JP6473968B2 - Heat storage - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a heat insulating cabinet equipped with a thermoelectric device.

  Conventionally, there are known heat insulation chambers for transporting substances such as food and cellular tissues while maintaining them at a constant temperature (which may be within a predetermined temperature range), but they can be maintained at a constant temperature for a long time. In order to achieve this, a plurality of heat insulating members are stacked on the inner surface of the heat insulation container to form a heat insulating container, and an individual container (concave container) and a heat storage container are disposed in the heat insulating container, and the individual container and the heat storage container are arranged. There exists what laminated | stacked the heat conductive member which transmits the heat | fever of a thermal storage member to the circumference | surroundings of an individual container between containers (for example, refer patent document 1).

  In addition, there is one in which a longer heat retention state can be obtained using a thermoelectric device such as a Peltier element (for example, see Patent Document 2).

JP 2007-191209 A JP-A-6-307752

  In the heat insulating box of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to increase the amount of the heat storage member in order to maintain the temperature at a constant temperature for a longer time, and there is a problem that the heat insulating box is enlarged. On the other hand, in the heat insulation box of Patent Document 2, it is possible to always maintain a constant temperature in an energizable environment.

  However, in the case of using a thermoelectric device like the heat storage in Patent Document 2, an exhaust mechanism (exhaust / exhaust fan and intake / exhaust port) for exhausting the heat generated by the thermoelectric device is required, and the power supply is moved when moving. If there is a place that is not secured, outside air enters and exits through the intake / exhaust port, and heat is transmitted through the thermoelectric device, so that there is a problem that the heat insulation state cannot be maintained. For this reason, there is no problem when transporting in a vehicle or the like equipped with a power supply outlet (insertion port). However, power is not supplied in a situation where the vehicle is transported after being lowered from the vehicle at the destination. If it is long, there is a problem that the heat insulation state is not maintained.

  The present invention has been devised to solve such problems of the prior art, and its main purpose is to keep the temperature of the storage chamber of the heat insulation chamber constant without being affected by the transport state. The object is to provide a heat storage that can be maintained.

  The heat insulating box of the present invention is a heat insulating box having a main body including a concave storage chamber formed by a heat insulating wall, and a lid that is assembled to the main body so that the opening of the storage chamber can be opened and closed. A heat storage member provided to be exposed to the storage chamber to maintain the temperature of the storage chamber within a predetermined temperature range with respect to a target temperature, a thermoelectric device having one heat transfer surface connected to the heat storage member, and A control device that drives and controls the thermoelectric device; and a cover member that is assembled to the main body so as to select an exposed state in which the other heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric device is exposed to the outside and a shielding state in which the thermoelectric device is shielded from the outside. It is set as the structure which has.

  According to the present invention, since the thermoelectric device can be shielded or exposed to the outside by the cover member assembled to the main body, the temperature of the storage chamber is kept constant by the thermoelectric device in the transport state in which the power source is secured. In the transport state without a power source, the thermoelectric device is shielded from the outside by the cover member and prevented from being transferred to the outside through the thermoelectric device, so that it is accommodated by the heat storage member. The chamber temperature can be maintained constant.

External appearance perspective view of the heat storage box according to the first embodiment External appearance perspective view which shows an example of the usage pattern of the heat retention box which concerns on 1st Embodiment The figure corresponding to FIG. 2 with the lid removed (A) is a sectional view taken along the line Va-Va of (B) and viewed in the direction of the arrow, and (B) is a sectional view taken along the line Vb-Vb of FIG. 3 and viewed in the direction of the arrow. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing components around the thermoelectric device according to the first embodiment. (A) is principal part sectional drawing which shows the state in which the side plate is completely closed, (B) is a figure corresponding to (A) which shows the state in which the side plate is not completely closed. Block diagram of main parts of a control circuit according to the first embodiment Flow chart of normal operation mode according to the first embodiment Flow chart of power saving operation mode according to the first embodiment The figure corresponding to FIG. 2 which shows the other structure of a side plate The figure which shows the state which removed the cover body of the heat retention box which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. Sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG. Sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG.

  A first invention made to solve the above problems includes a main body including a concave storage chamber formed by a heat insulating wall, and a lid body that is assembled to the main body so that an opening of the storage chamber can be opened and closed. A heat storage member provided so as to be exposed to the storage chamber in order to maintain the temperature of the storage chamber within a predetermined temperature range with respect to a target temperature, and one heat transfer surface on the heat storage member. The connected thermoelectric device, the control device that drives and controls the thermoelectric device, the exposed state that exposes the other heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric device to the outside, and the shielding state that shields the outside can be selected. And a cover member assembled to the main body.

  According to this, since the thermoelectric device can be shielded or exposed to the outside by the cover member assembled to the main body, the temperature of the storage chamber is maintained at a constant state by the thermoelectric device in the transport state in which power is secured. In the transport state where there is no power source, the cover member can shield the thermoelectric device from the outside and prevent heat from being transferred to the outside through the thermoelectric device. The temperature can be kept constant. Thereby, the temperature of the storage chamber can be maintained in a constant state without being affected by the difference in the conveyance state of whether or not the power supply is secured. In addition, the thermal insulation object which is the object of the present invention is to maintain the temperature of the storage chamber in a constant state, and in order to maintain the temperature in a constant state, when the temperature is lowered by a heat storage member or a thermoelectric device, the temperature rises It has the case where it makes it.

  Further, in a second invention according to the first invention, the heat storage member and the thermoelectric device are provided in a state of being received by the heat insulating wall, and the other wall of the thermoelectric device is provided on the heat insulating wall. An outside air introduction passage for introducing outside air to the heat transfer surface is provided, and the outside air introduction passage is configured to be opened and closed by selecting the exposed state and the shielding state of the cover member.

  According to this, since the outside air introduction passage is interposed between the thermoelectric device and the outside of the main body, the thermoelectric device is not directly exposed to the outside air, and the heat insulation in the shielded state is improved.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the cover member includes a protruding heat insulating member that is received in an immersive state in the outside air introduction passage.

  According to this, since the heat insulating member is received in the outside air introduction passage in the shielding state by the cover member, the heat insulating property is further improved.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second or third aspect of the invention, the heat storage member is provided so as to constitute a part of a wall of the storage chamber.

  According to this, by attaching one heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric device to the side opposite to the side exposed to the storage chamber of the heat storage member, the other heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric device is easily exposed to the outside air introduction passage, and can do.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the second to fourth aspects, the other heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric device is formed by a heat sink attached to the thermoelectric device, and the heat sink includes the outside air. It is set as the structure which has a part exposed to an introduction channel | path.

  According to this, the heat transfer performance of the other heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric device exposed to the outside can be improved, and the outside air flowing through the outside air introduction passage comes into contact with the heat sink, so that the heat transfer capability of the thermoelectric device is improved. Can be increased.

  In a sixth aspect based on any one of the second to fifth aspects, the outside air introduction passage is provided so as to penetrate the main body, and a blower fan is provided on at least one side of the outside air introduction passage. The arrangement is assumed.

  According to this, the outside air flowing through the outside air introduction passage can be forced to flow by the blower fan, and the heat transfer property of the other heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric device can be further improved.

  According to a seventh invention, in any one of the first to sixth inventions, the main body has a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the storage chamber, and an alarm by at least one of light and sound. And an alarm control circuit for generating an alarm by the alarm when the temperature of the storage chamber exceeds a predetermined temperature range with respect to a target temperature.

  According to this, when it is detected that the temperature of the storage chamber is out of the predetermined temperature range with respect to the target temperature, the user can You can deal with it quickly before it falls off.

  In an eighth aspect based on the seventh aspect, the alarm control circuit uses external power supply means connected to supply power to the thermoelectric device in the exposed state as a power source, and the thermoelectric power in the shielded state. The device is configured as a power source.

  According to this, when the external power supply means is connected and the thermoelectric device is driven and controlled, the external power supply means can be used as a power source for the alarm control circuit, and the temperature is maintained by the heat storage member without driving the thermoelectric device. In the state, since the thermoelectric device can generate electric power due to a temperature difference between both heat transfer surfaces of the thermoelectric device, alarm control can be performed using the thermoelectric device as a power source.

  According to a ninth aspect, in the eighth aspect, a battery is provided as an alternative power source when power generation by the thermoelectric device is small.

  According to this, when the temperature difference between both heat transfer surfaces of the thermoelectric device is small, it is difficult to operate the alarm circuit because the power generated by the thermoelectric device is small. Since the alarm circuit can be activated regardless of the magnitude of power generation of the thermoelectric device, the temperature of the storage chamber can be constantly monitored.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to ninth aspects, a locking unit that fixes the cover member to the main body together with the lid body between the lid body and the cover member. Provided, the locking means is configured to be lockable when the cover member is in the regular shielding state.

  According to this, since the cover member is fixed to the main body together with the lid body by the locking means that can be locked in a regular shielding state with respect to the outside of the thermoelectric device, the user cannot lock because the shielding member is not locked in the incomplete state. It can confirm that it became the shielding state by setting to a state, and can prevent the fall of the temperature maintenance capability by the incomplete shielding state beforehand.

  In an eleventh aspect of the invention, the outside air introduction passage extends along the heat transfer surface, and both ends thereof communicate with the outside, and the heat transfer from the intermediate portion of the first passage. A second passage that extends in a direction orthogonal to or intersects the surface and whose extension end communicates with the outside is used.

  According to this, the outside air introduction path has a first passage extending along the heat transfer surface, and a second passage extending in a direction perpendicular to or intersecting with the heat transfer surface from an intermediate portion of the first passage. Thereby, the temperature in the both ends of the 1st channel | path of the external air which contacts a heat-transfer surface can be equalized, and the nonuniformity of the temperature in a storage chamber can be suppressed by extension.

  In a twelfth aspect of the invention, the outside air is introduced from the extended end of the second passage.

  According to this, since the outside air is introduced from the second passage toward the heat transfer surface, heat transfer between the outside air and the heat transfer surface is promoted, so that the cooling efficiency of the heat transfer surface by the outside air is improved. be able to.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a heat insulating cabinet 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In addition, when demonstrating a positional relationship in the structure of the heat retention box 1, it demonstrates using the up-down, front-back, left-right direction shown by the arrow of FIG. As shown in the figure, the heat insulating cabinet 1 includes a rectangular box-shaped main body 2 and a flat lid 3 that covers the upper surface of the main body 2.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower surface and the outer peripheral surface of the main body 2 are formed by an exterior member 4 made of a thin hard synthetic resin material and a side plate 5 as a cover member, respectively. The side plate 5 is hinged at the lower edge of each of the front and rear surfaces of the main body 2 and is provided so as to be opened and closed in the vertical direction. A hook 6 is provided at the center of the upper edge of the side plate 5, and a hook receiver 7 is provided at a corresponding portion of the lid 3, and the hook 6 and the hook receiver 7 constitute a locking means.

  FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 with the lid 3 removed. The main body 2 is formed in a rectangular box shape having an open upper surface with the both side plates 5 closed by the thin exterior members 4 together with the side plates 5. A thick wall-shaped heat insulating material is provided on the inside of the rectangular box formed by the exterior member 4 and the side plates 5. With this heat insulating material, a bottom wall 12 a and a peripheral wall 12 b are formed as heat insulating walls that define a concave rectangular parallelepiped-shaped storage chamber 11 in the center of the main body 2.

  The left and right portions of the peripheral wall 12b are thicker than the front and rear portions, and a pair of left and right outside air introduction passages 14 penetrating in the front and rear direction are formed in the left and right portions, respectively. The outside air introduction passage 14 is formed in a groove shape opened on the upper surface of the peripheral wall 12 b, but penetrates in the front-rear direction of the main body 2 when the open upper surface is shielded by the lid body 3 assembled to the main body 2. It becomes a passage.

  The peripheral wall 12 b is formed with a communication passage 11 a that communicates the intermediate portion of each outside air introduction passage 14 extending in the front-rear direction on the left and right outer sides of the storage chamber 11 and the left and right portions of the storage chamber 11. The communication path 11a is also formed in a concave shape opened on the upper surface of the peripheral wall 12b, and the open upper surface is shielded by the lid 3 assembled to the main body 2.

  A rectangular plate-shaped heat storage member 15 is assembled in the communication path 11a. A pair of vertical grooves extending in the vertical direction and facing each other are formed in the communication path 11a, and both side edge portions of the heat storage member 15 are supported by the pair of vertical grooves, and the communication path 11a is formed depending on the assembled state. It is shielded by the heat storage member 15. In this way, one surface of the heat storage member 15 is exposed on the left and right wall surfaces of the storage chamber 11.

  4A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line Va-Va in FIG. 3 and viewed in the direction of the arrow. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line Vb-Vb in FIG. It is sectional drawing seen in the direction. The upper opening surface serving as the ceiling of the storage chamber 11 is shielded by the lid 3. Similarly to the main body 2, the lid 3 is constituted by an outer shell formed of a member made of the same material as the exterior member 4 and a heat insulating material filled inside the outer shell. The lower surface 3a of the lid 3 has a flat surface formed of a heat insulating material so that the lower surface 3a of the lid 3 comes into surface contact with the upper surface of the peripheral wall 12b in a state where the lid 3 is assembled to the main body 2. Has been.

  A protrusion 12d having a rectangular cross section that surrounds the storage chamber 11 as viewed from above is provided on the upper surface of the peripheral wall 12b. An annular groove 3b into which the protrusion 12d can enter a sealed state is formed in a corresponding portion of the lower surface 3a of the lid 3. The lid 3 is assembled to the main body 2 in a state where the upper opening surface of the storage chamber 11 is shielded by the lower surface 3a, so that a labyrinth structure in which the protrusion 12d is fitted in the annular groove 3b is formed. In a sealed state. In addition, the protrusion 12d is provided so that it may pass the outer side (outside member 4 side) of the external air introduction channel | path 14 by upper surface view in the right-and-left both sides part of the surrounding wall 12b. This prevents the accommodating chamber 11 and the outside from communicating with each other via the gap between the upper opening surface of the outside air introduction passage 14 and the lower surface 3a.

  FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing components relating to cooling and heat retention of the storage chamber 11. The heat storage member 15 is composed of a copper plate 16 as a heat conductor and a plurality of Peltier elements on the other side (outer side) opposite to the one side (inner side) surface exposed to the storage chamber 11. The thin plate-like thermoelectric device 17 and the heat sink 18 are stacked in close contact with each other in this order. One heat transfer surface 17a of the thermoelectric device 17 is attached in close contact with the copper plate 16, and a thick plate-like main body portion of the heat sink 18 is attached in close contact with the other heat transfer surface 17b. As a result, the other heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric device 17 is formed by the heat sink 18 (the surface exposed to the outside air introduction passage 14 at the base of the heat transfer fin 18a and the heat sink 18 to which the heat transfer fin 18a is connected). In the illustrated example, two thermoelectric devices 17 are disposed on the surface of the copper plate 16 in parallel with each other, but the number and arrangement thereof are not limited to the illustrated example.

  In the outside air introduction passage 14 in the front side portion of the main body 2, two blower fans 19 are arranged in a vertically arranged state. The blower fan 19 may be either in the case of blowing air from the front side to the rear side of the main body 2 with respect to the outside air introduction passage 14 or in the case of exhausting from the rear side to the front side. The heat transfer fins 18 a having a plurality of blade shapes of the heat sink 18 are formed so as to be exposed to the outside air introduction passage 14 and to extend parallel to each other in the axial direction of the outside air introduction passage 14.

  As shown in FIG. 4 (A), the outside air introduction passage 14 gradually increases as it extends from the both ends of the straight path portion 14a to the opening surface in the front-rear direction. It has the expansion path part 14b of the both sides opened. The side plate 5 is integrally provided with a projecting heat insulating member 5a that is complementary to the expanded path portion 14b so as to be received in the immersive state in the expanded path portion 14b. Thereby, in a state where the side plate 5 is completely closed with respect to the main body 2, the expanded path portion 14b is filled with the projecting heat insulating member 5a, and the straight path portion 14a is filled with the projecting heat insulating member 5a. Shielded against the outside.

  FIG. 6 (A) is a side sectional view of the main part showing a state in which the side plate 5 is completely closed, and FIG. 6 (B) shows a state in which the side plate 5 is not completely closed. It is a figure corresponding to. As shown in FIG. 6 (B), when the side plate 5 is in an incompletely closed state, the protruding heat insulating member 5a is not immersed and received in the widening path portion 14b. The hook 6 and the hook receiver 7 cannot be engaged with each other. Moreover, since the side plate 5 is positioned so that the side plate 5 is not flush with the corresponding portion of the exterior member 4 and the portion of the hook 6 of the side plate 5 protrudes to the outside, the open state of the side plate 5 is visually observed. The user can easily confirm the presence or absence of a sealed state with respect to the outside of the expansion passage portion 14b, that is, the outside air introduction passage 14.

  The main body 2 is provided with an internal temperature sensor 21 for detecting the internal temperature (temperature of the storage chamber 11) at an appropriate position on the inner wall surface of the storage chamber 11, and at an appropriate position on the outer wall surface of the exterior member 4. In addition, an external temperature sensor 22 for detecting the outside air temperature outside the heat insulating cabinet 1 is provided. Each of the temperature sensors 21 and 22 is made of, for example, a thermocouple, and is electrically connected to a relay board 23 embedded in the bottom wall 12a.

  Further, the main body 2 is provided with an electrical component storage portion 4a formed by bulging a part of the exterior member 4 inwardly at a portion that becomes the left outer wall. The electrical component storage unit 4a stores a control board 24 as a control device connected to the thermoelectric device 17, the blower fan 19, and the relay board 23, and a battery 25 as an alternative power source. ing. On the outer wall surface of the exterior member 4, a warning lamp 26 and an alarm device 27 are disposed, and a lid 28 that is opened and closed during replacement of the battery 25 and maintenance of the control board 24 and the like is provided. The warning lamp 26 includes three light emitters (for example, LEDs) of blue, yellow, and red in the illustrated example. The alarm device 27 may be a small speaker.

  The main body 2 is connected to a power adapter 29 as external power supply means as shown in FIG. The power adapter 29 may be a known AC-DC adapter, is connected to a power connector that may be a known structure (not shown) provided in the main body 2, and supplies power from the external power source to the control board 24. belongs to.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a main part of the control circuit of the heat insulation box 1. As shown in the figure, power is supplied to the control board 24 from the power source switching unit 24a to which the power adapter 29 and the battery 25 are connected, the power source unit 24b connected to the power source switching unit 24a, and the power source unit 24b. The main control unit 24c and the thermoelectric device driving unit 24d and the fan driving unit 24e, which are similarly supplied with power from the power supply unit 24b, are provided. The internal temperature sensor 21 and the external temperature sensor 22 are connected to the main control unit 24c.

  The main control unit 24c may have a known structure using a CPU. From the main control unit 24c, a drive signal for driving the thermoelectric device 17 is output to the thermoelectric device drive unit 24d, a drive signal for driving the blower fan 19 is output to the fan drive unit 24e, and a lighting control signal is sent to the warning lamp 26. The alarm control signal is output to the alarm device 27. In addition, a power switch signal corresponding to whether or not the power adapter 29 is connected is input from the power switch 24a to the main controller 24c.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control procedure in the block diagram of FIG. The control may be based on program control in the main control unit 24c, and the main control unit is the main control unit 24c unless otherwise specified.

  In step ST1, it is determined whether or not the power adapter 29 is connected. If it is connected, the process proceeds to step ST2, the normal operation mode is set, and the process proceeds to step ST3. The power supply at this time may be generated by the power generation of the thermoelectric device 17 caused by the temperature difference when a temperature difference is generated between the cooling surface and the heat radiation surface of the thermoelectric device 17. 7, electric power is output from the thermoelectric device 17 to the power supply switching unit 24a.

  In addition, the power supply switching part 24a makes the input line of the power supply adapter 29 and the input lines of the thermoelectric device 17 and the battery 25 either one of the output lines to the power supply part 24b like a two-position changeover switch. It may be selectively switched. For example, the power supply switching unit 24a can connect a lever-type contact member, which is constantly biased toward the input terminal side of the thermoelectric device 17 and the battery 25, to the input terminal of the power adapter 29 by connecting the connection connector 29a (see FIG. 2). It is a structure that tilts to the side.

  In addition, an adapter connection signal in a state where the power adapter 29 is connected is output from the power switching unit 24a to the main control unit 24c. This adapter connection signal may be, for example, an on / off signal of a contact that mechanically opens and closes when the connection connector 29a is connected. The main control unit 24c determines whether or not the connection connector 29a is connected in accordance with the state of the on / off signal, performs the determination in step ST1, and sets the normal operation mode in the subsequent step ST2.

  After step ST3, control based on the normal operation mode is performed. First, in step ST3, a thermoelectric device drive signal is output to the thermoelectric device drive unit 24d. By inputting this drive signal, a voltage is applied from the thermoelectric device drive unit 24d to the thermoelectric device 17 as shown by an arrow Vo in FIG. 7, and the thermoelectric device 17 is driven. Further, a fan drive signal is output to the fan drive unit 24e, and the fan drive unit 24e drives the blower fan 19 by the drive signal input.

  In the next step ST4, the internal temperature (temperature of the storage chamber 11) Ti and the outside air temperature To detected by the temperature sensors 21 and 22 are stored for determination of the temperature change amount described later, and the process proceeds to step ST5. In step ST5, it is determined whether or not the detected internal temperature Ti is within a predetermined temperature range (Ta + ΔTa> Ti> Ta−ΔTa) that can be regarded as a constant temperature with respect to the target temperature Ta. If it is determined that the temperature is outside the predetermined temperature range, the process proceeds to step ST6. The predetermined temperature range is set to be narrower than the range of the upper and lower limit values allowed for the object accommodated in the accommodation chamber 11. In other words, even when the temperature falls outside the predetermined temperature range, the storage state of the object may be set so as not to deteriorate immediately. The setting may be, for example, that a digital switch is provided on the control board 24 and the user opens the lid 28 and operates it with a pin or the like.

  When the process proceeds to step ST6, the thermoelectric device 17 is driven so that the internal temperature Ti falls within the predetermined temperature range. In this case, the thermoelectric device 17 may be controlled so as to be driven with the maximum output or the vicinity thereof so as to quickly enter the predetermined temperature range. The magnitude of the output to the thermoelectric device 17 may be adjusted according to the magnitude of the deviation (| Ta−To |) between the target temperature Ta and the outside air temperature To.

  In the next step ST7, it is determined whether or not the power adapter 29 is turned off. If it is determined that power is being supplied by the power adapter 29, the process proceeds to step ST8, and after waiting for a predetermined time by the timer, the process returns to step ST4. Steps ST4 and after are repeated.

  If it is determined in step ST5 that the temperature is within the predetermined temperature range, the process proceeds to step ST9. When the process proceeds to step ST9, the thermoelectric device 17 can be driven and controlled with an output corresponding to the magnitude of the deviation between the internal temperature Ti and the target temperature Ta. Therefore, the thermoelectric device 17 can be driven so as to have a drive output smaller than the drive output in step ST6, and the blower fan 19 can be driven to rotate at a low speed by corresponding to the rotation control of the blower fan 19. Thereby, the noise reduction of the heat storage 1 can be improved.

  In the next step ST10, it is determined whether or not the internal temperature Ti is maintained at the target temperature Ta. If it is determined that the internal temperature Ti is not maintained at the target temperature Ta, the process proceeds to step ST7. If it is determined that Ta is maintained, the process proceeds to step ST11. For example, when the temperature of the storage chamber 11 is maintained by the latent heat of the heat storage member 15, the internal temperature Ti can be maintained at the target temperature Ta. In step ST11, in order to notify the user that the internal temperature Ti is maintained at the target temperature Ta, the alarm control circuit 24f outputs a lighting signal for lighting the blue lamp to the warning lamp 26. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step ST7, and thereafter each step after step ST4 is repeated in the same manner as described above. In addition, the state maintained at the target temperature Ta is not limited to the state in which the internal temperature Ti and the target temperature Ta completely coincide with each other.

  Next, if it is determined in step ST1 that the power adapter 29 is not connected, or if it is determined in step ST7 that the power adapter 29 has been removed, the process proceeds to step ST21 shown in FIG. In step ST21, not the normal operation mode described above, but a power saving operation mode is set as a mode in which the temperature is maintained by the heat storage member 15. In step ST22 and subsequent steps, control based on the power saving operation mode is performed.

  When the user removes the power adapter 29, the user sets the both side plates 5 in a completely closed state with respect to the main body 2, and puts the hook 6 in the locked state in which the hook 6 is engaged. As a result, the projecting heat insulating member 5a of the side plate 5 is immersed in the expanded passage portion 14b of the outside air introduction passage 14, and the straight passage portion 14a of the outside air introduction passage 14 is blocked from the outside, so that heat is stored in the heat storage member 15. It is prevented that the amount of heat leaked to the outside.

  When the power adapter 29 is disconnected, the power supply line connecting the power adapter 29 and the power supply unit 24b is disconnected in the power supply switching unit 24a, and the power supply line connecting the thermoelectric device 17 and the power supply unit 24b is removed. Connected. Therefore, the generated power generated by the temperature difference between both surfaces (the heat absorption surface and the heat dissipation surface) of the thermoelectric device 17 is used to supply power to the main control unit 24c in this power saving operation mode. A known 2-input 1-output circuit is configured in the power supply switching unit 24a so that power is supplied by the battery 25 when the generated power is insufficient for driving the electrical components. Thereby, even when the generated power of the thermoelectric device 17 is small, a monitoring state such as temperature detection is maintained.

  First, in step ST22, the output of the thermoelectric device drive signal by the thermoelectric device drive unit 24d is stopped, and the fan drive signal by the fan drive unit 24e is stopped, and the process proceeds to step ST23. In step ST23, similarly to step ST4, the internal temperature Ti and the outside air temperature To are detected, each temperature is stored, and the process proceeds to step ST24.

  In step ST24, as in step ST5, it is determined whether the internal temperature Ti is within a predetermined range (Ta + ΔTa> Ti> Ta−ΔTa) with respect to the target temperature Ta, and is determined to be within the target temperature range. If yes, the process proceeds to step ST25. In step ST25, the amount of change from the previous detected value of the internal temperature Ti is calculated (ΔTi = Ti (n) −Ti (n−1)), and the process proceeds to step ST26. Note that Ti (n) is the current detection value, and Ti (n-1) is the previous detection value.

  In step ST26, it is determined whether or not the change amount ΔTi is equal to or greater than a specified value ΔTd (<ΔTa). If the change amount ΔTi is less than the specified value ΔTd (ΔTi <ΔTd), it is determined that the change amount has not reached the dangerous amount. The process proceeds to step ST27. In step ST27, since the internal temperature Ti is maintained within the target temperature, the warning lamp 26 is turned on in blue. In the next step ST28, after waiting for a predetermined time by the timer, the process returns to step ST23, and the steps after step ST23 are repeated.

  Therefore, the previously detected interior temperature Ti (n-1) and the presently detected interior temperature Ti (n) used for calculation of the amount of change in step ST25 have passed the standby time by the timer in step ST28. Each detected temperature detected at intervals. Note that when the process of step ST25 is performed for the first time, Ti (n) = Ti (n-1) may be satisfied.

  If it is determined in step ST24 that the internal temperature Ti is outside the target temperature range with respect to the target temperature Ta, the process proceeds to step ST29. When the process proceeds to step ST29, the internal temperature Ti is not maintained within the target temperature, so that the warning lamp 26 is lit red in order to notify that heat retention in the power saving operation mode is difficult, and this routine is executed. finish. In this case, it repeats from step ST1, and when the user connects the power adapter 29 and enters a normal operation mode in which heat is maintained by supplying external power, the above steps ST2 and after are executed. In addition, when the alarm device 27 is provided as in the illustrated example, the alarm device 27 can be sounded. This eliminates the need for the user to constantly monitor the warning lamp 26.

  If it is determined in step ST26 that the variation ΔTi is equal to or greater than the specified value ΔTd, the process proceeds to step ST30. In step ST30, the warning lamp 26 is turned on in yellow. Thereby, the user can confirm that it is becoming difficult to maintain the internal temperature Ti within the target temperature range, and prepares connection to the power adapter 29 before the red of the warning lamp 26 lights up. be able to.

  The heat storage member 15 uses a material that can use latent heat at the target temperature, and maintains the temperature of the storage chamber 11 by the latent heat. The thermoelectric device 17 maintains the temperature by changing the direction of current to cool or heat the storage chamber 11. When the normal operation mode in which the temperature of the storage chamber 11 is maintained by the thermoelectric device 17, in this embodiment, the thermoelectric device 17 is not directly exposed to the storage chamber 11, but via the heat storage member 15. Therefore, in the normal operation mode, the temperature of the heat storage member 15 is maintained at the target temperature Ta. Therefore, the amount of heat stored in the heat storage member 15 during the power saving operation mode when the case where the power outlet is transported by a vehicle or the like and the case where the power adapter 29 is transported in a place where the connection destination of the power adapter 29 cannot be secured alternately occur. However, since the heat storage member 15 is stored by the thermoelectric device 17 in the subsequent normal operation mode, the replacement work of the heat storage member 15 can be suppressed.

  In the illustrated example, the structure in which the outside air introduction passage 14 and the outside are connected or shielded is provided with the side plate 5 that can be tilted by a hinge provided between the lower edge of the main body 2. The structure for opening and closing the passage 14 is not limited to the structure for tilting the side plate 5. An example of another structure is shown in FIG. The structure of FIG. 10 is provided with a slide plate 41 having substantially the same size as the side surface of the main body 2 and guide grooves 42 along the upper and lower edges at the upper and lower portions of the side surface of the main body 2. Are sliding door structures each guided and supported by the guide groove 42. When the user slides the slide plate 41, the outside air introduction passage 14 that opens to the side surface of the main body 2 can be blocked or opened by the slide plate 41. Although only the front side is shown in the figure, the rear side has the same structure.

  In this case, the heat insulating member similar to the above-described example is ensured by forming the slide plate 41 with a heat insulating member and disposing a heat insulating seal member in a portion where the gap between the main body 2 and the slide plate 41 is generated. Can do. It should be noted that a separate heat insulating member 43 may be inserted and assembled in the widened path portion 14b as shown by a two-dot chain line in the figure.

  Or it is good also as a shutter structure which opens and closes only the opening surface of the external air introduction channel | path 14. FIG. In the case of the shutter structure, it may be a structure in which two heat insulating plate-like bodies are provided in a portion that opens to the outside of the outside air introduction passage 14 so as to be able to contact and separate from each other by sliding. The opening surface that opens to the outside of the outside air introduction passage 14 is shielded when the two plate-like bodies are brought into contact with each other and closed, and is opened while being separated from each other. In this case, since the side plate 5 and the slide plate 41 are not provided, the thickness of the corresponding portion of the peripheral wall 12b made of a heat insulating material can be increased by the thickness of the plate, thereby improving the heat insulation. Can do.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 11 is an external perspective view of the heat insulation box 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to FIG. 3 described above. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XII-XII in FIG. 13 and viewed in the direction of the arrow, and corresponds to FIG. 4A described above. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIII-XIII in FIG. 11 and viewed in the direction of the arrow, and corresponds to FIG. 4B described above. With respect to the heat insulating chamber 1 according to the second embodiment, items that are not particularly mentioned below are the same as those in the first embodiment described above, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In addition, in FIGS. 11 to 13, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the first embodiment described above.

  The heat storage 1 according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the outside air introduction passage 14. As shown in FIG. 11, each outside air introduction passage 14 extends along the base of the heat sink 18 (the heat transfer surface on the outside of the thermoelectric device 17) and passes through the main body 2 in the front-rear direction. 31 and the intermediate portions of the first passages 31 in the front-rear direction, respectively, extend in the direction (outward) intersecting (herein, perpendicular) to the heat transfer surface 17b, and the extension ends communicate with the outside. 2 passages 32 and has a substantially T-shape in plan view.

  The first passage 31 has substantially the same configuration as the outside air introduction passage 14 in the first embodiment. Here, the first passage 31 is not only provided with the two blower fans 19 a arranged vertically in the front part of the main body 2, but similarly provided with two blower fans 19 b in the rear part of the main body 2. ing.

  The 2nd channel | path 32 is formed so that the left part or the right part of the surrounding wall 12b may be penetrated. The second passage 32 is formed in a groove shape opened on the upper surface of the peripheral wall 12 b, but penetrates in the left-right direction of the main body 2 when the open upper surface is shielded by the lid body 3 assembled to the main body 2. It becomes a passage. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the second passage 32 is connected to the straight path portion 32 a that communicates with the first passage 31 and the outside of the straight path portion 32 a, and the left or right opening surface. And both sides of the expansion path portions 32b that gradually increase and expand.

  On the left and right surfaces of the heat insulating cabinet 1, side plates 35 that are hinged at the respective lower edges and are opened and closed in the vertical direction are provided similarly to the side plates 5 on the front and rear surfaces. On the inner surface side of the side plate 35, a projecting heat insulating member 35a is formed integrally with the widening path portion 32b so as to be received in an immersive state. Thereby, in a state where the side plate 35 is completely closed with respect to the main body 2, the expansion path portion 32 b is filled with the protruding heat insulating member 35 a, and the extended end side of the second passage 32 is protruded and protruded. It is shielded from the outside by the sex member 35a.

  In the power saving operation mode in the heat insulating chamber 1, the user sets the side plate 5 and the side plate 35 in a state of being completely closed with respect to the main body 2. Thereby, the projecting heat insulating member 5a and the projecting heat insulating member 35a of the side plate 5 and the side plate 35 are immersed in the expansion path portion 14b and the expansion path portion 32b, respectively, so that the outside air introduction passage 14 and the outside are blocked. The amount of heat stored in the heat storage member 15 is prevented from leaking outside.

  In the normal operation mode in the heat insulating chamber 1, the user sets both the side plate 5 and the side plate 35 in a state of being completely opened with respect to the main body 2. Thereafter, the user operates the blower fans 19a and 19b in the first passage 31 so that the air in the outside air introduction passage 14 is discharged toward the outside (front and rear). Thereby, outside air is introduced into the outside air introduction passage 14 from the opening (extension end) of the second passage 32. The introduced outside air flows in a substantially vertical direction with respect to the base of the heat sink 18 (the heat transfer surface outside the thermoelectric device 17), and the flow that hits the heat sink 18 and branches in the front-rear direction in the first passage 31 is The air is exhausted to the outside by the blower fans 19a and 19b.

  As described above, in the heat insulating chamber 1 according to the second embodiment, the outside air flows from the one side of the front and rear portions of the main body 2 to the other side by striking the outside air against the heat sink 18 and branching the flow in the front and rear direction. Compared with the case of the first embodiment, it is possible to equalize the temperature at the front and rear portions (both ends) of the first passage 31 of the outside air that contacts the heat sink 18, and thus to make the temperature in the accommodation chamber non-uniform. Can be suppressed.

  Further, since the introduced outside air flows toward the base of the heat sink 18 (substantially perpendicular to the heat transfer surface outside the thermoelectric device 17), heat transfer between the outside air and the heat sink 18 is promoted, and the outside air The cooling efficiency of the heat transfer surface can be improved. The opening area of the second passage 32 in a side view may be set smaller than the area of the heat sink 18. In addition, the opening of the second passage 32 may be disposed so that the entire opening thereof overlaps the base of the heat sink 18 when viewed from the side.

  In addition, in the heat insulation box 1 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, a user sets the state which open | released the both-sides board 5 with respect to the main body 2, and closed the both-sides board 35, and only one of the ventilation fan 19a and the ventilation fan 19b. By operating, it is also possible to realize the same cooling as in the first embodiment as necessary.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, as those skilled in the art can easily understand, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and does not depart from the spirit of the present invention. The range can be changed as appropriate. In addition, all the components shown in the above embodiment are not necessarily essential, and can be appropriately selected without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the illustrated example, the heat sink 18 is disposed in the outside air introduction passage 14 communicating with the outside provided in the main body 2, but the heat sink 18 is provided so that the heat transfer fins 18 a are exposed to the outside from the surface of the exterior member 4. May be. In this case, a cap-like heat insulating member that covers the heat transfer fins 18 a is formed, and the heat insulating member may be provided on the surface of the exterior member 4 so as to be removable.

  The heat insulation chamber according to the present invention can be appropriately switched between the heat insulation state by the heat storage member and the heat insulation state by the thermoelectric device, and is useful as a heat insulation chamber for transporting substances such as food and cellular tissue while maintaining a constant temperature. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Thermal insulation 2 Main body 3 Lid 5a Protruding heat insulation member 6 Hook (lock means)
7 Hook support (locking means)
13 Accommodating chamber 14 Outside air introduction passage 15 Heat storage member 17 Thermoelectric device 18 Heat sink 21 Internal temperature sensor 22 External temperature sensor 24 Control board (control device)
25 Battery 26 Warning lamp (alarm)
27 Alarm 29 Power adapter (external power supply means)
31 1st passage 32 2nd passage

Claims (4)

A heat insulator having a main body provided with a concave storage chamber formed by a heat insulating wall, and a lid attached to the main body so as to be able to open and close the opening of the storage chamber,
A heat storage member provided to be exposed to the storage chamber in order to maintain the temperature of the storage chamber within a predetermined temperature range with respect to a target temperature;
A thermoelectric device in which one heat transfer surface is connected to the heat storage member;
A control device for driving and controlling the thermoelectric device;
A cover member that is assembled to the main body so that an exposed state in which the other heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric device is exposed to the outside and a shielded state that shields the outside from the outside can be selected ;
Possess the outside air introduction passage provided in the heat-insulating wall in order to introduce outside air into the other heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric device,
The heat storage member and the thermoelectric device are provided in a state of being received by the heat insulating wall,
The outside air introduction passage is opened and closed by selecting the exposed state and the shielding state of the cover member, and the lid body is formed by shielding the upper surface of the storage chamber,
The heat retaining cabinet , wherein at least a part of the other heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric device is located in the outside air introduction passage . A communication passage that communicates the outside air introduction passage and the storage chamber;
The communication path is formed by the cover body shielding the upper surface of the storage chamber,
The heat storage member is located in the communication path
The heat insulation box according to claim 1 characterized by things. A heat insulator having a main body provided with a concave storage chamber formed by a heat insulating wall, and a lid attached to the main body so as to be able to open and close the opening of the storage chamber,
A heat storage member provided to be exposed to the storage chamber in order to maintain the temperature of the storage chamber within a predetermined temperature range with respect to a target temperature;
A thermoelectric device in which one heat transfer surface is connected to the heat storage member;
A control device for driving and controlling the thermoelectric device;
Have a cover member which is assembled to selectably said body and a closing state to shield the exposed state and the external exposing the other heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric device to an external,
The main body has a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the storage chamber, an alarm that issues an alarm by at least one of light and sound, and the temperature of the storage chamber exceeds a predetermined temperature range with respect to a target temperature. And in the case, an alarm control circuit for generating an alarm by the alarm device,
The alarm control circuit uses an external power supply means connected to supply power to the thermoelectric device in the exposed state as a power source, and uses the thermoelectric device as a power source in the shielded state. Warehouse. The heat insulation box according to claim 3 , wherein a battery serving as an alternative power source when power generation of the thermoelectric device is small is provided.

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