Cooling device

Abstract

To provide a cooling device capable of efficiently dehumidifying the whole of air flowing through an evaporator.SOLUTION: A cooling device 100 comprises a compressor 1, a condenser 2, an expansion part 3 and an evaporator 4. The cooling device 100, which is constituted to cool and dehumidify air supplied toward the evaporator 4, has a cooling part 8 for dehumidification, which is arranged on the upstream side of the evaporator 4 in an air flow direction so as to cover the evaporator 4 in a view from the upstream side in the air flow direction of the evaporator 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

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 cooling device. This cooling device includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve (expansion section), an evaporator, and an active frost pipe. The evaporator is configured to cool air by evaporating refrigerant expanded by the expansion valve. The active frost pipe is configured to cool air flowing into the evaporator using the expanded refrigerant supplied from the expansion valve. This condenses the moisture in the air flowing into the evaporator, dehumidifying the air flowing into the evaporator.

[0004] The active frost tube in Patent Document 1 is disposed on the air inlet side of the evaporator. When viewed from the air inlet side of the evaporator, the active frost tube is disposed below the inlet port through which air flows into the evaporator. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2015 / 177822 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the cooling device of Patent Document 1, the active frost pipe is located below the inlet, and therefore it is only capable of dehumidifying the air passing through the lower part of the inlet, which causes a problem that it is not possible to efficiently dehumidify all of the air flowing into the evaporator.

[0007] 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 efficiently dehumidify all of the air flowing into the evaporator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A cooling device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a compressor that compresses a refrigerant, a condenser that condenses the refrigerant discharged from the compressor, an expansion section that expands the refrigerant condensed by the condenser, an evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant expanded by the expansion section to cool air, and a dehumidifying cooling section that is configured to cool and dehumidify air sent toward the evaporator, and is arranged upstream of the evaporator in the air flow direction so as to cover the evaporator when viewed from the upstream side of the air flow direction of the evaporator.

[0009] As described above, a cooling device according to one aspect of the present invention is configured to cool and dehumidify air sent toward an evaporator, and includes a dehumidifying cooling unit disposed upstream of the evaporator in the air flow direction so as to cover the evaporator when viewed from the upstream side of the evaporator in the air flow direction. Since the upstream side of the evaporator is covered by the dehumidifying cooling unit, the air sent toward the evaporator can be entirely dehumidified. As a result, the air sent toward the evaporator is entirely dehumidified by the dehumidifying cooling unit, and therefore, the entire air flowing toward the evaporator can be efficiently dehumidified.

[0010] In the cooling device according to the above aspect, the dehumidifying cooling section preferably includes a plurality of ventilation holes for passing air toward the evaporator, and a cooling surface portion for cooling the air by heat exchange with the air sent toward the evaporator. With this configuration, the evaporator can be entirely covered by the cooling surface portion, thereby realizing a structure in which the air sent toward the evaporator can be entirely dehumidified.

[0011] In the cooling device according to the above aspect, preferably, the evaporator further includes a refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant expanded by the expansion section flows, and the dehumidifying cooling unit includes an attachment portion attached to the refrigerant pipe. With this configuration, the dehumidifying cooling unit is attached to the refrigerant pipe via the attachment portion rather than being integral with the refrigerant pipe, allowing the dehumidifying cooling unit to be retrofitted to the evaporator of an existing cooling device via the attachment portion. Furthermore, because the dehumidifying cooling unit can be cooled by heat transfer from the attachment portion attached to the refrigerant pipe, there is no need to provide a dedicated cold source separate from the evaporator for cooling the dehumidifying cooling unit. As a result, an increase in the number of parts in the cooling device can be suppressed, thereby suppressing an increase in the size of the cooling device and a complex piping structure.

[0012] In this case, the mounting portion preferably includes a heat insulating portion to facilitate heat transfer to the dehumidifying cooling portion. Here, when the temperature of the mounting portion rises due to heat exchange between the mounting portion and outside air, and the temperature of the dehumidifying cooling portion rises as a result, the temperature difference between the air flowing into the evaporator and the dehumidifying cooling portion becomes smaller by the temperature rise, making it difficult for heat to be transferred to the dehumidifying cooling portion. Therefore, by blocking heat exchange between the mounting portion and outside air using a heat insulating portion, it is possible to suppress the temperature rise of the mounting portion due to heat exchange between the mounting portion and outside air, thereby facilitating heat transfer to the dehumidifying cooling portion.

[0013] In the cooling device equipped with the dehumidifying cooling unit including the mounting part, the mounting part preferably has a notch shape that can be hooked onto the refrigerant pipe. With this configuration, the dehumidifying cooling unit can be attached to an existing evaporator simply by hooking the mounting part onto the refrigerant pipe, making it easy to assemble the dehumidifying cooling unit to the evaporator.

[0014] In the cooling device equipped with a dehumidifying cooling unit including the mounting portion, the mounting portion is preferably formed in a plate shape, and the plate-shaped mounting portion has a first plate-shaped portion extending in the air flow direction and abutting the refrigerant pipe, and a second plate-shaped portion protruding from the first plate-shaped portion in a direction along the refrigerant pipe and abutting the refrigerant pipe. With this configuration, both the first plate-shaped portion and the second plate-shaped portion contact the refrigerant pipe, thereby increasing the contact area between the dehumidifying cooling unit and the refrigerant pipe and increasing the cooling area of ​​the dehumidifying cooling unit. As a result, the refrigerant can remove more heat energy from the dehumidifying cooling unit, thereby suppressing a temperature rise in the dehumidifying cooling unit when the dehumidifying cooling unit dehumidifies air.

[0015] In the cooling device equipped with the dehumidifying cooling unit including the cooling surface portion, preferably, the evaporator includes a plurality of fins arranged side by side in a first direction perpendicular to the airflow direction, the cooling surface portion being formed in a plate shape along the first direction, and the plurality of vent holes being arranged offset from each of the plurality of fins in the first direction. With this configuration, the upstream end of each of the fins in the airflow direction faces the portion between adjacent vent holes on the cooling surface portion, so that air flowing toward the evaporator is blocked by the portion between adjacent vent holes on the cooling surface portion, preventing it from hitting the upstream end of each of the fins in the airflow direction. As a result, frost formation on the upstream end of each of the fins in the airflow direction can be suppressed.

[0016] In the cooling device equipped with the dehumidifying cooling unit including the cooling surface, the cooling surface is preferably made of a punched metal or a metal mesh having a plurality of ventilation holes formed therein, which allows the cooling surface to be formed with a simple structure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, as described above, the entire air flowing through the evaporator can be efficiently dehumidified. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a cooling device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an evaporator of the cooling device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view showing an evaporator and a dehumidifying cooling section of a cooling device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a front view showing an evaporator and a dehumidifying cooling section of a cooling device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the Zm1 portion of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a dehumidifying cooling section of the cooling device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 3 is a side view showing the mounting portion of the evaporator and the dehumidifying cooling unit of the cooling device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a cooling device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an evaporator and a dehumidifying cooling section of a cooling device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a case where the cooling device according to the first and second embodiments is applied to a vending machine. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a case in which the cooling devices according to the first and second embodiments are applied to a showcase. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the Zm2 portion of FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a cooling device according to a first modified example of the first and second embodiments. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an evaporator and a dehumidifying cooling section of a cooling device according to a first modified example of the first and second embodiments. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a cooling device according to a second modification of the first and second embodiments. [Figure 17]FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an evaporator and a dehumidifying cooling section of a cooling device according to a second modification of the first and second embodiments. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a cooling device according to a third modified example of the first and second embodiments. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a side view showing an attachment portion of the dehumidifying cooling unit of the cooling device according to a fourth modified example of the first and second embodiments. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a dehumidifying cooling section of a cooling device according to a fifth modified example of the first and second embodiments. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a case in which a cooling device according to a sixth modified example of the first and second embodiments is applied to a showcase. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a dehumidifying cooling section and an evaporator of a cooling device according to a sixth modified example of the first and second embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] [First embodiment] The configuration of a cooling device 100 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0021] (Cooling device configuration) The cooling device 100 is installed in a showcase, a vending machine, a refrigerator, a cold storage warehouse, an air conditioner, and the like.

[0022] 1, the cooling device 100 includes a compressor 1, a condenser 2, an expansion valve 3, an evaporator 4, a refrigerant pipe 5, a blower 6, an air passage 7, a dehumidifying cooling unit 8, and a control unit 9. The expansion valve 3 is an example of the "expansion unit" in the claims.

[0023] The compressor 1 is configured to compress the high-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant flowing out from the evaporator 4 to produce a high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant. The condenser 2 is configured to cool the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant flowing out from the compressor 1 to produce a low-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant by exchanging heat between the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant flowing out from the compressor 1 and outside air. The expansion valve 3 is configured to expand the low-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant flowing out from the condenser 2 to produce a low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant. The evaporator 4 is configured to exchange heat between the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant flowing out from the expansion valve 3 and the air flowing through the ventilation passage 7, thereby evaporating the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant, thereby cooling the air. The detailed configuration of the evaporator 4 will be described later. The high-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant in the evaporator 4 returns to the compressor 1. In this way, the refrigerant circulates through the compressor 1, condenser 2, expansion valve 3, and evaporator 4.

[0024] The refrigerant piping 5 connects the compressor 1, the condenser 2, the expansion valve 3, and the evaporator 4 to one another in order to circulate the refrigerant through the compressor 1, the condenser 2, the expansion valve 3, and the evaporator 4. The blower 6 is configured to blow air into an air passage 7. The air passage 7 is a duct through which the air blown by the blower 6 flows. The evaporator 4 is disposed in the air passage 7. That is, the air to be cooled in the evaporator 4 flows through the air passage 7.

[0025] (evaporator) As shown in FIG. 2, the evaporator 4 includes a refrigerant pipe 41 and a cooling member .

[0026] Here, the vertical direction is defined as the Z direction, the upward direction as the Z1 direction, and the downward direction as the Z2 direction. Furthermore, among the directions perpendicular to the Z direction, the airflow direction in which air flows due to the blower 6 is defined as the Y1 direction, the upstream direction of the airflow direction is defined as the Y2 direction, and the combined direction of the Y1 and Y2 directions is defined as the Y direction. The direction perpendicular to the Z direction and the Y direction is defined as the X direction, with one of the X directions defined as the X1 direction and the other of the X directions defined as the X2 direction. The X direction is an example of the "first direction" in the claims.

[0027] The refrigerant pipe 41 is a pipe through which a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant expanded by the expansion valve 3 flows. When viewed from the Y2 direction, the refrigerant pipe 41 extends in both the X1 and X2 directions. The refrigerant pipe 41 has an inlet pipe section 41a, multiple intermediate pipe sections 41b, and an outlet pipe section 41c. The inlet pipe section 41a is connected to a pipe in the refrigerant pipe 5 that extends from the expansion valve 3 to the evaporator 4. The inlet pipe section 41a extends in the X1 direction. The multiple intermediate pipe sections 41b are sections between the inlet pipe section 41a and the outlet pipe section 41c. When viewed from the Z1 direction, each of the multiple intermediate pipe sections 41b has a U-shape that extends in the X2 direction and then in the X1 direction. The outlet pipe section 41c is connected to a pipe in the refrigerant pipe 5 that extends from the evaporator 4 to the compressor 1. The inlet pipe section 41a extends in the X2 direction.

[0028] The cooling member 42 is a metal member that transfers heat from the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe 41. That is, the cooling member 42 is a member that is cooled by the refrigerant. Specifically, the cooling member 42 is cooled by the refrigerant that has evaporated as a result of heat transferred from the air to the cooling member 42. The cooling member 42 has a plurality of fins 42a and a plurality of collars 42b. The fins 42a and the collars 42b are integrally formed. Each of the fins 42a has a thin plate shape that is thin in the X direction. The fins 42a are arranged side by side at a predetermined pitch Ph1 in the X direction. Each of the fins 42a is attached to the inlet-side pipe section 41a, the intermediate pipe sections 41b, and the outlet-side pipe section 41c, respectively. The collars 42b have a cylindrical shape that matches the pipe shape of the refrigerant pipe 41. Each of the collars 42b connects adjacent fins 42a to one another. The plurality of collars 42b are attached to the inlet pipe section 41a, the plurality of intermediate pipe sections 41b, and the outlet pipe section 41c, respectively.

[0029] (Dehumidification cooling part) 3, the dehumidifying cooling section 8 of the first embodiment is configured to cool and dehumidify the air sent toward the evaporator 4. That is, the dehumidifying cooling section 8 is configured to cool and dehumidify the air in advance before the air is cooled in the evaporator 4. Such a dehumidifying cooling section 8 is disposed in the Y2 direction of the evaporator 4 (upstream of the air flow direction of the evaporator 4) so ​​as to cover the evaporator 4 when viewed from the Y2 direction side.

[0030] Specifically, the dehumidifying cooling section 8 has a cooling surface section 81 and an attachment section 82. The dehumidifying cooling section 8 is a plate-shaped member made of metal.

[0031] (Cooling surface part) 4, the cooling surface portion 81 includes a plurality of ventilation holes 81b that allow air to pass toward the evaporator 4, and is configured to cool the air by performing heat exchange with the air sent toward the evaporator 4. The cooling surface portion 81 has a flat plate portion 81a and a plurality of ventilation holes 81b. The cooling surface portion 81 is configured from a punched metal with a plurality of ventilation holes 81b formed in the flat plate portion 81a.

[0032] The flat plate portion 81a is formed in a plate shape along the X and Z directions. The flat plate portion 81a is the portion that comes into contact with the air sent toward the evaporator 4 and cools the air by exchanging heat with the air that it comes into contact with. The length L1 of the flat plate portion 81a in the X direction is greater than the length from the fin 42a on the X1 direction side to the fin 42a on the X2 direction side among the multiple fins 42a. The length L2 of the flat plate portion 81a in the Z direction is approximately the same as the length of the fins 42a in the Z direction. In this way, the cooling surface portion 81 covers the entire fins 42a when viewed from the Y2 direction side.

[0033] <Opening area> Each of the multiple ventilation holes 81b penetrates the flat plate portion 81a in the Y direction. The total opening area of ​​the multiple ventilation holes 81b is set based on the cooling area of ​​the flat plate portion 81a and the pressure loss of air passing through the multiple ventilation holes 81b. The total opening area of ​​the multiple ventilation holes 81b is preferably, for example, approximately half the surface area of ​​the flat plate portion 81a on the Y2 direction side. The total opening area of ​​the multiple ventilation holes 81b is the sum of the opening areas of the multiple ventilation holes 81b arranged in a matrix when viewed from the Y2 direction side.

[0034] 5, the opening diameter d of each of the plurality of ventilation openings 81b is set so that each of the plurality of ventilation openings 81b does not become clogged due to frost formation on each of the plurality of ventilation openings 81b within the time from when the evaporator 4 is defrosted until the next defrosting of the evaporator 4. That is, the opening diameter d of each of the plurality of ventilation openings 81b is a diameter calculated based on the thickness of frost that forms on each of the plurality of ventilation openings 81b, which is calculated using the elapsed time during which cooling by the evaporator 4 is performed until the evaporator 4 is defrosted. Specifically, the opening diameter d of each of the plurality of ventilation openings 81b is calculated based on the following formulas (1) to (4).

number

number

number

number

[0035] Here, the mass transfer coefficient, frost area, air density, elapsed time, heat exchanger supply air absolute humidity, heat exchanger surface absolute humidity, frost density, frost area, and safety factor are values ​​acquired in advance.

[0036] <pitch> 6, the ventilation openings 81b are arranged offset in the X direction from the positions of the fins 42a. That is, in a cross section along the X direction, the fins 42a and the portions of the flat plate portion 81a between adjacent fins 42a face each other in the Y1 direction. This prevents air from directly hitting the ends Ep of the fins 42a on the Y2 direction side (the portions circled by dotted lines in FIG. 6, for example), thereby suppressing frost formation on the ends Ep. In this case, the pitch Ph2 between the ventilation openings 81b is set to an integer multiple of the predetermined pitch Ph1 between the fins 42a.

[0037] <Thickness> Each of the flat plate portion 81a and the mounting portion 82 has a predetermined thickness Th to ensure a predetermined heat capacity. The predetermined thickness Th is set according to the outer diameter of the refrigerant pipe 41. For example, when the outer diameter of the refrigerant pipe 41 is ¼ inch, the predetermined thickness Th is preferably 0.5 mm or more. For example, when the outer diameter of the refrigerant pipe 41 is ½ inch, the predetermined thickness Th is preferably 0.8 mm or more. For example, when the outer diameter of the refrigerant pipe 41 is 1 inch, the predetermined thickness Th is preferably 5 mm or more.

[0038] <material> Furthermore, since it is necessary to ensure a predetermined thermal conductivity while ensuring a predetermined heat capacity, each of the flat plate portion 81a and the mounting portion 82 is preferably made of a metal with high thermal conductivity. Each of the flat plate portion 81a and the mounting portion 82 is made of, for example, aluminum or copper.

[0039] (Mounting part) The mounting portion 82 is a portion for mounting the dehumidifying cooling portion 8 to the refrigerant pipe 41. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the mounting portion 82 is formed in a plate shape and has notches that hook onto the refrigerant pipe 41. The mounting portion 82 has a pair of plate-shaped portions 82a, a plurality of notches 82b, and a pair of heat insulating portions 82c. The plate-shaped portions 82a are an example of a "first plate-shaped portion" in the claims.

[0040] The pair of plate-like portions 82a extend in the Y1 direction from the respective ends of the flat plate portion 81a in the X1 and X2 directions and are in contact with the refrigerant pipe 41. Of the pair of plate-like portions 82a, the plate-like portion 82a on the X1 direction side is positioned closer to the X1 direction than the fin 42a at the end on the X1 direction side. Of the pair of plate-like portions 82a, the plate-like portion 82a on the X2 direction side is positioned closer to the X2 direction than the fin 42a at the end on the X2 direction side. As a result, the pair of plate-like portions 82a and the refrigerant pipe 41 are in contact with each other, so the dehumidifying cooling unit 8 is cooled by the refrigerant pipe 41 via the pair of plate-like portions 82a.

[0041] The plurality of cutouts 82b are provided at the Y1-direction end of each of the pair of plate-shaped portions 82a. The plurality of cutouts 82b are recessed in the Y2 direction from the Y1-direction end of each of the pair of plate-shaped portions 82a. The plurality of cutouts 82b have a generally arc shape to match the outer shape of the refrigerant pipe 41. The plurality of cutouts 82b are formed to match the position of the Y2-direction portion of the refrigerant pipe 41. That is, the cutouts 82b are formed to match the position of the intermediate pipe portion 41b on the Z2-direction side among the plurality of intermediate pipe portions 41b. The cutouts 82b are formed to match the position of the intermediate pipe portion 41b adjacent on the Z1-direction side to the intermediate pipe portion 41b on the Z2-direction side among the plurality of intermediate pipe portions 41b. The cutouts 82b are formed to match the position of the intermediate pipe portion 41b adjacent on the Z2-direction side to the outlet-side pipe portion 41c among the plurality of intermediate pipe portions 41b. The notch 82b is formed to match the position of the outlet-side piping portion 41c.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , each of the pair of heat insulating portions 82c is attached to the surface of the pair of plate-shaped portions 82a opposite to the surface facing the fins 42a. Each of the pair of heat insulating portions 82c is provided to prevent the pair of plate-shaped portions 82a, cooled by the refrigerant pipe 41, from being heated due to heat exchange with the outside air outside the cooling device 100. Since the pair of plate-shaped portions 82a are less likely to be heated by the outside air, the cooling surface portion 81 can be cooled accordingly, increasing the temperature difference between the cooling surface portion 81 and the air flowing toward the evaporator 4. This facilitates heat transfer to the dehumidifying cooling unit 8 through the heat insulating portion 82c. The heat insulating portion 82c on the X1 direction side of the pair of heat insulating portions 82c is attached to the entire surface of the X1 direction side of the X1 direction plate-shaped portion 82a. The heat insulating portion 82c on the X2 direction side of the pair of heat insulating portions 82c is attached to the entire surface of the X2 direction side of the X2 direction plate-shaped portion 82a.

[0043] (Control unit) The control unit 9 controls the compressor 1, the expansion valve 3, the blower 6, etc. based on the measurement values ​​of various sensors. That is, the control unit 9 performs cooling control of the cooling device 100. Furthermore, in order to defrost the evaporator 4 and the dehumidifying cooling unit 8, the control unit 9 stops the cooling control for a predetermined time and performs control to raise the temperatures of the evaporator 4 and the dehumidifying cooling unit 8.

[0044] The control unit 9 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a storage unit such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0045] (Effects of the first embodiment) In the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0046] In the first embodiment, as described above, the cooling device 100 is configured to cool and dehumidify air sent toward the evaporator 4, and includes a dehumidifying cooling unit 8 arranged upstream of the evaporator 4 in the Y1 direction (air flow direction) so as to cover the evaporator 4 when viewed from the upstream side of the evaporator 4 in the Y1 direction (air flow direction). As a result, the upstream side of the evaporator 4 is covered by the dehumidifying cooling unit 8, so that the air sent toward the evaporator 4 can be entirely dehumidified. As a result, the air sent toward the evaporator 4 is entirely dehumidified by the dehumidifying cooling unit 8, so that the entire air flowing toward the evaporator 4 can be efficiently dehumidified.

[0047] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, as described above, the dehumidifying cooling section 8 includes a plurality of ventilation holes 81b that pass air toward the evaporator 4, and also includes the cooling surface section 81 that cools the air by performing heat exchange with the air sent toward the evaporator 4. This allows the cooling surface section 81 to cover the entire evaporator 4, thereby realizing a structure that entirely dehumidifies the air sent toward the evaporator 4.

[0048] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, as described above, the evaporator 4 includes the refrigerant pipe 41 through which the refrigerant expanded by the expansion section flows. The dehumidifying cooling unit 8 includes an attachment portion 82 that is attached to the refrigerant pipe 41. As a result, the dehumidifying cooling unit 8 is not provided integrally with the refrigerant pipe 41 but is attached to the refrigerant pipe 41 by the attachment portion 82, so that the dehumidifying cooling unit 8 can be retrofitted to the evaporator 4 of an existing cooling device 100 via the attachment portion 82. Furthermore, because the dehumidifying cooling unit 8 can be cooled by heat transfer from the attachment portion 82 attached to the refrigerant pipe 41, there is no need to provide a dedicated cold source separate from the evaporator 4 for cooling the dehumidifying cooling unit 8. As a result, an increase in the number of parts of the cooling device 100 can be suppressed, which in turn suppresses an increase in the size of the cooling device 100 and a complex piping structure.

[0049] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, as described above, the mounting portion 82 includes the heat insulating portion 82c to facilitate heat transfer to the dehumidifying cooling portion 8. Here, when the temperature of the mounting portion 82 rises due to heat exchange between the mounting portion 82 and the outside air, and the temperature of the dehumidifying cooling portion 8 rises as a result, the temperature difference between the air flowing into the evaporator 4 and the dehumidifying cooling portion 8 becomes smaller by the amount of the temperature rise, making it difficult for heat to be transferred to the dehumidifying cooling portion 8. Therefore, by blocking heat exchange between the mounting portion 82 and the outside air using the heat insulating portion 82c, it is possible to suppress a rise in the temperature of the mounting portion 82 due to heat exchange between the mounting portion 82 and the outside air, and therefore it is possible to facilitate heat transfer to the dehumidifying cooling portion 8.

[0050] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, as described above, the attachment portion 82 has a notched shape that can be hooked onto the refrigerant pipe 41. This allows the dehumidifying cooling unit 8 to be attached to the existing evaporator 4 simply by hooking the attachment portion 82 onto the refrigerant pipe 41, making it easy to assemble the dehumidifying cooling unit 8 to the evaporator 4.

[0051] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, as described above, the evaporator 4 includes a plurality of fins 42a arranged side by side in the X direction (first direction) perpendicular to the Y1 direction (air flow direction). The cooling surface portion 81 is formed in a plate shape along the X direction (first direction). The plurality of ventilation openings 81b are arranged offset from the positions of the plurality of fins 42a in the X direction (first direction). As a result, the upstream end of each of the plurality of fins 42a in the Y1 direction (air flow direction) faces the portion between adjacent ventilation openings 81b of the cooling surface portion 81. Therefore, air flowing toward the evaporator 4 is blocked by the portion between adjacent ventilation openings 81b of the cooling surface portion 81, and therefore, the air does not impinge on the upstream end of each of the plurality of fins 42a in the Y1 direction (air flow direction). As a result, frost formation on the upstream end of each of the plurality of fins 42a in the Y1 direction (air flow direction) can be suppressed.

[0052] In the first embodiment, as described above, the cooling surface portion 81 is made of punched metal in which a plurality of ventilation holes 81b are formed, thereby enabling the cooling surface portion 81 to be formed with a simple structure.

[0053] [Second embodiment] The configuration of a cooling device 200 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. In the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, a cooling surface 281 is configured by a metal mesh in which a plurality of ventilation holes 281b are formed. Note that in the second embodiment, detailed description of the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0054] The configuration of a cooling device 200 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0055] (Cooling device configuration) 9, the cooling device 200 includes a compressor 1, a condenser 2, an expansion valve 3, an evaporator 4, a refrigerant pipe 5, a blower 6, an air passage 7, a dehumidifying cooling unit 208, and a control unit 9. The expansion valve 3 is an example of the "expansion unit" in the claims.

[0056] (Dehumidification cooling part) As shown in Fig. 9, the dehumidifying cooling section 208 of the second embodiment is configured to cool and dehumidify air sent toward the evaporator 4. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 10, the dehumidifying cooling section 208 has a cooling surface section 281 and an attachment section 82. Such a dehumidifying cooling section 8 is a plate-shaped member made of metal.

[0057] (Cooling surface part) The cooling surface portion 281 includes a plurality of ventilation holes 281b that allow air to pass toward the evaporator 4, and is configured to cool the air by exchanging heat with the air sent toward the evaporator 4. The cooling surface portion 281 has a flat plate portion 281a and a plurality of ventilation holes 281b. The cooling surface portion 281 is configured by a mesh in which a plurality of ventilation holes 281b are formed in the flat plate portion 281a.

[0058] The other configurations of the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

[0059] (Effects of the second embodiment) In the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0060] In the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the cooling device 200 is configured to cool and dehumidify air sent toward the evaporator 4, and includes a dehumidifying cooling unit 208 arranged upstream of the evaporator 4 in the Y1 direction (air flow direction) so as to cover the evaporator 4 when viewed from the upstream side of the evaporator 4 in the Y1 direction (air flow direction). This allows the entire air flowing to the evaporator 4 to be efficiently dehumidified.

[0061] In the second embodiment, as described above, the cooling surface portion 81 is made of a metal mesh in which a plurality of ventilation holes 81b are formed, thereby enabling the cooling surface portion 81 to be formed with a simple structure.

[0062] The other effects of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0063] [Examples of potential applications] Here, it is assumed that the cooling device 300, which is the cooling device of the first and second embodiments described above, is applied to the vending machine shown in Fig. 11. Also, it is assumed that the cooling device 400, which is the cooling device of the first and second embodiments described above, is applied to the showcase shown in Figs. 12 and 13.

[0064] [Variations] 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.

[0065] For example, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the dehumidifying cooling unit 8 (208) is attached to the refrigerant pipe 41 by the attachment unit 82, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, as in a first modified example shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 , a cooling device 500 may include a compressor 1, a condenser 2, an expansion valve 3, an evaporator 4, a refrigerant pipe 505, a blower 6, an air passage 7, a dehumidifying cooling unit 508, and a control unit 9. The refrigerant pipe 505 has an evaporator pipe 551 and a dehumidifying pipe 552. The dehumidifying cooling unit 508 is attached to the dehumidifying pipe 552.

[0066] In the above-described first and second embodiments, the dehumidifying cooling section 8 (208) is attached to the evaporator 4 by the attachment section 82, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, as in a second modified example shown in Figs. 16 and 17 , a cooling device 600 may include a compressor 1, a condenser 2, an expansion valve 3, an evaporator 4, refrigerant piping 5, a blower 6, an air passage 7, a control section 9, a dehumidifying compressor 601, a dehumidifying condenser 602, a dehumidifying expansion valve 603, a dehumidifying cooling section 604, and a dehumidifying refrigerant piping 605. The dehumidifying cooling section 604 is an evaporator dedicated to dehumidification that is provided separately from the evaporator 4.

[0067] Furthermore, in the above-described first and second embodiments, an example has been shown in which the dehumidifying cooling section 8 (208) is attached to the refrigerant pipe 41 by the attachment section 82, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, as in a third modified example shown in FIG. 18 , a cooling device 700 may include a compressor 1, a condenser 2, an expansion valve 3, an evaporator 4, a refrigerant pipe 5, a blower 6, an air passage 7, a plurality of dehumidifying cooling sections 708, and a control section 9. Each of the plurality of dehumidifying cooling sections 708 is a plate-shaped Peltier element. A ventilation hole is provided between adjacent ones of the plurality of dehumidifying cooling sections 708. Each of the plurality of dehumidifying cooling sections 708 has a louver function.

[0068] In the first and second embodiments, the plurality of notches 82b of the mounting portion 82 have an approximately arc shape that matches the outer shape of the refrigerant pipe 41, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, as in a fourth modified example shown in Fig. 19, the notch 882b on the Z1 direction side may be recessed further in the Z1 direction than the other notches 883b. Furthermore, the tip edge of the notch 883b on the Z1 direction side may be chamfered.

[0069] In the first and second embodiments, the mounting portion 82 includes the plate-shaped portion 82a, the plurality of cutouts 82b, and the heat insulating portion 82c. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, as in a fifth modified example shown in Fig. 20, the mounting portion 982 may include the first plate-shaped portion 82a, the plurality of cutouts 82b, the heat insulating portion 82c, and the second plate-shaped portion 982d. The second plate-shaped portion 982d protrudes from the first plate-shaped portion 82a in a direction along the refrigerant pipe 41 and abuts against the refrigerant pipe 41.

[0070] Here, the mounting portion 982 is formed in a plate shape. The plate-shaped mounting portion 982 includes a first plate-shaped portion 82a that extends in the Y1 direction (air flow direction) and abuts against the refrigerant pipe 41. The plate-shaped mounting portion 982 includes a second plate-shaped portion 982d that protrudes from the first plate-shaped portion 82a in a direction along the refrigerant pipe 41 and abuts against the refrigerant pipe 41. As a result, both the first plate-shaped portion 82a and the second plate-shaped portion 982d contact the refrigerant pipe 41, thereby increasing the contact area between the dehumidifying cooling unit 908 and the refrigerant pipe 41, and therefore increasing the area cooled by the dehumidifying cooling unit 908. As a result, the amount of heat energy removed from the dehumidifying cooling unit 908 by the refrigerant can be increased, thereby suppressing a temperature rise in the dehumidifying cooling unit 908 when the dehumidifying cooling unit 908 dehumidifies air.

[0071] In the first and second embodiments, the pair of plate-like portions 82a come into contact with the refrigerant pipe 41, thereby cooling the dehumidifying cooling unit 8 via the pair of plate-like portions 82a, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, heat pipes may be laid on the back surface of the cooling surface of the dehumidifying cooling unit.

[0072] In the first and second embodiments, the dehumidifying cooling unit 8 is formed in a C-shape having a pair of plate-like portions 82a when viewed from the Z1 direction side, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the dehumidifying cooling unit may have a box shape with plate-like portions provided on all sides.

[0073] In the first and second embodiments, the mounting portion 82 includes the plate-shaped portion 82a, the plurality of notches 82b, and the heat insulating portion 82c. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the mounting portion does not necessarily have to include the heat insulating portion.

[0074] In the first and second embodiments, the ventilation openings 81b are arranged offset from the positions of the fins 42a in the X direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the ventilation openings do not have to be arranged offset from the positions of the fins in the X direction.

[0075] In the first and second embodiments, the dehumidifying cooling unit 8 includes the cooling surface 81 and the mounting portion 82. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the dehumidifying cooling unit may include a cooling surface, a mounting portion, and a surface layer containing a supercooling promotion material that promotes supercooling of water. The surface layer is formed by applying the supercooling promotion material to each of the cooling surface and the mounting portion. The supercooling promotion material may be produced by synthesizing polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), five glycine residues, and three tyrosine residues, or may be produced using an antifreeze polysaccharide. Specifically, the supercooling promotion agent may be produced by adding an appropriate amount of antifreeze polysaccharide to a hydrophilic paint main component consisting of an appropriate amount of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), silicate, and an inorganic aluminum compound and mixing them. Alternatively, the supercooling promotion agent may be produced using catechin-type tannins, such as lychee fruit-derived low-molecular-weight polyphenols, lychee fruit-derived polyphenols (LFP), and grape seed-derived polyphenols (GSP). In addition, the supercooling promoter may be prepared so as to contain one or more substances selected from N-long-chain acyl acidic amino acids or salts thereof. Note that the supercooling promoter is not limited to the above examples, and any substance can be used as long as it is capable of promoting the supercooling of water attached to the surface layer.

[0076] Although the cooling device 400 of the first and second embodiments described above is applied to a showcase with the structure shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, the cooling device 1000 may be applied to a showcase in which air flows from the Z2 direction toward the Z1 direction toward the evaporator 1004, as in a sixth modified example shown in FIG. 21. In this case, as shown in FIG. 22, the dehumidifying cooling unit 1008 has a cooling surface portion 1081 and an attachment portion 1082. The cooling surface portion 1081 includes a plurality of ventilation holes 1081b that allow air to pass from the Z2 direction toward the evaporator 4 toward the Z1 direction, and is configured to exchange heat with the air sent toward the evaporator 1004 to cool the air. The cooling surface portion 1081 has a flat plate portion 1081a and a plurality of ventilation holes 1081b. The mounting portion 1082 has a pair of plate-like portions 1082a, a plurality of notches 1082b, and a pair of heat insulating portions 1082c. The Z1 direction is an example of the "air flow direction" in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1 Compressor 2 Condenser 3 Expansion valve (expansion section) 4. Evaporator 8, 208, 508, 708, 1008 Cooling section for dehumidification 41 Refrigerant piping 42a Fin 81, 281, 1081 Cooling surface section 81b, 281b, 1081b ventilation hole 82, 982, 1082 mounting part 82a, 1082a Plate-shaped part (first plate-shaped part) 82b, 882b, 883b, 1082b notch 82c,1082c Insulation section 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700,1000 Cooling equipment 982d Second plate-shaped part

Claims

1. a compressor that compresses a refrigerant; a condenser that condenses the refrigerant discharged from the compressor; an expansion section that expands the refrigerant condensed by the condenser; an evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant expanded by the expansion section to cool the air; A cooling device comprising: a dehumidifying cooling section configured to cool and dehumidify air sent toward the evaporator, and arranged upstream of the evaporator in the air flow direction so as to cover the evaporator when viewed from the upstream side of the air flow direction of the evaporator.

2. 2. The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the dehumidifying cooling section includes a plurality of ventilation openings for passing air toward the evaporator, and a cooling surface section for performing heat exchange with the air sent toward the evaporator to cool the air.

3. the evaporator further includes a refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant expanded by the expansion section flows, The cooling device according to claim 1 , wherein the dehumidifying cooling section includes a mounting section that is mounted to the refrigerant pipe.

4. The cooling device according to claim 3 , wherein the mounting portion includes a heat insulating portion for facilitating heat transfer to the dehumidifying cooling portion.

5. The cooling device according to claim 3 , wherein the attachment portion has a notch shape that hooks onto the refrigerant pipe.

6. The mounting portion is formed in a plate shape, The plate-shaped mounting portion is a first plate-shaped portion extending in the air flow direction and abutting against the refrigerant pipe; The cooling device according to claim 3 , further comprising: a second plate-shaped portion that protrudes from the first plate-shaped portion in a direction along the refrigerant pipe and abuts against the refrigerant pipe.

7. the evaporator includes a plurality of fins arranged side by side in a first direction among directions orthogonal to the air flow direction, The cooling surface portion is formed in a plate shape along the first direction, The cooling device according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of ventilation openings are arranged so as to be offset from the positions of the plurality of fins in the first direction.

8. The cooling device according to claim 2 , wherein the cooling surface portion is made of a punched metal or a metal mesh in which the plurality of ventilation holes are formed.

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