JP2013169194A - Freshness retaining apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a freshness retaining apparatus dispensing with an application for authorization of a high voltage standard owning to the high quality stability of electrode bands in use while obtaining a desired effect by a semi-freezing method (an ice feeling freezing method) using an electric field regardless of the shape and loaded state of objects.SOLUTION: A freshness retaining apparatus includes two pairs of electrode bands 10a, 10b arranged facing with a predetermined electric field generating region R held between, and power sources 20a, 20b for applying voltage between them. The two pairs of electrode bands 10a, 10b are arranged along mutually different directions, and voltage applied to the electrode bands 10a, 10b is controlled such that an electric field generated in the electric field generating region R by the voltage is switched with the lapse of time. Each of the electrode bands 10a, 10b is composed by forming a high voltage electric wire in spiral or zigzag shape (meandering shape) on a base sheet or on the inner wall surface of a refrigerator.

Description

  The present invention relates to a freshness maintaining device, and more specifically, it can preserve a fresh food (meat, seafood, fruits and vegetables), a biological body such as a flower basket (hereinafter also referred to as an object) for a long time while maintaining its freshness. The present invention relates to a freshness holding device.

  Conventionally, as a method of storing fresh food for a long time without degrading its quality, there are a freezing method of freezing at −18 ° C. or less and a chilled storage method of storing at a low temperature so as not to freeze in a temperature range of 0 ° C. to 10 ° C. Are known. According to these methods, it is possible to prevent the perishment of fresh food caused by bacterial growth and the like, so that the perishable food can be stored for a long time.

  However, in the case of the freezing method, it can be stored for a longer time than the chilled storage method, but since the cells of the food material are destroyed by freezing, a drip is generated at the time of thawing and the freshness is lowered. There are difficulties. In the chilled storage method, since the cells of the food material are not destroyed, the phenomenon of freshness reduction due to drip generation does not occur, but the storage period is shorter than the freezing method.

  One method for overcoming such difficulties is the semi-freezing method. In this method, fresh food is stored in a semi-frozen state (supercooled state) in the range of −5 ° C. to −2 ° C., and is stored for a long time as long as the freezing method while avoiding the above-mentioned difficulties of the freezing method. It is possible.

  Among the semi-freezing methods, there is a method using an electric field, and an example is the ice-freezing method disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-230257). In this method, food (fresh food) is placed in an electrostatic field below freezing point to rapidly reduce the temperature of the food, thereby preventing bacterial growth and maintaining freshness.

  In the method described in Patent Document 1, since the molecular activity of moisture contained in the food is activated by the applied high voltage (electrostatic field), the food does not freeze even below freezing. For this reason, the cell of a foodstuff is not destroyed at the time of cooling, As a result, the outflow of the umami component called a drip is prevented. In this way, freshness can be maintained at the same time as preventing bacterial growth. For this reason, for example, fruit vegetables picked in a mature state are placed in an electrostatic field below freezing and transported, and fruit vegetables that are produced in remote areas and rich in nutrients are kept fresh. Can be offered at. (See paragraphs 0022-0023, 0025-0030, FIGS. 4-5).

  In the method of Patent Document 1, “below freezing point” means a temperature below the freezing point, and in the case of water, means a temperature below 0 ° C. (for example, a temperature range of 0 ° C. to −20 ° C.). The “electrostatic field” means a space in which an electric field that does not change with time is uniformly applied, for example, a space of about 1 meter to which a high voltage of 3000 V or more is applied. . In such a high voltage electrostatic field, the food material is kept in an unfrozen state even at a temperature below freezing point, so that the cells of the food material are not destroyed. As a result, there is no difficulty in drip generation at the time of thawing and a decrease in freshness that occurs when food is frozen.

  Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-086967) discloses a refrigeration method using an electric field that changes over time. In this method, by generating an electric field that changes over time in the internal space of the freezer, the generation or fluctuation of the electric field is stopped after supercooling below the freezing temperature while suppressing freezing of moisture in the foodstuff. Thus, the food material is frozen immediately.

JP 2006-230257 A JP 2001-086967 A

  However, according to the inventor's research, the ice-freezing method described in Patent Document 1 is effective when an object such as a product has a shape close to a sphere or a cube, but other shapes such as, for example, In the case of an elongated shape, it has been found that a desired effect by applying an electric field may not be obtained. That is, there is a relationship between the direction of the electric field that suppresses freezing of moisture in the food and the shape (outer shape) of the food, and therefore, the direction of the electric field generated in the freezer and the electric field are arranged in the freezer. If the relationship with the shape of the food is not taken into consideration, the desired freshness may not be maintained.

  Also in the freezing method described in Patent Document 2, there is no mention or suggestion about the relationship between the direction of the electric field generated in the freezer and the shape of the food material arranged in the freezer.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems based on the above-mentioned knowledge, and the object of the present invention is regardless of the shape (outer shape) of an object such as a product and its loading state. Another object of the present invention is to provide a freshness maintaining device capable of obtaining a desired effect by a semi-freezing method (ice-freezing method) using an electric field.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a freshness maintaining device that has high stability of the quality of the electrode strip used and that does not require an application for approval of a high voltage standard.

  Other objects of the present invention which are not specified here will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

(1) The freshness keeping device of the present invention
Two or more pairs of electrode bands disposed opposite to each other across a predetermined electric field generation region;
A power supply for applying a voltage between each of the electrode strip pairs;
A control device that controls the voltage applied to each of the electrode band pairs so that two or more electric fields generated in the electric field generating region by those voltages are switched over time;
Each of the electrode strip pairs is disposed along a different direction from each other,
Each of the electrode bands forming the electrode band pair is configured by forming a high-voltage electric wire in a spiral shape or a zigzag shape (meandering shape) on a predetermined installation surface.

  As described above, when an object such as a product has a shape close to a sphere or a cube, the effect of activating water molecules in the object is expected no matter which direction the single electric field acts from. However, for example, when the object has an elongated shape (for example, radish, leek, fish), the effect of activating water molecules as expected may not be obtained. This is considered to be because in the latter case, the electric field does not act uniformly (or on average) on the water molecules in the object. That is, when the shape is elongated, when an electric field acts along the longitudinal direction of the object, and when an electric field acts along a direction different from the longitudinal direction of the object, This is thought to be due to the difference in the induced energy generated.

  Such a phenomenon is mainly caused when the object having an elongated shape is arranged in an electric field generating region (for example, a freezer or a freezing container) in a disjointed state without aligning the direction. It happens when packed in a package, but that's not all. It also occurs when a large number of packages in which the objects are packed in the same direction are stacked without unifying the direction inside the electric field generating region. The freshness maintaining apparatus of the present invention can suppress the above phenomenon and maintain a desired freshness even in such a case.

  That is, in the freshness maintaining apparatus of the present invention, as described above, two or more pairs of electrode bands arranged opposite to each other across a predetermined electric field generation region are arranged along different directions, and Since two or more electric fields generated in the electric field generating region are switched over time by a voltage applied between each of the electrode band pairs, an electric field is generated in at least two different directions in the electric field generating region. And their electric fields switch over time. Specifically, for example, an electric field in the vertical direction and an electric field in the left-right direction are alternately generated with time. For this reason, compared with the prior art (refrigeration method described in Patent Document 1) in which only an electric field in one direction is generated, the induced energy generated in the object by the electric field according to the direction of the object. The difference due to the direction of the object is reduced. In other words, regardless of which direction the longitudinal direction of the object arranged in the electric field generating region is, the induced energy generated inside the object approaches uniformly throughout the entire object.

  Therefore, the desired effect of the semi-freezing method (ice-freezing method) using an electric field can be obtained regardless of the shape of the target object such as a product and its loading state. That is, the object can be stored for a long time while maintaining its freshness.

  In addition, since the electrode strip is configured by forming a high-voltage electric wire in a spiral or zigzag shape (meandering shape) on a predetermined installation surface, the high-voltage electric wire already has standards such as UL standard and JIS standard. By using the approved one, the stability of the quality of the electrode strip is increased, and the application for the approval of the high voltage standard is not required.

  In the freshness maintaining apparatus of the present invention, “the electric field is switched over time” means that the direction of the electric field is synchronized with a commercial frequency (50 or 60 Hz), for example, like an alternating electric field generated by applying an alternating voltage. This includes both the case of inversion and the case where the direction of the electric field is switched over time, such as when the voltage applied to each of the electrode band pairs (ON or OFF) is controlled. .

  Further, the “object” is an object to be kept fresh, and examples thereof include fresh foods such as meat, seafood, fruits and vegetables, and flowers, but are not limited thereto.

  The “high voltage electric wire” means an electric conductor that can withstand the application of the voltage (high voltage) applied to each of the electrode band pairs, and the periphery is usually covered with an insulator.

  (2) In a preferred example of the freshness maintaining device of the present invention, each of the electrode bands forming the electrode band pair curves or bends the high-voltage electric wire in a spiral or zigzag (meandering) shape on a virtual plane. It is assumed. In this example, there is an effect that the formation of the electrode strip is easy.

  (3) In another preferred example of the freshness holding device of the present invention, each of the electrode bands forming the electrode band pair has one surface of a base sheet or one surface of an inner wall side member of a freezer as the installation surface. The high-voltage electric wire is fixed in a spiral shape or a zigzag shape (meandering shape). In this example, there is an effect that the electrode band can be easily fixed and the shape can be maintained.

  (4) In another preferred example of the freshness holding device of the present invention, three or more pairs of electrode bands are provided, and the arrangement direction of the second pair of the electrode band pairs is the electrode band pair. Unlike the arrangement direction of the first pair, the arrangement direction of the third pair of the electrode band pairs is configured to be different from the arrangement direction of the second pair and the third pair. In this example, an electric field that changes over time in three different directions can be generated in the electric field generation region. Therefore, two pairs of electrode strips are provided, and an electric field that changes over time in two different directions is provided. There is an effect that the effect of the semi-freezing method (ice-freezing method) using an electric field is promoted compared to the case of generating.

  (5) In still another preferred example of the freshness maintaining device of the present invention, the control device generates the voltage applied to each of the electrode band pairs by each of the electrode band pairs at an arbitrary time. Control is performed such that any one of the electric fields is selectively generated and the other electric fields are not generated.

  (6) In still another preferred example of the freshness maintaining device of the present invention, the control device converts the voltage applied to each of the electrode band pairs to an electric field generated in the electric field generation region by those voltages. The electric field vector is controlled to rotate with time.

  (7) In still another preferred example of the freshness maintaining device of the present invention, the control device includes a changeover switch means for selectively ON / OFF controlling the power source that applies the voltage to each of the electrode band pairs. Is done.

  According to the freshness maintaining apparatus of the present invention, (a) the desired effect of (ice-freezing method) can be obtained by a semi-freezing method using an electric field, regardless of the shape of an object such as a living organism (b) ) It is possible to obtain the effect that the quality of the electrode strip is high and the application for approval of the high voltage standard is unnecessary.

It is a key map showing composition of a freshness maintenance device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a top view which shows the structure of the electrode strip used for the freshness holding | maintenance apparatus of FIG. 1, (b) is sectional drawing along the AA line. It is a top view which shows the other structure of the electrode belt used for the freshness holding apparatus of FIG. It is a top view which shows other structure of the electrode belt | band used for the freshness holding apparatus of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the use condition of the freshness holding | maintenance apparatus of FIG. 1, and two pairs of electrode strips of the freshness holding apparatus are installed in the freezer. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structure of the freshness holding | maintenance apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a section explanatory view showing an example of the structure which fixes a high voltage electric wire to a base sheet in the electrode belt of the freshness maintenance device concerning the 1st and 2nd embodiments of the present invention. It is a section explanatory view showing other examples of the structure which fixes a high voltage electric wire to a base sheet in the electrode belt of the freshness maintenance device concerning the 1st and 2nd embodiments of the present invention. It is a section explanatory view showing an example of the structure which fixes a high voltage electric wire to one surface of the inner wall side member of a freezer in the electrode belt of the freshness maintenance device concerning the 1st and 2nd embodiments of the present invention. It is a section explanatory view showing other examples of structure which fixes a high voltage electric wire to one side of an inner wall side member of a freezer in an electrode belt of a freshness maintenance device concerning the 1st and 2nd embodiments of the present invention. 5 is a timing chart showing a method for applying voltages to two pairs of electrode bands by two power sources in the freshness maintaining device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a timing chart which shows the method of applying a voltage to three pairs of electrode strips by three power supplies, respectively, in the freshness maintaining apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a horizontal section explanatory view showing the composition of the freshness maintenance device concerning a 3rd embodiment of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the freshness maintaining device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the freshness maintaining device 1 of the first embodiment includes a pair of electrode bands 10 a disposed at the upper and lower ends of a predetermined electric field generating region R (here, a rectangular parallelepiped shape), and an electric field. And a pair of electrode bands 10b disposed at the left end and the right end of the generation region R, respectively. In other words, two pairs of electrode bands 10a and 10b are provided so as to face each other in different directions.

  A predetermined AC voltage V1 is set between the upper and lower electrode strips 10a via a wiring 21a by a power source 20a provided outside the electric field generating region R (this is set within a range of 5000 to 15000V, for example). Is applied. As a result, an electric field Ea in the vertical direction is generated in the electric field generation region R.

  An AC voltage V2 is applied between the left and right electrode strips 10b via a wiring 21b by a power source 20b provided outside the electric field generating region R. As a result, a horizontal electric field Eb is generated in the electric field generation region R. The AC voltage V2 may be the same as or different from the AC voltage V1. When the AC voltages V1 and V2 are the same (V1 = V2), the structure of the freshness maintaining device 1 is simplified. However, the AC voltages V1 and V2 are made different according to the distance between the electrode bands 10a and the distance between the electrode bands 10b (V1 ≠ V2), so that the vertical electric field Ea intensity and the horizontal electric field Eb intensity are different. It is preferable to set the same level as much as possible.

  As the power supplies 20a and 20b, known power supply apparatuses can be used. Usually, a transformer that boosts a commercial AC voltage (for example, 100 to 240 V, 50, or 60 Hz) to generate a desired AC voltage V, and an output A control device for stabilizing the voltage is included.

  The application of the alternating voltage V to the electrode strip 10a and the electrode strip 10b is performed so as to be switched alternately with time by a changeover switch 30 provided outside the electric field generation region R as a control device. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the AC voltage V1 is applied between the electrode bands 10a by the power source 20a during the time t0 to t1, and the application is stopped during the next time t1 to t2. (OFF). Instead, the AC voltage V2 is applied between the electrode strips 10b by the power source 20b. Further, during the next time t2 to t3, the application of the AC voltage V2 by the power source 20b is stopped, and instead, the AC voltage V1 is applied between the electrode bands 10a by the power source 20a.

  Thereafter, similarly, during the time t3 to t4, t5 to t6, and t7 to t8, the AC voltage V2 is applied between the electrode bands 10b by the power source 20b, and during the time t4 to t5 and t6 to t7, The alternating voltage V1 is applied between the electrode strips 10a by 20a. Thus, the alternating voltages V1 and V2 are alternately applied between the electrode strips 10a and between the electrode strips 10b.

  Next, a detailed configuration of the electrode strip 10a will be described with reference to FIG. Since the electrode strip 10b has the same configuration as the electrode strip 10a, the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the electrode strip 10 a includes a rectangular insulating base sheet 11 and a single high-voltage electric wire 12 (predetermined to be bent into a rectangular spiral shape, fixed to one surface of the base sheet 11. Have a length). The inner end 12a of the high-voltage electric wire 12 is covered with an insulating resin cap (not shown), and is embedded and fixed in the base sheet 11 in that state. A connection terminal 14 for connecting the wiring 21 a is connected to the outer end of the high-voltage electric wire 12.

  As the base sheet 11, for example, Typec (registered trademark) which is a high density polyethylene nonwoven fabric can be suitably used. This is because it is light and tough, and has the characteristics of being strong against piercing, tearing and abrasion. However, it goes without saying that other materials can be used as long as they can hold the high-voltage electric wire 12 and can withstand the low temperature inside the freezer.

  The high-voltage electric wire 12 may be fixed to the base sheet 11 in a bare state without a cover or the like as shown in FIG. 7, but is preferably fixed after being arranged in the molding 17 as shown in FIG. . This is because, when mounted in the freezer, the possibility that the high-voltage electric wire 12 is damaged by hitting the target while the target is being loaded is reduced. In addition, since there is almost no situation in which the high voltage electric wire 12 directly contacts cold air, there is an advantage that the durability of the high voltage electric wire 12 is also improved. Details of the configuration and fixing method of the high-voltage electric wire 12 will be described later.

  The high-voltage electric wire 12 is preferably flexible because it has no metal shielding function, a rated voltage of 10 kV (DC), a rated temperature of 105 ° C. or higher. For example, UL standard electric wire “UL STYLE 3239” manufactured by Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. may be mentioned. However, other electric wires of the same type can be arbitrarily used.

  The connection terminal 14 connected to the outer end of the high-voltage electric wire 12 is provided so as to protrude outward from the base sheet 11, and one end of the wiring 21a is connected thereto. The other end of the wiring 21a is connected to the power source 20a.

  As described above, the electrode strip 10a is formed by forming the high-voltage electric wire 12 in a rectangular spiral shape and fixing it to one surface of the base sheet 11. However, the electrode band 10a is distributed on the entire surface of the base sheet 11. It is also conceivable to use an electrode strip (planar electrode strip). However, if this is done, the earth capacitance will increase, so the charging current of the planar electrode strip itself will increase. As a result, it is necessary to make the winding of the transformer to be used thick, and there is a problem that the transformer is large, heavy and expensive. This difficulty tends to become prominent when the electrode strip is laid in a large area. Furthermore, there is a drawback that it is necessary to obtain a new approval as a planar electrode band according to standards such as UL standard and JIS standard. On the other hand, in the electrode strip 10a, this is unnecessary, which is advantageous, and by fixing the high-voltage electric wire 12 appropriately curved or bent according to the shape of the internal space of the freezer, There is also an advantage that it can be easily adapted to the freezer to be installed.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a method for fixing the high-voltage electric wire 12 to one surface (installation surface) of the base sheet 11.

  The high-voltage electric wire 12 includes a linear conductor L and a cylindrical insulator F that surrounds the conductor L. The high-voltage electric wire 12 is fixed to the installation surface S using screws 16 in a state where the high-voltage electric wire 12 is pressed against the installation surface S of the base sheet 11 by an insulating fixture 15 made of synthetic resin curved in a substantially U shape. Is done.

  FIG. 8 shows another example of a method for fixing the high-voltage electric wire 12 to one surface of the base sheet 11. In this example, the high-voltage electric wire 12 having the same configuration as that in FIG. 7 is disposed inside the molding 17, and the molding 17 is bonded to the installation surface S of the base sheet 11 with an adhesive 18, whereby the base sheet 11. Is fixed to the installation surface S. The molding 17 includes a molding base 17b and a molding cover 17a. After the high-voltage electric wire 12 is arranged inside the molding base 17b, both end portions of the molding cover 17a are fitted into the left and right grooves of the molding base 17b. It is integrated. In the state where the molding 17 is integrated, the back surface of the molding base 17b is bonded to the installation surface S.

  Next, the use state of the freshness maintaining apparatus 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the state of use in FIG. 5, a pair of electrode bands 10 a are attached to the inner surfaces of the upper and lower walls of the freezer 40, and another pair of electrode bands 10 b are attached to the inner surfaces of the left and right walls of the freezer 40. Yes. The electric field generation region R substantially coincides with the freezing space of the freezer 40. Neither of the electrode strips 10a and 10b is electrically grounded and is in an electrically floating state. The application of the alternating voltages V1 and V2 is performed by switching over time between the pair of electrode bands 10a and the other pair of electrode bands 10b by the changeover switch 30 provided outside the freezer 40. As a result, two electric fields Ea and Eb having different directions as shown in FIG. 5 are alternately generated in the frozen space (electric field generation region R). Specifically, an electric field Ea in the vertical direction is generated between the pair of electrode bands 10a, and an electric field Eb in the left-right direction is generated between the other pair of electrode bands 10b, and the two electric fields Ea and Eb Are generated alternately (switches over time). For this reason, unlike the conventional technology in which only an electric field in one direction is generated, the semi-frozen method (ice-freezing method) using an electric field is used regardless of the shape of an object such as a product and its loading state. An effect is obtained.

  As described above, in the freshness maintaining apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, an AC electric field that changes over time in at least two different directions is generated in the electric field generation region R. Specifically, since the electric field Ea in the vertical direction and the electric field Eb in the horizontal direction are alternately generated with time, the direction of the electric field generated in the electric field generation region R is switched with time. For this reason, unlike the conventional technology in which only an electric field in one direction is generated, the semi-frozen method (ice-freezing method) using an electric field is used regardless of the shape of an object such as a product and its loading state. An effect is obtained. That is, the object can be stored for a long time while maintaining its freshness.

  Moreover, since the electrode strips 10a and 10b are formed by forming the high-voltage electric wire 12 in a spiral or zigzag shape (meandering shape), the electrode strips 10a and 10b have already been approved as the high-voltage electric wire 12 (commercially available). Is used, the stability of the quality of the electrode strips 10a and 10b is increased, and an application for approval of a high voltage standard is not required.

  The configuration of the electrode strip 10a is not limited to that shown in FIG. For example, the configuration shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is also possible.

  The electrode strip 10Aa shown in FIG. 3 is different from the configuration of FIG. 2 in that the high-voltage wires 12 are formed in a zigzag shape on the base sheet 11, and the other configurations are the same as those of FIG. is there.

  The electrode strip 10Ba shown in FIG. 4 is different from the configuration of FIG. 2 in that the high-voltage electric wires 12 are formed in a normal spiral shape (spiral shape) on the base sheet 11, and the other configurations are the same as those in FIG. It is the same.

  As described above, the shape of bending or bending the high voltage electric wire 12 on the base sheet 11 can be variously changed.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 6 shows the overall configuration of a freshness maintaining apparatus 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of FIG. 6 is provided with three electrode band pairs so that the electric field is generated not only in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, but also in the longitudinal direction.

  That is, the freshness maintaining apparatus 1A of the second embodiment includes a pair of electrode strips 10a disposed at the upper end and the lower end of a predetermined electric field generation region R (here, a rectangular parallelepiped shape), and the left end of the electric field generation region R. In addition to the pair of electrode strips 10b disposed at the right end, a pair of electrode strips 10c disposed at the front end and the rear end of the electric field generating region R are provided. That is, three pairs of electrode bands 10a, 10b, and 10c are provided so as to face each other in different directions.

  A predetermined AC voltage V1 is applied between the pair of upper and lower electrode bands 10a by the power source 20a provided outside the electric field generation region R via the wiring 21a, and an electric field in the vertical direction is applied to the electric field generation region R. Ea is generated. Between the pair of left and right electrode strips 10b, the same AC voltage V2 is applied through the wiring 21b by the power source 20b provided outside the electric field generating region R, and the electric field generating region R has a horizontal electric field. Eb is generated. This point is the same as in the case of the first embodiment described above.

  In the second embodiment, a predetermined AC voltage V3 is further applied between the pair of front and rear electrode strips 10c by the power source 20c provided outside the electric field generating region R via the wiring 21c. An electric field Ec in the front-rear direction is generated in the generation region R. The AC voltage V3 may be the same as or different from the AC voltage V1 or V2. The AC voltages V1, V2, and V3 are made different according to the distance between the electrode bands 10a, the distance between the electrode bands 10b, and the distance between the electrode bands 10c (V1 ≠ V2 ≠ V3), and the strength of the electric field Ea in the vertical direction. It is preferable that the intensity of the electric field Eb in the left-right direction and the intensity of the electric field Ec in the front-rear direction are set as much as possible.

  As in the case of the first embodiment described above, the alternating voltage V is applied to the electrode bands 10a and the electrode bands 10b and 10c over time by the changeover switch 30 provided outside the electric field generating region R. To be done. That is, as shown in FIG. 12, the AC voltage V1 is applied between the pair of electrode bands 10a by the power source 20a during the time t0 to t1, and the application is stopped during the next time t1 to t2. . Instead, the AC voltage V2 is applied between the pair of electrode bands 10b by the power source 20b. Further, during the next time t2 to t3, the application of the AC voltage V2 by the power source 20b is stopped, and instead, the AC voltage V3 is applied between the pair of electrode bands 10c by the power source 20c. Thereafter, the same operation is repeated.

  In the freshness maintaining apparatus 1A according to the second embodiment, the electric field is generated not only in the vertical and horizontal directions of the electric field generation region R, but also in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the freshness maintaining apparatus 1 of the first embodiment described above. However, although the structure is complicated, the effect of the ice-freezing method (ice-freezing method) is promoted (increased) by the semi-freezing method using an electric field.

(Third embodiment)
The electrode strips 10a and 10b having the above-described configuration used in the first and second embodiments are convenient for retrofitting to the existing freezer 40 because the high-voltage electric wires 12 are already assembled on the base sheet 11. is there.

  However, the high voltage electric wire 12 may be directly attached to the inner wall surface of the freezer without using the base sheet 11. When the freshness retaining device 1 is incorporated into the freezer 40 from the beginning, this configuration is preferable because the structure is simple and the cost is low.

  In this case, the high voltage electric wire 12 is directly attached to the surface of the inner wall side member 41 of the freezer 40 as shown in FIG. 9 or FIG. In this case, the surface of the inner wall side member 41 becomes the installation surface S. The reason why it is not directly attached to the inner wall surface of the freezer 40 is because the inner wall surface of the freezer 40 is already equipped with piping or the like through which a refrigerant passes, so that it is difficult to attach the high voltage electric wire 12.

  In the example of FIG. 9, the high-voltage electric wire 12 is directly fixed to the installation surface S by the fixture 15 and the screw 16. In the example of FIG. 10, the high voltage electric wire 12 is disposed in the molding 17, and the molding 17 is fixed to the installation surface S by the adhesive 18.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 13 shows a configuration of a freshness maintaining apparatus 1B according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 13, the power supply and the changeover switch are omitted.

  The configuration of FIG. 13 is provided with three pairs of electrode strips as in the freshness maintaining device 1A of the second embodiment described above, but the positions and directions of their arrangement are different. That is, in the freshness maintaining apparatus 1B of the fourth embodiment, the electric field generating region R is a regular hexagonal column, and a pair of electrode bands 10a, a pair of electrode bands 10b, and a pair of electrode bands 10c are provided around this area. They are arranged in order.

  An AC voltage V is applied between the pair of electrode bands 10a by a power source 20a provided outside the electric field generating region R, and an electric field Ea is generated in the direction of the arrow A in the electric field generating region R. The same AC voltage V is applied between the pair of electrode bands 10b by the power source 20b provided outside the electric field generating region R, and an electric field Eb is generated in the direction of the arrow B in the electric field generating region R. The same AC voltage V is applied between the pair of electrode bands 10c by the power source 20c provided outside the electric field generating region R, and an electric field Ec is generated in the direction of the arrow C in the electric field generating region R.

  The application of the alternating voltage V is the same as in the case of the second embodiment described above, and the alternating switch 30 as the control device applies the alternating voltage V applied to each of the electrode band pairs 10a, 10b, 10c to them. The electric field vector of the electric field generated in the electric field generating region R by the voltage V is controlled so as to rotate with time. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the alternating voltage V is applied between the pair of electrode bands 10a during the time t0 to t1, and between the pair of electrode bands 10b during the next time t1 to t2. The AC voltage V is applied, the AC voltage V is applied between the pair of electrode bands 10c for the next time t2 to t3, and the AC voltage is applied between the pair of electrode bands 10a for the time t3 to t4. The voltage V is applied, and so on.

  In the freshness maintaining apparatus 1B according to the fourth embodiment, an electric field that changes over time in three different directions in the horizontal plane of the regular hexagonal column-shaped electric field generating region R is generated, so the freshness maintaining of the first embodiment described above is performed. Although the configuration is more complicated than that of the apparatus 1, the effect of the ice freezing method (ice-freezing method) is promoted. However, since an electric field is not generated in the vertical direction of the electric field generation region R, it is preferable to determine the arrangement direction and the loading direction of the organism 50 in consideration of this point when arranging the organism 50.

(Modification)
The first to fourth embodiments described above show examples embodying the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, in the said embodiment, although the high voltage electric wire is being fixed to the inner wall of a base sheet or a freezer using a fixture and a screw, or a molding, this invention is not limited to this. Other fixing methods are possible. There is no limitation on the structure and shape of the freezer.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although all generate | occur | produce the electric field using an alternating voltage, you may generate | occur | produce an electric field using a direct current voltage. In this case, the DC voltage is applied to each electrode band pair while ON / OFF control is performed so that two or more generated electric fields are switched over time.

1, 1A, 1B Freshness maintaining device 10a, 10Aa Electrode band 10b, 10Ba Electrode band 10c Electrode band 11 Base sheet 12 High voltage electric wire 12a End portion of high voltage electric wire 14 Connection terminal 15 Fixing tool 16 Screw 17 Mold 17a Mold cover 17b Mold base 18 Adhesive 20a, 20b, 20c Power supply 21a, 21b, 21c Wiring 30 Changeover switch 40 Freezer 41 Freezer inner wall side member Ea, Eb, Ec Electric field R Electric field generation area S High-voltage electric wire installation surface F High-voltage electric wire insulation L High-voltage electric wire Conductor

Claims (7)

Two or more pairs of electrode bands disposed opposite to each other across a predetermined electric field generation region;
A power supply for applying a voltage between each of the electrode strip pairs;
A control device that controls the voltage applied to each of the electrode band pairs so that two or more electric fields generated in the electric field generating region by those voltages are switched over time;
Each of the electrode strip pairs is disposed along a different direction from each other,
Each of the electrode bands forming the electrode band pair is configured by forming a high-voltage electric wire in a spiral shape or a zigzag shape on a predetermined installation surface.   2. The freshness holding device according to claim 1, wherein each of the electrode bands forming the electrode band pair is obtained by bending or bending the high-voltage electric wire in a spiral shape or a zigzag shape on a virtual plane.   Each of the electrode bands forming the electrode band pair is configured by fixing one surface of a base sheet or one surface of an inner wall side member of a freezer as the installation surface, and fixing the high-voltage electric wire thereon in a spiral shape or a zigzag shape. The freshness holding device according to claim 1 or 2.   Three or more electrode band pairs are provided, and the arrangement direction of the second pair of the electrode band pairs is different from the arrangement direction of the first pair of the electrode band pairs. The freshness holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the arrangement direction of the third pair is configured to be different from the arrangement direction of the second pair and the third pair.   The control device is configured to selectively generate one of the electric fields generated by each of the electrode band pairs at any time, using the voltage applied to each of the electrode band pairs, The freshness holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an electric field is controlled so as not to be generated.   The control device controls the voltage applied to each of the electrode band pairs so that an electric field vector of an electric field generated in the electric field generation region by those voltages rotates with time. 5. The freshness holding device according to any one of 4 above.   The freshness holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control device is changeover switch means for selectively ON / OFF controlling the power source that applies the voltage to each of the electrode band pairs.

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