Freezer

Abstract

To maintain a visibility of inside of a freezer while suppressing the enlargement of an installation space of the freezer.SOLUTION: A freezer according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a housing; a door for closing an opening provided on a lateral side of the housing; an arm provided between the housing and the door; a first bracket for connecting one end of the arm and the housing; and a second bracket for connecting the other end of the arm and the door. The door is supported by the arm movably between a closed position for closing the opening and an opened position for opening the opening. A telescopic urging member is provided which urges, at least at the opened position, either one of the arm in a direction where the door moves from the closed position to the opened position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

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 capable of cooling or freezing an object to be cooled placed on the forward path portion of a conveyor belt for transportation by cold air is known (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] Since the freezer is covered with a housing, it is necessary to open a door that closes an opening provided on the side of the housing to inspect the inside of the freezer. Therefore, it is necessary to secure an installation space for the freezer, considering the situation when this door is open. However, if the opening is enlarged to ensure visibility inside the freezer, the door that closes the opening becomes larger, and the opening and closing mechanism for opening and closing the door also becomes larger, resulting in the need to secure an even larger installation space for the freezer.

[0005] At least one embodiment of the present disclosure aims to ensure visibility inside the freezer while suppressing an increase in the installation space of the freezer in view of the above circumstances.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The freezer according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is a housing, and A door for closing an opening provided in a side portion of the housing, An arm provided between the housing and the door, A first bracket for connecting one end of the arm to the housing, A second bracket for connecting the other end of the arm to the door, Comprising, The door is movably supported by the arm between a closed position for closing the opening and an open position for opening the opening, At least in the open position, a biasing member configured to be stretchable and bias the arm in a direction in which the door moves from the closed position toward the open position, Comprising.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to ensure visibility inside the freezer while suppressing an increase in the installation space of the freezer.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

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 thereto, 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 a state of being relatively displaced with tolerances or angles and distances that can obtain the same function. For example, expressions representing a state where things such as "identical", "equal", and "homogeneous" are equal not only strictly represent an equal state, but also represent a state where 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 geometrically strict rectangular shape or a cylindrical shape, 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", "containing", 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 conveyance 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 conveyance 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 the freezer according to one embodiment when viewed from the side, and corresponds to the view taken along the arrow III-III in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the internal structure of the freezer according to one embodiment when viewed from the side, and corresponds to the view taken along the arrow IV-IV in FIG. 1.

[0011] The freezer 1 according to one embodiment is a freezer capable of cooling or freezing an object to be cooled, particularly food. It includes a housing 10 that houses the main component devices of the freezer 1 inside, 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 the cooled air (cold air) in the freezer. The freezer 1 according to one embodiment includes an upper chamber 11 capable of storing cold air from the fan 5 inside, a lower chamber 13, and a communication duct 15 that communicates the upper chamber 11 and the lower chamber 13. The freezer 1 according to one embodiment is installed, for example, on the 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.

[0012] The freezer 1 according to one embodiment includes at least one refrigeration unit section 6 that includes 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. Note that FIGS. 3 and 4 show two refrigeration unit sections 6 arranged along the conveyance direction of the object to be cooled 2.

[0013] 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 opens 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 opens to such an extent that it is visible from the upstream end to the downstream end in the conveyance direction of the object to be cooled 2, and to 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.

[0014] 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, the description of the column 9 located in the depth direction of the drawing near the opening 8 is omitted. Also, in FIGS. 3 and 4, to represent the positions of the opening 8 and the column 9, the opening 8 and the column 9 that would be located on the front side of the drawing are represented by a two-dot chain line 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.

[0015] (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 conveying direction. In the following description, the conveying direction of the object to be cooled 2 by the conveyor belt 17 is also referred to as the conveying direction of the conveyor belt 17 or simply the conveying direction.

[0016] (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 the air in the housing 10 passing through the heat exchanger 4. In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the heat exchanger 4 is disposed above the upper chamber 11 described later with a space in the height direction from the upper chamber 11.

[0017] (Fan 5) In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the fan 5 is disposed above the upper chamber 11.

[0018] In FIGS. 1 and 2, short straight lines extending in the normal direction of the opening surface are drawn on the inner edge of the opening at the opening of each component, as shown at the location marked with the reference sign ie in FIG. 1.

[0019] (Upper chamber 11) In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the upper chamber 11 is a chamber located above the forward path portion 17a of the conveyor belt 17 and capable of storing cold air inside. Cold air from the fan 5 is supplied to the upper chamber 11 from the upper part of the upper chamber 11. When a plurality of refrigeration unit parts 6 are arranged in one housing 10 along the conveying direction, the upper chamber 11 communicates with the upper chambers 11 of the refrigeration unit parts 6 adjacent in the conveying direction.

[0020] At the lower part of the upper chamber 11, an upper cold air ejection part 21 for ejecting cold air toward the object to be cooled 2 placed on the forward path part 17a of the conveyor belt 17 from the upper chamber 11 is provided. In the following description, the width direction of the conveyor belt 17, that is, the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction and the height direction of the conveyor belt 17, is also simply referred to as the width direction.

[0021] (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 part 17a of the conveyor belt 17 and the return path part 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 conveying direction and each extend in the width direction.

[0022] 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 part 6. Note that the first lower chamber 131 and the second lower chamber 132 may be divided into a plurality in the conveying direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the first lower chamber 131 is arranged upstream of the second lower chamber 132 in the conveying direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the first lower chamber 131 and the second lower chamber 132 have a lower cold air ejection part 25 for ejecting cold air toward the forward path part 17a of the conveyor belt 17 passing through the refrigeration unit part 6.

[0023] Note that FIG. 1 is a view of a cross section at the position in the conveying direction where the first lower chamber 131 exists as seen from the upstream side in the conveying direction, and FIG. 2 is a view of a cross section at the position in the conveying direction where the second lower chamber 132 exists as seen from the upstream side in the conveying direction.

[0024] (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 a second communication duct 152 that is disposed offset to the other side in the width direction with respect to the conveyor belt 17 and communicates the upper chamber 11 and the lower chamber 13.

[0025] In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the cold air ejected from the upper cold air ejection part 21 and the lower cold air ejection part 25 flows outward in the width direction after cooling the object to be cooled 2. The cold air that has flowed outward in the width direction flows upward along the inner surface of the housing 10 and the inner surface of the door 60.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the door 60, the opening and closing mechanism 100, and a frame member 120 (to be described later) in the open position PO. FIG. 6 is a view of the door 60, the opening and closing mechanism 100, and the frame member 120 in the open position PO as viewed from the conveyance direction. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the door 60, the opening and closing mechanism 100, and the frame member 120 in the closed position PC. FIG. 8 is a view of the door 60, the opening and closing mechanism 100, and the frame member 120 in the closed position PC as viewed from the conveyance direction. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining the direction in which connection points are arranged.

[0027] (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, the door 60 has dimensions that allow a heat insulating material (not shown) for heat insulation to be disposed inside in the thickness direction of the door 60 (the width direction of the conveyor belt 17). In the following description, the direction from the outside of the freezer 1 toward the inside of the freezer 1 within the width direction of the conveyor belt 17 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.

[0028] When the door 60 is in the open position PO shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the door 60 opens the opening 8, enabling an operator to inspect and maintain the interior of the freezer 1. When the door 60 is in the closed position PC shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the door 60 closes the opening 8, preventing leakage of cold air from the opening 8. A packing 63 is attached to the inner side surface of the door 60 in the width direction of the conveyor belt 17. The packing 63 prevents leakage of cold air from the opening 8 by closely contacting the outer side surface of the frame member 120 in the width direction of the conveyor belt 17, which will be described later, when the door 60 is in the closed position PC.

[0029] In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, in order to close the relatively large opening 8 as described above, the door 60 is relatively large. 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, if 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, as will be described in detail below, the door 60 is opened and closed by an opening / closing mechanism 100 using a parallel link mechanism 110.

[0030] The freezer 1 according to one embodiment includes a frame member 120, a door 60, and an opening / closing mechanism 100 for opening and closing the door 60. Further, the freezer 1 according to one embodiment includes a gas spring 119.

[0031] (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 conveying direction and extending in the height direction and a pair of horizontal members 122 spaced apart in the height direction and extending in the conveying direction form a rectangular frame. The frame members 120 are arranged in plurality on the side portions 10s of the housing 10 with intervals in the conveying direction. As a result, a plurality of openings 8 are provided in the side portions 10s of the housing 10. The frame member 120 is also a member for supporting the door 60 via the opening and closing mechanism 100.

[0032] (Opening and closing mechanism 100) In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the opening and closing mechanism 100 includes a parallel link mechanism 110 provided between the housing 10 (frame member 120) and the door 60, a first bracket 101 for connecting one end portion 111 of the parallel link mechanism 110 and the housing 10, and a second bracket 102 for connecting the other end portion 112 of the parallel link mechanism 110 and the door 60. The opening and closing mechanism 100 is provided at one side portion 61 and the other side portion 62 of each door 60, and supports each door 60 so that the openings 8 can be opened and closed at both side portions 61 and 62. The freezer 1 according to one embodiment has a connecting rod 141 for facilitating the interlocking operation of two opening and closing mechanisms 100 provided at one side portion 61 and the other side portion 62 of each door 60.

[0033] In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, a plurality of openings 8 are provided at intervals in the width direction (conveying direction) of the opening 8 (see FIGS. 3 and 4), and a plurality of doors 60 are provided at intervals in the width direction (conveying direction) of the opening 8 corresponding to each of the plurality of openings 8. In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the opening and closing mechanism 100 is disposed outside the housing 10 between two adjacent doors in the width direction (conveying direction) of the opening 8. Thereby, the opening and closing mechanism 100 can be efficiently arranged, so that the installation space of the freezer 1 can be prevented from increasing while ensuring the visibility inside the freezer 1.

[0034] (Parallel link mechanism 110) The parallel link mechanism 110 has a pair of arms 113 and 114 provided between a first bracket 101 and a second bracket 102 described later. Among the pair of arms 113 and 114, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when the door 60 is in the closing position PC closing the opening 8, the arm closer to the inside of the housing 10 in the width direction of the conveyor belt 17 is defined as the inner arm 113, and the arm farther from the inside of the housing 10 than the inner arm 113 is defined as the outer arm 114.

[0035] The inner arm 113 is pivotally supported by the first bracket 101 at one end 113a so as to be relatively rotatable, and is pivotally supported by the second bracket 102 at the other end 113b so as to be relatively rotatable. The outer arm 114 is pivotally supported by the first bracket 101 at one end 114a so as to be relatively rotatable, and is pivotally supported by the second bracket 102 at the other end 114b so as to be relatively rotatable.

[0036] (First Bracket 101) In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the first bracket 101 is respectively attached to the side surface 10a of the housing 10 above the frame member 120. The first bracket 101 rotatably supports each of the pair of arms 113 and 114. Specifically, the first bracket 101 pivotally supports the inner arm 113 and the outer arm 114 at one end 111 of the parallel link mechanism 110, that is, at one end 113a of the inner arm 113 and at one end 114a of the outer arm 114. Thus, the first bracket 101 functions as one of the links in the parallel link mechanism 110. That is, the first bracket 101 is a member corresponding to the stationary joint (fixed link) in the parallel link mechanism 110.

[0037] In the following description, a pair of connection points between each of the pair of arms 113 and 114 and the first bracket 101 are referred to as a pair of first connection points 115 and 116. The connection point between the first bracket 101 and one end 113a of the inner arm 113 is referred to as the first inner connection point 115, and the connection point between the first bracket 101 and one end 114a of the outer arm 114 is referred to as the first outer connection point 116. The first inner connection point 115 and the first outer connection point 116 correspond to joints of the parallel link mechanism 110.

[0038] In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the distances of the pair of first connection points 115 and 116 from the side surface 10a of the housing 10 are different from each other. That is, the first inner connection point 115 and the first outer connection point 116 are separated at least in the width direction (horizontal direction) of the conveyor belt 17. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the first inner connection point 115 and the first outer connection point 116 are at the same height position, but they may be different. The positional relationship between the first inner connection point 115 and the first outer connection point 116 will be described later.

[0039] (Second bracket 102) In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the second bracket 102 is attached to one side portion 61 and the other side portion 62 of each door 60, respectively. The second bracket 102 is rotatably coupled to each of the pair of arms 113 and 114. Specifically, the second bracket 102 is rotatably coupled to the other ends 112 of the parallel link mechanism 110, that is, the other end 113b of the inner arm 113 and the other end 114b of the outer arm 114, so as to be rotatable relative to each of the inner arm 113 and the outer arm 114. In this way, the second bracket 102 functions as one of the links in the parallel link mechanism 110. That is, the second bracket 102 is a member corresponding to a link that can move while maintaining a posture parallel to the stationary joint (fixed link) in the parallel link mechanism 110.

[0040] In the following description, a pair of connection points between each of the pair of arms 113 and 114 and the second bracket 102 are referred to as a pair of second connection points 117 and 118. And the connection point between the second bracket 102 and the other end 113b of the inner arm 113 is referred to as the second inner connection point 117, and the connection point between the second bracket 102 and the other end 114b of the outer arm 114 is referred to as the second outer connection point 118. The second inner connection point 117 and the second outer connection point 118 correspond to joints of the parallel link mechanism 110.

[0041] In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the distances of the pair of second connection points 117 and 118 from the side surface 10a of the housing 10 are different from each other. That is, the second inner connection point 117 and the second outer connection point 118 are separated at least in the width direction (horizontal direction) of the conveyor belt 17. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the second inner connection point 117 and the second outer connection point 118 are at the same position in the height direction, but they may be different. However, the line segment connecting the second inner connection point 117 and the second outer connection point 118 when viewed from the conveying direction is parallel to the line segment connecting the first inner connection point 115 and the first outer connection point 116. The positional relationship between the second inner connection point 117 and the second outer connection point 118 will be described later.

[0042] (Gas spring 119) In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the gas spring 119 is a biasing member that biases either one of the pair of arms 113 and 114 in the direction in which the door 60 moves from the closed position PC to the open position PO at least at the open position PO. That is, the gas spring 119 is configured to generate a biasing force in a direction that separates one end (for example, the tip of the rod of the gas spring 119) 119a and the other end (for example, the base end of the cylinder portion of the gas spring 119) 119b from each other. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, one end 119a of the gas spring 119 is connected to the vertical member 121 via the bracket 105, and the other end 119b is connected to the inner arm 113 via the bracket 106. Note that the other end 119b of the gas spring 119 may be connected to the outer arm 114 via a bracket. The gas spring 119 is provided in each of the two opening and closing mechanisms 100 provided on one side portion 61 and the other side portion 62 of each door 60.

[0043] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, after a certain point in time when the gas spring 119 moves from the closed position PC toward the open position PO, the connection positions of the one end 119a and the other end 119b are set so that the inner arm 113 is urged upward from below by the biasing force that attempts to extend the rod. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, when the opening and closing mechanism 100 is viewed from the conveying direction, if the other end 119b of the gas spring 119 is located outside the width direction of the conveyor belt 17 with respect to the line segment L1 connecting the one end 119a of the gas spring 119 and the one-side end portion 113a of the inner arm 113, the inner arm 113 is pressed by the gas spring 119 with the first inner connection point 115 as a fulcrum so that the door 60 moves counterclockwise in FIG. 6 toward the open position PO. Thereby, when the door 60 is manually opened by an operator from the closed position PC toward the open position PO, the door 60 is held at the open position PO by the biasing force of the gas spring 119.

[0044] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, after a certain point when the gas spring 119 moves from the open position PO to the closed position PC, the connection positions of one end 119a and the other end 119b are set so that the inner arm 113 is urged toward the inner side in the width direction of the conveyor belt 17 by a biasing force that attempts to extend the rod. Specifically, at least at the closed position PC, as shown in FIG. 8, when the opening / closing mechanism 100 is viewed from the conveying direction, the connection positions of one end 119a and the other end 119b are set so that the other end 119b of the gas spring 119 is located on the inner side in the width direction of the conveyor belt 17 rather than the above-described line segment L1. Therefore, at least at the closed position PC, the inner arm 113 is pressed by the gas spring 119 with the first inner connection point 115 as a fulcrum so that the door 60 moves in the clockwise direction in FIG. 8 toward the closed position PC. Accordingly, when the door 60 is manually closed by an operator from the open position PO toward the closed position PC, the door 60 is held at the closed position PC by the biasing force of the gas spring 119.

[0045] (Link rod 141) The freezer 1 according to one embodiment includes a link rod 141, which is a connecting member that connects either one of a pair of arms 113 and 114 provided on one side portion 61 of each door 60 and either one of a pair of arms 113 and 114 provided on the other side portion 62. In the freezer 1 according to one embodiment, the link rod 141 connects one end portion 113a on one side of the inner arm 113 provided on one side portion 61 and one end portion 113a on one side of the inner arm 113 provided on the other side portion 62. This makes it easier for the movement of the parallel link mechanism 110 provided on one side portion 61 of the door 60 and the movement of the parallel link mechanism 110 provided on the other side portion 62 to be synchronized, and the opening and closing of the door 60 becomes smooth.

[0046] (Regarding the positional relationship between the first inner connection point 115 and the first outer connection point 116) The positional relationship between the first inner connection point 115 and the first outer connection point 116 will be described with reference to FIG. 9 as well. For example, in the opening and closing mechanism 100 shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, when the first inner connection point 115 and the first outer connection point 116, and the second inner connection point 117 and the second outer connection point 118 are arranged side by side in the width direction of the conveyor belt 17 (the thickness direction of the door 60), even if the first bracket 101 and the second bracket 102 are located at the same position in the width direction of the conveyor belt 17, the inner arm 113 and the outer arm 114 do not interfere with each other.

[0047] However, as shown in the schematic diagram on the right side of FIG. 9, when the first inner connection point 115 and the first outer connection point 116, and the second inner connection point 117 and the second outer connection point 118 are arranged side by side in the height direction, when the second bracket 102 for approaching the door 60 to the closing position PC is moved to the inner side in the width direction of the conveyor belt 17, the inner arm 113 and the outer arm 114 interfere with each other. When the first inner connection point 115 and the first outer connection point 116, and the second inner connection point 117 and the second outer connection point 118 are arranged side by side in the height direction, in order to avoid interference between the inner arm 113 and the outer arm 114, the height direction distance z1 between the first inner connection point 115 and the first outer connection point 116, and the height direction distance z2 between the second inner connection point 117 and the second outer connection point 118 need to be increased, or the positions of the second inner connection point 117 and the second outer connection point 118 at the closing position need to be shifted to the outer side in the width direction of the conveyor belt 17.

[0048] Therefore, when the distances z1 and z2 are increased, the pair of arms 113 and 114 move away from each other in the height direction, so the size of the parallel link mechanism 110 becomes larger. In this case, for example, when an operator tries to enter from the side (conveying direction) of the door 60 between the door 60 that has opened the opening 8 and moved to a position away from the opening 8 and the side portion 10s of the housing 10, the inner arm 113 may get in the way. Also, when the positions of the second inner connection point 117 and the second outer connection point 118 at the closing position are shifted to the outer side in the width direction of the conveyor belt 17, the size of the parallel link mechanism 110 in the width direction of the conveyor belt 17 becomes larger, and the installation space of the freezer 1 becomes larger.

[0049] Therefore, in the opening / closing mechanism 100 according to one embodiment, it is preferable that the distances from the side surface 10a of the housing 10 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) to the pair of first connection points 115 and 116 are different from each other, and the distances from the side surface 10a of the housing 10 to the pair of second connection points 117 and 118 are different from each other. That is, in the opening / closing mechanism 100 according to one embodiment, it is preferable that the first inner connection point 115 and the first outer connection point 116, and the second inner connection point 117 and the second outer connection point 118 are at least displaced in the width direction of the conveyor belt 17 (the thickness direction of the door 60). That is, it is preferable to secure a distance y1 in the width direction of the conveyor belt 17 between the first inner connection point 115 and the first outer connection point 116, and a distance y2 in the width direction of the conveyor belt 17 between the second inner connection point 117 and the second outer connection point 118 to a certain extent or more. Thereby, interference between the pair of arms 113 and 114 is less likely to occur, and it becomes easier to reduce the size of the parallel link mechanism 110.

[0050] In the opening / closing mechanism 100 shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the above-described distances z1 and z2 are zero. Here, consider a case where the height position of the first outer connection point 116 is gradually increased with respect to the first inner connection point 115 and the height position of the second outer connection point 118 is gradually increased with respect to the second inner connection point 117 from the state of the schematic diagram on the left side of FIG. 9. In this case, if the above-described distances z1 and z2 are smaller than the above-described distances y1 and y2 (z1(=z2) < y1(=y2)), the above-described distances z1 and z2 become relatively small, so that interference between the pair of arms 113 and 114 is less likely to occur, and the size of the parallel link mechanism 110 is easily reduced. Therefore, in the opening / closing mechanism 100 according to one embodiment, the height positions may be different between the first inner connection point 115 and the first outer connection point 116, and the height positions may be different between the second inner connection point 117 and the second outer connection point 118.

[0051] Note that the opening and closing mechanism 100 shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 may not be the one using the above-described parallel link mechanism 110, and may be in a form in which the outer arm 114 is omitted in the above-described parallel link mechanism 110. That is, the freezer 1 according to some embodiments may include a housing 10, a door 60 for closing an opening 8 provided in a side portion 10s of the housing 10, an arm (inner arm 113) provided between the housing 10 and the door 60, a first bracket 101 for connecting one end portion 111 of the arm (inner arm 113) and the housing 10, and a second bracket 102 for connecting the other end portion 112 of the arm (inner arm 113) and the door 60. The door 60 may be movably supported by the arm (inner arm 113) between a closed position PC for closing the opening 8 and an open position PO for opening the opening 8. The freezer 1 according to some embodiments preferably includes a gas spring 119 as an extendable biasing member that biases the arm (inner arm 113) in a direction in which the door 60 moves from the closed position PC to the open position PO at least in the open position PO.

[0052] Thereby, when the door 60 moves from the closed position PC to the open position PO by the rotation of the inner arm 113, the opening 8 is opened and the inside of the freezer 1 becomes visible. Further, according to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the open position PO from being too far away from the closed position PC by utilizing the expansion and contraction range of the gas spring 119, so that it is possible to ensure the visibility of the inside of the freezer 1 while suppressing an increase in the installation space of the freezer 1.

[0053] Note that when the opening and closing mechanism 100 is not the one using the parallel link mechanism 110 as described above, the second bracket 102 is preferably attached at a position higher than the center of gravity of the door 60. Thereby, even when the opening and closing mechanism 100 is not the one using the parallel link mechanism 110, it becomes difficult for the door 60 to rotate about the second inner connection point 117, and it is possible to make it difficult for the posture of the door 60 to change when the door 60 is opened and closed.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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 housing 10, a door 60 for closing an opening 8 provided in a side portion 10s of the housing 10, an arm (inner arm 113) provided between the housing 10 and the door 60, a first bracket 101 for connecting one end portion 111 of the arm (inner arm 113) and the housing 10, and a second bracket 102 for connecting the other end portion 112 of the arm (inner arm 113) and the door 60. The door 60 is movably supported by the arm (inner arm 113) between a closed position PC for closing the opening 8 and an open position PO for opening the opening 8. The freezer 1 includes a biasing member (gas spring 119) configured to be stretchable and contractible, which biases the arm (inner arm 113) in a direction in which the door 60 moves from the closed position PC to the open position PO at least in the open position PO.

[0056] According to the configuration of (1) above, the opening 8 is opened by the rotation of the arm (inner arm 113) causing the door 60 to move from the closed position PC to the open position PO, and the inside of the freezer 1 becomes visible. Further, according to the configuration of (1) above, it is possible to prevent the open position PO from being too far away from the closed position PC by utilizing the expansion and contraction range of the biasing member (gas spring 119). Therefore, it is possible to ensure the visibility of the inside of the freezer 1 while suppressing an increase in the installation space of the freezer 1.

[0057] (2) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (1) above, the biasing member (gas spring 119) may be configured to generate a biasing force in a direction separating one end 119a of the biasing member (gas spring 119) and the other end 119b of the biasing member (gas spring 119) from each other. One end 119a of the biasing member (gas spring 119) may be connected to the housing 10, and the other end 119b may be connected to the arm (inner arm 113). In the closed position PC, the other end 119b may be located closer to the housing 10 than the line segment L1 connecting the first connection point (first inner connection point 115) between the arm (inner arm 113) and the first bracket 101 and the one end 119a.

[0058] According to the configuration of (2) above, in the closed position PC, the arm (inner arm 113) is pressed by the biasing member (gas spring 119) so that the door 60 rotates toward the closed position PC with the first connection point (first inner connection point 115) as a fulcrum. Thereby, when the door 60 is closed from the open position PO toward the closed position PC, the door 60 is held at the closed position PC by the biasing force of the biasing member (gas spring 119).

[0059] (3) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (1) or (2) above, at least two openings 8 are provided at intervals in the width direction (transport direction) of the opening 8, and the door 60 may be provided at intervals in the width direction (transport direction) of the opening 8 corresponding to each of the at least two openings 8. The arm (inner arm 113) may be provided outside the housing 10 between the doors 60 provided at intervals in the width direction (transport direction) of the opening 8.

[0060] According to the configuration of (3) above, the arm (inner arm 113), which is the opening / closing mechanism 100 for opening and closing the door 60, can be efficiently arranged, so that it is possible to ensure the visibility inside the freezer 1 while suppressing an increase in the installation space of the freezer 1.

[0061] (4) In some embodiments, in any of the configurations of (1) to (3) above, the arm (inner arm 113) may include a parallel link mechanism 110 composed of a pair of arms 113 and 114, one end 111 of which is connected to the first bracket 101 and the other end 112 of which is connected to the second bracket 102.

[0062] According to the configuration of (4) above, the parallel link mechanism 110 can suppress the change in the posture of the door 60 when the door 60 is opened and closed. Further, since the parallel link mechanism 110 can suppress the change in the posture of the door 60, it becomes easier for the door 60 to be held at the closing position PC by the biasing force of the biasing member (gas spring 119).

[0063] (5) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (4) above, the pair of first connection points 115 and 116 between each of the pair of arms 113 and 114 and the first bracket 101 may have different positions in the horizontal direction (the width direction of the conveyor belt 17). The pair of second connection points 117 and 118 between each of the pair of arms 113 and 114 and the second bracket 102 may have different positions in the horizontal direction (the width direction of the conveyor belt 17).

[0064] According to the configuration of (5) above, by configuring such that the distances from the side surface 10a of the housing 10 of the pair of first connection points 115 and 116 are different from each other, and the distances from the side surface 10a of the housing 10 of the pair of second connection points 117 and 118 are different from each other, it is possible to make it difficult for the pair of arms 113 and 114 to interfere with each other when the door 60 closes the opening 8. As a result, the size of the parallel link mechanism 110, which is the opening / closing mechanism 100 for opening and closing the door 60, can be suppressed, so that the installation space of the freezer 1 can be prevented from increasing while ensuring the visibility inside the freezer 1.

[0065] (6) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (5) above, the vertical (height) distance z1 between one (the first inner connection point 115) and the other (the first outer connection point 116) of the pair of first connection points 115, 116 may be smaller than the horizontal (width direction of the conveyor belt 17) distance y1 between one (the first inner connection point 115) and the other (the first outer connection point 116) of the pair of first connection points 115, 116. The vertical (height) distance z2 between one (the second inner connection point 117) and the other (the second outer connection point 118) of the pair of second connection points 117, 118 may be smaller than the horizontal (width direction of the conveyor belt 17) distance y2 between one (the second inner connection point 117) and the other (the second outer connection point 118) of the pair of second connection points 117, 118.

[0066] According to the configuration of (6) above, by setting the positions of the pair of first connection points 115, 116 and the pair of second connection points 117, 118 as described above, interference between the pair of arms 113, 114 is less likely to occur when the door 60 closes the opening 8. As a result, the size of the parallel link mechanism 110, which is the opening and closing mechanism 100 for opening and closing the door 60, can be further suppressed, so that the installation space of the freezer 1 can be further suppressed from increasing while ensuring the visibility inside the freezer 1.

[0067] (7) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (6) above, the vertical (height) distance z1 between one (the first inner connection point 115) and the other (the first outer connection point 116) of the pair of first connection points 115, 116 may be zero. The vertical (height) distance z2 between one (the second inner connection point 117) and the other (the second outer connection point 118) of the pair of second connection points 117, 118 may be zero.

[0068] According to the configuration of (7) above, by setting the positions of the pair of first connection points 115 and 116 and the pair of second connection points 117 and 118 as described above, it becomes more difficult for interference to occur between the pair of arms 113 and 114 when the door 60 closes the opening 8. As a result, the size of the parallel link mechanism 110, which is the opening and closing mechanism 100 for opening and closing the door 60, can be further suppressed, so that while further suppressing an increase in the installation space of the freezer 1, the visibility inside the freezer 1 can be ensured.

[0069] (8) In some embodiments, in any of the configurations of (4) to (7) above, the parallel link mechanism 110 may be provided on one side portion 61 and the other side portion 62 of the door 60. In some embodiments, the freezer 1 may include a connecting member (connecting rod 141) that connects either one of the pair of arms 113 and 114 provided on one side portion 61 and either one of the pair of arms 113 and 114 provided on the other side portion 62.

[0070] According to the configuration of (8) above, the connecting member (connecting rod 141) makes it easier for the movement of the parallel link mechanism 110 provided on one side portion 61 of the door 60 and the movement of the parallel link mechanism 110 provided on the other side portion 62 to be synchronized, and the opening and closing of the door 60 becomes smooth.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0071] 1 Freezer 2 Object to be cooled 3 Belt conveyor 4 Heat exchanger 5 Fan 6 Refrigeration unit section 8 Opening 9 Column 10 Housing 10a Side surface 10s Side portion 11 Upper chamber 13 Lower chamber 15 Communication duct 17 Conveyor belt 17a Forward path portion 17b Return path portion 21 Upper cold air ejection part 25 Lower cold air ejection part 60 Door 61, 62 Side parts 91 Floor surface 100 Opening / closing mechanism 101 First bracket 102 Second bracket 110 Parallel link mechanism 111 One end part 112 The other end part 113 Inner arm (arm) 114 Outer arm (arm) 115 First inner connection point (first connection point) 116 First outer connection point (first connection point) 117 Second inner connection point (second connection point) 118 Second outer connection point (second connection point) 119 Gas spring 120 Frame member 131 First lower chamber 132 Second lower chamber 151 First communication duct 152 Second communication duct 141 Connecting rod

Claims

1. A housing, a door for closing an opening provided on a side portion of the housing, an arm provided between the housing and the door, a first bracket for connecting one end of the arm to the housing, a second bracket for connecting the other end of the arm to the door, comprising: the door is movably supported by the arm between a closed position for closing the opening and an open position for opening the opening, a telescopic biasing member that biases the arm in a direction in which the door moves from the closed position toward the open position at least in the open position, comprising: a freezer.

2. The biasing member is configured to generate a biasing force in a direction separating one end of the biasing member from the other end of the biasing member, one end thereof is connected to the housing, the other end thereof is connected to the arm, in the closed position, the other end is located closer to the housing than a line segment connecting the first connection point between the arm and the first bracket and the one end, The freezer according to claim 1.

3. At least two openings are provided at intervals in the width direction of the opening, the door is provided at intervals in the width direction of the opening corresponding to each of the at least two openings, the arm is provided outside the housing between the doors provided at intervals in the width direction of the opening, The freezer according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The arm comprises a parallel link mechanism constituted by a pair of arms having one end connected to the first bracket and the other end connected to the second bracket, comprising: The freezer according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The pair of first connection points between each of the pair of arms and the first bracket have different horizontal positions from each other, the pair of second connection points between each of the pair of arms and the second bracket have different horizontal positions from each other, The freezer according to claim 4.

6. The vertical distance between one and the other of the pair of first connection points is smaller than the horizontal distance between one and the other of the pair of first connection points, the vertical distance between one and the other of the pair of second connection points is smaller than the horizontal distance between one and the other of the pair of second connection points, The freezer according to claim 5.

7. The vertical distance between one and the other of the pair of first connection points is zero. The vertical distance between one and the other of the pair of second connection points is zero. The freezer according to claim 6.

8. The parallel link mechanism is provided on one side portion and the other side portion of the door. A connecting member that connects any one of the pair of arms provided on the one side portion and any one of the pair of arms provided on the other side portion. Comprising. The freezer according to claim 4.

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