JP3303290B2 - Electronic hot and cold storage - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic hot / cold cooler that heats or cools the inside of a refrigerator by a thermo module composed of an assembly of Peltier elements to keep food warm or cool.

[0002]

This type of electronic warming / cooling cabinet is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 7-44476 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 8-1.
As described in Japanese Patent No. 59643, a cooling and heating device including a thermo module and a heat exchange member is generally incorporated in a heat insulating container or a lid of the heat insulating container. Although these electronic hot / cold refrigerators are inferior to refrigerators using a compressor in terms of cooling capacity, they have advantages such as being not only compact and lightweight because they do not have a compressor, but also being able to reduce noise. Further, since no chlorofluorocarbon gas or the like is used, not only is the effect on the environment small, but also the advantage is that the attitude of the entire apparatus, that is, the vertical and horizontal installation can be relatively freely performed. An electronic warming / cooling cabinet having these advantages is also used for portable use.

However, these electronic refrigerators are
Generally, since the cooling capacity is lower than that of a compressor-type refrigerator, if the lid is opened to check the contents of the heat insulating container, air outside the refrigerator flows into the refrigerator. There was a problem that it took a long time for the inside temperature to rise and the inside temperature to return to the original level. This tendency was remarkable especially when used outdoors under the scorching sun. The same applies to the case of heating. If the lid is opened during heating, air outside the refrigerator flows into the refrigerator, so that the temperature in the refrigerator falls, and the temperature in the refrigerator becomes lower. There was a problem that it took time to return to.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to provide an electronic heating / cooling refrigerator which can check the inside of a refrigerator without changing the temperature in the refrigerator.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a heat insulating container having an opening at the front surface, a lid attached to the opening so as to be openable and closable, a thermo module mounted to the heat insulating container, and a thermo module of the thermo module. In an electronic warming / cooling cooler having a heat exchange portion communicating from both sides to the inside and outside of the heat-insulating container, the cover may include an outer cover, an inner cover, and a space between the outer cover and the inner cover. , A window formed through the outer cover, the inner cover and the heat insulating member, and a transparent window attached to the window. An outer window member provided on the outside, and an inner window member provided on the inside of the refrigerator ,
A common heat-insulating space sealed by the inner window member
A concave lens portion is formed in the inner window member;
Separated from the outside by partition walls formed on window member and inner window member
The storage space is provided above the window, and the storage space is
A desiccant is stored between the storage space and the heat insulation.
A through hole communicating with a space is formed in the partition .

[0006] With this configuration, even when the lid is closed, the inside of the refrigerator can be visually recognized through the window, and the window can be placed on the window.
And the heat insulation properties of the heat exchanger are improved. In addition, the concave window lens is
By forming a closed portion, the window portion is passed through the window portion.
View the inside of the warehouse widely, even if it is not directly
Can be. Furthermore, the storage space for the desiccant is the inner lid and
Hiding behind the outer lid and above the insulation space
Since it is not directly visible from the outside, it does not impair the appearance
No.

[0007] Further, the present invention provides the above-mentioned window,
A temperature indicator made of temperature indicating material is stuck on the outside of the refrigerator.
In addition, the temperature display section is constituted by an independent low temperature side temperature display section and a high temperature side temperature display section.

[0008] With this arrangement, the low-temperature side temperature display section at the time of cold storage, during hot storage temperature in the refrigerator to the hot side temperature display unit is displayed, while being viewed from the refrigerator outside through the window portion, using
The user shall use a separate low temperature side temperature indicator
Is the appropriate temperature range if the high temperature side temperature display member is in the display state
You can judge it just by looking at it.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of an electronic warm / cool storage according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the electronic warm / cool storage of this embodiment is particularly suitable for carrying. Reference numeral 1 denotes a heat insulating container. The heat insulating container 1 has an outer shell composed of an outer frame 2, a front frame 3, a rear cover 4, and the like, and has a built-in inner container 5. A heat insulating material 6 is filled between the inner container 5 and the outer frame 2 and the front frame 3.
And the heat insulation container 1 has the opening part 11 in the front surface,
A heat insulating lid 12 as a lid is attached to the opening 11 so as to be freely opened and closed. The heat-insulating lid 12 is rotatably supported on one side thereof around hinges 13 and 14, and is closed by a stopper 15 on the other side.

A cooling and heating unit 21 is mounted on the rear side of the outer frame 2. This cooling and heating unit 21
Has a thermo module 22 for cooling or heating. The thermo module 22 is thermally connected to the rear surface of the inner container 5 by a heat transfer member 23 serving as a heat exchange part on the front side inside the refrigerator. A thermal reed switch 24 is also provided on the rear surface of the inner container 5. The outside of the thermo-module 22 is in thermal contact with the heat sink 25 as a heat exchange unit. Further, the rear cover 4 is attached to a rear portion of the outer frame 2 so as to cover the cooling and heating unit 21. The rear cover 4 has an axial fan 26 attached thereto by a fan fixture 26a. The axial fan 26 faces the heat sink 25 of the cooling and heating unit 21 from the rear side, that is, from the outside of the refrigerator. The energization of the thermo module 22 is controlled by a control circuit (not shown).

The heat-insulating lid 12 has a lid body 34 composed of an inner lid 31 inside the refrigerator and an outer lid 33 fixed to the inner lid 31 with screws 32. Openings 35 and 36 facing each other are formed in the inner lid 31 and the outer lid 33, and a window hole 37 penetrating the lid main body 34 is formed between the openings 35 and 36. ing. A transparent window portion 38 is attached to the window hole 37. The window portion 38 is formed by connecting an outer window member 39 outside the refrigerator and an inner window member 40 inside the refrigerator with a window packing 41 interposed therebetween, and is fixed to the inner lid body 31 with screws 42, and the inside is It is an airtight closed space 43 isolated from the outside. The closed space 43 is divided into upper first space 43a, central second space 43b, and lower third space 43b by partitions 44 and 45.
The space 43c is divided into three spaces 43a, 43b and 43c, and the first space 43a and the second space 4 which is a main heat insulating space.
3b is communicated with each other by a through hole 46 formed in the partition wall 44. In the side walls 47 and 48 of the window members 39 and 40, knurls are formed in portions facing the second space 43b.

In the first space 43a, which is a storage space,
A desiccant pack 51 for dehumidifying the inside of the closed space 43 of the window 37 is stored. In this desiccant pack 51, a desiccant 52 such as silica gel is contained in a breathable packaging bag 53 so that even if the desiccant 52 is finely crushed by a mechanical impact or the like, it is not scattered around. Has become. The storage space for storing the desiccant pack 51 does not necessarily have to be adjacent to the space 43b in the window 38, but is located at a distant position and communicates with the space 43b in the window 38 by a passage. You may.

The inner cover 31, the outer cover 33 and the window 38 are provided.
A heat insulating member 55 is housed in a space 54 surrounded by. The space 54 includes a packing 56 provided between the inner lid 31 and the outer lid 33, a packing 57 provided between the outer lid 33 and the outer window member 39, and the inner lid 31 and the inner lid 31. Window member 40
An airtight space is formed by the packing 58 provided therebetween. Further, the packings 57 and 58 also have a function of buffering between the window 38 and the inner lid 31 and the outer lid 33 to prevent rattling of these fitting portions.

Next, the operation of the electronic hot and cold storage will be described. Cooling and heating unit having thermo module 22
When power is supplied to the cooling unit 21 and current flows in one direction in the cooling and heating unit 21, the cooling and heating unit 21 moves heat from front to back (from left to right in FIG. 2). The moved heat is released to the outside of the hot refrigerator by the wind sent by the axial fan 26. Thereby, the internal space 59 in the inner container 5 is cooled. If the direction of the electric current supplied to the cooling and heating unit 21 is reversed, the internal space 59 is heated.

Further, with the heat insulating lid 12 opened,
Food and drinks are taken in and out of the container 59. Even when the heat-insulating lid 12 is closed, the user can check the inside of the refrigerator through the window 38. Therefore, it is not necessary to open the heat insulating lid 12 for checking the inside of the refrigerator, and it is possible to prevent the outflow of air and the inflow of outside air in the refrigerator, and to prevent the temperature in the refrigerator from fluctuating.

When the inside of the refrigerator is cooled, the temperature of a portion of the window 38 facing the inside of the refrigerator becomes low. However, since the window 38 is doubled with the outer window member 39 and the inner window member 40 and thereby has heat insulation, the temperature of the outwardly facing portion of the window 38 is very low. No. Therefore, dew condensation hardly occurs on the surface of the window 38. This is also effective in lowering the cooling temperature of the main refrigerator and increasing the cooling speed. At the same time, the window 38 is doubled, and the heat insulation of the window 38 is improved,
The inflow and outflow of heat due to the provision of the window 38 can be minimized, the load on the thermomodule 22 can be reduced, and the power consumption can be reduced.

Further, the second space 43b seen from the outside of the window 38 is dehumidified by the desiccant pack 51 stored in the first space 43a which is a storage space. Dew condensation due to cooling can be more reliably prevented,
It is possible to prevent the inside of the refrigerator from becoming unrecognizable due to condensation. Further, since the inside of the window portion 38 is airtight by the window packing 41, there is no possibility that outside air newly enters and dew condensation occurs. Further, the other spaces 54 in the heat insulating lid 12 also include the packing 56,
Since it is airtight by 57 and 58, there is no intrusion of outside air and condensation.

In addition, the first containing the desiccant pack 51
Since the space 43a is hidden behind the inner lid 31 and the outer lid 33, it cannot be seen from the outside and does not impair the appearance. In addition, since the first space 43a is provided above the second space 43b, it is harder to see from the outside. This is because the interior of the refrigerator is normally viewed from above the window 38, and the first space 43a enters a blind spot. further,
Since knurls are formed on the side walls 47 and 48 of the window members 39 and 40 facing the second space 43b, the first
The surroundings such as the space 43a, the third space 43c, and the desiccant pack 51 are hardly seen, and the appearance can be further improved.

Further, since the desiccant 52 is stored in the packaging bag 53, even if the desiccant 52 is finely crushed by a mechanical impact or the like, the finely crushed desiccant 52 moves to the second space 43b. However, the user does not come into view when looking through the window 38.

In the present embodiment, the shape of the window 38 is a square with rounded corners, but may be other shapes. For example, in the case of a circular shape, the peripheral length of the side walls 47 and 48 around the window 38 becomes shorter than the area of the window 38, so that heat leakage through the window 38 can be reduced. That is, the heat insulating property is enhanced, which leads to a lowering of the cooling temperature and a higher cooling speed.

In the electronic heating / cooling cabinet of this embodiment, the window
Some additional features are added to 38. Hereinafter, this will be described.

First, the window 38 has a lens function. That is, the concave lens portion 61 is formed in a part of the window portion 38, for example, below the inner window member 40. Thereby, the inside of the refrigerator can be widely viewed through the window 38 to a portion not directly facing the window 38. Also, concave lens part 61
Is formed in the space 43b of the window 38. Thereby, the surface of the heat insulating lid 12 can be flattened,
The space in the storage space 59 can be effectively used, and it is convenient to wipe off dirt on the window 38.

The concave lens portion 61 may be formed not on a part but on the entire inner window member 40. If the concave lens portion 61 is a Fresnel lens, the thickness of the inner window member 40 can be reduced, the weight can be reduced, and the moldability can be improved. In this case, if the irregularities of the Fresnel lens are formed so as to face the space 43b of the window 38, dirt is less likely to be attached and the cleaning property is improved. Also,
The concave lens portion 61 may be formed in a prism shape instead of a curved surface shape. In this case, the interior of the refrigerator can be seen without distortion, although some blind spots are generated.

The window 38 has a filter function. That is, the infrared filter 62 is attached to the inner surface of the outer window member 39. This prevents infrared rays from entering the refrigerator, and when used in the cooling mode, performance is unlikely to be degraded even when receiving sunlight or near a heat source. In addition, in the heating mode, the infrared rays do not escape from the inside of the refrigerator, which is also advantageous in terms of performance.

The infrared filter 62 may be replaced with an ultraviolet filter. In this case, since irradiation of ultraviolet rays to foods, medicines, and the like stored in the refrigerator is prevented, deterioration of the quality of these foods, medicines, and the like can be prevented.

If the filter is a half-mirror and a light source such as a light bulb is provided inside the refrigerator, the interior of the refrigerator is normally invisible. If the light source is turned on as necessary, the interior of the refrigerator can be seen. Of course, even in the case of a type of filter other than the half mirror, or even without a filter, if the light source is provided inside the refrigerator, the interior of the refrigerator becomes easier to see.

Furthermore, if a luminous agent is used as the light source, no power is required for the light source and the light source does not generate heat, which is advantageous in terms of the performance of the apparatus.

In this embodiment, the filter 62 is attached to the inside of the outer window member 39, that is, to the side facing the space 43b.
Of course, the inner window member 40 may be attached to either the inner or outer surface of the inner window member 40.

Further, if an LCD is provided instead of a filter, a shutter function can be added by energization. At the same time, characters and graphics can be displayed, so that a clock function, a message board function, an advertisement display function, and the like can be added.

A temperature display member 63, which is a temperature display section made of a temperature indicating material, is attached to the inner surface of the window 38. The temperature display member 63 is made of a material whose color changes depending on the temperature, and can display a numeral indicating the temperature. The temperature display member 63 includes a low-temperature-side temperature display member 63a serving as a low-temperature-side temperature display unit for displaying a temperature of 0 ° C. to 15 ° C., which is a refrigeration temperature range, and a 50 ° C.
It is constituted by a high-temperature-side temperature display member 63b, which is a high-temperature-side temperature display section for displaying a temperature of up to 65 ° C. By providing the temperature display member 63 in this manner, the temperature in the refrigerator can be confirmed by numerical values and colors, and even if the specific temperature is not known, the refrigerator is appropriately cooled or warmed. Can be visually recognized. Further, by forming the temperature display member 63 with the independent low-temperature-side temperature display member 63a and the high-temperature-side temperature display member 63b, the user can operate the low-temperature-side temperature display member 63a or the high-temperature-side temperature display member 6a.
If 3b is in the display state, it can be determined only by seeing that it is within the appropriate temperature range, so that it is not necessary to read the temperature and determine whether it is within the appropriate temperature range. Further, since it is not necessary to use a temperature display member having a wide temperature scale, cost can be reduced.

Note that some of the temperature indicating materials are in the form of paint, so that they may be printed directly on the inner window member 40. In addition, without using a temperature indicator, in a position directly visible from the window 38 in the refrigerator,
A general thermometer such as a bar thermometer may be installed.

As described above, providing the window 38 has various added values, but the basic structure of the window is not limited to the above embodiment.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the area of the window 38 outside the warehouse and the area of the interior inside the warehouse are made substantially the same. Becomes wider. In addition, a material other than silica gel may be used as the desiccant. In particular, if an irreversible desiccant that does not release the adsorbed water is used, the adsorbed water will not be released by the heat of the storage, which is convenient for an electronic hot and cold storage. In addition, a desiccant is not necessarily required if dry air containing no moisture is sealed in the heat insulating space.

[0034]

According to the present invention, a window hole is formed through the outer cover, the inner cover, and the heat insulating member of the cover, and the window is provided with an outer window member provided outside the refrigerator. Consists of an inner window member provided inside the refrigerator, and sealed by the outer window member and the inner window member.
And a concave lens is formed in the inner window member.
Formed in the outer window member and the inner window member.
The storage space isolated from the outside by the partition
It is provided above the window, and the desiccant is stored in the storage space.
In addition, the through hole communicating with the storage space and the heat insulating space is
By forming the partition, the inside of the refrigerator can be visually checked with the lid closed, so there is no need to open the lid to check the interior of the refrigerator, and it is possible to prevent the outflow of air and the inflow of outside air in the refrigerator,
It is possible to prevent the temperature in the refrigerator from fluctuating. In addition, window
The improved heat insulation in
Can minimize the inflow and outflow of heat due to
The load on the thermo module can be reduced and power consumption is reduced.
Power can be reduced. In addition, a concave lens
By forming a closed part, through the window part, this window part
View the inside of the warehouse widely, even if it is not directly opposite
Can be removed, and moisture in the insulated space can be removed.
Prevents condensation on the heat insulating space side of the member.
Thus, it can be prevented that the inside of the refrigerator cannot be confirmed. Only
Since the storage space is provided above the heat insulation space,
When the inside of the refrigerator is viewed from above the window, the storage space enters the blind spot
Therefore, surrounding objects such as storage space and desiccant are difficult to see.
And the appearance can be further improved.

Further, according to the present invention, a temperature display portion made of a temperature indicating material is stuck on the inner side surface of the window so as to be visible from the outside.
By attaching the temperature display section to an independent low-temperature side display section and an independent high-temperature side temperature display section, the user can use an independent low-temperature side temperature display section or a high-temperature side temperature display section made of a temperature indicating material. If it is in the display state, it can be determined just by seeing that it is within the appropriate temperature range.Therefore, it is not necessary to read the temperature and determine whether it is within the appropriate temperature range. I can judge. Further, since it is not necessary to use a temperature display member having a wide temperature scale, cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of an electronic hot / cold storage of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing an embodiment of the electronic warm / cool storage of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a window showing an embodiment of an electronic warm / cool storage according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Insulated container 11 Opening 12 Insulated lid (lid) 22 Thermo module 23 Heat transfer member (heat exchange part) 25 Heat sink (heat exchange part) 31 Inner lid 33 Outer lid 37 Window hole 38 Window part 39 Outer window member 40 inner window member 43a first space (storage space) 43b second space (insulated space) 44 partition wall 46 through hole 52 desiccant 55 heat insulating member 61 concave lens part 63 temperature display part (temperature display member) 63a low temperature side temperature display Section (low temperature side temperature display member) 63b High temperature side temperature display section (high temperature side temperature display member)

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-9-196534 (JP, A) JP-A-5-99560 (JP, A) JP-A 8-338246 (JP, A) 171879 (JP, U) JP-A-3-57381 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F25D 11/00 101 F25D 23/02 303

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] An insulated container having an opening in the front surface, a lid attached to the opening so as to be openable and closable, a thermo module attached to the insulated container, and an inside of the insulated container from both sides of the thermo module. And an electronic warming / cooling cabinet having a heat exchange section communicating with the outside of the cabinet,
The cover, an outer cover, an inner cover, a heat insulating member provided between the outer cover and the inner cover, and a window hole formed through the outer cover, the inner cover, and the heat insulating member. If, constituted by a transparent window attached to the window hole, constituted by the window, and the outer window member provided Kurasotogawa, and Uchimado member provided on the compartment inner side, the outer Sealed by the window member and the inner window member
And a concave lens portion on the inner window member.
And a gap formed between the outer window member and the inner window member.
The storage space isolated from the outside by the wall is
And a desiccant is stored in the storage space.
A through-hole communicating with the storage space and the heat-insulating space,
An electronic heating and cooling cabinet formed on a wall . 2. A temperature indicator is provided on the inner surface of the window.
2. The electronic warm / cool storage according to claim 1, wherein the temperature display section is stuck on the outside of the refrigerator so as to be visible, and the temperature display section comprises an independent low temperature display section and a high temperature display section. .