JP2007255793A - Low temperature storage - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a low temperature storage improved in operability/usability in a case of effectively utilizing a free space in a storage compartment. <P>SOLUTION: This low temperature storage R is provided with the storage compartment 2 in a heat insulating housing 1 opened at its front face, and stored objects are received in the storage compartment 2 to be stored in a low temperature state by a cooling device 4. This low temperature storage R comprises a partitioning shelf 18 for vertically partitioning the storage compartment 2, and a moving up-and-down mechanism 22 for moving the partitioning shelf 18 up and down in a horizontal state. The moving up-and-down mechanism 22 comprises a main shaft 23 rotatably pivoted on the heat insulating housing 1, a worm wheel and a sprocket mounted on the main shaft, a chain engaged with the sprocket and fixed to the partitioning shelf, a worm gear engaged with the worm wheel, and a handle 29 for rotating the worm gear. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention forms a storage chamber in a heat insulating box that opens to the front, and stores and stores a storage object such as brown rice stored in a storage bag, etc. It relates to a low temperature storage.

  Conventionally, when grains such as brown rice are stored for a relatively long period of time, there has been a problem that the quality of the storage object is lowered due to the storage environment. Therefore, for example, in a barn of a farmer, a low temperature storage is used to store grains such as brown rice. Such a low-temperature storage forms a storage chamber in a heat insulating box that opens to the front, and a heat insulating door is provided in the front opening of the heat insulating box so that the front opening can be opened and closed.

A machine room is defined in the upper part of the heat insulation box, and a compressor, a condenser, a condenser blower, and the like constituting the cooling device are placed thereon. An evaporator and an evaporator blower are provided in the upper portion of the storage chamber, and a partition plate is provided below the evaporator and the blower. Thereby, a cooling chamber is formed between the partition plate and the storage chamber top surface. An opening is formed in the rear of the partition plate, and cool air is discharged from the rear of the partition plate to the storage chamber by the blower. The storage chamber has a predetermined temperature / humidity, for example, a grain having a temperature of + 10 ° C to + 15 ° C / humidity of about 60%. Cooled to suitable storage conditions. As a result, a plurality of items to be stored such as brown rice contained in a bag can be loaded on the bottom surface of the storage chamber and stored in a suitable temperature / humidity environment throughout the year (for example, Patent Documents). 1).
JP 2003-194456 A

  Here, in a low-temperature storage that normally stores grain such as brown rice, rice, etc., stored in a large number of storage bags is stored in the storage room at the time of harvest. Is gradually taken out. For this reason, when the articles to be stored are gradually taken out and reduced, there is a problem that an empty space is formed in the upper part of the storage chamber and the space cannot be effectively used. Therefore, in order to effectively use such empty space, conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1, when the amount of grain such as brown rice is reduced, a net shelf is installed above it, and drinks and the like are placed on the net shelf. Space was effectively used by storing refrigerated foods and vegetables.

  However, in order to make effective use of space, it is necessary to change the mounting position of the shelf support to the support column according to the amount of grain, and to change the installation height of the net shelf, and the rack position changing work is complicated. It was. In addition, when storing vegetables etc. on a net shelf, the entire storage chamber is not suitable for storage conditions of temperature / humidity (for example, temperature + 5 ° C. to + 10 ° C./humidity 80%). It had to be stored after being put in a plastic bag, and the usability was also poor.

  The present invention has been made to solve the conventional technical problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a low-temperature storage with improved operability / usability when an empty space in a storage room is used effectively. And

  The low-temperature storage according to the present invention forms a storage chamber in a heat insulating box that opens to the front, stores an object to be stored in the storage chamber, and stores it in a low temperature state by a cooling device. And a lifting mechanism for moving the partitioning rack up and down in a horizontal state.

  In the low temperature storage of the invention of claim 2, in the above, the lifting mechanism is engaged with the main shaft pivotably supported by the heat insulating box, the worm wheel and the sprocket attached to the main shaft, and the sprocket. In addition, a chain fixed to the partition shelf, a worm gear meshing with the worm wheel, and a handle for rotating the worm gear are provided.

  The low temperature storage of the invention of claim 3 is provided around the partition shelf in each of the above inventions, and a sealing material that slidably contacts and seals the inner surface of the storage chamber and a door that closes the opening of the storage chamber; The cooler has a cool air discharge duct and a cool air suction duct extending below the moving range of the partition shelf, and a cool air discharge port and a cool air suction port formed on the ceiling of the storage room, and the partition shelf has a configuration in which cold air cannot flow. In addition, the cooling device discharges the cold air into the storage chamber below the partition shelf via the cold air discharge duct, and stores the first evaporator above the partition shelf from the cold air discharge port for suction through the cold air suction duct. A second evaporator for discharging cool air into the room and sucking it from the cool air suction port is provided.

  In the present invention, a storage chamber is formed in a heat insulating box that opens to the front surface, a storage compartment is stored in the storage chamber, and a partition that divides the storage chamber up and down in a low-temperature storage that stores it in a low temperature state by a cooling device. Since it has a shelf and a lifting mechanism that moves the partition shelf up and down in a horizontal state, the partition shelf is lifted and lowered by the lifting mechanism according to the amount of storage objects stored and stored on the bottom surface of the storage chamber Will be able to.

  That is, when the storage amount of the storage object loaded and stored on the bottom surface of the storage chamber is large, the partition shelf is raised by the lifting mechanism, and the partitioning mechanism is partitioned by the lifting mechanism as the storage amount of the storage object decreases. By lowering the shelf and placing and storing articles on the partition shelf, the space formed in the upper part of the storage chamber can be used effectively. As a result, the convenience of the low-temperature storage can be improved, and the position of the partition shelf can be easily changed, so that the usability is also improved.

  According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to the above, the elevating mechanism includes a main shaft pivotally supported by the heat insulating box, a worm wheel and a sprocket attached to the main shaft, and the sprocket. And a chain fixed to the partition shelf, a worm gear meshing with the worm wheel, and a handle for rotating the worm gear. Is not lowered by the load of the article placed thereon. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a special stopper. In addition, since the partition shelf can be raised and lowered simply by turning the handle, the operability is extremely good.

  Further, in the invention of claim 3, in addition to each of the above inventions, a sealing material provided around the partition shelf and sealingly slidably contacts the inner surface of the storage chamber and the door closing the opening of the storage chamber. The cooler has a cool air discharge duct and a cool air suction duct extending below the moving range of the partition shelf, and a cool air discharge port and a cool air suction port formed on the ceiling of the storage room, and the partition shelf has a configuration in which cold air cannot flow. In addition, the cooling device has a first evaporator for discharging cold air into the storage chamber below the partition shelf via the cold air discharge duct and sucking it through the cold air suction duct; Since it has a second evaporator for discharging cold air into the storage chamber and sucking it out from the cold air inlet, it constitutes a storage environment with different temperatures and / or humidity at the lower and upper sides of the rising and lowering partition shelf Will be able to.

  This makes it possible to store two types of storage items with different storage conditions in a storage room below the partition shelf and above the partition shelf in an environment suitable for them, which significantly improves versatility and convenience. It is possible to plan.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 is a front view of a low-temperature storage R of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of the low-temperature storage R excluding the heat insulating door 3, FIG. 3 is a plan sectional view of a cooling device 4 portion above the low-temperature storage R, and FIG. FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal sectional side view of the upper part of the low temperature storage R in the storage chamber 2.

  The low-temperature storage R of the embodiment is a vertical low-temperature storage for storing grains that is installed in, for example, a farmer's barn and stores grains such as brown rice stored in a storage bag. The low-temperature storage R is configured by a heat insulating box 1 as a main body that opens to the front surface, and a storage chamber 2 is formed in the heat insulating box 1. The front opening of the storage chamber 2 is closed to be opened and closed by a heat insulating door 3 pivotally supported on one side of the heat insulating box 1 around a hinge 5.

  A cooling device 4 is installed on the ceiling 1 </ b> A of the heat insulating box 1. The cooling device 4 includes a compressor 6, a radiator 7, a first evaporator 8, a second evaporator 9, and the like, and a refrigerant circuit is constituted by the heat insulating box 1. Are housed in a heat-insulating cooling box 11 attached to the ceiling. In this case, the first evaporator 8 is installed in the first cooling chamber 12 configured in the cooling box 11, and the first cooling chamber 12 on the cold air outlet side of the first evaporator 8 is in the first cooling chamber 12. 1 blower 13 is provided. The second evaporator 9 is installed in a second cooling chamber 14 configured in the cooling box 11, and the second evaporator 9 is disposed in the second cooling chamber 14 on the cold air outlet side of the second evaporator 9. The blower 16 is provided.

  The first evaporator 8 and the second evaporator 9 are connected in parallel to the refrigerant circuit, for example, via a predetermined electromagnetic valve and a pressure reducing device (expansion valve, capillary tube, etc.), and the compressor 6 The refrigerant discharged from the heat is dissipated by the radiator 7 and then divided, and is decompressed by the decompression device via the electromagnetic valves (when opened) of the evaporators 8 and 9. Then, it flows into each evaporator 8, 9 and evaporates, and the air ventilated to each evaporator 8, 9 is cooled by the endothermic effect generated at that time. And the refrigerant | coolant which came out of each evaporator 8 and 9 joins, Then, the structure that it is attracted | sucked by the compressor 6 is taken. Since the electromagnetic valve and the pressure reducing device are controlled independently, the temperature / humidity of the air cooled by each of the evaporators 8 and 9 can be controlled independently. Reference numeral 17 denotes a condenser blower that is provided corresponding to the radiator 7 and vents outside air to the radiator 7 and the compressor 6.

  On the other hand, in the storage chamber 2, a vertically movable partition shelf 18 that divides the storage chamber 2 up and down is installed horizontally. The partition shelf 18 is formed of a heat insulating plate that has a size that is slightly smaller than the planar size in the storage chamber 2 and that is not capable of circulating cool air, and a sealing material 19 is attached to the periphery thereof. The sealing material 19 is slidably brought into contact with the inner surface of the storage chamber 2 and the inner surface of the heat insulating door 3 to seal a gap between the partition shelf 18 and the inner surfaces of the storage chamber 2 and the heat insulating door 3. Thereby, the circulation of the cold air between the storage chamber 2A below the partition shelf 18 and the storage chamber 2B above the partition shelf 18 is blocked. Further, guards 21 are erected on the rear and both sides of the partition shelf 18 with a predetermined distance from the inner surface of the storage chamber 2 to prevent the articles placed on the partition shelf 18 from falling. Is configured to do.

  An elevating mechanism 22 is attached to the top surface 2 </ b> C of the storage chamber 2. The elevating mechanism 22 is located directly below the top surface 2C in the storage chamber 2 and is positioned at a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction, and extends in the left and right directions. The worm wheel 24 attached to the left side of the center, the sprockets 26, 26 attached to the left and right ends of the main shaft 23, and both sprockets 26, 26 are engaged on both sides in the storage chamber 2. Chains 27, 27 located at a substantially central part in the front-rear direction, a rotatable handle shaft 28 extending back and forth corresponding to the position of the worm wheel 24, a handle 29 attached to the front end of the handle shaft 28, The worm gear 31 is attached to the rear portion of the handle shaft 28 and meshes with the worm wheel 24.

  The front portion of the handle shaft 28 is rotatably held by the mounting plate 32 on the top surface 2C. The worm wheel 24 is housed in a gear box 33 attached to the top surface 2 </ b> C, the rear portion of the handle shaft 28 is also inserted into the gear box 33, and the worm gear 31 is located in the gear box 33. The rear portion of the handle shaft 28 is rotatably held by bearings 34, 34 on the front and rear surfaces of the gear box 33.

  Further, as will be described later, the load from the divider 18 applied to the chain 27 becomes a strong thrust load in the direction of pulling the handle shaft 28 backward via the sprocket 26, the main shaft 23, the worm wheel 24, and the worm gear 31. The bearing portion of the handle shaft 28 is pressed against the gear box 33 by this thrust load, and a great amount of force is required to rotate the gear shaft 33 as it is. Therefore, a thrust bearing 36 is attached to a position of the handle shaft 28 on the front side of the gear box 33 so that the rotation of the handle shaft 28 becomes light. Note that one end of the chain 27 (the lower end rotated backward from the sprocket 26 in FIG. 5) is fixed to the gear box 33.

  On the other hand, angle plates 37, 37 are attached to the outer sides of the guard 21 at substantially central portions in the front-rear direction on both sides of the partition shelf 18. A total of four rollers 38, 38 facing each other are attached in the vertical direction. Further, rails 39, 39 are attached to substantially the center in the front-rear direction on both side surfaces in the storage chamber 2 so as to extend vertically (at least over the moving range of the partition shelf 18 as will be described later). Enters between the rollers 38 and 38 of the angle plate 37, and the rollers 38 and 38 abut against the front and rear surfaces of the rail 39 slidably. Thereby, the partition shelf 18 does not tilt in the front-rear direction. The angle plate 37, the roller 38, and the rail 39 also constitute a part of the elevating mechanism 22 for moving the partition shelf 18 horizontally.

  The other end of each chain 27, 27 (the lower end portion rotated forward from the sprocket 26 in FIG. 5) is fixed to the inner surface of the angle plate 37 by a holder 41 and three pins 42. Thereby, the partition shelf 18 is suspended horizontally by the chains 27 and 27, and both the sprockets 26 and 26 are rotated in synchronization with the rotation of the main shaft 23, so that they are not inclined in the left-right direction. With such a configuration, when the handle 29 is rotated, the worm gear 31 is rotated via the handle shaft 28, and the rotation is transmitted to the worm wheel 24 to rotate the sprockets 26 and 26 via the main shaft 23. Since the chains 27, 27 are wound up or lowered by the rotation of the sprockets 26, 26, the partition shelf 18 can be moved up and down.

  A cold air discharge duct member 44 that descends from the top surface to the lower part of the storage chamber 2 is attached to the rear surface of the storage chamber 2, and the lower end of the cold air discharge duct 46 that is configured inside is open into the storage chamber 2. The upper end communicates with the first cooling chamber 12 on the discharge side of the first blower 13 in the cooling box 11. In addition, a cold air suction duct member 47 is attached to the front side of the right side toward the inside of the storage chamber 2, and the lower end of the cold air suction duct 48 formed inside is also opened into the storage chamber 2, and the upper end is the cooling box 11. The first evaporator 8 communicates with the first cooling chamber 12 on the cold air inflow side. The partition shelf 18 has a shape that avoids the duct members 44 and 47, and the sealing material 19 also abuts on the duct members 44 and 47.

  The duct members 44 and 47 extend below the position where the partition shelf 18 is lowest (the state where the chains 27 and 27 extend most) by the raising and lowering of the partition shelf 18 by the handle operation as described above. Yes. Thereby, regardless of the position of the partition shelf 18, the lower end openings of the cold air discharge duct 46 and the cold air suction duct 48 are always located in the storage chamber 2 </ b> A below the partition shelf 18. Further, a cold air discharge port 51 and a cold air suction port 52 are formed in the top surface 2C of the storage chamber 2, and the cold air discharge port 51 is a second cooling on the discharge side of the second blower 16 in the cooling box 11. The cold air inlet 52 communicates with the chamber 14 and communicates with the second cooling chamber 14 on the cold air inflow side of the second evaporator 9.

  With the above configuration, grain G1 (substance to be stored) such as brown rice stored in a storage bag is loaded on the bottom surface 2D of the storage chamber 2 and stored. When the amount of the grain G1 is large as shown in FIG. 8, the handle 29 is turned and the chains 27 and 27 are pulled up via the worm gear 31, the worm wheel 24, the main shaft 23, and the sprocket 26 to raise the partition shelf 18, As shown in the figure, it is positioned at the upper part in the storage chamber 2. In this state, since the volume of the storage chamber 2A below the partition shelf 18 is increased, a large amount of grain G1 can be loaded and stored. Further, a small amount of stored items such as vegetables G2 are placed on the partition shelf 18 and stored.

  When the compressor 6 is operated, as described above, the refrigerant is circulated through the first and second evaporators 8 and 9 and exhibits a cooling action. When the first blower 13 is operated, the cold air exchanged heat with the first evaporator 8 is discharged backward in the first cooling chamber 12 as shown by the solid line arrow in FIG. It flows into the cold air discharge duct 46 that opens, descends, and is discharged into the storage chamber 2A below the partition shelf 18 from the opening at the lower end as shown by the solid line arrow in FIG. The cold air that circulates in the storage chamber 2A and cools the grain G1 flows into the duct from the lower end opening of the cold air suction duct 48, rises, returns to the first cooling chamber 12, and again returns to the first evaporator. 8 flows in. A control device (not shown) controls the above-described solenoid valve and pressure reducing device based on the temperature / humidity in the storage chamber 2A, thereby allowing the storage chamber 2A to have a predetermined temperature / humidity suitable for the grain G1, that is, temperature + 10 ° C. to Maintain the storage conditions of + 15 ° C / 60% humidity. As a result, the grain G1 can be satisfactorily stored in a suitable environment in the storage room 2A throughout the year.

  On the other hand, when the second blower 16 is operated, the cold air exchanged heat with the second evaporator 9 is discharged backward in the second cooling chamber 14 as indicated by the broken line arrow in FIG. It is discharged into the storage chamber 2B above the partition shelf 18. The cold air that circulates in the storage chamber 2B and cools the vegetables G2 returns to the second cooling chamber 14 from the cold air inlet 52 and flows into the second evaporator 9 again. A control device (not shown) controls the above-described solenoid valve and pressure reducing device based on the temperature / humidity in the storage chamber 2B, so that the temperature / humidity suitable for the vegetable G2 in the storage chamber 2B, that is, temperature + 5 ° C. to + 10 ° C. / Keep the storage conditions at about 80% humidity. As a result, the vegetables G2 can be well preserved in an environment suitable for them without being packed in a plastic bag or the like. That is, two kinds of articles (grain G1 and vegetable G2) having different storage conditions can be stored in the storage chambers 2A and 2B above and below the partition 18 in an environment suitable for them. It is possible to significantly improve the performance and convenience.

  On the other hand, when the amount of grain G1 stored as shown in FIG. 9 decreases, the handle 29 is turned to lower the chains 27 and 27 via the worm gear 31, the worm wheel 24, the main shaft 23, and the sprocket 26, and the partition shelf. 18 is lowered and is located slightly below the center in the storage chamber 2 as shown in FIG. During this movement, the rollers 38... Of the angle plate 37 slide on the front and rear surfaces of the rail 39, so that the partition shelf 18 descends in a horizontal state without being inclined (the same applies when it rises). In this state, the volume of the storage chamber 2A below the partition shelf 18 is reduced, and conversely, the volume of the storage chamber 2B above the partition shelf 18 is increased, so that a large amount of vegetables G2 can be placed on the partition shelf 18 and stored. It becomes like this. Thus, effective use of the upper part in the storage chamber 2 when the amount of the grain G1 is reduced is achieved.

  In this case, the duct members 44 and 47 extend downward from the position where the partition shelf 18 can be lowered to the lowest level and are open, so that the cool air circulation to the storage chamber 2A below the partition shelf 18 can be performed without any trouble. Further, since the cool air is circulated through the cool air discharge port 51 and the cool air suction port 52 in the same manner in the storage chamber 2B above the partition shelf 18, the storage chambers 2A and 2B above and below the partition shelf 18 are the same as in FIG. A preservation environment will be realized.

  Further, as described above, since the rollers 38 of the angle plate 37 slide on the front and rear surfaces of the rail 39, the partition shelf 18 does not tilt in the front-rear direction and is suspended by the chains 27 and 27. It does not tilt in the left-right direction. Therefore, the vegetable G2 on the partition shelf 18 does not fall during movement.

  In particular, since the worm gear 31 and the worm wheel 24 are engaged with each other, unless the handle 29 is turned, the partition rack 18 is not lowered by the load of the vegetable G2 on which it is placed. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a special stopper. Moreover, since the partition shelf 18 can be raised / lowered only by turning the handle | steering-wheel 29, operativity is also very favorable.

It is a front view of the low-temperature storage of this invention. It is a front view of the low-temperature storage of FIG. 1 except a heat insulation door. It is a plane sectional view of the cooling device part of the upper part of the low-temperature storage of FIG. It is a plane sectional view of the storage room part of the low-temperature storage of FIG. It is a vertical side view of the upper part of the storage room of the low-temperature storage of FIG. It is a top view of the angle plate part of the partition shelf of the low-temperature storage of FIG. It is a front view of the angle board part of the partition shelf of the low-temperature storage of FIG. It is a front view except the heat insulation door of the state which raised the partition shelf in the low-temperature storage of FIG. It is a front view except the heat insulation door of the state which lowered | hung the partition shelf in the low-temperature storage of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

R Low temperature storage 1 Heat insulation box 2 Storage room 3 Heat insulation door 4 Cooling device 6 Compressor 7 Radiator 8, 9 First and second evaporators 13, 16 First and second blowers 18 Partition shelf 19 Sealing material 22 Lift mechanism 24 Worm wheel 26 Sprocket 27 Chain 29 Handle 31 Worm gear 37 Angle plate 38 Roller 39 Rail 46 Cold air discharge duct 48 Cold air suction duct 51 Cold air discharge port 52 Cold air suction port

Claims (3)

In a low-temperature storage that forms a storage chamber in a heat-insulating box that opens to the front, stores an object to be stored in this storage chamber, and stores it in a low-temperature state by a cooling device,
A partition shelf for vertically dividing the storage chamber;
A low temperature storage comprising a lifting mechanism for moving the partition shelf up and down in a horizontal state.   The elevating mechanism is engaged with the main shaft pivotally supported by the heat insulating box, a worm wheel and a sprocket attached to the main shaft, the sprocket, and fixed to the partition shelf. The low-temperature storage according to claim 1, comprising a chain, a worm gear meshing with the worm wheel, and a handle for rotating the worm gear. A seal member provided around the partition shelf and sealingly slidably abutting an inner surface of the storage chamber and a door closing the opening of the storage chamber; and extending below a range of movement of the partition shelf A cold air discharge duct and a cold air suction duct, and a cold air discharge port and a cold air suction port formed in the ceiling of the storage room,
The partition shelf is configured such that cold air cannot flow, and the cooling device discharges cold air into the storage chamber below the partition shelf via the cold air discharge duct and sucks it through the cold air suction duct. A first evaporator, and a second evaporator for discharging cold air from the cold air discharge port into the storage chamber above the partition shelf and sucking the cold air from the cold air suction port. The low-temperature storage of Claim 1 or Claim 2.

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