KR100882625B1 - Supercooling apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a supercooling apparatus that maintains a supercooled state of an object stably for a long time through the control of energy.

In particular, the present invention is provided with a contact temperature sensor to accurately measure the temperature of the object to be subcooled to determine whether the subcooling has reached or released, and to accurately know the amount of energy to be supplied.

Description

Supercooling Unit {SUPERCOOLING APPARATUS}

1 is a view conceptually showing the electrode structure of the subcooling device to maintain a basic subcooling state.

FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating a supercooling phenomenon in the subcooling apparatus according to FIG. 1.

3 is an embodiment of a supercooling apparatus according to FIG. 1.

4 is a configuration diagram of a supercooling device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of an object stored in a supercooling device.

6 and 7 illustrate an embodiment of a supercooling apparatus including a temperature sensing unit according to FIG. 5.

The present invention relates to a supercooling apparatus, and more particularly, to a supercooling apparatus having a thermometer which is not influenced by an electric field, to accurately measure the temperature of an enclosure that maintains a supercooling state, thereby improving efficiency.

Subcooling means a phenomenon that no change occurs even when the melt or solid is cooled to below the phase transition temperature at equilibrium. Each substance has a stable state corresponding to the temperature at that time, so that the temperature can be gradually changed so that members of the substance can keep up with the temperature change while maintaining the stable state at each temperature. However, if the temperature suddenly changes, the member cannot afford to change to the stable state according to each temperature, so that the state remains stable at the starting point temperature, or a portion thereof changes to the state at the end point temperature.

For example, if water is gradually cooled, it will not temporarily solidify even if it reaches a temperature of 0 ° C or lower. However, when the object is in the supercooled state, it becomes a kind of metastable state, and the unstable equilibrium state is broken even by a slight stimulus, and it is easy to move to a more stable state. That is, when a small piece of material is added to the supercooled liquid or the liquid is suddenly shaken, the liquid starts to solidify immediately and the temperature of the liquid rises to the freezing point, thereby maintaining a stable equilibrium at that temperature.

Generally, foods such as vegetables, fruits and meats, food and beverages are refrigerated or frozen and kept fresh. In this case, these foods contain a liquid component such as water, and when the liquid component is cooled below the phase transition temperature, a transition occurs to the solid component after a certain time.

Although it is possible to preserve an object such as water in a supercooled state for a short time, when moisture is frozen in a food containing water, it is necessary to maintain the supercooled state for a long time in terms of long-term storage of food quality food.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a subcooling device capable of stably maintaining a supercooled state of an object for a long time.

Moreover, an object of this invention is to provide the subcooling apparatus which can stably maintain the supercooling state of an object at a lower temperature.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a supercooling apparatus capable of measuring temperature without being affected by an electric field caused by high voltage.

 In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a supercooling apparatus that can enter the region of the electric field to accurately detect the temperature of the object.

The supercooling device of the present invention includes an accommodating space for storing an object, a non-freezing operation part for cooling the accommodating space, and supplying an electric field with a high voltage to the accommodating space to maintain the object in a non-freezing state, and detecting a temperature of the object. Contains wealth.

In addition, the sensing unit preferably contacts the object.

In addition, the sensing unit preferably comprises a sensing terminal and an electric field shielding member covering the sensing terminal.

In addition, the sensing unit preferably includes a fixing member for fixing the electric field shielding member or the insulating member.

In addition, it is preferable that a protective member is formed inside the fixing member to prevent the object from directly contacting the electric field shielding member or the insulating member.

In the following, the present invention will be described in detail with an example of a supercooling apparatus based on the embodiments of the present invention and the accompanying drawings.

If the liquid, for example water, is gradually cooled, it will not temporarily solidify even at temperatures below 0 ° C. However, when the object is in the supercooled state, it becomes a kind of metastable state, and the unstable equilibrium state is broken even by a slight stimulus, and it is easy to move to a more stable state. That is, when a small piece of material is added to the supercooled liquid or the liquid is suddenly shaken, the liquid starts to solidify immediately and the temperature of the liquid rises to the freezing point, thereby maintaining a stable equilibrium at that temperature.

At this time, even if the temperature is lower than the phase transition temperature, if the molecule can continuously move at least one of the rotation, vibration, translation, it is possible to maintain the supercooled state continuously. That is, when energy is supplied to prevent liquid from phase transition to solid at the same time as cooling, which is a process of taking energy of liquid, it is possible to stably maintain a liquid state for a long time even at a temperature lower than the temperature at which phase transition occurs. In this case, the process of supplying energy is inadequate as it is influenced by each other when the process of energy is taken. In the case of ordinary cooling devices, it is inappropriate to supply thermal energy when supplying energy because it uses a method of depriving thermal energy.

1 is a view conceptually showing the electrode structure of the subcooling device to maintain a basic subcooling state.

In FIG. 1, the case 1 in which the storage space S1 is formed includes two electrodes 10a and 10b facing each other with respect to the storage space S1. A power supply unit 2 for applying a high voltage AC voltage to the electrodes 10a and 10b is provided. The power supply unit 2 applies a high-voltage alternating voltage to the electrodes 10a and 10b, and an electric field is formed in the storage space S1 between the electrodes 10a and 10b to supply energy to the storage space S1.

In addition, the storage space S1 is cooled by a cooling cycle (not shown), so that it is possible to supply another type of energy (that is, electric field energy) while taking heat energy in the storage space S1. For this reason, in the case of the food containing water and water accommodated in the storage space S1, it is possible to maintain a stable cooling state for a long time without solidifying or freezing even below phase transition temperature.

2 is a temperature graph when water is stored in the supercooling apparatus according to FIG. 1 and then cooled.

Normally, when water cools below the phase transition temperature, phase transition occurs.

Distilled water is contained in the storage space S1 in the case 1 as shown in FIG. 2, and the electrode faces of the electrodes 10a and 10b facing the storage space S1 are wider than the surface of the storage space S1. . The interval between these electrodes 10a and 10b is 20 mm. The case 1 is made of an acrylic material, and the case 1 is housed in a cooling space in which cold air is uniformly supplied (a refrigerating device, which is a space without additional electric field generating devices other than the electrodes 10a and 10b). .

At this time, the power supply unit 2 is a case where an alternating voltage of 0.91 kV (6.76 mA) and 20 kHz is applied to the electrodes 10a and 10b, and the internal temperature of the cooling space is about -7 ° C.

As can be seen in Figure 2, by applying energy through the electric field it can be seen that it is possible to stably maintain the supercooled state (non-freezing state) for a long time.

3 is an embodiment of a supercooling apparatus according to FIG. 1. The subcooling apparatus shown in FIG. 3 is a device equipped with a cooling cycle and is an intercooling subcooling apparatus.

The supercooling device opens and closes one open side of the case 110 and a case 110 having a shelf 130 that partially divides the storage space A, and forms a storage space A therein. The door 120 is made. The refrigeration cycle 30 of the intercooled supercooling apparatus includes a compressor 32 for compressing a refrigerant, an evaporator 33 for generating cold air (indicated by an arrow) for cooling the storage space A or the stored object, and the cold air generated in this way. Fan 34 forcibly flowing, an inlet duct 36 for introducing cold air into the storage space A, and a discharge duct 38 for guiding the cold air passing through the storage space A to the evaporator 33. Is done. In addition, the freezing cycle 30 may include a condenser, a dryer, an expansion device, and the like, which are not shown. In addition, the supercooling device may be implemented not only between intercooling but also by direct cooling.

Electrode portions 50a and 50b are formed between the inner surfaces 112a and 112c facing the storage space A and the outer surface of the case 110, and each of the electrode portions 50a and 50b faces the storage space A. It is formed so that the electric field can be applied to the entire storage space (A). In addition, the storage space A is spaced apart from the ends of the electrode portions 50a and 50b inwardly or in the center direction of the electrode portions 50a and 50b by a predetermined interval so that a uniform electric field is stored in the storage space A or the storage space. Allow to be applied to water. A power supply unit (not shown) for applying a high voltage to the electrode units 50a and 50b is provided to allow an electric field to be formed between the electrode units 50a and 50b.

In addition, the inlet duct 36 and the discharge duct 38 described above are formed on the inner surface 112b of the case 110. In addition, the surface of the inner surface (112a, 112b, 112c) of the case 110 is made of a hydrophobic material, so that the surface tension of water, such as water is reduced to prevent freezing during the supercooling mode. Of course, the outer surface and the inner surface (112a, 112b, 112c) of the case 110 is made of an insulating material, so that the user is not electric shock from the electrode portions (50a, 50b) and at the same time the objects are inner surface (112a, 112b, The electrical contact with the electrode portions 50a and 50b through the 112c is prevented. Although an intercooled subcooling apparatus is illustrated, it is obvious that it can also be implemented with a direct cooling subcooling apparatus.

In order to know whether or not the supercooled state is reached or released, or to know whether the object is maintained at the proper temperature, the supercooling device should be able to recognize the temperature of the stored object accurately. When the supercooling state of the object is released, a phenomenon occurs in which the temperature of the object rises rapidly, for example, from -5 ° C to 0 ° C. Therefore, the sensing of the temperature of the object or the sensing of the temperature change is important.

At this time, it is difficult to measure the temperature of the non-contact temperature sensing unit, and in the case of the contact type, the sensing unit is located in a space where an electric field or a magnetic field is formed, and thus, there is a problem in measuring an accurate temperature under the influence of the electric field. Therefore, if the temperature sensor is located in a space where the electric or magnetic field is formed without being affected by the electric or magnetic field, the temperature of the object can be accurately measured.

4 is a configuration diagram of a supercooling device. The supercooling apparatus 100 includes a load sensing unit 20 for detecting a state of the storage spaces A and B, a state of an object (not shown) stored in the storage spaces A and B, and a storage space A. , A refrigeration cycle 30 for cooling B), a voltage generator 40 generating a voltage to apply an electric field in the storage spaces A and B, and an electrode part receiving the generated voltage to generate an electric field ( 50), a temperature sensing unit 60 for sensing the temperature of the stored object, an input unit 70 for receiving the degree of cooling, the performance of the supercooling mode from the user, and an operation state of the supercooling device 100 The display unit 80 and the microcomputer 90 performing the supercooling mode while performing the freezing or refrigerating control of the subcooling apparatus 100. However, although a power supply unit (not shown) for supplying power to the above-described elements is naturally provided, such a power supply is a technology clearly recognized by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, and thus description thereof is omitted.

In detail, the load detector 20 detects or stores the state of the storage space (A in FIG. 3) and the state of the storage stored in the storage space, and informs the microcomputer 90 of the storage space. For example, the load detector 20 may store information about the volume of the storage space in the state of the storage space (A in FIG. 3), or may be a thermometer that senses the temperature of the storage space or the storage space, or the storage material in the storage space. It may be a hardness meter, an ammeter or a voltmeter or a weight meter or an optical sensor (or a laser sensor) or a pressure sensor for checking whether it is stored. In particular, the load sensing unit 20 may be an ammeter or a voltmeter, and when the storage space (A in FIG. 3) is empty, and when there is an enclosure, the total resistance value of the resistor through which the electric field flows is changed. It can be checked whether or not it is stored according to the resistance value. In addition, the microcomputer 90 may check the amount of the object and the water content of the object according to the resistance value from the load sensing unit 20, thereby identifying the kind of the object having the identified water content. In particular, in the present invention, by measuring the temperature through the temperature sensing unit (60 in Figure 5) in the load sensing unit 20 to determine whether to reach, maintain, or terminate the supercooling state, the energy of the energy to be supplied for maintaining the supercooling Make sure you know the amount accurately.

Next, the refrigeration cycle 30 is divided into inter-cooling and direct cooling according to the method for cooling the stored object. The embodiment of FIG. 6 is an intercooled refrigerator, and the embodiment of FIG. 7 is a direct cooled refrigerator, which will be described in detail below.

In addition, the voltage generator 40 generates an AC voltage according to a predetermined size and frequency. The voltage generator 40 may generate at least one of a magnitude of a voltage and a frequency of the voltage to generate an AC voltage. In particular, the voltage generator 40 applies an AC voltage corresponding to a set value (voltage magnitude, voltage frequency, etc.) from the microcomputer 90 to the electrode unit 50, and thus an electric field is applied to the storage space. Be sure to

The electrode unit 50 is a means for converting an alternating voltage from the voltage generator 40 into an electric field and applying it to a storage space. The electrode unit 50 is usually made of a plate or conductive wire made of a material such as copper or platinum.

Since the electric field applied to the storage space A or the object by the electrode unit 50 is due to a high frequency AC voltage, the polarity thereof changes with frequency. Due to this electric field, water molecules composed of oxygen (O) with negative polarity and hydrogen (H) with positive polarity are continuously vibrated, rotated, and translated. The liquid phase is maintained even at a temperature below the phase transition temperature. In some cases, instead of the electrode part applying the electric field, a conductive part applying the magnetic field may be provided. Water molecules continue to vibrate, rotate, and translate by the magnetic field, so that the water molecules do not crystallize and remain liquid even at temperatures below the phase transition temperature.

The input unit 70 may input a selection of performing the supercooling mode for the storage space A or the storage, in addition to setting a temperature for general refrigeration and refrigeration control, and selecting a service type of the dispenser (flake ice, water, etc.). It is a means to help. In addition, the user may input the object information such as the type and amount of the object through the input unit 70. The input unit 70 may be a bar code reader or an RFID reader, and may provide the microcomputer 90 with the information of the contents of the reading. In addition, the input unit 70 allows the user to input or select a subcooling temperature (temperature at which the supercooling state is maintained), which is a degree of subcooling of the storage space A or the stored object.

The display unit 80 may basically display a freezing and refrigerating temperature, a service type display of the dispenser, and may indicate that a supercooling mode is currently being performed.

The microcomputer 90 performs basic refrigeration and freezing control, and performs the subcooling mode according to the present invention. When the microcomputer 90 maintains the storage space A or the storage object in the supercooled state, the microcomputer 90 stores relationship information between the amount of energy to be applied to the storage space A or the storage object, the amount of energy to be taken, and the cooling temperature. . Accordingly, the microcomputer 90 may control the setting and application of the amount of energy according to the subcooling temperature or the calculation of the amount of energy and the calculation of the subcooling temperature accordingly. The energy here may be a variety of energy sources, the present invention uses the electric field energy. In addition, the microcomputer 90 may perform the subcooling mode, but may set or change the subcooling temperature at which the subcooling mode is performed.

FIG. 5 is a diagram conceptually showing a temperature sensor 60 for sensing a temperature of an object stored in a supercooling device. The temperature detector 60 is an embodiment of the load detector 20 described above.

The temperature sensing unit 60 includes a sensing terminal 63, an insulating member 64, an electric field shielding member 65, a fixing member 66, and a protection member 67.

The sensing terminal 63 enters the space in which the object is placed (that is, the electric field space) and contacts the object as closely as possible to accurately measure the temperature of the object. However, since the detection terminal 63 is affected by the electric field when it is exposed to the electric field space, the electric field acts as a kind of noise, so that the temperature detected by the temperature sensing unit 60 or a value corresponding to the temperature (eg For example, since a significant error occurs in the current value and the voltage value, the sensing terminal 63 is indirectly in contact with the object. The covering must be removed so that the lead 63a of a portion of the sensing terminal 63 indirectly contacts the object through the insulating member 64, the electric field shielding member 65, and the protective member 67. As the conductive line 63a, for example, a copper conductive line, a gold conductive line, or the like may be used. When the temperature sensor 60 is provided with a temperature element for generating a temperature value or a current and voltage value in response to the temperature and applying it to the microcomputer 90 through the detection terminal 63, the temperature element is provided with the present invention. It is only a matter of course recognized in the technical field to which this belongs. The temperature detected through the detection terminal 63, or a value corresponding to the temperature is transmitted through a separate process or to the microcomputer 90.

The insulating member 64 is configured between the sensing terminal 63 and the electric field shielding member 65 or in front of the electric field shielding member 65 so as to provide the current and voltage or the case 110 from the electrode part 50 described above. To prevent the application of current and voltage through the That is, when a high voltage or a high current from the electrode unit 50 or the case 110 is directly applied to the conductive line 63a, the detection terminal 63 (for example, a temperature element) is broken or the microcomputer 90 is broken. May cause. In FIG. 5, the insulating member 64 is configured between the sensing terminal 63 and the electric field shielding member 65, but may be configured in front of the electric field shielding member 65. The insulating member 64 should include a material that can block the flow of current and voltage, and preferably may include Teflon.

The electric field shielding member 65 serves to shield an electric field or a magnetic field formed to maintain supercooling, so that the sensing terminal 63 (particularly, the terminal 63a) enters and mounts a space in which the electric or magnetic field is formed. Can reduce the effects of electric or magnetic fields. The electric field shielding member 65 should be capable of blocking an electric or magnetic field, for example electric tape.

The fixing member 66 is a means for fixing the insulating member 64 and the electric field shielding member 65 to the sensing terminal 63. Fixing member 66 is to be fixed so that the insulating member 64 and the electric field shielding member 65 is wrapped around the sensing terminal 63, so that the application of current and voltage, and can stably block the electric field, etc., preferably Preferably it is provided outside the insulating member 64 and the electric field shielding member (65). For the fixing member 66, for example, a shrink tube or the like may be applied. After the sensing terminal 63 is wrapped with the insulating member 64 and the electric field shielding member 65, a shrink tube is placed outside, and heat is applied thereto. While being contracted, the insulating member 64 and the electric field shielding member 65 may be fixed while being wrapped around the sensing terminal 63. The contraction tube, which is the stationary member 66, is generally cylindrical in configuration, and any member that can be secured while the insulation member 64 and the electric field shielding member 65 surrounds the sensing terminal 63 is fixed to the stationary member 66. Can be In particular, the sensing terminal 63, the insulating member 64, and the inside of the fixing member 66 so that the conducting wire 63a of the sensing terminal 63 can be in contact with the insulating member 64 and the electric field shielding member 65. The electric field shielding member 65 is inserted and fixed so that the temperature of the object is transferred to the lead wire 63a as quickly and accurately as possible.

The protection member 67 prevents the insulation member 64 and the electric field shielding member 65 from being damaged due to collision or contact between the object or the storage container and the fixing member 66 or the like, and the heat of the object. It is a means to improve delivery. Of course, since the sensing terminal 63, the insulating member 64, and the electric field shielding member 65 are inserted into the fixed member 66 at regular intervals, they are protected from impact from the outside, the conductive wire 63a, and the insulating member. There is a point of strengthening the contact between the 64 and the electric field shielding member 65, but since both sides of the fixing member 66 is open, protection from the front is required. In addition, even when the distance between the conductor 63a and the object is as close as possible in the state where the sensing terminal 63 or the like is inserted into the fixing member 66, when there is an empty space in front of the fixing unit 66, heat transfer The efficiency is not good. Therefore, the protective member 67 is formed in front of the sensing terminal 63 inside the fixing member 66, the insulating member 64 and the electric field shielding member 65, so that the heat transfer efficiency is good, the sensing terminal 63 Ensure accurate temperature detection with). As the protective member, for example, a heat conductive paste can be used. In addition, it is preferable that a material having good thermal conductivity is used for the insulating member 64 and the electric field shielding member 65 so as to improve the heat transfer efficiency.

6 to 7 are exemplary embodiments of a supercooling apparatus including a temperature sensing unit according to FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a direct cooling subcooling apparatus, which includes a cylindrical electrode 13c and an electrode 13d surrounding it, and includes a cooling cycle including a compressor 32 for compressing a refrigerant and an evaporator 39 for evaporating the refrigerant. As a result, the supercooling device has a cooling cycle to cool the object, and supplies power to the cylindrical electrode 13c and the electrode 13d surrounding the cylindrical electrode 13c by using a power supply (not shown). Energy can be concentrated.

The supercooling apparatus illustrated in FIG. 6 includes a temperature sensing unit 60. The temperature sensing unit 60 enters and forms a space in which an electric field between the pair of electrodes 13c and 13d is formed, and protrudes inward for contact with an object. When the object stored in the temperature sensing unit 60 touches, heat is transferred to the sensing terminal 63 through the protection member 67, and thus the temperature of the object may be measured. The electric field is formed in the storage space by the cylindrical electrode 13c and the electrode 13d surrounding the cylindrical electrode 13c, and the electric current or voltage from the electrode 13d due to the insulating member 64 and the electric field shielding member 65 and the electric field. It is explained above that it is not affected.

FIG. 7 is a direct cooling subcooling apparatus, in which there is an accommodating part 1 for subcooling a liquid, and a cooling cycle including a compressor 8 for compressing a refrigerant and an evaporator 9 for evaporating the refrigerant. In addition, there is a temperature sensing unit 60 for measuring the temperature of the liquid contained in the accommodating part 1, the electrode part 7a which is opposite to each other on the top and bottom of the container and connected to an AC power source (not shown) to form an electric field. , 7b). In addition, a cover 5 for preventing the evaporation of the liquid, a feed pump 3 for supplying the liquid, and a feed valve 2 were provided. Through this configuration, the liquid contained in the accommodating part 1 can be stably maintained for a long time in a supercooled state, and can be discharged and supplied when desired by the user.

In the supercooling apparatus illustrated in FIG. 7, when an object stored in the temperature sensing unit 60 touches, heat is transferred to the sensing terminal 63 through the protection member 67, thereby measuring the temperature of the object. have. The electric field is formed in the storage space due to the planar electrodes 7a and 7b, and the insulation member 64 and the electric field shielding member 65 are not affected by the application of current and voltage and the electric field formed. It became.

The present invention of such a configuration has the effect that it can maintain the supercooled state of the object stably for a long time.

In addition, the present invention has the effect of stably maintaining the supercooled state of the object at a lower temperature.

In addition, the present invention has the effect of measuring the temperature without being affected by the electric field due to high voltage.

 In addition, the present invention has an effect that can be accurately detected the temperature of the object is entered into the formation region of the electric field.

In the above, the present invention has been described in detail based on the embodiments of the present invention and the accompanying drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited by the above embodiments and drawings, and the scope of the present invention should be limited only by the contents described in the claims below. .

Claims (8)

A storage space for storing an object; A non-freezing operation unit for cooling the storage space and supplying an electric field with a high voltage to the storage space to maintain the object in a non-freezing state; Including a detector for detecting the temperature of the object, The sensing unit fixes the sensing terminal, the electric field shielding member surrounding the sensing terminal, an insulating member provided between the sensing terminal and the electric field shielding member or in front of the electric field shielding member, and fixes the electric field shielding member or the insulating member to the sensing terminal. And a protecting member for preventing an object from directly contacting the electric field shielding member or the insulating member inside the fixing member. delete The supercooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensing unit extends at least partially into a storage space to which an electric field is supplied. delete delete delete The supercooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electric field shielding member or the insulating member is inserted into the fixing member. delete

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