WO2010079942A2

WO2010079942A2 - Supercooling apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2010079942A2
Application number: PCT/KR2010/000057
Authority: WO
Inventors: 김철환
Original assignee: 엘지전자 주식회사
Priority date: 2009-01-08
Filing date: 2010-01-06
Publication date: 2010-07-15
Also published as: KR20100082257A; WO2010079942A3; US20120011861A1; KR101573929B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a supercooling apparatus which can reduce a deviation of energy applied to a stored object. The supercooling apparatus includes a storage room provided in a storing unit where the cooling is performed and having a storing space therein to store or receive an object, a heat source supply unit installed in the storage room and supplying heat to the storing space or generating heat in the storing space; a temperature sensing unit sensing the temperature of the storing space or the stored object, and a control unit operating the heat source supply unit based on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensing unit to enable an upper portion of the storing space to have a temperature higher than a temperature of the maximum ice crystal formation zone, such that the storing space or the stored object is maintained in a supercooled state at a temperature below the maximum ice crystal formation zone, the control unit supplying or generating heat over a given magnitude during the supercooled-state control.

Description

Supercooling system

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a subcooling apparatus, and more particularly, to a subcooling apparatus in which a variation in energy applied to an object under cooling is reduced.

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 apparatus, and electrodes used in them, which are disclosed in Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2000-0011081.

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 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, electric shock will not occur. 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 (air acts as an insulation). . 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. And even if the said metal shelf 7 is coat | covered with vinyl chloride material etc. without exposing in the inside, the whole inside of an interior 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.

In addition, due to the device generating such an electric or magnetic field, there is a problem in that the applied energy is significantly different in the energy supplied according to the on / off of the device.

An object of the present invention is to provide a supercooling apparatus and method for more reliably preventing the formation of freezing tuberculosis in a supercooled state of an article.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a supercooling apparatus and a method for preventing the formation of ice tuberculosis and for easily adjusting the supercooling temperature of an article.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a supercooling apparatus and a method capable of maintaining an object in a supercooled state only by supplying power, even in a space where only cooling is performed.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a subcooling apparatus and method for allowing a temperature deviation of an article maintained in a subcooled state to be reduced, thereby enabling a more stable subcooled state to be maintained.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a supercooling apparatus and method that can more accurately and quickly determine the supercooled state of an article.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a supercooling apparatus and method for maintaining and controlling a supercooled state through an energy supply in which a deviation is significantly reduced in controlling the temperature of a package under cooling.

The supercooling apparatus of the present invention is provided in a storage compartment in which the cooling is performed, a storage compartment having a storage space for accommodating objects, a heat source supply unit installed in the storage chamber to supply heat or generate heat to the storage space, and a storage space. Alternatively, the temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the object and the heat source supply unit are operated on the basis of the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, so that the upper portion of the storage space is at a temperature higher than the maximum ice crystal generation temperature. The control unit is configured to maintain a space or an enclosure in a subcooled state below a maximum ice crystal generation temperature, and to supply heat of a predetermined size or generate heat during the control of the subcooled state.

In addition, the control unit preferably maintains the upper temperature of the storage space above the phase transition temperature.

The controller may maintain the lower temperature of the storage space or the temperature of the storage object at a predetermined subcooling temperature, so that the storage material is stored in the supercooling state.

In addition, the control unit is a heat source supply unit preferably supplies heat or generate heat of a predetermined size range.

In addition, the heat source supply unit is preferably a first and second heat source supply unit formed independently on at least two or more surfaces of the storage space.

In addition, the first or second heat source supply unit is composed of at least two or more sub heat source supply units, at least one sub heat source supply unit is in an on state while performing control of a supercooled state, and the other sub heat source supply unit is in an on state and an off state. It is preferable to perform alternately.

In addition, it is preferable that the first or second heat source supply unit maintains an on-cooled state of the object by applying the voltage included in the voltage variable region higher than 0V to maintain the on state.

In addition, the temperature sensing unit preferably includes at least one or more temperature sensors mounted on or adjacent the side on which the heat source supply is formed.

In addition, the control unit controls the heat source supply unit, it is preferable to independently control on the basis of the temperature of the temperature sensor formed on the same surface or the adjacent temperature sensor.

In addition, the controller may determine whether the supercooling state of the object is released according to the change of the sensed temperature from the temperature sensor.

In addition, the subcooling method of the present invention is a subcooling method in a cooling apparatus provided in a storage compartment in which a cooling is performed, and having a storage compartment provided with a storage space for storing an article. Cooling below the ice crystal formation temperature or the maximum ice crystal production temperature; And a heat source supply step of supplying heat to the storage space or generating heat, and performing a step of sensing a temperature of the storage space or the storage object, and based on the sensed temperature, at least one of a cooling step and a heat source supplying step. By controlling the above, the upper part of the storage space is brought to a temperature higher than the maximum ice crystal generation zone temperature, and the control of the supercooling state in which the storage space or the object is kept in the supercooled state below the maximum ice crystal generation temperature is performed.

The present invention has the effect of preventing the formation of freezing tuberculosis more reliably in the supercooled state of the package, and maintaining the supercooled state of the package for a long time and stably.

In addition, the present invention has the effect of preventing the formation of freezing tuberculosis and easy control of the supercooling temperature of the object, so that the object is kept in a desired state.

In addition, the present invention has the effect of keeping the objects in the supercooled state only by supplying power, even in a space where only cooling is performed, so that a simple structure and independent control are possible.

In addition, the present invention is to reduce the temperature deviation of the object to be kept in the supercooled state, there is an effect that it is possible to maintain a more stable supercooled state.

In addition, the present invention enables to more accurately and quickly determine the supercooled state of the object, there is an effect of maintaining the quality of the object stably.

In addition, in the present invention, in controlling the temperature of the object under cooling, the supercooled state is maintained and controlled through energy supply with a markedly reduced deviation, so that a more stable state of the object can be maintained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows embodiment of the thawing and freshness holding | maintenance apparatus by a prior art.

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

3 is a view showing a process in which ice tuberculosis is generated 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 schematic configuration diagram of a supercooling apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating a supercooling state of water according to the subcooling apparatus of FIG. 5.

7 is a block diagram of a subcooling system to which a subcooling device according to the present invention is applied.

8 is a configuration diagram of a first embodiment of the subcooling apparatus of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a layout view of a heat source supply unit of the subcooling device of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a subcooling method by the subcooling apparatus of FIG. 8.

11 is a configuration diagram of a second embodiment of the supercooling apparatus of FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is a graph of voltage applied to a heat source supply unit in the subcooling apparatus of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a subcooling method by the subcooling apparatus of FIG. 11.

14 is a graph of temperature change by an on / off operation of a heat source supply unit.

FIG. 15 is a temperature graph at the time of subcooling of an object by supplying the heat source of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a derivative graph of the sensing temperature of FIG. 15.

17 is a graph of temperature change by the supercooling method of FIGS. 8 and 11.

FIG. 18 is a temperature graph at the time of releasing the supercooling of a package by the heat source supply of FIG.

19 is a derivative graph of the sensing temperature of FIG. 18.

In the following, the invention is described with reference to preferred embodiments and 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 which accommodates the liquid L (or the thing) is cooled in the storage S in which the cooling space was formed.

It is assumed that the cooling temperature of the cooling space is, for example, cooled from room temperature to 0 degrees (phase transition temperature of water) or below the phase transition temperature of the liquid L. When such cooling proceeds, for example, in the case of water, the temperature of the maximum ice crystal formation zone (-1 to -7 ° C) or less of the liquid (L) of water at which the maximum ice crystals are produced at about -1 to -7 ° C It is intended to maintain the supercooled state of water or liquid L (or containment) even at cooling temperatures below the maximum ice crystal generation zone.

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 vessel C is closed, due to the vaporized water vapor W1, the gas Cg may be in a supersaturated state.

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 is substantially coincident with the cooling temperature of the cooling space) and such condensed liquid L are ice crystals. Tuberculosis (F3) may be formed.

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 shows energy at least on the surface Ls of the gas Lg or the liquid L so as to prevent the freezing of the water vapor W1 in the gas Lg, ie to maintain the water vapor W1 state continuously. The temperature of the gas Lg or the surface Ls of the liquid L is applied to be higher than the temperature of the maximum ice crystal generation zone of the liquid L. More preferably, the phase transition temperature of the liquid L is equal to or higher than that of the liquid 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.

In addition, when the cooling temperature in the storage S is very low, for example, -20 ° C, the liquid L, which is an object, may be subjected to a supercooling state simply by applying energy only to the upper portion of the container C. Since it may not be able to hold | maintain, it is necessary to supply some energy also to the lower part of the container C. The energy applied to the upper portion of the vessel C is relatively larger than the energy applied to the lower portion of the vessel C, so that the upper temperature of the vessel C can be maintained higher than the phase transition temperature or the temperature of the maximum ice crystal generation zone. . In addition, it is possible to control the temperature in the supercooled state of the liquid (L) by the energy applied to the lower portion of the container (C) and the energy applied to the upper portion of the container (C).

3 and 4 described above, the case of the liquid (L) has been exemplarily described, but even in the case of the case containing the liquid, the fresh long-term storage of the object is possible by continuously supercooling the liquid in the object, By applying the process of the enclosure may be maintained in the supercooled state below the phase transition temperature. Receptacles herein can include meat, vegetables, fruits, other foods, and the like, as well as liquids.

In addition, the energy applied to the present invention may be applied to thermal energy, electric or magnetic energy, ultrasonic energy, light energy and the like.

The supercooling apparatus of FIG. 5 is mounted in a storage S in which cooling is performed, a case Sr having a storage space therein, a heating coil H1 mounted inside an upper surface of the case Sr, and generating heat; The temperature sensor C1 for sensing the temperature of the upper portion of the storage space, the heating coil H2 mounted inside the lower surface of the case Sr to generate heat, and the temperature of the lower portion or the storage object P of the storage space. It is provided with a temperature sensor (C2) for sensing.

The supercooling device is installed in the storage S and, as cooling is performed, senses the temperature from the temperature sensor C1 and C2 so that the heating coils H1 and H2 perform the on operation. Thus, heat is supplied to the storage space from the upper and lower portions of the storage space. The amount of heat supplied is adjusted to control the upper portion of the storage space (or the air on the object P) to be higher than the maximum ice crystal generation temperature, more preferably higher than the phase transition temperature.

The positions of the heating coils H1 and H2 of FIG. 5 may be determined to be suitable positions for supplying heat (or energy) to the enclosure P and the storage space, and may be inserted into the side surface of the case Sr. Can be.

In addition, the storage space may be opened or closed by a drawer or the like.

FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating a supercooling state of water according to the subcooling apparatus of FIG. 5. The graphs of FIG. 6 are temperature graphs measured with the principle according to FIGS. 4 and 5 applied when the liquid L is water.

As shown in FIG. 6, line I is the cooling temperature curve of the cooling space, and line II is the temperature curve of the gas Lg (air) on the water surface in the vessel C or the case Sr (or the vessel C). ), The upper temperature of the case (Sr)), the line III is the temperature of the lower portion of the container (C) or the case (Sr), the temperature of the outer surface of the container (C) or the case (Sr) is the container (C) or It is substantially the same as the temperature of the water in the case Sr.

As shown, when the cooling temperature is maintained at about −19 to −20 ° C. (see line I), the temperature of the gas Lg on the water surface in the vessel C is about higher than the temperature of the maximum ice crystal generation zone of the water. When maintained at 4-6 ° C, 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 ° C, which is equal to or less than the temperature of the maximum ice crystal generation zone of the water. At this time, heat is supplied by the heating coils H1 and H2.

In addition, in FIG. 6, as the cooling proceeds, before the temperature of the water reaches the temperature of the maximum ice crystal formation zone, more preferably, before the phase transition temperature is reached, the gas (Lg) phase on the water surface or on the surface The application of energy to the furnace is started, so that the water enters and maintains the supercooled state more stably.

7 is a configuration diagram of a supercooling system according to the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a first embodiment of the subcooling apparatus of FIG.

The subcooling system includes a cooling device 100 and a subcooling device 200 mounted in the cooling device 100 and cooled by the cooling device 100.

The cooling device 100 includes a storage for storing the goods, a cooling cycle (ie, cooling means) 110 for cooling the storage, an input unit 120 for receiving a setting command from a user, and the cooling device. A main control unit for controlling the cooling cycle 110 to receive a display unit 130 for displaying a temperature state of the light and an external commercial power source (or other power source) to maintain the temperature in the reservoir at least below the maximum ice crystal generation temperature. 140.

The cooling cycle 110 is divided into a simple cooling type and a direct cooling type according to a method of cooling an object.

The intercooled cooling cycle includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, an evaporator for generating cold air for cooling the storage space or a storage object, a fan for forcibly flowing the cold air generated therein, an inlet duct for introducing cold air into the storage space, and a storage space. It consists of a discharge duct to guide the cold air passing through the evaporator. In addition, the intercooled cooling cycle may include a condenser, a dryer, an expansion device, and the like.

The direct cooling cycle consists of a compressor for compressing the refrigerant and an evaporator installed in the case adjacent to the inner surface of the case forming the storage space to evaporate the refrigerant. However, the direct cooling cooling cycle includes a condenser and an expansion valve.

The input unit 120 receives a temperature setting of a storage, an operation command of a supercooling device, a setting of a dispenser function, etc. from a user. For example, the input unit 120 may be a push button, a keyboard, a touch pad, or the like. The operation command of the subcooling device may include, for example, a freezing command, a thin ice command, a subcool command, and the like.

The display unit 130 may basically display an operation performed by the cooling apparatus, for example, display of a temperature of a storage, display of a cooling temperature, and an operating state of a supercooling apparatus. The display unit 130 may be implemented as a lcd display or a led display.

In the present embodiment, the main control unit 140 includes a power supply unit 142 that receives commercial power, and uses the power supply (for example, 5V, 12V, etc.) required for the cooling device 100 and the supercooling device 200. This device performs rectification, smoothing, and transformer. The power supply unit 142 may be included in the main control unit 140 or may be provided as a separate element. The power supply unit 142 is connected by the subcooling device 200 and the power line PL, and supplies necessary power to the subcooling device 200.

The main controller 140 controls the cooling cycle 110, the input unit 120, and the display unit 130 so that the cooling device 100 can perform a cooling operation, and the inside of the reservoir is at least at least the maximum ice crystal generation temperature. It is provided with a microcomputer 144 to maintain. The main controller 140 has a storage unit (not shown) for storing necessary data.

The main control unit 140 (in particular, the microcomputer 144) may be connected to the subcooling device 200 through the communication line DL, and through the communication line DL, the main control unit 140 is connected to the subcooling device 200. Data (for example, the current operating state of the subcooling device 200, etc.) may be received, stored, or displayed on the display unit 130. The communication line DL may be selectively provided.

The microcomputer 144 controls the temperature of the storage according to the temperature setting from the input unit 120, and controls the inside of the storage so that the supercooling control, the ice control, and the freezing control of the subcooling apparatus 200 can be independently performed. Is maintained at least below the maximum ice crystal generation temperature.

As shown in FIG. 8, the supercooling apparatus 200 includes an independent storage room that accommodates an object in an internal storage space and is mounted and cooled in a storage, and supplies heat to the storage space or generates heat. A heat source supply unit 210, a temperature sensing unit 220 that senses a temperature of an interior of an accommodation space or an enclosure, an input unit 230 that receives a command from a user, and a state or supercooling device 200 of the storage space or an enclosure; Control the display unit 240 and the heat source supply unit 210, which is a temperature control means based on the detected temperature from the temperature sensing unit 220, to at least the supercooled state and freezing of the objects in the independent storage room. It consists of a sub-control unit 280 to be stored in one of the states.

The supercooling device 200 is operated by receiving a power source from the main control unit 140, and the wiring for the power supply (wiring connected to the power line PL) is connected to all components requiring power, but such a technology Is merely a degree recognized by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, and a description thereof is omitted.

The heat source supply unit 210 corresponds to a temperature control means for adjusting the temperature in the storage space to maintain a temperature corresponding to each of the supercooled state control, the ice ice control, and the freezing control. The heat source supply unit 210 is a means for applying energy to the storage space. The heat source supply unit 210 may generate heat energy, electric or magnetic energy, ultrasonic energy, optical energy, microwave energy, and the like and apply the energy to the storage space. In addition, the heat source supply unit 210 may supply energy to thaw the enclosure when the enclosure is frozen.

The heat source supply unit 210 is configured of a plurality of heat source supply units, and is mounted on the upper or lower side or the side of the storage space to supply energy to the storage space. In the present embodiment, the heat source supply unit 210 is an upper heat source supply unit 210a formed inside the upper side of the independent storage chamber, which is the upper side of the storage space, and a lower heat source supply unit 210b formed inside the lower side of the independent storage chamber, which is the lower side of the storage space. Is done. Each of the upper heat source supply unit 210a and the lower heat source supply unit 210b may be independently controlled by the sub controller 280 or may be integrally controlled.

In addition, the upper heat source supply unit 210a is turned on / off by the sub heat source supply unit HON1 and the sub controller 280 on / off control so as to always supply heat or generate heat while the supercooling device performs the supercooling control. It consists of the sub heat source supply part H1 controlled off. The lower heat source supply unit 210b also controls on / off by the sub-heat source supply unit Hon2 and the sub-control unit 280 that turn on or off the heat while the supercooling apparatus performs the supercooling control. It consists of the sub heat source supply part H2.

Even when the sub heat source supply unit Hon1 and Ho2 are controlled to the on state by the sub control unit 280, for example, like the PWM signal, the sub heat source supply unit Hon1 and Ho2 receive the control signal in the form of a pulse and thus the on state and the off state are maintained. Alternately, it should be recognized that even in this pulse control scheme, the on state is maintained by the duty ratio. It is also possible to receive signals that are always on.

Therefore, by the sub heat source supply parts Hon1 and Hon2, the heat source supply part 210 supplies a predetermined amount or more of heat or generates heat during the subcooling control.

In addition, by controlling the sub heat source supply units H1 and H2, the sub controller 280 may additionally supply necessary heat according to the sensed temperature from the temperature detector 220. The supercooling device 200 supplies the minimum heat or generates heat by the sub heat source supply units Hon1 and Ho2, and supplies the maximum heat by the ON control of all the heat

source supply units

210a and 210b. Or generate heat. That is, the supercooling device 200 supplies or generates heat of a predetermined range greater than zero.

In addition, the temperature sensing unit 220 detects the temperature of the storage space or the temperature of the storage, and is formed on the sidewall of the storage space to sense the temperature of the air in the storage space, adjacent to the storage or in contact with the storage, This corresponds to a sensor that can accurately sense the temperature of an object. The temperature sensor 220 applies a change value of a current value, a voltage value, or a resistance value corresponding to the temperature to the sub controller 280. The temperature sensor 220 may recognize that the temperature of the object or the storage space rapidly rises when the phase transition of the object is made, thereby allowing the sub controller 280 to recognize the release of the supercooled state of the object. .

In the present embodiment, the temperature sensing unit 220 includes an upper sensing unit 220a formed in the upper side of the independent storage room, which is the upper side of the storage space, and a lower sensing unit 220b formed in the lower side of the independent storage room, which is the lower side of the storage space. It may be made of. The upper sensing unit 220a and the lower sensing unit 220b are mounted on or adjacent to a surface on which the upper heat source supply unit 210a and the lower heat source supply unit 210b are formed.

The sub controller 280 may control the heat source supply unit 210 according to the sensed temperature from the temperature detector 220 to selectively perform the freezing control, the ice ice control, and the supercooling control. In particular, the sub controller 280 controls the upper heat source supply unit 210a according to the sensing temperature from the upper sensing unit 220a and controls the lower heat source supply unit 210b according to the sensing temperature from the lower sensing unit 220b. You can also control each.

The input unit 230 is a on / off switch function of the supercooling device and means for allowing a user to select a command for freezing control, ice control, and supercooling control. For example, a push button, a keyboard, a touch pad, etc. may be used. will be.

The display unit 240 performs a display function of the on state / off state of the supercooling device and a function of displaying the control (refrigeration control, ice control, supercooling control) that is currently performed, such as an LCD display or a led display. .

As described above, the sub-control unit 280 controls the heat source supply unit 210 according to the sensed temperature by the temperature sensing unit 220 to control the refrigeration control, the ice control, and the supercooling control through the main control unit 140 and the cooling device ( 100) may be performed independently. For such independent control, a storage unit for storing an algorithm for performing such control may be provided.

In this case, the refrigeration control is such that the supply of heat through the heat source supply unit 210 or the generation of heat is reduced or becomes extremely small, so that the contents in the independent storage room are frozen. Such control may be performed by turning off the supercooling device. In this refrigeration control, the temperature is maintained at about the same temperature as the cooling temperature by the cooling device 100, and therefore, the temperature is at least below the maximum ice crystal generation temperature or is, for example, -20 ° C.

The supercooling control is such that the temperature of the object is, for example, -3 to -4 ° C so that the object is stored in a supercooled state. In the supercooling control, a control is additionally performed to sense that the temperature of the packaged material rapidly rises at, for example, -4 ° C, while the packaged material maintains the supercooled state and freezes. In addition, during the release of the supercooled state, thawing is performed through the operation of the heat source supply unit 210, and after thawing is completed, control is performed to perform cooling again.

In particular, in performing the subcooling control, the sub controller 280 supplies a predetermined range of heat greater than zero to the storage space and the accommodation, or controls the heat source supply unit 210 to generate heat.

The thin ice control controls the heat source supply unit 210 so that the temperature of the stored object is lower than the temperature at the time of supercooling control, but is higher than the cooling temperature by the cooling apparatus 100, and the stored object is stored in a sub-freezing state and then taken out. To make cutting for knife, etc. easy.

The sub controller 280 may block the supply of power applied to each element according to the on / off switch input of the subcooling device from the input unit 230 so that the operation thereof may not be performed.

In addition, the sub controller 280 may receive at least three or more control commands from the input unit 230 and operate accordingly.

The input unit 230 additionally has a function of acquiring a thawing command, and the sub-control unit 280 operates the heat source supply unit 210 in response to the thawing command from the input unit 230 so that energy can be thawed. (Especially thermal energy).

FIG. 9 is a layout view of a heat source supply unit of the subcooling device of FIG. 8. Unlike the heat source supply part of FIG. 5, the heat source supply part of FIG. 9 is provided with sub heat source supply parts Hon1 and Hon2 that are always on, respectively, on the upper side and the lower side of the independent cooling chamber, and store a predetermined number of rows or more. Supply heat or allow it to generate heat.

In step S51, the cooling apparatus 100 performs cooling, and the accommodation is accommodated in the independent storage chamber of the subcooling apparatus 200, so that the storage is cooled.

In step S53, the sub-control unit 280 of the subcooling apparatus 200 performs the sub-heat source supply units H1, Hon2 (collectively Hon) of the heat source supply unit 210 when the current control to be performed is the supercooling control. In order to continuously supply a certain amount of energy (ie heat) to the receiving space and the enclosure.

In operation S55, the sub controller 280 obtains the sensing temperature from the temperature sensor 220. In more detail, the sub controller 280 obtains a sensing temperature corresponding to each position from the upper sensing unit 220a and the lower sensing unit 220b.

In operation S57, the sub controller 280 determines whether an additional heat source is required based on the sensing temperatures of the upper sensing unit 220a and the lower sensing unit 220b. For example, when the temperature from the upper sensing unit 220a is lower than the phase transition temperature, or when the temperature from the lower lower sensing unit 220b is lower than the preset subcooling temperature (eg, -3 ° C), the step Proceeding to S59, otherwise proceeds to step S61.

In step S59, the sub controller 280 supplies the heat source by controlling the sub heat source supply parts H1 and H2 (integratedly H) to each of the states independently according to a position where the heat source is required.

In step S61, the sub controller 280 switches the sub heat source supply units H1 and H2 to the off state or maintains the off state when the sub heat source supply unit H1 or H2 is in the off state.

Steps S59 and S61 proceed to step S55, where the sub-control unit 280 continuously maintains the objects in the supercooled state.

In addition, the subcooling method of FIG. 10 may additionally perform a process of determining whether a package is frozen, and when the package is frozen, a thawing process may be performed as described above.

The subcooling device 200a of FIG. 11 is similar to the subcooling device 200 of FIG. 8 except for the voltage

variable parts

250a and 250b, the heat source supply part 211, and the sub control part 280a. do.

The voltage

variable parts

250a and 250b are used voltages applied to the heat source supply part 211 (collectively referred to as the upper heat source supply part 211a and the lower heat source supply part 211b) under the control of the sub controller 280a. By varying the size of, the heat actually supplied from the heat source supply unit 211 is varied. For example, the magnitude of the use voltage may be set to a magnitude between 3V and 10V. The voltage

variable parts

250a and 250b may be implemented with, for example, a variable resistor or a transformer.

Unlike the heat source supply part 210 of FIG. 8, the upper heat source supply part 211a and the lower heat source supply part 211b include only the sub heat source supply parts Hon1 and Hon2 to maintain the ON state at all times. It should be appreciated that the magnitudes of the voltages applied by 250a and 250b vary. That is, the heat source supply part controlled to the on / off state like the sub heat source supply parts H1 and H2 in the subcooling device of FIG. 9 is not provided in the subcooling device 200a of FIG.

In performing the subcooling control, the sub control unit 280a individually controls the

voltage varying units

250a and 250b according to the sensing temperature of the upper part and the sensing temperature of the lower part from the temperature sensing unit 220. A minimum voltage higher than 0 V is applied to the heat source supply unit 211, but when additional heat is required according to the current sensing temperature, the applied voltage is varied within a predetermined range.

FIG. 12 is a graph of voltage applied to a heat source supply unit in the subcooling apparatus of FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 12, the voltages applied to the upper heat

source supply parts

211a and 211b by the

voltage varying parts

250a and 250b are 3 to 10V, and a voltage of 3V or more is always applied. In addition, a certain amount of heat is generated or supplied.

In this flowchart, the variable voltage range is composed of only two stages, the first voltage being the minimum voltage and the second voltage being the highest voltage.

In step S71, the cooling device 100 performs cooling, and the accommodation is accommodated in the independent storage chamber of the subcooling device 200a, so that the storage is cooled.

In operation S73, the sub-control unit 280a of the subcooling apparatus 200a determines that the first voltage, which is the minimum voltage, is the heat source through the

voltage varying units

250a and 250b when the current control to be performed is the subcooling control. To be applied to the supply unit 211.

In operation S75, the sub controller 280a obtains a sensing temperature from the temperature sensor 220. More specifically, the sub controller 280a obtains a sensing temperature corresponding to each position from the upper sensing unit 220a and the lower sensing unit 220b.

In operation S77, the sub controller 280a determines whether an additional heat source is needed based on the sensing temperatures of the upper sensing unit 220a and the lower sensing unit 220b. For example, when the temperature from the upper sensing unit 220a is lower than the phase transition temperature, or when the temperature from the lower lower sensing unit 220b is lower than the preset subcooling temperature (eg, -3 ° C), the step Proceeding to S59, otherwise proceeds to step S61.

In step S79, the sub controller 280a independently controls the voltage

variable parts

250a and 250b according to a position where the heat source is required, so that the second voltage is applied to the upper heat source supply part 211a or the lower heat source supply part ( 211b) to supply a heat source.

In step S81, the sub controller 280a controls the

voltage varying units

250a and 250b to vary the magnitude of the voltage with the first voltage or to equalize the previous first voltage with the upper heat source supply unit 211a. Alternatively, the heat source is supplied to the lower heat source supply unit 211b.

Steps S79 and S81 proceed to step S75 so that the sub-control unit 280a continuously maintains the supercooled state.

In addition, the subcooling method of FIG. 13 may additionally perform a process of determining whether a package is frozen, and when the package is frozen, a thawing process may be performed as described above.

14 is a graph of temperature change by an on / off operation of a heat source supply unit. In the supercooling apparatus as illustrated in FIG. 5, that is, when the heat source supply units H1 and H2 supply heat to the enclosure or generate heat by the on / off operation, the temperature graph I at the top of FIG. The temperature of the storage space (temperature sensed by the temperature sensor C1) is largely changed by the ON operation and the OFF operation of the heat source supply units H1 and H2. As shown in the lower part of FIG. 14, since the heat source supplying parts H1 and H2 are in an all-on state and an operation in which the heat-off state is in the all-off state is performed, the deviation of heat applied or generated in the storage space can be seen in the temperature graph I. As it becomes, it becomes large.

FIG. 15 is a temperature graph at the time of subcooling of an object by supplying the heat source of FIG. 14. As shown in FIG. 15, the sensing temperature graph II is the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor C2, and the temperature graph III is the temperature of the actual enclosure, and on / off of the heat source supply parts H1 and H2. Due to the effect of the operation, there is a considerable temperature deviation. In particular, when the temperature is raised due to the release of the subcooling at the subcooling release point Tsc, the sensing temperature is slightly changed, but is changed almost similar to the previous change form. However, the sensing temperature is sensed to be smaller than the enclosure temperature. As shown in FIG. 15, even when the supercooling of the package is released, for example, in the case of meat, the temperature of the package may be frozen without rising to the phase transition temperature.

FIG. 16 is a derivative graph of the sensing temperature of FIG. 15. Curve A is the distribution of the first derivative of the sensing temperature, and curve B is the distribution of the second derivative of the sensing temperature. Since curves (A) and (B) have almost similar variations, a considerable portion overlaps.

In particular, at the subcooling release point Tsc, curves A and B change to smaller peak values compared to previous peak values, but such changes are included within the previous peak-peak values. Therefore, it is difficult for the subcooling device to determine whether the peak value at the subcooling release point Tsc is due to the change in the peak value due to the subcooling release.

17 is a graph of temperature change by the supercooling method of FIGS. 8 and 11. By the heat

source supply parts

210a, 210b, 211a, and 211b, the minimum amount of heat Q1 is applied to or generated in the storage space and the enclosure, and the maximum amount of heat Qall is applied to or generated in the storage space and the enclosure. Since the change in the amount of heat is small, the temperature graph I sensed by the upper sensing unit 220a has a smaller change.

FIG. 18 is a temperature graph at the time of releasing the supercooling of a package by the heat source supply of FIG. As shown in FIG. 18, the deviation is also small in the sensing temperature graph II detected by the lower sensing unit 220b, and the temperature graph III of the stored object also has a temperature corresponding substantially to the sensing temperature graph II. Have a change. In particular, even at the time of the supercooling release time Tsc, even if the temperature of the stored article rapidly increases, the sensing temperature of the lower sensing unit 220b has a form in which the deviation is relatively small.

19 is a derivative graph of the sensing temperature of FIG. 18. Curve A is the distribution of the first derivative of the sensing temperature, and curve B is the distribution of the second derivative of the sensing temperature. Since curves (A) and (B) have almost the same form of change, a considerable portion overlaps.

In particular, at the subcooling release point Tsc, curves A and B change to a significantly larger peak value than the previous peak value, and this change becomes significantly larger than the previous peak-peak value. Therefore, the subcooling apparatus can accurately determine that the subcooling of the object is released when the derivative value at which the peak value at the subcooling release time point Tsc is outside the differential determination values (+ D, -D) for subcooling release is calculated. do.

In the above, the present invention has been described in detail by way of examples 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 will be limited only by the contents described in the claims below.

Claims

A storage room installed in a storage room in which cooling is performed, and having a storage space in which storage items can be stored;

A heat source supply unit installed in the storage room to supply heat to the storage space or generate heat;

A temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the storage space or the storage object;

On the basis of the temperature sensed by the temperature sensing unit, the heat source supply unit is operated to bring the upper portion of the storage space to a temperature higher than the maximum ice crystal generation temperature, so that the storage space or the storage object is below the maximum ice crystal production temperature. A supercooling apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to maintain the supercooling state and to supply heat of a predetermined size or generate heat during the control of the supercooling state.
The method of claim 1,

The control unit is a supercooling apparatus, characterized in that to maintain the upper temperature of the storage space above the phase transition temperature.
The method of claim 1,

The control unit maintains the lower temperature of the storage space or the temperature of the storage object at a preset supercooling temperature, the supercooling apparatus, characterized in that the storage is stored in a supercooled state.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

The control unit is a super-cooling apparatus, characterized in that the heat source supply unit to supply heat of a predetermined size range or to generate heat.
The method of claim 4, wherein

The heat source supply unit is a supercooling device, characterized in that the first and second heat source supply unit formed independently on at least two or more surfaces of the storage space.
The method of claim 5,

The first or second heat source supply unit is composed of at least two sub heat source supply units, at least one sub heat source supply unit is in an on state while performing control of a supercooled state, and the other sub heat source supply unit alternates an on state and an off state. Subcooling apparatus, characterized in that performed by.
The method of claim 5,

The first or second heat source supply unit is a subcooling device, characterized in that to maintain the state of receiving the voltage contained in the voltage variable region higher than 0V to maintain the supercooled state of the object.
The method of claim 5,

The temperature sensing unit comprises at least one temperature sensor mounted on or adjacent to the surface on which the heat source supply is formed.
The method of claim 8,

The control unit controls the heat source supply unit, the subcooling apparatus characterized in that the independent control based on the temperature of the temperature sensor formed on the same surface or the adjacent temperature sensor.
The method of claim 4, wherein

The control unit determines whether the supercooling state of the object is released according to the change in the sensed temperature from the temperature sensing unit.
A supercooling method in a cooling apparatus provided in a storage compartment in which a cooling is performed, and having a storage compartment having a storage space for accommodating an article, the subcooling method comprising:

Cooling the enclosure or storage room below the maximum ice crystal generation temperature or the maximum ice crystal production temperature;

A heat source supplying step of supplying heat or generating heat to the storage space,

Sensing the temperature of the storage space or the storage object and controlling at least one of the cooling step and the heat source supplying step on the basis of the sensed temperature so that the upper portion of the storage space is above the maximum ice crystal generation temperature; And control of the supercooling state in which the storage space or the article is kept in the supercooling state below the maximum ice crystal generation temperature.
The method of claim 11,

The heat source supplying step is a subcooling method, characterized in that to supply heat or a predetermined amount of heat or more during the control of the subcooling state.
The method of claim 11,

The control of the supercooling state is characterized by maintaining the upper temperature of the storage space above the phase transition temperature.
The method of claim 11,

The control of the supercooling state maintains the lower temperature of the storage space or the temperature of the storage object at the preset supercooling temperature, so that the storage material is stored in the supercooling state.
The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14,

The heat source supplying step is a subcooling method characterized in that the supply of heat of a certain size range or to generate heat.
The method of claim 15,

The heat source supplying step is performed by the first and second heat source supplying units installed at different positions, and the heat source supplying step comprises: a first lower heat source supplying step of keeping the first heat source supplying part on during the control of the supercooling state; 2 heat source At the same time, a second lower heat source supply step of alternately performing the on state and the off state of the supply unit is performed. Subcooling method characterized in that performed.
The method of claim 11,

The supercooling method includes the control unit determining whether the supercooling state of the object is released according to the change of the sensed temperature from the temperature sensing unit.