cold store
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- PHC HLDG CORP
- Filing Date
- 2022-02-04
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-26
Smart Images
Figure CN116868017B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This disclosure pertains to cold storage facilities. Background Technology
[0002] The cold storage unit of Patent Document 1 includes: a cold storage chamber, an outer wall surrounding the cold storage chamber, a heating element disposed outside the cold storage chamber, and a heat dissipation element that allows air heated by the heating element to rise along the outer wall. This prevents condensation from forming on the outer wall and improves the energy efficiency of the cold storage unit.
[0003] Existing technical documents
[0004] Patent documents
[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-35146 Summary of the Invention
[0006] The problem the invention aims to solve
[0007] In recent years, the applications of cold storage rooms have been expanding, with a growing demand for storing pharmaceuticals and other items requiring lower temperatures. As the temperature inside the cold storage room decreases, the power consumption of the refrigeration circuit increases. On the other hand, energy efficiency is also a requirement for cold storage facilities.
[0008] The purpose of this disclosure is to achieve energy conservation in cold storage.
[0009] Solution to the problem
[0010] To achieve the above objectives, the cold storage disclosed herein comprises: a housing having a cold-insulating chamber; a compressor constituting a refrigeration circuit for cooling the interior of the cold-insulating chamber; a defrost heater for heating the evaporator constituting the refrigeration circuit; and a control device for controlling the compressor and the defrost heater, wherein the control device performs the following control: activating the defrost heater when the compressor is not operating; activating the compressor when the indoor temperature rises to a first threshold when the outside air temperature is above the indoor temperature of the cold-insulating chamber, and stopping the compressor when the indoor temperature drops to a second threshold lower than the first threshold; and not activating the compressor even if the indoor temperature rises to the first threshold when the outside air temperature is below the indoor temperature.
[0011] Invention Effects
[0012] The cold storage facility disclosed herein is capable of energy saving. Attached Figure Description
[0013] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a cold storage facility according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0014] Figure 2 This is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing the structure inside the machine room.
[0015] Figure 3 This is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing the structure inside the cold storage room.
[0016] Figure 4 This is a block diagram of a cold storage facility.
[0017] Figure 5 It is a flowchart of the program executed by the control device.
[0018] Figure 6 It is a timing diagram showing the operation of the compressor and defrost heater.
[0019] Figure 7 It is a timing diagram showing the operation of the compressor and defrost heater. Detailed Implementation
[0020] The implementation of the cold storage of this disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, as follows... Figure 1 As indicated by the arrows, the side where the sliding door 30 is located is designated as the front of the cold storage 1, and the opposite side is designated as the rear of the cold storage 1. Furthermore, the left and right sides when viewed from the front of the cold storage 1 are designated as the left and right sides of the cold storage 1. Additionally, the side furthest from the surface on which the cold storage 1 is located is designated as the upper part of the cold storage 1, and the opposite side is designated as the lower part of the cold storage 1.
[0021] Cold storage room 1 is a pharmaceutical cold storage facility used to preserve medicines at low temperatures. Additionally, cold storage room 1 can also be a blood cold storage facility or a thermostat. For example... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, cold storage 1 includes: a box body 10, a frame body 20, and a sliding door 30.
[0022] The housing 10 has an opening H1 on its front surface that opens due to the movement of the sliding door 30. Insulating material is filled between the outer and inner surfaces of the housing 10. The space enclosed by the inner surfaces of the housing 10 is a cold storage compartment R1, which is the space for containing the medicine. Figure 2 and Figure 3 ).
[0023] The frame 20 is disposed within the housing 10 such that it surrounds the opening H1 along the opening H1. A sliding door 30 is installed in the frame 20. The sliding door 30 has a first sliding door 31 and a second sliding door 32.
[0024] The first sliding door 31 is installed in a manner that allows it to move in the left and right directions. When closed, the first sliding door 31 is located on the right side of the frame 20. The second sliding door 32 is installed in a manner that allows it to move in the left and right directions. When closed, the second sliding door 32 is located on the left side of the frame 20. By moving the first sliding door 31 and the second sliding door 32 respectively, the opening H1 is opened and closed, thereby opening and closing the cold insulation chamber R1.
[0025] Additionally, the housing 10 has a mechanical compartment R2 below the cold storage compartment R1. Figure 2 ).
[0026] The machine compartment R2 is equipped with a compressor 41 and a condenser (not shown), an exhaust fan 42, and an external air temperature sensor 43. The compressor 41 is a compressor that forms a refrigeration circuit for cooling the cold insulation compartment R1.
[0027] The ventilation fan 42 ventilates the machine room R2. As the ventilation fan 42 rotates, air from outside the cold storage 1 flows into the machine room R2 through the opening H2 in the rear wall of the machine room R2.
[0028] An external air temperature sensor 43 detects the temperature of the air outside the cold storage 1 (hereinafter also referred to as "external air temperature"). The external air temperature sensor 43 is positioned between the ventilation fan 42 and the opening H2. Since there is no heat source between the ventilation fan 42 and the opening H2, the temperature detected by the external air temperature sensor 43 is equal to the temperature of the air outside the cold storage 1 (specifically, the temperature of the air surrounding the rear of the opening H2). Alternatively, the external air temperature sensor 43 may be positioned elsewhere besides between the ventilation fan 42 and the opening H2.
[0029] like Figure 3 As shown, the cold storage chamber R1 is divided into a storage area R1a and a cooling area R1b by the side wall 51. The storage area R1a is the area for storing medicines, etc. The cooling area R1b is the area where the air inside the cold storage chamber R1 is cooled.
[0030] The following components are arranged at the upper rear end of the cold insulation compartment R1: a cold insulation compartment fan 52, an evaporator 53 constituting the refrigeration circuit, an indoor temperature sensor 54, a defrost heater 55, a defrost sensor 56, a drain pan 57, and a drain pan heater 58. The area surrounding the evaporator 53 forms the cooling zone R1b. In other words, the following components are arranged in the cooling zone R1b: a cold insulation compartment fan 52, an evaporator 53, an indoor temperature sensor 54, a defrost heater 55, a defrost sensor 56, a drain pan 57, and a drain pan heater 58.
[0031] The cooling chamber fan 52 draws air from the storage area R1a into the cooling area R1b by rotating. The cooling chamber fan 52 is positioned at the upper end of the cooling area R1b. Thus, the cooling chamber fan 52 draws in air present above the storage area R1a. The air drawn into the cooling area R1b is blown out from the opening H3 formed at the bottom of the cooling area R1b back into the storage area R1a. That is, the air drawn into the cooling area R1b... Figure 3 As shown by the arrow, the flow is downward from the upper end of the cooling area R1b.
[0032] Evaporator 53 is an evaporator that constitutes the refrigeration circuit. Evaporator 53 cools the air drawn into the cooling zone R1b. Evaporator 53 is positioned below the cooling chamber fan 52. Evaporator 53 has piping 53a for the flow of refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration circuit and fins 53b mounted in contact with piping 53a.
[0033] The indoor temperature sensor 54 detects the indoor temperature of the cold storage compartment R1 (hereinafter simply referred to as "indoor temperature"). The indoor temperature sensor 54 is disposed above the evaporator 53 within the cooling zone R1b. That is, the indoor temperature sensor 54 detects the temperature of the air drawn into the cooling zone R1b before it is cooled by the evaporator 53. In other words, the temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor 54 is equal to the temperature of the air in the storage zone R1a.
[0034] The defrost heater 55 heats the evaporator 53. The defrost heater 55 melts the frost adhering to the piping 53a and fins 53b through its operation. The defrost heater 55 is, for example, a sheathed heater or a linear heater. The defrost heater 55 is installed spaced apart from the piping 53a of the evaporator 53 and in contact with the fins 53b. The operation that enables the defrost heater 55 is specifically referred to as "defrost operation." Defrost operation occurs during the period when the compressor 41 is stopped (details will be described later).
[0035] The defrost heater 55 has the heat output to raise the indoor temperature to the set temperature when the outside air temperature is lower than the set temperature of the cold storage compartment R1. Therefore, even when the outside air temperature is lower than the indoor temperature, the indoor temperature can be raised through the operation of the defrost heater (the change in indoor temperature will be explained later). The set temperature is the target temperature of the cold storage compartment R1 set by the user when using the cold storage 1.
[0036] The defrost sensor 56 is a sensor that detects the temperature of the fin 53b by being spaced apart from the piping 53a and in contact with the fin 53b.
[0037] Drain tray 57 receives water generated during defrosting operation. Drain tray 57 is located below evaporator 53. During defrosting operation, frost adhering to pipes 53a and fins 53b melts, generating water. This water falls onto drain tray 57 and is discharged to machine compartment R2 through pipes not shown.
[0038] The drain pan heater 58 is a heater that heats the drain pan 57. The drain pan heater 58 can be, for example, an armored heater or a linear heater. The heat output of the drain pan heater 58 is less than that of the defrost heater 55. The drain pan heater 58 is installed in contact with the back of the drain pan 57.
[0039] Water collected in drain pan 57 may freeze due to cooling by evaporator 53. The operation of drain pan heater 58 allows the ice to be melted even if the water in drain pan 57 freezes and forms ice.
[0040] The defrost heater 55 and the drain pan heater 58 are disposed in the cooling zone R1b. That is, the defrost heater 55 and the drain pan heater 58 are disposed in the cold insulation chamber R1.
[0041] In addition, such as Figure 4 As shown, the cold storage 1 includes an input unit 61 and a control device 62. The input unit 61 is used to input the set temperature of the cold storage compartment R1. The input unit 61 is, for example, a touch panel.
[0042] The control device 62 is a computer that performs unified control of the cold storage 1. The control device 62 includes a storage device for storing computer programs (hereinafter referred to as "programs") and a processor for executing the programs.
[0043] The input unit 61, external air temperature sensor 43, indoor temperature sensor 54, defrost sensor 56, compressor 41, defrost heater 55, drain pan heater 58, ventilation fan 42, and cold compartment fan 52 are electrically connected to the control device 62. The control device 62 acquires the set temperature input to the input unit 61, the detected temperature of the external air temperature sensor 43, the detected temperature of the indoor temperature sensor 54, and the detected temperature of the defrost sensor 56. Based on the set temperature, the detected temperature of the external air temperature sensor 43, the detected temperature of the indoor temperature sensor 54, and the detected temperature of the defrost sensor 56, the control device 62 controls the compressor 41, defrost heater 55, drain pan heater 58, ventilation fan 42, and cold compartment fan 52.
[0044] Next, use Figure 5 The flowchart illustrates the control of compressor 41 implemented by control device 62 executing a program. During program execution, ventilation fan 42 and cooling chamber fan 52 are controlled to rotate continuously. Furthermore, compressor 41 is stopped at the start of program execution.
[0045] In step S10, control device 62 determines whether the outside air temperature is lower than the indoor temperature. The outside air temperature is the temperature detected by outside air temperature sensor 43. The indoor temperature is the temperature detected by indoor temperature sensor 54.
[0046] If the outside air temperature is above the indoor temperature (S10: "No"), in S11, the control device 62 determines whether the indoor temperature is above a first threshold. The first threshold is a threshold used to operate the compressor 41 when the outside air temperature is above the indoor temperature. The first threshold is determined based on a set temperature. The first threshold is the temperature obtained by adding a first predetermined value (e.g., 0.5) to the set temperature.
[0047] If the indoor temperature is below the first threshold (S11: "No"), the control device 62 returns the program to S10. On the other hand, if the indoor temperature is above the first threshold (S11: "Yes"), in S12, the control device 62 activates the compressor 41.
[0048] Next, in S13, the control device 62 determines whether the indoor temperature is below a second threshold. The second threshold is a threshold used to stop the compressor 41. Based on the set temperature, the second threshold is determined to be a temperature lower than the first threshold. The second threshold is the temperature obtained by subtracting a second predetermined value (e.g., 0.5) from the set temperature. Furthermore, the second predetermined value may be the same as or different from the first predetermined value.
[0049] If the indoor temperature is higher than the second threshold (S13: "No"), the control device 62 repeatedly executes S13. On the other hand, if the indoor temperature is lower than the second threshold (S13: "Yes"), in S14, the control device 62 stops the compressor 41.
[0050] Furthermore, in S10, if the outside air temperature is lower than the indoor temperature (S10: "Yes"), in S15, the control device 62 determines whether the indoor temperature is above a third threshold. The third threshold is a threshold used to operate the compressor 41 when the outside air temperature is lower than the indoor temperature.
[0051] The third threshold is determined to be a temperature higher than the first threshold based on the set temperature. The third threshold is the temperature obtained by adding a third predetermined value (e.g., 3) to the set temperature. The third predetermined value is a value larger than the first predetermined value. That is, if the outside air temperature is lower than the indoor temperature, even if the indoor temperature rises to the first threshold, the control device 62 will not operate the compressor 41.
[0052] Furthermore, the third threshold is a temperature sufficiently lower than that which could adversely affect medicines or other items stored in the cold storage compartment R1. The first to third specified values are preset in the program executed by the control device 62 during the manufacture of the cold storage 1.
[0053] If the indoor temperature is below the third threshold (S15: "No"), the control device 62 does not operate the compressor 41 and returns the program to S10. On the other hand, if the indoor temperature is above the third threshold (S15: "Yes"), in S12, the control device 62 operates the compressor 41. Then, the control device 62 executes S12-S14 as described above. In this way, the control device 62 operates / stops the compressor 41 by executing the program.
[0054] In addition, with Figure 5 Simultaneously with the execution of the illustrated procedure, the control device 62 performs the aforementioned defrosting operation. As described above, the defrosting operation is performed during the period when the compressor 41 is stopped. That is, when executing the aforementioned procedure, the control device 62 activates the defrosting heater 55 during the period when the compressor 41 is stopped.
[0055] Specifically, control device 62 in Figure 5 During program execution, when the outside air temperature is above the indoor temperature, the defrost heater 55 is activated when the compressor 41 stops, and the defrost heater 55 is stopped when the temperature detected by the defrost sensor 56 rises to a fourth threshold. The fourth threshold is the threshold used to stop the defrost sensor 56.
[0056] In addition, control device 62 in Figure 5 During program execution, when the outside air temperature is lower than the indoor temperature, the defrost heater 55 is activated when the indoor temperature drops to a second threshold, and deactivated when the temperature detected by the defrost sensor 56 rises to a fourth threshold. Furthermore, the defrost heater 55 is deactivated when defrosting operation is about to begin.
[0057] Next, the operation of the compressor 41 and defrost heater 55, which are achieved by the control device 62 executing the above-described procedure and defrosting operation, as well as the changes in indoor temperature and evaporator 53 temperature, will be explained. Specifically, the temperature of evaporator 53 is the temperature of fins 53b, i.e., the temperature detected by defrost sensor 56. Hereinafter, the temperature of evaporator 53 will be recorded as fin temperature.
[0058] First, use Figure 6 The timing diagram shown illustrates the case where the outside air temperature is above the indoor temperature (S10: "No").
[0059] When the program and defrosting operation are about to begin, the compressor 41 and defrost heater 55 are in a stopped state. In this case, since the outside air temperature is higher than the indoor temperature, the indoor temperature rises. When the indoor temperature rises to the first threshold (S11: "Yes", time t1), the compressor 41 operates (S12). When the indoor temperature drops to the second threshold due to the operation of the compressor 41 (S13: "Yes", time t2), the compressor 41 is stopped (S14). In addition, when the compressor 41 is stopped (time t2), the defrost heater 55 is activated for defrosting.
[0060] Because the outside air temperature is higher than the indoor temperature, and because the defrost heater 55 is operating, the indoor temperature and fin temperature rise. When the fin temperature rises to the fourth threshold (time t3), the defrost heater 55 stops. Then, when the indoor temperature rises to the first threshold (S11: "Yes", time t4), the compressor 41 starts operating again (S12). In this way, based on each threshold, the indoor temperature, and the fin temperature, the compressor 41 and the defrost heater 55 are operated alternately, and the operation and shutdown of the compressor 41 and the defrost heater 55 are repeatedly performed. As a result, the indoor temperature is basically regulated to the set temperature.
[0061] Next, use Figure 7 The timing diagram shown illustrates the case where the outside air temperature is lower than the indoor temperature (S10: "Yes").
[0062] At the start of the program, compressor 41 and defrost heater 55 are stopped. However, because the outside air temperature is lower than the indoor temperature, the indoor temperature drops. When the indoor temperature drops to the second threshold (time t5), defrost heater 55 starts operating.
[0063] The indoor temperature and fin temperature rise due to the operation of the defrost heater 55. When the fin temperature rises to the fourth threshold (time t6), the defrost heater 55 stops. The indoor temperature and fin temperature rise further due to the residual heat from the defrost heater 55. Even if the indoor temperature rises to the first threshold, the compressor 41 does not operate because the first threshold is smaller than the third threshold (S15: "No", time t7).
[0064] Because the outside air temperature is lower than the indoor temperature, the indoor temperature and fin temperature will begin to decrease even if the compressor 41 is not working. The indoor temperature begins to decrease before rising to the third threshold. Conversely, the defrost heater 55 is stopped when the fin temperature rises to the fourth threshold, so that the indoor temperature is lower than the third threshold.
[0065] Then, when the indoor temperature drops to the second threshold (time t8), the defrost heater 55 starts working again. In this way, even if the compressor 41 is not working, the indoor temperature can be repeatedly raised and lowered simply by the operation and shutdown of the defrost heater 55 when the outside air temperature is lower than the indoor temperature.
[0066] Therefore, by reducing the operating time of compressor 41, energy savings can be achieved in cold storage 1. Furthermore, by reducing the number of times compressor 41 operates, its durability can be improved. And even without compressor 41 operating, the indoor temperature can be maintained at the set temperature.
[0067] Furthermore, in the case where the indoor temperature repeatedly rises and falls solely due to the operation and shutdown of the defrost heater 55 as described above, when the user places a relatively hot medicine or the like into the cold storage compartment R1, the indoor temperature begins to rise sharply (time t9). When the indoor temperature rises to the third threshold (S15: "Yes", time t10), the compressor 41 operates (S12). Then, when the indoor temperature drops to the second threshold (S13: "Yes", time t11), the compressor 41 stops (S14), and the defrost heater 55 operates.
[0068] In this way, when the indoor temperature rises and reaches a third threshold higher than the first threshold, the compressor 41 operates, thereby lowering the indoor temperature. Therefore, the indoor temperature can be adjusted to the set temperature as early as possible.
[0069] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Various modifications to these embodiments are also included within the scope of this disclosure as long as they do not depart from its spirit.
[0070] For example, it could be configured such that, even if the indoor temperature rises to the third threshold, the compressor 41 will not operate when the outside air temperature is lower than the indoor temperature. In this case, execution is not performed. Figure 5 As shown in S15, when the outside air temperature is lower than the indoor temperature (S10: "Yes"), the control device 62 repeatedly executes S10.
[0071] Alternatively, instead of activating the defrost heater 55 when the compressor 41 stops, the defrost heater 55 can be activated when the indoor temperature drops to the second threshold temperature, provided that the outdoor air temperature is above the indoor temperature.
[0072] Alternatively, the heat output of the defrost heater 55 may not be sufficient to raise the indoor temperature to the set temperature if the outside air temperature is lower than the set temperature of the cold storage compartment R1. In this case, the heat output can be set so that, when the outside air temperature is lower than the set temperature of the cold storage compartment R1, the combined heat output of the defrost heater 55 and the drain pan heater 58 can raise the indoor temperature to the set temperature. Furthermore, the drain pan heater 58 can be activated in conjunction with the operation of the defrost heater 55.
[0073] Alternatively, the drain pan heater 58 may have the heat output to raise the indoor temperature to the set temperature when the outside air temperature is lower than the set temperature of the cold storage compartment R1. In this case, the drain pan heater 58 can be operated instead of the defrost heater 55 when the compressor 41 is not operating.
[0074] Alternatively, the defrosting heater 55 can be stopped when the outside air temperature is lower than the indoor temperature, in order to make the indoor temperature reach or exceed the third threshold.
[0075] The entire contents of the description, claims, drawings and abstract of Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-044986, filed on March 18, 2021, are incorporated herein by reference.
[0076] Industrial applicability
[0077] This invention can be widely used in cold storage facilities such as pharmaceutical cold storage, blood cold storage, and thermostats.
[0078] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures
[0079] 1. Cold storage
[0080] 10 enclosures
[0081] 41 compressor
[0082] 42 ventilation fans
[0083] 43 External Air Temperature Sensor
[0084] 53 Evaporator
[0085] 54 Indoor Temperature Sensor
[0086] 55 defrost heater
[0087] 62 control devices
[0088] R1 cold storage room
Claims
1. A cold storage facility, comprising: The enclosure includes a cold storage compartment; The compressor forms a refrigeration circuit that cools the interior of the cold insulation chamber; A defrosting heater heats the evaporator that constitutes the refrigeration circuit; and The control device controls the compressor and the defrost heater. The control device performs the following control: The defrost heater is activated when the compressor is not operating. When the outside air temperature is above the indoor temperature of the cold storage room, the compressor is activated when the indoor temperature rises to a first threshold, and the compressor is stopped when the indoor temperature drops to a second threshold lower than the first threshold. If the outside air temperature is lower than the indoor temperature, the compressor will not be activated even if the indoor temperature rises to the first threshold. The compressor will be activated when the indoor temperature rises to a third threshold that is higher than the first threshold.
2. The cold storage facility as described in claim 1, wherein, When the outside air temperature is lower than the indoor temperature, the control device activates the defrost heater when the indoor temperature drops to the second threshold.
3. The cold storage facility as described in claim 2, wherein, The defrosting heater has the heat output to raise the indoor temperature to the set temperature when the outside air temperature is lower than the set temperature of the cold storage room.
4. The cold storage facility as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein, The control device stops the defrosting heater in such a way that the indoor temperature is lower than the third threshold.