JPH0451341Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Industrial application field This invention relates to the improvement of brine-cooled constant temperature and high humidity refrigerators. This invention relates to a constant-temperature and high-humidity refrigerator that is capable of immediately detecting the situation and taking necessary countermeasures when the amount of circulating brine necessary for this is insufficient.

Conventional technology When storing fresh foods such as fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish (hereinafter referred to as "ingredients") frozen for a long period of time without deteriorating their quality, and when gradually thawing frozen foods, it is generally necessary to keep temperature changes inside the refrigerator in check. keep it low,
At the same time, it is necessary to control and manage the evaporation of moisture from foodstuffs. In order to meet this demand, brine cooling type refrigerators that use antifreeze (hereinafter referred to as "brine") as a cooling medium have been put into practical use.

An example of this brine cooling refrigerator is:
In the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1, a cooler 17 to which brine, which will be described later, is circulated and supplied is disposed in a storage 1a defined inside a box 1. Also storage 1
A compressor 60,
A refrigeration system 6 consisting of a refrigeration system such as a condenser 7 and an evaporator 47 is provided. A brine tank 8 indicated by reference numeral 8 is a container for storing brine 46 at a predetermined level, and an evaporator 47 led out from the freezing device 6 is disposed at the bottom of this tank 8, and the brine 46 is evaporated by this evaporator 47. It is now forced to cool down.

Brine 46 cooled in brine tank 8
is supplied to the cooler 17 via the illustrated circulation pump 40 and supply pipe 67, and this cooler 17
After cooling the air in the refrigerator, the air is returned to the brine tank 8 via the return pipe 68, and a series of circulation cycles are repeated.

Compared to refrigerators that use a regular evaporator as a cooling source, this brine cooling type refrigerator can circulate a large amount of brine with a high specific heat, so it can have a large cooling capacity, making it suitable for storing large amounts of food in cold storage. suitable for Moreover, since the difference between the surface temperature of the cooler and the temperature inside the refrigerator can be reduced, moisture in the air inside the refrigerator is prevented from adhering to the surface of the cooler as frost, and the inside of the refrigerator can be kept at high humidity. can.

Problems to be solved by the invention The above-mentioned constant temperature/humidity refrigerator is generally used for commercial purposes because of its large cooling capacity, and therefore a large amount of food is often stored inside the refrigerator. However, if brine circulation in the brine circulation pipe system becomes impossible or the amount of circulation is insufficient due to some reason, such as a failure in the rotating part of the pump motor or a break in the motor coil, the cooling inside the refrigerator will be interrupted. As a result, the temperature inside the refrigerator rises abnormally. In this case, the stored food materials deteriorate or otherwise deteriorate, resulting in a situation that causes great damage to the user.

In this way, due to the inability of brine circulation, etc.
When the inside of the refrigerator cannot be cooled, it has been conventional practice to detect an abnormal rise in the temperature inside the refrigerator using a thermistor or the like and activate an alarm device such as a lamp to alert nearby personnel. However, this means of detecting a rise in temperature inside the refrigerator also reacts to temporary temperature increases during defrosting operation or due to frequent opening of the door, and often generates false alarms. Something happened. For this reason, the detection sensitivity of the alarm device is generally set to be low, but in this case, it is often too late by the time the device is activated. That is, it is pointed out that when the alarm device is actually activated, the stored foodstuffs have already deteriorated or rotted, resulting in great damage.

Attempts have also been made to electrically detect the presence or absence of brine circulation using a sensor element placed close to the brine distribution pipeline system. However, since the sensor is in contact with the brine pipe system, condensation occurs due to the temperature difference with the outside air, and this moisture tends to cause malfunctions or failures. Furthermore, the sensor requires a large amount of space to install. There were drawbacks such as the need for

Purpose of the invention The present invention was proposed in order to suitably solve the above-mentioned drawbacks inherent in the brine cooling type constant temperature/humidity refrigerator, and the brine circulation function deteriorates due to various factors. It is an object of the present invention to provide a highly reliable means that can quickly detect this situation when the vehicle stops or stops, and has fewer malfunctions and breakdowns.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to overcome the above-mentioned problems and achieve the intended purpose, the constant temperature and high humidity refrigerator according to the present invention includes a box body defining a storage compartment for cooling and storing foodstuffs inside; A refrigeration system consisting of a refrigeration system such as a refrigerant compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator; a brine tank that stores brine and has the evaporator disposed at the bottom; A constant-temperature and high-humidity refrigerator comprising a cooler to which brine from the brine tank is circulated and a pump to circulate the brine in the brine tank to the cooler, the refrigerator being disposed close to the brine tank and supplying the cooling a detection tank that collects and stores brine returning from the vessel and releases the brine into the brine tank from a drainage hole bored at the bottom; liquid level detection means such as a float switch that detects changes in the liquid level of the liquid drain hole, and the hole diameter of the liquid drain hole is such that only a small amount of brine passes through, compared to the amount of brine returned to the detection tank. As long as the brine is circulating in the detection tank, a required amount of brine is stored in the tank, and the liquid level detection means is configured to perform a detection operation. do.

Embodiments Next, preferred embodiments of the constant temperature/humidity refrigerator according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the same members as those already described with reference to FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.

FIGS. 2 to 4 show a circuit system of a horizontal brine cooling type refrigerator in which the present invention is suitably implemented, and a device for detecting the presence or absence of brine circulation. This refrigerator includes a horizontally long box 1, and inside the box 1 there is a storage 1a for cooling and storing foodstuffs, and a cooling unit 2 adjacent to the storage 1a across a partition wall.
A top plate 3 serving as a table board is commonly disposed on the upper part of the box body.

As particularly shown in FIG. 3, the cooling unit section 2 is constructed as a box with a vertically elongated space defined therein, and its front opening is removably covered by a cover 5. There is. A refrigeration system 6 consisting of a refrigeration system such as a compressor 60, a solenoid valve, a fan motor 61, and a condenser 7 is disposed at the bottom of the lower part of the cooling unit section 2. Above this refrigeration system 6, a brine tank is installed. A brine cooling unit section 9 consisting of 8 etc. is installed.

In FIG. 3, L-shaped fixing members 10, 10 are horizontally fixed to opposing inner wall side surfaces 2a, 2b of the cooling unit section 2 at positions above the refrigeration device 6, and a pair of L-shaped fixing members 10, 10 facing each other, A brine cooling unit 9 is disposed on the mold fixing member and is fixed with a plurality of bolts 11. This brine cooling unit section 9 functions to cool the brine with the refrigerant from the refrigeration device 6 and to circulately supply the brine to a cooler 17 disposed inside the refrigerator.

The brine tank 8 disposed in this unit part 9 has a heat insulating material 32 between an outer box 30 and an inner box 31.
The upper opening is removably covered by a lid 33 with a heat insulating material 36 interposed between an upper lid 34 and an inner lid 35. The upper lid 34 fits into the outer box 30 of the tank 8, and has a structure in which the upper edge 37 of the tank 8 and the inner lid 35 are in close contact with each other.
The end portion of the tank is fixed to the tank outer box 30 via a bolt 38.

One end of a suction pipe 39 is connected to the lower side wall of the inner box 31 in the tank 8, with its opening facing into the tank, and the other end is a brine circulation pipe fixed to the one L-shaped fixing member 10. It is connected to the suction pipe 41 of the pump 40. This circulation pump 40
The discharge pipe 42 that communicates with the discharge side of the cooler 17 communicates with a supply pipe 67 that connects to the cooler 17 . Inner box 3
A discharge pipe 43 which is bent into a key shape and opens downward is provided at the upper part of the side wall of 1 (above the suction pipe 39), and the other end of this discharge pipe 43 is communicatively connected to a return pipe 44. . The return pipe 44 is connected to the return pipe 68 of the first cooler 17 . Note that the discharge pipes 42, 4
3 and the return pipe 44 are covered with a heat insulating hose 45.

An L-shaped support plate 4 is attached to the bottom 31a of the tank 8.
8 is fixed via bolts 49, and this support plate 4
At 8, a cooler 47 consisting of an evaporator connected to the refrigeration device 6 is arranged in a coiled manner to cool the brine 46 stored in the tank to a required temperature. Note that the bolt penetration portion of the bottom portion 31a is sealed by a screw receiver 50 adhered to the back surface of the bottom portion to prevent external leakage of brine.

A bolt 52 is attached to the side wall 31b of the tank inner box 31.
A brine detection tank 51 having a function of detecting the presence or absence of brine circulation is fixed through the tank 8 and faces an intermediate position within the tank 8 (above a predetermined storage level of brine). This brine detection tank 51
As shown in FIG. 4, it is constructed as a box with an open top surface, and a drain hole 53 is provided at the bottom 51a. The liquid drain hole 53 is connected to the discharge pipe 4
The hole diameter is set to such an extent that only a very small amount of brine can pass therethrough compared to the circulating amount of brine flowing down from No. 3 into the detection tank 51. Therefore, the discharge pipe 43
A part of the brine supplied from the drain hole 53
However, most of the brine is stored in the detection tank 51.
The brine eventually overflows from the upper edge 51c of the side wall of the detection tank 51 and flows down into the brine tank 8.

Furthermore, an L-shaped mounting plate 54 is fixed to the side wall 51b of the brine detection tank 51, and a means for detecting a change in the liquid level of the brine 46, such as a float switch 55, is mounted to the mounting plate 54 projecting from the tank opening. ing. The float switch 55 is equipped with a float 55a. When the brine in the detection tank 51 decreases, the float 55a descends and turns off the switch. When the detection tank 51 is filled with brine and overflows, the float 55a It rises and turns on the switch. Note that instead of providing the float switch 55, an electrode type switch, a pressure type switch, or other mechanical type switch may be used.

Furthermore, if a liquid level gauge 101 based on a communicating pipe principle is disposed in the brine tank 8, the brine liquid level in the tank 8 can be visually checked from the outside, which is convenient. The liquid level gauge 101 is, for example, a synthetic resin tube (hose) that is transparent and can be bent without deteriorating under low temperature conditions.
is preferably used, and the lower end of this tube is connected in communication with the side surface of the tank 8. The tube stands upright outside the tank and is fixedly supported by a fixing piece 102. Further, a cap 104 having a through hole is attached to the upper end of the liquid level gauge 101. Also the third
As shown in the figure, a rectangular viewing window 100 is provided in the cover 5 of the cooling unit section 2 so that the liquid level gauge 101 can be seen when the cover 5 is attached. By providing this liquid level gauge 101, it is possible to easily visually check from the outside whether there is brine in the tank 4 or whether a predetermined amount of brine is stored. Furthermore, the liquid level gauge 101 can also be used for draining brine in the tank 8 by removing it from the tank 8. As shown in FIG. 3, an electrical equipment box 13 equipped with an internal temperature controller, a thermometer, an abnormality alarm lamp, etc. is removably disposed above the brine cooling unit section 9.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing another embodiment of a device for detecting the presence or absence of brine circulation. That is, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, this brine circulation detection device was installed inside the brine tank 8, but in this example, it is configured to be installed outside the brine tank 8. For example, the detection tank 51 is
The tank 51 is configured as a box whose upper part is closed with a lid or the like to define an airtight space inside.
It is now fixed through the A discharge pipe 43 communicating with a return pipe 68 from the cooler 17 is connected to the closed top of the detection tank 51 so that all the returning brine 46 returns to the detection tank 51 via this discharge pipe 43. It's summery. In addition, a liquid drain hole 53 is provided at the bottom 51a of the detection tank 51.
A drain pipe 70 connected to this drain hole 53 opens facing the brine tank 8 as shown in the figure. The hole diameter of the liquid drain hole 53 is set to such a size that only a very small amount of brine can pass therethrough compared to the circulating amount of brine flowing down from the discharge pipe 43 into the detection tank 51.

In addition, openings 51d are provided at appropriate locations on the side wall of the brine detection tank 51 to allow the brine to flow out of the tank when the liquid level of the brine flowing through the discharge pipe 43 reaches a predetermined level. An overflow pipe 71 connected to this opening 51d opens facing the brine tank 8 as shown in the figure. Furthermore, a float switch 55 for detecting changes in the liquid level of the brine 46 is attached to a mounting plate 54 fixed to the side wall of the brine detection tank 51. This switch 55 is connected to the detection tank 5
When the brine in 1 decreases, the float 55a descends and turns the switch OFF, and when the brine is full, the float 55a rises and turns the switch ON.
Activate. As shown in this embodiment, the detection device does not necessarily have to be provided in the brine tank 8 as long as it is attached to the brine circulation pipe system.

In the piping system diagrams of the refrigeration system and brine circulation circuit shown in FIG. Pass through valve V ₁ . The liquefied refrigerant is then transferred to the capillary reach tube 6.
3, and is evaporated in a cooler 47 disposed in the brine tank 8, exchanging heat with the brine to cool the brine. The evaporated refrigerant returns to the compressor 60 via the suction pipe 64. Note that the symbol FM ₃ 61 in the figure indicates a fan motor for the condenser 7.

Next, to explain the brine circulation circuit, the brine 46 stored in the brine tank 8 is cooled to a required temperature by the cooler 47 connected to the refrigeration device 6, and the suction pipe 39 led out from the tank 8 is cooled to a required temperature. After being sucked out by the circulation pump 40 via the discharge pipe 42 and the supply pipe 67, it is supplied to the cooler 17 in the refrigerator. After exchanging heat with the air inside the refrigerator in the cooler 17, the brine is passed from the return pipe 68 to the key-shaped discharge pipe 43 to the brine detection tank 51.
taken back inside. As described above, part of the brine that has returned to the detection tank 51 flows down through the drain hole 53 (in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, it returns to the brine tank 8 via the drain pipe 70), and the rest flows down through the drain hole 53. It overflows from the upper edge 51c of the side wall of the detection tank 51 (in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, via the overflow pipe 71) and is stored in the brine tank 8. When the liquid level in the detection tank 51 rises, the contact of the float switch 55 is turned on.

Next, the operating conditions of the constant temperature/humidity refrigerator according to the present invention will be explained. Prior to operation of the apparatus, the front cover 5 of the cooling unit section 2 of the refrigerator is removed, the electrical equipment box 13 is pulled out, and the lid 33 of the brine tank 8 is removed to open the tank 8. Next, brine is injected into the brine tank 8, and the injection amount is the sum of the capacity of the brine 46 present in the circulation pipe system and the amount stored at the appropriate liquid level in the brine tank 8. . After finishing the brine injection, the lid body 33 is attached again,
After inserting the electrical equipment box 13 into a predetermined position, the front cover 5 is attached to the cooling unit section 2.

By turning on the power, the compressor 60 and the condenser fan motor FM ₃ are started, and the operation of the refrigeration system is started. Also, the pump motor 40 for brine circulation rotates, and the brine 46 in the brine tank 8 is sucked through the suction pipe 39, and the brine 46 is sucked into the discharge pipe 4.
2. It is supplied to the cooler 17 via the supply pipe 67. However, since the brine 46 from the cooler 17 has not yet returned to the brine detection tank 51 disposed in the tank 8 via the discharge pipe 43, the float 55a of the float switch 55 is located below. The contact is therefore open.

After a while, the brine that has been pressure-fed from the pump motor 40 and passed through the cooler 17 begins to flow down from the discharge pipe 43 into the brine detection tank 51 via the return pipe 68. At this time, as described above, the amount of brine flowing out from the drain hole 53 formed in the bottom surface 51a of the brine detection tank 51 is set to be smaller than the amount of brine flowing into the tank 51 from the discharge pipe 43. There is. Therefore, part of the brine that has flowed down from the drain hole 53 to the brine tank 8, and most of it is stored in the brine detection tank 51, and its liquid level gradually rises. Due to this rise in the liquid level, the brine finally overflows from the upper edge 51c of the side wall of the detection tank 51.
It begins to flow down into the brine tank 8 below. Furthermore, the float 55a of the float switch 55 is connected to the tank 51.
As the liquid level inside rises, it floats up and closes its contacts.

Next, we will explain the operation when cooling by the cooler 17 becomes impossible, which is an original feature of the constant temperature and humidity refrigerator according to the present invention. For example, the wear resistance of the rotating bearings used in the pump motor 40 for circulating the brine is only about 10,000 to 20,000 hours. Therefore, when the rotating part of the pump motor 40 breaks down or is replaced periodically, the circulation of the brine must be stopped. In addition, a disconnection of the motor coil or a damage to the rotary booster may cause the brine to be unable to circulate. Furthermore, the amount of brine may be insufficient due to the leakage of the brine from the connections in the circulation circuit.

For example, when the circulation of brine stops due to a failure in the bearing of the pump motor 40, the brine flows from the discharge pipe 43 to the detection tank 51 in FIG.
It will no longer flow inside. Therefore, the liquid level of the brine in the tank 51 gradually decreases, and the float switch 55 is turned off to open the contact. By opening this electrical contact, for example, the solenoid valve shown in FIG.
V ₁ is closed and the cooler 4 in the brine tank 8 is closed.
At the same time, the refrigerant supply to refrigerator 1 is stopped.
The rotation of fan motor FM ₁ in No. 7 is also stopped. Furthermore, if necessary, alarm means such as a lamp or a buzzer may be activated by opening the contacts of the float switch 55. Note that even in an embodiment in which the brine circulation detection device having the structure shown in FIG. 5 and described above is provided outside the brine tank 8, similar effects can be obtained.

In this embodiment, a constant temperature and high humidity refrigerator including one cooler 17 for circulating brine has been described, but the cooler 17 is used as a main cooler, and an auxiliary cooler for circulating refrigerant from the refrigeration device 6 is also provided. It is also suitable for use in constant temperature and high humidity refrigerators that have a refrigerator installed inside the refrigerator. That is, if the main cooler is unable to cool the inside of the refrigerator due to a malfunction in the brine circulation, the solenoid valve is switched by opening the contact of the float switch 55, and the refrigerant is supplied to the cooler 47 in the brine tank 8. In addition to stopping the
Refrigerant can be supplied to the auxiliary cooler to continue cooling the inside of the refrigerator.

Effects of the Invention As explained above, according to the constant temperature and high humidity refrigerator according to the present invention, when the refrigerator becomes unable to cool the inside of the refrigerator due to a problem such as a failure of the pump motor, the presence or absence of brine circulation is constantly monitored. The system can operate quickly and reliably detect the interruption of brine circulation. Furthermore, since the brine detection device is disposed in the brine tank, the detection means, typically a float switch, is also cooled to approximately the same temperature as the brine. Therefore, dew condensation does not occur on the detection means and the mechanism does not deteriorate, and the occurrence of malfunctions and failures can be reduced and reliability can be improved. Moreover, the detection device itself
Since it is housed in the brine tank, the installation space can be used effectively.

If the detection output from the detection means is configured to operate an alarm means such as a lamp or a buzzer, it is possible to prevent the internal temperature from rising for a long period of time and prevent deterioration or other spoilage of the stored food. can be effectively prevented.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show a preferred embodiment of the constant temperature/humidity refrigerator according to the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing an example of the constant temperature/humidity refrigerator according to the prior art, and FIG. 2 is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A schematic explanatory diagram showing the pipe connection state of the brine circulation circuit and the refrigerant circulation circuit from the refrigeration system incorporated in the constant temperature/humidity refrigerator according to the example, and FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section showing the schematic configuration of the brine detection device used in the present invention. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the brine detection device shown in FIG. 3 with the lid removed, and FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another embodiment of the brine circulation detection device. 1...Box body, 1a...Storage, 6...Freezer, 7...Condenser, 8...Brine tank, 8...
...Brine tank, 17...Cooler, 40...Pump, 46...Brine, 47...Evaporator, 17...
... Cooler, 51 ... Detection tank, 53 ... Liquid drain hole, 55 ... Float switch, 60 ... Compressor.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] (1) A box 1 defining a storage compartment 1a for cooling and storing food materials, a refrigerant compressor 60, a condenser 7,
A refrigeration device 6 consisting of a refrigeration system such as an evaporator 47;
a brine tank 8 that stores brine 46 and has the evaporator 47 disposed at the bottom;
A cooler 17 disposed inside the storage 1a and to which brine 46 from the brine tank 8 is circulated and supplied, and a pump 4 which circulates the brine 46 in the brine tank 8 to the cooler 17.
0, which is arranged close to the brine tank 8,
a detection tank 51 that collects and stores the brine 46 returning from the cooler 17 and discharges the brine 46 into the brine tank 8 from a liquid drain hole 53 bored at the bottom; and an interior of the detection tank 51. A liquid level detecting means 55 such as a float switch is provided for detecting a change in the liquid level of the collected and stored brine 46, and the diameter of the liquid drain hole 53 is determined from the detection tank 5.
The brine 46 is
A constant temperature and high humidity refrigerator characterized in that, as long as brine 46 is circulating through the detection tank 51, a required amount of brine 46 is stored in the tank 51 and the liquid level detection means 55 is operated for detection. (2) The detection tank 51 is arranged inside the brine tank 8, and the brine 46 collected in the detection tank 51 overflows from the upper opening of the detection tank 51 and returns to the brine tank 8. 2. The constant temperature and humidity refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the constant temperature and humidity refrigerator is (3) The detection tank 51 is disposed outside the brine tank 8, and the brine 46 collected in the detection tank 51 is transferred to the overflow pipe 7 connected to the side wall of the detection tank 51 at a required height.
2. The constant temperature and humidity refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein said brine is returned to said brine tank via said brine tank.