JPH04251180A - Dew water collecting device for refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a dew water collecting device for a refrigerator, prominent in washability and durability and guaranteeing the smooth passage of cold air. CONSTITUTION:A dew water collecting device 50 is constituted by a method wherein at least two sheets or more of surface constituting bodies (plates 51) are superposed so that at least one parts of said air permeating parts is superposed and a gap, generating capillary phenomenon, is formed between respective surface constituting bodies, while the dew water collecting device 50 is arranged detachably at the ceiling in a storage chamber (an adiabatic box 10, a receiving box 20) provided with an opening O opened and/or closed by a door 30.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a storage condensation water trapping device used to trap dew water generated on the upper wall surface of a high-humidity storage store in which fresh foods are stored without drying out. .

0002

[Prior Art] A condensation water trapping device used in a high-humidity storage (hereinafter simply referred to as a storage) for storing fresh foods while preventing them from drying out has been proposed, for example, in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 41880/1983. . However, the condensation water trapping device proposed in the above publication consists of a condensation catch plate made of water-absorbing fiber cloth, that is, a rectangular frame made of synthetic resin or metal, and a water-absorbing cloth pasted on it. It is a rectangular plate made of synthetic resin or metal with cold air passage holes perforated and covered with water-absorbing fiber cloth, and is installed at an angle on the ceiling of the storage room. . In a condensation water trapping device with such a configuration, (1) Water droplets condensed on the dew receiving plate are absorbed by the water-absorbent fibers, and unabsorbed water is diffused into the water-absorbent fibers, flows in an inclined direction, and flows down from the end thereof. is discharged outside. (2) Moisture that condenses on the upper wall surface of the storage and drips onto the dew receiving plate is absorbed or drained in the same manner as described above. (2) The moisture that is absorbed by the water-absorbing fibers or cannot flow down and adheres to the fibers evaporates again because the humidity inside the storage chamber is not 100%, increasing the relative humidity in the air. The following effects can be obtained.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional condensation water trapping device, after long-term use,
Bacteria adhere to and multiply on water-absorbing fiber cloth, resulting in mold formation, and odors from stored items such as fish and meat are adsorbed to water-absorbing fiber cloth, giving off a strange odor. To solve this problem, the condensation water trapping device can be cleaned regularly to remove mold and odor from the absorbent fiber cloth, but absorbent fiber cloth is made up of countless fine fibers piled up. Even if immersed in a cleaning solution, mold and odor attached to each fiber cannot be accurately removed.Mold must be removed mechanically using a brush, etc.; Removal may damage or tear the absorbent fiber cloth, making it impossible to reuse it. In addition, in the above-mentioned conventional condensation water trapping device, if enough condensation water is absorbed by the absorbent fiber cloth, it becomes difficult for cold air to pass through the absorbent fiber cloth, and the cold air tries to descend from the ceiling of the storage room. There is a possibility that the cool air is prevented from descending by the cloth and the temperature inside the refrigerator is not uniform. The present invention has been made to address the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a storage condensation water trapping device that is excellent in cleanability and durability and ensures smooth passage of cold air.

0004

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides the dew condensation water trapping device, in which at least two or more surface structures each having a large number of ventilation portions are installed at least one of the ventilation portions. Constructed by overlapping each other so that a gap is formed between each surface component to create a capillary phenomenon, and can be attached to and removed from the ceiling of a storage room equipped with an opening that can be opened and closed by a door. It is now placed in . In addition to the above-described configuration, each surface structure can be separated.

[0005]

[Operation] The storage condensation water trapping device according to the present invention is installed inside the storage to catch water droplets that have condensed on the upper wall surface of the storage and dripped downward. In this case, water droplets that come into contact with the member forming the ventilation section are attracted by surface tension when they come into contact with the member, and are sucked into the gap by capillary action caused by the gaps between the respective surface components. Ru. Therefore, most of the dripping water droplets are captured by the condensed water capture device, except for a few water droplets that pass through without contacting the member forming the ventilation section. In addition, the water droplets that have condensed on the top surface of the condensed water trap flow along with the water droplets that have been caught on the top surface of the condensed water trap, mainly among the above-mentioned dripping water droplets, flow in a predetermined direction by gravity on the top surface, and flow downward at the end. Flow down. In addition, some of the water droplets that have condensed on the top surface of the condensed water trapping device pass through the ventilation section of each surface structure, come into contact with the gap between each surface structure, and are sucked into the same gap due to capillary action in the same gap. Ru. On the other hand, the water droplets that have condensed on the bottom surface of the condensed water trapping device grow before falling, travel up the ventilation section, come into contact with the gaps between the respective surface components, and enter the gaps due to capillary action in the same gaps. The water droplets are sucked and flow in a predetermined direction through the gaps due to gravity together with the water droplets sucked into the gaps between the respective surface structures among the above-mentioned dripping water droplets. The water remaining in the gaps between the surface structures evaporates when the humidity in the housing space decreases, and acts to increase the relative humidity in the air. Further, the condensed water trapping device ensures smooth passage of cold air descending from the ceiling in the storage at the portion where the ventilation portions of each surface structure overlap.

[0006]

[Effects of the Invention] By the way, the condensed water trapping device according to the present invention is constructed by overlapping two or more surface structures having a large number of ventilation portions, and is also capable of being attached and detached inside the refrigerator. Because of this, it can be manufactured at low cost, and it is also possible to remove mold, odor, and dirt from each surface structure by mechanically cleaning with a brush, etc. after removing it from the inside of the refrigerator, thus keeping the inside of the storage space clean. It is highly durable and can be used repeatedly without being damaged or damaged by mechanical cleaning with a brush or the like. In addition, when each surface structure is configured to be separable, it is possible to clean the mutually opposing surfaces of each surface structure by mechanical cleaning with a brush, etc. Mold, odor, and dirt can be removed more easily and accurately. In addition, the condensation water trapping device according to the present invention is designed to reduce the cooling rate in the warehouse in order to ensure smooth passage of cold air descending from the ceiling in the warehouse at the portion where the ventilation portions of each surface structure overlap. It is possible to speed up the heating process and to even out the temperature inside the refrigerator.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show an example in which the condensation water trapping device according to the present invention is implemented in a small storage. In this storage, stainless steel, etc. A storage box 20 made of a thermally conductive metal plate is assembled so that its opening overlaps with the opening of the insulation box 10, and the storage space R1 formed by the storage box 20 is larger than the insulation box 10. Hinge (
It is designed to be sealed by a heat insulating door 30 which is pivotally connected via a hinge (not shown) so as to be openable and closable.

The insulation box 10 includes an outer box 1 having an opening on the front side.
1, an inner box 12 having an opening on the front and assembled inside the outer box 11 with a required gap, and a heat insulating material 13 such as urethane foam filled between both boxes 11 and 12. ing. The heat insulating door 30 also includes a front plate 31, a rear plate 32 assembled to this while maintaining a required gap, and both plates 31, 32.
A side plate 33 that connects these plates 31 and 32 at their peripheral edges;
, 33, and a sealing rubber 35 attached to the back surface of the rear plate 32. Furthermore, a cold air circulation space R2 is formed between the insulation box 10 and the storage box 20, as shown in FIGS. Cold air is allowed to circulate.

As shown in FIG. 3, the cold air supply device 40 includes an evaporator 41 disposed on the inner surface of the left side wall of the insulating box 10 and functioning as a cooler, and an evaporator disposed outside the insulating box 10. A compressor 42, a condenser 43, a dryer 44, a capillary tube 45 and a hot gas valve 46 as pressure reducing means, and an electric fan 47 that air-cools the condenser 43 are connected to the evaporator 41 to form a refrigeration circuit. , a cover 48 that is assembled inside the insulation box 10 and covers the evaporator 41;
and an electric blower fan 49 disposed in an opening provided above the cover 48. When the electric blower fan 49 is activated, the cool air that has passed through the evaporator 41 is sent to the storage box 20 as shown by the arrow. After flowing along the top wall 21, it descends along the right side wall 23 or the rear wall 24 and returns to the evaporator 41 along the bottom wall 25. In addition, the cover 48
is arranged apart from the left side wall 22 of the storage box 20,
Its front and rear ends are fixed to the front and rear walls of the inner box 12 in the insulation box 10, and its upper end is fixed to the upper wall of the inner box 12.

The cold air supply device 40 also includes a defrost sensor S1 attached to the evaporator 41 and a temperature sensor S2 disposed inside the storage box 20 (which can also be implemented by disposing it in the cold air circulation space R2). as well as an electric control device (
(not shown), and when it is determined that defrosting of the evaporator 41 is necessary based on the signal from the defrost sensor S1, the hot gas valve 46 is opened for a predetermined period of time, and the evaporator 41 is defrosted. , when it is determined that the lower limit of the predetermined temperature range has been reached based on the signal from the temperature sensor S2, the operation of the cold air supply device 40 is stopped, and when it is determined that the upper limit has been reached, the cold air supply device 40 operation is now restarted. The water generated by defrosting the evaporator 41 is received by a water tray (not shown) disposed below the evaporator 41 and then discharged to the outside of the refrigerator through the insulation box 10.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a condensation water trap 50 according to the present invention is installed on the ceiling of the storage space (inside the warehouse) R1 formed by the storage box 20. is installed. The condensation water capture device 50 is
As shown in a partially enlarged view in FIG. 4, two thin plates 51 (preferably about 0.5 mm in thickness) each have a large number of through holes 51a (the shape is not limited to round holes).
1.0 mm (approx.
1a is entirely polymerized (it is also possible to partially polymerize), and there is a gap d (preferably about 0.1 to 0.6 mm) between both thin plates 51 that causes a capillary phenomenon. It is formed. The shim plate 52 is provided in a U-shape at the peripheral edge between both thin plates 51 except for the rear edge, and the gap d is open at the rear end. In addition, as the material of each plate 51, 52, a stainless steel plate is suitable, and a resin plate may be used.

Further, the condensed water trapping device 50 is formed so that its width in the left-right direction (left-right direction in FIG. 2) is slightly shorter than the width in the left-right direction of the opening O that is opened and closed by the heat insulating door 30. It is assembled on rails 61 and 62 attached to both side walls 22 and 23 of the box 20 so that it can be inserted and removed (detachable) in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in FIG. 1). Each rail 6
1 and 62 are formed in an L-shape, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and are substantially parallel to the upper wall 21 of the storage box 20, that is, inclined downward toward the rear. In this way, it is attached to each side wall 22, 23 of the storage box 20 with screws 63, and a stopper 6 standing upward is provided at the rear end.
1a is formed, and the installation position of the dew condensation water trapping device 50 is defined by the same stopper 61a.

In this embodiment configured as described above, when the insulating door 30 is opened and closed during use, moisture in the outside air and moisture evaporated from the fresh foods in the storage box 20 are absorbed into each storage box 20. Condensation occurs on the wall surface and the condensed water trapping device 50. The water droplets that have condensed on the upper wall 21 of the storage box 20 and dripped downward are caught by the condensed water trapping device 50, as shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D. In this case, the water droplet that drips in contact with the peripheral wall of the through hole 51a is attracted by surface tension when it comes into contact with the peripheral wall of the through hole 51a. It is attracted to d. Therefore, most of the dripping water droplets are captured by the condensation water capture device 50, except for a few water droplets that pass through the through hole 51a without contacting the peripheral wall thereof.

Further, the water droplets condensed on the upper surface of the condensed water trapping device 50 flow backwards on the upper surface due to gravity, together with the water droplets caught on the upper surface of the condensed water trapping device 50, mainly among the above-mentioned dripping water droplets. The water flows downward at the end and flows along the rear wall 24 of the storage box 20 to the rear of the bottom of the storage box 20 along with water droplets that condense on the rear wall 24. In addition, at the rear of the bottom of the storage box 20, there are side walls 22, 2 of the storage box 20.
3 and the bottom wall 25, etc., the water droplets that condense and flow down also collect,
They are discharged outside the refrigerator through the drain pipe 29. Note that some of the water droplets that have condensed on the top surface of the condensed water trap 50 pass through the through holes 51a of the upper thin plate 51 and come into contact with the gaps d between the plates 51, and are removed by capillary action in the gaps d. It is attracted to the gap d.

On the other hand, the water droplets condensed on the lower surface of the condensed water trapping device 50 grow before falling, run up the through holes 51a, and come into contact with the gaps d between the plates 51. The water droplets are drawn into the gap d due to capillary action, and flow along with the water droplets sucked into the gap d between the plates 51 by gravity in the direction of inclination of the condensed water trapping device 50 through the gap d, and the condensed water At the rear end of the trapping device 50, it joins with the water droplets described above and is discharged outside the refrigerator.

The above-mentioned capillary phenomenon is shown in FIGS.
This is obtained during the process shown in E) (this is obtained repeatedly), and in the state of (A) (when water droplets begin to form due to dew condensation), the upper surface and lower thin wall of the upper thin plate 51 are Small water droplets are formed on the lower surface of the plate 51, and these gradually grow to become as shown in (B) and (C), and in (B), the water droplets that have grown on the upper surface of the upper thin plate 51 penetrate. It passes through the hole 51a and comes into contact with the gap d between both plates 51, and is absorbed into the gap d by capillary action in the gap d, and the lower thin plate 51
The water droplets formed on the lower surface of (C) gradually become larger, and (C)
At this time, a water droplet falls from above, and one end of the water droplet formed on the lower surface of the lower thin plate 51 runs up the through hole 51a of the thin plate 51 and comes into contact with the gap d,
Due to capillary action in the gap d, water is absorbed sequentially as shown in (C) and (D), and the water that cannot be retained in the gap d is (D).
As shown in (E), it flows in the inclined direction within the gap d,
It flows down from the rear end of the condensed water trapping device 50. As mentioned above (
Before reaching C), the diameter of the through-hole 51a, the interval between the through-holes 51a, the thickness of the thin plate 51, and the condensation water trapping are adjusted so that the water droplets attached to the lower thin plate 51 due to surface tension do not drip due to their own weight. It is necessary to set the inclination angle and the like of the device 50 appropriately. By the way, the water remaining in the gap between both plates 51 and 52 evaporates when the humidity in the storage space R1 decreases, and acts to increase the relative humidity in the air, thereby reducing the amount of fresh food stored in the storage space R1. It suppresses the evaporation of moisture from the food and maintains the freshness of perishable foods for a long time.

As is clear from the above description, in this embodiment, the condensed water trapping device 50 according to the present invention can reliably prevent water droplets from dripping onto the fresh foods stored in the storage space R1. Not only is it possible to accurately prevent fresh foods from being damaged by water droplets, but also the condensation water trapping device 50 according to the present invention is removable from the storage space R1, and can be attached to both thin plates 51 and shims, which are its constituent members. Since the plates 52 can be separated from each other, mold, odor, and dirt adhering to each plate 51 and 52 can be easily and accurately removed periodically by mechanical cleaning with a brush or the like.
The inside of the accommodation space R1 can be kept clean for a long period of time.

Furthermore, the condensed water trapping device 50 according to the present invention is mainly composed of two thin plates 51, and can be manufactured at low cost.
No. 2 is hardly damaged or damaged by mechanical cleaning with a brush or the like, and can be used repeatedly and has excellent durability. Furthermore, a condensation water capture device 50 according to the present invention
In order to ensure the smooth passage of cold air that is about to descend from the ceiling in the storage at the part where the through holes 51a of each thin plate 51 overlap, it is possible to accelerate the cooling rate inside the storage and to reduce the temperature inside the storage. Temperature can be made uniform. Furthermore, the condensed water trap 50 according to the present invention is composed of thin plates 51 that are the same on the top and bottom and a shim plate 52 interposed between them, and functions in the same way even when assembled upside down. There is no fear of sticking, and ease of assembly can be improved.

[0019]

[Modification] In the above embodiment, the shim plate 52 is simply interposed between the two thin plates 51 to form the gap d that causes capillary action between the two thin plates 51. As shown in FIG. 6A, the screw attachment portion 51b of the lower thin plate 51, which is provided for attaching the screw 54 for separably connecting both thin plates 51, is slightly moved to one side. By punching out and bringing the tip of this screw attachment part 51b into contact with the upper thin plate 51, a gap d that causes a capillary phenomenon may be formed between both thin plates 51. As shown in (B), an annular spacer 55 is interposed between the two thin plates 51 at the part where the screws 54 are attached to connect the two thin plates 51 in a separable manner. A gap d may be formed that causes capillary action.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6C, a stainless steel plate is used as the lower thin plate 51, and when the through hole 51a is formed in the thin plate 51 by punching, burrs are actively used. 51c, and the tip of this burr 51c (on which unevenness is formed) comes into contact with the upper thin plate 51 (does not come into contact with it partially), thereby creating a capillary phenomenon between both thin plates 51. Alternatively, a gap d may be formed that allows the Further, as shown in FIG. 6(D), stainless steel plates are adopted as both thin plates 51, and both plates 51 are brought into contact with each other at a convex portion 51d formed on one (for example, upper) thin plate 51. Alternatively, spot welding may be performed to form a gap d between both plates 51 that causes a capillary phenomenon. Note that when the condensed water trapping device 50 shown in FIG. It is known from experience that mold and odor are less likely to occur in the plate 51, and since the opposing surfaces of both plates 51 can be cleaned by flowing water into the gap d, no problem arises in practice.

Further, in the above embodiment, the condensation water trapping device 50 according to the present invention was constructed by two thin plates 51 and a shim plate 52 interposed between them.
It is also possible to implement the condensed water trapping device by constructing it with three or more thin plates 51 and shim plates 52 interposed between them. Note that in the case of using three or more thin plates 51, it is of course possible to employ each means shown in FIG. 6. Further, in the above embodiment, the condensed water trapping device 50 according to the present invention was made detachable by being placed on the rails 61, 62 attached to the side walls 22, 23 of the storage box 20.
As shown in FIG. 8, the condensed water trap 50 according to the present invention may be detachably attached to a fixture 63 attached to the upper wall 21 of the storage box 20 using screws 64.

Further, in the above embodiment, the plate 51 having a large number of through holes 51a constitutes a surface structure having a large number of ventilation portions, but as shown in FIGS. 9(A) and 9(B), , a surface structure having a large number of ventilation portions is constructed by a frame 151 made of metal or resin and wire rods (mesh) 152 whose ends are fixed to the frame 151 and woven in a lattice shape. As shown in (A) and (B),
A frame 251 made of metal or resin, and wire rods 252 whose ends are fixed to the frame 251 and arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals.
It is also possible to construct a surface structure with a large number of vents. Note that the condensation water trapping device 150 shown in FIG. 9(B) using the surface structure shown in FIG. 9(A)
In this case, as shown in FIG. 9C, condensed water is trapped in the gap d formed between the wire rods (net bodies) 152 by capillary action. Furthermore, when the surface structure shown in FIG. 10(A) is used to configure the dew water trapping device 250 shown in FIG. 10(B), the surface structure shown in FIG. 10(C)
As shown in , dew condensation water is trapped in the gap d formed between the wire rods 252 by capillary action.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was described in which the condensed water trapping device 50 according to the present invention is implemented in a small storage. Possible multiple insulated doors 3
When implementing the condensation water trapping device according to the present invention in a large-scale storage that is sealed by 0, a plurality of dew condensation water trapping devices 50 of the above embodiment may be arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction. good. Further, in the above embodiment, the condensed water trapping device 50 is formed into a flat plate shape, and is disposed on the ceiling of the accommodation space R1 so as to be inclined downwardly toward the rear, and the rear end of the condensed water trapping device 50 However, the condensed water trapping device 50 may be curved into an arch shape so that the water droplets can flow down from both left and right sides of the condensed water trapping device 50.

Further, in the above embodiment, the through holes 51a provided in each thin plate 51 were made to overlap completely as shown in the figure, but in carrying out the present invention, each of the through holes 51a of one of the thin plates 51 was The through holes 51a may be disposed offset from the through holes 51a of the other thin plate 51 and partially overlap with each other, or the through holes 51a of the one thin plate 51 and the through holes 51a of the other thin plate 51 may overlap each other. The through holes 51a of the thin plate 51 may have different sizes. Further, in the above embodiment, the cold air supply device 40 was attached to cool the accommodation space R1 of the storage.
Examples of means for cooling the storage space R1 include a brine method in which cooled brine is circulated for cooling, an indirect cooling method in which a cooling source such as an evaporation pipe or a brine pipe is provided around the outer periphery of the storage box 20, Various methods such as a direct cooling method in which a cooling source such as ice or dry ice is placed inside the storage box 20 can be adopted.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing an example of a storage unit in which a dew condensation water trapping device according to the present invention is implemented.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

3 is a diagram showing a cold air supply device attached to cool the accommodation space shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a part of the condensed water trap shown in FIG. 1;

5 is a diagram showing a process from generation to disappearance of water droplets formed by condensation on the dew condensation water trapping device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view showing each means for forming a gap that causes capillary action between two thin plates.

7 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing a modification of the means for disposing the condensed water trap shown in FIG. 1 on the ceiling inside the refrigerator; FIG.

8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a modification of the condensed water trapping device according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another modification of the condensation water trapping device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Heat insulation box, 20... Storage box, 30... Heat insulation door, 50... Condensation water capture device, 51... Thin plate (surface structure), 51
a...Through hole (ventilation part), O...Opening, d...Gap, 150
... Condensation water trapping device, 151 ... Frame body, 152 ... Wire material woven in a lattice shape, 250 ... Condensation water trapping device, 251 ... Frame body,
252...Wire rods arranged in parallel.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. At least two or more surface structures each having a large number of ventilation portions are arranged such that at least a portion of the ventilation portions overlap and a gap is formed between each surface structure to cause a capillary phenomenon. It is constructed by overlapping
A storage condensation water capture device that is removably installed on the ceiling of a storage that has an opening that can be opened and closed by a door. 2. The dew condensation water trapping device for a storage warehouse according to claim 1, wherein each of the surface structures is separable. 3. The dew condensation water trapping device for a storage warehouse according to claim 1, wherein the surface structure is composed of a plate having a large number of through holes. 4. The condensation water trap for a storage storage according to claim 1, wherein the surface structure is constituted by a frame and a wire rod whose ends are fixed to the frame and are woven in a lattice shape. Device. 5. The storage according to claim 1, wherein the surface structure is constituted by a frame and wire rods whose ends are fixed to the frame and are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals. Condensation water capture device.