JP2005245700A - Kitchen cabinet - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sanitary kitchen cabinet storing a semidry or wet object in an optimal dry state. <P>SOLUTION: This kitchen cabinet 2 is provided with a sink 3 for washing cooking utensils in its top part, and a cabinet space under the sink 3 is used as a storing and drying chamber 1 capable of taking in/out objects. The storing and drying chamber 1 comprises an air trunk incorporating a dehumidifier having multiple passages for passing air and having a reversible moisture absorbing/releasing function, an air blower passing the air to the passages of the dehumidifier, and a heating means raising the temperature of the air to be passed to the dehumidifier, in an outer shell; a dehumidifying route having a suction inlet and an outlet using the air trunk as a route and communicating with the interior of an openable/closable storage 4 storing the objects; and a regeneration route having a suction inlet and an outlet different from the suction inlet and the outlet using the air trunk as the route and communicating with the exterior of the storage 4. The dehumidifying route and the regeneration route are changed over by an opening/closing damper mechanism to execute a regeneration operation by the regeneration route and the dehumidifying operation by the dehumidifying route. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention mainly relates to a kitchen cabinet with a storage for storing semi-dry or wet articles in a dry state.

  The storage for storing food and other items in a dry state is roughly divided into a desiccant such as calcium chloride or pellet-like silica gel to absorb moisture in the storage to make the interior dry. There is an adsorbing dehumidifier equipped with an adsorbing material that circulates the air in the cabinet and causes the adsorbing material to absorb moisture to make the inside of the cabinet dry (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). Storage that uses natural zeolite or silica gel as an adsorbent does not accumulate water, and can be regenerated by applying heat to the adsorbent once absorbed and letting it dry.

JP-A-4-114714 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-93833

  Conventional storages store food and other articles in a dry state, and do not dry and store semi-dried or wet articles. The storage by the adsorption dehumidifier equipped with a moisture absorbent material with reversible moisture absorption and desorption function is also very humid when the amount of water adhering to the articles placed in the storage is high. Thus, the amount of moisture absorption that can be adsorbed by the adsorbent is exceeded, and the interior cannot be made a dry atmosphere. In a kitchen, if cooking utensils such as wet cloths and cutting boards are stored as they are, mold is generated, bacteria are propagated, and a strange odor is produced, which is not hygienic.

  Of the kitchen cabinets in the kitchen, the cabinet space under the sink of the sink cabinet with the sink for washing contains the cooking utensils that are often used around water, such as balls, pestles, pats, and back strainers. Is done. These cooking utensils need to remove water drops after washing with water, but are difficult to remove with a cloth or the like, and are often left on the work top of a kitchen cabinet for a while to remove water drops. However, wet cooking utensils occupy a limited space in the kitchen, which hinders work in the kitchen. In order to avoid this, it is necessary to store in a cabinet space with water droplets attached, which causes problems such as generation of mold and bacterial growth as described above.

  If the cabinet space is made to have good ventilation to make it difficult to get moisture, the gaps will increase and allow insects such as cockroaches to enter. In addition, knives and cutting boards are often stored on a worktop or on a wall with a knife holder or cutting board stand. However, today's kitchens tend to be open, dining and living are integrated, and the kitchen cabinet is often placed in the center of the space. In such kitchens, kitchen knives and cutting boards that stand on the worktop and on the wall obstruct work on the worktop and impair the appearance of the kitchen, and thus there is an increasing need to fit in the cabinet space of the kitchen cabinet.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a hygienic kitchen cabinet that can store semi-dried or wet articles in an optimal dry state. It is to obtain a kitchen cabinet that avoids drying by heating as much as possible, and that has little heat influence on the surroundings of the installation location and heat influence on the material constituting the kitchen cabinet.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a kitchen cabinet having a sink for washing cooking utensils or the like on the top as a storage / dryer in which the cabinet space under the sink can be put in and out of articles as follows. Adopt means to configure. The storage / dryer has a number of passages through which air passes, and a dehumidifier having a reversible moisture absorption / release function, a blower for passing air through the passage of the dehumidifier, and a temperature of air passing through the dehumidifier An air passage incorporating a heating means is formed in the outer shell, and a dehumidification passage having a suction port and a blow-out opening that can be opened and closed with the air passage as a route and stores articles, and the air passage. A suction path that communicates with the outside of the storage compartment and a blowout opening that is connected to the outside of the storage room and a regeneration path that has a blowout opening are configured, and the dehumidification path and the regeneration path are switched by an open / close damper mechanism that is operated by a motor. The regeneration operation by the regeneration route and the dehumidification operation by the dehumidification route are performed.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, another invention is as follows. For a kitchen cabinet provided with a sink for washing cooking utensils or the like on the top, the cabinet space under the sink is used as a storage / dryer in which articles can be taken in and out. The means to constitute is adopted. The storage / dryer has a large number of passages through which air passes, a dehumidifier having a reversible moisture absorption / release function, a blower for passing air through the passages of the dehumidifier, and the temperature of air passing through the dehumidifier An air passage incorporating a heating means is formed in the outer shell, and a dehumidification passage having a suction port and a blow-out opening that can be opened and closed with the air passage as a route and accommodates an article, and the air passage. A suction port that communicates with the outside of the storage room and a regeneration path that has a blow-out port are formed in the storage room, and the storage room has a ventilator with a larger pressure loss than the suction port that leads to it. A ventilation path that leads from the suction port leading to the outside of the storage to the ventilation port through the blowout opening leading to the storage is configured, and the ventilation path, the dehumidification path, and the regeneration path are switched by an open / close damper mechanism that is operated by a motor. , Ventilation operation by ventilation route, regeneration operation and dehumidification by regeneration route A structure for performing the dehumidifying operation by road.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the kitchen cabinet which can be used as a hygienic storage drying cabinet which can store the cooking space etc. in the optimal dry state in the cabinet space which tends to get wet under a sink is obtained.

  Further, according to another invention, the humidity in the warehouse that has become so humid that it exceeds the dehumidifying capacity of the dehumidifier by the ventilation operation is expelled to the outside of the chamber, and the interior is made a dry atmosphere by the dehumidifying operation and the regeneration operation. can do. Therefore, articles that are semi-dry or wet can be stored in an optimal dry state.

  The kitchen cabinet of the present invention includes a sink for washing cooking utensils and the like on the top. A storage / dryer is configured in the cabinet space under the sink. The storage dryer is configured by incorporating an adsorption dehumidifier in a storage that can be pulled out and pushed in. The adsorption dehumidification device has a large number of passages through which air passes, a dehumidifier having a reversible moisture absorption / release function, a blower for passing air through the passages of the dehumidifier, and heating means for raising the temperature of the air passed through the dehumidifier A wind path incorporating the is constructed in the outer shell. The adsorption dehumidifier has a dehumidification path having a suction port and a blowout opening that leads to the inside of the storage box with the air passage as a route, and a suction port that communicates outside the storage room with the suction opening and the discharge port having the air passage as a route. A regeneration path having a mouth and an outlet is formed. The storage can be opened and closed to store articles. The storage is provided with a ventilation port with a greater pressure loss than the suction port that leads to the storage, and a ventilation path that leads from the suction port that leads to the outside of the storage to the ventilation port via the blowout port that leads to the inside of the storage is configured. ing. The ventilation path, dehumidification path, and regeneration path can be switched by an open / close damper mechanism that is operated by a motor. For a predetermined time after turning on the power, the ventilation path is opened, the ventilation operation is performed by the ventilation path, and then the regeneration operation by the regeneration path and the dehumidification operation by the dehumidification path are alternately performed.

  If you put semi-dry or wet cooking utensils in the cooking chamber and turn on the power, the ventilation path is opened, ventilation operation is started, and the inside of the cooking chamber becomes so humid that it exceeds the dehumidifying capacity of the dehumidifier. Drive moisture out of the chamber through the ventilation openings. After expelling a large amount of moisture in the chamber by ventilation operation, open the regeneration path, perform the regeneration operation to regenerate the dehumidifier, then open the dehumidification path, perform the dehumidification operation, and repeat this alternately. Use a dry atmosphere. The inside of the cabinet is maintained in a dry atmosphere, and cooking utensils and the like put in a semi-dry or wet state are stored in an optimal dry state. Since this storage dryer does not perform a drying process by heat, the cooking utensils in the storage can be altered, the adverse effects of heat around the installation location, and the thermal effects on the materials constituting the kitchen cabinet can be avoided.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
The present embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 relates to a kitchen cabinet 2 that constitutes a system kitchen provided with a storage dryer 1 that dries cooking utensils and the like to which moisture has adhered and stores them in a dry atmosphere. As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 1, the kitchen cabinet 2 includes a sink 3 for washing cooking utensils and the like on the top. A storage / dryer 1 is configured in the upper part of the cabinet space below the sink 3 as shown in FIGS. The storage / dryer 1 includes a drawer-type storage 4 provided in a partitioned cabinet space and an adsorption / dehumidification device 5 that processes the air in the storage 4 into a dry atmosphere. The storage 4 is configured as a box structure with an open top surface, and a small ventilation port 6 is provided on the back or kick-in of the kitchen cabinet 2 leading to the cabinet space in which the storage 4 is accommodated. A deodorizing filter 7 is attached to the ventilation port 6. The deodorizing filter 7 does not release the odor in the storage 4 to the kitchen and does not impair the kitchen atmosphere. The cabinet space portion in the state in which the storage 4 is stored has an airtight structure as a whole except for the ventilation port 6.

  The storage 4 is provided with an inner drawer 8 formed of a breathable mesh or punching metal as shown in FIG. The inner drawer 8 can be pulled out in conjunction with the storage 4 and can be pushed independently from the pushing of the storage 4 and has an easy-to-use structure. Under the storage dryer 1 is another drawer-type storage unit.

  The adsorption dehumidifying device 5 is provided at one corner of the storage 4 as shown by the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5, and has a dehumidifier 10 placed in a stationary state having a large number of linear passages 9 through which air passes, and a blower 11. And the heating means 12 as a main component. Adsorption dehumidification as shown in FIG. 5 is implemented by incorporating a blower 11 for ventilating the passage 9 of the dehumidifier 10 and a heating means 12 for raising the temperature of the air passed through the dehumidifier 10 into the air passage 14 in the outer shell 13 of the hexahedron. A device 5 is configured.

  The inlets 15 and 16 and the outlets 17 and 18 of the air passage 14 of the adsorption dehumidifying device 5 are opened in pairs on two surfaces of the adjacent outer shell 13. In the outer shell 13, a dehumidifying path from one suction port 15 through the air passage 14 to the one outlet 17 and a regeneration path from the other inlet 16 through the air passage 14 to the other outlet 18 are configured. Has been. The air outlet 17 of the dehumidifying path blows upward into the storage 4 so that the dehumidified air can be uniformly applied to the storage 4 including the inner drawer 8.

  The suction ports 15 and 16 and the air outlets 17 and 18 in the dehumidification path and the regeneration path are opened and closed by two opening / closing damper mechanisms 19. The opening / closing damper mechanism 19 has a suction port opening / closing blade and a blower opening / closing blade mounted on the rotating shaft of the stepping motor 20. Both the suction port 15 and the air outlet 17 of the dehumidification path are connected to the storage 4 in an airtight state, and the suction port 16 and the air outlet 18 of the regeneration path are stored in an airtight state from the front panel of the storage 4. Have been contacted outside. And the ventilation path | route from the suction opening 16 of a reproduction | regeneration path | route to the ventilation opening 6 which leads to the storage 4 via the blower outlet 17 of a dehumidification path | route is also comprised.

The dehumidifier 10 is formed by laminating a corrugated structure material or a honeycomb structure material in which a hygroscopic material such as silica gel is bonded to inorganic fibers such as ceramics using a polymerization reaction, and a plurality of linear passages through which air to be treated passes. 9 is distributed in the whole and is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a density of 230 to 270 kg / m ³ and has a reversible moisture absorption / release function. Each passage 9 is parallel, and all of the opening ends thereof are open on two opposing surfaces of the dehumidifier 10. Since the structure of the dehumidifier 10 is low pressure loss, the blower 11 may be small.

  The heating means 12 has a configuration in which heat dissipating fins thermally connected to a positive temperature coefficient thermistor are integrated, and is assembled in a state of traversing the air passage 14 at the front stage of the dehumidifier 10. Between the dehumidifier 10 and the outer shell 13, a heat insulating structure of a heat insulating air layer or a multi-bubble heat insulating resin is provided to efficiently heat the dehumidifier 10 during regeneration. The heating means 12, the blower 11, and the stepping motor 20 are each controlled by a control circuit equipped with a microcomputer incorporated in the adsorption dehumidifying device 5.

  As shown in the time chart of FIG. 6, the kitchen cabinet 2 with the storage / drying chamber 1 is equipped with an open / close damper mechanism as shown in the time chart of FIG. First, the ventilation path is opened by 19, and the ventilation operation for operating the blower 11 for a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes) is performed. The ventilation path is opened by closing the outlet 18 of the regeneration path and closing the suction port 15 of the dehumidification path by the open / close damper mechanism 19. That is, air outside the storage 4 is sucked in from the suction port 16 opened in the regeneration path, blown out from the air passage 14 into the storage 4 through the air outlet 17 opened in the dehumidification path, and again stored in the storage 4 from the ventilation port 6. It is blown out and the inside is ventilated. As a result, moisture such as cooking utensils is expelled to the outside of the cabinet together with ventilation, and the humidity inside the cabinet becomes such that it can be processed by the moisture absorption capacity of the dehumidifier 10. Thereafter, the regeneration path and the dehumidification path are alternately opened and closed, and the dehumidifier 10 can be switched between the regeneration process and the dehumidification process to make the inside of the storage case 4 dry. In the dehumidifying operation for dehumidifying the inside of the storage case 4, the stepping motor 20 is rotated, and the suction port 16 and the outlet 18 of the regeneration path are closed by the inlet opening / closing blade and the outlet opening / closing blade, and the blower 11 is operated. Is done. That is, a circulating airflow is formed in the storage 4 by the opened dehumidification path, and moisture is adsorbed to the dehumidifier 10 in a molecular state every time it passes through the dehumidifier 10, and the inside of the storage 4 quickly becomes a low-humidity dry atmosphere. .

  As the water molecules are adsorbed, the adsorptive capacity of the dehumidifier 10 decreases, so that a regeneration operation for regenerating the dehumidifier 10 in the regeneration process is performed. To regenerate the dehumidifier 10, the stepping motor 20 is rotated, the suction port 15 and the blower outlet 17 of the dehumidification path are closed by the suction port opening / closing blade and the blower opening / closing blade, the blower 11 is operated, and the heating means 12 is operated. By energizing, regeneration is performed at a temperature of about 70 ° C. That is, the outside air is sucked from the suction port 16 through the opened regeneration path, is heated by passing through the heat radiating plate of the heating means 12, and the water molecules of the dehumidifier 10 are passed through the passage 9 of the dehumidifier 10. Released. Thereafter, the energization of the heating unit 12 is cut off, the cooling operation of the dehumidifier 10 is performed only by the operation of the blower 11, and the dehumidifying operation is started. The time for the regeneration operation and the dehumidifying operation is set to about 5 minutes, for example. Thereby, the cooking utensils put in the storage 4 can be stored in a clean and hygienic environment in which mold and bacteria do not propagate.

  In the ventilation operation for reducing the humidity in the storage 4 by ventilation, the humidity of the air entering the adsorption dehumidifier 5 from the suction port 16 of the regeneration path at the start of the ventilation operation is detected by the humidity detection means, and the control circuit Ventilation is performed for a predetermined operation time according to the value. If the humidity is high, the operation time is longer, and if the humidity is low, the operation time is short. By carrying out like this, ventilation operation according to the humidity around storage 4 can be performed, and drying by efficient ventilation can be performed.

  A cutting board or the like is placed in the inner drawer 8 of the storage 4 so that a knife, a fork or the like is placed downward and the upper part is covered therewith. The storage 4 below the inner drawer 8 stores cooking utensils often used around water, such as balls, swords, pats, and back strainers. By doing so, it is possible to cover things that are dangerous for infants, such as knives and forks, with a cutting board or the like, and it is possible to prevent them from being taken carelessly. Moreover, storing what is often used around the water (around the sink) under the sink 3 increases the workability of the kitchen and makes the kitchen cabinet easy to work with.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
The present embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is based on the utilization form of the cabinet space of the kitchen cabinet, and the other basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same parts as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a front view of the kitchen cabinet 2 of the present embodiment provided with the sink 3. The kitchen cabinet 2 divides a cabinet space under the sink 3 and includes a dishwasher / dryer 21 and a storage / dryer 1. The sink 3 is used for washing ingredients, tableware, cooking utensils and the like. The used dishes can be pre-washed in the sink 3 and then put into the dishwasher / dryer 21 without moving the body, and can be used around the sink 3 such as a kitchen knife and a cutting board. Many cooking utensils can also be put into the dishwasher / dryer 21 at that position after washing in the sink 3 without moving the body. The shortening of the distance time to move makes the cooking work easier and shortens the cooking time. Other functions are the same as those of the first embodiment.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
The present embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is a devised form of use of the cabinet space of the kitchen cabinet, and the other basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same parts as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a front view of the kitchen cabinet 2 of the present embodiment provided with the heating stove 22. The kitchen cabinet 2 is provided with a storage / dryer 1 in a cabinet space under the heating stove 22. The storage 4 of the storage dryer 1 stores a pan, a frying pan, a wok, etc. used on the heating stove 22. The pans and pans washed by the sink 3 can be stored in a sanitary and dry state without emptying, and the time required to move around the heating stove 22 can be shortened.

  If we actually analyze kitchen work, one work in the kitchen takes an average of 2.5 seconds. This work is combined with 1000 to 3000 processes to perform kitchen work. Washing, cutting, boiling, frying, etc. are almost unchanged by humans if they have the same menu. However, depending on the storage location of cooking utensils, tableware, etc., the time and distance of movement change, and the cooking time as a whole can vary greatly. By minimizing the travel time and distance, the kitchen cabinet is easy to use and has good workability. Other functions are the same as those of the first embodiment.

It is a perspective view of a kitchen cabinet. (Embodiment 1) It is sectional drawing of the kitchen cabinet of the state which accommodated the storage drying cabinet. (Embodiment 1) It is sectional drawing of the kitchen cabinet of the state which pulled out the storage drying cabinet. (Embodiment 1) It is a perspective view which shows an inner drawer independently. (Embodiment 1) It is sectional drawing of an adsorption dehumidification apparatus. (Embodiment 1) It is a time chart which shows operation | movement of a storage dryer. (Embodiment 1) It is a front view of a kitchen cabinet. (Embodiment 2) It is a front view of a kitchen cabinet. (Embodiment 3)

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Storage dryer, 2 Kitchen cabinet, 3 Sink, 4 Storage, 5 Adsorption dehumidification apparatus, 6 Ventilation opening, 7 Deodorizing filter, 8 Inside drawer, 9 Passage, 10 Dehumidifier, 11 Blower, 12 Heating means, 13 Outer shell , 14 air passages, 15, 16 inlet, 17, 18 outlet, 19 open / close damper mechanism, 20 stepping motor, 21 dishwasher / dryer, 22 heating stove.

Claims (8)

A kitchen cabinet provided with a sink for washing cooking utensils or the like on the top, and the cabinet space under the sink is configured as follows as a storage / dryer in which articles can be taken in and out.
The above-mentioned storage / dryer has a number of passages through which air passes, a dehumidifier having a reversible moisture absorption / release function, a blower for passing air through the passage of the dehumidifier, and air to be passed through the dehumidifier. An air passage incorporating a heating means for heating is formed in the outer shell, and the dehumidification passage having an inlet and a blow-out opening that can be opened and closed with the air passage as a passage and is connected to a storage for storing articles is provided. A suction path that communicates with the outside of the storage, which is separate from the suction port and the air outlet, and a regeneration path that has the air outlet, and a regeneration path that includes the air outlet are configured, and the dehumidification path and the regeneration path are operated by a motor. Switching is performed by an open / close damper mechanism, and a regeneration operation by the regeneration path and a dehumidification operation by the dehumidification path are performed. A kitchen cabinet provided with a sink for washing cooking utensils or the like on the top, and the cabinet space under the sink is configured as follows as a storage / dryer in which articles can be taken in and out.
The storage dryer has a number of passages through which air passes, a dehumidifier having a reversible moisture absorption / release function, a blower for passing air through the passages of the dehumidifier, and a temperature rise of the air to be passed through the dehumidifier. A dehumidifying path having a suction port and a blowout opening that is openable and closable with the air path as a path, and that can be opened and closed. A suction path that communicates with the outside of the storage and a regeneration path that has a discharge opening that are separate from the suction opening and the discharge opening that take a path as a path are configured, and the storage has pressure from the suction opening that leads to the storage path. A ventilation port having a large loss is provided, and a ventilation path that leads from the suction port that leads to the outside of the storage room to the ventilation port through the blowout port that leads to the inside of the storage room is configured, and the ventilation path, the dehumidification path, and the regeneration path Is switched by an open / close damper mechanism that is operated by a motor. A ventilation mode that is configured to perform the dehumidifying operation by the dehumidifying passage and regeneration operation by the reproduction path.   It is a kitchen cabinet in any one of Claim 1 or Claim 2, Comprising: The kitchen cabinet incorporating the dishwasher along with the storage drying cabinet. A kitchen cabinet provided with a heating stove on the top, wherein the cabinet space under the heating stove is configured as follows as a storage / dryer in which articles can be taken in and out.
The above-mentioned storage / dryer has a number of passages through which air passes, a dehumidifier having a reversible moisture absorption / release function, a blower for passing air through the passages of the dehumidifier, and air to be passed through the dehumidifier. An air passage incorporating a heating means for heating is configured in the outer shell. A suction path that communicates with the outside of the storage, which is separate from the suction port and the air outlet, and a regeneration path that has the air outlet, and a regeneration path that includes the air outlet are configured, and the dehumidification path and the regeneration path are operated by a motor. Switching is performed by an open / close damper mechanism, and a regeneration operation by the regeneration path and a dehumidification operation by the dehumidification path are performed. A kitchen cabinet provided with a heating stove on the top, wherein the cabinet space under the heating stove is configured as follows as a storage / dryer in which articles can be taken in and out.
The storage dryer has a number of passages through which air passes, a dehumidifier having a reversible moisture absorption / release function, a blower for passing air through the passages of the dehumidifier, and a temperature rise of the air to be passed through the dehumidifier. A dehumidifying path having a suction port and a blowout opening that is openable and closable with the air path as a path, and that can be opened and closed. A suction path that communicates with the outside of the storage and a regeneration path that has a discharge opening that are separate from the suction opening and the discharge opening that take a path as a path are configured, and the storage has pressure from the suction opening that leads to the storage path. A ventilation port having a large loss is provided, and a ventilation path that leads from the suction port that leads to the outside of the storage room to the ventilation port through the blowout port that leads to the inside of the storage room is configured, and the ventilation path, the dehumidification path, and the regeneration path Is switched by an open / close damper mechanism that is operated by a motor. A ventilation mode that is configured to perform the dehumidifying operation by the dehumidifying passage and regeneration operation by the reproduction path.   It is a kitchen cabinet in any one of Claim 1- Claim 4, Comprising: The kitchen cabinet which provided the inner drawer with air permeability in the storage.   6. The kitchen cabinet according to claim 5, wherein the inner drawer moves in conjunction with the storage and can be separated and stored.   It is a kitchen cabinet of Claim 2, Comprising: The kitchen cabinet which provided the deodorizing filter in the ventilation port.

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