KR101329380B1 - A device for discharging cool air - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cold air discharge device.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a cold air discharge apparatus comprising: a case including a storage space and a flow path partitioned from the storage space and in which cold air flows; A discharge part formed in the case and discharging cold air toward the storage space; A suction unit for returning the cold air discharged from the discharge unit to the flow path; An evaporator disposed in the flow path for generating cold air; A blowing fan for flowing cold air toward the evaporator; A temperature sensing unit provided at one side of the suction unit and configured to sense a temperature of cold air flowing into the suction unit; And a shielding unit that is selectively opened and closed based on the sensing result of the temperature sensing unit.

Description

Cold air discharging device {A device for discharging cool air}

The present invention relates to a cold air discharge device.

In general, a cold air discharging device (hereinafter, a showcase) is used to display and sell a product such as a food or a beverage requiring refrigeration or freezing in a refrigerated or frozen state. Such a showcase should effectively prevent the cold air of the storage space formed inside from leaking to the outside to maintain the freshness of the stored goods, and it is preferable that the buyer is configured to be able to see the goods displayed in the storage space well. .

The showcase includes a storage space for storing food and the like, and a blocking device provided at one side of the storage space to prevent cold air from leaking out of the storage space. The blocking device may include a door or an air curtain.

The door may be made of a transparent glass material so that the inside can be confirmed. In addition, the air curtain is understood as a configuration that restricts the flow of cold air to the outside by discharging cold air from one side of the storage space toward the other side.

Hereinafter, the conventional structure of the cold air discharge apparatus provided with the air curtain is demonstrated.

As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional cold air discharge device 1 includes an evaporator 2 for generating cold air, a blowing fan 3 for providing a blowing force so that air flows to the evaporator 2, and an external device. An inlet 4 for guiding air into the cold air discharging device and a discharge for guiding the air introduced from the inlet 4 to be discharged to one side of the storage space after cooling through the evaporator 2 Part 5 is included.

The cold air discharged from the discharge part 5 flows to one side of the storage space to form a blocking film, thereby preventing the cold air of the storage space from flowing out. The cold air discharged from the discharge part 5 may flow into the suction part 4.

However, in a state in which there is no separate door that shields the storage space, at least some of the cold air discharged from the discharge part 5 flows out and is discarded. Then, the outside hot air flows into the suction part 4 by the amount of the discarded cold air.

As the external hot air flows into the suction unit 4, the heat capacity to be cooled by the evaporator 2 becomes larger, thereby causing an increase in energy consumption.

In addition, the cooling of the air in the evaporator 2 is not sufficiently made, the temperature of the cold air discharged through the discharge portion 5 is formed to a value higher than the desired temperature. As a result, there was a problem that adversely affects the food stored in the storage space.

In order to solve this problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a cold air discharge device capable of effectively sucking cold air discarded in the vicinity.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a cold air discharge apparatus comprising: a case including a storage space and a flow path partitioned from the storage space and in which cold air flows; A discharge part formed in the case and discharging cold air toward the storage space; A suction unit for returning the cold air discharged from the discharge unit to the flow path; An evaporator disposed in the flow path for generating cold air; A blowing fan for flowing cold air toward the evaporator; A temperature sensing unit provided at one side of the suction unit and configured to sense a temperature of cold air flowing into the suction unit; And a shielding unit that is selectively opened and closed based on the sensing result of the temperature sensing unit.

According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of suction parts are provided in the cold air discharge device, so that cold air existing outside can be easily introduced into the cold air discharge device.

By returning the cold air back to the cold air discharge device, it is possible to prevent the relatively hot air from flowing into the cold air discharge device, thereby increasing heat exchange efficiency and energy use efficiency of the evaporator.

In addition, since a temperature sensing unit is provided at one side of the suction unit and the suction unit can be selectively shielded according to the temperature value recognized by the temperature sensing unit, it is possible to prevent hot outside air from flowing into the cold air discharge device. have.

In addition, since a plurality of blowing fans may be provided corresponding to the plurality of suction units to increase the blowing force, there is an effect that cold air around the suction unit can be easily sucked into the cold air discharge device.

In addition, the shield is rotatably or linearly movable by the driving unit, there is an advantage that can effectively shield the intake portion to which the hot air flows.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional cold air discharge device.
2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a cold air discharge device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a cold air discharge device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a cold air discharge device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a view showing the flow of cold air in the cold air discharge device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a cold air discharge device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a cold air discharge device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the spirit of the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown and that those skilled in the art, upon reading and understanding the spirit of the invention, may easily suggest other embodiments within the scope of the same concept.

2 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a cold air discharge device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a cold air discharge device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

2 and 3, the cold air discharge device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a case 100 forming the storage space 100a. The case 100 includes a lower portion 101, an upper portion 102, and a rear wall 105, and the front end portion of the case 100 is opened to form an opening 103. For convenience of description, the lower portion 10, the upper portion 102 and the rear wall 105 are referred to as “outer walls”.

The lower portion 101 is a base structure of the case 100, and a machine room including a compressor 125, a condenser, and the like may be disposed as one component of a refrigerant cycle. The upper part 102 and the rear wall 105 form an upper surface and a rear surface of the case 100, respectively. The storage space 100a may be defined by the lower portion 10, the upper portion 102, and the rear wall 105. Inside the storage space (100a), there is provided a shelf 108 for storing food.

The case 100 includes an inner wall 107 forming an inner appearance of the storage space 100a. The inner wall 107 is bent to form a lower surface, a rear surface and an upper surface of the storage space 100a. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the inner wall 107 may be formed to be bent in an approximately "c" shape. The shelf 108 may be coupled to the inner wall 107 and extend forward, and a plurality of shelves 108 may be provided.

Between the outer walls 101, 102 and 105 and the inner wall 107, air passages 130 and 140 through which air or cold air introduced into the case 100 flows are included. That is, the storage space 100a and the air passages 130 and 140 may be partitioned by the inner wall 107. In addition, an evaporator 110 for generating cold air is included in the air flow paths 130 and 140.

In detail, the air flow paths 130 and 140 include a first flow path 130 provided on one side of the evaporator 110 and a second flow path 140 provided on the other side of the evaporator 110. The first flow path 130 is understood as a space in which cold air introduced through the first suction part 155 flows to the evaporator 110, and the second flow path 140 passes through the evaporator 110. It is understood as a space in which cold air flows to the first discharge part 151 or the second discharge part 153.

In FIG. 2, the evaporator 110 is disposed behind the storage space 100a, that is, between the rear wall 105 and the inner wall 107. Alternatively, the evaporator 110 may be disposed below or above the case 100. It may be deployed.

The first suction part 155 is formed by cutting at least a portion of the inner wall 107, and is configured to communicate with the first flow path 130. For example, the first suction unit 155 is formed at a position forming a lower surface of the storage space 100a of the inner wall 107, and cold air outside the storage space 100a or the storage space 100a ( Or air) is formed to flow downward through the first suction part 155.

The first discharge part 151 is formed by cutting at least a portion of the inner wall 107, and is configured to communicate with the second flow path 140. For example, the first discharge part 151 is formed at a position forming a rear surface of the storage space 100a of the inner wall 107, and the cold air passing through the evaporator 110 is stored in the storage space 100a. Guide the discharge to the front. A plurality of first discharge parts 151 may be formed in the vertical direction.

The second discharge part 153 is formed by cutting at least a portion of the inner wall 107 and is configured to communicate with the second flow path 140. For example, the second discharge part 153 is formed at a position forming an upper surface of the storage space 100a of the inner wall 107, and the cold air passing through the evaporator 100 is stored in the storage space 100a. Guide it to be discharged downwards toward you.

The second discharge part 153 and the first suction part 155 are disposed to face each other at a front end of the case 100, that is, at a position adjacent to the opening 103. That is, the second discharge part 153 is formed on the upper part of the case 100 to discharge cold air downward, and the first suction part 155 is formed under the case 100 so that the second It is configured to suck the cold air discharged from the discharge unit 153. In other words, it may be understood that the first suction part 155 is positioned on an extension line of the cold air flow direction discharged from the second discharge part 153.

In the case 100, a second suction part 157 is formed to suck external cold air or air into the first flow path 130. For example, the second suction part 157 is formed to be opened on the front surface of the case 100.

The blower fan 120 is disposed in the first flow path 130 to allow cool air (or air) to flow through the first suction part 155 or the second suction part 157. For example, the blowing fan 120 is disposed at the rear side of the first suction part 155 and the second suction part 157.

That is, the blower fan 120 is located on the downstream side of the first suction part 155 and the second suction part 157 based on the flow direction of air, so that the first suction part 155 or The blowing force is provided to allow the cool air to flow through the second suction unit 157.

The case 100 has a driving force for moving the shield 165 and the shield 165 for selectively shielding at least some of the suction parts 155 and 157, for example, the second suction part 157. It includes a drive unit 160 to provide. In detail, the driving unit 160 is located at the lower portion 101, and the shielding unit 165 may be coupled to the driving unit 160 through the driving shaft 161. For example, the driving unit 160 may be a synchronous motor capable of bidirectional rotation.

When the driving unit 160 is driven, the shielding unit 165 may be rotated. For example, the shield 165 may shield the second suction unit 157 at a first position in which the shield 165 rotates in one direction, and the shield 165 rotates in the other direction. In the second position, the shield 165 may open the second suction unit 157. In the state where the shield 165 opens the second suction unit 157, the shield 165 may be located in the rotation space 101a below the second suction unit 157.

The cold air discharge device 10 includes a temperature sensing unit 172 which is provided at one side of the second suction unit 157 to sense the temperature of the air flowing through the second suction unit 157. . When it is recognized that the temperature sensed by the temperature detector 172 is equal to or higher than a set temperature, the controller 170 drives the driving unit 160 to shield the second suction unit 157.

As such, when the temperature sensing unit 172 is provided and the temperature of the air introduced through the second suction unit 157 is high, for example, when air at room temperature is introduced, the second suction unit 157 is provided. ), The heat exchange efficiency of the evaporator 110 can be prevented from being lowered.

In particular, when the cold air discharge device 10 performs the defrosting operation, for example, in the case where the defrost heater (not shown) is operated to remove frost generated in the evaporator 110, the compressor 125 is Since the temperature of the cold air discharged from the first and second discharge parts 151 and 153 is relatively high, the air sucked from the first and second suction parts 155 and 157 forms a high temperature.

In this case, the temperature of the cold air circulated in the cold air discharge device 10 may be prevented from rising rapidly by reducing the inflow of air by shielding the second suction unit 157.

The operation of the cold air discharge device 10 according to the present embodiment will be briefly described.

When the power source 171 of the cold air discharge device 10 is applied, the controller 170 drives the compressor 125 to drive a refrigerant cycle and the blower fan 120 to circulate cold air.

In addition, the temperature sensor 172 provided at one side of the second suction unit 157 recognizes the temperature of the air flowing into the first flow path 130, and based on the recognized temperature of the air, the driving unit ( 160 is selectively driven. That is, when the driving unit 160 rotates in one direction, the shielding unit 165 shields the second suction unit 157, and when the driving unit 160 rotates in the other direction, the shielding unit 165 rotates the It may act to open the second suction unit 157.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a cold air discharge device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the operation of the shield 165 will be described.

When power is applied to the cold air discharge device 10, the compressor 125 and the blowing fan 120 may be driven. The shield 165 may be switched to an open state of the second suction unit 157 or maintained in an open state. Therefore, the external cold air or air flows into the first flow path 130 through the first and second suction parts 155 and 157 and is discharged to the first and second discharge parts 151 and 153 through the evaporator 110. Can be. This cold air circulation process may be repeated (S11, S12).

In the process of circulating the cold air discharge device 10, the temperature of the air sucked into the second suction unit 157 is sensed. Then, the temperature of the intake air and the preset set temperature is compared (S13).

When the intake air temperature is greater than or equal to the set temperature, the driving unit 160 may operate to shield the second intake unit 157. On the other hand, if the intake air temperature is less than the set temperature, the process returns to step S13 and continues to perform the air temperature sensing operation (S15).

The driving action of the shield 165 according to the cold air circulation and air temperature sensing may be repeatedly performed until the power of the cold air discharge device 10 is turned off. When the power supply of the cold air discharge device 10 is turned off, the operation of the cold air discharge device 10 is stopped (S16, S17).

5 is a view showing the flow of cold air in the cold air discharge device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, when power is applied to the cold air discharge device 10, the compressor 125 and the blower fan 120 are driven to generate cold air circulation. When the blower fan 120 is driven, the air sucked through the first suction unit 155 or the second suction unit 157 passes through the first flow path 130, the evaporator 110, and the second flow path 140. ) Is discharged into the storage space 100a through the first and second discharge parts 151 and 153.

At this time, the cold air discharged from the second discharge unit 153 flows into the first suction unit 155 by inertial force and is sucked in (A direction). However, at least a portion of the cold air discharged from the second discharge part 153 may flow in an external direction (B direction) of the storage space 100a by the pressure of the storage space 100a and the external pressure difference. .

Meanwhile, the cold air flowing in the B direction may be sucked by flowing to the second suction part 157 formed on the front surface of the case 100. As a result, the cold air in the B direction may be sucked back into the second suction unit 157 without being discarded to the outside, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency of the refrigerant cycle. 5 shows an open state of the shield 165.

Hereinafter, the second embodiment and the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since these embodiments differ in only some configurations compared to the first embodiment, they are mainly described for differences. For the same parts as those of the first embodiment, the description of the first embodiment and reference numerals are used.

6 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a cold air discharge device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, in the cold air discharge device 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, a blower fan 220 and one side of the blower fan 220 installed adjacent to the second suction unit 157 are provided. It is disposed in the evaporation fan 210 is disposed to be inclined toward the first suction unit 155. For convenience of description, the blower fan 220 is referred to as a "first blower fan" and the evaporator fan 210 is referred to as a "second blower fan".

That is, since the first suction part 155 and the second suction part 157 are formed at different positions, for example, the first suction part 155 is formed at a position higher than the second suction part 157. Therefore, a plurality of blowing fans 220 and 210 corresponding to the plurality of suction units 155 and 157 are provided.

The first blower fan 220 is installed at the rear side of the second suction unit 157 to guide external cold air to be sucked into the second suction unit 157, and the second blower fan 210 is the It is disposed to be inclined toward the first suction unit 155 to guide external cold air to be sucked into the first suction unit 155.

By such a configuration, there is an effect that the suction of the outside air through the plurality of suction parts can be easily made.

7 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a cold air discharge device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the cold air discharge device 10 according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a shielding portion 165 selectively shielding the second suction portion 157, and a driving force to the shielding portion 165. It includes a drive unit 160 for providing a drive shaft 161 connecting the drive unit 160 and the shield 165.

Between the drive shaft 161 and the shield 165, power transmission units 250 and 265 for converting the rotational force of the drive unit 160 to the linear movement force of the shield 165 is included.

In detail, the power transmission units 250 and 265 are coupled to the driving shaft 161 to interlock with the first power transmission unit 250 and the first power transmission unit 250 and rotate the first power transmission unit ( The second power transmission unit 265 linearly moving in accordance with the rotation of 250 is included.

For example, the first power transmission unit 250 may be a pinion gear, and the second power transmission unit 265 may be a rack gear. The second power transmission unit 265 may be integrally formed with the shielding unit 165.

As such, since the shielding unit 165 may be linearly moved by converting the rotational force of the driving unit 160 to linear movement, there is an advantage that reliability of the power transmission action may be secured. In addition, the opening and closing of the second suction part 157 may be effectively performed by the movement of the shielding part 165.

10: cold air discharge device 100: case
110: evaporator 120: blowing fan
130: first euro 140: second euro
151: first discharge part 153: second discharge part
155: first suction part 157: second suction part
160 drive unit 165 shielding unit
172: temperature detection unit 210: evaporation fan
250: first power transmission unit 265: second power transmission unit

Claims (10)

A case including a storage space and a flow path partitioned from the storage space and through which air flows;
A discharge part formed on an upper or rear wall of the case and discharging air toward the storage space;
A plurality of suction parts provided at a lower part of the case to allow the air discharged from the discharge part to return to the flow path, through which external air may be introduced;
A blowing fan disposed at one side of the plurality of suction parts and configured to allow air to flow from the plurality of suction parts to the flow path;
An evaporator disposed at one side of the blower fan and configured to exchange heat with air sucked from the plurality of suction units;
A temperature sensing unit provided at one side of the plurality of suction units and configured to sense a temperature of air flowing into the suction unit; And
It is provided to be movable to one side of the plurality of suction portion, and includes a shielding portion to block the inlet of at least some of the plurality of suction portion to block the inflow of outside air,
And a controller configured to control the shielding unit to shield the at least one suction unit when the temperature value detected by the temperature sensing unit is equal to or greater than a preset temperature. delete The method of claim 1,
In the plurality of suction portions,
A first suction part formed on a lower surface of the storage space; And
And a second suction part formed on the front surface of the case. The method of claim 3, wherein
And the shielding part selectively shields the second suction part. The method of claim 1,
In the discharge portion,
A first discharge part formed on an inner wall of the case to discharge cold air forward; And
And a second discharge part formed on an upper portion of the case to discharge cold air downward. The method of claim 5, wherein
And a plurality of first discharge portions provided in a vertical direction. The method of claim 3, wherein
In the blowing fan,
A first blowing fan disposed at one side of the second suction part; And
And a second blower fan disposed to be inclined toward the first suction unit. The method of claim 1,
A driving unit providing a driving force for the movement of the shielding unit; And
And a power transmission unit transmitting a driving force of the driving unit to the shielding unit. The method of claim 8,
The power transmission unit,
A pinion gear rotatably provided in accordance with driving of the drive unit; And
A cold air discharge device interlocked with the pinion gear and including a rack gear that is linearly moved. The method of claim 8,
The shield is rotatably provided,
And a rotating space defining a space in which the shield is positioned in a state where the shield is rotated to open the at least part of the suction part.

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