JP2002295958A - Drain treating device for cooling device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a drain treating device capable of reducing a consumption power of an electric heater to heat an evaporation pan to receive drain from the cooler of a cooling device and preventing worsening of maintainability. SOLUTION: The drain treating device comprises an evaporation pan 22 to receive drain generated by defrosting a cooler 14 situated at an open show case 1; an evaporation pan heater to heat the evaporation pan; and a controller to control energization of the evaporation pan heater. The controller energizes the evaporation heater during a period extending from a given time ago starting of defrosting of the cooler to a given time after completion of defrosting.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a drain water treatment device for evaporating drain water from a cooler provided in a cooling device such as a low-temperature showcase, a refrigerator, a prefabricated refrigerator, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a cooler is installed in a low-temperature showcase, and cool air that has exchanged heat with the cooler is forcibly circulated into a display room for cooling. Since operation of the cooler causes frost formation, the cooler is defrosted periodically or at an arbitrary time. As a method of this defrosting, a so-called O in which only the blower is operated while the supply of the refrigerant to the cooler is stopped.
There are FF cycle defrosting, heater defrosting in which a cooler is heated by an electric heater, and hot gas defrosting in which a hot gas (high-temperature refrigerant) flows into a cooler. Water (defrosted water in which frost has melted) drops and must be treated.

[0003] When performing the treatment of the drain water, an evaporating dish is usually installed and the drain water is received in the evaporating dish.
Then, while forcibly heating the evaporating dish with an electric heater (evaporating dish heater), the outside air is passed through a blower to evaporate drain water in the evaporating dish.

[0004]

However, since the conventional evaporating dish heater has been continuously energized while the low-temperature showcase is operating, if the drain water does not exist in the evaporating dish, it will be wasted. Electricity was being consumed. Therefore, it is conceivable to use a float switch or an electric / optical sensor to detect the drain water in the evaporating dish and energize the evaporating dish heater only when drain water is present, but the float switch and the electric sensor failed. In such a case, or when the optical sensor becomes dirty, control becomes impossible.

By the way, drain water often contains various dusts from a display room, and these switches and sensors are in an environment that is easily contaminated. Therefore, when such a switch or sensor is used, there is a problem that maintenance must be performed periodically.

The present invention has been made to solve the conventional technical problem, and can reduce the power consumption of an electric heater for heating an evaporating dish that receives drain water from a cooler of a cooling device. Another object of the present invention is to provide a drain water treatment apparatus that does not deteriorate maintenance performance.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drain water treatment apparatus for receiving drain water generated by defrosting a cooler provided in a cooling device, and heating the evaporating plate. An electric heater for controlling the energization of the electric heater, the control device comprising: an electric heater for controlling a period of time from a predetermined time before the defrosting start of the cooler to a predetermined time after the end of the defrosting of the cooler; It is characterized in that it is energized.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an evaporating dish for receiving drain water generated by defrosting of a cooler provided in a cooling apparatus, and an electric heater for heating the evaporating dish. And a control device for controlling the energization of the electric heater, the control device energizes the electric heater for a period from a predetermined time before the defrosting start of the cooler to a predetermined time after the end of the defrosting, so that the electric heater is energized. In addition, power consumption can be reduced as compared with a case where the electric heater for heating the evaporating dish is always energized.

Further, since the electric heater is energized for a predetermined time before defrosting is started, the evaporating dish can be heated in advance before drain water by defrosting flows into the evaporating dish. The heating of the drain water flowing into the dish will be started quickly. In addition, since the electric heater is energized until a predetermined time after the defrosting is completed, the drain water that continues to flow into the evaporating dish even after the defrosting is completed can be effectively heated, and the evaporating process can be smoothly performed. Become. In particular, there is no need for a switch or sensor to detect drain water in the evaporating dish.
The maintenance is not deteriorated.

A drain water treatment apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention includes an evaporating dish for receiving drain water generated by defrosting of a cooler provided in the cooling apparatus, an electric heater for heating the evaporating dish, A controller that controls the energization of the electric heater, wherein the controller energizes the electric heater for a period from the start of defrosting the cooler to a predetermined time after the end of the defrosting.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the evaporating dish for receiving the drain water generated by the defrost of the cooler provided in the cooling device, and the electric heater for heating the evaporating dish And a control device for controlling the energization of the electric heater. The control device energizes the electric heater during a period from the start of the defrosting of the cooler to a predetermined time after the end of the defrosting. Power consumption can be significantly reduced as compared with a case where the electric heater for heating the heater is always energized.

Further, since the electric heater is energized from the start of the defrosting, when the drain water due to the defrosting flows into the evaporating dish, the heating of the evaporating dish has already been started.
The heating of the drain water flowing into the evaporating dish is started smoothly. In addition, since the electric heater is energized until a predetermined time after the defrosting is completed, the drain water that continues to flow into the evaporating dish even after the defrosting is completed can be effectively heated, and the evaporating process can be smoothly performed. Become. In particular, since a switch or a sensor for detecting drain water in the evaporating dish is not required, the maintainability is not deteriorated.

A drain water treatment apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention includes an evaporating dish for receiving drain water generated by defrosting of a cooler provided in the cooling device, an electric heater for heating the evaporating dish, A control device for controlling energization of the electric heater, wherein the control device energizes the electric heater for a period from a predetermined time after the defrosting start of the cooler to a predetermined time after the defrosting end. And

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an evaporating dish for receiving drain water generated by defrosting of a cooler provided in a cooling apparatus, and an electric heater for heating the evaporating dish. And a control device for controlling the energization of the electric heater, the control device energizes the electric heater for a period from a predetermined time after the start of defrosting of the cooler to a predetermined time after the end of the defrosting of the cooler. In addition, power consumption can be significantly reduced as compared with a case where the electric heater for heating the evaporating dish is always energized.

Further, since the electric heater is energized after a predetermined time from the start of the defrosting, the heating of the evaporating dish can be started at the same time that the drain water by the defrosting starts to flow into the evaporating dish. Then, the heating of the drain water flowing into the evaporating dish is started without any trouble. In addition, since the electric heater is energized until a predetermined time after the defrosting is completed, the drain water that continues to flow into the evaporating dish even after the defrosting is completed can be effectively heated, and the evaporating process can be smoothly performed. Become. In particular, since a switch or a sensor for detecting drain water in the evaporating dish is not required, the maintainability is not deteriorated.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the drain water treatment apparatus according to the above invention, the control device can set and change a predetermined time before the start of the defrost and / or a predetermined time after the end of the defrost. It is characterized by the following.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above inventions, the control device changes the predetermined time before the start of the defrost and / or the predetermined time after the end of the defrost. Since it is possible, the start and end of heating of the evaporating dish can be set arbitrarily according to the use environment and season of the cooling device, so that drain water treatment and convenience are improved. Can be achieved.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of an open showcase 1 as an embodiment of a cooling device to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the open showcase 1, and FIG. The open showcase 1 according to the embodiment is a low-temperature showcase that is installed in a store such as a convenience store and is used for displaying and selling while cooling products, and a heat insulating wall 2 having a substantially U-shaped cross section and both sides of the heat insulating wall 2. Body 4 by side plates 3 attached to
Is configured.

A partition plate 6 is attached to the inside of the heat insulating wall 2, a duct 7 is formed between the partition plate 6 and the heat insulating wall 2, and a display room 8 having a front opening inside the partition plate 6.
Is configured. Reference numerals 9... Denote a plurality of shelves provided in the display room 8, and 11 denotes a fluorescent lamp attached to the upper edge of the front opening.

A cool air discharge port 12 communicating with the duct 7 is formed at the upper edge of the front opening of the display room 8, and a cool air inlet 13 communicating with the duct 7 is formed at the lower edge of the opening. In the duct 7, a cooler 14 and a blower 16 for circulating cool air are installed.

On the other hand, a machine room 17 is formed in the lower portion of the main body 4 below the heat insulating wall 2, and a compressor 18, a condenser 19, and a blower for air-cooling the inside of the machine room 17 are formed in the machine room 17. 21 and an evaporating dish 22 (constituting the drain water treatment apparatus of the present invention) are provided. The compressor 18, the condenser 1
9. The pressure reducing device (not shown) and the cooler 14 constitute a known refrigerant circuit. A drain hose (not shown) extending from the lower side of the cooler 14 into the machine room 17 is provided, and this drain hose is opened on the evaporating dish 22.

Next, in FIG. 3, reference numeral 31 denotes a controller (constituting the drain water treatment apparatus of the present invention) which is constituted by a general-purpose microcomputer.
1 thermostat contact 32 and overload relay 3
3. The compressor 18 is AC (commercial alternating current) via the starting relay 34, the operating condenser 36 and the starting condenser 37.
It is connected to a 100V power supply. Numeral 38 denotes an evaporating dish heater (which constitutes the drain water treatment apparatus of the present invention) which is an electric heater for heating the evaporating dish 22, and the controller 3
It is connected to an AC 100 V power source via one evaporating dish heater contact 39 and an overheat protector 41.

Reference numeral 42 denotes an anti-dew heater for eliminating dew at the opening edge of the open showcase 1 and AC100.
V power supply. The blower 21 and the blower 16 are each connected to an AC 100V power supply. The fluorescent lamp 11 is connected to an AC 100V power supply via a fluorescent lamp switch 43, a ballast 44, and a glow starter 46.

Next, the operation of the open showcase 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. The controller 31 includes a temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting the temperature of the cool air discharged to the display room 8, a defrosting end temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting the temperature of the cooler 14, and a power supply start timing for the evaporating dish heater 38 described later. Volume 4 for manually setting the power supply end timing
7 and 48. Open showcase 1 is A
When connected to the C100V power supply, the blower 21 and the blower 1
6 is operated continuously, and the dew-prevention heater 42 is also continuously energized to generate heat. When the fluorescent lamp switch 43 is closed, the fluorescent lamp 11 is turned on.

On the other hand, based on the output of the temperature sensor, the controller 31 closes the thermostat contact 32 when the temperature is higher than the upper limit temperature (for example, the set temperature + 2 ° C.), starts the compressor 18, and sets the lower limit temperature (for example, the set temperature). Temperature-
2 ° C) or lower, open the thermostat contact 32,
The compressor 18 is stopped.

When the compressor 18 is started, a high-temperature refrigerant is discharged from the compressor 18. The high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor 18 flows into the condenser 19, where it is air-cooled by the outside air sucked by the operation of the blower 21. The refrigerant radiated and condensed in the condenser 19 is decompressed by the decompression device, and then flows into the cooler 14 and evaporates. At this time, latent heat is removed from the surroundings to exert a cooling effect.

The cool air cooled by heat exchange with the cooler 14 is blown up in the duct 7 by the operation of the blower 16, and from the cool air discharge port 12 to the cool air inlet 13 at the lower edge of the opening of the display room 8. It is discharged toward. This allows
An air curtain made of cool air is formed at the opening of the display room 8, and a part of the cool air circulates in the display room 8 to cool the inside of the display room 8 to a predetermined refrigeration temperature.

On the other hand, the machine room 17 is
The outside air sucked into the inside passes through the condenser 19 to be air-cooled and rises in temperature as described above, then passes through the evaporating dish 22 and then passes through the compressor 18 to rise on the back of the heat insulating wall 2. Is discharged above the open showcase 1 (discharged heat).

Due to such a cooling operation, frost forms on the cooler 14. Therefore, the controller 31 starts defrosting the cooler 14 at a predetermined time (for example, midnight). During this defrosting, the controller 31 forcibly opens the thermostat contact 32 regardless of the output of the temperature sensor. As a result, the compressor 18 is forcibly stopped, so that the supply of the refrigerant to the cooler 14 is stopped. And ventilation is continuously performed to the cooler 14 by the blower 16,
The cooler 14 is subjected to a so-called OFF cycle defrosting.

When the defrosting is started, the frost of the cooler 14 starts to melt gradually, and the melted drain water starts flowing into the evaporating dish 22 along the drain hose. When the frost on the cooler 14 is completely melted and the temperature of the cooler 14 rises to a predetermined defrosting end temperature, the controller 31 ends the defrosting based on the output of the defrosting end temperature sensor, and The cooling operation will be started.

Although the drain water continues to flow into the evaporating dish 22 for a while even after the completion of the defrosting, the drain water flowing into the evaporating dish 22 due to such defrosting is heated by the heat generated by the evaporating dish heater 38 and evaporated. It is processed.

Here, the controller 31 has the volume 4
7, the timing to close the evaporating dish heater contact 39 can be arbitrarily set before and after the defrosting start time. That is, when the volume 47 is set to -T1 minutes, the evaporating dish heater contact 39 is closed at T1 minutes before the defrosting start time, and when it is set to zero minutes, it is closed at the defrosting start time.
If it is set to one minute, it will be closed T1 minutes after the defrosting start time.

Further, by adjusting the volume 48, the timing for opening the evaporating dish heater contact 39 can be arbitrarily set to a time T2 minutes after the end of the defrosting.

For example, if the volume 47 is set to -T1 minute and the volume 48 is set to T2 during the humid rainy season, the controller 31 sets the evaporating dish heater contact 39 to T1 minute before the defrosting start time. When the heater is closed, heat is started by energizing the evaporating dish heater 38. After T2 minutes from the end of the defrosting, the evaporating dish heater contact 39 is opened to stop energizing the evaporating dish heater 38. As a result, power consumption can be reduced as compared with the conventional case where the heater 38 is constantly energized.

Further, since the evaporating dish heater 38 is energized for T1 minutes before the defrosting is started, the evaporating dish 22 may be heated in advance before the drain water by the defrosting flows into the evaporating dish 22. As a result, the heating of the drain water flowing into the evaporating dish 22 is started quickly. In addition, since the evaporating dish heater 38 is energized until T2 minutes after the end of the defrosting, the drain water that continues to flow into the evaporating dish 22 even after the end of the defrosting is effectively heated, and the evaporating process is performed smoothly. Becomes possible. In particular, since a switch or a sensor for detecting drain water in the evaporating dish 22 is not required, the maintainability does not deteriorate.

On the other hand, assuming that the volume 47 is set to zero minutes and the volume 48 is set to T2, the controller 31 closes the evaporating dish heater contact 39 at the defrosting start time, and energizes the evaporating dish heater 38. Heat generation is started, and after T2 minutes from the end of defrosting, the contact point 39 of the evaporating dish heater is opened, and the power supply to the evaporating dish heater 38 is stopped. Thereby, the power consumption of the evaporating dish heater 38 is further reduced.

Since the evaporating dish heater 38 is energized from the start of the defrosting, when the drain water due to the defrosting flows into the evaporating dish 22, the heating of the evaporating dish 22 has already been started. The heating of the drain water that has flowed into 22 is started smoothly. Similarly, since the evaporating dish heater 38 is energized until a predetermined time after the defrosting is completed, the drain water which continues to flow into the evaporating dish 22 even after the end of the defrosting is also effectively heated, and the evaporating process is smoothly performed. It is possible to do.

On the other hand, in summer or the like, the volume 47 is set to + T1.
If the volume 48 is set to T2 and the volume 48 is set to T2, the controller 31 closes the evaporating dish heater contact 39 after T1 minutes from the start of defrosting (FIG. 4), and energizes the evaporating dish heater 38 to start heat generation. T2 minutes after the completion of the defrost, the evaporating dish heater contact 39 is opened, and the power supply to the evaporating dish heater 38 is stopped. Thereby, the power consumption of the evaporating dish heater 38 is further reduced.

Further, since the evaporating dish heater 38 is energized from T1 minute after the start of the defrosting, the heating of the evaporating dish 22 is started at the same time when the drain water by the defrosting starts to flow into the evaporating dish 22. The heating of the drain water flowing into the evaporating dish 22 can be started without any trouble. Similarly, since the evaporating dish heater 38 is energized for a predetermined time after the end of the defrosting, the drain water which continues to flow into the evaporating dish 22 even after the end of the defrosting is also effectively heated, and the evaporating process is smoothly performed. It is possible to do.

Then, the controller 31 controls the volume 4
Since the start and end timings of the power supply to the evaporating dish heater 38 can be arbitrarily set by 7 and 48, it is possible to arbitrarily set the heating start and end timings of the evaporating dish according to the use environment and season of the open showcase 1. As a result, the drain water can be surely treated and the convenience can be improved.

The drain water remaining in the evaporating dish 22 after the completion of the heating by the evaporating dish heater 38 is subjected to the evaporating process by the warm air passed by the blower 21. Further, in winter or the like when the amount of drain water decreases, it is preferable to shorten the heat generation time of the evaporating dish heater 38, that is, delay the energization start time (increase -T1) and shorten the energization end time (decrease + T2). . In the embodiment, both the heating start timing and the heating end timing of the evaporating dish can be arbitrarily set. However, it is also possible to set only one of them and fix the other.

[0042]

As described above in detail, according to the drain water treatment apparatus of the first aspect, the evaporating dish for receiving the drain water generated by the defrosting of the cooler provided in the cooling device, and the evaporating dish An electric heater for heating the electric heater, a control device for controlling the energization of the electric heater, the control device is a period from a predetermined time before the defrost start of the cooler to a predetermined time after the end of the defrost, Since the electric heater is energized, power consumption can be reduced as compared with a case where the electric heater for heating the evaporating dish is always energized.

Also, since the electric heater is energized a predetermined time before the defrosting is started, the evaporating dish can be heated in advance before the drain water due to the defrosting flows into the evaporating dish. The heating of the drain water flowing into the dish will be started quickly. Further, since the electric heater is energized for a predetermined time after the defrosting is completed, the drain water that continues to flow into the evaporating dish even after the defrosting is completed can be effectively heated, and the evaporation can be smoothly performed. Become. In particular, there is no need for a switch or sensor to detect drain water in the evaporating dish.
The maintenance is not deteriorated.

According to the drain water treatment apparatus of the present invention, the evaporating dish for receiving the drain water generated by the defrosting of the cooler provided in the cooling apparatus, and the electric heater for heating the evaporating dish And a control device for controlling the energization of the electric heater. The control device energizes the electric heater during a period from the start of the defrosting of the cooler to a predetermined time after the end of the defrosting. Power consumption can be significantly reduced as compared with a case where the electric heater for heating the heater is always energized.

Further, since the electric heater is energized from the start of the defrosting, when the drain water due to the defrosting flows into the evaporating dish, the heating of the evaporating dish has already been started.
The heating of the drain water flowing into the evaporating dish is started smoothly. In addition, since the electric heater is energized until a predetermined time after the defrosting is completed, the drain water that continues to flow into the evaporating dish even after the defrosting is completed can be effectively heated, and the evaporating process can be smoothly performed. Become. In particular, since a switch or a sensor for detecting drain water in the evaporating dish is not required, the maintainability is not deteriorated.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the evaporating dish for receiving the drain water generated by the defrosting of the cooler provided in the cooling apparatus, and the electric heater for heating the evaporating dish And a control device for controlling the energization of the electric heater, the control device energizes the electric heater for a period from a predetermined time after the start of defrosting of the cooler to a predetermined time after the end of the defrosting of the cooler. In addition, power consumption can be significantly reduced as compared with a case where the electric heater for heating the evaporating dish is always energized.

Further, since the electric heater is energized after a predetermined time from the start of the defrosting, the heating of the evaporating dish can be started at the same time that the drain water by the defrosting starts to flow into the evaporating dish. Then, the heating of the drain water flowing into the evaporating dish is started without any trouble. In addition, since the electric heater is energized until a predetermined time after the defrosting is completed, the drain water that continues to flow into the evaporating dish even after the defrosting is completed can be effectively heated, and the evaporating process can be smoothly performed. Become. In particular, since a switch or a sensor for detecting drain water in the evaporating dish is not required, the maintainability is not deteriorated.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above inventions, the control device changes the predetermined time before the start of the defrost and / or the predetermined time after the end of the defrost. Since it is possible, the start and end of heating of the evaporating dish can be set arbitrarily according to the use environment and season of the cooling device, so that drain water treatment and convenience are improved. Can be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the open showcase of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an electric circuit diagram of the open showcase of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a timing chart illustrating the operation of the open showcase of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Open showcase 14 Cooler 16, 21 Blower 17 Machine room 22 Evaporating dish 31 Controller 38 Evaporating dish heater 39 Evaporating dish heater contact 47, 48 Volume

Claims (4)

[Claims] An evaporating dish for receiving drain water generated by defrosting a cooler provided in a cooling device, an electric heater for heating the evaporating dish, and a control device for controlling energization of the electric heater Wherein the control device energizes the electric heater for a period from a predetermined time before the defrosting start of the cooler to a predetermined time after the defrosting end of the cooler. 2. An evaporating dish for receiving drain water generated by defrosting a cooler provided in a cooling device, an electric heater for heating the evaporating dish, and a control device for controlling energization of the electric heater. Wherein the control device energizes the electric heater during a period from the start of the defrosting of the cooler to a predetermined time after the end of the defrosting, the drain water treatment device for a cooling device. 3. An evaporating dish for receiving drain water generated by defrosting of a cooler provided in a cooling device, an electric heater for heating the evaporating dish, and a control device for controlling energization of the electric heater. Wherein the control device energizes the electric heater for a period from a predetermined time after the start of defrosting the cooler to a predetermined time after the end of defrosting of the cooler. 4. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time before the start of the defrost and / or the predetermined time after the end of the defrost can be changed. A drain water treatment device for the cooling device according to claim 3.