Cooling box device

Abstract

Provided is a cooling box device capable of detecting the state of a cold insulation agent placed in a cooling box by supplying electricity from a cooling machine to the cooling box. A cooling box device is provided with: a cooling box (1) having a cooling chamber (301) in which an object to be cooled is housed; a cooling machine (6) which can be attached to and detached from the cooling box (1) and which cools the cooling chamber (301); a cold insulation agent (41) which is provided in the cooling box (1) and cools the cooling chamber (301); and a temperature detection device (42 (421, 422)) capable of detecting the temperature of the cold insulation agent (41) in the cooling machine (6).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooling box device. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the past, a cooling box device in which a cooling device as a cooling machine is connected to a cold storage box as a cooling box to cool the inside of the cooling box has been known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1 and the like).

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-11989

[0004] In the conventional cooling box device described in the above Patent Document 1, when the cooling machine is not connected, it is possible to put a cold storage agent into the cooling box to cool the contents housed in the cooling box. However, it is not possible to grasp the temperature value of the cold storage agent and the like, and it is not easy to cool the contents at an appropriate temperature.

[0005] In order to detect the temperature of the cold storage agent, it is conceivable to install a temperature detection device such as a thermistor in the cooling box, but in reality, in order to detect the temperature, a power supply is required. Therefore, in addition to providing a temperature detection device such as a thermistor, the user of the cooling box device also needs to add a device for supplying power to the cooling box. SUMMARY

[0006] The present disclosure aims to provide a cooling box device that can detect the state of a cold storage agent put into a cooling box by supplying electricity from a cooling machine to the cooling box.

[0007] (1) The present disclosure relates to a cooling box device, comprising: a cooling box having a cooling chamber for housing an object to be cooled; a cooling machine capable of being attached to and detached from the cooling box, and cooling the cooling chamber; a cold storage agent provided in the cooling box and cooling the cooling chamber; and a temperature detection device capable of detecting the temperature of the cold storage agent in the cooling machine.

[0008] According to the cooling box device of (1), the temperature of the cold storage agent can be easily detected in the cooling machine without providing a power supply device for detecting the temperature of the cold storage agent at the cooling box.

[0009] (2) In the cooling box device of (1), the temperature detection device is composed of a thermistor provided at the cooling box, an electronic circuit electrically connected to the thermistor is disposed across the cooling box and the cooling machine, and in a joint portion that joins the cooling box and the cooling machine, the electronic circuit is electrically connected in a detachable manner by a connector, whereby the thermistor is supplied with electricity from the cooling machine side.

[0010] According to the cooling box device of (2), although the supply of power is required when the thermistor is provided at the cooling box, and the power supply has to be provided at the cooling box, since the thermistor can be supplied with electricity from the cooler side via the connector, the cooling box can be configured without the power supply.

[0011] (3) In the cooling box device of (2), the thermistor is provided at the cooling box, and the temperature of the detected member having the same heat capacity as the coolant is measured.

[0012] According to the cooling box device of (3), the temperature of the detected member which is cooled in the same manner as the coolant by being arranged in the space and fixed to the inner surface of the outer box can be measured, and thus the temperature detection device can measure the temperature of the coolant by measuring and detecting the temperature of the detected member by the thermistor.

[0013] (4) In the cooling box device of (3), the cooling box is configured by a double-layer box structure having an inner box and an outer box, and the inner box is detachable with respect to the outer box, and the thermistor and the detected member are fixed to the outer box in the space between the inner box and the outer box.

[0014] According to the cooling box device of (4), the temperature of the detected member which is cooled in the same manner as the coolant by being arranged in the space and fixed to the inner surface of the outer box at an appropriate position can be measured with high precision.

[0015] According to the present disclosure, a cooling box device which can detect the state of a coolant placed in a cooling box by supplying electricity from a cooler to the cooling box is provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a front perspective view showing a state in which the cooler is removed from the cooling box of the cooling box device of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 2 is a rear perspective view showing a state in which the cooler is removed from the cooling box of the cooling box device of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 3 is a front upper perspective view showing a state in which the inner box is removed from the cooling box of the cooling box device of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 4 is a rear upper perspective view showing a state in which the inner box is removed from the cooling box of the cooling box device of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 5This is a perspective view of the space partition member of the cooling box of the cooling box device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the recessed partition member of the cooling box of the cooling box device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 7 This is a perspective view illustrating the condition where cooled air flows through the space between the inner chamber of the cooling box and the main body of the container in the cooling box apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 8 This is a side view illustrating the condition where cooled air flows through the space between the inner chamber of the cooling box and the main body of the container in the cooling box apparatus of the present disclosure embodiment.

[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0025] 1... Cooling box; 6... Cooler; 10... Container body (outer casing); 30... Inner casing; 41... Refrigerant; 42... Temperature detection device; 62... Protrusion (connection); 101... Space; 103... Recess; 104... Inlet; 105... Outlet; 106... Recess partition member; 107... Space partition member; 301... Cooling chamber; 421... Thermistor; 422... Component being detected; 423, 623... Connector; 621... Outlet; 622... Inlet. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Hereinafter, a cooling box apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the cooling box 1 and the cooling machine 6 constituting the cooling box apparatus will be described in the width direction and Figure 1 The upper left corner is defined as the left side (L), and the opposite direction of the left side (L) is defined as the right side (R). Furthermore, the inner direction of cooling box 1 and cooling machine 6 ( Figure 1 The upper right (as shown) is defined as the rear (Rr), and the opposite direction of the rear (Rr) is defined as the front (Fr). Furthermore, the height direction of the cooling box 1 and the cooling machine 6 is... Figure 1 The direction above is defined as Up, and the opposite direction of Up is defined as Dw.

[0027] like Figures 1-3As shown, the cooling box device includes: a cooling box 1, which constitutes a refrigerated box for holding fresh food such as fruit, beverages, liquids such as water, etc., awaiting cooling; and a cooling machine 6, which can be detached from the cooling box 1. The cooling box 1 has a cooling chamber 301 for holding the items to be cooled. The cooling machine 6 can be detached from the cooling box 1, and the cooling chamber 301 is cooled by connecting and assembling the cooling machine 6 to the cooling box 1.

[0028] like Figures 1-4 As shown, the cooling box 1 includes a container body 10 as an outer box, a lid 20, and an inner box 30. The cooling box 1 is constructed with a double-layer box structure, in which the inner box 30, which can be detached from the container body 10, is arranged in the internal space of the container body 10. The container body 10 is a rectangular parallelepiped resin molded product, and the upper surface of the rectangular parallelepiped is integrally formed as an opening. In detail, the container body 10 is composed of two short sidewalls 11 and 12 facing each other on the long side direction of the container body 10, long sidewalls 13 and 14 parallel to and facing each other on the long side direction of the container body 10, and a bottom 15.

[0029] Cylindrical casters 2 are provided at both ends of the side connecting a short sidewall 11 to the bottom 15, and the casters 2 are rotatable relative to the container body 10 and can abut against the ground, floor, etc. The cooling box device is configured such that the user holds a handle provided on another short sidewall 12 (not shown) to lift the other short sidewall 12 of the container body 10, thereby bringing the casters 2 into contact with the ground and allowing the cooling box 1 to move.

[0030] A recess 103 is formed in the long side wall 13 of the cooling box 1. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the recess 103 has a cuboid shape and is recessed towards the front. An inlet 104 for introducing cold air from the cooler 6 into the cooler box 1 and an outlet 105 for discharging cold air from the cooler box 1 into the cooler 6 are formed in the recess 103. The inlet 104 is formed by a mesh-like through-hole on the lower left side of the portion where the recess 103 is formed on the outer surface of the long sidewall 13. The outlet 105 is formed by a mesh-like through-hole on the upper right side of the portion where the recess 103 is formed on the outer surface of the long sidewall 13. Therefore, the outlet 105 is located on the upper side in the vertical direction relative to the inlet 104.

[0031] A recessed partition member 106 is provided at the center position in the left-right direction of the recess 103. The recessed partition member 106 is as follows: Figure 4 It has a cuboid shape as shown, such as Figure 2As shown, the recessed partition member 106 is fixed to the long sidewall 13 forming the recess 103 and extends from the upper end to the lower end of the recessed partition member 106. Thus, the recessed partition member 106 is disposed between the inlet 104 and the outlet 105, and is configured to separate the recess 103 by means of the recessed partition member 106, thereby preventing cold air from flowing between the inlet 104 and the outlet 105.

[0032] A cover component 16 is detachably mounted on the recess 103. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the cover member 16 has: a rectangular plate-shaped outer wall portion 161; and a rectangular protrusion 162, slightly smaller than the recess 103, protruding from the center of the outer wall portion 161 and capable of engaging with the recess 103. The portions 163 of the outer wall portion 161 on either side of the protrusion 162 in the left-right direction do not engage with the recess 103, but are located further back than the long sidewall 13. When the cooler 6 is connected to the cooling box 1, the engagement of the protrusion 162 with the recess 103 is released, and the cover member 16 is removed from the cooling box 1.

[0033] The lid 20 is generally rectangular in shape, and the top surface 25 of the lid has a rectangle that is smaller than and similar in shape to the opening of the container body 10, forming the bottom surface of the recessed portion in the lid 20. That is, the lid 20 has: short side surfaces 21 and 22 forming the two end faces of the lid 20 in the long side direction, long side surfaces 23 and 24 of the lid parallel to the long side direction of the lid 20 and not shown, the top surface 25 of the lid, and the upper surface 26 of the lid.

[0034] The lid 20 can open and close the opening of the container body 10 by rotation generated by a hinge (not shown) obtained by mounting blade plates on the outer surface of the upper part of the long side wall 13 and the long side 23 of the lid 20. The lid 20 is configured such that annular (not shown) washers provided at the lower ends of the short sides 21, 22 and the long sides 23, 24 of the lid 20 are tightly attached to the upper surface of the opening, thus closing the opening of the container body 10.

[0035] The inner box 30 is a rectangular parallelepiped molded resin product, with its upper surface forming an opening. Specifically, the inner box 30 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and is composed of opposing short sidewalls 31 and 32 forming the two end faces along its long side, opposing long sidewalls 33 and 34 parallel to and facing along the long side, and a bottom 35. The interior space of the inner box 30 forms a cooling chamber 301.

[0036] A space 101 is formed between the outer surface of the inner casing 30 and the inner surface of the container body 10, allowing the flow of cold air supplied from the cooler 6 as a fluid. Specifically, the inner surface of the short sidewall 11 of the container body 10 is separated from the outer surface of the short sidewall 31 of the inner casing 30, and a space 101 is formed between the inner surface of the short sidewall 11 and the outer surface of the short sidewall 31. The inner surface of the short sidewall 12 of the container body 10 is separated from the outer surface of the short sidewall 32 of the inner casing 30, and a space 101 is formed between the inner surface of the short sidewall 12 and the outer surface of the short sidewall 32.

[0037] Furthermore, the inner surface of the long sidewall 13 of the container body 10 is separated from the outer surface of the long sidewall 33 of the inner box 30, forming a space 101 between the inner surface of the long sidewall 13 and the outer surface of the long sidewall 33. Similarly, the inner surface of the long sidewall 14 of the container body 10 is separated from the outer surface of the long sidewall 34 of the inner box 30, forming a space 101 between the inner surface of the long sidewall 14 and the outer surface of the long sidewall 34. Furthermore, the inner surface of the bottom 15 of the container body 10 is separated from the bottom 35 of the inner box 30, forming a space 101 between the inner surface of the bottom 15 and the bottom 35. All of the aforementioned spaces 101 are interconnected.

[0038] Space 101 is equipped with a space partition component 107, a coolant 41, and a temperature detection device 42. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the space partition member 107 is composed of L-shaped plate-like members. (As...) Figure 3 As shown, one end, i.e., the upper end, of the space partition member 107 extends to the upper end of the outlet 105. The space partition member 107 extends downwards from its upper end along the inner surface of the long sidewall 13 of the container body 10 to the inner surface of the bottom 15, and then extends forward along the inner surface of the bottom 15. Furthermore, as... Figure 4 As shown, the other end, i.e. the front end, of the space partition member 107 reaches a position separated from the inner surface of the long sidewall 14. Therefore, the other end, i.e. the front end, of the space partition member 107 does not abut against the inner surface of the long sidewall 14.

[0039] like Figure 5 As shown, the right side portion of the space partition member 107 in the width direction constitutes a fixed portion 1071 fixed to the inner surface of the bottom 15. The central portion of the space partition member 107 in the width direction constitutes a partition wall portion 1072 that rises from the fixed portion 1071 toward the inside of the space 101. The left side portion of the space partition member 107 in the width direction constitutes an inner box abutting portion 1073 that abuts against the outer surface of the bottom 35 of the inner box 30.

[0040] The inner casing 30 is disposed within the internal space of the container body 10, such that the inner casing abutment portion 1073 abuts against the outer surface of the bottom 35 of the inner casing 30. Thus, the space partition member 107 divides a large portion of the space 101, separating the space 101 into a portion near the inlet 104 (the left side of the space 101) and a portion near the outlet 105 (the right side of the space 101). In the portion of the space 101 not divided by the space partition member 107—that is, the portion between the front end of the space partition member 107 and the inner surface of the long sidewall 14, and the entire inner surface of the long sidewall 14—a flow path is formed for cold air to flow from the portion of the space 101 near the inlet 104 to the portion of the space 101 near the outlet 105.

[0041] The refrigerant 41 is detachably and fixedly disposed on the inner surface of the container body 10, and is capable of cooling the cooling chamber 301. Specifically, the refrigerant 41 is formed into a rectangular plate shape, such as... Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, a coolant 41 is provided in the center of the inner surface of the short sidewall 11 and the center of the inner surface of the short sidewall 12 of the container body 10, and two coolants 41 are provided in the inner surface of the long sidewall 13, the inner surface of the long sidewall 14 and the inner surface of the bottom 15.

[0042] Two refrigerants 41 are respectively disposed on the inner surface of the long sidewall 13 and the inner surface of the bottom 15. One refrigerant 41 is disposed on the side of the space 101 near the inlet 104, and the other refrigerant 41 is disposed on the side of the space 101 near the outlet 105. Two refrigerants 41 are disposed on the inner surface of the long sidewall 14. One refrigerant 41 is disposed in the left-right direction on the side of the space partition member 107 near the inlet 104, and the other refrigerant 41 is disposed in the left-right direction on the side of the space partition member 107 near the outlet 105. The refrigerants 41 disposed in this way in the space 101 collide with the fluid, i.e., the cold air, flowing in the space 101, thereby changing the flow direction of the cold air and causing the cold air to circulate uniformly in the space 101.

[0043] like Figure 3 As shown, the temperature detection device 42 includes a thermistor 421 and a detected component 422, which are disposed and fixed on the inner surface of the long side wall 13 of the container body 10, and on the lower side of the outlet 105. The thermistor 421 is physically connected to the detected component 422 to detect the temperature of the detected component 422. The thermistor 421, together with a temperature detection circuit section (not shown) disposed on the cooling machine side of the cooling machine 6, constitutes an electronic circuit that spans the cooling box 1 and the cooling machine 6.

[0044] Specifically, the end of the thermistor 421 is connected to the connector 423 (see reference). Figure 2 Electrical connection. Connector 423 is disposed and fixed on the outer surface of the long sidewall 13 of the container body 10, where the recess 103 is formed, and on the portion below the outlet 105. The thermistor 421 and a (not shown) temperature detection circuit on the cooler side of the cooler 6 can be electrically connected in a detachable manner via connector 423. The thermistor 421 and the (not shown) temperature detection circuit on the cooler side form an electronic circuit, and electrical current is supplied to the thermistor 421 from the cooler side.

[0045] The component 422 being tested is made of a material with the same heat capacity as the refrigerant 41, and is configured such that the temperature of the component 422 is the same as the temperature of the refrigerant 41. Therefore, the component 422 is configured as an approximate refrigerant. The thermistor 421 measures and detects the temperature of the component 422, thereby enabling the temperature detection device 42 to detect the temperature of the refrigerant 41. Using the thermistor 421, connector 423, and a temperature detection circuit section on the cooler side (not shown), the temperature of the refrigerant 41 can be approximately detected in the cooler 6.

[0046] The cooler 6 has a rectangular parallelepiped housing 61. The housing 61 houses a compressor (not shown), heat exchanger, condenser, evaporator, etc., which cool the air drawn in from the cooling chamber 1 to produce cold air. A protrusion 62, a connecting part, protrudes forward from the outer surface of the housing 61. The protrusion 62 is a rectangular parallelepiped slightly smaller than the recess 103, capable of engaging with it. When the cover member 16 is assembled to the cooling chamber 1, the engagement of the protrusion 62 with the recess 103 is released, allowing the cooler 6 to be removed from the cooling chamber 1.

[0047] The protrusion 62 has an outlet 621 through which cold air flows from the cooler 6 to the cooling chamber 1 and an inlet 622 through which cold air flows from the cooling chamber 1 to the cooler 6. The outlet 621 is formed by a through hole in a mesh pattern on the lower left side of the front end face of the protrusion 62. The inlet 622 is formed by a through hole in a mesh pattern on the upper right side of the front end face of the protrusion 62. Thus, the inlet 622 is located on the upper side in the vertical direction relative to the outlet 621.

[0048] When the protrusion 62 engages with the recess 103, the outlet 621 is positioned facing the inlet 104 of the recess 103. This configuration allows cold air flowing from the outlet 621 to flow into the space 101 through the inlet 104 of the recess 103. Thus, the cooler 6 causes cold air from the cooler 6 to circulate through the protrusion 62 and the recess 103, passing through the outlet 621 and the inlet 104 in the space 101 between the container body 10 and the inner casing 30, thereby cooling the interior space of the inner casing 30, i.e., the cooling chamber 301.

[0049] When the protrusion 62 engages with the recess 103, the inlet 622 is positioned facing the outlet 105 of the recess 103. As a result, the air flowing out of the space 101 through the outlet 105 is configured to flow into the cooler 6 from the inlet 622 of the recess 103 and be cooled by the cooler 6.

[0050] In the left-right direction, the outlet 621 and the inlet 622 are separated at the front end face of the protrusion 62. When the protrusion 62 engages with the recess 103, the recess partition member 106 provided in the recess 103 of the cooling box 1 abuts against the portion of the front end face of the protrusion 62 located between the outlet 621 and the inlet 622. Thus, the space in the recess 103 divided into the space on the outlet 621 side and the space on the inlet 622 side prevents the cold air flowing out of the outlet 621 from flowing into the cooler 6 through the inlet 622 in the recess 103. Furthermore, the recess 103 prevents the cold air flowing out of the outlet 621 from flowing into the space 101 from the outlet 105 of the cooling box 1.

[0051] A connector 623 is provided on the protrusion 62. The connector 623 is fixedly positioned on the lower part of the flow inlet 622 on the right side of the front end face of the protrusion 62. The connector 623 and the connector 423 of the recess 103 are electrically connected in a detachable manner. When the protrusion 62 and the recess 103 are engaged, the connector 623 and the connector 423 are electrically connected. Thus, via the connector 423 connected to the connector 623, the thermistor 421 is electrically connected to a temperature detection circuit section (not shown) provided on the cooling machine side of the cooling machine 6 to form an electronic circuit.

[0052] In the cooling box device with the above-described structure, cold air from the cooler 6 flows into the space 101 from the inlet 104 of the recess 103 of the cooling box 1, such as... Figure 7 , Figure 8 As shown by the middle arrow, in the lower part on the left side of space 101 ( Figure 1 The space 101 between the bottom 15 and the bottom 35 shown (refer to) Figure 7 , Figure 8 The left side of the passage flows forward.

[0053] The cold air flowing in the lower left portion of space 101 collides with the refrigerant 41 disposed on the inner surface of bottom 15, and thus, a portion of it flows upward along the inner surface of short sidewall 12. The cold air collides with the refrigerant 41 disposed on the inner surface of short sidewall 12 and travels to the corners of the portion of space 101 between the inner surface of short sidewall 12 and the outer surface of short sidewall 32.

[0054] The cold air collides with the inner surface of the long sidewall 14 at the front end of the space 101, expands along the inner surface of the long sidewall 14 and collides with the two coolant 41 disposed on the inner surface of the long sidewall 14, and travels to each corner of the space 101 between the inner surface of the long sidewall 14 and the outer surface of the long sidewall 34.

[0055] Then, the cold air flows into the lower right side of space 101 (space 101 (reference)). Figure 7 , Figure 8 ) in Figure 1 The right side portion of the portion between the bottom 15 and the bottom 35 shown) and the portion of the space 101 between the inner surface of the short sidewall 11 and the outer surface of the short sidewall 31, and moving toward the rear.

[0056] The cold air flowing in the lower right portion of space 101 collides with the refrigerant 41 disposed on the inner surface of bottom 15, and a portion of it flows upward along the inner surface of short sidewall 11. Then, the cold air, together with the cold air flowing rearward from the portion of space 101 between the inner surface of long sidewall 14 and the outer surface of long sidewall 34, collides with the refrigerant 41 disposed on the inner surface of short sidewall 11, and travels to each corner of the portion of space 101 between the inner surface of short sidewall 11 and the outer surface of short sidewall 31.

[0057] Subsequently, at the rear of space 101 (the portion of space 101 between the inner surface of the long sidewall 13 of container body 10 and the long sidewall 33 of inner box 30), cold air flows upward along the inner surface of the long sidewall 13 of container body 10, flows out of space 101 from outlet 105, and flows into cooler 6 from inlet 622 of protrusion 62.

[0058] The cooling box device according to this embodiment with the above-described structure can achieve the following effects. The cooling box device according to this embodiment includes: a cooling box 1 having a cooling chamber 301 for containing an object to be cooled; and a cooling machine 6 that can be detached from the cooling box 1 and cools the cooling chamber 301. The cooling box 1 is composed of a double-layer box structure having an inner box 30 and a container body 10 as an outer box. The cooling machine 6 cools the cooling chamber 301 by allowing the cooled fluid, i.e., cold air, to circulate in the space 101 between the inner box 30 and the container body 10.

[0059] Therefore, when moving the cooling box device, it is not necessary to move the cooling machine 6, which is not needed in actual use, has weight and takes up internal volume. Thus, it is possible to avoid moving a heavy device and move it easily.

[0060] Furthermore, for cooling boxes without a cooling unit 6, since cooling is achieved through a refrigerant, the amount of refrigerant increases, causing the cooling chamber of the cooling box to be occupied by a large amount of refrigerant, resulting in a decrease in internal volume. However, in this embodiment, when cooling is required, the cooling box 1 can be connected to the cooling unit 6 to cool the cooling chamber 301, thus avoiding the situation where the cooling chamber is occupied by a large amount of refrigerant.

[0061] Furthermore, cold water or ice, as a fluid, can be placed in space 101 instead of air conditioning. According to this structure, rapid cooling is achieved by placing cold water or ice, maintaining coolness even without a cooling unit. Additionally, it prevents the interior of the cooling chamber 301 from drying out. Moreover, since this structure allows cold air to circulate within space 101, defrosting, as is required with direct cooling systems, is avoided.

[0062] Furthermore, in the cooling box apparatus according to this embodiment, the cooler 6 has a protrusion 62 serving as a connecting portion for connection with the cooling box 1. The protrusion 62 has an outlet 621 that allows cold air, as a fluid, to flow from the cooler 6 to the cooling box 1; and an inlet 622 that allows cold air to flow from the cooling box 1 to the cooler 6. Thus, the cooler 6 and the cooling box 1 are connected via a single connecting portion, thereby facilitating the connection between the cooler 6 and the cooling box 1.

[0063] Furthermore, in the cooling box device according to this embodiment, the connecting part engages with the recess 103 formed in the container body 10, which serves as the outer casing, and is composed of a protrusion 62 that protrudes from the front end face, which serves as the outer surface of the cooling machine 6.

[0064] Thus, the outlet 621 and the inlet 622 are provided on a protrusion 62. By engaging the protrusion 62 with a recess 103, the cooling box 1 and the cooler 6 can be easily connected, allowing cold air from the cooler 6 to flow into the cooling box 1.

[0065] Furthermore, by making the recess 103, which engages with the protrusion 62, a structure formed in the cooling box 1 and partially recessed within the cooling box 1, it is possible to achieve a detachable structure without increasing the overall size. Additionally, by installing a cover member 16 that engages with the recess 103, the insulation thickness is ensured. This structure ensures sufficient insulation thickness for the long sidewalls 13 of the container body 10 without becoming excessively thick, and does not reduce the internal volume of the cooling chamber 301. Furthermore, the cover member 16, which engages with the recess 103, can be configured to be detachable relative to the recess 103 rather than relative to the protrusion 62.

[0066] Furthermore, in the cooling box device according to this embodiment, an inlet 104 for introducing cold air, which is a fluid, from the cooler 6 to the cooling box 1 and an outlet 105 for discharging cold air from the cooling box 1 to the cooler 6 are formed in the recess 103. A recess partition member 106 is provided in the recess 103 between the inlet 104 and the outlet 105 to prevent cold air from flowing between the inlet 104 and the outlet 105.

[0067] Therefore, in the portion where the protrusion 62 and the recess 103, which serve as a connecting part, are engaged, it is possible to prevent the cold air flowing out of the outlet 621 from flowing into the cooler 6 through the inlet 622. Furthermore, in the recess 103, it is possible to prevent the cold air flowing out of the outlet 621 from flowing into the space 101 between the outer and inner boxes through the outlet 105 of the cooling box 1.

[0068] Furthermore, in the cooling box device according to this embodiment, a space partition member 107 is provided in the space 101 to separate the portion of the space near the inlet 104 from the portion of the space near the outlet 105.

[0069] Thus, the space partition 107 can partially divide the space 101 between the inner surface of the container body 10 and the outer surface of the inner box 30 into a portion of the space 101 near the inlet 104 (the left side of the space 101) and a portion of the space 101 near the outlet 105 (the right side of the space 101). As a result, cold air can circulate to all corners of the space 101, preventing the cold air from flowing through a short-circuited path and failing to reach the entire space 101.

[0070] Furthermore, in the cooling box device according to this embodiment, the outlet 105 is located on the upper side in the vertical direction relative to the inlet 104. As a result, in the space 101, the position where cold air flows in is a lower position, and the position where cold air flows out is a higher position, so that the cold air can circulate from a lower position to a higher position inside the space 101 and flow throughout the space 101.

[0071] Furthermore, in the cooling box device according to this embodiment, a refrigerant 41 is disposed in the space 101 to change the direction of the cold air flowing in the space 101. As a result, the flow of cold air flowing in the space 101 can be changed and diffused in various directions, allowing the cold air to circulate to all corners of the space 101. Moreover, when the direction of the cold air is changed, the cold air collides with the refrigerant 41, thus efficiently cooling the refrigerant 41. Therefore, a cooling box 1 with high cold retention effect using the refrigerant 41 without reducing the cooling effect can be provided.

[0072] Furthermore, in the cooling box device according to this embodiment, the coolant 41 can be detached from the cooling box 1. Therefore, the coolant 41 can be removed from the cooling box 1 and cooled beforehand, and then the cooled coolant 41 can be installed in the cooling box 1 for use.

[0073] Furthermore, in the cooling box device according to this embodiment, the coolant 41 is fixedly disposed relative to the container body 10, which serves as the outer casing, in a detachable manner. Therefore, although there is a concern that the coolant might fall off when the inner casing is removed from the container body while the coolant is fixed inside, this can be prevented. Moreover, the coolant 41 can be easily disposed of relative to the container body 10 with the inner casing 30 removed.

[0074] Furthermore, the cooling box device according to this embodiment includes a temperature detection device 42 capable of detecting the temperature of the refrigerant 41 in the cooling unit 6. Therefore, without installing a power supply device for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant 41 in the cooling box 1, the temperature of the refrigerant 41 can be easily detected in the cooling unit 6.

[0075] Furthermore, in the cooling box device according to this embodiment, the inner box 30 can be detached from the container body 10, which serves as the outer box. This allows for easy installation and removal of the refrigerant 41, and also makes it easy to remove the inner box 30 for cleaning.

[0076] Furthermore, in the cooling box device according to this embodiment, the temperature detection device 42 is composed of a thermistor 421 provided in the cooling box 1. The electronic circuit electrically connected to the thermistor 421 is arranged across the cooling box 1 and the cooling machine 6. In the protrusion 62, which serves as a connecting part connecting the cooling box 1 and the cooling machine 6, the thermistor 421 is electrically connected in a detachable manner via a connector 623. Thus, electrical power is supplied to the thermistor 421 from the cooling machine 6 side.

[0077] Therefore, when a thermistor is installed in the cooling box, a power supply is required, and the power supply must be installed in the cooling box. However, since the thermistor 421 can be supplied with electricity from the cooling machine 6 side via connector 623, the cooling box 1 can be made into a structure that does not require a power supply.

[0078] Furthermore, in the cooling box device according to this embodiment, a thermistor 421 is provided in the cooling box 1 to measure the temperature of the tested component 422, whose heat capacity is equal to that of the refrigerant 41. Therefore, the temperature of the tested component 422, which is the same as the temperature of the refrigerant 41, can be measured. Thus, by the thermistor 421 measuring and detecting the temperature of the tested component 422, the temperature detection device 42 can approximately detect the temperature of the refrigerant 41.

[0079] Furthermore, for the cooling box device according to this embodiment, the cooling box 1 is composed of a double-layer box structure in which the inner box 30 can be detached from the container body 10 and has the inner box 30 and the container body 10 as the outer box. The thermistor 421 and the detected component 422 are fixed to the container body 10 in the space 101 between the inner box 30 and the container body 10.

[0080] Therefore, the temperature of the tested component 422, which is disposed in the same position as the refrigerant 41 in the space 101 and fixed to the inner surface of the container body 10, and is cooled in the same way as the refrigerant 41 after being cooled by cold air in the space 101, can be detected, enabling high-precision temperature detection.

[0081] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and modifications can be made within the technical scope of the claims. For example, the structure of the cooling box, cooling machine, temperature detection device, etc., is not limited to the structure of the cooling box 1, cooling machine 6, temperature detection device 42, etc., of this embodiment.

[0082] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rear part of the cooling box 1 is connected to the front part of the cooler 6, but this structure is not limited to this. For example, the lower part of the cooling box may be connected to the upper part of the cooler.

[0083] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a temperature detection device 42 is provided in the cooling box 1, which has a double-layer box structure with a container body 10 and an inner box 30, but the structure is not limited to this. For example, the temperature detection device may also be provided in a cooling box that is not a double-layer box structure but is only composed of a container body.

Claims

1. A cooling box device, characterized by, Possessing: a cooling box having a cooling chamber that houses an object to be cooled; a cooling machine that is detachable with respect to the cooling box and cools the cooling chamber; a coolant that is provided to the cooling box and cools the cooling chamber; and a temperature detecting device that detects the temperature of the coolant in the cooling machine.

2. The cooling box device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature detecting device is composed of a thermistor provided to the cooling box, an electronic circuit electrically connected to the thermistor is disposed across the cooling box and the cooling machine, and in a joint portion that joins the cooling box and the cooling machine, the electronic circuit is electrically connected in a detachable manner by a connector, whereby the thermistor is supplied with electricity from the cooling machine side.

3. The cooling box device according to claim 2, wherein the thermistor is provided to the cooling box and measures the temperature of a detected member having a heat capacity equivalent to that of the coolant.

4. The cooling box device according to claim 3, wherein the cooling box is composed of a double-layer box structure having an inner box and an outer box, and the inner box is detachable with respect to the outer box, the thermistor and the detected member are fixed to the outer box in a space between the inner box and the outer box. ​

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