to the present embodiment, it is assumed that even if there is an error in the initial value T0 of the internal temperature T3 of the food, the value converges to the true value after a certain period of time. According to the experimental results of the author, in the case of 300 g of frozen gratin, the time constant τ is about 1 hour, and even if the initial value T0 of the internal temperature T3 initially has an error of 10 ° C., the calculation is performed according to (Equation 1). By repeating this, the error converges to within 0.5 ° C. in 3 hours, and the accuracy is no problem as a practical product temperature detecting device. For example, in a restaurant or the like, in the case where a thawed food is required at 10:00 in the morning, before closing the store at 10:00 at night, the operator stores new frozen food in the freezing and thawing cabinet 1 and sets the defrosting completion specified time at 10:00 in the morning. If it is designated and returned, even if the thawing time is six hours, it is sufficiently possible to store it in the storage 2 for a certain period of time.

In this embodiment, two temperature sensors for detecting the ambient temperature of the food are provided around the food 11, but in order to increase the accuracy of the temperature detection, the number of sensors is further increased. Alternatively, a single product temperature sensor may be used if the ambient temperature of the food is equalized.

In this embodiment, the thawing instruction is given by setting the thawing product temperature and the thawing completion designation time by the operator. However, a thawing instruction button may be provided separately and the thawing instruction may be made by pressing the button. It is.

In this embodiment, the thawed food 11 is taken out of the freezing and thawing chamber 1 and used. When new frozen food is stored in the freezing and thawing chamber 1 again, the inside temperature setting means 7 sets Although it was assumed that the temperature in the refrigerator was reset to the freezing temperature (−20 ° C.), a separate thawing release button was provided, the thawing was released by pressing the button, and the temperature in the refrigerator was restarted as the freezing temperature. Is also good.

As described above, the freezing / thawing unit for detecting the temperature of food according to the present embodiment has the cooling means 3 for cooling the food and the heating means 4 for heating the food, and the temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temperature of the food. 13a, 13b, storage means 14 for storing the heat transfer characteristic of the food, the ambient temperature of the food detected by the product temperature sensor, and the heat transfer characteristic of the food stored in the storage means, determine the internal temperature of the food. The product temperature calculating means 15 for calculating, the defrosting product temperature setting means 16 for setting the food defrosting product temperature Td, the defrosting completion time setting means 17 for setting the food defrosting completion specifying time tf, and the product temperature calculating means 15 The thawing time td when thawing to the thawing product temperature Td of the food set by the thawing product temperature setting means 16 at a constant thawing atmosphere temperature Tw higher than the freezing temperature from the food temperature T3 of the frozen and preserved food,
The required thawing time calculating means 18 calculated from the heat transfer characteristics of the food stored in the storage means 14, the required thawing time td calculated by the required thawing time calculating means 18, and the thawing completion designated time setting means 17 are set. Decompression completion specified time tf
Therefore, before the designated time of thawing completion tf, the ambient temperature of the food is changed to a constant thawing atmosphere temperature Tw higher than the freezing temperature, and the ambient temperature is controlled so that the thawing is completed at the designated time of thawing completion tf. Means 19 and status display means 20 for indicating whether the food being stored is frozen or thawed
And food display means 21 for displaying the food temperature of the food being stored, and it is possible to complete the thawing at the designated time tf when the thawed food is required,
By calculating backward from the designated time and storing the frozen food as long as possible, it is possible to minimize the deterioration of food quality.

By indicating whether the food being stored is being frozen or being thawed, the amount of food to be thawed is still frozen even if there is a schedule change such as a decrease or increase in the amount of food to be cooked. By making a change, it is possible to minimize the disposal due to excessive thawing and to optimally adjust the amount of the thawed food.

In addition to displaying whether the food being stored is frozen or thawing, the temperature of the food being stored can be displayed.
Even if the scheduled cooking time is changed, if the food is frozen, change the designated thawing completion time. −
If the food stored frozen at 20 ° C has been thawed only down to -18 ° C), by changing the designated time of completion of thawing, even if there is a change in the cooking schedule, etc., disposal by excessive thawing is minimized. And the amount of defrosted food can be adjusted optimally.

The product temperature sensor 1 is an upper temperature sensor which is installed in the circulating air above the storage 2 and detects the ambient temperature above the stored food 11.
3a, installed in the circulating air at the lower portion of the storage 2;
Since the product temperature sensor 13b is a lower temperature sensor that detects the ambient temperature below the stored food 11, the product temperature sensors 13a and 13b are not bulky, are compact, and have a narrow interior of the storage 2. Never do.

Further, the article temperature detecting method according to the present invention can realize the article temperature detecting device 12 which is not in contact with food and has good responsiveness.
Further, even if the type of food changes, it is possible to cope with it only by changing the storage contents of the storage means 14, and the temperature sensor 13a, 1
There is no need to change or adjust 3b, and it is possible to provide a highly versatile product temperature detecting device that can detect the temperature of different types of foods with one type of sensor.

(Embodiment 2) Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system for detecting and freezing and thawing a product temperature according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment.

In FIG. 5, the components denoted by reference numerals 1 to 19 are common to the first embodiment. Reference numeral 41 indicates that when the thawing temperature is specified or the thawing completion specified time is specified, even if thawing is started at a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature, a warning is issued when the thawing cannot be performed to the thawing temperature at the specified thawing completion time. This is a display lamp that is a warning means and bears "insufficient (thawing) time".

Reference numeral 42 denotes thawing completion time display means for displaying the time at which thawing is completed when thawing is performed at the thawing atmosphere temperature, and displays a time later than the specified thawing completion time.

Reference numeral 43 denotes selection means for selecting whether to complete at the designated time of decompression completion or at the time displayed by the decompression completion time display means 42. When the selecting means 43 selects completion at the designated thawing completion time, the thawing starts at a rapid thawing atmosphere temperature at least higher than the thawing atmosphere temperature, and the atmosphere temperature is set so that the thawing is completed at the designated thawing completion time. This is a forcing means for forcing the control means 19.

The operation of the product temperature detecting freezing and thawing box configured as described above will be described below with reference to FIGS.

In FIG. 6, Step 1 through Step 9
The steps up to this are common to the first embodiment.

Next, the ambient temperature control means 19 determines whether the thawing start time ts is after the current time (Step 3).
1) If the thawing start time ts is after the current time, the first embodiment
The same operations of Step 10 to Step 19 are performed.

On the other hand, when the thawing start time ts is earlier than the current time, the atmosphere temperature control means 19 uses the warning means 41 to indicate that the thawing cannot be performed to the thawing product temperature Td at the thawing completion specified time tf, indicating "insufficient time". The lamp is turned on and a warning is issued (Step 32). At the same time, when the decompression is started immediately, the time when the decompression is completed, that is, the time after td time from the current time is calculated, and displayed by the decompression completion time display means 42. The display time is a time later than the decompression completion specified time tf (Step 33).

Next, the operator selects, with the selection means 43, whether to complete at the designated decompression completion time tf or at the time displayed by the decompression completion time display means 42 (Step).
34).

If the user selects to complete the answer at the time displayed by the decompression completion time display means 42, the same operations as those in the first embodiment from Step 12 to Step 19 are performed.

On the other hand, it is necessary to have the thawed food at the decompression completion designated time tf, and
When the user selects to complete the decompression at the specified decompression completion time tf, the forcing means 44 completes the decompression at the decompression completion specified time tf using (Equation 1), (Equation 2), and (Equation 3). For this purpose, a quick thawing atmosphere temperature Tx higher than the thawing atmosphere temperature Tw is calculated (Step 35), and the thawing temperature controller 19 is forced to immediately start thawing at the rapid thawing atmosphere temperature Tx.

Then, the atmosphere temperature control means 19 controls the inside temperature setting means 7 to control the inside temperature to be changed from the freezing temperature to the rapid thawing atmosphere temperature Tx (S).
step36). Then, the same operations from Step 13 to Step 19 as in the first embodiment are performed.

Then, as in the first embodiment, after the thawing is completed, the atmospheric temperature in the storage 2 is kept the same as the thawed product temperature Td, and the food 11 stored in the storage is maintained at the thawed product temperature Td. Then, when the thawed food 11 is taken out from the freezing and thawing cabinet 1 and used, and when new frozen food is stored in the freezing and thawing cabinet 1 again, the inside temperature setting means 7 sets the inside temperature to the freezing temperature (−20 ° C.). ) And restart from Step1.

By the above operation, the product temperature detecting freezing and thawing storage of this embodiment is capable of storing the food in the storage 2 in a frozen state, detecting the internal temperature of the stored food, and using the internal temperature of the food for the operator. Complete decompression at the time requested by.

As described above, the freezing and thawing refrigerator for detecting the temperature of food of this embodiment has the cooling means 3 for cooling the food and the heating means 4 for heating the food, and the temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temperature of the food. 13a, 13b, storage means 14 for storing the heat transfer characteristics of the food, the ambient temperature of the food detected by the product temperature sensors 13a, 13b, and the heat transfer characteristics of the food stored in the storage means 14, Product temperature calculating means 15 for calculating the internal temperature of the food; defrosting product temperature setting means 16 for setting the food defrosting product temperature Td; defrosting completion specifying time setting means 17 for setting the food defrosting completion specified time tf; When thawing is performed from the food temperature T3 of the food being frozen and stored calculated by the temperature calculating means 15 to the thawing temperature Td of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means 16 at a constant thawing atmosphere temperature Tw higher than the freezing temperature. Decompression time td , Thawed required time calculating means 18 for calculating the heat transfer characteristics of the food which the storage means 14 stores
From the required thawing time td calculated by the required thawing time calculating means 18 and the specified thawing completion time tf set by the specified thawing completion time setting means 17, the atmosphere temperature of the food is frozen before the specified thawing completion time tf. The temperature is changed to a constant thawing atmosphere temperature Tw higher than the temperature, the atmosphere temperature control means 19 for controlling the atmosphere temperature so that thawing is completed at the thawing completion specified time tf, and the thawing product temperature Td or the thawing completion specified time tf is set. At this point, even if the thawing is started at the thawing atmosphere temperature Tw, a warning means 41 for issuing a warning when the thawing is not possible to the thawing temperature Td at the thawing completion designated time tf, and a thawing completion time for displaying the time when the thawing is completed Display means 42 and selection means 42 for selecting whether to complete at the decompression completion specified time tf or at the time displayed by the decompression completion time display means.
And selecting the completion at the designated thawing completion time tf, the thawing is started at the rapid thawing atmosphere temperature Tx higher than the thawing atmosphere temperature Tw, and the atmosphere temperature control means is set so that the thawing is completed at the designated thawing completion time Tf. 19, forcing the thawed food to be thawed at a specified time tf that requires the thawed food. By preserving the product until the last minute, deterioration of food quality can be minimized.

Also, the thawing temperature Td or the thawing completion designation time t
Even if thawing is started at the thawing atmosphere temperature Tw when f is set, a warning is issued when the thawing cannot be performed to the thawing temperature Td at the thawing completion specified time tf, and the time at which thawing is completed is displayed. To inform the operator of the correct decompression completion time.

Also, whether the decompression is completed at the designated completion time tf,
Selecting means 44 for selecting whether to complete at the time displayed by the thawing completion time display means 42, and when selecting to complete at the thawing completion specified time tf, the thawing atmosphere temperature Tw
By starting thawing at a higher minimum rapid thawing atmosphere temperature Tx and completing thawing at the designated thawing completion time tf, while minimizing quality deterioration of the food being thawed,
Thawing can be completed at a designated time that requires the thawed food.

[0105]

As described above, the invention according to claim 1 is
A cooling means for cooling the food, a heating means for heating the food, an article temperature sensor for detecting an ambient temperature of the food, a storage means for storing heat transfer characteristics of the food, and the food detected by the article temperature sensor From the ambient temperature of the food and the heat transfer characteristics of the food stored in the storage means, a food temperature calculating means for calculating the internal temperature of the food, a defrosted product temperature setting means for setting the defrosted food temperature of the food, A designated thawing completion time setting means for setting a designated thawing completion time of the food; and setting the thawing product temperature at a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature based on the food temperature of the food being frozen and stored calculated by the food temperature calculating means. The thawing time required for thawing the food to the thawing temperature set by the means is calculated by the thawing time calculating means for calculating from the heat transfer characteristics of the food stored in the storage means, and the thawing time calculating means. Decompression required Between the time and the designated thawing completion time set by the thawing completion designated time setting means, before the designated thawing completion time, the ambient temperature of the food is changed to a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature, and the designated thawing completion time. By configuring the temperature detection freezing and thawing cabinet from the ambient temperature control means that controls the ambient temperature so that the thawing is completed, it is possible to complete the thawing at the designated time when the thawed food is needed At the same time, it is possible to minimize the deterioration of the quality of food by preserving the frozen food as long as possible by calculating backward from the designated time.

Further, the invention according to claim 2 has a cooling means for cooling the food, a heating means for heating the food, a temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temperature of the food, and a heat transfer characteristic of the food. A storage means for storing; an ambient temperature of the food detected by the food temperature sensor; and a heat transfer characteristic of the food stored by the storage means, a food temperature calculating means for calculating an internal temperature of the food; Thawing item temperature setting means for setting the thawing item temperature,
A thawing completion designated time setting means for setting a thawing completion designation time of the food; and a thawing temperature of the thawing food at a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature, based on the food temperature of the food being frozen and stored calculated by the food temperature calculating means. The required thawing time when thawing to the thawing product temperature of the food set by the setting means, the required thawing time calculating means for calculating from the heat transfer characteristic of the food stored in the storage means, and the required thawing time calculating means From the calculated required thawing time and the specified thawing completion time set by the thawing completion specified time setting means, before the specified thawing completion time, the ambient temperature of the food is changed to a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature, Product temperature detection refrigeration from ambient temperature control means that controls the ambient temperature so that thawing is completed at the designated time of thawing completion, and status display means that indicates whether the food being stored is frozen or thawing. By configuring the freezer, it is possible to complete the thawing at the designated time when the thawed food is needed, and it is calculated backward from the designated time and kept frozen as long as possible as far as possible. Thereby, the deterioration of the quality of the food can be minimized. In addition, by indicating whether the food being stored is frozen or thawing, even if there is a schedule change such as a decrease or increase in the amount of food to be cooked, the amount of food to be thawed should be changed if it is frozen. So, even if there is a change in cooking schedule, etc., minimize disposal by excess thawing,
In addition, the amount of defrosted food can be adjusted optimally.

The invention according to claim 3 further comprises a cooling means for cooling the food, a heating means for heating the food, a temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temperature of the food, and a heat transfer characteristic of the food. A storage means for storing; an ambient temperature of the food detected by the food temperature sensor; and a heat transfer characteristic of the food stored by the storage means, a food temperature calculating means for calculating an internal temperature of the food; Thawing item temperature setting means for setting the thawing item temperature,
A thawing completion designated time setting means for setting a thawing completion designation time of the food; and a thawing temperature of the thawing food at a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature, based on the food temperature of the food being frozen and stored calculated by the food temperature calculating means. The required thawing time when thawing to the thawing product temperature of the food set by the setting means, the required thawing time calculating means for calculating from the heat transfer characteristic of the food stored in the storage means, and the required thawing time calculating means From the calculated required thawing time and the specified thawing completion time set by the thawing completion specified time setting means, before the specified thawing completion time, the ambient temperature of the food is changed to a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature, Atmospheric temperature control means for controlling the ambient temperature so that the thawing is completed at the designated time of thawing completion, state display means for displaying whether the food being stored is frozen or thawing, and By configuring the food temperature detection freezing and thawing box with the food temperature display means that displays the temperature, it is possible to complete the thawing at the specified time when the thawed food is required, and to calculate backward from the specified time Thus, by preserving the food as long as possible and keeping it frozen until the last minute, it is possible to minimize deterioration of the quality of the food. Furthermore, by indicating whether the food being stored is frozen or thawing and displaying the temperature of the food being stored, the thawing is completed if the cooking time is frozen even if the scheduled cooking time is changed. By changing the designated time, and even during thawing, if the temperature rise is small by observing the food temperature (for example, food that has been frozen and stored at -20 ° C, only thaws to -18 ° C) By changing the designated time of completion of thawing, if there is a change in the cooking schedule, etc., it is possible to minimize the waste due to excessive thawing and to adjust the amount of thawed food optimally.

The invention according to claim 4 has a cooling means for cooling the food, a heating means for heating the food, a temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temperature of the food, and a heat transfer characteristic of the food. A storage means for storing; an ambient temperature of the food detected by the food temperature sensor; and a heat transfer characteristic of the food stored by the storage means, a food temperature calculating means for calculating an internal temperature of the food; Thawing item temperature setting means for setting the thawing item temperature,
A thawing completion designated time setting means for setting a thawing completion designation time of the food; and a thawing temperature of the thawing food at a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature, based on the food temperature of the food being frozen and stored calculated by the food temperature calculating means. The required thawing time when thawing to the thawing product temperature of the food set by the setting means, the required thawing time calculating means for calculating from the heat transfer characteristic of the food stored in the storage means, and the required thawing time calculating means From the calculated required thawing time and the specified thawing completion time set by the thawing completion specified time setting means, before the specified thawing completion time, the ambient temperature of the food is changed to a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature, Atmosphere temperature control means for controlling the ambient temperature so that thawing is completed at the designated time of thawing completion, and at the time when the thawing product temperature or the designated time of thawing completion is set, thawing at the thawing atmosphere temperature Even if it starts, the product temperature detection freezing and thawing box is composed of a warning means for issuing a warning when the thawing cannot be performed to the thawing temperature at the specified thawing completion time, and a thawing completion time display means for displaying the thawing completion time. By allowing the thawed food to be thawed at the specified time when it is needed, the food quality can be reduced by calculating backward from the specified time and keeping it frozen as long as possible. Deterioration can be minimized. Furthermore, even if the thawing is started at the thawing atmosphere temperature when the thawing temperature or the thawing completion specified time is set, a warning is issued when the thawing cannot be performed to the thawing temperature at the thawing completion specified time, and the thawing is completed. By displaying the time of the decompression, the operator can be notified of the correct decompression completion time.

The invention according to claim 5 further comprises a cooling means for cooling the food, a heating means for heating the food, a temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temperature of the food, and a heat transfer characteristic of the food. A storage means for storing; an ambient temperature of the food detected by the food temperature sensor; and a heat transfer characteristic of the food stored by the storage means, a food temperature calculating means for calculating an internal temperature of the food; Thawing item temperature setting means for setting the thawing item temperature,
A thawing completion designated time setting means for setting a thawing completion designation time of the food; and a thawing temperature of the thawing food at a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature, based on the food temperature of the food being frozen and stored calculated by the food temperature calculating means. The required thawing time when thawing to the thawing product temperature of the food set by the setting means, the required thawing time calculating means for calculating from the heat transfer characteristic of the food stored in the storage means, and the required thawing time calculating means From the calculated required thawing time and the specified thawing completion time set by the thawing completion specified time setting means, before the specified thawing completion time, the ambient temperature of the food is changed to a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature, Atmosphere temperature control means for controlling the ambient temperature so that thawing is completed at the designated time of thawing completion, and at the time when the thawing product temperature or the designated time of thawing completion is set, thawing at the thawing atmosphere temperature Even if it starts, a warning means that issues a warning when the thawing temperature cannot be reached at the designated time of thawing completion, a thawing completion time display means that displays the time when thawing is completed, and whether the thawing is completed at the designated time. Selecting means for selecting whether to complete at the time displayed by the completion time display means, and, when selecting to complete at the designated time for thawing completion, starting thawing at a rapid thawing atmosphere temperature which is at least higher than the thawing atmosphere temperature. By composing the temperature detection freezing and thawing cabinet from the forcing means for forcing the ambient temperature control means to complete thawing at the designated time of thawing completion, the thawing is completed at the designated time when the thawed food is required In addition, it is possible to minimize the deterioration of the quality of food by storing the frozen food as long as possible, by calculating backward from the designated time, as far as possible. Furthermore, even if the thawing is started at the thawing atmosphere temperature when the thawing temperature or the thawing completion specified time is set, a warning is issued when the thawing cannot be performed to the thawing temperature at the thawing completion specified time, and the thawing is completed. By displaying the time of the decompression, the operator is notified of the correct decompression completion time. Further, selecting means for selecting whether to complete at the designated time of thawing completion or completion at the time displayed by the thawing completion time display means, Starts thawing at the minimum high-speed thawing atmosphere temperature, and completes thawing at the specified time of thawing completion. At a time, the thawing can be completed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a product temperature detection freezing and thawing storage according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a heat transfer model diagram of a food to represent the heat transfer characteristic of the food of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a characteristic diagram showing a change in the internal temperature of food in a storage;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a product temperature detection freezing and thawing storage according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a defrosting apparatus for realizing a conventional defrosting method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 freezing and thawing storage 2 storage 3 cooling means 4 heating means 5 internal temperature sensor 6 internal temperature detecting means 7 internal temperature setting means 8 internal temperature determining means 9 cooling control means 10 heating control means 11 foodstuff 12 product temperature detecting device 13a, 13b Product temperature sensor 14 Storage means 15 Product temperature calculation means 16 Decompression product temperature setting means 17 Decompression completion designation time setting means 18 Decompression required time calculation means 19 Atmospheric temperature control means 20 State display means 21 Food temperature display means 41 Warning means 42 Decompression completion time display means 43 Selection means 44 Forcing means

Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Tetsuhide Kuramoto 4-5-2-5 Takaida Hondori, Higashiosaka-shi, Osaka Matsushita Refrigerator Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 3L045 AA02 BA03 BA05 CA02 CA06 DA02 EA01 GA07 HA01 KA09 LA01 LA13 LA18 MA01 MA02 NA16 NA19 PA01 PA02 PA03 PA04 4B022 LA01 LA04 LB01 LT02

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A food temperature sensor having cooling means for cooling food, heating means for heating food, and detecting an ambient temperature of the food; storage means for storing heat transfer characteristics of the food; A food temperature calculating means for calculating an internal temperature of the food from the ambient temperature of the food detected by the sensor and the heat transfer characteristics of the food stored in the storage means; Setting means, thawing completion designation time setting means for setting the thawing completion designation time of the food, and from the temperature of the food being frozen and stored calculated by the temperature calculating means, at a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature, A thawing time calculating means for calculating a thawing time required for thawing to the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means from the heat transfer characteristic of the food stored in the storage means; Calculated by time calculation means From the required decompression time and the decompression completion specified time set by the decompression completion specified time setting means,
Before the designated time of thawing completion, the atmosphere temperature of the food is changed to a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature, and the atmosphere temperature control means for controlling the atmosphere temperature so that the thawing is completed at the designated time of thawing completion. Detection freezing and thawing storage. 2. An article temperature sensor having cooling means for cooling the food, heating means for heating the food, detecting an ambient temperature of the food, storage means for storing heat transfer characteristics of the food, and said article temperature. A food temperature calculating means for calculating an internal temperature of the food from the ambient temperature of the food detected by the sensor and the heat transfer characteristics of the food stored in the storage means; Setting means, thawing completion designation time setting means for setting the thawing completion designation time of the food, and from the temperature of the food being frozen and stored calculated by the temperature calculating means, at a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature, A thawing time calculating means for calculating a thawing time required for thawing to the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means from the heat transfer characteristic of the food stored in the storage means; Calculated by time calculation means From the required decompression time and the decompression completion specified time set by the decompression completion specified time setting means,
Before the designated time of thawing completion, the atmosphere temperature of the food is changed to a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature, and the atmosphere temperature control means for controlling the atmosphere temperature so that the thawing is completed at the designated time of thawing completion; A temperature detection freezing and thawing storage comprising state display means for displaying whether the food is being frozen or being thawed. 3. A food temperature sensor having cooling means for cooling the food, heating means for heating the food, and detecting an ambient temperature of the food, storage means for storing heat transfer characteristics of the food, and the temperature of the food. A food temperature calculating means for calculating an internal temperature of the food from the ambient temperature of the food detected by the sensor and the heat transfer characteristics of the food stored in the storage means; Setting means, thawing completion designation time setting means for setting the thawing completion designation time of the food, and from the temperature of the food being frozen and stored calculated by the temperature calculating means, at a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature, A thawing time calculating means for calculating a thawing time required for thawing to the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means from the heat transfer characteristic of the food stored in the storage means; Calculated by time calculation means From the required decompression time and the decompression completion specified time set by the decompression completion specified time setting means,
Before the designated time of thawing completion, the atmosphere temperature of the food is changed to a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature, and the atmosphere temperature control means for controlling the atmosphere temperature so that the thawing is completed at the designated time of thawing completion; A food temperature detection freezing and thawing storage comprising state display means for displaying whether the food is frozen or thawing, and food temperature display means for displaying the food temperature of the food being stored. 4. A food temperature sensor having cooling means for cooling the food, heating means for heating the food, and detecting an ambient temperature of the food, storage means for storing heat transfer characteristics of the food, and said temperature. A food temperature calculating means for calculating an internal temperature of the food from the ambient temperature of the food detected by the sensor and the heat transfer characteristics of the food stored in the storage means; Setting means, thawing completion designation time setting means for setting the thawing completion designation time of the food, and from the temperature of the food being frozen and stored calculated by the temperature calculating means, at a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature, A thawing time calculating means for calculating a thawing time required for thawing to the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means from the heat transfer characteristic of the food stored in the storage means; Calculated by time calculation means From the required decompression time and the decompression completion specified time set by the decompression completion specified time setting means,
Atmospheric temperature control means for changing the ambient temperature of the food to a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature before the designated time of thawing completion, and controlling the ambient temperature so that thawing is completed at the designated time of thawing completion; Or, at the point in time when the designated thawing completion time is set, even if thawing is started at the thawing atmosphere temperature, a warning means for issuing a warning when the thawing cannot be performed to the thawing temperature at the designated thawing completion time, A product temperature detection freezing and thawing storage which comprises a thawing completion time display means for displaying. 5. An article temperature sensor having a cooling means for cooling the food, a heating means for heating the food, and detecting an ambient temperature of the food, a storage means for storing heat transfer characteristics of the food, and the article temperature. A food temperature calculating means for calculating an internal temperature of the food from the ambient temperature of the food detected by the sensor and the heat transfer characteristics of the food stored in the storage means; Setting means, thawing completion designation time setting means for setting the thawing completion designation time of the food, and from the temperature of the food being frozen and stored calculated by the temperature calculating means, at a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature, A thawing time calculating means for calculating a thawing time required for thawing to the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means from the heat transfer characteristic of the food stored in the storage means; Calculated by time calculation means From the required decompression time and the decompression completion specified time set by the decompression completion specified time setting means,
Atmospheric temperature control means for changing the ambient temperature of the food to a constant thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the freezing temperature before the designated time of thawing completion, and controlling the ambient temperature so that thawing is completed at the designated time of thawing completion; Or, at the point in time when the designated thawing completion time is set, even if thawing is started at the thawing atmosphere temperature, a warning means for issuing a warning when the thawing cannot be performed to the thawing temperature at the designated thawing completion time, When the thawing completion time display means to be displayed, the selection means to select whether to complete at the thawing completion specified time, or to complete at the time displayed by the thawing completion time display means, and when the completion at the thawing completion specified time is selected Forcing means for starting thawing at a rapid thawing atmosphere temperature that is at least higher than the thawing atmosphere temperature and forcing the atmosphere temperature control means to complete thawing at a designated thawing completion time. Made product temperature detection freeze-thaw warehouse.