JP2005061287A - Refrigerating device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerating device for enabling safe oil replenishing without stopping an engine due to fuel shortage. <P>SOLUTION: The refrigerating device has: a generator 2 for generating electric power; the engine 1 for driving the generator 2; a fuel tank 6 for storing fuel supplied to the engine 1; a fuel sensor 8 for detecting the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank 6; and a control device 4 for calculating the estimated operation time of the engine 1 using the fuel sensor 8, and when the calculated estimated operation time of the engine 1 is less than a predetermined necessary operation time, for performing fuel saving operation control. The device is equipped with a lid opening/closing switch 9 for detecting opening/closing of a lid on the fuel supply port of the fuel tank 6, and when the lid of the fuel supply port is detected to be in an opened state, the switch 9 prohibits starting of the engine 1, and when the lid is detected to be in a closed state, the switch 9 releases the prohibition of the starting of the engine 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigeration apparatus using an engine, and is provided in, for example, a transport container.

  In order to transport luggage while keeping it warm (refrigeration, refrigeration, etc.), some trucks for land transportation and containers for rail transportation are equipped with refrigeration equipment. These refrigeration equipment are used to drive the refrigeration equipment. The temperature is controlled by driving a compressor or the like using an engine. The refrigeration apparatus is normally operated in a continuous operation state in order to keep the temperature of the luggage at a constant temperature. Therefore, in the fuel tank provided for driving the engine, the remaining amount of fuel can be confirmed by the remaining amount visual confirmation gauge provided in the fuel tank and the remaining fuel amount display device provided in the control device.

Utility Model Registration No. 3053597

  In the conventional refrigeration system, the refrigeration system is continuously operated until the arrival at the destination regardless of the remaining amount of fuel. Therefore, the engine will be stopped if fuel is insufficient due to unforeseen circumstances. For this reason, the refrigeration apparatus is also stopped, temperature control becomes impossible, and the load may be damaged.

  Further, in the conventional refrigeration apparatus, safety measures such as temporarily stopping the engine are required when fueling the fuel tank.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigeration apparatus capable of safely refueling without stopping the engine due to fuel shortage.

The refrigeration apparatus according to the present invention for solving the above problems is as follows.
A generator for generating electric power for driving the refrigerator;
An engine that drives the generator;
A fuel tank for storing fuel to be supplied to the engine;
Fuel remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank;
A controller that performs fuel-saving operation control when the estimated operation time of the engine is calculated using the remaining fuel amount detection means, and the calculated estimated operation time of the engine is smaller than a remaining time of a preset required operation time; It is characterized by having.
The fuel-saving operation control can be realized by performing intermittent operation of the compressor or fan of the engine or the refrigerator, reducing the engine speed, reducing the compressor driving frequency, and reducing the compressor suction pressure.

The refrigeration apparatus according to the present invention for solving the above problems is as follows.
A generator for generating electric power for driving the refrigerator;
An engine that drives the generator;
A fuel tank for storing fuel to be supplied to the engine;
A lid opening / closing detection means for detecting opening / closing of the lid of the fuel supply port of the fuel tank,
When the lid opening / closing detection means detects that the fuel supply port lid is open, the engine is prohibited from starting. When the fuel supply port lid is detected to be closed, engine start is prohibited. It is characterized by releasing.

The refrigeration apparatus according to the present invention for solving the above problems is as follows.
In the above refrigeration apparatus,
Provided with a display alarm means for displaying and warning or displaying or warning the remaining amount of fuel in accordance with the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank detected by the remaining fuel amount detecting means when fuel is supplied to the fuel tank It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention, since fuel-saving operation control is performed according to the remaining amount of fuel, the refrigeration apparatus can be continuously operated for the set required operation time, the temperature of the load is appropriately controlled, and the load is damaged. Can be prevented.

  In addition, since starting of the engine while fueling is prohibited, it is possible to prevent the engine from getting caught in rotating parts, coming into contact with hot parts, and igniting when fuel spills, ensuring safety. it can.

  Further, in addition to the normal gauge display of the remaining fuel level, it is possible to easily know the amount of fuel supplied by the sound corresponding to the remaining fuel level and the flashing of the lamp.

  A refrigerating apparatus according to the present invention includes a generator that generates electric power, an engine that drives the generator, a fuel tank that stores fuel to be supplied to the engine, and a fuel sensor (fuel that detects the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank) A remaining amount detecting means) and a fuel sensor are used to calculate the estimated operation time of the engine, and when the calculated estimated operation time of the engine is smaller than the remaining time of the preset required operation time, fuel-saving operation control is performed. And a control device.

  Also, a lid opening / closing switch (lid opening / closing detection means) for detecting opening / closing of the fuel supply port lid of the fuel tank is provided. When the lid opening / closing switch detects that the fuel supply port lid is open, While prohibiting starting, when it is detected that the engine is closed, the prohibition of starting the engine may be canceled.

  In addition, a display device (display alarm means) for displaying and alarming or displaying or alarming the remaining amount of fuel is provided, and according to the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank detected by the fuel sensor when fuel is supplied to the fuel tank Display and alarm may be performed.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a refrigeration apparatus showing an example of an embodiment of a refrigeration apparatus according to the present invention.

  The refrigeration apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is installed in a luggage storage such as a container of a vehicle, and cools and freezes the luggage by cooling the air in the luggage storage. In some cases, heat insulation (heating) is also possible.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigeration apparatus according to the present invention includes an engine 1 and a generator 2 that are driving sources of a refrigerator unit in the refrigeration apparatus. The generator 2 is driven by the engine 1 via a belt 3. It is driven. Although FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which the engine 1 indirectly drives the generator 2 via the belt 3, a configuration in which the engine 1 and the generator 2 are directly connected and the generator 2 is directly driven may be employed.

  The engine 1 and the generator 2 are appropriately controlled by the control device 4 via the engine control L1 and the excitation current control L2. The control device 4 includes not only the engine 1 and the generator 2 but also a display device 5 (display alarm means) for notifying the operation state of the refrigeration device, for example, the remaining amount of fuel by an alarm such as an indicator lamp or a buzzer. Control, control of the refrigerator unit, detection of the state of the fuel tank 6 and the like are also performed.

  The fuel tank 6 stores fuel 7 supplied to the engine 1, and an appropriate amount of fuel is supplied according to the driving state of the engine 1. The remaining amount of the fuel 7 is always detected by a fuel sensor (remaining fuel amount detecting means) 8, and the control device 4 warns the display device 5 when the fuel amount becomes a predetermined amount or less. The supply port 6a of the fuel tank 6 is provided with a cover open / close switch (cover open / close detection means) 9 for detecting the open / closed state of the cover of the supply port 6a. Control is performed as follows.

  The refrigeration unit of the refrigeration apparatus according to the present invention is configured to realize a refrigeration cycle equivalent to a normal refrigeration unit, and a gas-phase refrigerant that has been made high pressure by a compressor 10 is a condenser (condenser) 11 is cooled and condensed by the outside air to form a liquid refrigerant, and in the process of passing through the expansion valve 12, it adiabatically expands to become a low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant. A low-temperature and low-pressure liquid-phase refrigerant flows into the evaporator (evaporator) 13 and becomes a vapor-phase refrigerant by evaporating itself, thereby depriving the surrounding heat, specifically the heat of the air in the luggage compartment. Cooling down. The gas-phase refrigerant that has passed through the evaporator 13 is re-inhaled into the compressor 10 via an MV valve (proportional control valve) 14 that adjusts the intake pressure of the compressor 10, and thereafter the above cycle is repeated to appropriately cool the refrigerant. ing.

  During the above cycle, the compressor 10 controls the rotational speed control L5, the MV valve 14 performs the opening degree control L6, and the condenser 11 and the evaporator 13 perform the rotational speed control L7 of the fans 15 and 16 provided thereon by the control device 4. With proper control, it is operating in an optimal state. For ease of understanding, the rotational speed control L7 of the fans 15 and 16 is described as being controlled by one control line in FIG. 1, but actually, the rotational speed control is performed independently of each other. It has been broken.

  Next, a control method according to the present invention in the refrigeration apparatus having the above configuration will be described.

  In the conventional refrigeration system, the fuel used in the engine for driving the refrigeration system is not monitored over time, but only detects whether or not the remaining amount in the fuel tank falls below a predetermined amount. There was only a warning given the remaining fuel. However, depending on the climatic conditions and traffic conditions, fuel may be consumed more than expected, and it may be necessary to refuel, or depending on the situation, the engine may stop due to lack of fuel and the refrigeration system will stop. Temperature management could not be maintained, and the cargo could be damaged.

  Therefore, the refrigeration apparatus according to the present invention is characterized by controlling the refrigeration apparatus so as to avoid such a situation. In summary, the control device 4 always detects the remaining amount of fuel, calculates the estimated operation time based on the detected remaining fuel amount and the average fuel consumption per fixed time, and the calculated estimated operation time reaches the destination. When the comparison calculation result that the remaining required operating time is insufficient is obtained, in other words, when the fuel is expected to be insufficient, the transition control for switching from the normal operation mode to the fuel saving operation mode is executed, By performing the fuel saving operation of the refrigeration apparatus, the engine is stopped, that is, the refrigeration apparatus is stopped, and the temperature control in the luggage storage is optimally performed.

  The flow of the control will be described below using the configuration diagram shown in FIG.

(1) The required operation time to the destination is set in the control device 4, and the operation of the refrigeration apparatus is started.
(2) The fuel remaining amount is detected by the fuel sensor 8 of the fuel tank 6 to calculate the fuel consumption.
(3) The average fuel consumption per fixed time is calculated from the operation time of the refrigeration system and the fuel consumption, and the estimated operation time is calculated from the average fuel consumption per fixed time and the fuel remaining amount. In addition, the calculation rule which the control apparatus 4 refers is memorize | stored in the memory | storage means not shown, and specifically, estimated driving | running time is guide | induced from the following formula | equation.
(Estimated driving time) = (Fuel remaining amount) / (Average fuel consumption per fixed time)
(4) If the estimated operation time is insufficient with respect to the remaining time of the required operation time (= required operation time−calculated accumulated operation time), that is, the control device 4 (the remaining time of the required operation time) )> (Estimated driving time) When it is determined that the condition is satisfied, fuel-saving driving control is performed.

  Specifically, the fuel-saving operation control is performed by performing the following control singly or in combination, thereby suppressing fuel consumption in the engine and continuing temperature control in the luggage storage.

  In the engine and the generator, if the engine speed is decreased, fuel-saving operation can be performed. For example, when the two-pole synchronous generator is directly connected to the engine output shaft, it may be changed from 3600 rpm (60 Hz) to 3000 rpm (50 Hz). Further, engine-specific characteristics may be held as map data, and the engine speed may be controlled to a high efficiency and low fuel consumption speed according to the operating conditions.

  In addition, fuel-saving operation can be performed by switching the engine itself from intermittent operation to intermittent operation and also switching the compressor and fan motor to intermittent operation.

  In the refrigerator unit, the input power can be reduced by reducing the drive frequency of the compressor, and fuel-saving operation is possible. For example, the drive frequency may be changed from 60 Hz to 50 Hz, or the drive frequency may be reduced by an inverter.

  In addition, by reducing the number of operating condenser fans and evaporator fans and reducing their rotational speed, power consumption can be reduced, and the required power to drive them can be reduced, enabling engine fuel-saving operation. It is good.

  In addition, the compressor and the fan motor are also intermittently operated, thereby saving power consumption and enabling fuel-saving operation of the engine. In this case, as described above, the engine itself is also switched from continuous operation to intermittent operation.

  Further, by reducing the suction pressure of the compressor with an MV valve (proportional control valve), the power consumption of the compressor is reduced, and the fuel-saving operation of the engine is enabled.

  Further, in the refrigeration apparatus according to the present invention, when the fuel is supplied to the fuel tank, the fuel supply amount is easily recognized, and the engine start is prohibited (engine start lock) so that the fuel can be supplied safely. . When the engine is refueled, the refrigeration unit may be continuously driven by operating a compressor or the like with a commercial power source or a battery while the engine is stopped.

  The control flow at the time of fuel supply will be described below using the configuration diagram shown in FIG.

(1) The fuel supply mode is set by a fuel supply start switch provided in the control device 4.
(2) When it is detected by the lid opening / closing switch 9 provided in the fuel tank 6 that the lid of the fuel filler opening 6a is open, the fuel fueling mode is maintained.
(3) The fuel sensor 8 provided in the fuel tank 6 detects a change in the fuel amount in the fuel tank 6 in real time, and when the fuel amount increases, the fuel supply mode is maintained.

  In the fuel refueling mode, control is performed so as to prohibit engine starting for safety. For example, the engine start may be locked by software.

  In the fuel refueling mode, for example, the following display alarm operation is performed so as to facilitate the recognition of the fuel supply amount on the display device 5 based on the fuel amount (remaining amount) in the fuel tank 6.

  As a display alarm operation, the lamp blinks or lights up when the amount of fuel increases. The lamp may be installed exclusively on the display device 5 or may be shared with one used to display other functions.

  Also, as a display alarm operation, the buzzer sounds continuously or intermittently when the amount of fuel increases. The buzzer may be installed exclusively on the display device 5 or may be shared with other functions.

  Further, depending on the amount of fuel (remaining amount), the condition of sounding by flashing / lighting of the lamp or continuous or intermittent buzzer may be changed. A specific example is as follows.

0% or more to less than 50%: 2.0 second interval 50% or more to less than 70%: 1.6 second interval 70% or more to less than 80%: 1.2 second interval 80% or more to less than 90%: 0.8 Second interval 90% to less than 95%: 0.4 second interval 95% or more: Continuous ON

  The fuel refueling mode is automatically canceled when the fuel amount does not increase even after a certain period of time has elapsed and the lid of the fuel filler opening 6a is closed, that is, when the lid opening / closing switch 9 detects that the lid is closed. Is done.

  Always monitor for fuel shortages and if fuel shortages are predicted, switch to fuel-saving operation to avoid fuel shortages, prevent engine shutdown, and properly control the temperature of the refrigeration system Can continue to. In addition, when refueling is required, the engine can be prohibited from starting during refueling to improve safety.

It is a block diagram of the freezing apparatus which shows an example of embodiment of the freezing apparatus which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Engine 2 Generator 3 Belt 4 Control apparatus 5 Display apparatus 6 Fuel tank 7 Fuel 8 Fuel sensor 9 Cover open / close switch 10 Compressor 11 Capacitor 12 Expansion valve 13 Evaporator 14 MV valve 15 Fan 16 Fan L1 Engine control L2 Excitation current control L3 Cover Open / close detection L4 Fuel level detection L5 Speed control L6 Opening control L7 Fan speed control

Claims (3)

A generator for generating electric power for driving the refrigerator;
An engine that drives the generator;
A fuel tank for storing fuel to be supplied to the engine;
Fuel remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank;
Control for performing fuel-saving operation control when the estimated operation time of the engine is calculated using the fuel remaining amount detection means, and the calculated estimated operation time of the engine is smaller than a remaining time of a preset required operation time And a refrigeration apparatus comprising the apparatus. A generator for generating electric power for driving the refrigerator;
An engine that drives the generator;
A fuel tank for storing fuel to be supplied to the engine;
A lid opening / closing detection means for detecting opening / closing of the lid of the fuel supply port of the fuel tank;
When the lid opening / closing detecting means detects that the lid of the fuel supply port is open, the engine is prohibited from starting, and when the lid of the fuel supply port is detected to be closed, the engine The refrigeration apparatus is characterized in that the prohibition of starting is released. The refrigeration apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
Display means for displaying and alarming or displaying or alarming the remaining amount of fuel in accordance with the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank detected by the remaining fuel amount detecting means when the fuel is supplied to the fuel tank. A refrigeration apparatus characterized by that.

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