JP5561558B2 - Food dryer and food drying method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a food drying container and a food drying method for drying food.

  For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. Sho 50-16022 discloses a drying refrigerator for drying food such as fresh fish. This drying refrigerator includes a package that integrally accommodates an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, a blower, and the like, and a storage container (hereinafter referred to as "inside" And a storage (hereinafter also referred to as “outer storage”) capable of storing the package and the inner storage. In this dry refrigerator, by operating the blower described above, the air in the inner housing is introduced into the package from one opening in the inner housing, dehumidified and cooled by the evaporator, and then heated by the condenser. Then, it is moved between the inner container and the outer container and introduced into the inner container from the other opening of the inner container. Thereby, in this dry refrigerator, the food on the drying cart is dried by the high-temperature and low-humidity air introduced into the inner storage.

  In this case, this drying refrigerator includes two condensers, an air-cooled condenser and a water-cooled condenser, as described above. During the drying process of the food and after completion of the drying process (during refrigeration) A configuration is employed in which the temperature in the inner storage is changed by changing the flow rate of the refrigerant. Specifically, during the drying process, the refrigerant is mainly condensed by an air-cooled condenser, so that the low-temperature and low-humidity air dehumidified and cooled in the evaporator is heated by the air-cooled condenser to increase the internal temperature. . In addition, after the drying process is completed (during refrigeration), the refrigerant is mainly condensed by a water-cooled condenser to prevent the low-temperature and low-humidity air dehumidified and cooled in the evaporator from being heated by the air-cooled condenser. And lowering the temperature of the air supplied to the inner storage. Such switching of the internal temperature is performed, for example, by switching the refrigerant flow path from the flow path for the air-cooled condenser to the flow path for the water-cooled condenser at the completion time of the drying process by a timer operation. . This makes it possible to store foods and the like that have been dried at a low temperature.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 50-16022 (page 1-3, Fig. 1-2)

  However, the conventional drying refrigerator and the drying method have the following problems. That is, in the conventional drying refrigerator, the temperature suitable for the drying process (for example, about 25 ° C.) is switched by switching the refrigerant flow path from the flow path for the air-cooled condenser to the flow path for the water-cooled condenser at the completion time of the drying process. Therefore, a configuration is adopted in which the internal temperature is changed to a temperature suitable for refrigeration (for example, about 5 ° C.). In this case, in the conventional drying refrigerator, the opening on the package side (the above-mentioned “one opening”) in the inner housing and the opening for introducing air into the inner housing (the above-mentioned “other opening” Part ") is always open. Moreover, in the conventional drying refrigerator, the blower is continuously operated to introduce high-temperature and low-humidity air into the inner housing during the drying process, and at a low temperature during refrigeration (after completion of the cooling process). A configuration is adopted in which low-humidity air is introduced into the inner storage.

  For this reason, in the conventional drying refrigerator and its drying method, low-humidity air (at the time of refrigeration) after the drying process is completed around the food (inside the inner storage) that has been in a desired dry state by the drying process ( As a result of the continuous blowing of low-temperature and low-humidity air, the drying of the food product proceeds despite the completion of the drying process. For this reason, in the conventional drying refrigerator and its drying method, for example, when dried fruits or the like are subjected to drying treatment, the object is excessively dried during refrigeration after drying treatment, There is a problem that the taste may deteriorate.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a food drying cabinet and a food drying method that can refrigerate an object that has been dried without excessive drying.

  In order to achieve the above object, a food drying cabinet according to claim 1 includes an inner container having a storage space for storing a food to be dried, an inner container configured to be able to store the inner container, and an air flow around the inner container. An outer container that forms a path, a cooling device that is disposed in the air flow path to dehumidify and cool the air in the air flow path, and is dehumidified and cooled by the cooling device that is disposed in the air flow path A heating device for heating the air, a blower that is disposed in the air flow path and blows air in the air flow path in order of the cooling device and the heating device, and the cooling device, A control device that controls the heating device and the blower, and the inner container is formed in a heat transfer structure capable of conducting heat between the air flow channel and the housing space, and the air flow channel The air inside the accommodation space A first opening / closing mechanism having a first closing member which is formed with an introduction port to be introduced into the housing and an exhaust port for exhausting the air in the accommodation space to the air flow path and which allows the introduction port to be opened. And a second opening / closing mechanism having a second closing member that closes the exhaust port so as to be openable, and the first opening / closing mechanism is configured such that the air in the air flow path has a first temperature. When the first closing member is moved toward the opening position that opens the introduction port at the time described above, and the air in the air flow path falls below a second temperature that is equal to or lower than the first temperature. And a temperature-sensing first moving mechanism for moving the first closing member toward a closing position for closing the introduction port, and the second opening / closing mechanism includes air in the housing space. An opening that opens the exhaust port when the temperature is equal to or higher than the third temperature The second closing member is moved toward the position, and when the air in the accommodation space falls below a fourth temperature that is equal to or lower than the third temperature, the second closing member is moved toward a closing position that closes the exhaust port. A temperature sensing type second moving mechanism configured to move the second closing member; and the control unit controls the blower when the drying process start condition is satisfied to control the air flow path. The air is blown, the cooling device is controlled to dehumidify and cool the air in the air flow path, and the dehumidified and cooled air is controlled to the heating device to control the first temperature. And when the drying processing completion condition is satisfied, at least one of the cooling device and the heating device is controlled to heat the inside of the air flow path. Of air at the second temperature and And a sixth temperature lower than both of the fourth temperatures.

  The food drying cabinet according to claim 2 includes an inner container having a storage space for storing a food to be dried, and an outer side formed so as to be able to store the inner container and forming an air flow path around the inner container. A container, a cooling device disposed in the air flow path for dehumidifying and cooling the air in the air flow path, and heating air dehumidified and cooled by the cooling device disposed in the air flow path A heating device that is disposed in the air flow path and blows air in the order of the cooling device and the heating device, and the cooling device, the heating device, and the heating device. A control device for controlling a blower, and the inner container is formed in a heat transfer structure capable of conducting heat between the air flow path and the accommodating space, and the air in the air flow path is Introduction to the containment space And a first opening / closing mechanism having a first closing member formed to exhaust the air in the housing space to the air flow path and closing the introduction port so as to be openable, and the exhaust port And a second opening / closing mechanism having a second closing member that closes the opening so as to be openable. The first opening / closing mechanism includes an opening position for opening the introduction port and a closing position for closing the introduction port. A first moving mechanism that moves the first closing member toward the opening, and the second opening / closing mechanism is directed toward an opening position that opens the exhaust port and a closing position that closes the exhaust port. A first moving mechanism for moving the second closing member, and the control unit controls the air blower to control the air in the air flow path when a drying process start condition is satisfied. And airing 1 movement mechanism is controlled to move the first closing member toward the opening position, and the second movement mechanism is controlled to move the second closing member toward the opening position. And controlling the cooling device to dehumidify and cool the air in the air flow path, and control the heating device to heat the dehumidified and cooled air to the seventh temperature, thereby completing the drying process completion condition. Is satisfied, at least one of the cooling device and the heating device is controlled to cool the air in the air flow path to an eighth temperature lower than the seventh temperature, and the first The first closing member is moved toward the closing position by controlling the moving mechanism, and the second closing member is moved toward the closing position by controlling the second moving mechanism. .

  Furthermore, the food drying box according to claim 3 is the food drying box according to claim 2, wherein the control unit turns on at least one of the cooling device and the heating device when the drying processing completion condition is satisfied. A first condition that a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the process of controlling and cooling the air in the air flow path to the eighth temperature, and the air in the air flow path is The first moving mechanism when a predetermined one of the second conditions that the temperature is lower than the seventh temperature and higher than the eighth temperature is set to the ninth temperature is satisfied. Is started to move the first closing member toward the closing position, and the second moving mechanism is controlled to move the second closing member toward the closing position. Let

  Further, the food dryer according to claim 4 is the food dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first temperature sensor disposed in the vicinity of the introduction port and the vicinity of the exhaust port. A second temperature sensor disposed on the control unit, wherein the control unit preliminarily defines a difference between the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor and the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor. When the temperature difference is less than the predetermined temperature difference, it is determined that the drying processing completion condition is satisfied.

  Furthermore, the food dryer according to claim 5 is the food dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the outer container is formed in a heat insulating structure.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a food drying method comprising: an inner container having a storage space for storing a food to be dried; and an outer side formed so as to be able to store the inner container and forming an air channel around the inner container. A container, a cooling device disposed in the air flow path for dehumidifying and cooling the air in the air flow path, and heating air dehumidified and cooled by the cooling device disposed in the air flow path And a blower that is disposed in the air flow path and blows air so that the air in the air flow path passes in the order of the cooling device and the heating device. A heat transfer structure capable of conducting heat between the flow path and the accommodation space, and an introduction port for introducing the air in the air flow path into the accommodation space, and the air in the accommodation space as the air The exhaust port that exhausts to the air flow path And a first opening / closing mechanism having a first closing member that closes the introduction port so that the opening can be opened, and a second opening / closing mechanism that has a second closing member that closes the exhaust port so that the opening can be opened. The first opening / closing mechanism is configured to move the first closing member toward an opening position that opens the introduction port when the air in the air flow path is equal to or higher than the first temperature. And a temperature sensing type that moves the first closing member toward a closing position that closes the inlet when the air in the air flow path falls below a second temperature equal to or lower than the first temperature. And the second opening / closing mechanism is configured to move the second opening / closing mechanism toward an opening position that opens the exhaust port when the air in the accommodation space has a temperature equal to or higher than a third temperature. The closing member is moved, and the air in the accommodation space is moved into the third space. A food dryer comprising a temperature-sensing second moving mechanism that moves the second closing member toward a closing position that closes the exhaust port when the temperature falls below a fourth temperature below the temperature. When drying the food by the above, when the drying process start condition is satisfied, the blower is controlled to blow the air in the air flow path, and the cooling device is controlled to control the inside of the air flow path. The air is dehumidified and cooled, and the dehumidified and cooled air is heated to a fifth temperature that is equal to or higher than both the first temperature and the third temperature by controlling the heating device, When a drying process completion condition is satisfied, at least one of the cooling device and the heating device is controlled to reduce the air in the air flow path below both the second temperature and the fourth temperature. Cooling to a temperature of 6 Let

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a food drying method comprising: an inner container having a storage space for storing a food to be dried; an outer container formed so as to be able to store the inner container and forming an air flow path around the inner container. A container, a cooling device disposed in the air flow path for dehumidifying and cooling the air in the air flow path, and heating air dehumidified and cooled by the cooling device disposed in the air flow path And a blower that is disposed in the air flow path and blows air so that the air in the air flow path passes in the order of the cooling device and the heating device. A heat transfer structure capable of conducting heat between the flow path and the accommodation space, and an introduction port for introducing the air in the air flow path into the accommodation space, and the air in the accommodation space as the air The exhaust port that exhausts to the air flow path And a first opening / closing mechanism having a first closing member that closes the introduction port so that the opening can be opened, and a second opening / closing mechanism that has a second closing member that closes the exhaust port so that the opening can be opened. The first opening / closing mechanism includes a first movement mechanism that moves the first closing member toward an opening position that opens the introduction port and a closing position that closes the introduction port. The second opening / closing mechanism includes a first moving mechanism that moves the second closing member toward an opening position that opens the exhaust port and a closing position that closes the exhaust port. When drying the food by the food drying chamber, when the drying process start condition is satisfied, the air in the air flow path is blown by the blower, and the first moving mechanism is controlled. Opening position And moving the first closing member toward the opening, controlling the second moving mechanism to move the second closing member toward the opening position, and controlling the cooling device to control the air. The air in the flow path is dehumidified and cooled, and the dehumidified and cooled air is heated to the seventh temperature by controlling the heating device, and when the drying processing completion condition is satisfied, the cooling device and At least one of the heating devices is controlled to cool the air in the air flow path to an eighth temperature lower than the seventh temperature, and the first moving mechanism is controlled to move to the closed position. The first closing member is moved toward the end, and the second moving mechanism is controlled to move the second closing member toward the closing position.

  In the food drying container according to claim 1 and the food drying method according to claim 6, when the drying processing start condition is satisfied, the cooling device dehumidifies and cools the air in the air flow path, and the heating device Heats the air dehumidified and cooled by the cooling device to a fifth temperature that is equal to or higher than both the first temperature and the third temperature, so that the first moving mechanism in the first opening and closing mechanism is the first The closing member is moved toward the opening position to open the introduction port, and the second moving mechanism in the second opening / closing mechanism moves the second closing member toward the opening position to open the exhaust port. At the same time, when the drying processing completion condition is satisfied, the air in the air flow path is brought to a sixth temperature lower than both the second temperature and the fourth temperature by controlling at least one of the cooling device and the heating device. 1st moving mechanism by cooling A first closure member is moved toward the closed position to close the inlet to and the second moving mechanism moves to close the exhaust port and towards the second closing member in the closed position.

  Therefore, according to the food drying container according to claim 1 and the food drying method according to claim 6, when the food is to be dried, high-temperature and low-humidity air is introduced into the accommodation space from the inlet and volatilized from the food. Since the high-temperature and high-humidity air containing the moisture can be exhausted from the storage space to the air flow path, the food in the storage space can be suitably dried, and after the drying process is completed, Since entry of low-temperature and low-humidity air into the accommodation space from the exhaust port can be prevented, the food can be stored at a temperature suitable for refrigeration without causing a situation where the drying of the food proceeds. Further, as the first moving mechanism and the second moving mechanism, by using a member formed in an arbitrary shape with a shape memory alloy, a bimetal or the like, a first closing member for opening and closing the introduction port, or an exhaust port Since the power source for moving the second closing member for opening and closing the door between the opening position and the closing position is not required, the running cost of the food dryer can be sufficiently reduced.

  In the food drying warehouse according to claim 2 and the food drying method according to claim 7, the cooling device dehumidifies and cools the air in the air flow path when the drying processing start condition is satisfied, and the heating device Heats the air dehumidified and cooled by the cooling device to the seventh temperature, and the first moving mechanism in the first opening / closing mechanism moves the first closing member toward the opening position to open the introduction port When the second moving mechanism in the second opening / closing mechanism moves the second closing member toward the opening position to open the exhaust port and the drying processing completion condition is satisfied, the cooling device And the air in the air flow path is cooled to the eighth temperature by controlling at least one of the heating device and the first moving mechanism moves the first closing member toward the closing position to close the inlet. And the second moving mechanism A second closure member is moved toward the closed position to close the exhaust port by.

  Therefore, according to the food drying warehouse according to claim 2 and the food drying method according to claim 7, when the food is to be dried, high-temperature and low-humidity air is introduced into the accommodation space from the inlet and volatilized from the food. Since the high-temperature and high-humidity air containing the moisture can be exhausted from the storage space to the air flow path, the food in the storage space can be suitably dried, and after the drying process is completed, Since entry of low-temperature and low-humidity air into the accommodation space from the exhaust port can be prevented, the food can be stored at a temperature suitable for refrigeration without causing a situation where the drying of the food proceeds.

  According to the food drying cabinet of claim 3, when the drying process completion condition is satisfied, when one of the first condition and the second condition defined in advance is satisfied, The moving mechanism moves the first closing member toward the closing position to close the introduction port, and the second moving mechanism moves the second closing member toward the closing position to close the exhaust port. Therefore, unlike the configuration and method in which the inlet and exhaust ports are immediately closed when the drying process completion conditions are satisfied before the above conditions are satisfied, low-temperature and low-humidity air is generated for a while after the drying process is completed. Since it is introduced into the storage space, the temperature in the storage space can be lowered in a short time after the drying process is completed, and as a result, the temperature of food in the storage space can be reduced in a short time, so that the drying process is completed. Volatile amount of water remaining in food later It can be sufficiently reduced.

  According to the food drying warehouse of claim 4, when the difference between the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor and the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor is less than a predetermined temperature difference, By determining that the drying process completion condition is satisfied, for example, the humidity / sensor detects the humidity in the accommodation space, and compared with the configuration / method for determining whether or not the food drying process is completed, Since the temperature sensor 1 and the second temperature sensor are cheaper than the humidity sensor and have a long service life, the manufacturing cost of the food drying cabinet can be sufficiently reduced, and whether or not the drying of the food is completed. It is possible to maintain a state in which this can be accurately detected over a long period of time.

  According to the food drying warehouse of claim 5, by forming the outer container in a heat insulating structure, when the food in the storage space is refrigerated after the drying process is completed, the temperature of the air in the storage space is increased by the outside air. As a result, the running cost of the food dryer can be reduced sufficiently.

It is a lineblock diagram showing the composition of food drying warehouse 1 concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is sectional drawing of the state in which the inlet 11 (exhaust port 12) was opened by the opening-and-closing mechanism 21 (22) in the food drying warehouse 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the state by which the inlet 11 (exhaust port 12) was obstruct | occluded by the opening-and-closing mechanism 21 (22) in the food dryer 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the drying process 50 which the controller 9 in the food drying warehouse 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention performs. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the relationship between the detection temperature of the temperature sensors 7 and 8 in the food dryer 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and the drying state of a foodstuff. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the food drying warehouse 1A which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, with reference to an accompanying drawing, an embodiment of a food drying warehouse and a food drying method concerning the present invention is described.

  A food drying cabinet 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an apparatus configured to be capable of drying processing for various foods such as dried fruits and vegetables and refrigeration after drying processing, and includes an inner container 2, an outer container 3, and a heat pump. 4, fans 5 and 6, temperature sensors 7 and 8, and a controller 9. As an example, the inner container 2 is formed in a box shape that can accommodate a food to be dried by a metal plate such as stainless steel. The inner container 2 has an inlet 11 for introducing the air in the air passage Sb formed between the outer container 3 and the outer container 3 into the food storage space Sa, and the air in the storage space Sa as the air flow path Sb. An exhaust port 12 for exhausting air is formed. The inner container 2 is formed of a metal plate as described above, so that heat can be conducted between the air flow path Sb and the accommodation space Sa (accommodated according to the temperature of the air in the air flow path Sb). The heat transfer structure changes the temperature of the air in the space Sa.

  The inner container 2 has an opening / closing mechanism 21 (an example of a “first opening / closing mechanism”) that closes the introduction port 11 so as to be openable, and an opening / closing mechanism 22 (“second opening”) that closes the exhaust port 12 so as to be openable. An example of an “opening / closing mechanism” is attached. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the opening / closing mechanisms 21 and 22 include a frame member 31 fitted into the introduction port 11 and the exhaust port 12, a plurality of closing plates (flaps) 32, a rotation member 33, and a string spring. 34 is provided. For example, the closing plate 32 includes a main body portion formed in a horizontally long thin plate shape and stays provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion, and shaft holes 32a provided in both stays. It is rotatably attached to the frame member 31 via the. In this case, in the food drying chamber 1 of this example, the closing plate 32 of the opening / closing mechanism 21 corresponds to a “first closing member”, and the closing plate 32 of the opening / closing mechanism 22 corresponds to a “second closing member”. .

  The rotation member 33 is a member for rotating each closing plate 32 with respect to the frame member 31, and is pivotally fixed to the stay of each closing plate 32, and also in the direction of arrow B1 shown in FIG. ) And an arrow C1 shown in FIG. 3 (downward). The string spring 34 is made of a shape memory alloy. For example, the string spring 34 is contracted at a temperature of 45 ° C. or higher and is restored to a normal length at a temperature lower than 45 ° C. 1), “second temperature”, “third temperature”, and “fourth temperature” are all defined in advance at 45 ° C.). In the food drying chamber 1 of this example, the string spring 34 of the opening / closing mechanism 21 corresponds to a “first movement mechanism”, and the string spring 34 of the opening / closing mechanism 22 corresponds to a “second movement mechanism”. The string spring 34 has one end (lower end in both figures) locked to the frame member 31 and the other end (lower end in both figures) to the rotation member 33. The rotation member 33 is slid with respect to the frame member 31 by being locked and returning to the contracted length or the normal length according to the surrounding temperature change.

  Specifically, the string spring 34 of the opening / closing mechanism 21 contracts with respect to the frame member 31 in the direction of the arrow C1 shown in FIG. 3 by contracting when the air in the air flow path Sb becomes 45 ° C. or higher. Then, the rotation member 33 is slid to rotate each closing plate 32 with respect to the frame member 31 in the direction of the arrow C2 shown in FIG. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 2, each closing plate 32 is moved toward the opening position where the introduction port 11 is opened. Further, the string spring 34 of the opening / closing mechanism 21 is restored to its normal length when the air in the air flow path Sb becomes a temperature lower than 45 ° C., so that the frame member is oriented in the direction of the arrow B1 shown in FIG. The rotation member 33 is slid with respect to 31, and each closing plate 32 is rotated with respect to the frame member 31 in the direction of the arrow B2 shown in FIG. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 3, each closing plate 32 is moved toward the closing position where the introduction port 11 is closed.

  Further, the string spring 34 of the opening / closing mechanism 22 contracts when the air in the accommodation space Sa becomes 45 ° C. or higher, thereby rotating the rotating member with respect to the frame member 31 in the direction of the arrow C1 shown in FIG. 33 is slid, and each closing plate 32 is rotated with respect to the frame member 31 in the direction of the arrow C2 shown in FIG. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 2, each closing plate 32 is moved toward the opening position where the exhaust port 12 is opened. Further, the string spring 34 of the opening / closing mechanism 22 is restored to the normal length when the air in the accommodation space Sa becomes lower than 45 ° C., so that the frame member 31 is oriented in the direction of the arrow B1 shown in FIG. Then, the rotation member 33 is slid with respect to the frame member 31 in the direction of the arrow B2 shown in FIG. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 3, each closing plate 32 is moved toward the closing position where the exhaust port 12 is closed.

  The “second temperature” at which the “first moving mechanism” moves the “first closing member” to the “closing position” is the “first temperature” if the temperature is equal to or lower than the “first temperature”. May be different. Similarly, if the “second temperature” at which the “second movement mechanism” moves the “second closing member” to the “closing position” is equal to or lower than the “third temperature”, the “third temperature” is set. It may be different from the "temperature". In addition, the “first moving mechanism” moves the “first closing member” to the “opening position”, and the “second moving mechanism” sets the “second closing member” to “ The “third temperature” moved to the “opening position” may be different from each other, or the “second moving mechanism” moves the “first closing member” to the “closing position”. The “temperature” may be different from the “fourth temperature” at which the “second moving mechanism” moves the “second closing member” to the “closing position”.

  Further, instead of the above-described string spring 34, members formed in an arbitrary shape (for example, a leaf spring shape) using a shape memory alloy, bimetal, or the like are arranged as a “first moving mechanism” and a “second moving mechanism”. By providing, the structure which moves each obstruction board 32 to the "open position" or the "close position" via the rotation member 33 can also be employ | adopted (not shown). Further, the member formed in an arbitrary shape (for example, a leaf spring shape) with a shape memory alloy, bimetal, or the like can be used to connect the “first closing member” and the “second closing member” without the rotation member 33. It is also possible to employ a configuration that moves directly to the “open position” or “closed position” (not shown).

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the outer container 3 is formed in a box shape that can accommodate a part of the components of the inner container 2 and the heat pump 4 described later, and an air flow around the inner container 2. A path Sb is formed. As an example, the outer container 3 has a heat insulating structure in which a heat insulating material is sandwiched between an outer plate and an inner plate formed of a metal plate such as stainless steel. In the inner container 2 and the outer container 3, the food to be dried is stored in the storage space Sa of the inner container 2, and the dried food is stored outside the container (outside the container) from the storage space Sa. However, in order to facilitate understanding of the configuration and the operating principle of the food drying cabinet 1, the illustration and description of the door are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the heat pump 4 includes evaporators 41a and 41b, condensers 42a and 42b, expansion valves 43a and 43b, a compressor 44, and regulating valves 45a and 45b, which are connected via a refrigerant pipe. Has been configured. The evaporator 41a constitutes a “cooling device” in combination with the compressor 44, the regulating valve 45b, the condenser 42b, and the expansion valve 43a, and is disposed in the air flow path Sb to dehumidify the air in the air flow path Sb. And cool down. The evaporator 41b is disposed outside the warehouse (outside the outer container 3), and cools outside air (atmosphere) with the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 42a, as will be described later. The condenser 42a, together with the compressor 44, the regulating valve 45a, the expansion valve 43b and the evaporator 41b, constitutes a “heating device”, is disposed in the air flow path Sb, and is dehumidified and cooled by the evaporator 41a. Heat. The condenser 42b is disposed outside the warehouse (outside the outer container 3), and condenses the refrigerant supplied to the evaporator 41a, as will be described later.

  As an example, the expansion valve 43a is configured by an electronic expansion valve and is disposed on the downstream side of the evaporator 41a in the refrigerant flow path, and the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 42b is placed in the evaporator 41a according to the control of the controller 9. To erupt. As an example, the expansion valve 43b is formed of an electronic expansion valve and is disposed on the downstream side of the evaporator 41b in the refrigerant flow path. The refrigerant condensed in the condenser 42a is placed in the evaporator 41b according to the control of the controller 9. To erupt. The compressor 44 compresses the refrigerant that has passed through the evaporators 41 a and 41 b under the control of the controller 9. The adjustment valves 45 a and 45 b are constituted by variable flow rate electronic valves, and adjust the flow rate of the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 44 to the condensers 42 a and 42 b according to the control of the controller 9.

  The fan 5 corresponds to a “blower”, and is disposed in the air flow path Sb together with the evaporator 41a and the condenser 42a. As an example, the fan 5 is arranged upstream of the evaporator 41a and the condenser 42a in the air flow direction in the air flow path Sb, and the air in the air flow path Sb is controlled according to the control of the controller 9. It blows so that it may pass through in order of the evaporator 41a and the condenser 42a. The position of the fan 5 is not limited to the above example, and the fan 5 is disposed between the evaporator 41a and the condenser 42a, or the air flow direction in the air flow path Sb with respect to the evaporator 41a and the condenser 42a. It can arrange in the downstream in. The fan 6 is disposed outside the warehouse (outside the outer container 3) together with the evaporator 41b and the condenser 42b. Under the control of the controller 9, the fan 6 blows air outside the cabinet (atmosphere) so as to pass through the condenser 42b and the evaporator 41b in this order.

  The temperature sensor 7 corresponds to a “first temperature sensor”, and is disposed in the vicinity of the introduction port 11 (in the present example, in the vicinity of the introduction port 11 in the air flow path Sb), from the air flow path Sb to the introduction port. 11 detects the temperature of the air that passes through 11 and is introduced into the accommodating space Sa (the temperature of the air in the air flow path Sb when the inlet 11 is closed), and outputs the sensor signal S7 to the controller 9 To do. The temperature sensor 8 corresponds to a “second temperature sensor”, and is disposed in the vicinity of the exhaust port 12 (in this example, in the vicinity of the exhaust port 12 in the storage space Sa), and the exhaust port 12 is moved from the storage space Sa. The temperature of the air passing through and exhausted to the air flow path Sb (in the state where the exhaust port 12 is closed) is detected and the sensor signal S8 is output to the controller 9.

  The controller 9 corresponds to a “control unit” and comprehensively controls the food drying cabinet 1. Specifically, the controller 9 controls the fan 5 by executing the drying process 50 shown in FIG. 4 when a predetermined “drying process start condition” is satisfied, as will be described later. The air in the air flow path Sb is blown and the heat pump 4 is operated to dehumidify and cool the air in the air flow path Sb by the evaporator 41a, and the air dehumidified and cooled by the evaporator 41a. For example, the condenser 42 a is heated to 60 ° C. ± 1 ° C. (temperature within a predetermined target temperature range: an example of “fifth temperature”). Further, as will be described later, the controller 9 changes the operation state of the heat pump 4 (dehumidification capacity and cooling capacity of the evaporator 41a, By adjusting the heating capacity of the condenser 42a: an example of a configuration and method for controlling both the “cooling device” and the “heating device”, the air in the air flow path Sb is 5 ° C. ± 1 ° C. (predefined Temperature within the target temperature range: an example of “sixth temperature”).

  In this case, in the food drying cabinet 1 of this example, the start switch, the drying end switch, and the stop switch are disposed in the operation unit (not shown), and the controller 9 is a timer for acquiring the processing start time and the processing end time. It is configured with. Further, in the food drying cabinet 1 of this example, when one of the conditions “the start switch has been operated” and “the preset processing start time has arrived” is satisfied, the controller 9 adopts a configuration in which it is determined that the “drying processing start condition” is satisfied. Further, in the food drying cabinet 1 of this example, the condition that “the drying end switch has been operated”, the condition that “the preset processing end time has arrived”, and “the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 7” The difference between (the temperature specified based on the sensor signal S7) and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 8 (the temperature specified based on the sensor signal S8) is 1 ° C. (“predetermined temperature difference”). A configuration is adopted in which the controller 9 determines that the “drying process completion condition” is satisfied when any of the conditions “under the example)” is satisfied.

  When the food is dried by the food drying cabinet 1, first, the food to be processed is stored in the storage space Sa. Next, a power switch of an operation unit (not shown) is operated. At this time, the controller 9 starts the drying process 50 shown in FIG. In the drying process 50, the controller 9 monitors whether or not the start switch is operated (step 51) and the arrival of a preset process start time (step 52). The controller 9 first operates the fans 5 and 6 when the start switch is operated or when the processing start time comes (step 53). At this time, since the heat pump 4 is not operating (or immediately after the heat pump 4 starts operating as will be described later), both the air in the accommodation space Sa and the air in the air flow path Sb are atmospheric. And the same temperature (as an example, 25 ° C.). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, a temperature of 25 ° C. is detected by both sensor signals S7 and S8.

  Further, in this state where both the air in the accommodation space Sa and the air in the air flow path Sb are 25 ° C., the surroundings of the open / close mechanisms 21 and 22 are lower than 45 ° C., so that the string spring 34 is in a normal state. It is length. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 3, the introduction port 11 and the exhaust port 12 are respectively closed by the closing plates 32 of the opening and closing mechanisms 21 and 22. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the air in the air flow path Sb that has been passed through the evaporator 41a and the condenser 42a by the fan 5 in this order as indicated by the arrow A1 is indicated by the arrows A2, A3, and A4. As described above, the air is moved between the inner container 2 and the outer container 3 (in the air flow path Sb), and the fan 5 blows air again toward the evaporator 41a.

  The controller 9 controls the heat pump 4 almost simultaneously with the start of the operation of the fans 5 and 6 to start the operation in the “drying mode” (step 54). Specifically, the controller 9 controls the compressor 44 to start refrigerant compression, and controls the regulating valves 45a and 45b to adjust the flow rate of the refrigerant. In this case, in the “dry mode”, the controller 9 controls the regulating valve 45b, and the refrigerant required for the evaporator 41a to properly dehumidify the air in the air flow path Sb is supplied from the condenser 42b. So that the flow rate of the refrigerant from the compressor 44 to the condenser 42b is adjusted and the refrigerant required for the condenser 42a to suitably heat the air dehumidified and cooled by the evaporator 41a is supplied. The flow rate of the refrigerant from 44 to the condenser 42a is adjusted, and the compressor 44 is controlled to pump a necessary amount of refrigerant.

  As a result, the air in the air passage Sb blown by the fan 5 is dehumidified and cooled in the evaporator 41a and heated in the condenser 42a. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 7 is detected. Gradually rises. Further, as the temperature of the air in the air flow path Sb increases, the temperature of the air in the accommodation space Sa in the inner container 2 formed in the heat transfer structure gradually increases due to the radiant heat from the inner container 2. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 5, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 8 (that is, the temperature of the air in the accommodation space Sa) also gradually increases with a delay in the temperature of the air in the air flow path Sb. As a result, the temperature of the food in the storage space Sa is raised, and moisture in the food gradually volatilizes in the storage space Sa.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the temperature of the air in the air flow path Sb (detected temperature by the temperature sensor 7) reaches 45 ° C. when about seven and a half minutes have passed since the operation of the heat pump 4 started. At this time, since the string spring 34 of the opening / closing mechanism 21 starts to contract, the rotation member 33 of the opening / closing mechanism 21 is slid in the direction of the arrow C1 with respect to the frame member 31, and each closing plate 32 is moved to the arrow. It is rotated toward the opening position in the direction of C2. As a result, the introduction port 11 is opened, so that high-temperature and low-humidity air in the air flow path Sb enters the accommodation space Sa from the introduction port 11 as indicated by an arrow A5 in FIG. At this time, the temperature of the air in the accommodation space Sa (temperature sensor) is caused by the entry of high-temperature and low-humidity air into the accommodation space Sa and the radiant heat from the inner container 2 due to the high-temperature and low-humidity air in the air flow path Sb. (Detection temperature by 8) is further increased. Thereby, the temperature of the food in the accommodation space Sa is raised, and the volatilization of moisture in the food is promoted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the temperature of the air in the accommodation space Sa (detected temperature by the temperature sensor 8) reaches 45 ° C. when about 10 and a half minutes have elapsed from the start of the operation of the heat pump 4. At this time, since the string spring 34 of the opening / closing mechanism 22 starts to contract, the rotation member 33 of the opening / closing mechanism 22 is slid in the direction of the arrow C1 with respect to the frame member 31, and each closing plate 32 is moved to the arrow. It is rotated toward the opening position in the direction of C2. As a result, as a result of opening the exhaust port 12, high-temperature and high-humidity air containing moisture volatilized from food in the accommodation space Sa is exhausted from the exhaust port 12 into the air flow path Sb as indicated by an arrow A6 in FIG. Is done. As a result, the air in the air flow path Sb suitably enters the accommodation space Sa from the introduction port 11. At this time, the temperature of the air in the accommodation space Sa (temperature sensor) is caused by the entrance of the high-temperature and low-humidity air into the accommodation space Sa and the radiant heat from the inner container 2 due to the high-temperature and low-humidity air in the air flow path Sb. (Detection temperature by 8) is further increased. As a result, the temperature of the food in the accommodation space Sa is further raised, and the volatilization of moisture in the food is further promoted.

  Further, the high-temperature and high-humidity air exhausted from the exhaust port 12 is moved in the air flow path Sb as indicated by an arrow A4 and is blown again toward the evaporator 41a by the fan 5. As a result, the high-temperature and high-humidity air exhausted from the storage space Sa is dehumidified and cooled when passing through the evaporator 41a and heated when passing through the condenser 42a. Further, the high-temperature and low-humidity air heated in the condenser 42a is moved in the air flow path Sb as indicated by an arrow A2 in FIG. 1, and is introduced from the inlet 11 into the accommodation space Sa as indicated by an arrow A5. Will be introduced again.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, when about 18 minutes have elapsed from the start of the operation of the heat pump 4, the temperature of the air in the air flow path Sb (detected temperature by the temperature sensor 7) reaches 60 ° C. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, the temperature of the air introduced into the accommodation space Sa is decreased by the heat energy consumed by heating the food, and further by the heat of vaporization of moisture from the food. Be made. Therefore, while the food in the storage space Sa is being dried, the temperature of the air before being introduced into the storage space Sa (the temperature of the air in the air flow path Sb: the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 7). The temperature of the air used to dry the food in the storage space Sa (the temperature of the air in the storage space Sa: the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 8) is maintained at about 5 ° C.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, after starting the operation of the heat pump 4 in the “drying mode”, the controller 9 determines whether or not the difference in temperature detected by the temperature sensors 7 and 8 (temperature difference) is less than 1 ° C. (Step 55), the presence / absence of operation of the drying end switch (Step 56), and the arrival of a preset processing end time (Step 57) are monitored. At this time, in a state where the food in the storage space Sa is dry enough and necessary, the amount of water vaporized from the food is reduced, and as a result, the temperature drop of the air in the storage space Sa due to the heat of vaporization of water is small. Become. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, in this example, when about 37 minutes have elapsed from the start of the operation of the heat pump 4, the temperature of the air in the accommodation space Sa (the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 8) gradually increases, The temperature difference between the temperatures detected by the temperature sensors 7 and 8 gradually decreases. In addition, when about 41 minutes have passed since the operation of the heat pump 4 has started, the temperature difference between the temperatures detected by the two temperature sensors 7 and 8 is less than 1 ° C.

  At this time, the controller 9 determines that the “drying process completion condition” is satisfied (step 55), and controls the heat pump 4 to start the operation in the “cooling mode” (step 58). Even when the drying end switch is operated before the “drying processing completion condition” is satisfied (step 56) and when the preset processing end time arrives (step 57), the control of the controller 9 is also performed. Each process of the following description performed below is performed similarly. Specifically, the controller 9 first controls the compressor 44 and the regulating valves 45a and 45b to adjust the flow rate of the refrigerant. In this case, in the “cooling mode”, the controller 9 controls the regulating valve 45b so that the refrigerant required for the evaporator 41a to cool the air in the air flow path Sb is supplied from the condenser 42b. As described above, the flow rate of the refrigerant from the compressor 44 to the condenser 42b is adjusted so that the refrigerant is supplied to such an extent that the condenser 42a does not excessively heat the air dehumidified and cooled by the evaporator 41a. The flow rate of the refrigerant from the compressor 44 to the condenser 42a is adjusted, and the compressor 44 is controlled to pump a necessary amount of refrigerant.

  As a result, the air in the air flow path Sb blown by the fan 5 is dehumidified and cooled in the evaporator 41a and slightly heated in the condenser 42a. As a result, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 7 (air flow path Sb The temperature of the air (inside the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 8) that gradually passes through the inlet 11 from the air flow path Sb and is introduced into the accommodation space Sa also gradually decreases. Further, in addition to the introduction of low-temperature and low-humidity air from the introduction port 11, the temperature of the air in the accommodation space Sa in the inner container 2 formed in the heat transfer structure as the temperature of the air in the air flow path Sb decreases. Is gradually reduced by the reduction of the radiant heat from the inner container 2. As a result, the temperature of the food in the storage space Sa is lowered, and the amount of moisture in the food volatilized in the storage space Sa is sufficiently reduced.

  On the other hand, at a point in time when the heat pump 4 is operated in the “cooling mode”, the temperature of the air in the air flow path Sb (temperature detected by the temperature sensor 7) is lower than 45 ° C. At this time, since the string spring 34 of the opening / closing mechanism 21 starts to be restored to its normal length, the rotation member 33 of the opening / closing mechanism 21 is slid in the direction of the arrow B1 in FIG. Each closing plate 32 is rotated toward the closing position in the direction of arrow B2. As a result, the introduction port 11 is blocked, so that low-temperature and low-humidity air in the air flow path Sb is prevented from entering the accommodation space Sa from the introduction port 11. However, since the temperature of the air in the air flow path Sb is decreasing, the temperature of the air in the accommodation space Sa in the inner container 2 formed in the heat transfer structure gradually increases due to the decrease in radiant heat from the inner container 2. (Indirect cooling of the air in the accommodation space Sa). As a result, the temperature of the food in the storage space Sa is further lowered, and the amount of water in the food volatilized in the storage space Sa is further reduced.

  In addition, at a point in time after the introduction port 11 is closed by the opening / closing mechanism 21, the temperature of the air in the accommodation space Sa (the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 8) is lower than 45 ° C. At this time, since the string spring 34 of the opening / closing mechanism 22 starts to be restored to its normal length, the rotating member 33 of the opening / closing mechanism 21 is slid in the direction of the arrow B1 in FIG. Each closing plate 32 is rotated toward the closing position in the direction of arrow B2. As a result, as a result of the exhaust port 12 being closed, the low-humidity and low-temperature air is not introduced into the accommodation space Sa, and the situation where the drying of the food progresses is avoided. In this case, the air in the air flow path Sb is continuously dehumidified by the evaporator 41a, whereas the air in the accommodation space Sa is more than that because the inlet port 11 and the exhaust port 12 are blocked. Further, the situation of being dried (reducing humidity) is avoided. As a result, the humidity of the air in the accommodation space Sa becomes relatively high with respect to the humidity of the air in the air flow path Sb.

  Further, at a point in time after the introduction port 11 is closed by the opening / closing mechanism 22, the temperature of the air in the air flow path Sb and the temperature of the air in the accommodation space Sa are both 5 ° C. At this time, the controller 9 controls the heat pump 4 so that the temperature detected by the temperature sensors 7 and 8 is within a range of 5 degrees ± 1 ° C. As a result, the food in the storage space Sa is refrigerated without being further dried. Thereafter, the controller 9 monitors whether or not a stop switch (not shown) is operated (step 59). Therefore, when the user takes out the food that has undergone the drying process from the storage space Sa, when the stop switch is operated, the controller 9 stops the operation of the heat pump 4 and the fans 5 and 6 and performs the drying. The process 50 is terminated.

  As described above, in the food drying cabinet 1 and the food drying method using the food drying cabinet 1, the evaporator 41a dehumidifies and cools the air in the air flow path Sb when the “drying processing start condition” is satisfied. And the condenser 42a heats the air dehumidified and cooled by the evaporator 41a to 60 ° C. ± 1 ° C., which is higher than 45 ° C. where the double-winding springs 34 of the open / close mechanisms 21 and 22 contract, The string winding spring 34 in the opening / closing mechanism 21 moves the closing plate 32 toward the opening position to open the introduction port 11, and the string winding spring 34 in the opening / closing mechanism 22 moves the closing plate 32 toward the opening position to exhaust. When the opening 12 is opened and the “drying process completion condition” is satisfied, the air in the air flow path Sb is adjusted by adjusting the dehumidifying and cooling capacity by the evaporator 41a and the heating capacity by the condenser 42a. The both-winding springs 34 of the opening and closing mechanisms 21 and 22 are cooled to 5 ° C. ± 1 ° C., which is lower than 45 ° C. at which the opening and closing mechanisms 21 and 22 return to their normal lengths. Then, the inlet 11 is closed, and the string spring 34 of the opening / closing mechanism 22 moves the closing plate 32 toward the closing position to close the exhaust port 12.

  Therefore, according to the food drying chamber 1 and the food drying method using the food drying chamber 1, when the food is to be dried, high-temperature and low-humidity air is introduced into the accommodation space Sa from the introduction port 11 and volatilized from the food. Since high-temperature and high-humidity air containing moisture can be exhausted from the accommodation space Sa to the air flow path Sb, the food in the accommodation space Sa can be suitably dried and introduced after the drying process is completed. Since entry of low-temperature, low-humidity air into the accommodation space Sa can be prevented from the mouth 11 and the exhaust port 12, it can be stored at a temperature suitable for refrigeration without causing a situation in which the food is dried. Further, as the “first moving mechanism” and the “second moving mechanism”, a member formed in an arbitrary shape using a shape memory alloy, a bimetal, or the like (in this example, a string spring 34 formed of a shape memory alloy) is used. Thus, there is no need for a power source for moving the closing plate 32 for opening and closing the inlet port 11 and the closing plate 32 for opening and closing the exhaust port 12 between the opening position and the closing position. The running cost of the warehouse 1 can be sufficiently reduced.

  Further, according to the food drying chamber 1 and the food drying method using the food drying chamber 1, when the difference between the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 7 and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 8 is less than 1 ° C. Compared with the configuration / method for determining whether the drying process of the food is completed by detecting the humidity in the accommodation space Sa by using, for example, a humidity sensor, by determining that the “drying process completion condition” is satisfied. Since the temperature sensors 7 and 8 are cheaper than the humidity sensor and have a long service life, the manufacturing cost of the food drying cabinet 1 can be sufficiently reduced and whether or not the drying of the food is completed. It is possible to maintain a state where it can be detected accurately over a long period of time.

  Furthermore, according to this food drying cabinet 1, when the food in the storage space Sa is refrigerated after the drying process is completed, the temperature in the storage space Sa is increased by the outside air. As a result of being able to avoid the situation of being raised, the running cost of the food dryer 1 can be sufficiently reduced.

  Next, other embodiments of the food drying cabinet and the food drying method will be described. In addition, about the component similar to the food drying warehouse 1 mentioned above, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted also about the procedure similar to the food drying method by the food drying warehouse 1. To do.

  A food drying cabinet 1A shown in FIG. 6 is another example of a “food drying cabinet”, and includes opening / closing mechanisms 21a and 22a instead of the opening / closing mechanisms 21 and 22 in the food drying cabinet 1 described above. Yes. In this case, the opening / closing mechanisms 21a, 22a are electric actuators (“first moving mechanism” and “first moving mechanism”) that slide the rotation member 33 in accordance with the control of the controller 9 instead of the chord spring 34 in the opening / closing mechanisms 21, 22. Another example of “second moving mechanism” (not shown) is provided. In the food drying cabinet 1A, the “seventh temperature” is 60 ° C. ± 1 ° C. (temperature within a predetermined target temperature range), and the “eighth temperature” is 5 ° C. ± 1 ° C. (pre- Specified temperature) within the specified target temperature range.

  Further, the controller 9 in the food drying cabinet 1A controls the actuators of the opening / closing mechanisms 21a and 22a when the air in the air flow path Sb becomes 45 ° C. or higher, so that the rotation member with respect to the frame member 31 By sliding 33, each closing plate 32 is rotated with respect to the frame member 31 and moved to the opening positions where the introduction port 11 and the exhaust port 12 are opened. Further, the controller 9 in the food drying cabinet 1A controls the actuators of the opening / closing mechanisms 21a and 22a when the air in the air flow path Sb becomes lower than 45 ° C. (an example of “9th temperature”). Then, by sliding the rotation member 33 with respect to the frame member 31, the respective closing plates 32 are rotated with respect to the frame member 31 and moved to the closed positions where the introduction port 11 and the exhaust port 12 are closed. (Example of configuration and method for controlling “first moving mechanism” and “second moving mechanism” when “second condition” is satisfied).

  Instead of the above configuration, the opening / closing mechanisms 21a and 22a are controlled to open the introduction port 11 and the exhaust port 12 when a predetermined time has elapsed since the heat pump 4 was operated in the “drying mode”. Configuration / method, and configuration / method for closing the inlet 11 and the exhaust 12 by controlling the opening / closing mechanisms 21a, 22a when a predetermined time has elapsed since the heat pump 4 was operated in the “cooling mode” ( An example of a configuration / method for controlling the “first moving mechanism” and the “second moving mechanism” when the “first condition” is satisfied may be employed.

  In this case, when the food is dried by the food drying cabinet 1A and cooled (refrigerated), the controller 9 determines the temperature around the opening / closing mechanisms 21a and 22a based on the sensor signals S7 and S8 from the temperature sensors 7 and 8. When the temperature exceeds 45 ° C., the actuator is controlled to move each closing plate 32 to the opening position, and when the temperature of the air around the opening / closing mechanisms 21a, 22a falls below 45 ° C., the actuator is controlled to close each closing plate. A configuration is adopted in which the plate 32 is moved to the closed position. Therefore, in this food drying cabinet 1A, the food in the storage space Sa is dried in the same manner as in the food drying cabinet 1 except that the introduction port 11 and the exhaust port 12 are opened and closed under the control of the controller 9, and thereafter Refrigerated.

  As described above, in the food drying chamber 1A and the food drying method using the food drying chamber 1A, the evaporator 41a dehumidifies and cools the air in the air flow path Sb when the “drying processing start condition” is satisfied. In addition, the condenser 42a heats the air dehumidified and cooled by the evaporator 41a to 60 degrees, and the actuator in the opening / closing mechanism 21a moves the closing plate 32 toward the opening position to open the introduction port 11, In addition, the actuator in the opening / closing mechanism 22a moves the closing plate 32 toward the opening position to open the exhaust port 12, and when the “drying process completion condition” is satisfied, at least one of the evaporator 41a and the condenser 42a. While the air in the air flow path Sb is cooled to the eighth temperature by one control, the actuator of the opening / closing mechanism 21a closes the closing plate 32. Closing the inlet 11 is moved toward the, and, an actuator of the switching mechanism 22a is moved to close the exhaust port 12 toward the closure plate 32 to the closed position.

  Therefore, according to the food drying method by the food drying cabinet 1A and the food drying cabinet 1A, when the food is to be dried in the same manner as the food drying method by the food drying cabinet 1 and the food drying cabinet 1, it is introduced. Since high-temperature and low-humidity air is introduced into the accommodation space Sa from the mouth 11 and high-temperature and high-humidity air containing moisture volatilized from the food can be exhausted from the accommodation space Sa to the air flow path Sb, Food can be suitably dried, and after the drying process is completed, entry of low-temperature and low-humidity air into the accommodation space Sa from the inlet 11 and the exhaust 12 can be prevented. It can be stored at a temperature suitable for refrigeration without incurring such a situation.

  Further, according to the food drying container 1A and the food drying method using the food drying container 1A, the “first condition” that a predetermined time has elapsed when the “drying processing completion condition” is satisfied. , And the “second condition” in which the air in the air flow path is lower than the “seventh temperature” and becomes the “9th temperature” higher than the “eighth temperature”. When one of them is satisfied, the actuator of the opening / closing mechanism 21a moves the closing plate 32 toward the closing position to close the introduction port 11, and the actuator of the opening / closing mechanism 22a turns the closing plate 32 toward the closing position. Unlike the configuration / method in which the inlet port 11 and the exhaust port 12 are immediately closed when the “drying processing completion condition” is satisfied before the above condition is satisfied, the exhaust port 12 is moved and closed. Sometime after the process is complete Since the low-temperature and low-humidity air is introduced into the storage space Sa, the temperature of the storage space Sa can be reduced in a short time after the drying process is completed. As a result, the temperature of the food in the storage space Sa is reduced in a short time. Therefore, the volatilization amount of water remaining in the food after completion of the drying process can be sufficiently reduced.

  In addition, about the structure of a food drying warehouse, and the food drying method, it is not limited to said illustration. For example, a configuration / method in which the “drying process start condition” is satisfied only when the condition “the start switch has been operated” is satisfied (a configuration / method in which the drying process is not started by a timer operation), A configuration / method (configuration / method that does not manually start the drying process) is adopted in which the “drying processing start condition” is satisfied only when the condition “predetermined processing start time has arrived” is satisfied. be able to.

  Further, a configuration / method in which the “drying process end condition” is satisfied only when the condition “the temperature difference between the temperature sensors 7 and 8 reaches a predetermined temperature” is satisfied, “drying end” A configuration / method in which the “drying process end condition” is satisfied only when the condition that “the switch has been operated” is satisfied, and the condition that “the preset process end time has arrived” is satisfied. Only when the “drying process end condition” is satisfied, the condition that “the temperature difference between the temperature sensors 7 and 8 has reached a predetermined temperature” and the “drying end switch have been operated. “A drying process end condition” is satisfied only when either of the conditions “and” is satisfied, “the temperature difference between the temperature sensors 7 and 8 has reached a predetermined temperature” And “End of preset processing” The configuration / method in which the “drying process end condition” is satisfied only when one of the conditions “the time has come” is satisfied, and the condition “the dry end switch has been operated” and “ It is possible to adopt a configuration / method in which the “drying process end condition” is satisfied only when any of the conditions “the preset process end time has arrived” is satisfied. Furthermore, it is also possible to adopt a configuration / method in which the condition that “the humidity in the accommodation space Sa detected by the humidity sensor has fallen below a predetermined humidity” is the “drying process completion condition”.

  Moreover, although the example which comprised the "heating apparatus" by the condenser 42a of the heat pump 4 was demonstrated, it replaced with the condenser 42a (or in addition to the condenser 42a), and was equipped with various heat generating apparatuses, such as an electric heater. A “heating device” can also be configured. Furthermore, the food drying cabinet 1 in which the opening / closing mechanisms 21 and 22 provided with the rotary type closing plate 32 as the “first closing member” and the “second closing member” are attached to the introduction port 11 and the exhaust port 12 is an example. As described above, instead of such a configuration, a “first opening / closing mechanism” (not shown) configured to include a slide-type “first closing member” is attached to the “inlet”. At the same time, a slide-type “second closing member” (not shown) may be attached to the “exhaust port”.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,1A Food dryer 2 Inner container 3 Outer container 4 Heat pump 5,6 Fan 7,8 Temperature sensor 9 Controller 11 Inlet 12 Exhaust port 21,21a, 22,22a Opening / closing mechanism 31 Frame member 32 Closure plate 32a Shaft hole 33 Rotating member 34 String spring 41a, 41b Evaporator 42a, 42b Condenser 43a, 43b Expansion valve 44 Compressor 45a, 45b Adjustment valve 50 Drying process S7, S8 Sensor signal Sa Storage space Sb Air flow path

Claims (7)

An inner container having a storage space for storing food to be dried;
An outer container formed so as to accommodate the inner container and forming an air flow path around the inner container;
A cooling device disposed in the air flow path to dehumidify and cool the air in the air flow path;
A heating device that heats the air disposed in the air flow path and dehumidified and cooled by the cooling device;
A blower that is disposed in the air flow path and blows air in the air flow path in order of the cooling device and the heating device;
A controller for controlling the cooling device, the heating device and the blower,
The inner container is formed in a heat transfer structure capable of conducting heat between the air flow path and the accommodation space, and an introduction port for introducing air in the air flow path into the accommodation space; and A first opening / closing mechanism having a first closing member for opening the exhaust port to open the exhaust passage and exhausting the air in the housing space to the air flow path, and the exhaust port being openable A second opening / closing mechanism having a second closing member for closing is attached,
The first opening / closing mechanism moves the first closing member toward an opening position that opens the introduction port when the air in the air flow path is equal to or higher than a first temperature, and the air flow A temperature-sensing type first moving mechanism that moves the first closing member toward a closing position that closes the introduction port when the air in the passage falls below a second temperature equal to or lower than the first temperature. Configured with
The second opening / closing mechanism moves the second closing member toward an opening position that opens the exhaust port when the air in the accommodation space is equal to or higher than a third temperature, and the inside of the accommodation space A temperature-sensing second moving mechanism that moves the second closing member toward a closing position that closes the exhaust port when the temperature of the air drops below a fourth temperature that is equal to or lower than the third temperature. Configured
When the drying process start condition is satisfied, the control unit controls the blower to blow air in the air flow path, and controls the cooling device to dehumidify the air in the air flow path. And the dehumidified and cooled air is heated to a fifth temperature that is equal to or higher than both the first temperature and the third temperature by controlling the heating device, and the drying treatment completion condition Is satisfied, at least one of the cooling device and the heating device is controlled to bring the air in the air flow path to a sixth temperature lower than both the second temperature and the fourth temperature. Food drying cabinet to be cooled. An inner container having a storage space for storing food to be dried;
An outer container formed so as to accommodate the inner container and forming an air flow path around the inner container;
A cooling device disposed in the air flow path to dehumidify and cool the air in the air flow path;
A heating device that heats the air disposed in the air flow path and dehumidified and cooled by the cooling device;
A blower that is disposed in the air flow path and blows air in the air flow path in order of the cooling device and the heating device;
A controller for controlling the cooling device, the heating device and the blower,
The inner container is formed in a heat transfer structure capable of conducting heat between the air flow path and the accommodation space, and an introduction port for introducing air in the air flow path into the accommodation space; and A first opening / closing mechanism having a first closing member for opening the exhaust port to open the exhaust passage and exhausting the air in the housing space to the air flow path, and the exhaust port being openable A second opening / closing mechanism having a second closing member for closing is attached,
The first opening / closing mechanism includes a first moving mechanism that moves the first closing member toward an opening position that opens the introduction port and a closing position that closes the introduction port,
The second opening / closing mechanism includes a first moving mechanism that moves the second closing member toward an opening position that opens the exhaust port and a closing position that closes the exhaust port,
When the drying process start condition is satisfied, the control unit controls the blower to blow air in the air flow path and controls the first moving mechanism toward the opening position. The first closing member is moved, and the second moving mechanism is controlled to move the second closing member toward the opening position, and the cooling device is controlled to control the inside of the air flow path. The air is dehumidified and cooled, and the dehumidified and cooled air is heated to the seventh temperature by controlling the heating device, and when the drying processing completion condition is satisfied, the cooling device and the heating device The air in the air flow path is cooled to an eighth temperature lower than the seventh temperature by controlling at least one of the above, and the first moving mechanism is controlled toward the closed position. Moving the first closure member; One food drying cabinet for moving said second closure member toward the closed position by controlling the second moving mechanism.   The control unit starts a process of cooling at least one of the cooling device and the heating device to cool the air in the air flow path to the eighth temperature when the drying processing completion condition is satisfied. And a first condition that a predetermined time has elapsed since then, and the air in the air flow path is at a temperature lower than the seventh temperature and higher than the eighth temperature. When one of the second conditions of the second condition is satisfied, the first moving mechanism is controlled to move the first closing member toward the closing position; and The food drying cabinet according to claim 2, wherein a process of controlling the second moving mechanism to move the second closing member toward the closing position is started. A first temperature sensor disposed in the vicinity of the introduction port, and a second temperature sensor disposed in the vicinity of the exhaust port,
When the difference between the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor and the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor is less than a predetermined temperature difference, the control unit sets the drying process completion condition. The food drying container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein it is determined that is satisfied.   The food container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the outer container is formed in a heat insulating structure. An inner container having a storage space for storing food to be dried;
An outer container formed so as to accommodate the inner container and forming an air flow path around the inner container;
A cooling device disposed in the air flow path to dehumidify and cool the air in the air flow path;
A heating device that heats the air disposed in the air flow path and dehumidified and cooled by the cooling device;
A blower that is arranged in the air flow path and blows air in the air flow path in order of the cooling device and the heating device,
The inner container is formed in a heat transfer structure capable of conducting heat between the air flow path and the accommodation space, and an introduction port for introducing air in the air flow path into the accommodation space; and A first opening / closing mechanism having a first closing member for opening the exhaust port to open the exhaust passage and exhausting the air in the housing space to the air flow path, and the exhaust port being openable A second opening / closing mechanism having a second closing member for closing is attached,
The first opening / closing mechanism moves the first closing member toward an opening position that opens the introduction port when the air in the air flow path is equal to or higher than a first temperature, and the air flow A temperature-sensing type first moving mechanism that moves the first closing member toward a closing position that closes the introduction port when the air in the passage falls below a second temperature equal to or lower than the first temperature. Configured with
The second opening / closing mechanism moves the second closing member toward an opening position that opens the exhaust port when the air in the accommodation space is equal to or higher than a third temperature, and the inside of the accommodation space A temperature-sensing second moving mechanism that moves the second closing member toward a closing position that closes the exhaust port when the temperature of the air drops below a fourth temperature that is equal to or lower than the third temperature. When the food is dried by a food drying cabinet configured as described above,
When a drying process start condition is satisfied, the blower is controlled to blow air in the air flow path, and the cooling device is controlled to dehumidify and cool the air in the air flow path; and When the dehumidified and cooled air is heated to a fifth temperature that is equal to or higher than both the first temperature and the third temperature by controlling the heating device, and the drying processing completion condition is satisfied Further, the food drying method for controlling at least one of the cooling device and the heating device to cool the air in the air flow path to a sixth temperature lower than both the second temperature and the fourth temperature. . An inner container having a storage space for storing food to be dried;
An outer container formed so as to accommodate the inner container and forming an air flow path around the inner container;
A cooling device disposed in the air flow path to dehumidify and cool the air in the air flow path;
A heating device that heats the air disposed in the air flow path and dehumidified and cooled by the cooling device;
A blower that is arranged in the air flow path and blows air in the air flow path in order of the cooling device and the heating device,
The inner container is formed in a heat transfer structure capable of conducting heat between the air flow path and the accommodation space, and an introduction port for introducing air in the air flow path into the accommodation space; and A first opening / closing mechanism having a first closing member for opening the exhaust port to open the exhaust passage and exhausting the air in the housing space to the air flow path, and the exhaust port being openable A second opening / closing mechanism having a second closing member for closing is attached,
The first opening / closing mechanism includes a first moving mechanism that moves the first closing member toward an opening position that opens the introduction port and a closing position that closes the introduction port,
The second opening / closing mechanism includes a first moving mechanism configured to move the second closing member toward an opening position that opens the exhaust port and a closing position that closes the exhaust port. When drying the food by the storage,
When the drying treatment start condition is satisfied, the air in the air flow path is blown by the blower, and the first closing member is moved toward the opening position by controlling the first moving mechanism. And controlling the second moving mechanism to move the second closing member toward the opening position and controlling the cooling device to dehumidify and cool the air in the air flow path. The dehumidified and cooled air is heated to a seventh temperature by controlling the heating device, and when a drying processing completion condition is satisfied, at least one of the cooling device and the heating device is controlled to The air in the air flow path is cooled to an eighth temperature lower than the seventh temperature, and the first moving member is moved toward the closed position by controlling the first moving mechanism. And the second Food drying method of moving the second closure member towards the closed position by controlling the rotation mechanism.

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