JPH06265253A - Cold/hot refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a cold/hot refrigerator which is capable of improving the visual recognition property and of securely switching a power supply, and of being disposed vertically and horizontally and of being easily carried. CONSTITUTION:A heat exchanger 9 part includes a thermoelectric conversion device 12 disposed on the side of an accommodation container S and a fan 13. Legs 19a, 19b are provided on the side of a body 1 facing the heat exchanger 9 part and on the bottom of the body 1. There are further provided operation switches 6a, 6b and a display part 6c on the upper surface of the body 1 located on the side of the heat exchanger 9 part whereby are improved the visual recognition property and operation property of the operation switches 6a, 6b and the display part 6c. Further, use is made of a body carrying knob 15 provided rotatably on the side surface of the body 1 located on the side of the heat exchanger 9 part whereby the body 1 kept at a vertical attitude is carried. Additionally, one of a DC plug receptacle and an AC plug receptacle of a power supply plug receptacle provided below the side surface of the body 1 kept at the vertical attitude is covered with a slidable cover.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cold storage cabinet for cooling or heating the interior by a thermoelectric exchange element utilizing the Peltier effect.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional cold and hot storage, a storage compartment formed in the main body and a thermoelectric exchange element and a blower for cooling or heating the storage compartment on the side of the storage compartment by utilizing the Peltier effect are provided. There is a portable cold / heat storage structure with a heat exchanger section.

And, in such a cold and warm storage,
After turning on the power switch, which is one of the operation switches, set the changeover switch to the desired operating state of the cold and hot storage according to the stored object (hereinafter referred to as the item), that is, cooling operation or heating operation and save the item I am trying to do it.

Here, such a cold storage is usually attached to an automobile and operated by a direct current power source from a battery, but it can be operated by an alternating current power source so that it can be used in a place other than the automobile, for example, at home. It can be done. Therefore, the power outlet is provided with a DC outlet and an AC outlet.

[0005]

However, in such a conventional refrigerating cabinet, since the display portion is arranged on the side surface of the main body, the visibility is poor, and when the refrigerating cabinet is attached to an automobile. However, due to the poor visibility of the display unit, there is a problem that the power switch is forgotten to be turned off when the vehicle is stopped and the battery is consumed. Further, since the power switch is also arranged on the side surface of the main body, there is a problem that operability and visibility are poor.

[0006] Further, this cold / hot storage is usually used in a horizontal position, and when it is detached from an automobile and transported in this state, a transport band may be attached to the cold / hot storage for transportation. You can do it. However, there is a problem in that the band cannot be used and the transportation is difficult when the cold storage is removed and the product is transported in a vertical position at home, for example.

Since this cold storage is originally attached to an automobile, it is not provided with legs for detaching it and placing it horizontally or vertically, which causes a problem that the main body is scratched. was there.

Further, when the cold storage is used at home, the power source switching switch for switching the power source is switched to the AC power source side. However, if this switching is forgotten, the power source unit is damaged. There was a problem that it would end up.

In order to solve this problem, for example, some refrigerating cabinets are provided with a protection circuit for protecting the power source section, but this causes another problem of high cost. Like

The present invention provides a cold / heat storage cabinet which enhances the visibility of the display section, can reliably switch the power supply, can be placed horizontally and vertically, and can be easily transported. It is intended.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a storage case formed in a main body, and a thermoelectric exchange element and a blower on the side of the storage case for cooling or heating the inside of the storage case by utilizing the Peltier effect. In a portable refrigerating cabinet having a heat exchanger section, leg portions for horizontally or vertically placing the main body are formed on the bottom of the main body and the side surface facing the heat exchanger section, respectively. At the same time, an operation switch and a display section are provided on the upper surface of the main body on the heat exchanger section side.

Further, according to the present invention, a handle for carrying the main body, which is used for carrying the main body in a vertical position, is rotatably provided on the side surface of the main body on the heat exchanger section side.

Further, according to the present invention, a power outlet is provided at a lower portion of a side surface of the main body in a vertically placed state.

[0014]

[Function] The main body side surface facing the heat exchanger portion provided with the thermoelectric exchange element and the blower arranged on the side of the storage, and the legs formed on the bottom portion of the main body, allow the main body to be placed horizontally without being scratched or Can be placed vertically. Further, by providing the operation switch and the display section on the upper surface of the main body on the heat exchanger section side, the visibility and operability of the operation switch and the display section can be improved.

Further, by using the handle for carrying the main body which is rotatably provided on the side surface of the main body on the side of the heat exchanger, the main body in a vertically placed state can be carried. Further, the power outlet part can be formed on the lower part of the side surface of the main body in the vertically placed state.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a cold storage cabinet according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side sectional view thereof, and FIG. 3 is A of FIG.
FIG.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a refrigerating cabinet main body (hereinafter referred to as "main body"), 2 is a lower case of the main body 1, 3 is an upper case of the main body 1, and 4 is an upper surface for storing and taking out articles not shown A container 5 having an opening 4a formed therein for forming a storage S therein is a door which is pivotally supported on one side by the upper case 3 and which opens and closes the opening 4a of the container 4. 5a is a clamp hook for fixing the door 5 to the upper case 3, and 5b is a packing for sealing the opening 4a of the container 4.

Reference numeral 6 denotes an operating portion provided on the upper surface of the upper case 3 on the side of a heat exchanger portion 9 which will be described later. The operating portion 6 has a power switch 6a and a cooling / heating cabinet for cooling operation or Changeover switch 6b for switching to heating operation, and indicator lamp 6c which is a display section for displaying that the power is on
And are provided.

By thus providing the operation portion 6 on the upper surface of the upper case 3 on the side of the heat exchanger portion 9, even when the main body 1 is laid horizontally on the floor as shown in FIG. Even when the main body 1 is placed vertically as shown in FIG. 5, which will be described later, it is possible to make the operation portion 6 visible.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 7 is a heat insulating material such as styrofoam or urethane mounted between the lower case 2 and the upper case 3 for keeping the storage S warm and cold. The door 5 is also filled with a heat insulating material 7a such as styrofoam or urethane.

The heat insulating material 7 is pressed against the bottom surface of the lower case 2 by a container 4 mounted by screwing a mounting screw 8a onto a boss 2a protruding from the lower case 2. . On the other hand, on the bottom surface of the lower case 2, as shown in FIG. 4, an annular rib 2b is formed so as to surround the boss portion 2a.

Then, the annular rib 2b bites into the pressed heat insulating material 7 so that the ring-shaped rib 2b penetrates through the gap of the mating surface A between the lower case 2 and the upper case 3 shown in FIG. To block outside air that tries to enter the inside of the storage S through the gap between the material 7 and the boss 2a and the heat insulating material 7 and the mounting screw 8a and the container 4. You can do it.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the moisture contained in the outside air from being condensed in the refrigerator. As shown in the figure, a seal material 41 is arranged at the joint between the upper case 3 and the container 4, and the seal material 41 causes a gap between the joint and the lower case 2 and the heat insulating material 7. It tries to prevent outside air from entering.

On the other hand, in FIG. 2, reference numeral 9 denotes a heat exchanger portion arranged on the side of the storage S, and the heat exchanger portion 9 has a heat radiation fin 10, a heat conductor 11 and these heat radiation fins. 1
0 and a Peltier element 12 sandwiched between the heat conductors 11 and a cooling fan 13.

Here, the Peltier element 12 has a Peltier effect in the cooling operation, which radiates heat on the contact surface side with the radiation fins 10 and absorbs heat on the contact surface side with the heat conductor 11. In the heating operation, heat absorption is performed on the contact surface side with the radiation fins 10, and heat dissipation is performed on the contact surface side with the heat conductors 11.

The radiating fins 10 are for radiating the heat generated by the radiating action of the Peltier element 12 to the outside during the cooling operation, and the heat conductor 11 is attached to the outer surface of the one side wall 6b of the container 4. This is for transmitting the heat radiation effect and the heat absorption action of the Peltier element 12 to the container 4 to heat or cool the container 4.

On the other hand, the cooling fan 13 is attached to the air guide 13a as shown in FIG. 6, and the air guide 13a further includes a cooling air intake 14a and an air outlet 1.
The fan cover 14 provided with 4b is attached.

The cooling fan 13 operates during the cooling operation, and the cooling air intake port 1 of the fan cover 14 is operated.
As shown by the arrow in FIG. 2, outside air is sucked in from 4a to cool the radiation fin 10 heated by the radiation effect of the Peltier element 12. Note that the outside air is discharged to the outside of the heat exchanger portion 9 from the air outlet 14b after cooling the heat radiation fins 10.

By cooling the radiation fins 10 in the cooling operation in this way, the heat absorption action on the contact surface side of the Peltier element 12 with the heat conductor 11 is promoted to further lower the temperature of the container 4. Is able to.

The cooling fan 13 does not operate during the heating operation, so that the radiating fins 10 cooled by the heat absorbing action are heated by the air in the heat exchanger section 9,
The temperature of the container 4 can be further increased by promoting the heat radiation effect on the contact surface side of the Peltier element 12 with the heat conductor 11.

By forming the cooling air intake port 14a and the air outlet 14b in the fan cover 14 as described above, the cooling air intake port is formed directly above the cooling fan 13 of the upper case 3 as in the conventional case. It is possible to increase the distance between the cooling fan 13 and the cooling air intake port, as compared with the above-described one.

As a result, the wind noise when the cooling fan 13 is rotating is reduced and the cooling air intake 1
Even if a foreign matter or the like enters from 4a, it is difficult for the foreign matter or the like to face the cooling fan 13, so that the cooling fan 13 can be prevented from being damaged.

Further, the cooling air intake 14a and the air outlet 14b are separately formed in the fan cover 14 so that the outside air can flow in one direction, so that suction from one cooling air intake can be achieved as in the conventional case. The cooling efficiency is higher than that of cooling the radiation fin 10 by blowing out.

A handle 15 for transporting the main body is rotatably attached to the fan cover 14, and the main body 1 is used in a vertically installed state as shown in FIG. In the case of carrying, the handle 15 can be carried using the handle 15 after being turned upward.

By the way, this heat exchanger includes a temperature sensor 1 for protecting the Peltier element 12, as shown in FIG.
6. In this embodiment, a thermostat is inserted. Here, as shown in FIG. 9, the temperature sensor 16 is inserted into the insertion hole 11a of the heat conductor 11 together with the leaf spring 16a, and is pressed against the heat conductor 11 by the leaf spring 16a so that It is designed to come into close contact.

By closely contacting the temperature sensor 16 with the heat conductor 11 in this manner, the temperature of the heat conductor 11 can be accurately measured. As a result, there is no difference between the actual temperature of the heat conductor 11 and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 16, and the storage S can be maintained at the desired temperature.

Here, this heat conductor 11 is connected to the radiation fin 1.
As the screw 8b for attaching to 0, one having a low thermal conductivity, for example, a resin molded one is used. Thereby, the heat conduction between the heat conductor 11 and the radiation fins 10 can be reduced, the influence of the outside air on the heat conductor 11 can be reduced, and the inside of the refrigerator can be efficiently cooled or heated. It has become.

The heat conductor cover 17 forming the space S1 for mounting the heat conductor 11 has the elastic body 17a fitted to the front and rear edges as shown in FIG. 11 is inserted into the opening 4A of the lower case 2 and held by the rib 2b of the lower case 2 and the container 4 as shown in FIG.

Here, by inserting the elastic bodies 17a into the front edge portion and the rear edge portion of the heat conductor cover 17 as described above, the gap between the lower case 2 and the upper case 3 can be eliminated as described above. The outside air that has entered the space S1 through the gap between the lower case 2 and the heat insulating material 7 can be blocked. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the moisture contained in the outside air from being condensed on the surface of the heat conductor 11.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 18 is a partition plate for partitioning the container 4, 19a is a bottom leg formed on the bottom of the main body 1, and 19b is a side surface of the main body 1 facing the heat exchanger portion 9 side. It is a side leg that is formed and supports the body 1 when the body 1 is placed vertically. And thus the bottom leg 1
By providing 9a and the side legs 19b, the main body 1 can be placed horizontally or vertically without scratching the main body 1.

On the other hand, in FIG. 3, reference numeral 20 denotes a substrate on which the power switch 6a, the changeover switch 6b, and the display lamp 6c are attached.
As shown in FIG. 5, power is supplied from a DC outlet 22 of a power outlet 21 provided on the lower portion of the side surface of the lower case 2 with the main body 1 placed vertically on the floor and an AC outlet not shown. ing.

By providing the power outlet section 21 at such a position, a plug (not shown) connected to the DC power outlet 22 and the AC outlet can be used regardless of whether the main body 1 is placed vertically or horizontally. The cords are designed so that they do not get in the way. Further, since the power outlet section 21 is at the bottom, the main body 1 does not fall down even if a foot or the like is caught on the cord.

Further, the power outlet 21 has
A slidable outlet switching cover 23 for selectively covering one of the two outlets is provided. And, for example, when operating the main body 1 with a DC power source,
As shown in the figure, the outlet switching cover 23 closes the AC power outlet.

As a result, only the power outlet 22 to be used appears in the power outlet 21. Therefore, for example, the battery of the automobile is mistakenly connected to the AC power outlet and the power converter 24 shown in FIG. You can prevent it from being damaged.

Here, the power supply conversion unit 24 is for converting an AC power supply into a DC power supply, and the AC power supply input from the AC power supply outlet is once input to the power supply conversion unit 24 via the lead wire 24a. After being converted into a DC power source, the power is supplied to the substrate 20.

Since the power conversion unit 24 generates high heat, the space S2 in which the radiation fins 10 are housed by the partition ribs 2c of the lower case 2 as shown in FIG.
It is housed in the space S3 partitioned by the above, so that the heat of the power conversion unit 24 is not transmitted to the heat radiation fin 10.

Since the communication section 25 communicating with the space S2 in which the heat radiation fins 10 are housed is formed in the lower portion of the space S3 of the power conversion unit 24, as shown in FIG. Due to the flow of the outside air generated by the operation, the outside air also enters the space S3 of the power conversion unit 24 through the cooling air intake port 14a as shown by the arrow. As a result, the power conversion unit 24 is also cooled.

When the cold storage constructed as described above is used, for example, in an automobile loaded horizontally, the outlet switching cover 23 is first slid to close the AC power outlet, and then the battery is replaced with a battery. Insert the connected plug into the DC power outlet 22.

Next, the door 4 is opened and, if necessary, the partition plate 1
After partitioning the interior by 8, the goods are stored in the interior. Then, when the power switch 6a is turned on, the direct current power is supplied to the substrate 2
When the changeover switch 6b is switched to the cooling operation or the heating operation after being supplied to 0, the display lamp 6c is lit, and the Peltier element 12 performs the heat radiation and the heat absorption to cool or warm the inside of the refrigerator. .

At this time, since the operating portion 6 is in the visible position, the switch operation is easy, and the display of the display lamp 6c can be seen well. In addition, when the cold storage box in which the product is stored in this manner is detached from the automobile and transported, the body 1 is transported in a horizontal state with a band attached.

On the other hand, when the main body 1 is used in a vertical position at home or the like, first, the outlet switching cover is slid to close the DC power outlet 22 and then the plug connected to the household power source is used as an alternating current. Plug into a power outlet.

Next, the door 4 is opened to store the goods in the refrigerator,
After turning on the power switch 6a, the changeover switch 6b is switched to the cooling operation or the heating operation. Even in this case,
Since the operation unit 6 is in the visible position, the switch operation is easy, and the display of the display lamp 6c can be seen well.

The main body 1 in which the products are stored in this way
When carrying, the handle 15 is rotated and taken out, and then the handle 15 is used to carry the main body 1 in a vertical position.

As described above, since the operating portion 6 is provided on the upper surface of the upper case 3 on the side of the heat exchanger portion 9, even when the main body 1 is placed horizontally on the floor or vertically. The operation portion 6 can be visually recognized. Also, with the side surface of the main body 1,
The legs 19a and 19b respectively formed on the bottom of the main body 1 allow the main body 1 to be placed horizontally or vertically without being scratched.

Further, since the handle 15 is rotatably attached to the fan cover 14, the handle 15 can be easily carried by the handle 15 even when the main body 1 is placed vertically.
Furthermore, since the outlet switching cover 23 is provided in the power outlet 21, only the power outlet 22 to be used can be exposed.

[0057]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the legs are formed on the side surface of the body and the bottom portion of the body, the body can be placed horizontally or vertically without being scratched.
Also, because the display part is provided on the upper surface of the main body on the heat exchanger part side,
It is possible to improve the visibility of the display unit and prevent forgetting to turn off the power switch.

Further, since the handle for carrying the main body is provided on the side surface of the main body on the side of the heat exchanger, it can be easily carried even when the main body is placed vertically. Furthermore, since one of the DC outlet and the AC outlet of the power outlet is selectively covered with a slidable cover so that only the outlet to be used appears, it is possible to reliably switch the power source. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a cold storage cabinet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the cold storage.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the cold storage.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of an essential part of a lower case of the cold storage cabinet.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a joint portion between the upper case and the container of the cold storage cabinet.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a cooling fan unit.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cold storage cabinet is transported vertically.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing a state in which a temperature sensor is attached to the heat exchanger section of the cold / hot warehouse.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which a temperature sensor is incorporated in a heat conductor.

FIG. 10 is a view showing how the heat conductor cover is fitted into the opening of the container.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a heat exchanger section of the cold storage cabinet.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cold storage is vertically installed.

FIG. 13 is a plan sectional view of an essential part of an upper portion of a power supply conversion unit of the cold storage cabinet.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional plan view of a main part of a lower portion of the power conversion unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Main body of cold storage 6c Indicator lamp 9 Heat exchanger part 12 Peltier element 15 Handle 21 Power outlet part 23 Outlet switching cover

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yoshimura Nishimura 2-18 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Koji Tabuchi 2-18-18 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A heat exchanger section provided with a storage formed in the main body, and a thermoelectric exchange element and a blower for cooling or heating the inside of the storage utilizing the Peltier effect on the side of the storage. In a portable cold storage with a structure, legs for horizontally or vertically placing the main body are respectively formed on the bottom of the main body and the side surface facing the heat exchanger unit, and an operation switch and a display unit are provided. A refrigerating cabinet provided on the upper surface of the main body on the heat exchanger section side. 2. A main body carrying handle used for carrying the main body in a vertical position is rotatably provided on the side surface of the main body on the heat exchanger section side.
Cold storage described. 3. A power outlet unit is provided at a lower portion of a side surface of the main body in a vertically placed state.
Cold storage described.