Freezer

Abstract

To reduce pressure loss of a flow of cold air in a freezer.SOLUTION: A freezer according to at least one embodiment of this disclosure includes: a conveyor for carrying an object to be cooled; an upper chamber that is located above the conveyor and can store cold air for cooling the object to be cooled therein; a cold air ejection part for blowing the cold air from the upper chamber; an inflow part for cold air before cooling that is located on the upper side of the upper chamber and has a flow passage area for receiving the cold air used for cooling the object to be cooled and then caused to flow out to both sides in the width direction of the conveyor; a heat exchanger located on the upper side of the inflow part for cold air before cooling to cool the cold air; and a fan for circulating the cold air. The inflow part for cold air before cooling includes cold air inlets provided on both sides in the width direction and a cold air outlet provided on the upper side. The heat exchanger includes an inlet part into which the cold air before cooling in the heat exchanger can flow. The inlet part communicates with the cold air outlet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a freezer capable of cooling or freezing an object to be cooled, particularly food.

Background Art

[0002] As a freezer capable of cooling or freezing an object to be cooled, particularly food, a freezer is known that can cool or freeze an object to be cooled placed on the forward path portion of a conveyor belt for conveyance by cold air (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, in the freezer described in Patent Document 1, after the cold air that has cooled the object to be cooled flows to one side in the width direction of the conveyor belt for conveyance, it then flows upward along the side surface of the housing on that one side and is sucked by a blower. Therefore, while space saving of the installation space of the freezer is required, if the dimensions in the width direction are reduced for miniaturization of the freezer, the flow path when the cold air that has cooled the object to be cooled flows upward along the side surface of the housing on that one side becomes narrow, and the pressure loss of the cold air increases.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, at least one embodiment of the present disclosure aims to reduce the pressure loss of the flow of cold air in the freezer.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The freezer according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is a conveyor for conveying an object to be cooled, and An upper chamber located above the conveyor and capable of storing cold air for cooling the object to be cooled inside; A cold air ejection part for ejecting the cold air from the upper chamber; A pre-cooling cold air inlet part located above the upper chamber and having a flow path space for receiving the cold air that has flowed out to both sides in the width direction of the conveyor after being used for cooling the object to be cooled; A heat exchanger located above the pre-cooling cold air inlet part for cooling the cold air; A fan for circulating the cold air; Comprising; The pre-cooling cold air inlet part has cold air inlets provided on both sides in the width direction and a cold air outlet provided at the upper part; The heat exchanger has an inlet part into which the cold air before being cooled by the heat exchanger can flow; The inlet part communicates with the cold air outlet.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the pressure loss of the cold air flow in the freezer can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described as embodiments or shown in the drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, but are merely illustrative examples. For example, expressions representing relative or absolute arrangements such as "in a certain direction", "along a certain direction", "parallel", "orthogonal", "center", "concentric", or "coaxial" not only strictly represent such arrangements, but also represent states of relative displacement with tolerances or angles and distances that can obtain the same function. For example, expressions representing that things such as "identical", "equal", and "homogeneous" are in an equal state not only strictly represent an equal state, but also represent states in which there are tolerances or differences that can obtain the same function. For example, expressions representing shapes such as a rectangular shape or a cylindrical shape not only represent shapes such as a rectangular shape or a cylindrical shape in a geometrically strict sense, but also represent shapes including concave and convex portions, chamfered portions, etc. within a range where the same effect can be obtained. On the other hand, expressions such as "comprising", "having", "including", or "possessing" one component are not exclusive expressions that exclude the existence of other components.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the internal structure of a freezer according to an embodiment when viewed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying direction, and corresponds to the view taken along the line I-I in FIG. 4 described later. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the internal structure of a freezer according to an embodiment when viewed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying direction, and corresponds to the view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the internal structure of a freezer according to an embodiment when viewed from the side, and corresponds to the view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the internal structure of a freezer according to an embodiment when viewed from the side, and corresponds to the view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 1.

[0011] A freezer 1 according to an embodiment is a freezer capable of cooling or freezing an object to be cooled, particularly food, and includes a housing 10 that houses main constituent devices of the freezer 1 therein, a belt conveyor 3 for conveying the object to be cooled 2, a heat exchanger 4 for cooling air, and a fan 5 for circulating cooled air (cold air) CA (see FIG. 5A) cooled by the heat exchanger in the freezer. A freezer 1 according to an embodiment includes an upper chamber 11 and a lower chamber 13 capable of storing cold air from the fan 5 therein, and a communication duct 15 that communicates the upper chamber 11 and the lower chamber 13. A freezer 1 according to an embodiment includes a pre-cooling cold air inlet portion 50 having a flow path space 51 between the heat exchanger 4 and the upper chamber 11. A freezer 1 according to an embodiment is installed, for example, on a floor surface 91 of a factory of an operator who cools or freezes the object to be cooled 2 by the freezer 1. Note that the description of the object to be cooled 2 is omitted in FIGS. 3 and 4 and FIG. 7 described later.

[0012] The freezer 1 according to one embodiment includes at least one refrigeration unit section 6 including a heat exchanger 4, a fan 5, an upper chamber 11, a lower chamber 13, and a communication duct 15. In the freezer 1 described below, a plurality of refrigeration unit sections 6 are arranged in one housing 10 along the conveyance direction of the object to be cooled 2. In FIGS. 3, 4, and FIG. 7 described later, two refrigeration unit sections 6 arranged along the conveyance direction of the object to be cooled 2 are shown. The freezer 1 according to one embodiment may include two refrigeration unit sections 6 arranged side by side in the conveyance direction of the object to be cooled 2 as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and FIG. 7 described later, or may include one refrigeration unit section 6, or may include three or more refrigeration unit sections 6 arranged side by side in the conveyance direction of the object to be cooled 2.

[0013] In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the housing 10 separates the inside and outside of the freezer 1 and is configured to hold cold air CA inside. Further, the housing 10 has inside it internal flow paths 12, 14 that guide the cold air CA that has flowed out to both sides in the width direction of a conveyor belt 17 described later after cooling the object to be cooled 2 to the heat exchanger 4. The internal flow path 12 is formed between the belt conveyor 3, the upper chamber 11, and the pre-cooling cold air inlet portion 50 and the housing 10 on one side in the width direction of the conveyor belt 17 (in the illustrated embodiment, the right side in FIGS. 1 and 2). The internal flow path 14 is formed between the belt conveyor 3, the upper chamber 11, and the pre-cooling cold air inlet portion 50 and the housing 10 on the other side in the width direction of the conveyor belt 17 (in the illustrated embodiment, the left side in FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0014] In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, an opening 8 is provided in the side portion 10s of the housing 10 so that the freezer 1 can be inspected and maintained. In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, a plurality of openings 8 are provided along the conveyance direction of the object to be cooled 2 on both side surfaces 10a of the housing 10. The opening 8 is covered with an openable and closable door 60 for closing the opening 8. The structure for opening and closing the door 60 will be described in detail later. In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the opening 8 extends in the height direction from, for example, the same height position as at least the lower region of the heat exchanger 4 described later to the same height position as the lower end of the communication duct 15 described later. In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the opening 8 extends to such an extent that it is visible from the upstream end to the downstream end of one refrigeration unit section 6 in the conveyance direction of the object to be cooled 2, and extends by an extent equivalent to the dimension of one refrigeration unit section 6 in the conveyance direction. Thus, in the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, a relatively large opening 8 is provided on the side of the housing 10.

[0015] In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, a plurality of columns 9 for supporting the housing 10 are provided in the housing 10 at intervals in the conveyance direction of the object to be cooled 2. In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the columns 9 are arranged so as to be positioned between adjacent openings 8 in the conveyance direction. In FIGS. 1 and 2, for ease of understanding of the opening 8 and to show the positions of the columns 9, the columns 9 located on the front side and the back side in the depth direction of the paper near the opening 8 are drawn as two-dot chain lines with a relatively long length of the solid line portion. Also, in FIGS. 3 and 4, for showing the positions of the opening 8 and the columns 9, the opening 8 and the columns 9 that will be located on the front side of the paper are represented by two-dot chain lines with a relatively long length of the solid line portion. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the two-dot chain line with a relatively short length of the solid line portion represents the boundary between the illustrated range and the range where the illustration is omitted.

[0016] (Belt conveyor 3) In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the belt conveyor 3 includes a conveyor belt 17 for conveying the object to be cooled 2 and a drive motor (not shown) for driving the conveyor belt 17. The conveyor belt 17 is, for example, a mesh belt formed by knitting metal wire strips in a mesh shape and can support the object to be cooled 2. The conveyor belt 17 is driven by a drive motor (not shown) and can convey the object to be cooled 2 placed on the forward path portion 17a of the conveyor belt 17 in the conveyance direction. In the following description, the conveying direction of the object 2 to be cooled by the conveyor belt 17 is also referred to as the conveying direction of the conveyor belt 17, or simply the conveying direction.

[0017] (Heat exchanger 4) The heat exchanger 4 is a heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between a refrigerant from a cooling device such as a refrigerator (not shown) and air in the housing 10 that passes through the heat exchanger 4. In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the heat exchanger 4 is disposed further above a pre-cooling cold air inlet portion 50 (described later) that is located above an upper chamber 11 (described later). In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the heat exchanger 4 has an inlet portion 4a into which cold air CA before being cooled by the heat exchanger 4 can flow, and an outlet portion 4b through which the cold air CA after being cooled by the heat exchanger 4 can flow out. In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the inlet portion 4a is provided at the lower part of the heat exchanger 4, and the outlet portion 4b is provided at the upper part of the heat exchanger 4. The inlet portion 4a is connected to a cold air outlet 43 of a pre-cooling cold air inlet portion 50 (described later).

[0018] (Fan 5) In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the fan 5 is disposed in a pre-cooling cold air inlet portion 50 (described later) that is located above the upper chamber 11. In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, cold air CA flowing through the pre-cooling cold air inlet portion 50 can pass outside a fan casing 5b that surrounds a fan blade 5a of the fan 5, as will be described later. Note that the fan 5 may be disposed at other locations not within the pre-cooling cold air inlet portion 50.

[0019] In FIGS. 1, 2, and FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 6 (described later), short straight lines extending in the normal direction of the opening surface are attached to the inner edge of the opening at the opening of each component, as shown by the portion denoted by the reference sign ie of the alphabet in FIG. 1.

[0020] (Pre-cooling cold air inlet portion 50) In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the pre-cooling cold air inlet portion 50 is provided above the upper chamber 11 described later, and after being used for cooling the object to be cooled 2 as described later, it has a flow path space 51 for receiving the cold air CA that has flowed out to both sides in the width direction of the belt conveyor 3 (the width direction of the conveyor belt 17). The pre-cooling cold air inlet portion 50 has openings 39 and 41 which are cold air inlets provided on both sides in the width direction of the conveyor belt 17, and a cold air outlet 43 provided at the upper part.

[0021] The upper and lower edges 39a of the opening 39 extend from the right end to the left end within the illustrated range in, for example, FIG. 3 and FIG. 7 described later. That is, the opening 39 is open over the entire conveyance direction. However, the opening 39 may be partially interrupted in the middle of the conveyance direction. Similarly, the upper and lower edges 41a of the opening 41 extend from the right end to the left end within the illustrated range in, for example, FIG. 4. That is, the opening 41 is open over the entire conveyance direction. However, the opening 41 may be partially interrupted in the middle of the conveyance direction.

[0022] The flow path space 51 is separated from the space S1 above the pre-cooling cold air inlet portion 50 filled with the cold air CA after passing through the heat exchanger 4 by the top plate 54 of the ceiling portion 53 at the upper part of the pre-cooling cold air inlet portion 50. The flow path space 51 is separated from the space S2 in the upper chamber 11 by the partition wall 55 at the lower part of the pre-cooling cold air inlet portion 50. The flow path space 51 is separated from the space S3 inside the fan casing 5b where the fan blade 5a exists by the fan casing 5b.

[0023] In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the inlet portion 4a of the heat exchanger 4 is connected to the cold air outlet 43 of the pre-cooling cold air inlet portion 50 by being provided on the ceiling portion 53 of the pre-cooling cold air inlet portion 50, but it may be separated from the cold air outlet 43 of the pre-cooling cold air inlet portion 50 in the height direction.

[0024] (Upper chamber 11) In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the upper chamber 11 is a chamber that is located above the forward path portion 17a of the conveyor belt 17 and can store cold air inside. Cold air CA from the fan 5 is supplied to the upper chamber 11 from above the upper chamber 11. When a plurality of refrigeration unit portions 6 are arranged in one housing 10 along the conveyance direction, the upper chamber 11 communicates with the upper chambers 11 of the refrigeration unit portions 6 adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction.

[0025] At the lower part of the upper chamber 11, as a cold air ejection portion 20 that ejects cold air from the upper chamber 11, an upper cold air ejection portion 21 for ejecting cold air from the upper chamber 11 toward the object to be cooled 2 placed on the forward path portion 17a of the conveyor belt 17 is provided. The upper cold air ejection portion 21 includes a plurality of slit nozzles 23 arranged along the conveyance direction. The slit nozzle 23 is a nozzle for ejecting cold air having a slit-shaped opening extending in the width direction of the conveyor belt 17 formed at the lower end. In the following description, the width direction of the conveyor belt 17, that is, the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction and the height direction of the conveyor belt 17, is also simply referred to as the width direction.

[0026] Openings 31 and 32 for supplying the cold air CA in the upper chamber 11 to a communication duct 15 that communicates the upper chamber 11 and the lower chamber 13 are provided at the side portions in the width direction of the upper chamber 11. The opening 31 is provided at one side portion in the width direction of the upper chamber 11, that is, in the illustrated embodiment, at the right side portion in FIG. 1. The opening 32 is provided at the other side portion in the width direction of the upper chamber 11, that is, in the illustrated embodiment, at the left side portion in FIG. 2.

[0027] (Lower chamber 13) In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the lower chamber 13 is a chamber that is located between the forward path portion 17a of the conveyor belt 17 and the return path portion 17b of the conveyor belt 17 and can store cold air inside. In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the lower chamber 13 includes a first lower chamber 131 and a second lower chamber 132 that are arranged at positions shifted from each other in the transport direction and each extend in the width direction.

[0028] In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, one first lower chamber 131 and one second lower chamber 132 are provided in one refrigeration unit section 6 respectively. The first lower chamber 131 and the second lower chamber 132 are arranged at intervals in the transport direction. Note that the first lower chamber 131 may include a plurality of chambers arranged in the transport direction instead of a single chamber. Similarly, the second lower chamber 132 may include a plurality of chambers arranged in the transport direction instead of a single chamber. In this case, it is preferable that a plurality of chambers arranged in the transport direction are arranged at intervals in the transport direction, and cold air CA flows from above into the space below the chamber through the gap between adjacent chambers in the transport direction. Further, the first lower chamber 131 and the second lower chamber 132 may include a plurality of air passages that penetrate the first lower chamber 131 and the second lower chamber 132 in the height direction. In this case, the cold air CA that has passed below the return path portion 17b of the conveyor belt 17 can flow into the space below the first lower chamber 131 and the second lower chamber 132 by passing through the air passage. In the illustrated embodiment, the first lower chamber 131 is arranged on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the second lower chamber 132. In the illustrated embodiment, the first lower chamber 131 ejects cold air CA into the region on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the forward path portion 17a of the conveyor belt 17 passing through the refrigeration unit section 6, and the second lower chamber 132 is configured to eject cold air CA into the region on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the forward path portion 17a of the conveyor belt 17 passing through the refrigeration unit section 6.

[0029] Note that FIG. 1 is a view of a cross section at the position in the transport direction where the first lower chamber 131 is located, as viewed from the upstream side in the transport direction, and FIG. 2 is a view of a cross section at the position in the transport direction where the second lower chamber 132 is located, as viewed from the upstream side in the transport direction.

[0030] (First lower chamber 131) In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the first lower chamber 131 is configured to communicate with a first communication duct 151 which is offset to one side in the width direction with respect to the conveyor belt 17 within a communication duct 15 as will be described later. In the illustrated embodiment, the first lower chamber 131 is configured to communicate with a first communication duct 151 which is offset to the right side in FIG. 1 with respect to the conveyor belt 17 within the communication duct 15. That is, the first lower chamber 131 has an opening 33 formed on the right side in FIG. 1. Cold air CA supplied from the upper chamber 11 as will be described later can flow into the first lower chamber 131 through the opening 33. That is, the right side (one side in the width direction) of the first lower chamber 131 in FIG. 1 is the upstream side of the first lower chamber 131, and the left side (the other side in the width direction) of the first lower chamber 131 in FIG. 1 is the downstream side of the first lower chamber 131.

[0031] In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the first lower chamber 131 has a tapered shape in which the cross-sectional area of the flow path decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side of the first lower chamber 131. More specifically, the first lower chamber 131 has a tapered shape formed such that the height position of the lower surface 131L of the first lower chamber 131 gradually increases from the upstream side to the downstream side of the first lower chamber 131, thereby reducing the cross-sectional area of the flow path.

[0032] In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, as a cold air ejection part 20 for ejecting cold air from the upper chamber 11 supplied to the lower chamber 13 through a communication duct 15 to be described later, a lower cold air ejection part 25 for ejecting cold air toward the forward path portion 17a of the conveyor belt 17 above the first lower chamber 131 is provided above the first lower chamber 131. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower cold air ejection part 25 includes a perforated plate 27 disposed above the first lower chamber 131 and having a plurality of through holes 28 penetrating in the plate thickness direction (height direction). In the illustrated embodiment, the perforated plate 27 is the top plate 29 of the first lower chamber 131. In the first lower chamber 131, the perforated plate 27 faces the lower surface of the forward path portion 17a of the conveyor belt 17.

[0033] (Second lower chamber 132) In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the second lower chamber 132 is configured to communicate with a second communication duct 152 that is disposed offset to the other side in the width direction with respect to the conveyor belt 17 within the communication duct 15, as will be described later. In the illustrated embodiment, the second lower chamber 132 is configured to communicate with a second communication duct 152 that is disposed offset to the left side in FIG. 2 with respect to the conveyor belt 17 within the communication duct 15. That is, the second lower chamber 132 has an opening 34 formed on the left side in FIG. 2. Cold air CA supplied from the upper chamber 11 as will be described later can flow into the second lower chamber 132 through the opening 34. That is, the left side (the other side in the width direction) of the second lower chamber 132 in FIG. 2 is the upstream side of the second lower chamber 132, and the right side (one side in the width direction) of the second lower chamber 132 in FIG. 2 is the downstream side of the second lower chamber 132.

[0034] In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the second lower chamber 132 has a tapered shape in which the cross-sectional area of the flow path decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side of the second lower chamber 132. More specifically, the second lower chamber 132 has a tapered shape formed such that the height position of the lower surface 132L of the second lower chamber 132 gradually increases from the upstream side to the downstream side of the second lower chamber 132, thereby reducing the cross-sectional area of the flow path.

[0035] In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, a lower cold air ejection portion 25 for ejecting cold air toward the forward path portion 17a of the conveyor belt 17 above the second lower chamber 132 is provided above the second lower chamber 132. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower cold air ejection portion 25 is disposed above the second lower chamber 132 and includes a perforated plate 27 in which a plurality of through holes 28 penetrating in the plate thickness direction (height direction) are formed. In the illustrated embodiment, the perforated plate 27 is the top plate 29 of the second lower chamber 132. Also in the second lower chamber 132, the perforated plate 27 faces the lower surface of the forward path portion 17a of the conveyor belt 17.

[0036] (Communication duct 15) In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the communication duct 15 that communicates the upper chamber 11 and the lower chamber 13 is disposed offset to one side in the width direction with respect to the conveyor belt 17, and includes a first communication duct 151 that communicates the upper chamber 11 and the lower chamber 13 and is disposed offset to the other side in the width direction with respect to the conveyor belt 17, and a second communication duct 152 that communicates the upper chamber 11 and the lower chamber 13.

[0037] (First communication duct 151) In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the first communication duct 151 is the communication duct 15 that communicates the upper chamber 11 and the first lower chamber 131. In the illustrated embodiment, the first communication duct 151 is disposed offset to the right side in FIG. 1 with respect to the conveyor belt 17.

[0038] The first communication duct 151 has an upper opening 35 that can face the opening 31 of the upper chamber 11 and a lower opening 36 that can face the opening 33 of the first lower chamber 131. As will be described later, the cold air CA in the upper chamber 11 can flow into the first communication duct 151 from the upper opening 35 of the first communication duct 151 through the opening 31 of the upper chamber 11. The cold air CA that has flowed into the first communication duct 151 flows downward in the first communication duct 151 and can flow into the first lower chamber 131 from the lower opening 36 through the opening 33 of the first lower chamber 131.

[0039] (Second communication duct 152) In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the second communication duct 152 is a communication duct 15 that communicates the upper chamber 11 and the second lower chamber 132. In the illustrated embodiment, the second communication duct 152 is disposed offset to the left side in FIG. 2 with respect to the conveyor belt 17.

[0040] The second communication duct 152 has an upper opening 37 that can face the opening 32 of the upper chamber 11 and a lower opening 38 that can face the opening 34 of the second lower chamber 132. As will be described later, the cold air CA in the upper chamber 11 can flow into the second communication duct 152 from the upper opening 37 of the second communication duct 152 through the opening 32 of the upper chamber 11. The cold air CA that has flowed into the second communication duct 152 flows downward in the second communication duct 152 and can flow into the second lower chamber 132 from the lower opening 38 through the opening 34 of the second lower chamber 132.

[0041] (Regarding the flow of cold air CA in the freezer 1) FIG. 5A is a diagram for explaining the flow of cold air CA in a cross section corresponding to the I-I arrow view in FIG. 4. FIG. 5B is a diagram for explaining the flow of cold air CA in a cross section corresponding to the I-I arrow view in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the flow of cold air CA in a cross section corresponding to the II-II arrow view in FIG. 3. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the flow of cold air CA in a cross section corresponding to the III-III arrow view in FIG. 1.

[0042] The cold air CA cooled by the heat exchanger 4 flows into the space S1 in the housing 10 above the heat exchanger 4 as shown by the arrow a, is sucked into the fan 5 as shown by the arrow b, and is ejected into the upper chamber 11 as shown by the arrow c and spreads in the upper chamber 11. A part of the cold air CA in the upper chamber 11 is ejected from the plurality of slit nozzles 23 of the upper cold air ejection part 21 as shown by the arrows d1 and d2 to cool the object to be cooled 2. Most of the cold air CA ejected from the plurality of slit nozzles 23 of the upper cold air ejection part 21 hits the object to be cooled 2 as shown by the arrow d1, changes its direction in the width direction of the conveyor belt 17 above the forward path portion 17a of the conveyor belt 17, and flows outward in the width direction between the plurality of slit nozzles 23 arranged in the conveyance direction. A part of the cold air CA ejected from the plurality of slit nozzles 23 of the upper cold air ejection part 21 passes through the forward path portion 17a of the conveyor belt 17 as shown by the arrow d2 and flows downward below the forward path portion 17a of the conveyor belt 17. While flowing from between the first lower chamber 131 and the second lower chamber 132 adjacent in the conveyance direction toward the space below the first lower chamber 131 and the second lower chamber 132, it changes its direction in the width direction of the conveyor belt 17 and flows outward in the width direction.

[0043] In addition, when the first lower chamber 131 and the second lower chamber 132 are not a single chamber but include a plurality of chambers arranged in the conveyance direction, the cold air CA that has flowed below the forward path portion 17a of the conveyor belt 17 flows from the gap between the adjacent chambers in the conveyance direction toward the space below the chambers. Also, when the first lower chamber 131 and the second lower chamber 132 include a plurality of air passages that penetrate the first lower chamber 131 and the second lower chamber 132 in the height direction, the cold air CA that has passed below the forward path portion 17a of the conveyor belt 17 flows into the space below the first lower chamber 131 and the second lower chamber 132 by passing through the air passages.

[0044] A part of the cold air CA in the upper chamber 11 flows into the first communication duct 151 from the upper opening 35 of the first communication duct 151 through the opening 31 of the upper chamber 11 as shown by the arrow e in FIGS. 5A and 5B. The cold air CA that has flowed into the first communication duct 151 flows downward in the first communication duct 151 and flows into the first lower chamber 131 from the lower opening 36 through the opening 33 of the first lower chamber 131 as shown by the arrow f. The cold air CA that has flowed into the first lower chamber 131 flows through the first lower chamber 131 from the upstream to the downstream (from the right side to the left side in FIGS. 5A and 5B) and is ejected from the through holes 28 of the perforated plate 27 of the lower cold air ejection portion 25.

[0045] Most of the cold air CA ejected from the through holes 28 of the perforated plate 27 of the lower cold air ejection portion 25 hits the object to be cooled 2 as shown by the arrow g1 in FIG. 5B, changes the direction of flow downward, and flows from between the first lower chamber 131 and the second lower chamber 132 adjacent in the conveying direction toward the space below the first lower chamber 131 and the second lower chamber 132, while changing the direction in the width direction of the conveyor belt 17 and flowing outward in the width direction.

[0046] When the first lower chamber 131 and the second lower chamber 132 include a plurality of chambers arranged in the conveying direction instead of a single chamber as described above, the cold air CA that hits the object to be cooled 2 and changes the direction of flow downward flows from the gap between the adjacent chambers in the conveying direction toward the space below the chambers. When the first lower chamber 131 and the second lower chamber 132 include a plurality of air passages that penetrate the first lower chamber 131 and the second lower chamber 132 in the height direction, the cold air CA that hits the object to be cooled 2 and changes the direction of flow downward flows into the space below the first lower chamber 131 and the second lower chamber 132 by passing through the air passages.

[0047] A part of the cold air CA ejected from the through holes 28 of the perforated plate 27 of the lower cold air ejection portion 25 passes through the forward path portion 17a of the conveyor belt 17 as shown by the arrow g2, flows above the forward path portion 17a of the conveyor belt 17 while cooling the object to be cooled 2, and then changes the direction in the width direction above the forward path portion 17a of the conveyor belt 17 as shown by the arrow g2 and flows outward in the width direction between the plurality of slit nozzles 23 arranged in the conveying direction.

[0048] A part of the cold air CA in the upper chamber 11 flows into the second communication duct 152 from the upper opening 37 of the second communication duct 152 through the opening 32 of the upper chamber 11 as shown by the arrow h in FIG. 6. The cold air CA that has flowed into the second communication duct 152 flows downward in the second communication duct 152 and flows into the second lower chamber 132 from the lower opening 38 through the opening 34 of the second lower chamber 132 as shown by the arrow i. The cold air CA that has flowed into the second lower chamber 132 is ejected from the through holes 28 of the perforated plate 27 of the lower cold air ejection part 25 while flowing from the upstream to the downstream of the second lower chamber 132 (from the left side to the right side in the illustration of FIG. 6).

[0049] Most of the cold air CA ejected from the through holes 28 of the perforated plate 27 of the lower cold air ejection part 25 hits the object to be cooled 2 and changes the flow direction downward, and flows from between the first lower chamber 131 and the second lower chamber 132 adjacent in the transport direction to the space below the first lower chamber 131 and the second lower chamber 132 while changing the direction in the width direction of the conveyor belt 17 and flowing outward in the width direction.

[0050] In addition, when the first lower chamber 131 and the second lower chamber 132 are not a single chamber but include a plurality of chambers arranged in the transport direction as described above, the cold air CA that hits the object to be cooled 2 and changes the flow direction downward flows from the gap between the adjacent chambers in the transport direction to the space below the chambers. Also, when the first lower chamber 131 and the second lower chamber 132 include a plurality of air passages that penetrate the first lower chamber 131 and the second lower chamber 132 in the height direction, the cold air CA that hits the object to be cooled 2 and changes the flow direction downward flows into the space below the first lower chamber 131 and the second lower chamber 132 by passing through the air passages.

[0051] A part of the cold air CA ejected from the through holes 28 of the perforated plate 27 of the lower cold air ejection part 25 passes through the forward path part 17a of the conveyor belt 17 as shown by the arrow j2, flows above the forward path part 17a of the conveyor belt 17, and cools the object 2 to be cooled. Then, as shown by the arrow j2, it changes its direction in the width direction of the conveyor belt 17 above the forward path part 17a of the conveyor belt 17 and flows outward in the width direction between a plurality of slit nozzles 23 arranged in the conveying direction.

[0052] As shown by the arrow d2 in Fig. 5A, the arrow g1 in Fig. 5B, and the arrow j1 in Fig. 6, the cold air CA flowing into the space below the first lower chamber 131 and the second lower chamber 132 flows as shown by the arrow k to one side in the width direction (the right side in the illustrations of Fig. 5A, Fig. 5B, and Fig. 6), or flows as shown by the arrow l to the other side in the width direction (the left side in the illustrations of Fig. 5A, Fig. 5B, and Fig. 6). After that, it flows upward along the inner surface of the housing 10 and the inner surface of the door 60 through the internal storage channels 12 and 14.

[0053] As shown by the arrow g2 in Fig. 5B, the cold air CA ejected from the through holes 28 of the perforated plate 27 of the lower cold air ejection part 25 at the upper part of the first lower chamber 131, flows above the forward path part 17a of the conveyor belt 17 while cooling the object 2 to be cooled, and then flows from between a plurality of slit nozzles 23 arranged in the conveying direction to one side in the width direction (the right side in the illustration of Fig. 6) as shown by the arrow m, or to the other side in the width direction (the left side in the illustrations of Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B) as shown by the arrow n. After that, it flows upward along the inner surface of the housing 10 and the inner surface of the door 60 through the internal storage channels 12 and 14.

[0054] Similarly, as shown by the arrow j2 in Fig. 6, the cold air CA ejected from the through holes 28 of the perforated plate 27 of the lower cold air ejection part 25 at the upper part of the second lower chamber 132, flows above the forward path part 17a of the conveyor belt 17 while cooling the object 2 to be cooled, and then flows from between a plurality of slit nozzles 23 arranged in the conveying direction to one side in the width direction (the right side in the illustration of Fig. 6) as shown by the arrow m, or to the other side in the width direction (the left side in the illustrations of Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B) as shown by the arrow n. After that, it flows upward along the inner surface of the housing 10 and the inner surface of the door 60 through the internal storage channels 12 and 14.

[0055] As shown by arrow k and arrow m, the cold air CA flowing upward along the inner surface of the housing 10 and the inner surface of the door 60 in the internal flow path 12 flows into the flow path space 51 between the heat exchanger 4 and the upper chamber 11 from the opening 39 communicating with the flow path space 51 between the heat exchanger 4 and the upper chamber 11, as shown by arrow o. The cold air CA flowing into the flow path space 51 between the heat exchanger 4 and the upper chamber 11 from the opening 39 passes outside the fan casing 5b and flows into the lower part of the heat exchanger 4, as shown by arrow p.

[0056] As shown by arrow l and arrow n, the cold air CA flowing upward along the inner surface of the housing 10 and the inner surface of the door 60 in the internal flow path 14 flows into the flow path space 51 between the heat exchanger 4 and the upper chamber 11 from the opening 41 communicating with the flow path space 51 between the heat exchanger 4 and the upper chamber 11 and flows into the lower part of the heat exchanger 4, as shown by arrow q.

[0057] The cold air CA flowing into the flow path space 51 flows into the heat exchanger 4 from the inlet portion 4a at the lower part of the heat exchanger 4 and is cooled, and then flows into the space S1 above the pre-cooling cold air inlet portion 50 from the outlet portion 4b at the upper part of the heat exchanger 4, as shown by arrow r.

[0058] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the door 60, the opening / closing mechanism 100, and a frame member 120 (to be described later) in the open position PO. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the door 60, the opening / closing mechanism 100, and the frame member 120 in the closed position PC.

[0059] (Regarding the door 60) In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, a door 60 for closing and opening the opening 8 is provided as described above. Although not shown in the diagrams schematically shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, since a heat insulating material (not shown) for heat insulation is disposed inside the door 60, the door 60 has dimensions that allow the heat insulating material to be disposed inside in the thickness direction of the door 60 (the width direction of the conveyor belt 17). In the following description, within the width direction of the conveyor belt 17, the direction from the outside of the freezer 1 toward the inside of the freezer 1 is referred to as the inner side, and the direction from the inside of the freezer 1 toward the outside of the freezer 1 is referred to as the outer side.

[0060] In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the door 60 is provided outside the opening 8 (on the outer side in the width direction of the conveyor belt 17) such that the outer surface (side surface 10a) of the housing 10 and the inner surface 60a of the door 60 (see FIG. 1) abut against each other in the closed state of the door 60, that is, at the closing position PC.

[0061] When the door 60 is in the open position PO shown in FIG. 8, the door 60 opens the opening 8, enabling an operator to inspect and maintain the inside of the freezer 1. When the door 60 is in the closing position PC shown in FIG. 9, the door 60 closes the opening 8, preventing leakage of the cold air CA from the opening 8. A packing 63 is attached to the inner surface 60a, which is the inner side surface in the width direction of the conveyor belt 17, of the door 60. The packing 63 prevents leakage of the cold air CA from the opening 8 by closely contacting the outer side surface 120a in the width direction of the conveyor belt 17 of a frame member 120, which will be described later, in the closing position PC of the door 60. Therefore, strictly speaking, the door 60 and the outer surface (side surface 10a) of the housing 10 abut against each other via the packing 63 in the closed state of the door 60, that is, at the closing position PC.

[0062] In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the door 60 is relatively large in order to close the relatively large opening 8 as described above. For example, in the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the height of the door 60 is about 2 meters, and the width of the door 60 exceeds 1 meter. Therefore, for example, when one end in the width direction of the door 60 is rotatably supported by a hinge, the opening 8 cannot be fully opened without sufficient space on the side of the housing 10. Therefore, in the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the door 60 is opened and closed by an opening and closing mechanism 100 using a parallel link mechanism 110. Note that the opening / closing mechanism 100 is not limited to the one using the parallel link mechanism 110, and may be one using a hinge or a slide type.

[0063] (Frame member 120) In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the frame member 120 is a member configured in a rectangular frame shape having a rectangular opening 8 at the center, and constitutes a part of the housing 10. The frame member 120 is connected such that a pair of vertical members 121 spaced apart in the transport direction and extending in the height direction and a pair of horizontal members 122 spaced apart in the height direction and extending in the transport direction form a rectangular frame. The outer surface of the frame member 120, that is, the outer side surface 120a in the width direction of the conveyor belt 17, is also the outer surface (side surface 10a) of the housing 10. A plurality of frame members 120 are arranged at intervals in the transport direction on the side portion 10s of the housing 10. As a result, a plurality of openings 8 are provided in the side portion 10s of the housing 10.

[0064] As described above, in the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, since the outer surface (surface 120a) of the frame member 120 is also the outer surface (side surface 10a) of the housing 10, the surface 120a and the inner surface 60a of the door 60 are offset to the outer side in the width direction of the conveyor belt 17 rather than the column 9. Therefore, in the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, in the region where the opening 8 exists, the dimensions in the width direction of the conveyor belt 17 of the internal flow paths 12 and 14 are increased by the amount by which the inner surface 60a of the door 60 is offset as described above. That is, in the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the opening 8 forms a part of the internal flow paths 12 and 14. Thereby, the flow path cross-sectional area of the internal flow paths 12 and 14 can be increased, and while reducing the size of the freezer 1, the pressure loss of the cold air CA circulating inside the freezer 1 can be reduced.

[0065] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes forms obtained by modifying the above-described embodiments and forms obtained by appropriately combining these forms.

[0066] The content described in each of the above embodiments can be understood as follows, for example. (1) The freezer 1 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a conveyor (belt conveyor 3) for conveying the object to be cooled 2, an upper chamber 11 located above the conveyor (belt conveyor 3) and capable of storing cold air CA for cooling the object to be cooled 2 therein, a cold air ejection unit 20 for ejecting the cold air CA from the upper chamber 11, a pre-cooling cold air inlet unit 50 located above the upper chamber 11 and having a flow path space 51 for receiving the cold air CA that has flowed out to both sides in the width direction of the conveyor (belt conveyor 3) after being used for cooling the object to be cooled 2, a heat exchanger 4 located above the pre-cooling cold air inlet unit 50 for cooling the cold air CA, and a fan 5 for circulating the cold air CA. The pre-cooling cold air inlet unit 50 has cold air inlets (openings 39, 41) provided on both sides in the width direction and a cold air outlet 43 provided at the upper part. The heat exchanger 4 has an inlet part 4a into which the cold air CA before being cooled by the heat exchanger 4 can flow. The inlet part 4a communicates with the cold air outlet 43.

[0067] According to the configuration of (1) above, since it is configured to be able to receive the cold air CA that has flowed out to both sides in the width direction of the conveyor (belt conveyor 3) after being used for cooling the object to be cooled 2, the pressure loss of the cold air CA circulating in the freezer 1 can be reduced. Also, according to the configuration of (1) above, since the cold air CA after cooling the object to be cooled 2 flows to both sides in the width direction, the flow rate of the cold air CA for cooling the object to be cooled 2 is likely to be uniform in the width direction, and the cooling state of the object to be cooled 2 is likely to be uniform in the width direction, so the cooling efficiency of the freezer 1 can be improved.

[0068] (2) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (1) above, the inlet part 4a is preferably provided on the ceiling part 53 of the pre-cooling cold air inlet unit 50.

[0069] According to the configuration of (2) above, the height of the heat exchanger 4 in the freezer 1 can be lowered, the freezer 1 can be miniaturized, and it is easy to reduce the installation space of the freezer 1.

[0070] (3) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (1) or (2) above, the heat exchanger 4 may have an outlet portion 4b provided at the upper portion of the heat exchanger 4 through which the cold air CA after being cooled by the heat exchanger 4 can flow out.

[0071] According to the configuration of (3) above, since the outlet portion 4b is provided at the upper portion of the heat exchanger 4, the flow of the cold air CA from the pre-cooling cold air inlet portion 50 below the heat exchanger 4 can be made to easily flow upward from below in the freezer 1.

[0072] (4) In some embodiments, in any of the configurations of (1) to (3) above, the fan casing 5b of the fan 5 may be arranged in the flow path space 51 of the pre-cooling cold air inlet portion 50.

[0073] According to the configuration of (4) above, by installing the fan casing 5b in the flow path space 51 of the pre-cooling cold air inlet portion 50 which is located further above the upper chamber 11 above the conveyor (belt conveyor 3) and where it is relatively easy to secure an area in a plan view, it is possible to secure an installation space for the fan 5 while reducing the size of the freezer 1.

[0074] (5) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (4) above, the fan 5 may have fan blades 5a for rotating inside the fan casing 5b to blow the cold air CA. The fan casing 5b may separate the inside of the fan casing 5b from the flow path space 51 of the pre-cooling cold air inlet portion 50.

[0075] According to the configuration of (5) above, the fan 5 can be efficiently arranged in the flow path space 51 of the pre-cooling cold air inlet portion 50.

[0076] (6) In some embodiments, in any of the configurations (1) to (5) above, a housing 10 having internal flow paths 12 and 14 for guiding the cold air CA flowing out to both sides in the width direction of the conveyor (belt conveyor 3) to the heat exchanger 4, and a door 60 provided so as to close the opening 8 on the side surface 10a of the housing 10 may be provided. The door 60 may be provided outside the opening 8 (on the outer side in the width direction of the conveyor belt 17) such that the outer surface (side surface 10a) of the housing 10 and the inner surface 60a of the door 60 are in contact with each other in the closed state of the door 60. A part of the internal flow paths 12 and 14 may be formed by the opening 8.

[0077] According to the configuration (6) above, while suppressing an increase in the dimension of the freezer 1 in the width direction, it becomes easy to increase the flow path cross-sectional area of the internal flow paths 12 and 14. Therefore, while miniaturizing the freezer 1, the pressure loss of the cold air CA circulating inside the freezer 1 can be reduced.

[0078] (7) In some embodiments, in any of the configurations (1) to (6) above, the cold air ejection part 20 may include an upper cold air ejection part 21 for ejecting cold air from the upper chamber 11.

[0079] According to the configuration (7) above, the object to be cooled 2 placed on the conveyor belt 17 of the conveyor (belt conveyor 3) can be efficiently cooled.

[0080] (8) In some embodiments, in any of the configurations (1) to (7) above, a lower chamber 13 located below the upper chamber 11 and capable of storing the cold air CA inside, a lower cold air ejection part 25 for ejecting the cold air CA from the lower chamber 13, and a communication duct 15 for communicating the upper chamber 11 and the lower chamber 13 may be provided.

[0081] According to the configuration (8) above, the object to be cooled 2 placed on the conveyor belt 17 of the conveyor (belt conveyor 3) can be cooled from below.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0082] 1 Freezer 2 Object to be cooled 3 Belt conveyor 4 Heat exchanger 4a Inlet section 4b Outlet section 5 Fan 5a Fan blade 5b Fan casing 6 Refrigeration unit section 8 Opening 9 Column 10 Housing 10a Side surface 10s Side part 11 Upper chamber 12, 14 Internal flow path 13 Lower chamber 15 Communication duct 17 Conveyor belt 17a Forward path part 17b Return path part 20 Cold air ejection section 21 Upper side cold air ejection section 23 Slit nozzle 25 Lower side cold air ejection section 27 Perforated plate 28 Through hole 29 Ceiling board 43 Cold air outlet 50 Cold air inlet section before cooling 51 Flow path space 53 Ceiling part 54 Ceiling board 55 Partition wall 60 Door 60a Inner surface 91 Floor surface 100 Opening and closing mechanism 110 Parallel link mechanism 120 Frame member 120a Surface 131 First lower chamber 132 Second lower chamber 151 First communication duct 152 Second communication duct

Claims

1. A conveyor for transporting an object to be cooled, an upper chamber located above the conveyor and capable of storing cold air for cooling the object to be cooled therein, a cold air ejection part for ejecting the cold air from the upper chamber, a pre-cooling cold air inlet part located above the upper chamber and having a flow path space for receiving the cold air that has flowed out to both sides in the width direction of the conveyor after being used for cooling the object to be cooled, a heat exchanger located above the pre-cooling cold air inlet part for cooling the cold air, a fan for circulating the cold air, comprising, the pre-cooling cold air inlet part has cold air inlets provided on both sides in the width direction and a cold air outlet provided at the upper part, the heat exchanger has an inlet part into which the cold air before being cooled by the heat exchanger can flow, the inlet part communicates with the cold air outlet, Freezer.

2. The inlet part is provided on the ceiling part of the pre-cooling cold air inlet part, The freezer according to Claim 1.

3. The heat exchanger has an outlet part provided at the upper part of the heat exchanger, through which the cold air after being cooled by the heat exchanger can flow out, The freezer according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. The fan casing of the fan is arranged in the flow path space of the pre-cooling cold air inlet part, The freezer according to Claim 1 or 2.

5. The fan has fan blades that rotate inside the fan casing to blow the cold air, The fan casing separates the inside of the fan casing from the flow path space of the pre-cooling cold air inlet part, The freezer according to Claim 4.

6. A housing having an internal in-housing flow path for guiding the cold air that has flowed out to both sides in the width direction of the conveyor to the heat exchanger, a door provided so as to close an opening on the side surface of the housing, comprising, the door is provided outside the opening such that the outer surface of the housing and the inner surface of the door are in contact with each other in the closed state of the door, a part of the in-housing flow path is formed by the opening, The freezer according to Claim 1 or 2.

7. The cold air ejection part includes an upper cold air ejection part for ejecting the cold air from the upper chamber, The freezer according to Claim 1 or 2.

8. a lower chamber located below the upper chamber and capable of storing the cold air therein, a lower cold air ejection part for ejecting the cold air from the lower chamber, A communication duct that communicates the upper chamber and the lower chamber; Comprising; The freezer according to claim 1 or 2.

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