JPH0926251A - Refrigerator showcase - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent dew formation generated at a transparent enclosing plate of a refrigerator showcase in less-expensive manner and positively and further to increase a cold air holding effect of the refrigerator showcase. SOLUTION: In a refrigerator showcase in which an upper surface of a product storing section 4 is covered by a transparent ceiling plate, its front edge 25a is projected forwardly from the ceiling plate above the ceiling plate over an entire width of the refrigerator showcase and there is provided a transparent protective plate 25 bent downwardly and concurrently protection air stream is flowed from the back to the front in an air flow passage 26 formed below the protective plate 25. The protection air flow flowing in the air stream passage 26 prevents the upper surface of the ceiling plate from being dew formed and at the same time an air curtain of the protection air stream is formed at a front surface of the product storing section 4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerated showcase used in a store, a supermarket or the like, and in particular, by illuminating the inside of the showcase by illuminating the inside of the store by forming the ceiling plate with a translucent material. It relates to a refrigerated showcase that is made possible.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional refrigerated showcase, Japanese Patent Publication Sho 61
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 57546, the interior of the refrigerator is illuminated by a lighting fixture or the like attached to the lower surface of the ceiling plate. Therefore, the temperature inside the refrigerator, and eventually the temperature of the goods inside the refrigerator, rises due to the heat generated by the lighting equipment, and it is necessary to lower the temperature of the cool air in order to bring it into an appropriate temperature.

In the conventional refrigerating showcase as described above, low-temperature cold air is discharged by an amount corresponding to the heat generated by a lighting fixture or the like attached to the lower surface of the ceiling plate. Therefore, the operating time of the refrigerating showcase increases due to the longer operating time of the refrigeration cycle and the lowering of the set temperature. Further, since the equipment for lighting the interior such as the ceiling lighting and the canopy lighting is provided in the refrigerated showcase, the product cost is increased.

Therefore, the present applicant uses the lighting of the store for lighting the inside of the refrigerating showcase by forming the ceiling plate above the product storage portion with a light-transmissive material, and lighting in the refrigerated showcase. We are developing a refrigerating showcase that does not have any fixtures, thereby preventing the temperature of products in the refrigerator from rising due to the heat of lighting fixtures and shortening the cooling operation time of the refrigerating showcase.

Further, dew condensation occurs on the outer surface of the translucent ceiling plate in the refrigerated showcase, which impedes the illumination in the refrigerator, or the dew flows along the side walls to the floor surface.
In order to prevent the floor surface from being soiled, a thing is also provided in which a protective airflow for preventing condensation is made to flow along a translucent ceiling plate or the like (Japanese Patent Application No. 6-250522).

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is intended to further improve a refrigerated showcase in which a protective airflow for preventing dew condensation is allowed to flow, and more specifically,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerated showcase in which a protective airflow is used to enhance the effect of keeping cold in the product storage unit.

[0007]

According to the present invention, the above-mentioned problem is solved as follows. (1) A translucent ceiling plate whose front edge is bent downward is disposed above the product storage section with an open front surface, and is substantially parallel to the ceiling plate above the ceiling plate. And a translucent protective plate whose front edge is bent downward so that the front edge is located slightly forward of the front edge of the ceiling plate, and below the rear part of the ceiling plate. A discharge port for discharging the cool air toward the front is provided, and a discharge port for discharging the protective airflow toward the front is provided at the rear part between the ceiling plate and the protective plate.

(2) In the above item (1), an exhaust passage is provided for guiding the exhaust gas of the refrigerant compressor provided behind the product storage portion to the discharge port for the protective air flow.

(3) In the above (1), an airflow passage for sending outside air forward by a blower is connected to the protective airflow outlet.

(4) In any one of the above items (1) to (3), the lower part of the ceiling plate extends in parallel with the ceiling plate from the height position of the lower end of the discharge port of the cold air passage, and is bent downward. A translucent plate member that ends slightly before the front edge of the ceiling plate is provided.

[0011]

The cool air discharged from the lower discharge port of the ceiling plate is directed downward along the curved surface of the front edge of the ceiling plate to form an air curtain of the cool air on the front surface of the product storage unit. Is kept cool. Further, the protective airflow that flows through the airflow passage formed between the translucent protective plate and the ceiling plate prevents dew condensation on the top surface of the ceiling plate, and the protective airflow follows the curved surface of the front edge of the protective plate. As it goes downwards, an air curtain of protective airflow is formed on the front surface of the product storage unit, and the effect of keeping cold inside the product storage unit is further enhanced.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment (embodiment of the invention described in claims 1 and 2) of a refrigerating showcase of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. This refrigerated showcase has two left and right side plates (1) (1) and a rear plate (2),
The lower surface is in contact with the floor surface (3). The inside is the product storage section
With (4), the product can be taken out from the front opening. The rear part is a cold air passage (8). The product storage part (4) and the cold air passage (8) are partitioned by a partition wall (7).

The side plates (1) (1) and the rear face plate (2) are formed of structural members having a high heat insulating property in which a heat insulating material is filled. The side plate (1) has a substantially L-shaped side surface, and a translucent, preferably transparent enclosure plate is provided in the missing portion.
Inset (5). The enclosure plate (5) is preferably a transparent glass or acrylic resin plate. Back plate (2)
Extends over the entire width of the refrigerated showcase, and at least a part of the lower part thereof projects forward in a stepwise manner, and the refrigerant compressor (6) is housed in the space formed behind the stepwise projecting portion (2a). There is.

A partition wall extending over the entire rear surface of the product container (4)
(7) is a cold air passage extending vertically between the rear plate (2)
It defines (8). This cold air passage (8) is provided with a blower (9), a heat exchanger (10) and a drain tank (18) inside, and at the lower part thereof, near the floor surface (3), there are many circulations that open forward. It has a cold air inlet (11).

The upper part of the cold air passage (8) ends with a heat insulating plate (12) which is connected to the upper end of the rear plate (2) and faces forward. The outlet (13) is open over its entire width. The discharge port (13) projects slightly forward toward the product container (4).

At the top of the product container (4), side plates (1) (1)
A transparent or translucent ceiling plate (19), which is one of the enclosure plates, is installed over the entire width between the enclosure plates (5) and (5).
This ceiling plate (19) is the same transparent glass as the enclosure plate (5),
Alternatively, it is preferably made of acrylic resin.

The rear end portion of the ceiling plate (19) is mounted and fixed on the front end portion of the heat insulating material (12) which is the top of the cold air passageway (8), and the front edge portion (19a) is folded downward in a round shape. It has been tuned. Therefore, the cold air discharged from the discharge port (13) of the cold air passage (8) is
It flows forward along the lower surface of (19) and can be turned downward by a front edge (19a) which is bent downward in a round shape. As shown by the white arrow, the cold air descends from this point,
The displayed products in the product storage unit (4) are cooled effectively.

A detachable low-sized front panel (14) is provided on the lower part of the front surface of the product container (4). When the front panel (14) is removed, a trolley with casters indicated by a dotted line in FIG.
The item (15) can be put into the product accommodation unit (4) as it is and stored. The bumpers (16) (16) fixed to the partition (7) are
It is an abutting member for this cart (15). By putting the cart (15) in which the products are arranged in advance for display and sale in the product storage unit (4) and returning the front panel (14) to the original position, the display is completed immediately.

The cool air, which is blown upward through the heat exchanger (10) by the blower (9) in the cool air passage (8), blows forward from the discharge port (13) as described above. In addition to the cooling by the cool air from the, the cooling of the product is assisted by the cool air from the intermediate discharge port (17) provided at the intermediate height position of the partition wall (7). Both cold air will eventually be sucked in near the floor (3)
It circulates from (11) to the cold air passage (8).

Above the refrigerant compressor (6) for supplying the liquid refrigerant to the heat exchanger (10), the rear face plate (2) and the back plate (arranged at a required interval behind the rear face plate (2)). The exhaust passage (21) is formed by (20) and this exhaust passage (2
The upper end of 1) is bent forward by a heat insulating plate (12) and a horizontal top plate (22) arranged above it. A blower (23) is provided above the vertical portion of the exhaust passage (21).

Between the front end of the heat insulating plate (12) and the front end of the top plate (22), a refrigerant compressor passing through the exhaust passage (21).
A grill-shaped discharge port (24) for discharging the exhaust gas of (6) as a protective airflow forward is provided.

The upper end of the discharge port (24) has a rear end of a transparent or translucent protective plate (25) extending above the ceiling plate (19) in parallel with the ceiling plate (19) and extending forward. The part is stuck. Both side ends of the protection plate (25) are fixed to the left and right enclosure plates (5), and the front edge (25a) is positioned slightly forward of the front edge (19a) of the ceiling plate (19). And, it is bent round downward.

Therefore, the warm exhaust gas of the refrigerant compressor (6) is sent upward by the blower (23) through the exhaust passage (21) and is discharged forward from the discharge port (23) as a protective air flow. Condensation on the upper surface of the ceiling plate (19) whose lower surface is cooled by cool air can be prevented while flowing through the airflow passageway (26) formed between the ceiling plate (19) and the protective plate (25). . In addition, this protective airflow causes the front edge (25
By flowing downward along a), an air curtain of protective airflow is formed on the outside of the above-mentioned air curtain of cold air, and the cold insulation effect in the product storage unit (4) is improved. If the refrigerant compressor (6) has a built-in fan, the blower (23) may be omitted.

According to this embodiment, the refrigerant compressor (6)
The exhaust gas from the refrigerant compressor (6) can be effectively used, and the exhaust gas from the refrigerant compressor (6) has a relatively high temperature, so that the dew condensation on the ceiling plate (19) can be reliably achieved.

Further, since the ceiling plate (19) and the protection plate (25) are both transparent or translucent plates, the lighting of the ceiling or wall surface of the store can be used as it is in the cart (4) in the product storage section (4). 15) It is not necessary to illuminate the above products and install lighting equipment in the refrigerated showcase. The side wall (5) also supports effective use of store lighting.

3 and 4 show a second embodiment of the present invention.
(Examples of claims 1, 3 and 4) is shown, and is an example in which the protective airflow flowing over the upper surface of the ceiling plate (19) is outside air. The same members as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, since the refrigerant compressor (6) is separate from the refrigerating showcase body, the exhaust passage (19) as in the previous embodiment is not provided. Instead,
By installing the blower (27) on the top plate (22), the discharge port (2
Outside air is sent into a space formed by the top plate (22), the heat insulating plate (12) and the rear plate (2) behind 4), and the outside air is used as a protective air flow from the discharge port (24) to the air flow passageway (26 ). Therefore, the protective airflow blown out from the discharge port (24) flows on the upper surface of the ceiling plate (19) and prevents condensation on the ceiling plate (19) as in the previous embodiment.

Even if the outside air is used in this manner, the product storage section
An air curtain for protective airflow can be formed on the front surface of (4). Also, as in the previous embodiment, the refrigerant compressor (6)
A blower (27) for introducing outside air may also be provided in the refrigerated showcase containing the above.

Further, in the second embodiment, a transparent plate member (2) is also provided under the transparent ceiling plate (19) on the top of the product container (4).
8) is installed in parallel. The plate member (28) is arranged with its rear end abutting against the lower end of the discharge port (13) of the cold air passageway (8), and both side ends are bent upward to form a long upward U-shape. And substantially extends over the entire width of the discharge port (13). Further, the front end portion thereof ends at a position slightly retracted rearward from the front edge portion (19a) of the ceiling plate (19). Therefore, this plate member (28) constitutes an extended portion of the cold air passage (8), and guides the cold air discharged from the discharge port (13) to the front part of the product storage section as it is, and the downward flow here. The effect of the air curtain can be improved by converting to.

[0030]

According to the present invention, since the air flow is discharged along the upper surface of the translucent ceiling plate that constitutes the product storage portion of the refrigerated showcase, the refrigerated showcase is fogged due to condensation or the inside of the refrigerator. It is possible to prevent the deterioration of the illuminance of the refrigerator, the contamination of the refrigerated showcase, and the contamination caused by water droplets falling on the floor, etc., and it is possible to display and sell the product aesthetically without causing discomfort and uncleanness to the shopper. it can.

Further, since a double air curtain is formed by the cool air and the protective air flow at the front opening of the product storage unit, the cold storage effect of the product storage unit can be enhanced.

Furthermore, since the ceiling plate and the protective plate are translucent, it is possible to directly illuminate the inside of the storehouse by illuminating the ceiling and wall surfaces of the store, and no lighting device is required in the storehouse. Since the temperature of the discharged cool air can be set to the cool air temperature excluding the influence of the heat of the lighting fixtures inside the refrigerator, the occurrence of dew condensation on the top surface of the ceiling plate is small, and the dew condensation can be evaporated reliably in a short time. It is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost and operating cost of the showcase (Claim 1).

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the exhaust gas of the refrigerant compressor can be effectively used and the exhaust gas of the refrigerant compressor is higher in temperature than the outside air, so that the dew condensation on the ceiling plate can be reliably prevented.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, even if the refrigerating showcase is provided with the refrigerant compressor outside the refrigerating showcase, it is possible to prevent dew condensation on the ceiling plate by utilizing the outside air.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, by providing the translucent plate member below the ceiling plate, it is possible to reliably form the cool air curtain.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a refrigerated showcase of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional side view of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional side view of a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) Side plate (2) Rear plate (3) Floor surface (4) Product storage section (5) Enclosure plate (6) Refrigerant compressor (7) Partition wall (8) Cold air passage (9) Blower (10) Heat exchanger ( 11) Suction port (12) Insulation plate (13) Discharge port (14) Front panel (15) Cart (16) Bumper (17) Intermediate discharge port (18) Drain tank (19) Ceiling plate (19a) Front edge ( 20) Back plate (21) Exhaust passage (22) Top plate (23) Blower (24) Discharge port (25) Protective plate (25a) Leading edge (26) Air flow passage (27) Blower (28) Plate member

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A translucent ceiling plate having a front edge bent downward is disposed on an upper portion of a product storage portion having a front opening, and the ceiling plate is substantially parallel to the ceiling plate above the ceiling plate. And a translucent protective plate with the front edge bent downward,
The front edge portion is arranged so as to be positioned slightly forward of the front edge portion of the ceiling plate, and a discharge port for discharging cool air toward the front is provided below the rear portion of the ceiling plate, and the ceiling plate is also provided. A refrigerated showcase characterized in that a discharge port for discharging a protective airflow forward is provided in the rear part between the protective plate and the protective plate. 2. The refrigerating showcase according to claim 1, wherein a refrigerant compressor is provided behind the commodity storage portion, and an exhaust passage for guiding the exhaust gas of the refrigerant compressor to a discharge port for a protective air flow is provided. 3. The protective air flow outlet is connected to an air flow passage for sending outside air forward by a blower.
Refrigerated showcase as described. 4. A translucent member which extends below the ceiling plate in parallel with the ceiling plate from the height of the lower end of the discharge port of the cold air passage and ends slightly before the front edge of the downwardly bent ceiling plate. The refrigerated showcase according to claim 1, further comprising a plate member.