KR100901898B1 - Apparatus for supercooling - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a supercooling device, which is located in a space maintained at a temperature below zero, and includes a bucket for storing water, a heating device located at an upper part of the bucket, and an outlet located at a lower part of the bucket. With such a configuration, the supercooled water can be taken out through the outlet without taking the water tank out of the supercooling device while storing the water in the supercooled state, thereby obtaining slush water.

Subcooler, Dispenser, Bucket, Subcooling

Description

Subcooler {APPARATUS FOR SUPERCOOLING}

The present invention relates to a subcooling device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a supercooling apparatus in which water is stored in a supercooled state in a bucket provided in a subcooling apparatus, and a user can take water in a supercooled state.

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.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, an electrostatic field atmosphere is created in a refrigerator, and thawing of meat and fish in the refrigerator is performed at a negative temperature. In addition to meat and fish, freshness of fruits is maintained.

This technique uses a supercooling phenomenon, which refers to a phenomenon in which the melt or solid does not change even when the melt or solid is cooled to below the phase transition temperature at equilibrium.

Such a technique includes the electrostatic field treatment method, the electrostatic field treatment device, and electrodes used in them.

1 is a view showing an embodiment of a thawing and freshness holding device according to the prior art, wherein the cold storage 1 is constituted by a heat insulator 2 and an outer wall 5, and the internal temperature control mechanism (not shown). Is installed. The metal shelf 7 installed in the interior of the storehouse has a two-stage structure, and on each stage, objects for thawing or freshness maintenance and ripening of vegetables, meat and fish are mounted. The metal shelf 7 is insulated from the bottom of the furnace by the insulator 9. The high voltage generator 3 can generate direct current and alternating voltage up to 0 to 5000 V, and the inside of the heat insulating material 2 is covered with an insulating plate 2a such as vinyl chloride. The high voltage cable 4 for outputting the voltage of the high voltage generator 3 is connected to the metal shelf 7 through the outer wall 5 and the heat insulator 2.

When the door 6 provided on the front side of the cold storage 1 is opened, the safety switch 13 (refer FIG. 2) which is not shown in figure is turned off, and the output of the high voltage generator 3 is interrupted | blocked.

2 is a circuit diagram showing the circuit configuration of the high voltage generator 3. AC 100V is supplied to the primary side of the voltage regulating transformer 15. Reference numeral 11 denotes a power supply lamp, and reference numeral 19 denotes a lamp indicating an operating state. The relay 14 operates when the above-mentioned door 6 is closed and the safety switch 13 is turned on. This state is indicated by the relay operation lamp 12. The relay contact ( 14a, 14b, and 14c are closed, and an AC 100V power source is applied to the primary side of the voltage regulating transformer 15.

The applied voltage is adjusted by the adjusting knob 15a on the secondary side of the voltage adjusting transformer 15, and the adjusted voltage value is displayed on the voltmeter. The adjusting knob 15a is connected to the primary side of the secondary boosting transformer 17 of the voltage adjusting transformer 15. In this boosting transformer 17, the boosting voltage is boosted at a ratio of 1:50, for example. When a voltage of 60V is applied, it is stepped up to 3000V.

_One end O ₁ of the secondary side output of the boosting transformer 17 is connected to the metal shelf 7 insulated from the cold storage via the high voltage cable 4, and the other end O _{2 of the} output is earthed. Moreover, since the outer wall 5 is earthed, even if the user of the cold storage 1 contacts the outer wall of the cold storage, there is no electric shock. In addition, if the metal shelf 7 is exposed in the furnace in FIG. 1, since the metal shelf 7 needs to be kept insulated in the furnace, it is necessary to separate it from the walls of the furnace (the air insulates). . In addition, when the object 8 protrudes from the metal shelf 7 and contacts the inner wall, current flows to the ground through the high wall. Therefore, when the insulating plate 2a is attached to the inner wall, the drop of applied voltage is prevented. In addition, even if the metal shelf 7 is covered with vinyl chloride or the like without exposing the inside of the furnace, the entire interior of the furnace becomes an electric field atmosphere.

In the prior art, since an electric field or a magnetic field is applied to an object to be cooled and stored so that the object enters a supercooled state, a complicated device for generating an electric field or a magnetic field for storage in the supercooled state of the object is provided. High power consumption is required for the generation of such electric or magnetic fields. In addition, such a device for generating an electric field or a magnetic field is additionally provided with a device (for example, an electric field or magnetic field shielding structure, a blocking device, etc.) for the safety of the user when the electric field or the magnetic field is generated, when the electric field or magnetic field is generated due to the high power. Should be.

An object of the present invention is to provide a subcooling device having a bucket for storing water in a subcooled state.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a subcooling device having a subcooling water dispenser that can take the subcooling water from the outside of the door of the subcooling device.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a subcooling device that can provide a subcooled water in which a phase is converted into a slush state when a user takes water through a dispenser.

The present invention provides a supercooling device, which is located in a space maintained at a temperature below zero, and includes a bucket for storing water, a heating device located at an upper part of the bucket, and an outlet located at a lower part of the bucket. With such a configuration, the supercooled water can be taken out through the outlet without taking the water tank out of the supercooling device while storing the water in the supercooled state, thereby obtaining slush water.

In another aspect, the present invention further includes a door that opens and closes a space maintained at a temperature below zero, and a water tank provides a supercooling device, which is installed in the door.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a subcooling apparatus further comprising a water intake port located outside the door and a water intake passage connecting the intake port and the discharge port. Through this configuration, it is possible to take the supercooled water through the intake port without opening the door from the outside of the door.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a supercooling apparatus, further comprising a water inlet pipe that introduces water into the bucket. Through this configuration, even if the user does not fill the water tank directly, the water can be introduced into the water tank through the water inlet pipe when the water is taken from the outside.

In another aspect of the present invention, one end of the water inlet pipe provides a supercooling device, characterized in that located in the lower portion of the water tank. Through this configuration, it is possible to prevent the subcooled water from freezing due to the falling of the incoming water.

In another aspect of the present invention, the intake passage provides a supercooling device, characterized in that it is located over the sub-zero temperature region and the temperature region of the image. Through such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the supercooling water remaining in the water intake passage to be frozen.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a supercooling apparatus, wherein a portion located in a temperature region of an image of a water intake passage includes a portion located inside a door.

In addition, the present invention is located in the cooling chamber, the cooling chamber is provided with cold air, the water reservoir is stored, the water inlet pipe is inserted into the bucket from the outside into the bucket from the outside, the heating device located on the top of the bucket, the bucket It provides a super-cooling device, characterized in that it comprises a pneumatic valve located at the top of the outlet, the outlet located in the lower portion of the water tank and the water intake passage from which the water is discharged to the outside of the cooling chamber. Through this configuration, since the pneumatic valve regulates the discharge of the water in the bucket, the valve is not in direct contact with the supercooled water, thereby preventing the freezing of the water due to the impact of the valve. In addition, the heating device is provided at the top of the bucket, so that the frozen tuberculosis can be introduced into the supercooled water to prevent the supercooled water from freezing.

In another aspect of the present invention, the pneumatic valve provides a supercooling device, characterized in that located on the side of the water tank.

In another aspect of the present invention, the heating device provides a supercooling device, characterized in that located in the interior of the bucket.

In still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a supercooling device, wherein the heating device is covered with an insulator. This configuration can prevent the flow of current to the supercooled water.

In another aspect of the present invention, one end of the intake passage provides a supercooling apparatus, characterized in that located outside the subcooling chamber. Through this configuration, the subcooled water can be withdrawn from the outside of the subcooling chamber.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a supercooling apparatus further comprising a valve connected to one end of the intake passage and opening and closing the intake passage. For example, the valve may be a lever that opens and closes the intake passage, and the user can open the intake passage by bringing the cup to the lever, so that the supercooled water can be conveniently taken in.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a subcooling device, characterized in that the valve is a mechanical valve located outside the subcooling chamber. With this configuration, it is less likely that the supercooled water is frozen by the valve, and the user can easily operate the valve.

In another aspect of the present invention, the intake passage provides a supercooling device, characterized in that bent downward from the top than the outlet.

In another aspect of the present invention, one end of the water inlet pipe is provided with a supercooling device, characterized in that located in the lower portion of the water tank.

The supercooling apparatus according to the present invention includes a bucket for storing water in a supercooled state, and a user may use the water in a slush state by taking the supercooled water.

In addition, the supercooling apparatus according to the present invention can prevent the water from being frozen because the portion where the surface of the water where the ice crystals are formed is located in the temperature region of the image.

In addition, in the subcooling device according to the present invention, one end of the intake flow path of the subcooling water, that is, the intake port exists outside the subcooling device, so that the user can easily take the subcooling water from the subcooling device.

In addition, the supercooling apparatus according to the present invention can prevent the supercooling water remaining in the water intake passage from freezing because the water intake passage is located over the temperature range of the image and the sub-zero temperature region.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a view showing a process in which ice tuberculosis is generated in the liquid being cooled. As shown in FIG. 3, the container C containing the liquid L in the cooling space S is cooled.

It is assumed that the cooling temperature of the cooling space S is cooled, for example, from room temperature to 0 degrees (phase transition temperature of water) or below the phase transition temperature of the liquid L. As this cooling proceeds, for example, below water (-1 to -5 degrees) or below the maximum ice crystal formation zone of water where ice crystals are produced at maximum at about -1 degrees to -5 degrees for water. It is intended to maintain the supercooled state of water or liquid (L) even at a cooling temperature below the maximum ice crystal generation zone of.

Evaporation takes place from the liquid L during this cooling, so that the water vapor W1 flows into the gas (or space) Lg in the vessel C. When the container C is closed by the lid Ck, the gas Cg may be in a supersaturated state due to the vaporized water vapor W1. However, in the present specification, the container (C) may optionally include a lid (Ck), if included, the cold air of the cooling space directly flows in, or the surface of the liquid (L) or the temperature of the gas (Lg) on the surface The cooling by the cold air can be prevented to some extent.

As the cooling temperature reaches or passes the temperature of the maximum ice crystal generation zone of the liquid L, it is formed as freeze tuberculosis F2 on the inner wall of the container or freeze tuberculosis F1 in the gas Lg. Alternatively, condensation takes place at a portion where the surface Ls of the liquid L and the inner wall of the container C (which substantially coincide with the cooling temperature of the cooling space S) are formed and the condensed liquid L is iced. It can be formed as freezing tuberculosis (F3).

For example, when the frozen tuberculosis F1 in the gas Lg descends and penetrates into the liquid L through the surface Ls of the liquid L, the supercooled state of the liquid L is released and the liquid ( A freezing phenomenon is caused in L), and the supercooling of the liquid L is released.

Alternatively, when the frozen tuberculosis F3 comes into contact with the surface Ls of the liquid L, the supercooled state of the liquid L is released, thereby causing a freezing phenomenon in the liquid L. FIG.

As described above, looking at the process of formation of freezing tubers F1 to F3, when the liquid L is stored below the temperature of the maximum ice crystal generation zone of the liquid L, it is evaporated from the liquid L, and the liquid Due to freezing of water vapor on the surface Ls of (L) and freezing at the inner wall of the container C near the surface Ls of the liquid L, the release of the supercooled state of the liquid L is prevented. Is caused.

4 is a view showing a process for preventing the formation of ice tuberculosis applied to the supercooling apparatus according to the present invention.

4 shows the temperature on the surface Ls of the gas Lg or the liquid L so as to prevent freezing of the water vapor W1 in the gas Lg, ie, to maintain the water vapor W1 state continuously. More preferably, the phase transition temperature of the liquid L is higher than or equal to the temperature of the maximum ice crystal generation zone of L). In addition, the temperature of the surface Ls of the liquid L is set to the temperature of the maximum ice crystal generation zone of the liquid L so that the surface Ls of the liquid L does not freeze even if it contacts the inner wall of the container C. More preferably, the phase transition temperature of the liquid L is equal to or higher than that.

As a result, the liquid L in the container C is maintained in the supercooled state at or below the phase transition temperature or below the maximum ice crystal generation temperature of the liquid L.

5 is a supercooled state graph of water according to FIG. 4. The graphs of FIG. 5 are temperature graphs measured with the principle according to FIG. 4 applied when liquid L is water.

As shown in FIG. 5, line I is a cooling temperature curve of the cooling space S, line II is a temperature curve of gas Lg (air) on the water surface in the container C, and line III is a container ( C) The temperature of the outer surface, the temperature of the outer surface of the container (C) is substantially the same as the temperature of the water inside the container (C).

As shown, when the cooling temperature is maintained at about -13 to -14 degrees (see line I), the temperature of the gas Lg on the water surface in the vessel C is about 4 higher than the temperature of the maximum ice crystal generation zone of the water. When maintained at -6 degrees, the supercooled state in which the liquid state is maintained stably is maintained for a long time while the temperature of the water in the vessel C is maintained at about -11 degrees, which is below the temperature of the maximum ice crystal generation zone of the water.

6 is a view showing a supercooling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The supercooling apparatus 1000 includes a casing 1200 constituting an external appearance and includes a cooling chamber 1100 maintained at a sub-zero temperature in the casing 1200. The casing 1200 includes a main body 1210 and a door 1220, and the casing 1200 includes a foamed layer formed of a heat insulating material to insulate the cooling chamber 1100 from the outside. The door 1220 is provided with a bucket 1300 for storing the subcooled water. The bucket 1300 is formed to be exposed to the cold air of the cooling chamber 1100. Thus, the water stored in the bucket 1300 is stored at sub-zero temperatures. In addition, the water tank 1300 is connected to the water inlet pipe 1400 for introducing water into the water tank from the external water supply, the water inlet pipe 1400 is provided with a valve 1410 for controlling the inflow of water.

In addition, a heating device 1310 is provided to thaw the frozen tuberculosis formed in the upper portion of the bucket 1300 so that the water stored in the bucket 1300 is not frozen. The heating device 1310 is installed on the top of the bucket 1300, and can be installed inside or outside the bucket 1300. However, in consideration of the aesthetics at the time of opening the door 1220 or the stability of use, it is preferable to be installed inside the water tank 1300. As the heating device 1310, a general heater, a heating wire, or the like may be used. When using a device that generates electricity by electricity, the heating device 1310 is preferably installed in an insulated state by an insulator.

In addition, the lower portion of the bucket 1300 is connected to the intake passage 1330 is connected to the intake port 1350 so that the subcooled water stored in the bucket can be withdrawn from the outside of the door 1220. The intake passage 1330 is connected to the intake port 1350 through the insulation foam layer of the door 1220. In addition, the upper portion of the bucket 1300 is provided with a pneumatic valve 1370 for controlling the discharge of the supercooled water through the intake passage 1330. Around the intake port 1350, there is also a lever 1360 that allows the user to control the discharge of the supercooled water. The lever 1360 and the pneumatic valve 1370 are designed to be mechanically or electronically interlocked so that the pneumatic valve 1370 is opened when the user pushes the lever 1360 to withdraw the supercooled water.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a subcooled water dispenser included in a subcooling device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As described above, the bucket 1300 is exposed to the cold air of the subcooling chamber 1100 (shown in FIG. 6). The water inlet tube 1400 is connected to the bucket 1300, and the water inlet tube 1400 is provided with a valve 1410 for controlling the inflow of water through the water inlet tube 1400. One end of the water inlet pipe 1400 is connected to the water supply source, and the other end is connected to the water tank 1300. Preferably, the other end of the water inlet pipe 1400 is connected to the lower portion of the bucket 1300 or is inserted into the bucket 1300 and positioned below the bucket 1300. When water is introduced into the bucket 1300 through the water inlet pipe 1400, an impact caused by a drop is applied to the supercooled water to prevent the supercooled water from being frozen. In addition, the valve 1410 is designed to interlock with the lever 1360 and the pneumatic valve 1340 described above, or is controlled by a controller (not shown) to maintain a predetermined level by having a water level sensor (not shown) in the water tank. It is preferable.

The upper portion of the bucket 1300 is an environment in which ice crystals are likely to occur as described above. Therefore, the heating device 1310 is provided on the top of the bucket 1300. In addition, the lower portion of the bucket 1300 is formed with a discharge port 1320 for discharging the supercooled water to the outside. The discharge port 1320 is connected to the water intake passage 1330, and the other end of the water intake passage 1330 is connected to the water intake port 1350 located outside the subcooling device. In the vicinity of the intake port 1350, a member that allows a user to select whether to take the supercooled water is installed, and a lever 1360 is generally used. The user opens the intake flow path 1330 by pressing the lever 1360 against the cup 1360, and the supercooled water is discharged into the cup, and the supercooled water is converted into a slush state by a free fall.

In addition, a pneumatic valve 1340 is installed on the top of the bucket 1300. The pneumatic valve 1340 has an advantage that it does not produce ice crystals well compared to the metal valve. In addition, the pneumatic valve 1340 is preferably installed in the horizontal direction in the upper portion of the water reservoir 1300 in order to remove as much as possible the factor of breaking the subcooling stability of the subcooled water by the pneumatic valve 1340. The supercooled water is discharged through the water intake channel 1330 by opening the pneumatic valve 1340. Therefore, the pneumatic valve 1340 is preferably designed or controlled to work with the lever 1360.

The water intake passage 1330 is connected to the outside of the subcooling device through the heat insulating material of the door 1220. The exterior of the door 1220, that is, the exterior of the subcooling apparatus is room temperature, and the subcooling chamber 1100 in which the water tank 1300 is located is below freezing. Therefore, the temperature of the heat insulator has a linear temperature distribution such that the outer surface side of the door 1220 has a room temperature and the inner surface side of the door 1220 has a temperature below zero. Therefore, the water intake passage 1330 is located over the temperature range of room temperature from the sub-zero temperature. At this time, the shape and length of the water intake flow path 1330 are selected so that the surface of the water remaining in the water intake flow path 1330 is located at a temperature region higher than the temperature of the maximum ice crystal generation zone, thereby freezing the water remaining in the water intake flow path 1330. You can prevent it. Therefore, the subcooling apparatus provided in the present invention stores the water stored in the bucket 1300 and the water intake passage 1330 in a supercooled state, and can be used in a slush state when the user desires it.

1 is a view showing an embodiment of a thawing and freshness holding device according to the prior art;

2 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration of the high voltage generator 3;

3 is a view showing a process of generating ice tuberculosis in the liquid being cooled,

4 is a view showing a process for preventing the formation of ice tuberculosis applied to the supercooling apparatus according to the present invention,

5 is a supercooled state graph of water according to FIG. 4,

6 is a view showing a supercooling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention,

7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a subcooling water dispenser provided in a subcooling device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (14)

Located in a space maintained at sub-zero temperature, the water reservoir is stored; A heating device located at the top of the bucket; And It is a flow path that the water is discharged from the water tank to the outside of the cooling chamber, the water intake flow path including the bent portion remaining therein; The interface of water remaining in the water intake passage is located in the temperature region of the image. The method of claim 1, Further comprising: a door for opening and closing the space maintained at a temperature below zero; The water tank is supercooling device, characterized in that installed in the door. The method of claim 1, An intake port located outside the door; And It further comprises a discharge port located in the lower portion of the bucket, Intake passage is a supercooling device, characterized in that connecting the intake and outlet. The method of claim 1, The water intake passage is located over the sub-zero temperature region and the temperature region of the image. The method of claim 2, The portion located in the temperature region of the image of the water intake passage includes a portion located inside the door. A cooling chamber provided with cold air; Located in the cooling chamber, the water reservoir is stored; A water inlet pipe inserted into the bucket to introduce water into the bucket from the outside; A heating device located at the top of the bucket; A pneumatic valve located at the top of the bucket; An outlet located at the bottom of the bucket; And And a water intake passage through which water is discharged from the discharge port to the outside of the cooling chamber. The method of claim 6, The pneumatic valve is located on the side of the water tank. The method of claim 6, The heating device is located in the interior of the water tank. The method of claim 6, The heating apparatus is covered with the insulator, The supercooling apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The method of claim 6, One end of the intake passage is located outside the subcooling chamber. The method of claim 10, And a valve connected to one end of the intake passage and opening and closing the intake passage. The method of claim 11, The valve is a supercooling device, characterized in that the mechanical valve located outside the subcooling chamber. The method of claim 6, The intake flow passage is bent downward from the upper portion than the discharge port. The method of claim 6, One end of the water inlet pipe is located in the lower portion of the water tank.

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