A constant temperature and humidity aging cabinet

Abstract

The present invention is applicable to the field of aging cabinets and provides a constant temperature and humidity aging cabinet. The aging cabinet comprises a cabinet body, display doors disposed on both sides of the cabinet body, a constant temperature mechanism disposed within the cabinet body for maintaining a constant temperature, and a constant humidity mechanism disposed within the cabinet body and positioned below the constant temperature mechanism for maintaining a constant humidity. This invention aims to address the technical issues of existing constant temperature and humidity systems, such as the large temperature fluctuation and wide humidity control range.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of aging cabinets, and in particular relates to a constant temperature and humidity aging cabinet. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous development of society and the progress of human civilization, more and more industries are using constant temperature and humidity systems, especially the food storage industry. For example, the requirements for temperature and humidity control of meat and wine are very strict, and the accuracy and volatility of temperature control are getting higher and higher.

[0003] Current market-leading constant temperature and humidity systems for beef aging cabinets suffer from two issues. First, the temperature fluctuates significantly, to ±6°C. Due to the small, enclosed space within the cabinet, the compressor quickly drops to the shutdown temperature during refrigeration. Combined with heat radiation from the glass display door, the temperature quickly rises to the startup temperature. Frequent compressor startups can trigger automatic thermal protection, causing the compressor to shut down unexpectedly, shortening its service life. This patented invention addresses these issues by alternating the operation of two evaporators in series, taking advantage of evaporator temperature differences. This allows for sufficient compressor downtime while maintaining a constant temperature drop. Testing has shown that this patented system can maintain temperature fluctuations within ±1°C, resulting in more tender and flavorful beef and reducing certain quality-related instabilities. Second, the humidity control range is wide, to ±15%. Currently, there are two humidification methods on the market: ultrasonic humidification and electric heating tube humidification. Ultrasonic humidification uses large water molecules, making it difficult to control the humidification rate. The humidity is high when the unit is turned on and immediately decreases when it is turned off. The atomizer in an ultrasonic humidifier has a limited lifespan of approximately two years. If an electric heating element is used, the heat generated by the element offsets the cooling capacity inside the chamber, increasing energy consumption. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a constant temperature and humidity aging cabinet, aiming to solve the technical problems of large temperature fluctuation and large humidity control range in the constant temperature and humidity system in the prior art.

[0005] The present invention is implemented as follows: a constant temperature and humidity aging cabinet, the aging cabinet includes a cabinet body with a cabinet structure, display doors arranged on the cabinet body and placed on both sides, a constant temperature mechanism arranged in the cabinet body for maintaining a constant temperature, and a constant humidity mechanism arranged in the cabinet body and placed at the bottom of the constant temperature mechanism for maintaining a constant humidity.

[0006] A further technical solution of the present invention is: the constant temperature mechanism includes a constant temperature unit and a condensing unit connected to the constant temperature unit.

[0007] A further technical solution of the present invention is: the constant temperature unit includes an evaporator connected to the condensing unit, an evaporating fan arranged on the cabinet and opposite to the evaporator, and a heater arranged on the cabinet and placed at the bottom of the evaporator.

[0008] A further technical solution of the present invention is: the condensing unit includes an outlet pipe connected to the compressor at the inlet end of the evaporator, an outlet pipe connected to the condenser at the inlet end of the compressor, an outlet pipe connected to the drying filter at the inlet end of the condenser, an outlet pipe connected to the drying filter and an inlet pipe connected to a capillary tube at the outlet end of the evaporator, and a condensing fan opposite to the condenser for cooling the condenser.

[0009] A further technical solution of the present invention is: the condensing unit further includes a base arranged at the bottom of the cabinet for supporting the compressor, the condenser, the drying filter, the capillary tube and the condensing fan.

[0010] A further technical solution of the present invention is: the constant humidity mechanism includes a constant humidity unit and a water filter unit arranged on the constant humidity unit.

[0011] A further technical solution of the present invention is: the constant humidity unit includes a first water box arranged on the cabinet with humidifying cotton inside and a heating wire at the bottom, a circulating fan arranged on the first water box, and a water receiving box arranged at the bottom of the cabinet and connected to the first water box through a pipe for receiving excess water in the first water box.

[0012] A further technical solution of the present invention is: the water filtration unit includes a second water box arranged on the cabinet and placed at the bottom of the constant temperature unit, and a water filter arranged on the cabinet and placed at the bottom of the second water box, with the inlet end connected to the second water box pipe and the outlet end placed on the humidifying cotton.

[0013] A further technical solution of the present invention is: the constant temperature unit and the constant humidity mechanism are the same in number, namely at least one; when there are several constant temperature units, they are used in series; when there are several constant humidity mechanisms, they are used in parallel with the constant temperature units; the heater is a PTC heater; and the heating wire is an aluminum film heating wire.

[0014] A further technical solution of the present invention is: the aging cabinet includes a temperature sensor arranged inside the cabinet for detecting the temperature inside the cabinet, a humidity sensor arranged inside the cabinet for detecting the humidity inside the cabinet, and a microcomputer controller connected to the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor for controlling the operation of the constant temperature mechanism and the constant humidity mechanism.

[0015] The beneficial effects of the present invention are: this aging cabinet can ensure the stability of the internal temperature and the stability of the internal humidity. In addition, this aging cabinet has a simple structure, low cost, easy production, and good constant temperature and humidity effect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 This is a planar structural diagram of a constant temperature and humidity aging cabinet provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the electrical control circuit of a constant temperature and humidity aging cabinet provided by an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Figure numerals: 1-cabinet 2-display door 3-evaporator 4-evaporating fan 5-heater 6-compressor 7-condenser 8-drying filter 9-capillary tube 10-condensing fan 11-base 12-humidifying cotton 13-heating wire 14-first water box 15-circulating fan 16-water receiving box 17-second water box 18-water filter 19-microcomputer controller.

[0019] Figure 1 The present invention shows a constant temperature and humidity aging cabinet. The cabinet comprises a cabinet body 1, display doors 2 disposed on both sides of the cabinet body 1, a constant temperature mechanism disposed within the cabinet body 1 for maintaining a constant temperature, and a constant humidity mechanism disposed within the cabinet body 1 and positioned below the constant temperature mechanism for maintaining a constant humidity. The cabinet also includes a temperature sensor disposed within the cabinet body 1 for detecting the temperature within the cabinet body 1, a humidity sensor disposed within the cabinet body 1 for detecting the humidity within the cabinet body 1, and a microcomputer controller 19 connected to the temperature and humidity sensors for controlling the operation of the constant temperature and humidity mechanisms. Figure 2 The electrical schematic diagram of the electrical control part of this aging cabinet is shown.

[0020] The constant temperature mechanism includes a constant temperature unit and a condensing unit connected to the constant temperature unit. The constant temperature unit includes an evaporator 3 connected to the condensing unit, an evaporating fan 4 disposed on the cabinet 1 and opposite the evaporator 3, and a heater 5 disposed on the cabinet 1 and placed at the bottom of the evaporator 3. The condensing unit includes a compressor 6 connected to the inlet of the evaporator 3 by an outlet pipe, a condenser 7 connected to the inlet of the compressor 6 by an outlet pipe, a filter drier 8 connected to the inlet of the condenser 7 by an outlet pipe, a capillary tube 9 connected to the filter drier 8 by an outlet pipe and to the outlet of the evaporator 3 by an inlet pipe, and a condensing fan 10 opposite the condenser 7 for cooling the condenser 7. The condensing unit also includes a base 11 disposed at the bottom of the cabinet 1 for supporting the compressor 6, the condenser 7, the filter drier 8, the capillary tube 9, and the condensing fan 10. The heater 5 is a PTC heater.

[0021] The constant humidity mechanism includes a constant humidity unit and a water filtration unit mounted on the constant humidity unit. The constant humidity unit includes a first water box 14 mounted on the cabinet 1, which includes a humidifying cotton 12 inside and a heating wire 13 at the bottom; a circulating fan 15 mounted on the first water box 14; and a water receiving box 16 mounted on the bottom of the cabinet 1 and connected to the first water box 14 by a pipe for collecting excess water from the first water box 14. The water filtration unit includes a second water box 17 mounted on the cabinet 1 and placed at the bottom of the constant temperature unit; and a water filter 18 mounted on the cabinet 1, which is positioned at the bottom of the second water box 17, has its inlet connected to the second water box 17 by a pipe, and its outlet positioned on the humidifying cotton 12. The heating wire 13 is an aluminum film heating wire.

[0022] The constant temperature unit and the constant humidity mechanism are the same in number, that is, at least one. When there are multiple constant temperature units, they are used in series. When there are multiple constant humidity mechanisms, they are used in parallel with the constant temperature units.

[0023] The constant temperature working principle is that when the temperature inside the cabinet is higher than the temperature setting value, the compressor 6 is started to cool down. Specifically, the compressor 6 circulates the refrigerant in the refrigeration pipe, and then from the compressor 6 to the condenser 7, and then from the condenser 7 to the drying filter 8, and then from the drying filter 8 to the capillary tube 9, and finally from the capillary tube 9 to the evaporator 3. The temperature inside the cabinet is cooled down by the refrigerant liquefaction heat absorption in the evaporator 3.

[0024] Specifically, two evaporators 3 are used, including a first evaporator and a second evaporator, which are connected in series through a pipeline. The refrigerant in the pipeline first passes through the first evaporator and then passes through the second evaporator. The first evaporator is installed in front of the first evaporator. The second evaporator is installed in front of the second evaporator. The first evaporator is connected to the inlet end of the capillary tube 9. Most of the refrigerant evaporates in the first evaporator and the temperature is relatively low. After passing through the second evaporator, only a small part of the liquid evaporates, so the temperature of the second evaporator is relatively high.

[0025] When the temperature in the cabinet drops to the set temperature range upper limit, the first evaporator fan stops running and only the second evaporator fan is kept running, and the cooling speed in the cabinet will slowly drop. When the temperature in the cabinet drops to the temperature stop point set for the cabinet temperature, the compressor 6 stops running and the second evaporator fan continues to run to ensure the uniformity of the temperature in the cabinet. When the temperature in the cabinet rises, the first evaporator fan starts running. Since the temperature of the first evaporator is lower than that of the second evaporator, it can continue to blow cold air into the cabinet, thereby lowering the temperature in the cabinet. When it drops to the stop point of the cabinet temperature, the first evaporator fan stops working and works reciprocatingly. As the temperature of the first evaporator rises, the cooling capacity of the first evaporator is not enough to lower the temperature in the cabinet to the stop temperature point. When the temperature in the cabinet rises to the set temperature upper limit, the compressor 6 starts working, the first evaporator fan stops working, and the second evaporator fan runs, and the above actions are repeated.

[0026] The temperature stability in the cabinet is ensured by the alternating operation of the first evaporator fan and the second evaporator fan. When the second evaporator fan is working, the first evaporator has stored a large part of the cold capacity. When the compressor 6 stops, the cold capacity of the first evaporator is slowly released, providing the compressor 6 with time for pressure balance, extending the service life of the compressor 6 and reducing the energy efficiency of the product.

[0027] When the temperature in the cabinet is lower than the set temperature value, heater 5 is started for heating. Heater 5 is a PTC heater. Due to the low temperature in winter, the outside temperature is lower than the set temperature. In order to ensure that the temperature in the cabinet is not lower than the set temperature value, heater 5 under evaporator 3 is started for heating. Hot air is blown into the cabinet through the first evaporation fan to ensure the temperature in the cabinet. When the temperature reaches the upper limit of the set temperature, heater 5 stops heating. When the temperature in the cabinet drops to the lower limit of the set temperature, heater 5 starts heating again. During this process, the first evaporation fan is always running because heater 5 has a certain amount of residual heat after heating stops. The first evaporation fan cannot be stopped. It is also to ensure temperature uniformity.

[0028] The working principle of constant humidity is that when the humidity in the cabinet is lower than the set humidity value, the constant humidity mechanism is started for humidification. During the cooling process of the compressor 6, the water vapor in the cabinet will condense into small water droplets. The small water droplets flow along the evaporator 3 to the second water box 17 below the evaporator 3. The second water box 17 is a stainless steel water box. The second water box 17 is connected to the water filter 18 through a pipe. The water left by the evaporator 3 has some impurities and bacteria. It is filtered and purified by the water filter 18. The purified water flows into the first water box 14 at the bottom of the water filter 18. The first water box 14 is a stainless steel water receiving box. A circulating fan 15 is installed on the first water box 14. A humidifying cotton 12 is also placed in the first water box 14. The humidifying cotton 12 absorbs the moisture and transports the water vapor out through the circulating fan 15. In order to ensure the water The water in the water box 14 is heated by a heating wire 13. The heating wire 13 is an aluminum film heating wire. The aluminum film heating wire is made of high-temperature resistant silicone material and has a micro-heating effect. Because the evaporation efficiency of water is very low under low temperature conditions, the required humidity may not be achieved. It must be heated by heating 13. The heated water temperature is controlled by the thermostat probe. The filtered dirty water flows directly to the water receiving box 16 in the compressor 6 warehouse, which is beneficial for the heat of the high-pressure pipe of the compressor 6 to evaporate the moisture in the water receiving box 16 in the compressor 6 warehouse. At the same time, it can reduce the temperature of the exhaust pipe and achieve condensation effect. In order to prevent the first water box 14 at the bottom of the cabinet from overflowing, an overflow pipe is passed through the upper part of the first water box 14 to the water receiving box 16 in the compressor 6 warehouse.

[0029] When the humidity in the cabinet is higher than the set humidity value, the compressor 6 is started for dehumidification. When the humidity in the cabinet is high, the compressor 6 starts to run, and the humid air passes through the evaporator 3 and condenses into small water droplets when it is cold. The heater 5 under the evaporator 3 is also heated at the same time. The cold air coming out of the evaporator 3 is heated by the heater 5 and blown into the cabinet body 1. The heating temperature of the heater 5 is controlled by the temperature of the hot air blown out, and the temperature of the hot air is consistent with the shutdown temperature set in the cabinet.

[0030] This type of aging cabinet can ensure the stability of internal temperature and internal humidity. In addition, this type of aging cabinet has a simple structure, low cost, easy production, and good constant temperature and humidity effect.

[0031] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A constant temperature and humidity aging cabinet, characterized in that: The aging cabinet includes a cabinet body with a cabinet structure, display doors arranged on the cabinet body and placed on both sides, a constant temperature mechanism arranged in the cabinet body for maintaining a constant temperature, and a constant humidity mechanism arranged in the cabinet body and placed at the bottom of the constant temperature mechanism for maintaining a constant humidity. The constant temperature mechanism includes a constant temperature unit and a condensing unit connected to the constant temperature unit; The constant temperature unit includes an evaporator connected to the condensing unit, an evaporating fan arranged on the cabinet and opposite to the evaporator, and a heater arranged on the cabinet and placed at the bottom of the evaporator; The condensing unit includes a compressor having an outlet pipe connected to an inlet end of the evaporator, a condenser having an outlet pipe connected to an inlet end of the compressor, a drier having an outlet pipe connected to an inlet end of the condenser, a capillary tube having an outlet pipe connected to the drier and an inlet pipe connected to an outlet end of the evaporator, and a condensing fan opposite to the condenser for cooling the condenser; There are two evaporators, including a first evaporator and a second evaporator connected in series through a pipeline. The evaporation fan includes a first evaporation fan and a second evaporation fan. The first evaporator is installed in front of the first evaporator, and the second evaporation fan is installed in front of the second evaporator. The refrigerant in the pipeline first passes through the first evaporator and then passes through the second evaporator. The first evaporator is connected to the inlet end of the capillary tube; When the power is turned on, the compressor starts to cool, and the first evaporator fan and the second evaporator fan start running at the same time. When the temperature in the cabinet drops to the upper limit of the set temperature range, the first evaporator fan stops running and only the second evaporator fan keeps running. When the temperature in the cabinet drops to the temperature stop point set for the cabinet temperature, the compressor stops running and the second evaporator fan continues to run. When the temperature in the cabinet rises, the first evaporator fan starts running and continues to blow cold air into the cabinet to lower the temperature in the cabinet. When it drops to the temperature stop point set for the cabinet temperature, the first evaporator fan stops working and works reciprocatingly. As the temperature of the first evaporator rises, the cooling capacity of the first evaporator is not enough to lower the temperature in the cabinet to the temperature stop point. When the temperature in the cabinet rises to the upper limit of the set temperature, the compressor starts working, the first evaporator fan stops working, and the second evaporator fan starts running, and the above actions are repeated.

2. The ripening cabinet according to claim 1, characterized in that: The condensing unit further includes a base arranged at the bottom of the cabinet for supporting the compressor, the condenser, the drying filter, the capillary tube and the condensing fan.

3. The ripening cabinet according to any one of claims 1-2, characterized in that: The constant humidity mechanism includes a constant humidity unit and a water filtering unit arranged on the constant humidity unit.

4. The ripening cabinet according to claim 3, characterized in that: The constant humidity unit includes a first water box arranged on the cabinet with humidifying cotton inside and a heating wire at the bottom, a circulating fan arranged on the first water box, and a water receiving box arranged at the bottom of the cabinet and connected to the first water box through a pipe for receiving excess water in the first water box.

5. The ripening cabinet according to claim 4, characterized in that: The water filtration unit includes a second water box arranged on the cabinet and placed at the bottom of the constant temperature unit, and a water filter arranged on the cabinet and placed at the bottom of the second water box, with an inlet end connected to a pipe of the second water box and an outlet end placed on the humidifying cotton.

6. The ripening cabinet according to claim 5, characterized in that: The constant temperature units and the constant humidity mechanisms are the same in number, the constant humidity mechanisms and the constant temperature units are used in parallel, the heater is a PTC heater, and the heating wire is an aluminum film heating wire.

7. The ripening cabinet according to claim 6, characterized in that: The aging cabinet includes a temperature sensor arranged inside the cabinet for detecting the temperature inside the cabinet, a humidity sensor arranged inside the cabinet for detecting the humidity inside the cabinet, and a microcomputer controller connected to the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor for controlling the operation of the constant temperature mechanism and the constant humidity mechanism.

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