JP2001299307A - Freezing and thawing chamber detecting temperature of goods - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a freezing and thawing chamber capable of enabling the thawing to be finished at a specified time at which the thawed food is required, and capable of minimizing the deterioration of the quality of the food by preserving the food by freezing as long as possible to the time just before the time calculated from the specified time. SOLUTION: The thawing is controlled by a cooling means 3 for cooling the food, a heating means 4 for heating the food, goods-temperature sensors 13a and 13b for detecting surrounding temperatures of the food, a means 14 for calculating the temperature of the goods capable of calculating the inner temperature of the food from the surrounding temperatures of the food and the heat transfer characteristics memorized by a memory 14, a means 18 for calculating the time required for the thawing, capable of calculating the time required for thawing the food when thawing the food under freezing preservation by changing surrounding temperature for the thawing stepwise, from the heat transfer characteristics of the food, and a surrounding temperature controller 19 capable of automatically changing the surrounding temperature from the freezing temperature to the surrounding temperature for the thawing so that the thawing may be finished at the time calculated by decreasing the time required for the thawing from the specified time for finishing the thawing.

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 refrigerator for detecting the temperature of a food product, which freezes and stores the food product and defrosts the stored food product.

[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.

[0006] Reference numeral 60 denotes a temperature sensor in the refrigerator.
The temperature in the chamber 3 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 due to 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, for example, in a restaurant or the like, when defrosted food is needed in the morning due to the time of the operator, defrosting is started at night and before closing (before the operator returns), and halfway through the night. 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. Based on the food ambient temperature detected by the food temperature sensor and the heat transfer characteristics of the food stored in the storage means, the food temperature calculating means calculates the internal temperature of the food, and sets the thawing atmosphere temperature to the thawing temperature. When the thawing is performed in a stepwise manner from the first thawing atmosphere temperature which is higher by a certain temperature than the thawing product temperature of the food set by the means, the thawing temperature of the food being frozen and stored calculated by the above-mentioned food temperature calculating means, The required thawing time to reach the thawing temperature is calculated from the heat transfer characteristics of the food, and the thawing completion time is calculated back from the thawing completion specified time set by the thawing completion specified time setting means. ,
The ambient temperature of the food is automatically changed from the freezing temperature to the above-described thawing ambient temperature, and the ambient temperature is controlled so that the thawing is completed at the designated thawing completion time.

[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 the 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 the defrosting completion specified time of the food; and a defrosting atmosphere. When the thawing is performed by changing the temperature stepwise from the first thawing atmosphere temperature which is higher by a certain temperature than the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means,
The storage means stores the time required for thawing from the food temperature of the food being frozen and stored calculated by the food temperature calculating means to the food thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means. A decompression required time calculated by the heat transfer characteristic of the decompression time specified by the decompression required time calculated by the decompression required time calculation means and the decompression specified time set by the decompression specified time setting means. Before changing the ambient temperature of the food to the thawing ambient temperature and controlling the ambient temperature so that the thawing is completed at the designated time of the thawing completion. Thawing step by step, thawing is performed quickly and uniformly, and thawing can be completed at the specified time when the thawed food is needed. And, as long as possible, it is that you stored frozen until the last minute, with the effect that the food of the quality deterioration 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,
Defrosting item temperature setting means for setting the defrosting product temperature of the food, defrosting completion time setting means for setting the defrosting completion specification time of the food, and defrosting product temperature of the food setting the defrosting atmosphere temperature by the defrosting product temperature setting means When thawing is performed stepwise from the first thawing atmosphere temperature which is higher by a certain temperature, the thawing item temperature setting means sets the thawing item temperature setting means based on the food temperature of the food during the freezing and storage calculated by the food temperature calculating means. The thawing time required to reach the thawing temperature of the food, the thawing time calculating means for calculating from the heat transfer characteristics of the food stored in the storage means, and the thawing time calculated by the thawing time calculating means. And changing the ambient temperature of the food to the thawing atmosphere temperature before the thawing completion designated time from the thawing completion designated time set by the thawing completion designated time setting means, and completing the thawing at the designated thawing completion time. This is a product temperature detection freezing and thawing storage consisting of an atmosphere temperature control means for controlling the atmosphere temperature and a status display means for indicating whether the food being stored is being frozen or thawed. By thawing, thawing is performed quickly and uniformly, and it is possible to complete thawing at the specified time when the thawed food is needed. By preserving frozen foods, deterioration of food quality can be minimized.

Further, by displaying 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 can be reduced if it is frozen. 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 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,
Defrosting item temperature setting means for setting the defrosting product temperature of the food, defrosting completion time setting means for setting the defrosting completion specification time of the food, and defrosting product temperature of the food setting the defrosting atmosphere temperature by the defrosting product temperature setting means When thawing is performed stepwise from the first thawing atmosphere temperature which is higher by a certain temperature, the thawing item temperature setting means sets the thawing item temperature setting means based on the food temperature of the food during the freezing and storage calculated by the food temperature calculating means. The thawing time required to reach the thawing temperature of the food, the thawing time calculating means for calculating from the heat transfer characteristics of the food stored in the storage means, and the thawing time calculated by the thawing time calculating means. And changing the ambient temperature of the food to the thawing atmosphere temperature before the thawing completion designated time from the thawing completion designated time set by the thawing completion designated time setting means, and completing the thawing at the designated thawing completion time. An atmosphere temperature control means for controlling the atmosphere temperature, a state display means for displaying whether the stored food is frozen or thawed, and a food temperature display means for displaying the food temperature of the stored food. It is a temperature detection freezing and thawing storage,
By performing thawing by changing the thawing atmosphere temperature stepwise, thawing can be performed quickly and uniformly, and thawing can be completed at the specified time when the thawed food is required, and the back calculation is performed 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 displaying whether the food being stored is frozen or thawing, and displaying the temperature of the food being stored, even if the scheduled cooking time is changed, if the food is frozen,
By changing the designated time of thawing completion, and even during thawing, if the temperature rise is small by looking at the food temperature (for example,
If the food stored frozen at -20 ° C has been thawed only 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 effect that the amount of defrosted 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 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,
Defrosting item temperature setting means for setting the defrosting product temperature of the food, defrosting completion time setting means for setting the defrosting completion specification time of the food, and defrosting product temperature of the food setting the defrosting atmosphere temperature by the defrosting product temperature setting means When thawing is performed stepwise from the first thawing atmosphere temperature which is higher by a certain temperature, the thawing item temperature setting means sets the thawing item temperature setting means based on the food temperature of the food during the freezing and storage calculated by the food temperature calculating means. The thawing time required to reach the thawing temperature of the food, the thawing time calculating means for calculating from the heat transfer characteristics of the food stored in the storage means, and the thawing time calculated by the thawing time calculating means. And changing the ambient temperature of the food to the thawing atmosphere temperature before the thawing completion designated time from the thawing completion designated time set by the thawing completion designated time setting means, and completing the thawing at the designated thawing completion time. And the ambient temperature control means for controlling the cormorants ambient temperature, when the thawing product temperature or thawing completion specified time is set, even if start decompressing at the thawing ambient temperature,
A product temperature detection freezing and thawing box that includes a warning unit that issues a warning when the thawing temperature cannot be defrosted at the specified thawing completion time and a thawing completion time display unit that displays the thawing completion time. Thawing is performed quickly and uniformly by changing the thawing, and it is possible to complete the thawing at the specified time when the thawed food is needed, and calculate backward from the specified time, as much as possible, By storing the food for a long time at the last minute, it is possible to minimize the deterioration of the food quality.

Further, when the thawing is started at the thawing atmosphere temperature when the thawing temperature or the thawing completion designation time is set, a warning is issued when the thawing cannot be performed at the thawing completion temperature at the thawing completion designation time, Displaying the time at which the decompression is completed has the effect that 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,
Defrosting item temperature setting means for setting the defrosting product temperature of the food, defrosting completion time setting means for setting the defrosting completion specification time of the food, and defrosting product temperature of the food setting the defrosting atmosphere temperature by the defrosting product temperature setting means When thawing is performed stepwise from the first thawing atmosphere temperature which is higher by a certain temperature, the thawing item temperature setting means sets the thawing item temperature setting means based on the food temperature of the food during the freezing and storage calculated by the food temperature calculating means. The thawing time required to reach the thawing temperature of the food, the thawing time calculating means for calculating from the heat transfer characteristics of the food stored in the storage means, and the thawing time calculated by the thawing time calculating means. And changing the ambient temperature of the food to the thawing atmosphere temperature before the thawing completion designated time from the thawing completion designated time set by the thawing completion designated time setting means, and completing the thawing at the designated thawing completion time. And the ambient temperature control means for controlling the cormorants ambient temperature, when the thawing product temperature or thawing completion specified time is set, even if start decompressing at the thawing ambient temperature,
A warning means for issuing a warning when the thawing temperature cannot be reached at the designated time of thawing completion, a thawing completion time displaying means for displaying a time when thawing is completed, and a means for completing or thawing at the designated thawing completion time. Selecting means for selecting whether to complete at the time to be displayed, 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; This is a product temperature detection freezing and thawing chamber comprising forcing means for forcing the atmosphere temperature control means to complete thawing, and performing thawing by changing the thawing atmosphere temperature stepwise to perform thawing at high speed and uniformly. At the same time, it is possible to complete the thawing at the specified time when you need the thawed food, and by calculating backward from the specified time, keep it frozen as long as possible Food of the quality deterioration can be minimized.

Further, when thawing is started at the thawing atmosphere temperature when the thawing product temperature or the thawing completion designation time is set, a warning is issued if the thawing cannot be performed at the thawing completion temperature at the thawing completion designation time, By displaying the time at which decompression is completed, the operator is notified of the correct decompression completion time.

Further, selecting 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, Thawing is started at the minimum thawing atmosphere temperature that is higher than the ambient temperature, and thawing is completed at the designated time of thawing completion, so that thawed food is required while minimizing deterioration of the quality of the food being thawed. The decompression can be completed at the specified time.

[0026]

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 configuration of a freezing and thawing chamber for detecting the temperature of food according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 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 for storing food in a refrigerant and thawing food. 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 means 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. 9
Is a cooling control means for controlling the cooling of the inside of the refrigerator based on the determination result of the inside 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.

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 defrosting product temperature setting means for setting the defrosting product temperature of the food, and 17 denotes defrosting completion designation time setting means for setting the defrosting completion designation time of the food.

Numeral 18 indicates that when the thawing temperature is changed stepwise from the first thawing atmosphere temperature which is higher by a certain temperature than the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means 16, the thawing temperature is changed. The storage means 14 stores the time required for thawing from the internal temperature of the food during frozen storage calculated by the arithmetic means 15 to the temperature at which the food is defrosted set by the defrosted product temperature setting means 16. This is the calculation of the time required for thawing, which is calculated from the heat transfer characteristics.

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 changed step by step from the first thawing atmosphere temperature, which is higher by a certain temperature than the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means 16, and controls the atmosphere temperature so that the thawing is completed at the designated thawing completion time. Temperature control means.

Reference numeral 20 denotes state display means for displaying whether the stored food is frozen or thawing, and reference numeral 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, 3
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 the upper overall heat transfer coefficient of the food,
This is a value derived from the heat transfer coefficient of the 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, and in this embodiment, gratin 31 occupies most of it, and is a value derived from the product of the specific heat of gratin and the weight.

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

In FIG. 3, the thawing is started, and the temperature of the food is changed from a frozen temperature (for example, about -20 ° C.) to a first temperature which is higher by a certain temperature than the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means 16. (For example, if the thawing temperature is 3 ° C. and the constant temperature is 15 ° C., the first thawing atmosphere temperature is 18 ° C.). In accordance with the change in the ambient temperature, 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 (point b).

Here, the temperature of the food is changed from the first thawing atmosphere temperature to a second thawing atmosphere temperature (for example, a thawing product temperature) which is higher by a certain temperature than the thawing product temperature of the food set by the thawing product temperature setting means 16. Assuming that the temperature is 3 ° C. and the constant temperature is 5 ° C., the second thawing atmosphere temperature is changed to 8 ° C.). 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 temperature reaches the melting end temperature Te (point c), all the moisture in the food is melted.

Here, the food temperature is changed from the second defrosting atmosphere temperature to the defrosted product temperature (here, 3 ° C.) set by the defrosted product temperature setting means 16. At this point, since all the moisture in the food has been melted, the internal temperature of the food increases again in speed, and eventually reaches the thawed product temperature. Therefore, points a and b are set to a frozen state, points b to c are set to a melting state, and points c to c are set to a refrigerated state.

The storage means 14 stores the upper overall heat transfer coefficient K1a, K1b, K1c and the lower overall heat transfer coefficient K in the frozen state, the thawed state, and the 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.

Strictly speaking, foods can be frozen even at freezing temperatures.
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, even at -1 ° C or higher, the heat transfer characteristic value of the food hardly changes.
1c and Cc can be regarded as constant values. Therefore, the melting start temperature Ts is −5 ° C., and the melting end temperature Te is the same as the freezing point and is −1.
° C.

Therefore, gratin is in a melting state at -5 ° C. to −1 ° C. In this state, the heat capacity of the gratin can be simply calculated as the latent heat of fusion 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 below the food is Q2, the amounts of heat ΔQ1 and ΔQ2 per unit time are as follows: ΔQ1 = K1aA1 (T1-T3) ΔQ2 = K2aA2 (T2-T3)

Accordingly, if the total amount of heat entering the food is Q, the total amount of heat entering the unit per unit time ΔQ is the sum of the amount of heat entering from the upper part and the amount of heat entering from the lower part.

ΔQ = ΔQ1 + ΔQ2 = (K1aA1T1
+ K2aA2T2)-(K1aA1 + K2aA2) T3
The total amount of heat intrusion ΔQ per unit time is represented by a differential value of the total amount of heat of penetration Q with respect to time t.

Further, since the internal temperature T3 of the food having the calorific value Ca rises due to the invading calorific value Q, ΔQ = dQ / dt = Ca · dT3 / dt.

Therefore, Ca · dT3 / dt = (K1aA
1T1 + K2aA2T2)-(K1aA1 + K2aA
2) 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.

[0053]

(Equation 1)

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

Next, in the molten state,

[0056]

(Equation 2)

Is obtained.

Next, in the refrigerated state,

[0059]

(Equation 3)

Is obtained.

The product temperature calculating means 15 sets the upper atmosphere temperature of the food 11 detected by the upper temperature sensor 13a to T1, the lower atmosphere temperature of the food 11 detected by the lower temperature sensor 13b to T2, and in the frozen state, 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 unit 14 according to (Equation 3).

The initial value T0 of the food internal temperature T3 is:
Taking the frozen state as an example, the temperature at the time when the food is first put into the storage is treated as a frozen temperature (for example, -20 ° C),
By repeating the operation 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 product temperature detecting freezing and thawing box configured as described above will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4.

In FIG. 4, the inside temperature of the freezing and thawing room 1 is first set by the inside temperature setting means 7 to the freezing temperature (−20).
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 or not 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 internal temperature is lower than the internal set temperature, the cooling control means 9 shuts 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).
5).

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 From the internal temperature T3 of the food 11 during the frozen storage calculated by the temperature calculating means 15, the ambient temperature of the food is changed from the frozen temperature by a certain temperature higher than the defrosted product temperature Td of the food set by the defrosted product temperature setting means 16. The first thawing atmosphere temperature Tw1 and the second thawing atmosphere temperature T
When the temperature is gradually changed to w2 and the third thawing atmosphere temperature Tw3, the thawing time td required for thawing to the thawing product temperature Td is calculated from the heat transfer characteristic of the food stored in the storage means 14. (Step 8).

For example, when the defrosted product temperature Td is 3 ° C., the first defrosting atmosphere temperature Tw1 in the frozen state is 18 ° C.
The second thawing atmosphere temperature Tw2 in the molten state is 8 ° C.,
The third thawing atmosphere temperature Tw3 in the refrigerated state becomes 3 ° C. Assuming that the current internal temperature T3 of the food 11 is −18 ° C., the required thawing time td is the sum of the thawing time ta in the frozen state, the thawing time tb in the thawed state and the thawing time tc in the refrigerated state, ie, 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
In the thawing time up to s (−5 ° C.), when thawing, the amount of warm air circulating in the refrigerator is increased and the temperature in the refrigerator is equalized. Assuming that it is equal to Tw1, that is, if Tw1 = T1 = T2, (Equation 1) becomes the following equation.

Ts = Tw1- (Tw1-T3) exp
(−ta / τa) Accordingly, the thawing time ta in the frozen state is given by the following equation.

Ta = −τa · 1n ｛(Tw1-Ts) /
(Tw1-T3)｝ Similarly, the thawing time tb in the melting state is the thawing time from the melting start temperature Ts (−5 ° C.) to the melting end temperature Te (−1 ° C.), and the inside of the refrigerator is equalized. And (Equation 2) becomes the following equation.

Te = Tw2- (Tw2-Ts) exp
(−tb / τb) Therefore, the thawing time ta in the frozen state is given by the following equation.

Tb = −τb · 1n ｛(Tw2-Te) /
(Tw2−Ts)｝ 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 = Tw3- (Tw3-Te) exp
(−tc / τc) Therefore, the thawing time ta in the frozen state is given by the following equation.

Tc = −τc · 1n ｛(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
If it has reached, the ambient temperature control means 19 acts on the internal temperature setting means 7 to change the internal temperature to the first thawing atmospheric temperature Tw1 in the frozen state according to the internal temperature T3 of the food 11, Control is performed to change the setting to the second thawing atmosphere temperature Tw2 in the melting state, and to the third thawing atmosphere temperature Tw3 in the refrigeration state (Step 12).

Then, 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 set by the inside temperature setting means 7 (S).
step14). As a result, when the internal temperature is lower than the thawing atmosphere temperature, the heating control means 10 circulates the warm air generated by the heating means 4 into the storage 2 (Step 15). When the temperature in the refrigerator is higher than the thawing atmosphere temperature, the heating control means 1
0 shuts off the warm air in the storage 2 (Step 16).

Thus, the inside of the storage 2 is kept at the thawing atmosphere temperature, and the food 11 stored in the storage is thawed.

Then, 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 or not 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 designation time tf, the internal temperature T3 of the food 11 has reached the thawing temperature Td, and the internal temperature is the same as the thawing temperature Td. It is determined that the decompression is completed, and the process returns to Step 1. In this manner, after the thawing is completed, the atmosphere temperature in the storage 2 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 of 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.

[0086] By the above operation, the product temperature detecting freezing and thawing cabinet of the present embodiment freezes and stores the food in the storage 2, detects the internal temperature of the stored food, and uses the internal temperature of the food to perform the operator operation. Complete the decompression at the specified time.

In the method of 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. However, 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 the present embodiment, the thawing instruction is given by setting the thawing temperature and the designated time of thawing completion by the operator. However, a thawing instruction button may be provided separately and the thawing instruction may be given by pressing the button. It is.

In the present 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 product temperature detecting freezing and thawing storage 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 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. Decompression temperature calculating means 15 for calculating, defrosting product temperature setting means 16 for setting the defrosting product temperature Td, defrosting completion specified time setting means 17 for setting the defrosting completion specified time tf, and food temperature calculating means 15 The first thawing atmosphere temperature, which is higher than the thawing temperature Td of the food by the thawing temperature setting means 16 by the thawing temperature of the food from the freezing temperature, based on the food temperature T3 of the food being frozen and stored calculated by T
When the temperature is changed stepwise to w1 and further to the second thawing atmosphere temperature Tw2 and the third thawing atmosphere temperature Tw3, the storage means 14 stores the thawing time td required for thawing to the thawing product temperature Td. The decompression required time calculating means 18 calculated from the heat transfer characteristics of the food, the required decompression time td calculated by the decompression required time calculation means 18, and the decompression completion specified time tf set by the decompression specified time setting means 17 Before the thawing completion designation time tf, the temperature of the food is set to the first thawing atmosphere temperature Tw1 which is higher by a certain temperature than the thawing temperature Td of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means 16, and further to the second thawing temperature. Atmosphere temperature Tw2, third thawing atmosphere temperature T
Atmospheric temperature control means 19 for changing the temperature stepwise to w3 and controlling the ambient temperature so that the thawing is completed at the designated thawing completion time tf, and the status display means 20 for displaying whether the food being stored is frozen or thawing. And a food temperature display means 21 for displaying the temperature of the food being stored. The thawing is performed by changing the thawing atmosphere temperature stepwise to perform the thawing quickly and uniformly, and It is possible to complete the thawing at the specified time tf when the food is needed, and by calculating backward from the specified time and keeping it as frozen as possible for as long as possible, the deterioration of food quality is minimized. can do.

In addition, by indicating whether the food being stored is frozen or thawing, even if there is a schedule change such as an increase or decrease in the amount of food to be cooked, the amount of food to be thawed can be reduced if it is frozen. 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 is 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 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, according to the article temperature detecting method, it is possible to realize an 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 structure 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 configuration given reference numerals 1 to 19 is common to the first embodiment. 41 starts from the time when the thawing temperature or the thawing completion designation time is set, and sets the thawing atmosphere temperature from the first thawing atmosphere temperature which is higher than the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means 16 by a certain temperature. This is a warning means for issuing a warning when the thawing cannot be performed to the thawing temperature at the designated thawing completion time even if the thawing is performed step by step, and is a display lamp bearing "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 by changing the thawing atmosphere temperature stepwise as described above. indicate.

Reference numeral 43 denotes a selecting 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 thus-configured freezing and thawing refrigerator for detecting the product temperature will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

In FIG. 6, Step 1 to 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 from Step 10 to Step 18 are performed.

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

Next, the operator selects, with the selection means 43, whether to complete at the decompression completion specified time tf or at the time displayed by the decompression completion time display means 42 (Step).
34). When the user selects to complete the decompression at the time displayed by the decompression completion time display means 42, the first embodiment
The same operations from Step 12 to Step 18 are performed.

On the other hand, the operator must use the defrosted food at the defrosting completion specified 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 Tx1, Tx2, Tx3 higher than the thawing atmosphere temperature Tw1, Tw2, Tw3 is calculated (Step 35), and the atmosphere temperature control means 19 instructs that the thawing is immediately started at the rapid thawing atmosphere temperature. Force.

The atmosphere temperature control means 19 acts on the inside temperature setting means 7 to change the inside temperature to the first rapid thawing atmosphere temperature Tx1 in the frozen state according to the inside temperature T3 of the food 11, Control is performed to change the setting to the second rapid thawing atmosphere temperature Tx2 in the melting state and to the third quick thawing atmosphere temperature Tx3 in the refrigerated state (Step 36). Then, the same Step 1 as in the first embodiment is performed.
The operation from Step 3 to Step 18 is 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 detection freezing and thawing storage of this embodiment is for 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 to determine the operator. Decompression is completed at the time requested by.

As described above, the product temperature detecting freezing and thawing storage of this embodiment has the cooling means 3 for cooling the food and the heating means 4 for heating the food, and the product 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; From the frozen food temperature T3 calculated by the temperature calculating means 15, the ambient temperature of the food is changed from the frozen temperature by a fixed temperature to the defrosted product temperature Td set by the defrosted product temperature setting means 16 by the first temperature. Thawing atmosphere temperature T 1, further second thawing ambient temperature T
When the temperature is gradually changed to w2 and the third thawing atmosphere temperature Tw3, the thawing time td required for thawing to the thawing product temperature Td is calculated from the heat transfer characteristic of the food stored in the storage means 14. Required decompression time calculating means 18 and required decompression time td calculated by the required decompression time calculation means 18
Before the thawing completion designation time tf from the thawing completion designation time tf set by the thawing completion designation time setting means 17, the atmosphere temperature of the food is set to the thawing temperature Td of the food by the thawing temperature setting means 16. A first thawing atmosphere temperature Tw1 which is higher by a certain temperature, a second thawing atmosphere temperature Tw2,
Atmosphere temperature control means 19 for gradually changing the temperature to the third thawing atmosphere temperature Tw3 and controlling the atmosphere temperature so that the thawing is completed at the thawing completion specified time tf, and the thawing product temperature Td or the thawing completion specified time tf are set. Starting from the time when the thawing is performed, the thawing is performed by changing the thawing atmosphere temperature stepwise from the first thawing atmosphere temperature Tw1 which is higher than the thawing product temperature Td of the food set by the thawing product temperature setting means 16 by a certain temperature. A warning means 41 for issuing a warning when the thawing cannot be performed to the thawing temperature Td at the thawing completion specified time tf; a thawing completion time display means 42 for displaying a time when the thawing is completed;
Or completion at the time displayed by the thawing completion time display means, and when the thawing completion designation time tf is selected, the thawing atmosphere temperature Tw1, Tw2, Tw3. The thawing is performed at a higher rapid thawing atmosphere temperature Tx1, Tx2, Tx3, and the atmosphere temperature control means 1 so that the thawing is completed at the thawing completion designation time tf.
9, the thawing is performed at a designated time tf when the thawing is performed quickly and uniformly by changing the thawing atmosphere temperature stepwise and performing the thawing at a high speed. It is possible to complete the thawing, and to reversely calculate from the designated time and store the frozen food as long as possible, so that deterioration of food quality can be minimized.

In addition, the thawing product temperature Td or the thawing completion designation time t
Starting from the time when f is set, the thawing is performed by changing the thawing atmosphere temperature stepwise from the first thawing atmosphere temperature Tw1 which is higher by a certain temperature than the thawing goods temperature Td of the food set by the thawing goods temperature setting means 16. Even if it is performed, a warning is issued when the thawing cannot be performed to the thawing product temperature Td at the designated thawing completion time tf,
By displaying the time at which decompression is completed, the operator is notified 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
Rapid thawing atmosphere temperature Tx higher than 1, Tw2, Tw3
Decompression is performed at 1, Tx2, Tx3, and decompression completion specified time t
By allowing the thawing to be completed at f, the thawing can be completed at the designated time when the thawed food is required, while minimizing the quality deterioration of the food being thawed.

[0113]

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, and stepwise changing a thawing atmosphere temperature from a first thawing atmosphere temperature which is higher than the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means by a certain temperature. When the thawing is performed, the thawing time required until the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means is reached from the food temperature of the frozen food stored by the food temperature calculating means is stored in the storage section. Foods stored by means A decompression required time calculated by the heat transfer characteristic; a decompression required time calculated by the decompression required time calculating means; and a decompression specified time set by the decompression specified time setting means, before the decompression specified time. Then, change the atmosphere temperature of the food to the thawing atmosphere temperature,
Decomposition is performed by changing the thawing atmosphere temperature stepwise by configuring the temperature detection freezing and thawing chamber with the ambient temperature control means that controls the ambient temperature so that thawing is completed at the designated time of thawing completion. Fast and uniform,
It is possible to complete thawing at the specified time when the thawed food is needed, and by calculating backward from the specified time and keeping it frozen as long as possible to the last minute, deterioration of food quality is minimized. It can be.

Further, the invention according to claim 2 includes 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 designation time setting means for setting a thawing completion designation time of the food; and a thawing atmosphere temperature stepwise from a first thawing atmosphere temperature which is higher by a certain temperature than the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means. When the thawing is performed by changing, the thawing time required until the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means is reached from the food temperature of the frozen food that is calculated by the food temperature calculating means, Decompression time calculation means for calculating from the heat transfer characteristics of the food stored in the storage means, decompression time calculated by the decompression time calculation means, and decompression completion designation time set by the decompression completion designation time setting means From before, before the designated time of thawing completion, before changing the atmosphere temperature of the food to the thawing atmosphere temperature, atmosphere temperature control means for controlling the atmosphere temperature so that the thawing is completed at the designated time of thawing completion. High-speed thawing by changing the thawing atmosphere temperature stepwise by configuring the temperature detection freezing and thawing chamber with the status display means that indicates whether the stored food is frozen or thawing. It is possible to complete the thawing at the designated time when the food needs to be thawed and the thawed food is required. Quality degradation can be minimized.

Further, by displaying 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 can be reduced if the food is frozen. By changing, even if there is a change in the cooking schedule, etc., disposal due to excessive thawing can be minimized, and the amount of thawed 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 designation time setting means for setting a thawing completion designation time of the food; and a thawing atmosphere temperature stepwise from a first thawing atmosphere temperature which is higher by a certain temperature than the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means. When the thawing is performed by changing, the thawing time required until the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means is reached from the food temperature of the frozen food that is calculated by the food temperature calculating means, Decompression time calculation means for calculating from the heat transfer characteristics of the food stored in the storage means, decompression time calculated by the decompression time calculation means, and decompression completion designation time set by the decompression completion designation time setting means From before, before the designated time of thawing completion, before changing the atmosphere temperature of the food to the thawing atmosphere temperature, 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 box is composed of a status display means for displaying whether the food being stored is frozen or thawing, and a food temperature display means for displaying the food temperature of the food being stored. By performing thawing by changing the temperature stepwise, thawing is performed quickly and uniformly, and it is possible to complete thawing at the specified time when the thawed food is needed, and back calculation from the specified time, As long as possible,
By preserving the product until the last minute, deterioration of food quality can be minimized.

Further, by displaying whether the food being stored is frozen or thawing, and by displaying the temperature of the food being stored,
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 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 designation time setting means for setting a thawing completion designation time of the food; and a thawing atmosphere temperature stepwise from a first thawing atmosphere temperature which is higher by a certain temperature than the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means. When the thawing is performed by changing, the thawing time required until the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means is reached from the food temperature of the frozen food that is calculated by the food temperature calculating means, Decompression time calculation means for calculating from the heat transfer characteristics of the food stored in the storage means, decompression time calculated by the decompression time calculation means, and decompression completion designation time set by the decompression completion designation time setting means From before, before the designated time of thawing completion, before changing the atmosphere temperature of the food to the thawing atmosphere temperature, atmosphere temperature control means for controlling the atmosphere temperature so that the thawing is completed at the designated time of thawing completion. When the thawing temperature or the thawing completion specified 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 thawing completion specified time, and the thawing is completed Decompression completion time display means that displays the time of thawing, and the temperature of the thawing freezer and defroster is configured.Thawing is performed at high speed and evenly by changing the thawing atmosphere temperature stepwise to perform thawing quickly and uniformly. Defrosting can be completed at the designated time when the food is required, and by calculating backward from the designated time and keeping it as frozen as possible for as long as possible, minimizing food quality deterioration be able to.

Further, even if thawing is started at the thawing atmosphere temperature when the thawing product temperature or the thawing completion designation time is set, a warning is issued if the thawing cannot be performed at the thawing completion temperature at the thawing completion designation time, By displaying the time at which the decompression is completed, the operator can be notified of the correct decompression completion time.

The invention according to claim 5 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 designation time setting means for setting a thawing completion designation time of the food; and a thawing atmosphere temperature stepwise from a first thawing atmosphere temperature which is higher by a certain temperature than the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means. When the thawing is performed by changing, the thawing time required until the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means is reached from the food temperature of the frozen food that is calculated by the food temperature calculating means, Decompression time calculation means for calculating from the heat transfer characteristics of the food stored in the storage means, decompression time calculated by the decompression time calculation means, and decompression completion designation time set by the decompression completion designation time setting means From before, before the designated time of thawing completion, before changing the atmosphere temperature of the food to the thawing atmosphere temperature, atmosphere temperature control means for controlling the atmosphere temperature so that the thawing is completed at the designated time of thawing completion. When the thawing temperature or the thawing completion specified 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 thawing completion specified time, and the thawing is completed A decompression completion time display means for displaying a time to be performed, a selection means for selecting whether to complete at the decompression completion specified time or a time displayed by the decompression completion time display means, and a completion at the decompression completion specified time. If selected, the thawing is started at a rapid thawing atmosphere temperature that is at least higher than the thawing atmosphere temperature, and forcible means for forcing the atmosphere temperature control means to complete thawing at a designated time of thawing completion. Decomposition at a specified time that requires thawed foods at a specified time while thawing is performed by changing the thawing atmosphere temperature step by step to perform thawing at a designated time that requires thawed food. Make it possible to complete, and back-calculated from the specified time, as long as possible, it is that you stored frozen until the last minute, the food of the quality deterioration can be minimized.

Further, even if thawing is started at the thawing atmosphere temperature when the thawing product temperature or the thawing completion designation time is set, a warning is issued if the thawing cannot be performed at the thawing completion temperature at the thawing completion designation time, By displaying the time at which decompression is completed, 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,
Decompression 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 for explaining 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

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Tetsuhide Kuramoto 4-5-2-5 Takaida Hondori, Higashiosaka-shi, Osaka Matsushita Refrigerator Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 3L045 AA02 BA05 CA06 DA02 EA01 LA11 LA12 LA13 LA18 MA01 MA02 MA12 NA16 NA21 PA01 PA02 PA03 PA04 4B022 LB01 LF01 LF02 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, a designated thawing completion time setting means for setting a designated thawing completion time of the food, and a first thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means by a certain temperature. When the thawing is performed step by step, the thawing is required until the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means is reached from the food temperature of the frozen food stored by the food temperature calculating means. The time is stored in the storage means. A defrosting time calculating means for calculating from the heat transfer characteristic of the food being processed; a defrosting time calculated by the defrosting time calculating means; and a defrosting completion time designated by the defrosting completion time setting means. An article temperature detection freezing and thawing storage, comprising: an atmosphere temperature control means for changing the ambient temperature of the food to the thawing atmosphere temperature before the designated completion time and controlling the atmosphere temperature so that the thawing is completed at the designated thawing completion time. 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, a designated thawing completion time setting means for setting a designated thawing completion time of the food, and a first thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means by a certain temperature. When the thawing is performed step by step, the thawing is required until the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means is reached from the food temperature of the frozen food stored by the food temperature calculating means. The time is stored in the storage means. A defrosting time calculating means for calculating from the heat transfer characteristic of the food being processed; a defrosting time calculated by the defrosting time calculating means; and a defrosting completion time designated by the defrosting completion time setting means. Before the designated completion time, the ambient temperature of the food is changed to the thawing ambient temperature, and the ambient temperature control means for controlling the ambient temperature so that the thawing is completed at the designated thawing completion time, whether the food being stored is frozen, A temperature detection freezing and thawing storage comprising state display means for displaying whether or not thawing is in progress. 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, a designated thawing completion time setting means for setting a designated thawing completion time of the food, and a first thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means by a certain temperature. When the thawing is performed step by step, the thawing is required until the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means is reached from the food temperature of the frozen food stored by the food temperature calculating means. The time is stored in the storage means. A defrosting time calculating means for calculating from the heat transfer characteristic of the food being processed; a defrosting time calculated by the defrosting time calculating means; and a defrosting completion time designated by the defrosting completion time setting means. Before the designated completion time, the ambient temperature of the food is changed to the thawing ambient temperature, and the ambient temperature control means for controlling the ambient temperature so that the thawing is completed at the designated thawing completion time, whether the food being stored is frozen, An article temperature detection freezing and thawing box comprising state display means for indicating whether the food is being thawed and food temperature display means for indicating 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, a designated thawing completion time setting means for setting a designated thawing completion time of the food, and a first thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means by a certain temperature. When the thawing is performed step by step, the thawing is required until the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means is reached from the food temperature of the frozen food stored by the food temperature calculating means. The time is stored in the storage means. A defrosting time calculating means for calculating from the heat transfer characteristic of the food being processed; a defrosting time calculated by the defrosting time calculating means; and a defrosting completion time designated by the defrosting completion time setting means. Before the designated completion time, the atmosphere temperature of the food is changed to the above-mentioned thawing atmosphere temperature, and the atmosphere temperature control means for controlling the atmosphere temperature so that the thawing is completed at the designated thawing completion time, 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 Product temperature detection freezing and thawing storage means. 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, a designated thawing completion time setting means for setting a designated thawing completion time of the food, and a first thawing atmosphere temperature higher than the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means by a certain temperature. When the thawing is performed step by step, the thawing is required until the thawing temperature of the food set by the thawing temperature setting means is reached from the food temperature of the frozen food stored by the food temperature calculating means. The time is stored in the storage means. A defrosting time calculating means for calculating from the heat transfer characteristic of the food being processed; a defrosting time calculated by the defrosting time calculating means; and a defrosting completion time designated by the defrosting completion time setting means. Before the designated completion time, the atmosphere temperature of the food is changed to the above-mentioned thawing atmosphere temperature, and the atmosphere temperature control means for controlling the atmosphere temperature so that the thawing is completed at the designated thawing completion time, 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 for selecting whether to complete at the designated time of decompression completion or completion at the time displayed by the means for displaying decompression completion time, and selecting to complete at the designated time of decompression completion. In this case, the thawing is started at a rapid thawing atmosphere temperature which is at least higher than the thawing atmosphere temperature, and the forcible means for forcing the atmosphere temperature control means to complete the thawing at the designated time of thawing completion. Warehouse.