JP2964928B2 - Container refrigeration equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigeration system for a container, and more particularly to a measure for failure diagnosis.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a container refrigeration apparatus provided with a temperature storage device as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-96033. This temperature storage device drives the recording pen by amplifying a temperature signal from a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature inside the refrigerator and then inputting the amplified signal to a servomotor of the recording pen via a servo amplifier.

[0005] The recording pen is used to record the history of the temperature inside the refrigerator on recording paper.

[0004]

In the refrigerating container provided with the above-described container refrigerating device, the failure of the refrigerating device is diagnosed based on the internal temperature recorded on the recording paper. For example, when a frozen container is being transported by a container ship, an administrator such as a seafarer looks at the recording paper at predetermined time intervals to determine whether or not the temperature in the refrigerator has fallen as expected. ing.

[0005] However, in this case, since the failure diagnosis is performed based on the ability of the individual manager, the refrigerating apparatus may be determined to be normal regardless of the ability depending on the ability. In some cases, it is determined that there is an abnormality in spite of normal operation.

As a result, if the abnormality determination is delayed, the maintenance is delayed, and the quality of the baggage cannot be guaranteed.
On the contrary, there is a problem that unnecessary maintenance is performed in a normal state.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above point, and an aspect of the present invention is to provide an alarm when the internal temperature does not decrease by a predetermined temperature during a pull-down operation so that an accurate failure diagnosis can be performed. It is intended to be.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an alarm when a defrost operation is continued more than usual during a cooling operation after a pull-down operation so that an accurate failure diagnosis can be performed. .

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, as shown in FIG. 1, means taken by the invention according to claim 1 includes a compressor (41) and a condenser (42). And a refrigerant circuit (40) in which an expansion mechanism (4E) and an evaporator (43) are connected in order, and is premised on a container refrigeration system that controls the operation of the refrigerant circuit (40) to cool the inside of the refrigerator. I have. And a pull-down operating means (61) for executing a rapid cooling operation for rapidly cooling the inside of the refrigerator;
Cooling operation means (62) for executing a cooling operation such that the internal temperature is maintained at the set temperature after the rapid cooling operation by
And defrost operation means (63) for executing a defrost operation when the evaporator (43) frosts. Further, during the cooling operation by the cooling operation means (62), the defrost operation of the defrost operation means (63) is performed for a predetermined time while the internal temperature is higher than a preset control temperature range with respect to the set temperature. A defrost count determining means (66) is provided for determining whether or not a continuous defrost state has been executed a number of times in succession. In addition, a normal cooling alarm means (67) for outputting an abnormal signal so that the alarm means (7L-3) issues an alarm when the defrost frequency judgment means (66) judges the continuous defrost state is provided. .

The means adopted by the invention according to claim 2 is that the compressor (41), the condenser (42) and the expansion mechanism (4)
E) and the evaporator (43) are connected in sequence to the refrigerant circuit (4
0), and the operation of the refrigerant circuit (40) is controlled to cool the inside of the refrigerator.
It is premised on a container refrigeration system to be disposed of. And
Pulldown to execute rapid cooling operation to cool the inside of the refrigerator quickly
Operating means (61) and the pull-down operating means (61).
After the rapid cooling operation, the internal temperature is maintained at the set temperature.
Cooling operation means (62) for executing the cooling operation so that
Have been killed. Further, the pull-down operation means (61)
During the rapid cooling operation, the temperature inside the
Determines whether the temperature is falling by degrees
Cooling determination means (64), and the cooling determination means (64)
If it is determined that it is not in the down state, the alarm means (7L-3)
Alarm means for rapid cooling to output an abnormal signal to emit
(65). In addition, a defrost operation means (63) for executing a defrost operation when the evaporator is frosted, and a predetermined control in which the temperature in the refrigerator is preset to a set temperature during the cooling operation by the cooling operation means (62). a defrosting operation means in the state in which rises above the temperature range defrosting times judging means determining defrost operation (63) is whether a continuous defrost state of being performed continuously for a predetermined number of times (66), said defrosting times If the decision means (66) to determine a continuous defrost condition, usually cooling alarm means an alarm means (7L-3) outputs an abnormal signal to emit an alarm and (67) are provided.

According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, when the cooling operation is started, the pull-down operation means (61) executes the rapid cooling operation . When the pull-down operation by the pull-down operation means (61) is completed, the cooling operation by the cooling operation means (62) is performed. Therefore, the defrost frequency judgment means (66) starts the judgment operation, and the temperature in the refrigerator becomes the control temperature. It is determined whether or not the range is maintained. Then, when the inside temperature falls outside the control temperature range, that is, when the inside temperature becomes higher than the control temperature range, it is determined whether or not the defrost operation is performed, and after the defrost operation is completed, the inside temperature does not decrease and the high temperature state is maintained. When the defrosting operation is repeated, the defrosting frequency determination means (66)
Determines the continuous defrost state.

Based on this determination, the normal cooling alarm means (67) outputs an abnormal signal, and the alarm means (7L-3) issues an alarm. For example, the display part of the light emitting element (7L-3)
Flashes and an alarm is issued. By this blinking, the administrator recognizes that the inside of the refrigerator is not normally cooled.

[0013] In the invention according to claim 2, the cooling operation is performed.
And the pull-down operation means (61) starts rapid cooling operation.
When executed, the cooling determination means (64) starts the determination operation
For example, the data of the inside temperature detected by the outlet temperature sensor
Data. Next, the internal temperature drops to the specified temperature.
It is determined whether or not the temperature has decreased, and if the
Thus, the failure diagnosis operation during the down-down operation is completed.

[0014] On the other hand, after taking in the temperature of one chamber,
The internal temperature does not decrease by the specified temperature during the passage of time
In this case, it is determined that the cooling determination means (64) is not in a temperature decreasing state.
I do. Then, based on this determination, the rapid cooling alarm
(65) outputs an abnormal signal, and the alarm means (7L-3) issues an alarm.
Will be emitted. For example, the display section of a light emitting element (7L- 3)
Flashes and an alarm is issued. By this flashing
The manager recognizes that the inside of the refrigerator is not cooled properly
Will be.

[0015]

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention ,
When the defrost operation is repeated without the inside temperature returning to the predetermined control temperature range during the normal cooling operation, an alarm is issued. Therefore, similarly to the pull-down operation, the administrator diagnoses the failure using the conventional recording paper. In comparison with the case, the failure determination can be performed accurately without depending on the individual's ability. As a result, the reliability of the quality assurance of the package can be improved, and at the same time, unnecessary maintenance can be prevented.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the pull
During down operation, the internal temperature does not drop
Alarm is issued when the
Compared to the case where the administrator diagnoses the failure with recording paper,
Accurate failure judgment without relying on human ability
it can. As a result, maintenance delays are prevented.
Can improve the reliability of baggage quality assurance.
Can be. In addition, it reliably prevents unnecessary maintenance
can do.

Further, since the failure diagnosis is performed by making the judgment criteria different between the pull-down operation and the normal operation, an accurate judgment can be made in accordance with the operation condition, and a highly reliable operation can be performed. can do.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the refrigerated container (10) is loaded with various loads, and transports the loads in a cooled state by a container ship or a container vehicle.

The refrigeration container (10) is constructed by attaching a container refrigeration system (20) to a container body (11). The container body (11) has one surface (the left side surface in FIG. 2). It is formed in an opened rectangular box.

The refrigeration apparatus (20) is provided with a container body (1).
A refrigerant circuit (40) is housed inside a casing (30) having a predetermined thickness, which also serves as a lid for closing the opening surface of (1). The casing (3
0) is formed by attaching a partition wall (32) in parallel to the inside of the main body wall (31), and the main body wall (31) is formed of a heat insulating material or the like and is tightly fixed to the container main body (11). At the same time, the lower half has a storage space (33)
Are formed.

The cooling space (3) is located above the storage space (33) between the main body wall (31) and the partition (32).
4) is formed, and the air passage portion (35) is formed inside the storage space (33) and is formed continuously with the cooling space portion (34), and the upper end of the cooling space portion (34) is formed. The lower end of the air passage (35) communicates with the interior of the container body (11).

The refrigerant circuit (40) comprises a compressor (41), a condenser (42), an expansion mechanism (4E), and an evaporator (43) connected in this order. (42) is installed in the storage space (33) together with the condenser fan (42-F), and the evaporator (43) is installed together with the evaporator fan (43-F) in the cooling space (3).
4) is installed. And the refrigerant circuit (40)
The refrigerant compressed by the compressor (41) is condensed by the condenser (42), decompressed by the expansion mechanism (4E), and then evaporated by the evaporator (43) and returned to the compressor (41). On the other hand, the air in the container main body (11) flows into the cooling space (34) and is cooled by the evaporator (43), and then flows through the air passage (35) and blows out to the container main body (11). Cooling inside.

A controller (50) for controlling the cooling operation of the refrigerant circuit (40) is provided in the storage space (33), and controls the capacity and the like of the compressor (41) to reduce the internal temperature to the set temperature. As shown in FIG. 4, the controller (50) is configured by linking a display input unit (70) to a CPU (60) serving as a central control unit. The CPU (60) is provided with a cooling operation means (62) and a defrost operation means (63) in addition to the pull-down operation means (61) at the start of operation.

The pull-down operation means (61) is configured to operate the compressor (41) at full load to execute a rapid cooling operation at the start of operation, and to control the temperature in the refrigerator to a control temperature range (hereinafter, in-range). The operation of the refrigerant circuit (40) is controlled so as to drop rapidly.

The cooling operation means (62) is configured to execute a cooling operation once the inside temperature falls within the in-range due to the pull-down operation, and to operate the refrigerant circuit (62) so that the inside temperature maintains the in-range. 40) operation control. This in-range is set within a predetermined temperature range with respect to the set temperature, for example, ± 1 ° C. with respect to the set temperature.
When the set temperature is 0 ° C, the chilled mode (refrigeration mode) is set, and when the set temperature is -20 ° C,
It becomes frozen mode (freezing mode).

The defrost operation means (63) is configured to execute a defrost operation by a hot gas or an electric heater when the evaporator (43) is frosted. For example, the defrost operation is performed every four hours during a pull-down operation. During the cooling operation in which the temperature in the refrigerator is maintained within the in-range, the defrost operation is executed at intervals of 12 hours or 24 hours selected and set. The defrosting operation means (63) is configured to execute the defrosting operation when the temperature in the refrigerator becomes higher than the in-range and the high-temperature state of the in-range continues for 30 minutes.

The display input section (70) is used to input a set temperature and display the internal temperature. In addition to the input key group (71), a first display section (72) and a second display section (73) are provided. ) And a lamp display section (74). The input key group (71)
Set key (7K-1) for inputting set temperature, etc., up key (7K-2) and down key (7K-
3) and an enter key (7K-4) to switch the mode,
Trip start key (7K-
5) is provided.

The first display section (72) includes, in addition to a 4-digit segment display section (7S), a blow-out temperature display section (7L-1) and a return temperature display section (7L-2) for displaying items to be displayed by light emitting elements. ), An alarm display section (7L-3), and a set display section (7L-4).

The second display section (73) is configured to display information data such as a set temperature.

The lamp display section (74) is provided with a compressor display section (7M-1), a defrost display section (7M-2), and an in-range display section (7M-3), each of which indicates an operation state by a light emitting element. Have been.

-Alarm Display During Pulldown Operation-As a feature of the present invention, the CPU (60) is provided with cooling determination means (64) for performing failure diagnosis and rapid cooling alarm means (65). ing.

The cooling judging means (64) performs the rapid cooling operation (pull-down operation) by the pull-down operation means (61).
Then, it is determined whether or not the inside temperature is in a temperature decreasing state in which the inside temperature is decreased by a predetermined temperature within a predetermined time. Specifically,
The cooling judging means (64) judges whether or not the internal temperature is lowered to 4 ° C. or more during 4 hours during the pull-down operation, or not.

When the cooling determining means (64) determines that the temperature is not falling, the rapid cooling alarm means (65) causes the alarm display section (7L-3) serving as the alarm means to blink and issue an alarm. Outputs an abnormal signal.

An alarm operation during the pull-down operation will be described with reference to FIG.

For example, when the cargo is loaded into the refrigerated container (10) and the cooling operation is started, the pull-down operation means (61) performs the rapid cooling operation by setting the compressor (41) to full load, so that the cooling judgment is performed. The means (64) starts the judging operation. First, in step ST1, data of the inside temperature detected by a blow-out temperature sensor (not shown) is fetched.

Subsequently, the process proceeds to step ST2, where it is determined whether or not the temperature in the refrigerator is in the in-range. That is, it is determined whether or not the pull-down operation is currently being performed and the temperature in the refrigerator has dropped to the in-range. I have. If the temperature in the refrigerator has dropped to the in-range, the process proceeds from step ST2 to step ST2.
The process proceeds to ST3, where the failure diagnosis operation during the pull-down operation ends.

On the other hand, when the inside temperature has not dropped to the in-range, the steps ST2 to ST
In step 4, it is determined whether four hours have elapsed. Until four hours have elapsed, the determination in step ST4 is NO, the process returns to step ST2, and the above operation is repeated.

In other words, during the pull-down operation, it is determined whether or not four hours have elapsed since the data of one internal temperature has been taken without the internal temperature dropping to the in-range. The process proceeds from step ST4 to step ST5, where the next data of the inside temperature is taken.

Thereafter, from the above-mentioned step ST5 to step ST5
Then, it is determined whether or not the temperature difference between the data is 4 ° C. or more. That is, during the pull-down operation,
It is determined whether the temperature in the refrigerator has decreased by 4 ° C. or more within 4 hours.

If the internal temperature has dropped by 4 ° C. or more, the process proceeds from step ST6 to step ST7,
The process returns to step ST2 after replacing the data with data, and the above-described operation is repeated. Therefore, while the pull-down operation is being performed, it is constantly determined whether or not the internal temperature has decreased by 4 ° C. or more within 4 hours.

If the internal temperature does not decrease by 4 ° C. or more within 4 hours, the determination in step ST6 becomes NO, and the process proceeds to step ST8, where the rapid cooling alarm means (65) outputs an abnormal signal. The alarm display (7L-3) flashes and an alarm is issued. By the blinking of the alarm display section (7L-3), the administrator recognizes that the inside of the refrigerator is not properly cooled.

As described above, the reason why the four hours is used as the criterion for the warning is that the pull-down operation is set so that the defrost operation is performed every four hours. The cooling state is determined by measuring the internal temperature.

-Alarm display during normal operation-Further, as a feature of the present invention, in the CPU (60), the number of defrost times judging means (6
6) and alarm means (67) for normal cooling are provided.

The defrosting frequency judging means (66) performs a continuous defrosting operation in which the defrosting operation is continuously performed for a predetermined number of times while the internal temperature is higher than the in-range during the cooling operation by the cooling operation means (62). It is determined whether it is in the state. Specifically, the defrosting frequency determination means (66) is in a continuous defrost state in which, after the inside temperature rises by one defrost operation, the next defrost operation is executed without the inside temperature falling to the in-range. Or not.

The normal cooling alarm means (67) is arranged so that, when the defrost frequency judging means (66) judges the continuous defrost state, the alarm display section (7L-3) as an alarm means blinks and issues an alarm. Outputs an abnormal signal.

The alarm operation during the normal cooling operation will be described with reference to FIG.

As described above, the pull-down operation means (61)
When the pull-down operation is completed, the cooling operation means (6
Since the cooling operation according to 2) is performed, the defrost frequency determination means (66) starts the determination operation, and first, in step ST11, initializes and sets the abnormality counter to zero.

Subsequently, the process proceeds to step ST12, where it is determined whether or not the inside temperature is maintained in the in-range. If the temperature is maintained in the in-range, the process proceeds from step ST13 to step ST14, where the abnormality counter is set. Is reset to zero and the process returns to step ST13. That is, during the normal refrigeration operation or the freezing operation, it is continuously determined whether or not the temperature in the refrigerator is maintained in the in-range. When the temperature in the refrigerator is out of the in-range, the process proceeds from step ST13 to step ST15. Will move.

In this step ST15, it is determined whether or not the abnormality counter has become 2 or more, and the process proceeds from step ST15 to step ST16 until it becomes 2 or more, and it is determined whether or not the defrost operation is started. Then, when the defrost operation is started, the determination in step ST16 becomes YES, the process proceeds to step ST17, the count of the abnormality counter is increased by one, and the process returns to step ST13.

That is, when the defrost operation is started, the internal temperature rises. When the internal temperature becomes higher than the in-range, it is determined in step ST16 whether or not this temperature increase is due to the defrost operation. Then, if the defrost operation is being performed, the operation of step ST13 and steps ST15 to ST17 is repeated without increasing the abnormality counter.

After that, when the defrosting operation is completed, the temperature in the refrigerator usually decreases and returns to the in-range.
In this case, since the normal operation is being performed, the process proceeds from step ST13 to step ST14, and the abnormality counter is reset.

On the other hand, after the defrost operation is completed,
If the temperature in the refrigerator does not return to the in-range without lowering, the operation becomes abnormal. In this case, the defrost operation is performed when the temperature in the refrigerator is outside the in-range, that is, when the temperature is higher than the in-range, there is a possibility that the frost remains unmelted. It is set to run.

Therefore, when the defrost operation is performed again, the process proceeds from step ST16 to step ST17, and the abnormality counter counts 2. And
After the defrost operation is completed, if the temperature in the refrigerator decreases to the in-range, the operation returns to the normal operation. However, if the temperature in the refrigerator does not decrease, the determination in step ST15 is YES.
In S, the process proceeds to step ST18. Since the operation itself is abnormal, the normal cooling alarm means (67) outputs an abnormal signal, and the alarm display section (7L-3) flashes and issues an alarm. . By the blinking of the alarm display section (7L-3), the administrator recognizes that the inside of the refrigerator is not properly cooled.

The reason why the number of times of the defrost operation is used as the criterion as described above is that it is difficult to determine whether or not the frost remains after the defrost operation by only the change in the internal temperature. The number of times of defrost operation is counted to determine the cooling state.

-Effects of this Embodiment- As described above, according to this embodiment, an alarm is issued when the internal temperature does not decrease by a predetermined value during a predetermined time during a pull-down operation. Compared to the case where the administrator makes a failure diagnosis using the recording paper, the failure can be accurately determined without relying on the ability of the individual. As a result, a delay in maintenance can be prevented, and the reliability of quality assurance of the package can be improved. Further, unnecessary maintenance can be reliably prevented.

Further, when the defrost operation is repeated without the temperature in the refrigerator returning to the in-range during the normal cooling operation, an alarm is issued. As compared with the case of diagnosis, a failure determination can be made more accurately without relying on individual abilities. As a result, the reliability of the quality assurance of the package can be improved, and at the same time, unnecessary maintenance can be prevented.

Further, the failure diagnosis is performed by making the judgment criteria different between the pull-down operation and the normal operation, and
Accurate judgment can be made in accordance with the driving situation, and highly reliable driving can be performed.

[0059]

Other Embodiments In the present embodiment, the case where the temperature in the refrigerator does not decrease by 4 ° C. during 4 hours during the pull-down operation is used as a criterion for failure diagnosis. However, the present invention is not limited to these. There is no problem, and a case in which the temperature does not drop by 3 ° C. within 4 hours may be used as a reference, or a change may be made in accordance with luggage or the like.

In the normal operation, the number of times of defrosting is determined to be two, but it is needless to say that the number of defrosting may be three.

The alarm means includes an alarm display (7L-
In addition to 3), a buzzer or the like may be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a refrigeration container.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the refrigeration apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a controller.

FIG. 5 is a control flowchart showing a failure diagnosis during a pull-down operation.

FIG. 6 is a control flowchart showing a failure diagnosis during a normal cooling operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Refrigeration container 11 Container body 20 Refrigerator 40 Refrigerant circuit 41 Compressor 42 Condenser 43 Evaporator 4E Expansion mechanism 50 Controller 60 CPU 61 Pull-down operation means 62 Cooling operation means 63 Defrost operation means 64 Cooling judgment means 65 Alarm means for rapid cooling 66 Defrost frequency judgment means 67 Normal cooling alarm means 70 Display input part 72 First display part 7L-3 Alarm display part

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-5-10638 (JP, A) JP-A-3-113274 (JP, A) JP-A-7-190593 (JP, A) JP-A-7-190 4828 (JP, A) JP-A-6-3036 (JP, A) JP-A-5-34049 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) F25B 47/02 F25B 49 / 02 F25D 11/00 F25D 23/00

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] A refrigerant circuit (40) in which a compressor (41), a condenser (42), an expansion mechanism (4E), and an evaporator (43) are connected in this order. In a container refrigeration apparatus that cools the inside of a refrigerator by operation control, a pull-down operating means (61) for performing a rapid cooling operation for rapidly cooling the refrigerator, and after the rapid cooling operation by the pull-down operating means (61), Cooling operation means (62) for executing a cooling operation so that the temperature in the refrigerator is maintained at a set temperature; defrost operation means (63) for executing a defrost operation when the evaporator (43) is frosted; During the cooling operation by the means (62), the defrost operation of the defrost operation means (63) is continuously performed a predetermined number of times while the internal temperature is higher than a predetermined control temperature range set in advance with respect to the set temperature. Continuous defrost When the defrosting frequency determining means (66) determines the continuous defrosting state, the alarming means (7L-3) issues an abnormal signal so that an alarm is issued. A container refrigeration apparatus comprising: a normal cooling alarm means (67) for outputting. 2. A compressor (41), a condenser (42) and an expansion mechanism.
(4E) and evaporator (43) are connected in order to the refrigerant circuit
(40), and the operation of the refrigerant circuit (40) is controlled to
In a container refrigeration system that cools, pulldown that executes a rapid cooling operation that rapidly cools the inside of the refrigerator
The emission driving means (61), after the rapid cooling operation by the pull-down operation means (61)
At the same time, the cooling operation is performed so that the temperature inside the refrigerator is maintained at the set temperature.
During the rapid cooling operation by the cooling operation means (62) to be executed and the pull-down operation means (61)
At the same time, the temperature in the refrigerator has decreased by a predetermined temperature within a predetermined time.
Cooling determination means (6) for determining whether or not the temperature is falling
4) and the cooling determining means (64) determines that the temperature is not in a falling state
And an abnormal signal so that the alarm means (7L-3) issues an alarm
Rapid cooling alarm means for outputting the (65), when the evaporator is frosted with defrosting operation means for performing a defrosting operation (63), during the cooling operation by the cooling operation means (62), inside temperature to the set temperature On the other hand, while the temperature is higher than a predetermined control temperature range set in advance, the defrost operation of the defrost operation means (63) is performed a predetermined number of times continuously to determine whether or not the defrost operation is in a continuous defrost state. Means (66), and normal cooling alarm means (67) for outputting an abnormal signal so that the alarm means (7L-3) issues an alarm when the defrost count judging means (66) judges the continuous defrost state. A container refrigeration device, comprising: