JP2009109073A - Open showcase - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an open showcase with which energy saving is promoted while maintainability is kept well. <P>SOLUTION: In the open showcase, by sucking in cooling air from an air suction opening 40a formed on a front face side of a bottom face side ventilation passage 40 after blowing the cooling air from an air blowout opening 20a formed on a front face side of an upper face ventilation passage 20, air curtain 50 is formed on an opening 9. It is provided with: drain hole 44 formed in an exterior of a fan duct 42; a water conduction hole 46 conducting dew condensate of a cooler 32 or the like from an interior of the fan duct to the drain hole; and a counter flow preventing means 46 for preventing a counter flow of air flowing from the water conduction hole toward the air suction opening. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an open showcase, and more particularly to an open showcase in which an air curtain is formed in an opening of a showcase body.

  Conventionally, as an open showcase of this kind, a showcase body having an opening on the front surface, a ventilation path formed along the top surface, back surface, and bottom surface of the showcase body, and a bottom-side ventilation path are disposed. A fan, a cooler disposed in the back side ventilation path, and a fan duct disposed in the bottom side ventilation path and guiding air blown from the fan to the cooler, the air in the bottom side ventilation path is After being cooled by the cooler in the back side ventilation path via the fan duct, this cooling air is blown out from the air outlet formed on the front end side of the top side ventilation path, and then on the front end side of the bottom side ventilation path. It is known that an air curtain is formed in an opening by being sucked from an air suction port formed.

And the technique which forms in the fan duct the drain outlet which discharges the dew condensation water which generate | occur | produced in the cooler or the fan duct to the exterior of a showcase main body is known.
JP 2000-146407 A

However, in the above prior art, since the drain port is covered with the fan duct and the fan duct needs to be removed during maintenance such as cleaning the drain port, there is a problem that the maintainability of the showcase is deteriorated.
Therefore, it is conceivable to install a drain outlet outside the fan duct, but in order to drain the condensed water generated by the cooler etc. from the fan duct, a water inlet that guides the condensed water to the drain outlet is formed in the fan duct. There is a need.

  However, there are air flow resistance elements such as a cooler on the downstream side of the fan, and the pressure in the fan duct rises when the fan is operating, causing a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the fan duct. A large amount of air flows out, and as a result, the air flows back to the air suction port, thereby obstructing the formation of the air curtain, and the outside air enters the showcase, thereby increasing the power consumption of the showcase.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a subject, The place made into the objective is to provide the open showcase which can accelerate | stimulate energy-saving, without impairing maintainability.

In order to achieve the above object, the open showcase of the present invention includes a drain port formed outside the fan duct, a water inlet port that leads condensed water such as a cooler from the inside of the fan duct to the drain port, and a water inlet port. Backflow preventing means for preventing a backflow of air flowing toward the air inlet (claim 1).
Specifically, the backflow prevention means in claim 1 comprises an air guide member provided between the water inlet and the air inlet (claim 2), whereby the drain outlet is installed outside the fan duct. Therefore, the flow of air flowing from the water inlet to the air inlet is changed without impairing the maintainability of the open showcase.

Further, the backflow prevention means in claim 1 narrows the bottom-side air passage to form an air flow rate increasing portion, and joins air flowing from the water inlet to the air suction port into the air flow rate increasing portion. ). As a result, a pressure drop occurs in the air flow velocity increasing portion due to the so-called venturi effect, and the backflow air is positively returned to the fan side and sucked into the fan.
Further, the backflow prevention means in claim 1 comprises a detachable cover member that covers all or a part from the water inlet to the water outlet (Claim 4), thereby preventing the outflow of air from the water inlet itself. Is done.

  Furthermore, the backflow prevention means in claim 1 comprises a valve mechanism that opens and closes the water inlet according to the amount of condensed water stored in the fan duct (Claim 5), thereby opening and closing the water inlet only when necessary. However, the dew condensation water is discharged, and also in this case, the generation of the air flow from the water inlet is prevented.

  Therefore, according to the open showcase of the present invention, the backflow of air to the air intake port is prevented by changing or suppressing the flow path of the airflow generated from the fan duct without impairing the maintainability of the open showcase. In addition, it is possible to save energy in the open showcase by stably forming the air curtain.

1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an open showcase, FIG. 2 is a front view of a fan duct installed on the bottom of the open showcase, and FIG. It is principal part side surface sectional drawing which shows the distribution | circulation state of the intake air in the bottom face of an open showcase.
This open showcase includes a showcase body 10 having an opening 9 on the front surface thereof, and ventilation paths 20, 30, and 40 formed along the top surface, back surface, and bottom surface of the showcase body 10.

  The showcase body 10 has its upper surface, back surface, and bottom surface covered with a heat insulating wall 11, and its left and right side surfaces are covered with side plates (not shown). In the showcase body 10, there are provided a top plate 12, a back plate 13, and a bottom plate 14 that cover the top surface side, the back surface side, and the bottom surface side, and each ventilation path 20, 30, 40 has a heat insulating wall 11 and a top plate 12. , Formed between the back plate 13 and the bottom plate 14. A product shelf 15 is provided in the showcase body 10.

The upper surface side ventilation path 20 has an air outlet 20a that opens downward from the opening 9, and a rectifying member 21 made of a honeycomb is attached to the air outlet 20a.
The rear side air passage 30 communicates with the upper surface side air passage 20 and is provided with a cooler 32. The cooler 32 is connected to a refrigeration circuit (not shown).
The bottom surface side air passage 40 has an air suction port 40 a that opens upward from the opening 9, and a fan 41 is provided at the approximate center of the bottom surface side air passage 40 in the front-rear direction. The bottom-side air passage 40 is provided with a detachable fan duct 42 extending in the front-rear direction of the fan 41, and the fan 41 is attached to an upper surface that is inclined downward toward the front side of the fan duct 42. The rear end side of the fan duct 42 communicates with the rear side air passage 30, and air blown from the fan 41 is guided to the cooler 32 via the fan duct 42.

  Here, on the front side of the fan duct 42 on the bottom surface of the showcase body 10, a drain port 44 that penetrates the bottom plate 11 a of the heat insulating wall 11 is formed, and the bottom plate 11 a is inclined downward from the cooler 32 to the drain port 44. Yes. In addition, a water guide gap (water guide port) 46 is cut out on the end face 42 a on the front side of the fan duct 42 that contacts the bottom plate 11 a, and condensed water in the cooler 32 and the fan duct 42 passes through the water guide gap 46. It flows through the bottom plate 11 a and is discharged from the drain outlet 44.

  As shown in FIG. 2, two water guide gaps 46 are formed in the longitudinal direction of the end face 42a. Note that the water guide gap 46 may be formed so as to open in the entire longitudinal direction of the end surface 42a, or three or more water guide gaps 46 may be provided. Further, when the end surface 42a is brought into contact with the bottom plate 11a via a packing (not shown), the water guide gap 46 may be formed without partially sticking the packing, or the bottom plate 11a above the end surface 42a may be formed. The water guide gap 46 may be formed by being partially recessed.

Here, as also shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, an air guide member (backflow prevention means) 48 is provided between the fan duct 42 and the drainage port 44 in the bottom side air passage 40.
The air guide member 48 is formed of a plate-like member such as a metal plate having a width that is at least wider than the width in the longitudinal direction of the water guide gap 46 and a height that does not hinder the tilt-up operation when the fan duct 42 is attached or detached. The end face in the width direction is fixed to the bottom plate 11a. Note that the air guide member 48 may be provided on the front side of each water guide gap 46, or one air guide member 48 may be provided on the front side of each water guide gap 46 in a lump.

  In the open showcase configured as described above, the air sucked into the bottom side ventilation path 40 from the air suction port 40a by the fan 41 flows into the rear side ventilation path 30 through the fan duct 42, and the rear side ventilation. The air flowing through the passage 30 is cooled by the cooler 32 and then blown out from the air outlet 20a through the upper surface side air passage 20. As a result, a so-called air curtain 50 is formed in the opening 9 of the showcase body 10 as a layer of cooling air that blocks heat exchange between the outside air and the interior of the open showcase.

When the air curtain 50 is formed, the air that has been sucked into the bottom-side air passage 40 from the air suction port 40a and passed through the fan 41 flows through the fan duct 42 toward the cooler 32, and on the other hand, the water guide gap 46 together with the condensed water. Spilled from.
Here, air flow resistance elements such as a rectifying member having a honeycomb structure (not shown) and a cooler 32 are present in the air flow path on the downstream side of the fan 41, and the pressure in the fan duct 42 increases when the fan 41 is in operation. Since a pressure difference is generated inside and outside the fan duct 42, air flows out of the fan duct 42 from the water guide gap 46. However, the air flowing out from the water guide gap 46 and heading toward the air suction port 40 a is re-inhaled by the fan 41 with its air path being changed by colliding with the air guide member 48.

  Thus, according to the open showcase of the present embodiment, the air suction port that has flowed out of the water guide gap 46 by the air guide member 48 provided between the fan duct 42 and the drainage port 44 in the bottom side ventilation passage 40. Since the air toward 40a is recirculated to the fan 41, the air flowing out from the water guide gap 46 faces the air flow sucked into the bottom side ventilation passage 40 from the suction port 40a along the bottom plate 11a. It is possible to prevent the air curtain 50 from coming out of the showcase body 10 from the air suction port 40a and disturbing the air curtain 50, and thus making a hole in the air curtain 50. Accordingly, the drainage port 44 is formed outside the fan duct 42 to ensure the maintainability of the open showcase, and the air curtain 50 is stably formed by preventing the outside air from entering the interior of the open showcase. By doing so, it is possible to save energy in the open showcase.

  Here, FIG. 4 shows a side sectional view of an essential part of an open showcase which is a modified example of the above embodiment. In this case, a plate shape such as a metal plate bent in a substantially L shape. A horizontal surface portion 52a of an air guide member (backflow prevention means) 52 made of a member is fixed to the end surface 42a. Thereby, in addition to the above-described effects, the air guide member 52 is integrated with the fan duct 42, and the tilt-up operation when the fan duct 42 is attached / detached can be more easily performed.

  FIG. 5 shows a side sectional view of an essential part of an open showcase which is another modified example of the above embodiment. In this case, the air sucked from the air suction port 40a is supplied to the bottom side ventilation. An air guide portion (backflow prevention means) 54 that circulates substantially horizontally from the predetermined height position in the passage 40 toward the fan 41 is formed on the front plate of the heat insulating wall 11 on the front side from the drain port 44. Since the air guide portion 54 plays the same role as the air guide member, in addition to the above-described effects, the work of attaching the air guide member at the time of manufacturing the open showcase becomes unnecessary, and the assembly performance of the open showcase is improved. be able to.

In addition, since the air sucked from the air suction port 40a circulates substantially horizontally from the predetermined height position in the bottom side ventilation passage 40 toward the fan 41, the contact between the air and the bottom plate 11a and the fan duct 42 is reduced. Therefore, there is no reduction in the air volume due to the air path resistance of the air in the bottom-side air passage 40, and consequently noise due to the circulating air can be reduced.
Further, FIG. 6 shows a top view of a fan duct 42 which is another modified example of the above embodiment. In this case, from a plate-like member such as a metal plate bent in a substantially L shape. The horizontal surface portion 56a of the air guide member (backflow prevention means) 56 to be covered covers the front of the water guide gap 46, while the vertical surface portion 56b is fixed to the end surface 42a. Thereby, in addition to the air guide member 56 being integrated with the fan duct 42, the air flowing out from the water guide gap 46 is guided to the left and right of the fan duct 42 as indicated by the arrows in FIG. Can be distributed and changed.

  Further, FIG. 7 shows a side sectional view of a fan duct 42 which is another modified example of the above embodiment. In this case, water guide gaps 58 are respectively formed on the left and right side surfaces of the fan duct 42. (Backflow prevention means) This eliminates the need for an air guide member. Therefore, the air flowing out of the water guide gap 58 can be guided to the left and right of the fan duct 42 as shown by the arrows in FIG. It is preferable.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to a cross-sectional side view of the main part showing the flow state of the intake air on the bottom surface of the open showcase shown in FIG.
In the second embodiment, an air guide member (backflow prevention means) 60 made of a plate-like member such as a metal plate curved with a predetermined curvature is formed, and the air guide member 60 has a vertical surface portion 60a of the bottom plate 11a. While being fixed between the fan duct 42 and the drain port 44, the curved surface portion 60b is formed along the bottom surface side ventilation path 40 with the end surface 60c facing the fan 41 side, and the others are the first embodiment. It has the same configuration as

  The curved surface portion 60b is separated from the bottom plate 14 by a predetermined narrow distance D, thereby forming an air flow rate increasing portion downstream of the gap. In the air flow rate increasing portion, the bottom surface side ventilation from the air suction port 40a. A so-called Venturi effect is produced in which the flow velocity of the air sucked into the passage 40 toward the fan 41 increases and the pressure decreases. Therefore, the air that has flowed out from the water guide gap 46 can be smoothly sucked into the fan 41 by joining the air flow rate increasing portion along the curved surface portion 60b. The air flow rate increasing portion may be formed by squeezing and deforming the heat insulating wall 11 and the bottom plate 14, and the air flow rate increasing portion may be formed by any part or the like constituting the bottom side air passage.

As described above, in the second embodiment as well, the air flowing out from the water guide gap 46 can be prevented from disturbing the air curtain 50, so that the open showcase can be opened without impairing maintainability. Showcase energy can be saved.
Particularly in the case of the second embodiment, the air guide member 60 partially narrows the cross-sectional area of the bottom-side air passage 40 to increase the air speed of the air toward the fan 41 by the venturi effect. Since the air that has flowed out of the water guide gap 46 can smoothly join the large air along the curved surface portion 60b, the air that flows out of the water guide gap 46 can be actively sucked into the fan 41, and the air curtain 50 disturbances can be further reliably prevented and stabilized, and thus energy saving of the open showcase can be reliably realized.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to a cross-sectional side view of a main part showing a flow state of intake air on the bottom surface of the open showcase shown in FIGS.
In the third embodiment, by attaching a detachable cover member (backflow prevention means) 62 and a valve mechanism (backflow prevention means) 64 to the fan duct 42, the outflow of air from the water guide gap 46 is suppressed and prevented. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of each of the above embodiments.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the cover member 62 extends so as to cover from the water guide gap 46 to the drainage port 44, and the drainage port 44 is sealed so that air does not flow out. The member 62 is fixed so as to be easily detachable from the fan duct 42. Although illustration is omitted, in consideration of the occurrence of condensation on the outer surface of the fan duct 42, for example, the vertical portion 62 a on the front surface side of the cover member 62 is inserted so as to reach the water stored in the drain port 44. The inside of the cover member 62 may be sealed with water, or a bottom plate is formed on the cover member 62, and a trap such as a U-shaped tube for water sealing is attached, and this trap is disposed at the drain outlet 44. Anyway.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, a valve mechanism 64 may be installed in the water guide gap 46, and the valve mechanism 64 is opened according to the amount of condensed water stored in the fan duct 42. In addition, as the valve mechanism 64, for example, a float valve that opens according to the weight of the condensed water stored in the fan duct 42, or an electromagnetic valve that is opened by detecting the amount of condensed water is used. It is done.
As described above, similarly to the first and second embodiments, in the third embodiment, the air flowing out from the water guide gap 46 can be prevented from disturbing the air curtain 50, thereby impairing the maintainability of the open showcase. And can save energy in the open showcase.

In particular, in the case of the third embodiment, air can be suppressed or prevented from flowing out of the fan duct 42 from the water guide gap 46. Therefore, the air curtain 50 can be reliably prevented from being disturbed, and the open showcase can be saved. It can be promoted more reliably.
The description of each embodiment of the present invention and its modifications is now complete, but the present invention is not limited to these forms, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. .

  For example, in each of the above embodiments, an open showcase in which ventilation paths 20 and 30 are provided on the upper surface side and the rear surface side of the showcase body 10 in addition to the bottom surface ventilation path 40 has been described. It may be provided with a ventilation path only on the side, or provided with a ventilation path only on the bottom side. In this case as well, by preventing the air curtain 50 from being disturbed as described above, Energy conservation can be achieved without impairing maintainability.

It is side surface sectional drawing of the open showcase which shows 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the fan duct of FIG. It is principal part side surface sectional drawing which shows the distribution | circulation state of the air in the open showcase of FIG. It is principal part side surface sectional drawing which shows the distribution | circulation state of the air in the open showcase which is a modification of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is principal part side surface sectional drawing which shows the distribution | circulation state of the air in the open showcase which is another modification of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the fan duct which is another modification of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing of the fan duct which is another modification of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is principal part side surface sectional drawing which shows the distribution | circulation state of the air in the open showcase of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is principal part side surface sectional drawing which shows the distribution | circulation state of the air in the open showcase of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is principal part side surface sectional drawing which shows the distribution | circulation state of the air in the open showcase which is a modification of 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

9 Opening 10 Showcase body 20 Upper surface side ventilation path (ventilation path)
20a Air outlet 30 Rear side ventilation path (ventilation path)
32 Cooler 40 Bottom side ventilation path (ventilation path)
40a Air inlet 41 Fan 42 Fan duct 44 Drain outlet 46 Water guide gap (water inlet)
48, 52, 56, 60 Air guide member (backflow prevention means)
50 Air curtain 54 Air guide (backflow prevention means)
60b Curved surface portion 62 Cover member (backflow prevention means)
64 Valve mechanism (backflow prevention means)

Claims (5)

A showcase body having an opening on the front surface, a ventilation path formed along an upper surface, a back surface, and a bottom surface of the showcase body, a fan disposed in the bottom surface side ventilation path, and the rear side ventilation path And a fan duct that is disposed in the bottom side ventilation path and guides the air blown from the fan to the cooler, and the air in the bottom side ventilation path passes through the fan duct. The cooling air is cooled by the cooler in the back side ventilation passage, and after the cooling air is blown out from the air outlet formed on the front side of the top side ventilation passage, the bottom side ventilation passage An open showcase that forms an air curtain in the opening by being sucked from an air suction port formed on the front side,
A drainage port formed on the front side of the fan duct on the bottom surface, and the condensed water in the fan duct and the cooler is discharged to the outside of the showcase body,
A water inlet for guiding the condensed water from the fan duct to the drain;
An open showcase comprising backflow prevention means for preventing backflow of air flowing from the water inlet toward the air suction port.   2. The open showcase according to claim 1, wherein the backflow prevention unit includes an air guide member provided between the water introduction port and the air suction port.   The backflow prevention means narrows the bottom-side air passage to form an air flow rate increasing portion, and combines the air flowing toward the air suction port with the air suction port. Open showcase as described.   2. The open showcase according to claim 1, wherein the backflow prevention unit includes a detachable cover member that covers all or a part of a space from the water inlet to the drain outlet.   2. The open showcase according to claim 1, wherein the backflow prevention unit includes a valve mechanism that opens and closes the water inlet according to the amount of condensed water stored in the fan duct.

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