JP7504635B2 - Disinfection Storage Cabinet - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a disinfection storage cabinet that disinfects and dries items stored inside using heated air.

In kitchen facilities such as hospitals, schools, and restaurants, disinfection cabinets are preferably used to store items such as wet dishes and chopsticks after washing, as well as other metal utensils such as knives and forks, and to dry them in a disinfected state. Disinfection cabinets are equipped with a heat source such as an electric heater and a blower fan, and the heated air that has exchanged heat with the heat source by operating the blower fan is circulated into the storage room (inside the cabinet) containing the items, and the items are heated to a high temperature with the heated air to sterilize and dry them.

The disinfection storage cabinet is extremely hygienic because it disinfects the stored items during the drying process. In kitchen facilities and the like, there is a demand to take out the stored items after disinfection and drying and use them for serving, such as by serving cold dishes on them. However, since the stored items are in a high temperature state after drying, there is a problem that they are not suitable for serving, such as by serving cold dishes on them. Therefore, a disinfection storage cabinet has been proposed that has a cooling function in addition to a heating and drying function, and that cools the stored items to a temperature required for serving after disinfecting and drying them (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The disinfection storage cabinet disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured to take in outside air into the storage room to perform primary cooling, and then perform secondary cooling using a refrigerator.

JP 2003-310527 A

In the disinfection storage cabinet disclosed in Patent Document 1, external air is introduced into the storage chamber from an intake port for primary cooling, but since the cooling medium is air at room temperature, it takes time to cool the stored items. In addition, the external air introduced into the storage chamber contains floating bacteria (germs), dust, and other impurities, which recontaminates the disinfected stored items. For this reason, a fine mesh filter is placed at the intake port of the disinfection storage cabinet, but this creates a pressure loss, reducing the amount of external air taken in and reducing the effectiveness of the primary cooling. In addition, it is necessary to replace the filter periodically, and to provide a damper that opens the intake port during primary cooling and closes the intake port during disinfection drying and secondary cooling, which increases the manufacturing and maintenance costs. In addition, it is also pointed out that if the primary cooling is insufficient, the compressor of the refrigerator becomes overloaded during secondary cooling, making it impossible to perform efficient cooling.

In other words, the present invention has been proposed in consideration of the problems inherent in the above-mentioned conventional technology, and aims to provide a disinfection storage cabinet that can effectively cool items stored inside the cabinet without taking in outside air.

In order to overcome the above problems and achieve the intended purpose, the disinfection storage cabinet according to the invention of claim 1 comprises:
In a disinfection storage cabinet in which stored items are heated and disinfected by heated air generated by a heater and a fan,
A refrigeration device is provided having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion means, and an evaporator connected in this order so that a refrigerant circulates therethrough;
The refrigeration device has a plurality of evaporators capable of exchanging heat with inside air,
a discharge side temperature detection means for detecting a temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor;
A control device for controlling the heater, the fan, and the refrigeration device;
a liquid bypass pipe having one end connected to a refrigerant pipe connecting the condenser and the evaporator and having the other end connected to a refrigerant pipe connecting the evaporator and a compressor;
a bypass valve inserted in the liquid bypass pipe;
a bypass pipe line that branches off from the liquid bypass pipe downstream of the bypass valve and is connected to a compressor,
The control device is configured to control the refrigeration device so that, when the refrigerant temperature detected by the discharge side temperature detection means during cooling operation by the refrigeration device is a refrigerant bypass high load temperature, the bypass valve is opened and the refrigerant condensed in the condenser is bypassed via a liquid bypass pipe to a refrigerant pipe connecting an evaporator and a compressor, and to the compressor .
In the invention of claim 1, the cooling operation of the refrigeration device can be started without introducing outside air into the storage unit, and the stored items can be cooled hygienically. In addition, since the refrigeration device is equipped with a plurality of evaporators, the inside of the storage unit can be cooled efficiently in a short time. Furthermore, since the refrigeration device is controlled to suppress the load on the compressor based on the refrigerant temperature discharged from the compressor, the refrigeration device can perform an efficient cooling operation without overloading the compressor. Furthermore, since the refrigerant condensed in the condenser can cool the refrigerant sucked into the compressor and the compressor, even at the beginning of the cooling operation when the inside of the storage unit is in a high temperature state, the temperature of the compressor can be prevented from exceeding the upper limit value at which normal operation is possible, and the load on the compressor can be suppressed.

The invention according to claim 4 is
The evaporator is disposed at a position where air flows due to operation of the fan.
In the fourth aspect of the present invention, the fan used during heating operation can also be used as the fan for sending air to the evaporator during cooling operation, so that an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed.

The present application includes the following technical ideas .
In a disinfection storage cabinet in which stored items are heated and disinfected by heated air generated by a heater and a fan,
A refrigeration device is provided having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion means, and an evaporator connected in this order so that a refrigerant circulates therethrough;
The refrigeration device has a plurality of evaporators capable of exchanging heat with inside air,
a discharge side temperature detection means for detecting a temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor;
A control device for controlling the heater, the fan, and the refrigeration device;
a liquid bypass pipe having one end connected to a refrigerant pipe connecting the condenser and the evaporator and having the other end connected to a refrigerant pipe connecting the evaporator and the compressor;
a bypass valve inserted in the liquid bypass pipe,
The control device is configured to control the refrigeration device so that, when the refrigerant temperature detected by the discharge side temperature detection means during cooling operation by the refrigeration device is a refrigerant bypass high load temperature, the bypass valve is opened and the refrigerant condensed in the condenser is bypassed via the liquid bypass pipe to a refrigerant pipe connecting an evaporator and a compressor.
In this configuration , the cooling operation of the refrigeration device can be started without introducing outside air into the storage compartment, and the stored items can be cooled hygienically. In addition, since the refrigeration device is equipped with multiple evaporators, the storage compartment can be cooled efficiently in a short time. Furthermore, since the refrigeration device is controlled to suppress the load on the compressor based on the refrigerant temperature discharged from the compressor, the refrigeration device can perform an efficient cooling operation without overloading the compressor. Furthermore, since the refrigerant condensed in the condenser can cool the refrigerant sucked into the compressor, even at the beginning of the cooling operation when the storage compartment is in a high temperature state, the temperature of the compressor can be prevented from exceeding the upper limit at which normal operation is possible, and the load on the compressor can be suppressed.

The present application includes the following technical ideas .
In a disinfection storage cabinet in which stored items are heated and disinfected by heated air generated by a heater and a fan,
A refrigeration device is provided having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion means, and an evaporator connected in this order so that a refrigerant circulates therethrough;
The refrigeration device has a plurality of evaporators capable of exchanging heat with inside air,
a discharge side temperature detection means for detecting a temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor;
A control device for controlling the heater, the fan, and the refrigeration device;
a liquid bypass pipe having one end connected to a refrigerant pipe connecting the condenser and the evaporator and having the other end connected to a refrigerant pipe connecting the evaporator and the compressor;
a bypass valve inserted in the liquid bypass pipe,
the control device is configured to control the refrigeration device so that, when a refrigerant temperature detected by the discharge side temperature detection means is a refrigerant bypass high load temperature during a cooling operation by the refrigeration device, the control device opens the bypass valve and bypasses the refrigerant condensed in the condenser to a refrigerant pipe connecting an evaporator and a compressor via the liquid bypass pipe,
The control device is configured to perform a pump-down operation to drive the compressor with an on-off valve provided in a refrigerant pipe connecting the condenser and the evaporator closed before starting a heating operation to disinfect and dry the stored items with the heated air.
In this configuration , the cooling operation by the refrigeration device can be started without introducing outside air into the storage, and the stored items can be cooled hygienically. In addition, since the refrigeration device is equipped with a plurality of evaporators, the inside of the storage can be cooled efficiently in a short time. Furthermore, since the refrigeration device is controlled to suppress the load on the compressor based on the refrigerant temperature discharged from the compressor, the refrigeration device can perform an efficient cooling operation without overloading the compressor. Furthermore, since the refrigerant condensed in the condenser can cool the refrigerant sucked into the compressor, even at the beginning of the cooling operation when the inside of the storage is in a high temperature state, the temperature of the compressor can be prevented from exceeding the upper limit value at which normal operation is possible, and the load on the compressor can be suppressed. Furthermore, even if the pump-down operation after the cooling operation is not performed due to a power outage or the like, the pump-down operation can be performed before the heating operation to suppress thermal deterioration of the refrigerant and refrigeration oil during the heating operation and suppress the pressure rise in the refrigeration circuit.
The present application includes the following technical ideas.
a liquid bypass pipe having one end connected to the refrigerant pipe connecting the condenser and the evaporator and having the other end connected to a compressor;
a bypass valve inserted in the liquid bypass pipe,
The control device is configured such that, when the refrigerant temperature detected by the discharge side temperature detection means during cooling operation by the refrigeration unit is a refrigerant bypass high load temperature, the control device opens the bypass valve and bypasses the refrigerant condensed in the condenser to the compressor via the liquid bypass pipe.
In this configuration, the compressor can be cooled by the refrigerant condensed in the condenser, so that even at the beginning of cooling operation when the temperature inside the cabinet is high, the compressor temperature can be prevented from exceeding the upper limit value at which normal operation is possible, thereby reducing the load on the compressor.

In order to overcome the above problems and achieve the intended purpose, the disinfection storage cabinet according to the invention of claim 2 comprises:
In a disinfection storage cabinet in which stored items are heated and disinfected by heated air generated by a heater and a fan,
A refrigeration device is provided having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion means, and an evaporator connected in this order so that a refrigerant circulates therethrough;
The refrigeration device has a plurality of evaporators capable of exchanging heat with inside air,
a discharge side temperature detection means for detecting a temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor;
A control device for controlling the heater, the fan, and the refrigeration device;
a liquid bypass pipe having one end connected to a refrigerant pipe connecting the condenser and the evaporator and having the other end connected to a refrigerant pipe connecting the evaporator and the compressor;
a bypass valve inserted in the liquid bypass pipe;
an auxiliary condenser provided in a refrigerant pipe connecting the evaporator and the compressor;
The control device is configured to control the refrigeration device so that, when the refrigerant temperature detected by the discharge side temperature detection means during cooling operation by the refrigeration device is a refrigerant bypass high load temperature, the bypass valve is opened and the refrigerant condensed in the condenser is bypassed via the liquid bypass pipe to a refrigerant pipe connecting an evaporator and a compressor.
In the invention of claim 2 , the cooling operation of the refrigeration device can be started without introducing outside air into the storage, and the stored items can be cooled hygienically. In addition, since the refrigeration device is equipped with a plurality of evaporators, the inside of the storage can be cooled efficiently in a short time. Furthermore, since the refrigeration device is controlled to suppress the load on the compressor based on the refrigerant temperature discharged from the compressor, the refrigeration device can perform an efficient cooling operation without overloading the compressor. Furthermore, since the refrigerant condensed in the condenser can cool the refrigerant sucked into the compressor, even at the beginning of the cooling operation when the inside of the storage is in a high temperature state, the temperature of the compressor can be prevented from exceeding the upper limit value at which normal operation is possible, and the load on the compressor can be suppressed. Furthermore, the refrigerant superheated by heat exchange with the stored items in the evaporator can be cooled by the auxiliary condenser, and overheating of the compressor can be suppressed.
The invention according to claim 3 is
The control device is configured such that, when the refrigerant temperature detected by the discharge side temperature detection means during cooling operation by the refrigeration device is a high load temperature for refrigerant adjustment which is lower than the high load temperature for refrigerant bypass, one of the opening/closing valves provided on the refrigerant inlet side of each of the multiple evaporators is closed to limit the number of evaporators through which the refrigerant circulates.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, when a high load is applied to the compressor, the amount of refrigerant returning from the evaporator to the compressor is reduced, thereby reducing the load applied to the compressor.

The invention according to claim 5 is
The gist of the invention is that a heat exchange section is provided for exchanging heat between a refrigerant flowing through a refrigerant pipe connecting the condenser and the evaporator and a refrigerant flowing through a refrigerant pipe connecting the evaporator and the compressor.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the refrigerant returning to the compressor can be cooled by the heat exchange portion, and overheating of the compressor can be suppressed.

The invention according to claim 6 is
The control device is configured to, when a defrost start condition is met during cooling operation by the refrigeration device, sequentially perform defrosting operation on the multiple evaporators, in which the on-off valves provided on the refrigerant inlet sides of each of the multiple evaporators are closed to stop the supply of refrigerant to the evaporators for the defrost time.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, while the interior of the refrigerator is cooled by any one of the plurality of evaporators, it is possible to prevent frost on the other evaporators from growing large and causing a decrease in cooling capacity.

The invention according to claim 7 is
The control device is configured to perform pump-down operation to drive the compressor with an on-off valve provided in a refrigerant pipe connecting the condenser and the evaporator closed after a condition for terminating the cooling operation by the refrigeration device is satisfied.
In the seventh aspect of the present invention, after the end condition of the cooling operation is satisfied, the pump-down operation is performed to recover the refrigerant remaining in the evaporator and the refrigeration oil contained in the refrigerant to the condenser and the compressor, so that the thermal deterioration of the refrigerant and the refrigeration oil during the subsequent heating operation can be suppressed. Also, the refrigerant in the refrigeration circuit is not heated and expanded during the heating operation, so that the pressure rise in the refrigeration circuit can be suppressed.

The present application includes the following technical ideas.
The control device is configured to perform a pump-down operation to drive the compressor with an on-off valve provided in a refrigerant pipe connecting the condenser and the evaporator closed before starting a heating operation to disinfect and dry the stored items with the heated air.
In this configuration , even if pump-down operation is not performed after cooling operation due to a power outage or the like, pump-down operation can be performed before heating operation, thereby preventing thermal deterioration of the refrigerant and refrigeration oil during heating operation and suppressing pressure rise in the refrigeration circuit.

The invention according to claim 8 is
The gist of the present invention is that it is equipped with a timer device that controls the end of the heating operation, which uses heated air to sterilize and dry the stored items, and the start of the cooling operation by the refrigeration device.
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the cooling operation can be automatically started by the timer device, thereby reducing the burden on the operator.

The present application includes the following technical ideas.
The present invention relates to a refrigerant condenser that is provided in a refrigerant pipe connecting the evaporator and the compressor.
In this configuration , the refrigerant that has been superheated by heat exchange with the stored items in the evaporator can be cooled by the auxiliary condenser, making it possible to prevent the compressor from overheating.

The invention according to claim 9 is
An end time setting means for setting an end time of the cooling operation by the refrigeration device;
The temperature detector detects the temperature inside the refrigerator and the temperature outside the refrigerator.
After the heating operation for disinfecting and drying the stored items by the heated air is completed, the control device calculates a cooling operation time required for the current inside temperature to reach a cooling completion temperature when a cooling operation is performed based on the inside temperature and the outside temperature detected by the inside temperature detection means and the outside temperature detection means, and updates the time calculated backwards by the cooling operation time from the end time set in the end time setting means as the start time of the cooling operation,
The control device is configured to start a cooling operation by the refrigeration device when it is determined that the current time is the start time or that the start time has passed.
In the invention of claim 9 , the cooling operation time can be changed to the minimum required length in response to changes in the temperature inside and outside the cabinet, thereby preventing unnecessary operation of the refrigeration device and reducing electricity consumption.

The disinfection storage cabinet of the present invention allows stored items to be cooled hygienically and effectively without introducing outside air into the cabinet.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a disinfection storage cabinet according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical sectional front view showing the disinfection storage cabinet according to the embodiment. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a refrigeration circuit of a refrigeration device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the disinfection storage cabinet according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a timing chart of the disinfection storage cabinet based on the settings of the timer device of the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a refrigeration circuit of a refrigeration device according to a first alternative embodiment. FIG. 11 is a control block diagram of a disinfection storage cabinet according to a second alternative embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the inside temperature and the outside temperature when calculating the start time of the cooling operation of the disinfection storage cabinet according to the second alternative embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a disinfection storage cabinet according to a second alternative embodiment.

Next, a disinfection storage cabinet according to the present invention will be described below by way of a preferred embodiment with reference to the attached drawings. In the embodiment, a disinfection storage cabinet with a cart-in specification will be described, in which a shelf for placing a dish basket containing tableware and other stored items is placed inside the cabinet, and a dish cart is placed in multiple vertical tiers, and hot air is circulated inside the cabinet to disinfect and dry the tableware and other items inside the dish basket placed on the dish cart. However, the disinfection storage cabinet may be of another configuration, such as a disinfection storage cabinet configured to place a dish basket on a shelf provided inside the cabinet.

Figures 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams showing a disinfection storage cabinet of the embodiment. The disinfection storage cabinet is equipped with a box body 10 having an insulated structure with a heat insulating material such as glass wool or urethane foam between the exterior and interior, hot air circulation means 11, 12 for circulating hot air (heated air) inside the box body 10 (i.e., inside the cabinet), and an air guide 14 for forming a movement path 13 of the hot air sent out from the hot air circulation means 11, 12 along the top and both side surfaces of the cabinet. In addition, an entrance 10a for a tableware cart 15 is provided on the front of the box body 10, and a door 16 that can open and close the entrance 10a is arranged on the box body 10.

The dish cart 15 is used to transport dishes washed in a dishwashing area of a kitchen or the like to a disinfecting storage unit. As shown in FIG. 2, the dish cart 15 is equipped with an upper frame 17 and a lower frame 18 in the form of a rectangular frame that open at the top and bottom, four pillars 19 extending in the vertical direction and connecting the four corners of the upper frame 17 and the lower frame 18, and multiple shelves 20 in upper and lower stages supported on the inside of each pillar 19, and casters 21 with wheels are attached to the four corners of the lower surface of the lower frame 18. In other words, the dish cart 15 can hold a dish basket containing dishes and the like on each shelf 20, and is configured to be freely movable by the multiple casters 21. The shelf 20 is formed in a fence shape with multiple rods 20a extending in the front-rear direction arranged at a distance from each other in the left-right direction, and is configured to allow air to pass through in the thickness direction (up-down direction).

As shown in FIG. 2, the air guide 14 includes an upper plate 22 parallel to the top surface of the interior, left and right side plates 23, 23 parallel to the sides of the interior, and extension plates 24, 24 extending from the front and rear ends of each side plate 23 toward the corresponding sides of the interior. An upstream portion 13a extending in the left-right direction of the downward U-shaped movement path 13 is formed between the upper plate 22 of the air guide 14 and the top surface of the interior. In addition, a downstream portion 13b extending in the up-down direction of the movement path 13 is formed inside the area surrounded by the side plates 23, 23 and extension plates 24, 24 of the air guide 14 and the sides of the interior. In addition, both side plates 23, 23 of the air guide 14 are configured to close the downstream end of the downstream portion 13b.

The hot air circulation means 11, 12 are composed of a heater 11 that heats the air inside the cabinet, and a fan 12 such as a sirocco fan that blows the air (hot air) heated by the heater 11. The heater 11 is formed in a ring shape in the upstream part 13a of the moving path 13 so that the suction port 22a described later is located on the inside. The fan 12 is composed of a motor 12a arranged outside the cabinet and an impeller 12b that is rotated by the motor 12a, and the impeller 12b is arranged inside the heater 11 in the upstream part 13a, and is configured to send out the hot air heated by the heater 11 to both the left and right sides by rotating the impeller 12b.

As shown in FIG. 2, a storage space 25 capable of storing the dish cart 15 is formed inside the air guide 14 inside the cabinet. The bottom surface of the cabinet is located at a height (below the rotation center of the wheels of the casters 21) that allows the dish cart 15 to climb up from the floor surface of the kitchen or the like where the disinfection storage cabinet is installed. When taking the dish cart 15 into or out of the box body 10, the dish cart 15 can be easily taken into or out of the box body 10 by placing a slope member having an inclined surface that slopes upward toward the interior bottom surface on the floor surface of the kitchen or by placing the box body 10 so that the bottom of the box body is accommodated in a recessed portion dug into the floor surface, thereby making the interior bottom surface and the floor surface the same height.

As shown in Fig. 2, the air guide 14 has an outlet 23a for air (hot air) from the moving path 13 to the storage space 25 at a height position between the shelves 20 of the tableware cart 15 on the left and right side plates 23, 23. The air guide 14 also has an inlet 22a for air (hot air) from the storage space 25 to the moving path 13 at a position below the hot air circulation means 11, 12 (12b) on the upper plate 22. Therefore, as shown by the arrows in Figure 2, the hot air sent out from the hot air circulation means 11, 12 in the left-right direction along the upstream part 13a of the moving path 13 moves downward in the downstream part 13b, 13b of the moving path 13, and during its downward movement, it is blown out through the outlet 23a of the air guide 14 into the storage space 25, rises, and returns from the upper end of this storage space 25 through the suction port 22a of the air guide 14 to the upstream part 13a where the hot air circulation means 11, 12 (12b) are located. In addition, an internal temperature sensor (internal temperature detection means) 26 that detects the internal temperature is arranged near the suction port 22a.

The disinfection storage cabinet is equipped with a refrigeration device 27 that cools the interior (storage space 25). As shown in Fig. 3, the refrigeration device 27 is equipped with a compressor 28 that compresses the refrigerant, a condenser 29 that cools and liquefies the refrigerant pumped from the compressor 28, expansion valves 30, 31 as expansion means that expand the liquefied refrigerant liquefied by the condenser 29 to form a low-pressure liquefied refrigerant, and evaporators 32, 33 that vaporize the liquefied refrigerant expanded by the expansion valves 30, 31. The refrigeration device 27 is configured to have a refrigeration circuit in which the refrigerant circulates in this order by connecting the compressor 28, the condenser 29, the expansion valves 30, 31, and the evaporators 32, 32 in a ring shape by a refrigerant pipe 34. The refrigeration device 27 of the embodiment includes a plurality of evaporators 32, 33 (two in the embodiment) connected in parallel in the refrigeration circuit, and the evaporators 32, 33 are arranged between the impeller 12b and the heater 11 in the upstream portion 13a of the moving path 13, and are configured to exchange heat with the air sent by the operation (rotation) of the impeller 12b. In the embodiment, the first evaporator 32 and the second evaporator 33 that cool the air in the storage are arranged on either side of the impeller 12b, and the air (cold air) cooled by the first evaporator 32 and the second evaporator 33 is blown by the impeller 12b. That is, the evaporators 32, 33 are arranged at a position where air flows by the operation of the fan 12 that generates hot air by the heater 11, and are configured to share the fan 12 between the heating operation for disinfecting and drying stored items by hot air and the cooling operation by the refrigeration device 27 with cold air. The expansion valve 30 disposed upstream of the first evaporator 32 is referred to as the first expansion valve 30, and the expansion valve 31 disposed upstream of the second evaporator 33 is referred to as the second expansion valve 31.

As shown in FIG. 3, the refrigerant pipe 34 includes a first connecting line 35 connecting the compressor 28 and the condenser 29, a second connecting line 36 connecting the condenser 29 and the expansion valves 30, 31, third connecting lines 37, 37 connecting the expansion valves 30, 31 and the evaporators 32, 33, and a fourth connecting line 38 connecting the evaporators 32, 33 and the compressor 28. The refrigeration circuit is provided with a heat exchanger (load suppression means) 39 in which a second connection line 36 (refrigerant pipe (high pressure side refrigerant pipe) connecting the condenser 29 and the evaporator 32, 33) and a fourth connection line 38 (refrigerant pipe (low pressure side refrigerant pipe) connecting the evaporator 32, 33 and the compressor 28) are arranged in close proximity or contact over a predetermined length, and the heat exchanger 39 is configured to be able to exchange heat between the liquid refrigerant flowing through the second connection line 36 and the gas refrigerant flowing through the fourth connection line 38. The length of the heat exchanger 39 is set to a length (e.g., 250 mm) that can suppress a decrease in cooling capacity when the temperature inside the cabinet is high, within a range in which the detection temperature of a discharge side temperature sensor 51 described later that detects the refrigerant temperature on the discharge side of the refrigerant from the compressor 28 is below a preset specified temperature.

3, a dryer 40 that removes moisture contained in the high-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing out from the condenser 29 and a sight glass 41 that allows visual observation of the flow of the liquid refrigerant in the pipe are connected in series to the second connecting pipe 36 upstream of the heat exchange unit 39. The second connecting pipe 36 branches into a first pipe 36a and a second pipe 36b downstream of the heat exchange unit 39, and the first pipe 36a is connected to the inlet side of the first expansion valve 30 via a first solenoid valve (load suppression means) 42, and the second pipe 36b is connected to the inlet side of the second expansion valve 31 via a second solenoid valve (load suppression means) 43. The first solenoid valve 42 and the second solenoid valve 43 are open/close valves disposed on the inlet side of the refrigerant to the first and second evaporators 32, 33, and are configured to selectively supply and cut off the refrigerant to the first and second evaporators 32, 33 by independently opening and closing each of the solenoid valves 42, 43. The upstream portion of the fourth connection pipe 38 is branched into a first outflow pipe 38a connected to the outlet side of the first evaporator 32 and a second outflow pipe 38b connected to the outlet side of the second evaporator 33. A first temperature sensing tube 44 is disposed in the first outflow pipe 38a to detect the temperature of the refrigerant gas flowing out from the first evaporator 32, and the opening degree of the first expansion valve 30 is adjusted based on the detected temperature of the first temperature sensing tube 44. In addition, a second temperature sensing tube 45 that detects the temperature of the refrigerant gas flowing out from the second evaporator 33 is disposed in the second outflow pipe 38b, and the opening degree of the second expansion valve 31 is adjusted based on the detected temperature of the second temperature sensing tube 45. A check valve 46 is connected to the fourth connection pipe 38 downstream of the heat exchanger 39, and is configured to prevent the refrigerant from flowing back from the downstream side to the upstream side of the check valve 46. In addition, an accumulator 47 is connected to the fourth connection pipe 38 between the compressor 28 and the check valve 46 to separate the refrigerant that has flowed into the container into gas and liquid and return the gas refrigerant to the compressor 28.

3, the inlet side (one end) of a liquid bypass pipe (load suppression means) 49 is connected between the sight glass 41 and the heat exchanger 39 in the second connecting pipe 36, and a bypass valve (load suppression means) 48 such as a solenoid valve is inserted in the liquid bypass pipe 49. The liquid bypass pipe 49 branches into a first bypass pipe 49a and a second bypass pipe (bypass pipe) 49b downstream of the bypass valve 48, and the outlet side (the other end) of the first bypass pipe 49a is connected to the fourth connecting pipe 38 between the check valve 46 and the accumulator 47, and the outlet side of the second bypass pipe 49b is connected to the compressor 28. That is, the bypass valve 48 is opened to supply the low-temperature liquefied refrigerant flowing out of the condenser 29 to the fourth connecting line 38 via the first bypass line 49a (so-called liquid bypass), thereby cooling the refrigerant gas in the fourth connecting line, and the refrigerant is supplied to the compressor 28 via the second bypass line 49b (so-called liquid injection), thereby cooling the inside of the compressor. The refrigeration device 27 also includes a condenser fan 50 that blows air into the condenser 29 to promote condensation of the refrigerant, i.e., release of heat.

The disinfection storage cabinet has a discharge side temperature sensor (discharge side temperature detection means) 51, a high pressure sensor (high pressure detection means) 52, an intake side temperature sensor (intake side temperature detection means) 53, and a low pressure sensor (low pressure detection means) 54. The discharge side temperature sensor 51 is provided around the outlet of the compressor 28 and detects the discharge temperature, which is the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 28. The high pressure sensor 52 is provided around the outlet of the compressor 28 and detects the high pressure, which is the pressure of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 28. The intake side temperature sensor 53 is provided around the intake of the compressor 28 and detects the intake temperature, which is the temperature of the refrigerant sucked into the compressor 28. The low pressure sensor 54 is provided around the intake of the compressor 28 and detects the low pressure, which is the pressure of the refrigerant sucked into the compressor 28.

The disinfection storage cabinet has a control device 55 that controls the hot air circulation means 11, 12 and the refrigeration device 27. As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 55 is connected to various actuators such as the heater 11, the fan 12, the compressor 28, the first solenoid valve 42, the second solenoid valve 43, the bypass valve 48, and the condenser fan 50, as well as various sensors such as the internal temperature sensor 26, the discharge side temperature sensor 51, the high pressure sensor 52, the suction side temperature sensor 53, and the low pressure sensor 54. The control device 55 controls the operation of the various actuators 11, 12, 28, 42, 43, 48, and 50 based on the information (temperature, pressure, etc.) detected by the various sensors 26, 51, 52, 53, and 54.

The control device 55 controls the heater 11 to turn on and off based on the internal temperature detected by the internal temperature sensor 26, thereby maintaining the temperature of the storage space 25 at a preset temperature T (e.g., 90°C). The control device 55 is also configured to control the heater 11 to turn off after maintaining the internal temperature at the set temperature T for a heating time set in a timer device 57, which will be described later, and then terminate the heating operation that disinfects and dries the stored items with hot air.

The control device 55 is configured to start a cooling operation by the refrigeration device 27 to cool the inside of the storage unit after the heating operation is completed. In this embodiment, the compressor 28 is driven (ON) and the fan 12 is operated (ON), so that the cold air cooled by the evaporators 32, 33 is circulated inside the storage unit to cool the stored items. The refrigeration device 27 is equipped with load suppression means 39, 42, 43, 48, 49 that suppresses the load on the compressor 28 during the cooling operation, and the control device 55 controls the refrigeration device 27 to suppress the load on the compressor 28 by the load suppression means 39, 42, 43, 48, 49 based on the discharge temperature of the refrigerant detected by the discharge side temperature sensor 51 during the cooling operation by the refrigeration device 27.

When the refrigeration device 27 performs cooling operation, if the discharge temperature of the refrigerant detected by the discharge side temperature sensor 51 is a first high load temperature (high load temperature for refrigerant bypass) at which a high load is applied to the compressor 28, the control device 55 opens the bypass valve 48 and bypasses the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 29 to the fourth connecting line 38 and the compressor 28 via the liquid bypass pipe 49. The control device 55 is also configured to close the bypass valve 48 with the bypass valve 48 open, on the condition that the discharge temperature of the refrigerant detected by the discharge side temperature sensor 51 has fallen to a preset bypass end temperature, to stop the bypass of the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 29 to the fourth connecting line 38 and the compressor 28. The first high load temperature is the upper limit of the temperature at which the compressor 28 can operate normally, for example, 80°C, and the bypass end temperature is a temperature that is 5°C lower than the first high load temperature.

The control device 55 is configured to close either the first solenoid valve 42 or the second solenoid valve 43 and reduce the amount of refrigerant returning from the evaporator 32, 33 to the compressor 28 when the refrigerant discharge temperature detected by the discharge side temperature sensor 51 during cooling operation by the refrigeration device 27 is a second high load temperature (high load temperature for refrigerant adjustment) at which a high load is applied to the compressor 28. That is, the control device 55 is configured to reduce the high load of the compressor 28 by stopping the supply of refrigerant to either one of the two evaporators 32, 33 and reducing the amount of refrigerant returning to the compressor 28. The control device 55 is also configured to open all solenoid valves 42, 43 on the condition that the refrigerant discharge temperature detected by the discharge side temperature sensor 51 has dropped to a preset end temperature of adjustment in a state in which refrigerant is returning to the compressor 28 only from one evaporator 32, 33. The second high-load temperature is set to a value lower than the bypass end temperature, and the adjustment end temperature is set to a value lower than the second high-load temperature.

When a predetermined defrost start condition is satisfied during the cooling operation by the refrigeration device 27, the control device 55 performs a defrost operation. The defrost start condition can be "a certain time has passed since the end of the previous defrost operation", "a preset time has been reached", "a user has performed a defrost start operation", etc., and the defrost start condition can be determined appropriately. In the disinfection storage cabinet of the embodiment, when the defrost start condition is satisfied, the control device 55 closes either the first solenoid valve 42 or the second solenoid valve 43 for a preset defrost time, and is configured to alternately perform a defrost operation in which the supply of refrigerant to the corresponding evaporators 32, 33 is temporarily stopped for the first evaporator 32 and the second evaporator 33. In other words, the supply of refrigerant to either the first evaporator 32 or the second evaporator 33 is stopped, and the evaporators 32, 33 through which refrigerant does not flow are defrosted by the operation of the fan 12 to flow air.

The control device 55 is configured to perform a pump-down operation (PD) to drive the compressor 28 with the bypass valve 48 and the first and second solenoid valves 42, 43 closed after the termination conditions of the cooling operation by the refrigeration device 27 (described later) are satisfied. In the embodiment, the control device 55 is configured to continue driving the compressor 28 after the termination conditions of the cooling operation are satisfied, and to stop driving the compressor 28 when the detected pressure of the low pressure sensor 54 drops to a preset pump-down termination pressure. That is, by performing a pump-down operation after the termination conditions of the cooling operation are satisfied, the refrigerant remaining in the evaporators 32, 33 and the refrigerating machine oil contained in the refrigerant can be recovered in the condenser 29 and the compressor 28. In addition, in the disinfection storage cabinet of the embodiment, the control device 55 is configured to perform the pump-down operation before starting a heating operation to heat the stored items with the heated air generated by the heater 11 and the fan 12. In the embodiment, the control device 55 is configured to start the pump-down operation after the end condition of the cooling operation is satisfied on the condition that the end condition is satisfied, and to start the pump-down operation before the start of the heating operation on the condition that the detected pressure of the low-pressure pressure sensor 54 is a preset pump-down start pressure. This pump-down start pressure is the pressure in a state in which the pump-down operation after the cooling operation is not performed and refrigerant remains in the evaporators 32, 33 and the fourth connecting pipe 38. In addition, the pump-down operation performed before the start of the heating operation is stopped when the detected pressure of the low-pressure pressure sensor 54 drops to the pump-down end pressure.

The disinfection storage cabinet of the embodiment is provided with a timer device 57 that controls the end of the heating operation and the start of the cooling operation by the refrigeration device 27 (see FIG. 4). The timer device 57 includes a timer setting unit 58 connected to the control device 55 and a clock unit 59 provided in the control device 55. The timer setting unit 58 includes a clock circuit that generates a reference clock, a time counting means that counts time based on the reference clock, a timer time setting means that sets the timer time, and a signal output unit that outputs a drive control signal when the current time counted by the time counting means reaches the timer time set by the timer time setting means. The timer setting unit 58 of the embodiment can set the heating start timer time and the cooling start timer time by the timer time setting means, and is configured to output a heating operation start signal as a drive control signal to the control device 55 when the heating start timer time is reached, and to output a cooling operation start signal as a drive control signal to the control device 55 when the cooling start timer time is reached (see FIG. 5). The control device 55 is configured to start a heating operation using the heater 11 and the fan 12 when a heating operation start signal is output, and to start a cooling operation using the refrigeration device 27 (turn on the compressor 28 and the fan 12) when a cooling operation start signal is output.

The timer unit 59 is configured to be able to set the heating time for performing the heating operation, and the control device 55 is configured to start timing the heating time of the timer unit 59 when the condition that the internal temperature detected by the internal temperature sensor 26 exceeds the set temperature T for the first time is met. Then, the control device 55 controls the heater 11 to be turned off in priority to the control based on the temperature detected by the internal temperature sensor 26 at the same time as the timing of the heating time by the timer unit 59 ends, and ends the heating operation. In the embodiment, when the heating operation and cooling operation are not being performed in the disinfection storage cabinet, the disinfection storage cabinet is placed in a standby state in which heating operation and cooling operation are possible based on a signal from a switch whose state is changed by pressing the operation button by pressing the operation button, and the time measurement by the time measurement means of the timer setting unit 58 is started. In addition, when the cooling operation is being performed, the control device 55 is configured to end the cooling operation based on a signal (cooling operation end signal) from the switch whose state is changed by pressing the operation button. In this embodiment, the cooling operation end condition is met when the operation button is pressed and a cooling operation end signal is output from the switch (a signal is input to the control device 55). In the disinfection storage cabinet of this embodiment, which performs pump-down operation after cooling operation, only the fan 12 is controlled to be turned off when the cooling operation end condition is met, and the compressor 28 is controlled to be turned off when the pump-down operation end condition is met (detection of the pump-down end pressure).

[Function of the embodiment]
Next, the operation of the disinfection storage cabinet according to the embodiment will be described. It is assumed that the heating start timer time and the cooling start timer time are set in the timer setting unit 58.

In the disinfection storage cabinet, when the operation button is pressed while a tableware cart 15 with a number of tableware baskets containing stored items placed on the shelf 20 is stored in the storage space 25, the timer setting unit 58 starts timing by the time measuring means. When the current time measured by the time measuring means reaches the heating start timer time set by the timer time setting means, a heating operation start signal is output from the signal output unit, and the control device 55 starts heating operation by the heater 11 and the fan 12 based on the heating operation start signal (see FIG. 5). That is, the heater 11 and the fan 12 are controlled to be ON, and hot air is circulated through the movement path 13 and the storage space 25 to heat up the inside of the storage space 25. When the internal temperature sensor 26 detects the preset temperature T, the timer unit 59 starts timing. Thereafter, based on the temperature detected by the internal temperature sensor 26, the control device 55 controls the heater 11 to turn on and off to maintain the temperature of the storage space 25 at the set temperature T. Then, at the same time that the timing unit 59 finishes timing, the control device 55 controls the heater 11 to turn off, prioritizing the control based on the temperature detected by the internal temperature sensor 26, and ends the heating operation that disinfects and dries the stored items.

When the low-pressure sensor 54 does not detect the pump-down start pressure at the start of the heating operation, the control device 55 starts the heating operation without performing the pump-down operation. In contrast, when the low-pressure sensor 54 detects the pump-down start pressure, the control device 55 starts the heating operation after performing the pump-down operation (PD). In other words, before starting the heating operation, the refrigerant remaining in the evaporators 32, 33 and the fourth connecting pipe 38 is recovered to the condenser 29 and the compressor 28.

After the heating operation is completed, when the current time measured by the timer means reaches the cooling start timer time set by the timer time setting means, a cooling operation start signal is output from the signal output unit, and the control device 55 starts the cooling operation by the refrigeration device 27 based on the cooling operation start signal (see FIG. 5). That is, the compressor 28 and the fan 12 are controlled to be ON. During the cooling operation, the bypass valve 48 is closed and the solenoid valves 42, 43 are open, and the refrigerant (liquid refrigerant) discharged from the compressor 28 and condensed in the condenser 29 is supplied to the evaporators 32, 33. As a result, the cold air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant flowing through the evaporators 32, 33 circulates between the movement path 13 and the storage space 25, cooling the inside of the storage space 25. When the operation button is pressed during the cooling operation and a cooling operation end signal is output (the end condition is met), the control device 55 controls the fan 12 to turn off, thereby ending the cooling operation for cooling the stored items. When the end condition for the cooling operation is met, the control device 55 controls only the fan 12 to turn off while keeping the compressor 28 running, and closes the bypass valve 48 and the first and second solenoid valves 42, 43 to perform pump-down operation (PD). This pump-down operation causes the refrigerant remaining in the evaporators 32, 33 and the fourth connecting pipe 38 to be recovered in the condenser 29 and the compressor 28. When the low pressure sensor 54 detects the pump-down end pressure, the control device 55 ends the pump-down operation (compressor 28-OFF, fan 12-OFF, solenoid valves 42, 43-open) and stops the operation of the disinfection storage cabinet.

The disinfection storage cabinet of the embodiment is configured to start a cooling operation by the refrigeration device 27 without introducing outside air into the storage space (inside the cabinet) 25 after the heating operation is completed, thereby cooling the stored items hygienically. In addition, the refrigeration device 27 is equipped with multiple evaporators 32, 33, so the storage space 25 can be cooled efficiently in a short time. Furthermore, the fan 12 used during the heating operation is also used as a fan to send air to the evaporators 32, 33 during the cooling operation, so an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the cold air is blown out between the shelves 20 from the multiple air outlets 23a of the air guide 14, the temperature distribution of the storage space 25 can be made uniform during the cooling operation as well as during the heating operation.

Here, if the cooling operation is started immediately after the end of the heating operation, the storage space 25 is at a high temperature, so the refrigerant that has been heat exchanged in the evaporators 32 and 33 also becomes at a high temperature, and the compressor 28 to which the refrigerant returns is overheated. Then, when the discharge temperature of the refrigerant detected by the discharge side temperature sensor 51 reaches a first high load temperature at which the compressor 28 is at a high load, the control device 55 opens the bypass valve 48 and bypasses the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 29 to the fourth connection line 38 and the compressor 28 via the liquid bypass pipe 49. This reduces the temperature of the refrigerant sucked into the compressor 28 and cools the inside of the compressor 28, quickly reducing the temperature of the compressor 28 and eliminating the high load state. That is, even in the early stage of the cooling operation started immediately after the end of the heating operation, the load applied to the compressor 28 is suppressed by the load suppression means consisting of the liquid bypass pipe 49 and the bypass valve 48, and the temperature of the compressor 28 can be prevented from exceeding the upper limit at which it can be operated normally. When the discharge temperature of the refrigerant detected by the discharge side temperature sensor 51 reaches the bypass end temperature, the control device 55 closes the bypass valve 48. As a result, the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 29 is supplied to the evaporators 32 and 33, and the storage space 25 is cooled by the cold air that exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing through the evaporators 32 and 33.

When the refrigerant discharge temperature detected by the discharge side temperature sensor 51 reaches the second high load temperature while the refrigerant is being supplied to the two evaporators 32, 33, the control device 55 controls either the first solenoid valve 42 or the second solenoid valve 43 to close so as to limit the number of evaporators 32, 33 through which the refrigerant circulates. This reduces the amount of refrigerant returning to the compressor 28 via the evaporators 32, 33, and reduces the load on the compressor 28. In other words, during the cooling operation of the refrigeration device 27, the load on the compressor 28 can be suppressed by the load suppression means consisting of the solenoid valves 42, 43. Then, when the refrigerant discharge temperature detected by the discharge side temperature sensor 51 reaches the end-of-adjustment temperature, the control device 55 controls all solenoid valves 42, 43 to open. That is, when the temperature of the storage space 25 is high, if two evaporators 32, 33 are used for cooling operation, the amount of high-temperature refrigerant returning to the compressor 28 increases, which may increase the load on the compressor 28 and prevent efficient operation. However, by performing cooling operation using only one evaporator 32, 33, the load on the compressor 28 can be reduced. Also, when the load on the compressor 28 decreases (when the discharge temperature of the refrigerant falls below the end-of-adjustment temperature), the two evaporators 32, 33 are used for cooling operation, so the cooling speed can be increased.

The disinfection storage cabinet of the embodiment is provided with the heat exchange unit 39 that exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing through the second connecting pipe 36 and the refrigerant flowing through the fourth connecting pipe 38. Therefore, when the temperature of the storage space 25 (temperature of the stored item) is high during cooling operation and the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration circuit is in the relationship of evaporator outlet temperature > condenser outlet temperature, the heat exchange unit 39 can cool the refrigerant (gas refrigerant) returning to the compressor 28, and overheating of the compressor 28 can be suppressed. In addition, when the temperature of the storage space 25 decreases due to the cooling operation and the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration circuit is in the relationship of evaporator outlet temperature < condenser outlet temperature, the refrigerant (liquid refrigerant) flowing out of the condenser 29 can be supercooled, and the cooling capacity of the evaporators 32, 33 can be improved.

Here, in the configuration in which the heater 11 and the evaporators 32, 33 are arranged in the same space (upstream portion 13a) as in the disinfection storage cabinet of the embodiment, the evaporators 32, 33 are heated by the heater 11 during heating operation, so if refrigerant remains in the evaporators 32, 33 or if the refrigerant contains refrigerant oil, the refrigerant and refrigerant oil remaining in the evaporators 32, 33 may be heated by the heating operation and may be thermally deteriorated. In addition, the refrigerant remaining in the evaporators 32, 33 may expand and the pressure may abnormally increase. However, in the disinfection storage cabinet of the embodiment, after the termination condition of the cooling operation is established, a pump-down operation is performed to recover the refrigerant remaining in the evaporators 32, 33 and the refrigerant oil contained in the refrigerant to the condenser 29 and the compressor 28, so that even if the evaporators 32, 33 are heated by the heater 11 during the subsequent heating operation, the refrigerant and the refrigerant oil can be prevented from being thermally deteriorated. In addition, the refrigerant in the refrigeration circuit does not heat up and expand during heating operation, and pressure increases in the refrigeration circuit can be suppressed. This improves start-up performance when starting cooling operation.

The disinfection storage cabinet of the embodiment is configured to perform pump-down operation before starting the heating operation. Even if the pump-down operation after the cooling operation is not performed due to a power outage or the like, the pump-down operation can be performed before the heating operation to prevent the refrigerant and refrigeration oil from thermally deteriorating during the heating operation, and the pressure rise in the refrigeration circuit can be suppressed to improve the start-up performance of the cooling operation.

In the disinfection storage cabinet of the embodiment, when the defrost start condition is satisfied during the cooling operation, the control device 55 closes either the first solenoid valve 42 or the second solenoid valve 43 for a preset defrost time, and alternately performs a defrost operation in which the supply of refrigerant to the corresponding evaporator 32, 33 is temporarily stopped in the first evaporator 32 and the second evaporator 33. That is, with the supply of refrigerant to either the first evaporator 32 or the second evaporator 33 stopped, the fan 12 is operated to cause air to flow, thereby defrosting the evaporators 32, 33 through which no refrigerant flows. This makes it possible to prevent the frost adhering to the evaporators 32, 33 from growing large and reducing the cooling capacity of the evaporators 32, 33. In addition, even when one of the evaporators 32, 33 is being defrosted, the storage space 25 can be cooled by the cooling operation of the other evaporator 32, 33.

Here, if there is a request to start the heating operation at a predetermined scheduled time instead of immediately after storing the tableware cart 15 in the storage space 25, conventionally, the worker would have to go to the installation location of the disinfection storage cabinet at the scheduled time and perform the cumbersome task of manually starting the heating operation, or there was a problem of forgetting to start the heating operation. However, the disinfection storage cabinet of the embodiment is configured to automatically start the heating operation and cooling operation by the timer device 57, so that the burden on the worker can be reduced and the worker can be prevented from forgetting to start the heating operation. In other words, when the tableware cart 15 is stored in the storage space 25, various start timer times can be set in the timer device 57 and the operation button can be pressed to put the disinfection storage cabinet in standby mode, so that there is no need to go to the installation location of the disinfection storage cabinet at the scheduled time. In addition, the heating operation and cooling operation can be started during times when electricity rates are low, such as at night, without causing the worker any trouble, and electricity rates can be kept low. Furthermore, in facilities where noise during cooling operation is a problem during certain times of the day, it is possible to set the system to operate during times when noise is not a problem. Furthermore, in facilities where multiple disinfection storage cabinets are used, if a heating start timer time and a cooling start timer time are set for each disinfection storage cabinet, workers will no longer need to operate multiple disinfection storage cabinets in a set order to start heating operation, reducing the burden on workers.

[Another embodiment]
6 to 9 show another embodiment of the disinfection storage cabinet, and only the parts of the other embodiment that are different from the configuration of the embodiment will be described. Also, the same members as those described in the embodiment will be given the same reference numerals.

[First Alternative Example]
6 shows a refrigeration device 60 of a disinfection storage cabinet according to a first alternative embodiment, in which an auxiliary condenser (load suppression means) 61 is provided in the fourth connecting pipe 38 (refrigerant pipe 34) between the junction of the first outflow pipe 38a and the second outflow pipe 38b and the heat exchanger 39. The auxiliary condenser 61 is disposed at a position where air flows by the operation of the condenser fan 50, and is configured so that the refrigerant flowing through the auxiliary condenser 61 can be cooled by the auxiliary condenser 61. That is, when the storage space 25 is at a high temperature during the cooling operation by the refrigeration device 60, the refrigerant that has been overheated by heat exchange with the stored items in the evaporators 32 and 33 can be cooled by the auxiliary condenser 61, and overheating of the compressor 28 can be suppressed.

In the first alternative embodiment, a bypass circuit is added to supply the refrigerant flowing out from the evaporators 32, 33 to the upstream side of the heat exchanger 39, bypassing the auxiliary condenser 61, and a solenoid valve is provided in the bypass circuit. When the internal temperature sensor 26 detects a preset low-load temperature, the solenoid valve of the bypass circuit can be controlled to open by the control device 55. The low-load temperature may be any temperature at which the refrigerant returning from the evaporators 32, 33 to the compressor 28 does not impose a high load on the compressor 28. In the first alternative embodiment, a dedicated fan for air-cooling the auxiliary condenser 61 may be provided, or the auxiliary condenser 61 may be water-cooled.

[Second Alternative Example]
7 is a control block diagram of a disinfection storage cabinet according to a second alternative embodiment, in which an outside temperature sensor (outside temperature detection means) 56 for detecting the temperature outside (outside) the box body 10 is connected to the control device 55. Also, an end time setting means 62 such as a timer capable of setting the end time of the cooling operation by the freezing device 27 (for example, the time when the stored object is made available for use) is connected to the control device 55. Then, based on the inside temperature detected by the inside temperature sensor 26 and the outside temperature detected by the outside temperature sensor 56, the control device 55 calculates the cooling operation time required for the current inside temperature to reach the cooling completion temperature when the cooling operation is performed in the calculation unit 63, updates the time calculated backward from the end time set in the end time setting means 62 by the cooling operation time as the start time of the cooling operation, and is configured to start the cooling operation by the freezing device 27 when it is determined that the current time is the start time or has passed the start time. The control device 55 is configured to recognize the current time by a timer (not shown), and starts a heating operation by pressing an operation button of the disinfection storage cabinet, and ends the heating operation after maintaining the temperature of the storage space 25 at the set temperature T for the heating time set in the built-in timer. After the heating operation ends, the cooling operation is started based on the cooling operation start process described later.

The memory unit 64 of the control device 55 stores information on cooling operation time determined by experiments according to known conditions such as the cooling capacity of the refrigeration device 27 and the capacity of the storage space 25, and the relationship between the inside temperature and the outside temperature. Figure 8 shows an example of information on cooling operation time determined from the relationship between the inside temperature and the outside temperature, and Figure 8 shows a case where the cooling completion temperature is set to 10°C. For example, if the inside temperature is 80°C and the outside temperature is 10°C, the cooling operation time required to reach the cooling completion temperature is 180 minutes, and if the inside temperature is 40°C and the outside temperature is 30°C, the cooling operation time required to reach the cooling completion temperature is 300 minutes. Note that the information shown in Figure 8 is an example, and the temperature interval between the inside temperature and the outside temperature shown in Figure 8 may be information on cooling operation time determined based on a finer interval rather than 10°C or 20°C. It is also possible to store in the memory unit 64 an arithmetic formula that can calculate the cooling operation time based on the relationship between the known conditions, the inside temperature, and the outside temperature, and to calculate the cooling operation time by substituting the inside temperature and the outside temperature into the arithmetic formula.

Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the cooling operation start process executed by the control device 55 in the second alternative embodiment. In the cooling operation start process, it is determined whether the heating operation has ended (step S10), and if the result of the determination in step S10 is negative, the cooling operation start process is ended. If the result of the determination in step S10 is positive, the control device 55 proceeds to step S11. In step S11, the fan 12 is turned on, and based on the inside temperature detected by the inside temperature sensor 26 and the outside temperature detected by the outside temperature sensor 56, the calculation unit 63 calculates the cooling operation time required for the current inside temperature to reach the cooling completion temperature based on the information, and sets the time calculated backward from the end time set in the end time setting means 62 by the cooling operation time (stored in the memory unit 64). The fan 12 is turned off after a predetermined time (for example, after 2 minutes).

In step S12, the control device 55 judges whether the current time is the start time set in step S11 or has passed the start time. If the judgment result in step S12 is positive, the process proceeds to step S16 to start the cooling operation. If the judgment result in step S12 is negative, that is, if the start time of the cooling operation set in step S11 has not arrived, the control device 55 waits until the start time arrives (step S13). Then, when the start time arrives, the control device 55 turns on the fan 12 again, and calculates the cooling operation time required for the current inside temperature to reach the cooling completion temperature in the calculation unit 63 based on the inside temperature and outside temperature detected by the inside temperature sensor 26 and the outside temperature sensor 56, based on the information, and updates the time calculated backwards by the cooling operation time from the end time set in the end time setting means 62 as the cooling operation time and stores it in the memory unit 64 (step S14). In addition, the fan 12 will turn off after a specified time (e.g., after 2 minutes).

Next, the process proceeds to step S15, where the control device 55 determines whether the current time has reached the start time updated in step S14 or has passed the start time. If the determination result in step S15 is positive, the process proceeds to step S16 and starts the cooling operation. If the determination result in step S15 is negative, that is, if the cooling operation start time updated in step S14 has not yet arrived, the control device 55 returns to step S13 and waits until the start time arrives. When the control device 55 starts the cooling operation, it ends the cooling operation start process.

Here, when the cooling operation is ended manually (by pressing the operation button) as in the embodiment, or when the time for which the cooling operation continues is set by a timer, the stored items may be prematurely cooled to the cooling completion temperature due to factors such as the temperature outside the storage unit being lower than expected, or the temperature of the stored items being low when the cooling operation begins. Even in this case, the cooling operation continues until the cooling operation is ended manually or until the time for which the cooling operation is to continue set by the timer has elapsed, which creates the drawback of increased electricity usage due to unnecessary cooling operation.

In contrast, in the second embodiment, the cooling operation time required for the current inside temperature to reach the cooling completion temperature when the cooling operation is performed is calculated based on the inside temperature and the outside temperature, and the time calculated backwards from the end time set in the end time setting means 62 by the cooling operation time is updated as the start time of the cooling operation, and the cooling operation is started from this updated start time, so that the cooling operation can be started from the optimal time. In other words, the cooling operation time can be changed to the minimum required length depending on the change in the outside temperature and the temperature (inside temperature) of the stored items stored in the storage space 25, so that the freezer device 27 is prevented from being operated unnecessarily and electricity consumption can be reduced. In addition, since the cooling operation is put on hold until the updated start time is reached, it is not necessary to cool the amount of heat released by natural cooling during this standby period, and this is expected to have the effect of further shortening the cooling operation time. Furthermore, before the cooling operation time is calculated from the inside temperature and the outside temperature, the fan 12 is operated to uniform the temperature distribution inside the storage, so that the appropriate inside temperature can be detected by the inside temperature sensor 26.

[Example of change]
The present application is not limited to the configurations of the respective embodiments described above, and other configurations can be appropriately adopted.
(1) In the embodiment, the refrigeration system is configured to include two evaporators, but the number of evaporators may be three or more. In addition, in a configuration including three or more evaporators, when the number of evaporators through which the refrigerant circulates is limited based on the refrigerant temperature detected by the discharge-side temperature sensor, it is sufficient that the amount of refrigerant returning to the compressor is reduced, and the supply of refrigerant to multiple evaporators may be stopped at the same time.
(2) In the embodiment, the low-temperature liquefied refrigerant branching off from the liquid bypass pipe and flowing out from the condenser is supplied to the fourth connecting pipe and the compressor, but a configuration in which the liquefied refrigerant is supplied only to either the fourth connecting pipe or the compressor may be adopted. That is, a configuration in which the first bypass pipe or the second bypass pipe in the embodiment is omitted may be adopted, and even in a configuration in which either the first bypass pipe or the second bypass pipe is omitted, the temperature of the compressor can be prevented from exceeding the upper limit value at which normal operation is possible.
(3) In the embodiment, the configuration in which the low-temperature liquefied refrigerant flowing out of the condenser is liquid-bypassed or liquid-injected and the configuration in which the number of evaporators through which the refrigerant circulates are both used, but it is also possible to adopt only one of the configurations. That is, in the refrigeration system of the embodiment, a configuration in which the liquid bypass pipe and the bypass valve are omitted or a configuration in which the first and second solenoid valves are omitted may be adopted.
(4) In the embodiment, the cooling operation is terminated by manual operation, but a configuration can be adopted in which a cooling time is set in the timer unit of a timer device, and when the cooling start timer time is reached, the timer unit starts timing the cooling time, and the cooling operation is automatically terminated by the timing unit timing the cooling time. That is, a configuration can be adopted in which the start and end of the heating operation and the start and end of the cooling operation are both controlled by a timer device. Also, a configuration can be adopted in which the heating operation is started by manual operation.
(5) In the embodiment, the timer unit constituting the timer device is provided in the control device. However, the timer unit may be provided in the timer setting unit.
(6) In the second alternative embodiment, a dedicated end time setting means is connected to the control device, but if the timer device of the embodiment is configured to be able to set the end time of the cooling operation, the timer device can be used as the end time setting means. In a configuration using a timer device as the end time setting means, when the cooling start timer time set in the timer device is reached, the cooling operation time required for the current inside temperature to reach the cooling completion temperature when cooling operation is performed is calculated based on the inside and outside temperatures, and the time calculated backwards by the cooling operation time from the end time set in the timer device as the end time setting means can be updated as the new cooling start timer time.
(7) The expansion means is not limited to an expansion valve and may be a capillary tube or the like.
(8) The configurations described in each embodiment and modified example may be combined within the scope of the spirit of the present invention.

11 heater, 12 fan, 26 internal temperature sensor (internal temperature detection means)
27 Refrigeration device, 28 Compressor, 29 Condenser, 30 First expansion valve (expansion means)
31 Second expansion valve (expansion means), 32 First evaporator (evaporator), 33 Second evaporator (evaporator)
36 Second connecting pipe (refrigerant pipe), 38 Fourth connecting pipe (refrigerant pipe), 39 Heat exchange section 42 First solenoid valve (on-off valve), 43 Second solenoid valve (on-off valve), 48 Bypass valve 49 Liquid bypass pipe, 49b Second bypass pipe (bypass pipe)
51 Discharge side temperature sensor (discharge side temperature detection means), 55 Control device 56 Outside-cabinet temperature sensor (outside-cabinet temperature detection means), 57 Timer device, 61 Auxiliary condenser 62 End time setting means

Claims (9)

A disinfection storage cabinet in which stored items are heated, disinfected, and dried by using heated air generated by a heater (11) and a fan (12),
a refrigeration system (27) including a compressor (28), a condenser (29), expansion means (30, 31), and an evaporator (32, 33) connected in this order so that a refrigerant circulates therethrough;
The refrigeration device (27) includes a plurality of evaporators (32, 33) capable of exchanging heat with interior air,
a discharge side temperature detection means (51) for detecting the temperature of a refrigerant discharged from the compressor (28);
a control device (55) that controls the heater (11), the fan (12), and the refrigeration device (27);
a liquid bypass pipe (49) having one end connected to a refrigerant pipe (36) connecting the condenser (29) and the evaporator (32, 33) and the other end connected to a refrigerant pipe (38) connecting the evaporator (32, 33) and the compressor (28);
a bypass valve (48) interposed in the liquid bypass pipe (49);
a bypass pipe (49b) branching off from the liquid bypass pipe (49) downstream of the bypass valve (48) and connected to the compressor (28),
the control device (55) is configured to control the refrigeration device (27) so as to open the bypass valve (48) and bypass the refrigerant condensed in the condenser (29) to a refrigerant pipe (38) connecting an evaporator (32, 33) and a compressor (28) and to the compressor (28) through a liquid bypass pipe (49) when the refrigerant temperature detected by the discharge side temperature detection means (51) is a refrigerant bypass high load temperature during cooling operation by the refrigeration device (27). A disinfection storage cabinet in which stored items are heated, disinfected, and dried by using heated air generated by a heater (11) and a fan (12),
a refrigeration system (27) including a compressor (28), a condenser (29), expansion means (30, 31), and an evaporator (32, 33) connected in this order so that a refrigerant circulates therethrough;
The refrigeration device (27) includes a plurality of evaporators (32, 33) capable of exchanging heat with interior air,
a discharge side temperature detection means (51) for detecting the temperature of a refrigerant discharged from the compressor (28);
a control device (55) for controlling the heater (11), the fan (12), and the refrigeration device (27);
a liquid bypass pipe (49) having one end connected to the refrigerant pipe (36) connecting the condenser (29) and the evaporator (32, 33) and the other end connected to the refrigerant pipe (38) connecting the evaporator (32, 33) and the compressor (28);
a bypass valve (48) interposed in the liquid bypass pipe (49);
an auxiliary condenser (61) provided in a refrigerant pipe (38) connecting the evaporator (32, 33) and a compressor (28);
the control device (55) is configured to control the refrigeration device (27) so as to open the bypass valve (48) and bypass the refrigerant condensed in the condenser (29) to a refrigerant pipe (38) connecting an evaporator (32, 33) and a compressor (28) through the liquid bypass pipe (49) when the refrigerant temperature detected by the discharge side temperature detection means (51) is a refrigerant bypass high load temperature during cooling operation by the refrigeration device (27). 3. The disinfection storage cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the control device (55) is configured to close one of the on-off valves (42, 43) provided on the refrigerant inlet sides of the plurality of evaporators (32, 33), respectively, to limit the number of evaporators (32, 33) through which the refrigerant circulates, when the refrigerant temperature detected by the discharge side temperature detection means (51) during cooling operation by the refrigeration device ( 27 ) is a refrigerant adjustment high-load temperature lower than the refrigerant bypass high-load temperature. 4. The disinfection storage cabinet according to claim 1 , wherein the evaporators (32, 33) are arranged at positions where air flows when the fan (12) is operated. 5. The disinfection storage cabinet according to claim 1, further comprising a heat exchange unit (39) for exchanging heat between a refrigerant flowing through a refrigerant pipe (36) connecting the condenser (29) and the evaporator (32, 33) and a refrigerant flowing through a refrigerant pipe (38) connecting the evaporator (32, 33) and the compressor ( 28 ). 6. The disinfection storage cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the control device (55) is configured to, when a defrosting start condition is satisfied during a cooling operation by the refrigeration device (27), sequentially perform a defrosting operation in the plurality of evaporators (32, 33), in which the on-off valves (42, 43) provided on the refrigerant inlet sides of the plurality of evaporators (32, 33) are closed to stop the supply of refrigerant to the evaporators (32, 33 ) for a defrosting time. 7. The disinfection storage cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the control device (55) is configured to perform a pump-down operation for driving the compressor (28) in a state where an on-off valve (42, 43) provided in a refrigerant pipe (36) connecting the condenser (29) and an evaporator (32, 33) is closed after a condition for terminating the cooling operation by the refrigeration device ( 27 ) is satisfied. The disinfection storage cabinet according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a timer device (57) for controlling the end of a heating operation for disinfecting and drying the stored items by the heated air and the start of a cooling operation by the refrigeration device (27). an end time setting means (62) capable of setting an end time of a cooling operation by the refrigeration device (27);
The refrigerator includes an inside temperature detection means (26) for detecting the temperature inside the refrigerator and an outside temperature detection means (56) for detecting the temperature outside the refrigerator,
After the heating operation for disinfecting and drying the stored items by the heated air is completed, the control device (55) calculates a cooling operation time required for the current inside temperature to reach a cooling completion temperature if a cooling operation is performed, based on the inside and outside temperatures detected by the inside and outside temperature detection means (26 and 56), and updates the start time of the cooling operation to the time calculated backwards from the end time set in the end time setting means (62) by the cooling operation time,
9. The disinfection storage cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the control device (55) is configured to start a cooling operation by the refrigeration device ( 27 ) when it is determined that the current time is the start time or has passed the start time.

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