JP2620559B2 - Container refrigeration equipment - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a container refrigeration apparatus, and more particularly to a refrigeration apparatus mounted on a refrigeration container (cold temperature container) for storing fresh food.

(Prior Art) Generally, in order to maintain the freshness of fresh food, it is necessary to store it under optimal low-temperature conditions according to the type of fresh food. For example, if the fresh food is fruits and vegetables,
In the temperature range that does not cause low-temperature damage, and in the case of fish meat that causes a change in taste due to freezing, in the temperature range that does not freeze, and in the case of fish meat that can be frozen without problems In such a case, optimum low-temperature conditions are required for each fresh food, such as a temperature range corresponding thereto.

Under such demands, today's fresh foods are often transported to remote places such as overseas by air transportation, which requires a short transportation time to suppress the decrease in freshness. At present, it is impossible for transportation means other than air transportation to transport the freshness of the food while maintaining the freshness by setting only the temperature conditions if the transportation time becomes longer.

Therefore, in view of this point, there has been an idea to maintain the freshness not only by setting the temperature condition but also by adjusting the humidity. That is, a frozen container provided with a humidifier for transporting fresh food has attracted attention. In this case, the required humidity in the container is generally
Since it is as high as 85-95%, the performance of the humidifier and the demands for its peripheral equipment are also quite high. An ultrasonic humidifier as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-54573 is not limited to a container but is a conventional conventional humidifier. As shown in FIG. 5, a spray hose (d) is attached to an upper part of a water storage tank (c) in which a vibrator (b) is attached at a lower part in a case (a) as shown in FIG. A blower fan (e) for guiding the spray generated by scattering the water (W) stored in the water storage tank (c) near the water surface by the ultrasonic waves emitted from the vibrator (b) to the hose (d) side. ). Another example is a humidity control device as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 63-63671. What is disclosed in the publication is a container for transporting fresh food, which is equipped with a humidifier, and even in this case, the spray generated by the humidifier uses a fan dedicated to the humidifier to produce food. It was sent to the storage room. These blower fans have been indispensable to smoothly guide the spray to the outside without adhering to the water storage tank and the inner wall of the case.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, the conventional humidifier requires a fan for blowing air, and thus has the following problems.

(I) In a container or the like related to the transportation of fresh food or the like as described above, it is desirable that the installation space of the humidifier be as small as possible in order to secure a larger storage space for transported goods (fresh food). In this case, the space for accommodating the blower fan is required in the case, so that it is difficult to reduce the shape of the whole humidifier, and the installation space is large.

(II) The above-mentioned containers require humidifiers with excellent durability so that they can be transported under adverse conditions (corrosion due to seawater in marine transportation). Since the durability of the fan and the fan motor, which are driving units, is required to be extremely high, the cost is high and the utility is poor.

(III) This type of humidifier keeps the inside of the container at a very high humidity (85% to 95% relative humidity), so if the humidifier is equipped with an electric system such as a fan motor, leakage will occur due to poor insulation. May occur.

(IV) Since a driving member such as a fan motor and a fan is provided, a failure rate is high, and maintenance at the time of failure is complicated.

In view of these problems, the present invention is to obtain a refrigeration apparatus that solves the above problems all at once by using a static pressure change and realizing a simple configuration, that is, a configuration without a blower fan. It is intended for.

Further, as a conventional example of a humidifier having no blower fan, there is a humidifier as shown in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 56-40326. Only the dynamic pressure is used for spraying, and when applied to a food transport container or the like that requires high humidity as described above, sufficient humidity to maintain its freshness is obtained. Therefore, it is impossible to generate a suction force for spraying.

(Means for Solving the Problems) Means taken by the present invention to achieve the above object are as described below.

First, as means of the invention according to claim (1), a cooling passage (8) formed in a container body (1a) and provided with an evaporator (2a) and a blowing means (2b) is provided. The discharge passage (7) formed in the container main body (1a) in connection with (8) and having a smaller cross section than the cooling passage (8), and the ultrasonic wave provided in the cooling passage (8). A container refrigeration system including a humidifier (3), and an air inlet (3c) for introducing pressurized air into the ultrasonic humidifier (3).
Is opened in the cooling passage (8) on the downstream side of the evaporator (2a) and the blowing means (2b), while communicating with the inside of the ultrasonic humidifier (3) to spray the generated mist. The injection port (3d) is a container refrigeration device that is open at the end of the discharge passage (7) on the side of the cooling passage (8).

Further, as means of the invention according to claim (2), in the container refrigeration apparatus according to claim (1), the tip of the injection nozzle (3b) forming the injection port (3d) may be a cooling passage (8). ) Is a container refrigeration apparatus formed in a streamline shape along the streamline of the cooling air from (1).

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the container refrigeration apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the ultrasonic humidifier (3) is driven at predetermined time intervals for a predetermined time. This is a container refrigeration apparatus provided with a timer means (TM) for outputting a signal.

(Operation) The operation of the present invention having the above configuration is as follows.

In the invention according to claim (1), an air inlet (3c) for guiding pressurized air into the ultrasonic humidifier (3) is provided in the evaporator (2a) and the blowing means (2b) in the cooling passage (8).
The outlet (3d) of the spray nozzle (3b), which is connected to the inside of the ultrasonic humidifier (3) and sprays the generated mist, is connected to the end of the discharge passage (7) on the cooling passage side. Due to the opening, the cooling air flowing from the evaporator (2a) through the air blowing means (2b) causes a pressure drop in the discharge passage (7) as the flow velocity increases, so that the ultrasonic humidifier ( The generated mist generated in 3) is efficiently sucked into the discharge passage (7) by the pressure difference between the inside (high pressure) of the humidifier (3) and the vicinity (low pressure) of the injection port (3d), and is exclusively used for the humidifier. Sufficient suction force for injecting the generated mist can be obtained without providing a blower fan, and the humidifier (3) can be downsized, the manufacturing cost can be reduced, and the reliability can be improved by reducing the number of driving units. Can be

In the invention according to claim (2), the tip of the injection nozzle (3b) forming the injection port (3d) is formed in a streamline shape along the streamline of the cooling air from the cooling passage (8). In addition to the effect according to claim (1), a suction effect by the dynamic pressure of the air flow is also contributed, so that more efficient spray suction force can be obtained.

In the invention according to claim (3), the ultrasonic humidifier (3) is so-called intermittent by the timer means (TM) for outputting a signal for driving the ultrasonic humidifier (3) at predetermined time intervals for a predetermined time. And a predetermined amount of humidification is performed.

Example Next, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the refrigeration container (1) has a refrigeration unit chamber (4) provided with a refrigeration unit (2) and a humidifier (3) on one side of the container body (1a). It is provided and used for transporting fresh foods and the like.

Hereinafter, each container component will be described in detail.

The container body (1a) has a food storage room (5) and the above-mentioned refrigeration unit room (4) inside, and each room (4), (5)
Are partitioned by a partition wall (6). In addition, a ceiling duct (7a) that forms a discharge passage (7) through which the humidified cooling air supplied from the refrigeration unit room (4) flows is disposed above the food storage room (5). The ceiling duct (7a) is provided with a plurality of introduction holes (7b) for discharging cooling air into the food storage room (5).
That is, the cooling air and generated mist generated in the refrigeration unit (2) and the humidifier (3) in the refrigeration unit chamber (4) pass through the discharge passage (7) and are introduced into the introduction holes (7b), (7b),. Is supplied into the food storage room (5), thereby contributing to maintaining the freshness of the fresh food in the storage room (5). The cross-sectional area of the discharge passage (7) is 1/1 of the cooling passage (8) serving as an outlet for the cooling air and generated mist above the cooling unit chamber (4).
It is as small as three. This is designed to increase the flow rate of the cooling air from the refrigeration unit (2) so that it can be supplied to the other end of the discharge passage (7). Therefore, when the cooling air from the refrigeration unit chamber (4) flows into the discharge passage (7) from the cooling passage (8), the velocity energy increases and the pressure energy decreases at the same time. Specifically, the flow velocity in the discharge passage (7) is set to about 4 m / sec. Further, the introduction holes (7b), (7b)... Have a small diameter in the introduction hole close to the freezing unit room (4) in order to equalize the temperature and humidity in the food storage room (5). , The diameter increases gradually as the distance from the refrigeration unit chamber (4) increases. An opening (not shown) is provided at the lower part of the partition wall (6), and the storage room (5) and the refrigeration unit room (4) communicate with each other.
It is configured so that the air inside is introduced into the refrigeration unit chamber (4) (arrow A in FIG. 1).

The refrigeration unit (2) includes a compressor, a condenser, and an expansion mechanism (not shown), a refrigerant circuit to which an evaporator (2a) is connected, and a blower fan (2b) (blower means in claims) and the like. It is a well-known device that has an air evaporator (2).
Cooled by a) and the cooling air blower fan (2b)
This allows the gas to flow from the cooling passage (8) to the discharge passage (7). (Figure 11, arrow B).

The humidifier (3) mainly comprises an ultrasonic humidifier body (3a) installed adjacent to the refrigeration unit (2). The internal structure of the humidifier body (3a) is substantially the same as that of a conventional humidifier. The generated mist is discharged from the injection nozzle (3b). The humidifier (3) is disposed between the blower fan (2b) and the partition wall (6), and two humidifiers are provided on both left and right sides of the container body (1a) (see FIG. 2). An entrance (3c) has been established. The air inlet (3c) is provided near the downstream side of the blower fan (2b), and is configured to introduce high-pressure air in the cooling passage (8) into the humidifier body (3a). ing.
On the other hand, the injection nozzle (3b), which is a characteristic part of the present invention, extends above the humidifier body (3a) and has an upper end opened to form an injection port (3d). The injection port (3d) is open at the inlet (7c) of the discharge passage (7), that is, near the boundary between the cooling passage (8) and the discharge passage (7). The injection port (3d) is a refrigeration unit (2)
It is formed with an inclined surface so as to have a streamline shape along the streamline of the cooling air supplied from the nozzle, thereby facilitating the ejection of the generated mist by the dynamic pressure around the portion. In addition, when the guide plate (9) as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 1 is provided, the streamline around the injection port (3d) is parallel to the extension direction of the discharge passage (7).
It is not necessary to form the above-mentioned inclined surface.

Further, the ultrasonic humidifier (3),
Timer means (TM) for outputting a signal for driving (3) every predetermined time for a predetermined time are provided (see FIG. 3). The ultrasonic humidifier (3),
(3) repeats the operation such as driving for 5 minutes and stopping for 5 minutes. Note that this timer means (TM) is
The length of the stop time can be changed for each of the long and short settings, and is appropriately set so that the humidity suitable for the cargo is empirically known.

Next, the configuration of the water supply system of the humidifier (3) will be described with reference to the circuit diagram of FIG.

The ultrasonic humidifier body (3a) placed at two places on the left and right has its water supply pipe (10) connected to the water supply pump (P), and uses the refrigerant hot gas of the refrigerant circuit in the middle part. A heater portion (H) is interposed. The heater portion (H) is for preventing the supply water from freezing. On the other hand, the overflow pipe (12) is for returning surplus water in the water storage tank to the circuit, and the downstream thereof is connected to a water tank (T), which is connected via a strainer (S). Connected to the water supply pump (P).

The drain pipe (11) is disposed below the evaporator (2a) through a drain valve (DV) to a drain pan (D) provided for collecting defrost drain when the refrigeration unit (2) is defrosted. The drain pan (D) is connected to the water supply pump (P) via a strainer (S) for removing dust.

 Next, the operation of the humidifier (3) will be described.

The humidifier (3) configured as described above includes a pump (P)
After the water for spraying passes through the heater part (H) by the drive of the humidifier, the water is sent into the humidifier main body (3a), and a predetermined amount of water is atomized inside the humidifier main body, and the generated mist is injected into the injection port (3d). From the discharge passage (7). Meanwhile, the humidifier body (3
The surplus water in a) is discharged from the overflow pipe (12) and stored in the water tank (T). If the water in the humidifier body (3a) runs short, the water supply pump (P) may be used. Again supplied to the humidifier body (3a). Further, when draining water from the humidifier body (3a), for example, during maintenance of the humidifier body (3a), the drain valve (DV) is opened, and water is sent to the drain pan (D). When the mist is driven, the water is sent again to the humidifier main body (3a) by the pump (P). The operation characteristic of the present invention relates to the ejection of the generated mist into the discharge passage (7). The cooling air cooled by the evaporator (2a) of the refrigerating unit (2) and fed by the fan flows into the discharge passage (7) through the cooling passage (8). Since the discharge passage (7) has a smaller cross-sectional area than that of the cooling passage (8), a pressure drop occurs around the portion as the flow rate of the cooling air increases. The high-pressure air in the cooling passage (8) is introduced into the humidifier body (3a), While the pressure atmosphere is maintained, the pressure near the injection port (3d) is low, so that the pressure difference allows efficient suction into the discharge passage (7).
Is shaped along the streamline of the cooling air, so that the dynamic pressure of the cooling air also contributes to the suction of the spray.

As described above, according to the present invention, smooth spraying can be performed without providing a dedicated fan for the humidifier, so that the humidifier can be made compact, the manufacturing cost can be reduced, and the conventional fan can be used. The removal of the electrical system is possible.

As shown in FIG. 4 as a modified example of the humidifier, the injection port (3d) of the injection nozzle (3b) is extended near the center of the discharge passage (7) where the flow rate of the cooling air is high, and the static pressure is reduced. It is also possible to configure so as to obtain a higher suction force in both the dynamic pressure and the dynamic pressure.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects are provided.

First, in the invention according to claim (1), an air inlet for introducing pressurized air into the ultrasonic humidifier is opened in the cooling passage on the downstream side of the evaporator and the blowing means, while the inside of the ultrasonic humidifier is opened. The cooling air flowing from the evaporator through the blowing means is discharged from the evaporator via the blowing means, and the flow velocity is high. As the pressure drop occurs, the spray from the humidifier is efficiently sucked into the discharge passage due to the pressure difference between the inside of the humidifier and the vicinity of the injection port, without having to provide a dedicated humidifier fan. The required amount of spray suction force can be obtained, and with the downsizing of the humidifier, it is possible to secure a wide storage room, and it is also possible to reduce manufacturing costs and improve reliability by reducing the number of driving units. Figure It is.

In the invention according to claim (2), the tip of the injection nozzle forming the injection port is formed in a streamline shape along the streamline of the cooling air from the cooling passage. In addition to the above-described operation, the suction effect by the dynamic pressure of the air flow is also contributed to obtain more efficient spray suction force.

Further, in the invention according to claim (3), the ultrasonic humidifier is so-called intermittently driven by the timer means for outputting a signal for driving the ultrasonic humidifier at predetermined time intervals for a predetermined time. By the detection of the humidity sensor, compared with the drive control of the ultrasonic humidifier by the detection signal,
Since there is no need to consider the reliability of the humidity sensor, such as confirmation of the detection accuracy of the humidity sensor and failure, there is an advantage that the maintenance of the humidity sensor becomes unnecessary and the reliability of the device is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 to 4 show an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a refrigeration container, FIG. 2 is a side view of a part of the container cut away, and FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a humidifier. FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway side view of a container showing a modification of the humidifier. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a conventional general ultrasonic humidifier. (1a) ... container body, (2a) ... evaporator, (2b) ...
… Blower fan (blower means), (3)… Ultrasonic humidifier,
(3b) ... injection nozzle, (3c) ... air intake, (3d)
... injection port, (7) ... discharge passage, (8) ... cooling passage, (TM) ... timer means.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued from the front page (72) Shozo Kameyama 1304, Kanaokacho, Sakai-shi, Osaka Daikin Industries, Ltd. Sakai Works Kanaoka Plant (56) References JP-A-60-29579 (JP, A) Showa 48-25956 (JP, A) Show actual show Show 63-63671 (JP, U) Show actual show 56-40326 (JP, U)

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A cooling passage (8) formed in a container body (1a) and provided with an evaporator (2a) and a blowing means (2b), and the container body is connected to the cooling passage (8). A discharge passage (7) formed in (1a) and having a smaller cross section than the cooling passage (8);
And an ultrasonic humidifier (3) provided in the container, wherein an air intake (3c) for introducing pressurized air into the ultrasonic humidifier (3) is provided in the cooling passage (8). The injection port (3d) of the injection nozzle (3b), which is opened downstream of the evaporator (2a) and the blowing means (2b), is connected to the inside of the ultrasonic humidifier (3) and injects the generated mist. A refrigeration system for containers, characterized in that it is opened at an end of the discharge passage (7) on the side of the cooling passage (8). 2. The container refrigeration system according to claim 1, wherein the tip of the injection nozzle (3b) forming the injection port (3d) extends along the streamline of cooling air from the cooling passage (8). A refrigeration system for containers, characterized by being formed in a streamlined shape. 3. The container refrigeration system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said timer means (TM) for outputting a signal for driving said ultrasonic humidifier (3) for a predetermined time at predetermined time intervals. A refrigeration system for containers, comprising: