Cooling device

Abstract

To provide a cooling device capable of reducing workload when setting ON for detecting the abnormality of rotation drive of an air blower set to OFF.SOLUTION: A cooling device 100 comprises: a cooling device body 1 that includes an internal cooling space S and cools commodities placed in the cooling space S; a refrigeration cycle 2 that cools air inside the cooling space S; an air blower 3 that is provided on an outer surface 1a of the cooling device body 1, delivers air to the outer surface 1a, and is connectable to the cooling device body 1; and a control part 4 that detects abnormality of rotation drive of the air blower 3 when abnormality detection for detecting abnormality of rotation drive of the air blower 3 is set to ON. The control part 4 is configured to set abnormality detection that has been set to OFF to ON when the air blower 3 is connected to the cooling device body 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, cooling devices have been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a refrigerator body in which an internal freezer compartment is cooled by a refrigeration device. When the internal freezer compartment is cooled, the bottom surface of the refrigerator body is also cooled, which causes condensation on the bottom surface of the refrigerator body. To prevent this, a fan is provided on the bottom surface of the refrigerator body to blow air along the bottom surface of the refrigerator body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-221193 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Although not explicitly stated in Patent Document 1, when the blower stops blowing air, condensation may form on the bottom surface of the cooling device body. Therefore, the control unit of the cooling device performs abnormality detection to detect abnormalities in the rotational drive of the blower. Furthermore, the blower may be retrofitted as needed depending on the installation environment. In this case, abnormality detection is set to off before the blower is connected to the cooling device body to prevent erroneous detection of an abnormality in the rotational drive of the blower. Then, when the blower is connected to the cooling device body, the abnormality detection is set to on based on a user's input operation on the operation unit. However, because the user must set the abnormality detection to on by inputting operation on the operation unit when the blower is connected to the cooling device body, it is difficult to reduce the user's workload. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce the workload when setting the abnormality detection in the rotational drive of the blower, which has been set to off, to on.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one object of the present invention is to provide a cooling device that can reduce the workload when turning on abnormality detection of the rotational drive of a fan that has been turned off. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a cooling device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a cooling device main body which includes a cooling space therein and cools commodities placed in the cooling space, a refrigeration cycle which cools the air in the cooling space, a blower which is provided on the outer surface of the cooling device main body and sends air to the outer surface and is connectable to the cooling device main body, and a control unit which detects abnormalities in the rotational drive of the blower when abnormality detection which detects abnormalities in the rotational drive of the blower is set to on, and the control unit is configured to set the abnormality detection which was set to off to on when the blower is connected to the cooling device main body.

[0008] As described above, a cooling device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a blower that blows air onto an outer surface of a cooling device main body and is connectable to the cooling device main body, and a control unit that detects an abnormality in the rotational drive of the blower when the abnormality detection is set to on. The control unit is configured to turn on the abnormality detection that was set to off when the blower is connected to the cooling device main body. This allows the user to turn on the abnormality detection that was set to off when the blower is connected to the cooling device main body without requiring a user to perform an operation on the operation unit. This reduces the workload involved in turning on the abnormality detection in the rotational drive of the blower that was set to off. Furthermore, because the control unit can automatically turn on the abnormality detection in the rotational drive of the blower, it is possible to prevent the abnormality detection in the rotational drive of the blower from remaining set to off after the blower is connected to the cooling device main body due to the user forgetting to turn on the abnormality detection in the rotational drive of the blower that was set to off.

[0009] In the cooling device according to the above aspect, the blower is preferably configured to suppress condensation on the outer surface of the cooling device body to which the blower is attached. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the workload when turning on the abnormality detection of the rotation drive of the blower that has been turned off, and to effectively suppress condensation on the outer surface by sending air to the outer surface with the blower.

[0010] In the cooling device according to the above aspect, the blower is preferably configured to be connectable to a terminal included in the cooling device main body, and the control unit is configured to detect an abnormality in the rotational drive of the blower when abnormality detection, which detects an abnormality in the rotational drive of the blower based on a signal transmitted through the terminal, is set to ON, and to turn ON the abnormality detection, which was set to OFF, for the blower connected to the terminal when the blower is connected to the terminal. With this configuration, when the blower is connected to the terminal, the abnormality detection, which was set to OFF, can be turned ON without the user having to perform any operation input to the operation unit. This easily reduces the workload involved in turning ON the abnormality detection in the rotational drive of the blower that was set to OFF. Furthermore, with the above configuration, a short-circuiting coupler is connected to the terminal before connecting the blower to the terminal, preventing a signal indicating an abnormality in the rotational drive from being input to the terminal. This eliminates the need for a short-circuiting coupler, unlike the case where the abnormality detection remains set to ON both before and after connecting the blower to the terminal. This eliminates the need for a short-circuiting coupler. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced. Furthermore, unlike the above case, the work burden can be reduced because there is no need to attach or detach the short-circuiting coupler.

[0011] In the cooling device according to the above aspect, the control unit is preferably configured to set the abnormality detection, which has been set to OFF, to ON based on detection of rotational driving of the fan connected to the cooling device main body. With this configuration, it is possible to detect that an additional fan has been connected based on detection of rotational driving of the fan connected to the cooling device main body, so that the abnormality detection, which has been set to OFF, can be easily set to ON.

[0012] In this case, preferably, the control unit is configured to set the abnormality detection, which was set to OFF, to ON based on detection of rotational drive of the fan connected to the cooling device main body when the power supply of the cooling device is switched from OFF to ON. With this configuration, the control unit can detect rotational drive of the fan connected to the cooling device main body when the power supply of the cooling device is switched from OFF to ON and rotational drive of the fan is started. Therefore, the control unit can appropriately set the abnormality detection, which was set to OFF, to ON at the timing when the power supply of the cooling device is switched from OFF to ON based on detection of rotational drive of the fan.

[0013] In the cooling device according to the above aspect, the fans preferably include a first fan pre-connected to the cooling device main body and a second fan additionally connected to the cooling device main body, and the control unit is configured to turn on the abnormality detection that has been set to off for the second fan when the second fan is connected to the cooling device main body. With this configuration, when the second fan is additionally connected to the cooling device main body as needed depending on the installation environment, the abnormality detection that has been set to off for the additionally connected second fan can be easily turned on.

[0014] In this case, the control unit is preferably configured to reset the abnormality detection to ON when the second fan is connected to the cooling device body, regardless of whether the abnormality detection for the first fan is set to ON or not. With this configuration, whether the abnormality detection for the first fan previously connected to the cooling device body is set to ON or OFF can be reliably set to ON for the first fan.

[0015] In the above-described configuration in which the control unit turns on the abnormality detection that was set to off for the second fan, preferably, an operation unit capable of switching the setting of the abnormality detection by the control unit is further provided, and the control unit is configured to turn off the abnormality detection that was set to on based on operation input from the operation unit when the second fan connected to the cooling device main body is disconnected. With this configuration, when the second fan is disconnected, it is possible to prevent the abnormality detection that the second fan is not rotating and is detected as an abnormality by setting the abnormality detection to off based on operation input from the operation unit by the user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, as described above, it is possible to provide a cooling device that can reduce the workload when turning on the abnormality detection of the rotational drive of the fan that has been turned off. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cooling device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a cooling device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the connection of a first condensation prevention fan according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the connection between the first condensation prevention fan and the second condensation prevention fan according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the setting process for abnormality detection when a second condensation prevention fan according to the first embodiment is additionally connected to a second terminal. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an abnormality detection process when a second dew condensation prevention fan according to the first embodiment is additionally connected to a second terminal. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the setting process for abnormality detection when the second condensation prevention fan according to the first embodiment is not connected to the second terminal. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an abnormality detection process when the second condensation prevention fan according to the first embodiment is not connected to the second terminal. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining connection of a short-circuit coupler according to a comparative example. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a setting process for detecting an abnormality in a second condensation prevention fan according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] [First embodiment] The overall configuration of a cooling device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0020] (Cooling device configuration) 1, cooling device 100 includes a cooling space S therein and cools products (not shown) placed in the cooling space S. As an example, cooling device 100 is a vertical showcase that includes a plate-shaped back panel 80 extending in the vertical direction (Z direction) and a plurality of shelves 81 on which products are placed. Cooling device 100 includes a cooling space S inside a showcase body that serves as a cooling device body 1, and cools the cooling space S.

[0021] In this specification, the up-down direction is defined as the Z direction, the front-rear direction as the X direction, and the left-right direction as the Y direction. The upward direction is defined as the Z1 direction, and the downward direction as the Z2 direction. The front side of the cooling device 100 is defined as the X1 direction, and the rear side (back side) of the cooling device 100 is defined as the X2 direction. When viewed from the front side (X1 direction) of the cooling device 100, the right side is defined as the Y1 direction, and the left side is defined as the Y2 direction.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the cooling device 100 includes a cooling device main body 1, a refrigeration cycle 2, a condensation suppression blower 3, a control unit 4, a notification unit 5, and an operation unit 6. The cooling device main body 1 is, for example, a showcase main body. The refrigeration cycle 2 includes a compressor 20, a condenser 21, an expansion valve 23, and a cooling evaporator 24. The condensation suppression blower 3 is an example of a "blower" in the claims.

[0023] The compressor 20 is configured to compress a refrigerant. The compressor 20 is controlled by an inverter (not shown). This allows the compressor 20 to adjust the flow rate of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 20 body. As an example, the refrigerant is R410A, R404A, R32, carbon dioxide, or the like.

[0024] The condenser 21 is configured to condense the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 20. The condenser 21 is provided with a heat-dissipating fan 22. The heat-dissipating fan 22 is configured to send air to the condenser 21. The condenser 21, the heat-dissipating fan 22, and the compressor 20 may be provided outside the cooling device main body 1.

[0025] The expansion valve 23 is configured to expand the refrigerant condensed by the condenser 21. As an example, the expansion valve 23 is configured as a needle valve. By adjusting the opening degree of the expansion valve 23, the flow rate of the refrigerant in the downstream cooling evaporator 24 is adjusted.

[0026] The cooling evaporator 24 is configured to evaporate the refrigerant expanded by the expansion valve 23 to cool the cooling space S.

[0027] The cooling blower 25 is configured to send air to the cooling evaporator 24. As a result, heat is transferred from the refrigerant in the cooling evaporator 24 to the air sent by the cooling blower 25. As a result, cool air is sent from the cooling evaporator 24 to the cooling space S.

[0028] The condensation-prevention blower 3 is provided on the outer surface 1a (see FIG. 1) of the cooling device main body 1. The condensation-prevention blower 3 is configured to send air to the outer surface 1a of the cooling device main body 1 on which the condensation-prevention blower 3 is provided. The condensation-prevention blower 3 is configured to suppress the occurrence of condensation on the outer surface 1a of the cooling device main body 1 on which the condensation-prevention blower 3 is provided.

[0029] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1 , the condensation-prevention fan 3 is provided on the outer surface 1a of the bottom 10 of the cooling device body 1. The condensation-prevention fan 3 is configured to send air to the outer surface 1a of the bottom 10 of the cooling device body 1. The condensation-prevention fan 3 is configured to send air from the front side (X1 direction side) of the bottom 10 of the cooling device body 1 to the back side (X2 direction side) of the cooling device body 1. The condensation-prevention fan 3 is configured to suppress the occurrence of condensation on the outer surface 1a of the bottom 10 of the cooling device body 1. The air blown by the condensation-prevention fan 3 can prevent humid air from accumulating on the bottom 10 of the cooling device body 1, thereby suppressing the occurrence of condensation on the outer surface 1a of the bottom 10 of the cooling device body 1.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2 , the condensation-suppression fan 3 includes a plurality of condensation-suppression fans 3. The plurality of condensation-suppression fans 3 are configured to be connectable to the cooling device main body 1. Specifically, each of the plurality of condensation-suppression fans 3 is configured to be connectable to a plurality of terminals 7 included in the cooling device main body 1. In the first embodiment, the condensation-suppression fan 3 includes a first condensation-suppression fan 31 and a second condensation-suppression fan 32. The plurality of terminals 7 include a first terminal 71 and a second terminal 72. The first condensation-suppression fan 31 is an example of a "first fan" in the claims, and the second condensation-suppression fan 32 is an example of a "second fan" in the claims.

[0031] The first condensation suppression fan 31 is pre-connected to a first terminal 71 of the cooling device main body 1. The first terminal 71 is provided at the bottom of the cooling device main body 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the connection relationship between the first condensation suppression fan 31 and the first terminal 71. As shown in FIG. 3, the first terminal 71 has a plurality of connection pins. As an example, the first terminal 71 has three connection pins: a positive connection pin 71a, a negative connection pin 71b, and a pulse signal connection pin 71c. The first condensation suppression fan 31 includes a connection portion 31a that can be connected to each of the positive connection pin 71a, the negative connection pin 71b, and the pulse signal connection pin 71c of the first terminal 71.

[0032] When the first condensation suppression fan 31 is connected to the first terminal 71 and the first condensation suppression fan 31 is in a normal state where it is rotating, a signal with a logic 0 is input to the first terminal 71. In contrast, when the first condensation suppression fan 31 is in an abnormal state where it is not rotating, a signal with a logic 1 is input to the first terminal 71. The first condensation suppression fan 31 can be disconnected from the first terminal 71 and removed from the cooling device 100.

[0033] Here, a "signal that becomes logic 0" refers to, for example, a signal at GND potential, and a "signal that becomes logic 1" refers to, for example, a signal that includes a signal at power supply potential.

[0034] The second condensation suppression fan 32 is additionally connected to the second terminal 72 of the cooling device main body 1. The second condensation suppression fan 32 is additionally connected to the second terminal 72 of the showcase main body when, for example, the first condensation suppression fan 31 pre-connected to the showcase main body does not have sufficient air-blowing capacity. The second terminal 72 is provided at the bottom of the cooling device main body 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the connection between the second condensation suppression fan 32 and the second terminal 72. As shown in FIG. 4, the second terminal 72 has multiple connection pins. The second terminal 72 and the first terminal 71 have different configurations so that the second terminal 72 can be distinguished from the first terminal 71. As an example, the second terminal 72 has four connection pins: a positive connection pin 72a, a negative connection pin 72b, a pulse signal connection pin 72c, and a dummy connection pin. The second condensation prevention fan 32 includes a connection portion 32b connectable to each of the positive connection pin 72a, the negative connection pin 72b, the pulse connection pin 72c, and the dummy connection pin of the second terminal 72.

[0035] When the second condensation suppression fan 32 is connected to the second terminal 72, in the normal state where the second condensation suppression fan 32 is connected to the second terminal 72 and is rotating, a signal with a logic 0 is input to the second terminal 72. In contrast, in the abnormal state where the second condensation suppression fan 32 is connected to the second terminal 72 but is not rotating, a signal with a logic 1 is input to the second terminal 72. Note that the second condensation suppression fan 32 additionally connected to the second terminal 72 of the cooling device main body 1 can also be disconnected from the second terminal 72 and removed from the cooling device 100.

[0036] When the second condensation suppression fan 32 is not additionally connected to the second terminal 72, nothing is connected to the second terminal 72. When the second condensation suppression fan 32 is not connected to the second terminal 72 and the cooling device 100 is powered on, a signal that is logic 1 is input to the second terminal 72.

[0037] 2, the control unit 4 is, for example, a microcomputer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, etc. The control unit 4 is configured to control the refrigeration cycle 2. Specifically, the control unit 4 is configured to control the rotation speed of the compressor 20 and the opening degree of the expansion valve 23 by controlling an inverter (not shown).

[0038] Furthermore, when abnormality detection for detecting abnormalities in the rotational drive of the condensation prevention fan 3 is set to ON, the control unit 4 is configured to detect abnormalities in the rotational drive of the condensation prevention fan 3. Furthermore, when the condensation prevention fan 3 is connected to the cooling device main body 1, the control unit 4 is configured to turn ON the abnormality detection that has been set to OFF.

[0039] That is, when abnormality detection, which detects abnormalities in the rotational drive of the second condensation suppression fan 32 connected to the second terminal 72 based on a signal via the second terminal 72, is set to on, the control unit 4 is configured to detect abnormalities in the rotational drive of the second condensation suppression fan 32, and when the second condensation suppression fan 32 is connected to the second terminal 72, to set abnormality detection, which was set to off, to on for the second condensation suppression fan 32 connected to the second terminal 72.

[0040] Furthermore, when abnormality detection, which detects abnormalities in the rotational drive of the first condensation suppression fan 31 based on a signal via the first terminal 71, is set to ON, the control unit 4 detects abnormalities in the rotational drive of the first condensation suppression fan 31. Furthermore, when the second condensation suppression fan 32 is connected to the second terminal 72, the control unit 4 is configured to reset the abnormality detection to ON, regardless of whether it has been set to ON for the first condensation suppression fan 31.

[0041] Furthermore, the control unit 4 is configured to set the abnormality detection, which has been set to OFF, to ON based on the detection of rotational driving of the condensation prevention fan 3 connected to the terminal 7 of the cooling device main body 1. Specifically, when the power supply of the cooling device 100 is switched from OFF to ON, the control unit 4 is configured to set the abnormality detection, which has been set to OFF, to ON based on the detection of rotational driving of the condensation prevention fan 3 connected to the terminal 7 of the cooling device main body 1. Details of the control by the control unit 4 will be described later.

[0042] The notification unit 5 is configured to notify of an abnormality in the rotational drive of the condensation prevention fan 3 under the control of the control unit 4. The notification unit 5 includes a display unit (not shown) and a speaker (not shown). The display unit displays information based on the abnormality in the rotational drive of the condensation prevention fan 3. The display unit is, for example, a liquid crystal display device. The speaker outputs a sound based on the abnormality in the rotational drive of the condensation prevention fan 3. The notification unit 5 is provided on the top of the cooling device main body 1.

[0043] The operation unit 6 is configured to be able to switch on and off the setting for abnormality detection by the control unit 4. The operation unit 6 may be a touch panel, or a touch panel serving as the operation unit 6 may be provided on the display unit. In other words, the operation unit 6 and the display unit may be configured integrally.

[0044] (Settings for detecting abnormalities when the first condensation prevention fan is connected to the first terminal and the second condensation prevention fan is additionally connected to the second terminal) The following describes the setting of abnormality detection when the first condensation suppression fan 31 is connected to the first terminal 71 and the second condensation suppression fan 32 is additionally connected to the second terminal 72. For example, the first condensation suppression fan 31 is pre-connected to the first terminal 71. The abnormality detection for the first condensation suppression fan 31 is set to ON.

[0045] Furthermore, for example, the second condensation suppression fan 32 is additionally connected to the second terminal 72. Furthermore, abnormality detection for the second condensation suppression fan 32 is set to OFF.

[0046] When the power supply of the cooling device 100 is switched from off to on, the first condensation suppression fan 31 and the second condensation suppression fan 32 are supplied with power and rotate. The control unit 4 acquires a signal input to the first terminal 71 based on the rotational drive of the first condensation suppression fan 31.

[0047] When the acquired signal input to the first terminal 71 is a signal that is a logical 0, the control unit 4 resets the abnormality detection that was set to ON for the first condensation suppression fan 31 to ON. In contrast, when the acquired signal input to the first terminal 71 is a signal that is a logical 1, the control unit 4 does not perform any operation on the abnormality detection setting for the first condensation suppression fan 31. In other words, when the acquired signal input to the first terminal 71 is a signal that is a logical 1, the control unit 4 does not change or reset the abnormality detection setting for the first condensation suppression fan 31. Note that, typically, when the power of the cooling device 100 is switched from OFF to ON, the first condensation suppression fan 31 is driven to rotate, and a signal that is a logical 0 is input to the first terminal 71. Therefore, the control unit 4 resets the abnormality detection that was set to ON for the first condensation suppression fan 31 to ON based on the signal that is a logical 0.

[0048] The control unit 4 then acquires a signal input to the second terminal 72 that is based on the rotational driving of the second condensation suppression fan 32. Here, the second condensation suppression fan 32 is additionally connected to the second terminal 72. Therefore, a signal that is logic 0 is input to the second terminal 72. Therefore, the control unit 4 sets the abnormality detection that was set to OFF for the second condensation suppression fan 32 to ON based on the fact that the acquired signal input to the second terminal 72 is a signal that is logic 0. Note that, normally, when the power of the cooling device 100 is switched from OFF to ON, the second condensation suppression fan 32 is rotated, and therefore a signal that is logic 0 is input to the second terminal 72. The control unit 4 then waits until it acquires the signals input to the first terminal 71 and the second terminal 72.

[0049] If the signal input to the second terminal 72 is a signal with a logic 1, the second condensation suppression fan 32 is not rotating. However, it is thought that the user visually confirms that the connected second condensation suppression fan 32 is rotating as part of the additional connection work for the second condensation suppression fan 32. Therefore, if the connected second condensation suppression fan 32 is not rotating, the user will remove the connected second condensation suppression fan 32 and connect another second condensation suppression fan 32 to the second terminal 72, so there is no problem.

[0050] (Detection of abnormality when the first condensation prevention fan is connected to the first terminal and the second condensation prevention fan is additionally connected to the second terminal) Anomaly detection in the case where the first condensation prevention fan 31 is connected to the first terminal 71 and the second condensation prevention fan 32 is additionally connected to the second terminal 72 will be described.

[0051] For example, the abnormality detection for the first condensation suppression fan 31 is reset to ON by the abnormality detection setting process by the control unit 4 described above. Also, for example, the abnormality detection for the second condensation suppression fan 32 is set to ON by the abnormality detection setting process by the control unit 4 described above.

[0052] After setting the abnormality detection for the first condensation suppression fan and the second condensation suppression fan, the control unit 4 acquires a signal based on the rotational drive of the first condensation suppression fan 31, which is input to the first terminal 71, after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0053] When abnormality detection for the first condensation suppression fan 31 is set to ON, the control unit 4 detects an abnormality in the rotational drive of the first condensation suppression fan 31 based on the signal input to the first terminal 71. Note that, because abnormality detection for the first condensation suppression fan 31 is reset to ON, the control unit 4 detects an abnormality in the rotational drive of the first condensation suppression fan 31 based on the signal input to the first terminal 71. When a signal that is a logical 0 is input to the first terminal 71, the control unit 4 does not control the alarm unit 5 to issue an alarm. When a signal that is a logical 1 is input to the first terminal 71 continuously for a predetermined time, the control unit 4 controls the alarm unit 5 to issue an alarm of an abnormality in the rotational drive of the first condensation suppression fan 31.

[0054] The control unit 4 also acquires a signal input to the second terminal 72 that is based on the rotational drive of the second condensation suppression fan 32. If abnormality detection for the second condensation suppression fan 32 is set to ON, the control unit 4 detects an abnormality in the rotational drive of the second condensation suppression fan 32 based on the signal input to the second terminal 72. Note that because abnormality detection for the second condensation suppression fan 32 is set to ON, the control unit 4 detects an abnormality in the rotational drive of the second condensation suppression fan 32 based on the signal input to the second terminal 72. If a signal that is logical 0 is input to the second terminal 72, the control unit 4 does not control the alarm unit 5 to issue an alarm. If a signal that is logical 1 is input to the second terminal 72 continuously for a predetermined period of time, the control unit 4 controls the alarm unit 5 to issue an alarm of an abnormality in the rotational drive of the second condensation suppression fan 32. Then, the control unit 4 waits until the timing to acquire the signals input to the first terminal 71 and the second terminal 72 is reached.

[0055] Note that if abnormality detection for the first condensation suppression fan 31 is not set to ON, for example, because abnormality detection for the first condensation suppression fan 31 is set to OFF by operation input from the operation unit 6, the control unit 4 does not perform abnormality detection for the first condensation suppression fan 31. Also, if abnormality detection for the second condensation suppression fan 32 is not set to ON, for example, because abnormality detection for the second condensation suppression fan 32 is set to OFF by operation input from the operation unit 6, the control unit 4 does not perform abnormality detection for the second condensation suppression fan 32.

[0056] (Setting to turn off abnormality detection when disconnecting the additionally connected second condensation suppression fan) Regarding the second condensation suppression fan 32 additionally connected to the second terminal 72, when the connection with the second terminal 72 is disconnected and the fan is removed from the cooling device 100, the control unit 4 is configured to set the abnormality detection that was set to on for the second condensation suppression fan 32 to off based on the operation input of the operation unit 6.

[0057] As described above, the abnormality detection for the second condensation suppression fan 32 that is additionally connected to the second terminal 72 is set to ON. Therefore, even if the second condensation suppression fan 32 that is additionally connected to the second terminal 72 is disconnected from the second terminal 72 and removed from the cooling device 100, the abnormality detection for the second condensation suppression fan 32 remains set to ON.

[0058] If the power supply to the cooling device 100 is switched from off to on after the second condensation suppression fan 32 is disconnected from the second terminal 72 and the abnormality detection for the second condensation suppression fan 32 is set to on, the control unit 4 does not change the abnormality detection setting based on the fact that the acquired signal input to the second terminal 72 is a signal with a logical value of 1. Then, the control unit 4 causes the notification unit 5 to notify of an abnormality based on the fact that the abnormality detection is set to on and that the signal with a logical value of 1 has been input to the second terminal 72 for a predetermined period of time.

[0059] Therefore, when the second condensation suppression fan 32 is disconnected, the user can turn off the abnormality detection that the control unit 4 has set to on for the second condensation suppression fan 32 by operating the operation unit 6. In this way, the control unit 4 is configured to turn off the abnormality detection that the control unit 4 has set to on for the second condensation suppression fan 32 based on the operation input of the operation unit 6.

[0060] (Setting for detecting abnormalities when the first condensation prevention fan is connected to the first terminal and the second condensation prevention fan is not connected to the second terminal) Next, an explanation will be given of the setting of abnormality detection when the first condensation suppression fan 31 is connected to the first terminal 71 and the second condensation suppression fan 32 is not connected to the second terminal 72. For example, when the cooling device 100 is shipped, the first condensation suppression fan 31 is already connected to the first terminal 71. When the cooling device 100 is shipped, abnormality detection for the first condensation suppression fan 31 is set to ON.

[0061] Furthermore, for example, when the cooling device 100 is shipped, the second condensation suppression fan 32 is not connected to the second terminal 72. The second condensation suppression fan 32 is additionally connected to the second terminal 72 as needed. When the cooling device 100 is shipped, abnormality detection for the second condensation suppression fan 32 is set to OFF.

[0062] When the power supply of the cooling device 100 is switched from off to on, the first condensation suppression fan 31 is supplied with power and rotates. The control unit 4 acquires a signal based on the rotational driving of the first condensation suppression fan 31, which is input to the first terminal 71. Note that the control by the control unit 4 to reset the anomaly detection for the first condensation suppression fan 31 is similar to the control to reset the anomaly detection for the first condensation suppression fan 31 when the second condensation suppression fan 32 is additionally connected to the second terminal 72, as described above, and therefore will not be described here.

[0063] The control unit 4 then acquires the signal input to the second terminal 72. Here, the second condensation suppression fan 32 is not connected to the second terminal 72. Therefore, a signal with a logic value of 1 is input to the second terminal 72. Because the acquired signal input to the second terminal 72 is a signal with a logic value of 1, the control unit 4 does not perform any action on the abnormality detection setting for the second condensation suppression fan 32. In other words, when the acquired signal input to the second terminal 72 is a signal with a logic value of 1, the control unit 4 does not change or reset the abnormality detection setting for the second condensation suppression fan 32. The control unit 4 then waits until it acquires the signals input to the first terminal 71 and the second terminal 72.

[0064] (Detection of abnormality when the first condensation prevention fan is connected to the first terminal and the second condensation prevention fan is not connected to the second terminal) Anomaly detection when the first condensation prevention fan 31 is connected to the first terminal 71 and the second condensation prevention fan 32 is not connected to the second terminal 72 will be described.

[0065] For example, the abnormality detection for the first condensation suppression fan 31 is reset to ON through the abnormality detection setting process by the control unit 4 described above. Also, for example, no change is made to the abnormality detection setting for the second condensation suppression fan 32, and the abnormality detection remains set to OFF.

[0066] After the first condensation suppression fan 32 is set to detect an abnormality, the control unit 4 acquires a signal input to the first terminal 71 based on the rotational driving of the first condensation suppression fan 31 after a predetermined time has elapsed. Note that the control of the control unit 4 to detect an abnormality in the first condensation suppression fan 31 is similar to the control of the control to detect an abnormality in the first condensation suppression fan 31 when the second condensation suppression fan 32 is additionally connected to the second terminal 72, as described above, and therefore will not be described here.

[0067] The control unit 4 also acquires a signal input to the second terminal 72 that is based on the rotational drive of the second condensation suppression fan 32. Because abnormality detection for the second condensation suppression fan 32 is set to off, the control unit 4 does not perform abnormality detection for the first condensation suppression fan 31. The control unit 4 then waits until it is time to acquire the signals input to the first terminal 71 and the second terminal 72.

[0068] (Setting process by the control unit for detecting abnormalities when the first condensation prevention fan is connected to the first terminal and the second condensation prevention fan is additionally connected to the second terminal) 5, the abnormality detection setting process performed by the control unit 4 when the first condensation suppression fan 31 is connected to the first terminal 71 and the second condensation suppression fan 32 is additionally connected to the second terminal 72 will be described. Here, the abnormality detection for the first condensation suppression fan 31 is set to ON, and the abnormality detection for the second condensation suppression fan 32 is set to OFF.

[0069] The abnormality detection setting process by the control unit 4 and the abnormality detection process described below are initiated when the power to the cooling device 100 is switched from off to on. When the power to the cooling device 100 is switched from off to on, the first condensation suppression fan 31 and the second condensation suppression fan 32 are supplied with power and rotated. The order of the processing steps can be reversed or executed simultaneously as long as there are no contradictions.

[0070] In step S1, the control unit 4 acquires a signal based on the rotational driving of the first condensation suppression fan 31, which is input to the first terminal 71. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S2.

[0071] In step S2, if the signal input to the acquired first terminal 71 is a signal that results in a logical 0 (Yes in step S2), the processing proceeds to step S3, and if the signal input to the acquired first terminal 71 is a signal that results in a logical 1 rather than a logical 0 due to a malfunction of the first condensation suppression fan 31 or the like (No in step S2), the processing proceeds to step S4.

[0072] In step S3, the control unit 4 resets the abnormality detection that was set to ON for the first condensation suppression fan 31. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S4.

[0073] In step S4, the control unit 4 acquires a signal based on the rotational driving of the second condensation suppression fan 32, which is input to the second terminal 72. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0074] In step S5, if the signal input to the acquired second terminal 72 is a signal that results in a logical 0 (Yes in step S5), the processing proceeds to step S6, and if the signal input to the acquired second terminal 72 is a signal that results in a logical 1 rather than a logical 0 due to a malfunction of the second condensation suppression fan 32 or the like (No in step S5), the processing ends.

[0075] In step S6, the control unit 4 turns on the abnormality detection that was previously turned off for the second condensation suppression fan 32. Then, the process ends.

[0076] (Abnormality detection process by the control unit when the first condensation prevention fan is connected to the first terminal and the second condensation prevention fan is additionally connected to the second terminal) 6, an abnormality detection process performed by the control unit 4 when the first condensation suppression fan 31 is connected to the first terminal 71 and the second condensation suppression fan 32 is additionally connected to the second terminal 72 will be described. Here, by the abnormality detection setting process performed by the control unit 4 shown in FIG. 5, the abnormality detection for the first condensation suppression fan 31 is reset to ON, and the abnormality detection for the second condensation suppression fan 32 is set to OFF.

[0077] The abnormality detection process by the control unit 4 is executed immediately after the setting process for abnormality detection by the control unit 4 shown in Fig. 5. The order of the processing steps can be reversed or executed simultaneously as long as there is no contradiction between them.

[0078] In step S7, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 4 acquires a signal based on the rotational driving of the first condensation suppression fan 31, which is input to the first terminal 71. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S8.

[0079] In step S8, if abnormality detection for the first condensation suppression fan 31 is set to on (Yes in step S8), the process proceeds to step S9, and if abnormality detection for the first condensation suppression fan 31 is not set to on (No in step S8), the process proceeds to step S12.

[0080] In step S9, controller 4 detects an abnormality in the rotational drive of first condensation suppression fan 31 based on the signal input to first terminal 71. That is, if a signal that results in a logical 1 is input to first terminal 71 (Yes in step S9), the process proceeds to step S10, and if a signal that results in a logical 0, rather than a logical 1, is input to first terminal 71 (No in step S9), the process proceeds to step S12.

[0081] In step S10, if the control unit 4 determines that a signal that becomes logical 1 has been input to the first terminal 71 continuously for a predetermined time (Yes in step S10), the processing proceeds to step S11, and if a signal that becomes logical 0 has been input before the predetermined time has elapsed (No in step S10), the processing proceeds to step S12.

[0082] In step S11, the control unit 4 causes the notification unit 5 to notify of an abnormality in the rotational drive of the first condensation suppression fan 31. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S12.

[0083] In step S12, the control unit 4 acquires a signal based on the rotational driving of the second condensation suppression fan 32, which is input to the second terminal 72. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S13.

[0084] In step S13, if abnormality detection for the second condensation suppression fan 32 is set to on (Yes in step S13), the process proceeds to step S14, and if abnormality detection for the second condensation suppression fan 32 is not set to on (No in step S13), the process proceeds to step S7.

[0085] In step S14, the controller 4 detects an abnormality in the rotational drive of the second condensation suppression fan 32 based on the signal input to the second terminal 72. That is, if a signal that is a logical 1 is input to the second terminal 72 (Yes in step S14), the process proceeds to step S15, and if a signal that is a logical 0 rather than a logical 1 is input to the second terminal 72 (No in step S14), the process proceeds to step S7.

[0086] In step S15, if the control unit 4 determines that a signal that becomes logical 1 has been input to the second terminal 72 continuously for a predetermined time (Yes in step S15), the processing proceeds to step S16, and if a signal that becomes logical 0 has been input before the predetermined time has elapsed (No in step S15), the processing proceeds to step S7.

[0087] In step S16, the control unit 4 causes the notification unit 5 to notify of an abnormality in the rotational drive of the second condensation suppression fan 32. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S7.

[0088] (Setting process by the control unit to detect abnormalities when the first condensation prevention fan is connected to the first terminal and the second condensation prevention fan is not connected to the second terminal) 7, the abnormality detection setting process performed by the control unit 4 when the first condensation prevention fan 31 is connected to the first terminal 71 and the second condensation prevention fan 32 is not connected to the second terminal 72 will be described. Here, the abnormality detection for the first condensation prevention fan 31 is set to ON, and the abnormality detection for the second condensation prevention fan 32 is set to OFF.

[0089] The abnormality detection setting process and abnormality detection process by the control unit 4 are initiated when the power of the cooling device 100 is switched from off to on. When the power of the cooling device 100 is switched from off to on, the first condensation suppression fan 31 is supplied with power and rotates. The order of the processing steps can be reversed or executed simultaneously as long as there are no contradictions.

[0090] In step S21, the control unit 4 acquires a signal based on the rotational driving of the first condensation suppression fan 31, which is input to the first terminal 71. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S22.

[0091] In step S22, if the signal input to the acquired first terminal 71 is a signal that results in a logical 0 (Yes in step S22), the processing proceeds to step S23, and if the signal input to the acquired first terminal 71 is a signal that results in a logical 1 rather than a logical 0 due to a malfunction of the first condensation suppression fan 31 or the like (No in step S22), the processing proceeds to step S24.

[0092] In step S23, the control unit 4 resets the abnormality detection that was set to ON for the first condensation suppression fan 31. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S24.

[0093] In step S24, the control unit 4 acquires the signal input to the second terminal 72. Because the acquired signal input to the second terminal 72 is a signal that has a logical value of 1, the control unit 4 does not perform any action on the abnormality detection setting for the second condensation suppression fan 32. The process then ends.

[0094] (Abnormality detection process by the control unit when the first condensation prevention fan is connected to the first terminal and the second condensation prevention fan is not connected to the second terminal) 8, the abnormality detection process performed by the control unit 4 when the first condensation suppression fan 31 is connected to the first terminal 71 and the second condensation suppression fan 32 is not connected to the second terminal 72 will be described. Here, as a result of the abnormality detection setting process performed by the control unit 4 shown in FIG. 7, the abnormality detection for the first condensation suppression fan 31 is reset to ON, while the abnormality detection for the second condensation suppression fan 32 remains set to OFF.

[0095] The abnormality detection process by the control unit 4 is executed immediately after the setting process for abnormality detection by the control unit 4 shown in Fig. 7. The order of the processing steps can be reversed or executed simultaneously as long as there is no contradiction between them.

[0096] In step S25, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 4 acquires a signal based on the rotational driving of the first condensation suppression fan 31, which is input to the first terminal 71. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S26.

[0097] In step S26, if abnormality detection for the first condensation suppression fan 31 is set to ON (Yes in step S26), the process proceeds to step S27, and if abnormality detection for the first condensation suppression fan 31 is not set to ON (No in step S26), the process proceeds to step S30.

[0098] In step S27, controller 4 detects an abnormality in the rotational drive of first condensation suppression fan 31 based on the signal input to first terminal 71. That is, if a signal that results in a logical 1 is input to first terminal 71 (Yes in step S27), the process proceeds to step S28, and if a signal that results in a logical 0, rather than a logical 1, is input to first terminal 71 (No in step S27), the process proceeds to step S30.

[0099] In step S28, if the control unit 4 determines that a signal that becomes logical 1 has been input to the first terminal 71 continuously for a predetermined time (Yes in step S28), the processing proceeds to step S29, and if a signal that becomes logical 0 has been input before the predetermined time has elapsed (No in step S27), the processing proceeds to step S30.

[0100] In step S29, the control unit 4 causes the notification unit 5 to notify of an abnormality in the rotational drive of the first condensation suppression fan 31. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S30.

[0101] In step S30, the control unit 4 acquires a signal based on the rotational drive of the second condensation suppression fan 32, which is input to the second terminal 72. Then, the control unit 4 does not perform abnormality detection for the second condensation suppression fan 32 because abnormality detection for the second condensation suppression fan 32 is set to off. Then, the process proceeds to step S25.

[0102] (Comparative Example) 9 is a diagram illustrating the connection relationship between the anti-condensation fan 3 and the short-circuit coupler 90 and the terminal 7 according to a comparative example. For example, when the cooling device 100 is shipped, the first anti-condensation fan 31 is connected to the first terminal 71 in advance. Then, when the cooling device 100 is shipped, abnormality detection for the first anti-condensation fan 31 is set to ON. Also, for example, when the cooling device 100 is shipped, the short-circuit coupler 90 is connected to the second terminal 72. Then, when the cooling device 100 is shipped, abnormality detection via the second terminal 72 is set to ON.

[0103] In this case, the short-circuit coupler 90 connects the negative connection pin of the second terminal 72 to the connection pin for the pulse signal, and a signal that becomes logical 0 is input to the second terminal 72. Therefore, for example, even if the power supply to the cooling device 100 is switched from off to on in a state in which abnormality detection via the second terminal 72 is set to on when the cooling device 100 is shipped, the control unit 40 does not control the alarm unit 5 to alarm an abnormality based on the fact that the acquired signal input to the second terminal 72 is a signal that becomes logical 0.

[0104] Furthermore, when the connection between the short-circuit coupler 90 and the second terminal 72 is disconnected and the second condensation suppression fan 32 is connected to the second terminal 72, the abnormality detection via the second terminal 72 for the second condensation suppression fan 32 remains set to ON. Therefore, when the second terminal 72 is connected to the second condensation suppression fan 32, it is not necessary to set the abnormality detection for the second condensation suppression fan 32 to ON. However, in the cooling device 100 according to the comparative example, when the second condensation suppression fan 32 is not connected to the second terminal 72, the short-circuit coupler 90 is essential to prevent the alarm unit 5 from alarming an abnormality.

[0105] (Effects of the first embodiment) In the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0106] As described above, the first embodiment includes the condensation-prevention fan 3 that sends air to the outer surface 1a of the cooling device main body 1 and is connectable to the cooling device main body 1, and the control unit 4 that detects abnormalities in the rotational drive of the condensation-prevention fan 3 when the abnormality detection is set to ON. The control unit 4 is configured to turn on the abnormality detection that was set to OFF when the condensation-prevention fan 3 is connected to the cooling device main body 1. This allows the user to turn on the abnormality detection that was set to OFF when the condensation-prevention fan 3 is connected to the cooling device main body 1 without requiring a user to perform an operation on the operation unit 6. This reduces the workload required to turn on the abnormality detection in the rotational drive of the condensation-prevention fan 3 that was set to OFF. Furthermore, since the control unit 4 can automatically turn on the abnormality detection for the rotational drive of the condensation prevention fan 3, it is possible to prevent the abnormality detection for the rotational drive of the condensation prevention fan 3 from remaining set to off after the condensation prevention fan 3 is connected to the cooling device main body 1 due to the user forgetting to set the abnormality detection for the rotational drive of the condensation prevention fan 3, which has been set to off, to on.

[0107] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, as described above, the condensation-prevention fan 3 is configured to suppress the occurrence of condensation on the outer surface 1a of the cooling device main body 1 on which the condensation-prevention fan 3 is provided. This reduces the workload involved in turning on the abnormality detection of the rotational drive of the condensation-prevention fan 3 that has been turned off, and by sending air to the outer surface 1a with the condensation-prevention fan 3, the occurrence of condensation on the outer surface 1a can be effectively suppressed.

[0108] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, as described above, the condensation-prevention fan 3 is configured to be connectable to the terminal 7 included in the cooling device main body 1, and the control unit 4 is configured to detect an abnormality in the rotational drive of the condensation-prevention fan 3 when the abnormality detection, which detects an abnormality in the rotational drive of the condensation-prevention fan 3 based on a signal transmitted through the terminal 7, is set to ON, and to turn ON the abnormality detection, which has been set to OFF, for the condensation-prevention fan 3 connected to the terminal 7 when the condensation-prevention fan 3 is connected to the terminal 7. This allows the user to turn ON the abnormality detection, which has been set to OFF, without performing any operation input on the operation unit 6 when the condensation-prevention fan 3 is connected to the terminal 7. This easily reduces the workload required to turn ON the abnormality detection in the rotational drive of the condensation-prevention fan 3 that has been set to OFF. Furthermore, the abnormality detection is set to ON in advance, and the short-circuit coupler 90 is connected to the terminal 7 before the condensation prevention fan 3 is connected to the terminal 7 to prevent erroneous detection of an abnormality. By disconnecting the short-circuit coupler 90 from the terminal 7 and connecting the condensation prevention fan 3 to the terminal 7, the abnormality detection is maintained in the ON state, eliminating the need for the short-circuit coupler 90. This reduces the number of components. Furthermore, unlike the comparative example in which the abnormality detection remains ON both before and after the condensation prevention fan 3 is connected to the terminal 7, the short-circuit coupler 90 is connected to the terminal 7 before the condensation prevention fan 3 is connected to the terminal 7 to prevent a signal indicating an abnormality in the rotational drive from being input to the terminal 7. This eliminates the need to attach and detach the short-circuit coupler 90, thereby reducing the workload.

[0109] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, as described above, the control unit 4 is configured to turn on the abnormality detection that has been set to OFF based on the detection of the rotational drive of the condensation prevention fan 3 connected to the cooling device main body 1. This allows the control unit 4 to detect that an additional condensation prevention fan 3 has been connected based on the detection of the rotational drive of the condensation prevention fan 3 connected to the cooling device main body 1, and therefore the abnormality detection that has been set to OFF can be easily turned on.

[0110] In this case, the control unit 4 is preferably configured to set the abnormality detection, which was set to OFF, to ON when the power of the cooling device 100 is switched from OFF to ON and the rotational drive of the condensation prevention fan 3 connected to the cooling device main body 1 is detected. With this configuration, the control unit 4 can detect the rotational drive of the condensation prevention fan 3 connected to the cooling device main body 1 when the power of the cooling device 100 is switched from OFF to ON and the rotational drive of the condensation prevention fan 3 is started. Therefore, the control unit 4 can appropriately set the abnormality detection, which was set to OFF, to ON at the timing when the power of the cooling device 100 is switched from OFF to ON and the rotational drive of the condensation prevention fan 3 is detected.

[0111] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, as described above, the condensation-suppression fan 3 includes the first condensation-suppression fan 31 pre-connected to the cooling device body 1 and the second condensation-suppression fan 32 additionally connected to the cooling device body 1, and the control unit 4 is configured to turn on the abnormality detection that was set to off for the second condensation-suppression fan 32 when the second condensation-suppression fan 32 is connected to the cooling device body 1. This allows the abnormality detection that was set to off for the additionally connected second condensation-suppression fan 32 to be easily turned on when the second condensation-suppression fan 32 is additionally connected to the cooling device body 1 as needed depending on the installation environment.

[0112] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, as described above, the control unit 4 is configured to reset the abnormality detection to ON when the second condensation-suppression fan 32 is connected to the cooling device body 1, regardless of whether the abnormality detection is set to ON for the first condensation-suppression fan 31. This ensures that the abnormality detection for the first condensation-suppression fan 31 can be reliably set to ON regardless of whether the abnormality detection for the first condensation-suppression fan 31 previously connected to the cooling device body 1 is set to ON or OFF.

[0113] Furthermore, as described above, the first embodiment further includes an operation unit 6 that can switch the setting of abnormality detection by the control unit 4, and the control unit 4 is configured to set the abnormality detection that has been set to ON to OFF based on operation input from the operation unit 6 when the second condensation suppression fan 32 connected to the cooling device main body 1 is disconnected. As a result, when the second condensation suppression fan 32 is disconnected, the abnormality detection that is detected as the second condensation suppression fan 32 not rotating can be prevented by setting the abnormality detection to OFF based on operation input from the operation unit 6 by the user.

[0114] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Unlike the first embodiment, a cooling device 200 (see Fig. 2) in the second embodiment does not perform abnormality detection setting processing for the first condensation suppression fan 31 connected to the first terminal 71, but performs abnormality detection setting processing for the second condensation suppression fan 32. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0115] (Setting for detecting abnormalities in the second condensation prevention fan when the first condensation prevention fan is connected to the first terminal) The following describes how to set abnormality detection for the second condensation prevention fan 32 when the first condensation prevention fan 31 is connected to the first terminal 71. For example, the first condensation prevention fan 31 is pre-connected to the first terminal 71 when the cooling device 200 is shipped. The abnormality detection for the first condensation prevention fan 31 is set to ON.

[0116] Furthermore, for example, the second condensation suppression fan 32 may be additionally connected to the second terminal 72, or may not be connected to the second terminal 72. Furthermore, abnormality detection for the second condensation suppression fan 32 is set to OFF.

[0117] When the power supply of the cooling device 200 is switched from off to on, the first condensation suppression fan 31 is supplied with power and rotates. Furthermore, when the power supply of the cooling device 200 is switched from off to on, the second condensation suppression fan 32 additionally connected to the second terminal 72 is supplied with power and rotates.

[0118] Here, in the second embodiment, it is assumed that the first condensation suppression fan 31 is connected to the first terminal 71 and that abnormality detection for the first condensation suppression fan 31 is set to ON, and the control unit 4 does not perform abnormality detection setting processing for the first condensation suppression fan 31. In other words, the control unit 4 does not acquire a signal based on the rotational driving of the first condensation suppression fan 31 that is input to the first terminal 71, and does not change or reset the abnormality detection setting for the first condensation suppression fan 31.

[0119] The control unit 4 acquires the signal input to the second terminal 72.

[0120] When the second condensation suppression fan 32 is additionally connected to the second terminal 72, a signal that is logic 0 is input to the second terminal 72. Therefore, the control unit 4 turns on the abnormality detection that was set to OFF for the second condensation suppression fan 32 based on the fact that the acquired signal input to the second terminal 72 is a signal that is logic 0. The control unit 4 then waits until it acquires the signals input to the first terminal 71 and the second terminal 72.

[0121] Furthermore, when the second condensation suppression fan 32 is not connected to the second terminal 72, a signal with a logic value of 1 is input to the second terminal 72. Therefore, the control unit 4 does not perform any action on the abnormality detection setting for the second condensation suppression fan 32 based on the fact that the acquired signal input to the second terminal 72 is a signal with a logic value of 1. In other words, when the acquired signal input to the second terminal 72 is a signal with a logic value of 1, the control unit 4 does not change or reset the abnormality detection setting for the second condensation suppression fan 32. The control unit 4 then waits until it acquires signals input to the first terminal 71 and the second terminal 72.

[0122] In the second embodiment, the control of abnormality detection when the first condensation suppression fan 31 is connected to the first terminal 71 and the second condensation suppression fan 32 is additionally connected to the second terminal 72, and the control of abnormality detection when the first condensation suppression fan 31 is connected to the first terminal 71 and the second condensation suppression fan 32 is not connected to the second terminal 72 are the same as the control of abnormality detection in the first embodiment described above, and therefore will not be described here.

[0123] (Setting process by the control unit to detect abnormalities in the second condensation prevention fan when the first condensation prevention fan is connected to the first terminal) 10, a description will be given of the process performed by the control unit 4 to set abnormality detection for the second condensation prevention fan 32 when the first condensation prevention fan 31 is connected to the first terminal 71. Here, abnormality detection for the first condensation prevention fan 31 is set to ON, and abnormality detection for the second condensation prevention fan 32 is set to OFF.

[0124] The setting process for detecting an abnormality in the second condensation suppression fan 32 by the control unit 4 is initiated when the power to the cooling device 100 is switched from off to on. When the power to the cooling device 100 is switched from off to on, the second condensation suppression fan 32 additionally connected to the second terminal 72 is supplied with power and rotates. The order of the processing steps can be reversed or executed simultaneously as long as there are no contradictions.

[0125] In step S41, the control unit 4 acquires a signal based on the rotational driving of the second condensation suppression fan 32, which is input to the second terminal 72. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S42.

[0126] In step S42, if the signal input to the acquired second terminal 72 is a signal that results in logic 0 (Yes in step S42), the processing proceeds to step S43, and if the signal input to the acquired second terminal 72 is not a signal that results in logic 0 but a signal that results in logic 1 (No in step S42), the processing ends.

[0127] In step S43, the control unit 4 turns on the abnormality detection that was previously turned off for the second condensation suppression fan 32. Then, the process ends.

[0128] In the second embodiment, the abnormality detection process when the first condensation suppression fan 31 is connected to the first terminal 71 and the second condensation suppression fan 32 is additionally connected to the second terminal 72, and the abnormality detection process when the first condensation suppression fan 31 is connected to the first terminal 71 and the second condensation suppression fan 32 is not connected to the second terminal 72 are the same as the abnormality detection process in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described here.

[0129] The other configurations of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0130] (Effects of the second embodiment) In the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0131] As described above, the second embodiment includes the condensation-prevention fan 3 that delivers air to the outer surface 1a of the cooling device main body 1 and is connectable to the cooling device main body 1, and the control unit 4 that detects an abnormality in the rotational drive of the condensation-prevention fan 3 when the abnormality detection is set to ON. The control unit 4 is configured to turn on the abnormality detection that was set to OFF when the second condensation-prevention fan 32 is connected to the cooling device main body 1. This allows the user to turn on the abnormality detection that was set to OFF when the second condensation-prevention fan 32 is connected to the cooling device main body 1 without requiring a user to perform an operation on the operation unit 6. This reduces the workload required to turn on the abnormality detection in the rotational drive of the second condensation-prevention fan 32 that was set to OFF. Furthermore, because the control unit 4 can automatically turn on the rotational drive abnormality detection for the second condensation suppression fan 32, it is possible to prevent the rotational drive abnormality detection for the second condensation suppression fan 32 from remaining set to off after the second condensation suppression fan 32 is connected to the cooling device main body 1 due to the user forgetting to set the rotational drive abnormality detection for the second condensation suppression fan 32 to on after it has been set to off. Note that because the control unit 4 does not perform the abnormality detection setting process for the first condensation suppression fan 31, the processing burden for setting the abnormality detection can be reduced compared to when the abnormality detection setting process is performed for the first condensation suppression fan 31.

[0132] The other effects of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0133] (Variation) The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims rather than the above description of the embodiments, and further includes all modifications (variations) within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0134] For example, in the first and second embodiments described above, the condensation-prevention fan includes a first condensation-prevention fan and a second condensation-prevention fan, the terminals include a first terminal and a second terminal, and at least the first condensation-prevention fan is connected to the first terminal. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the condensation-prevention fan may be configured such that only the first condensation-prevention fan is provided as needed, and the terminals include at least the first terminal.

[0135] In this case, for example, when the cooling device is shipped, the first condensation suppression fan is not connected to the first terminal. The first condensation suppression fan is connected to the first terminal as needed. Then, when the cooling device is shipped, abnormality detection for the first condensation suppression fan is set to off. When the power to the cooling device is switched from off to on, the control unit does not perform any action on the abnormality detection setting because the acquired signal input to the first terminal is a signal with a logic 1, and because abnormality detection for the first condensation suppression fan is set to off, abnormality detection for the first condensation suppression fan is not performed.

[0136] When the first condensation suppression fan is connected to the first terminal and the cooling device is switched from off to on, the control unit switches the abnormality detection that was set to off for the first condensation suppression fan to on based on the acquired signal input to the first terminal being a signal with a logical value of 0. The control unit then detects an abnormality in the rotational drive of the first condensation suppression fan based on the signal input to the first terminal.

[0137] Alternatively, for example, the plurality of condensation-suppression fans may include three or more condensation-suppression fans, and the plurality of terminals may include three or more terminals. At least one or more condensation-suppression fans may be connected to a corresponding terminal, and at least one or more condensation-suppression fans may be additionally connected to a corresponding terminal.

[0138] In the first and second embodiments, the blower is a condensation-suppressing blower that suppresses condensation on the outer surface of the cooling device body to which the blower is attached, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the blower may be a heat-dissipating blower.

[0139] In the first and second embodiments, the condensation suppression fan is provided on the outer surface of the bottom of the cooling device body, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the condensation suppression fan may be provided on the outer surface of the side or rear of the cooling device body. The installation location of the condensation suppression fan is not particularly limited.

[0140] In the first and second embodiments, the condensation-suppressing fan is configured to send air from the front side of the bottom of the cooling device body to the back side of the cooling device body, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the condensation-suppressing fan may be configured to send air from the back side of the bottom of the cooling device body to the front side of the cooling device body, or may be configured to send air from the right side of the bottom of the cooling device body to the left side of the cooling device body. The blowing direction of the condensation-suppressing fan is not particularly limited.

[0141] In the first and second embodiments, the condensation suppression fan is connectable to a terminal included in the cooling device main body, and the control unit is configured to detect an abnormality based on a signal received via the terminal. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the condensation suppression fan may be provided in the cooling device main body without a terminal, and the control unit may be configured to detect an abnormality based on a signal other than the signal received via the terminal.

[0142] In the first and second embodiments, the controller is configured to set the abnormality detection, which had been set to OFF based on the detection of rotational drive of the condensation suppression fan, to ON when the power supply of the cooling device is switched from OFF to ON. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the condensation suppression fan may be configured to be able to switch its rotational drive ON and OFF, and the controller may be configured to set the abnormality detection, which had been set to OFF based on the detection of rotational drive of the condensation suppression fan, to ON when the rotational drive of the condensation suppression fan is switched from OFF to ON.

[0143] In the first and second embodiments, the control unit is configured to reset the abnormality detection for the first condensation-suppression fan to ON when the second condensation-suppression fan is connected to the second terminal, regardless of whether the abnormality detection for the first condensation-suppression fan is ON or not. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control unit may be configured to not perform any action on the abnormality detection setting for the first condensation-suppression fan that is ON when the second condensation-suppression fan is connected to the second terminal. [Explanation of symbols]

[0144] 1 Cooling device body 1a Outer surface 2 Refrigeration cycle 3 Blower for suppressing condensation (blower) 4. Control Unit 6 Control section 7 terminals 31 1st dew condensation suppression fan (1st fan) 32 2nd condensation suppression fan (2nd fan) 100, 200 cooling device S cooling space

Claims

1. a cooling device main body including a cooling space therein and configured to cool products placed in the cooling space; a refrigeration cycle that cools the air in the cooling space; a blower provided on an outer surface of the cooling device body, for blowing air onto the outer surface, and connectable to the cooling device body; a control unit that detects an abnormality in the rotational drive of the fan when an abnormality detection that detects an abnormality in the rotational drive of the fan is set to on; The cooling device, wherein the control unit is configured to set the abnormality detection, which has been set to OFF, to ON when the blower is connected to the cooling device main body.

2. The cooling device according to claim 1 , wherein the blower is configured to suppress condensation on the outer surface of the cooling device body to which the blower is attached.

3. the blower is configured to be connectable to a terminal included in the cooling device main body, The control unit When the abnormality detection for detecting an abnormality in the rotational drive of the fan based on a signal via the terminal is set to ON, the abnormality in the rotational drive of the fan is detected, and The cooling device according to claim 1 , configured to set the abnormality detection, which has been set to off for the blower connected to the terminal, to on when the blower is connected to the terminal.

4. The cooling device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to set the abnormality detection, which has been set to off, to on based on detection of rotational driving of the blower connected to the cooling device main body.

5. The cooling device according to claim 4, wherein the control unit is configured to set the abnormality detection, which was set to off, to on based on detection of rotational driving of the blower connected to the cooling device main body when the power supply of the cooling device is switched from off to on.

6. The blowers include a first blower pre-connected to the cooling device body and a second blower additionally connected to the cooling device body, The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to set the abnormality detection, which has been set to off for the second blower, to on when the second blower is connected to the cooling device main body.

7. The cooling device according to claim 6, wherein the control unit is configured to reset the abnormality detection to on when the second blower is connected to the cooling device main body, regardless of whether the abnormality detection is set to on for the first blower.

8. an operation unit that can switch settings for the abnormality detection by the control unit; 7. The cooling device according to claim 6, wherein the control unit is configured to set the abnormality detection, which has been set to on, to off based on an operation input from the operation unit when the second blower connected to the cooling device main body is disconnected.

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