Showcase

Abstract

To suppress occurrence of dew condensation on a door body for closing a front opening.SOLUTION: A showcase 1 comprises a case body 10 including a door body 17 in such a manner as to open and close a front opening 10a formed on a front surface, a plurality of product placement shelves 12 provided along a vertical direction in a storage chamber 11 in such a manner as to face the front opening 10a inside the case body 10, a circulation fan 21 for circulating air between the inside and the outside of the storage chamber 11 in such a manner as to suck the air of the storage chamber 11 from a suction port 141 opened in a front lower part of the storage chamber 11 and blow out the air to the storage chamber 11 from a blowout port 142 opened in a front upper part of the storage chamber 11, and a cooling unit 22 for cooling the air to be circulated by the circulation fan 21. The showcase for cooling products placed on the product placement shelf 12 includes air blowing means for sending the air toward a lower-side outer surface 17b of the door body 17 that closes the front opening 10a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a known showcase has multiple product placement shelves arranged vertically in a storage chamber facing the front opening of the case body. Some such showcases are retrofitted with a door that opens and closes the front opening in order to reduce power consumption (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-161345 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, in the showcase of Patent Document 1 described above, when the front opening is closed by the door body, cool air inside leaks to the outside, which can cause condensation on the outer surface on the lower side.

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a showcase that can suppress the occurrence of condensation on a door body that closes a front opening. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the showcase of the present invention comprises a case body having a door body that opens and closes a front opening formed on the front, a storage chamber that is arranged inside the case body facing the front opening, product storage shelves that are arranged in multiple tiers along the vertical direction in a storage chamber, a circulation fan that circulates air between the inside and outside of the storage chamber in a manner that draws in air from an intake port that opens at the front lower part of the storage chamber and blows air into the storage chamber from an outlet port that opens at the front upper part of the storage chamber, and a cooling unit that cools the air circulated by the circulation fan, and is a showcase that cools products placed on the product storage shelves, and is characterized by comprising an air blowing means that blows air toward the lower outer surface of the door body that closes the front opening.

[0007] The present invention is also characterized in that, in the above-mentioned showcase, the air-blowing means comprises a lower air-blowing fan arranged at the bottom of the case body, which introduces and blows outside air, and an air-blowing duct which guides the outside air blown by the lower air-blowing fan to the lower outer surface of the door body which closes the front opening.

[0008] The present invention is also characterized in that, in the above-mentioned showcase, the air blowing means is provided with an auxiliary air blowing fan that is arranged on a support base that supports the lower end of the door body and that introduces outside air and blows it out to the lower outer surface near the axis of the door body.

[0009] The present invention is also characterized in that, in the above-mentioned showcase, the air supply duct is attached to the front surface of the case body and is provided with an exterior panel member that guides the outside air to the lower outer surface of the door body that closes the front opening through a slit formed above the panel member while allowing the outside air to pass between the duct and the front surface.

[0010] The present invention is also characterized in that, in the above-mentioned showcase, the air duct is provided with an air guide member that guides the outside air blown from the lower air fan toward the exterior panel member, and the air guide member is formed with an induction hole for guiding a portion of the outside air blown from the lower air fan toward the bottom of the case body.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the showcase described above, the air guide member includes an air direction guide for guiding the outside air that has passed through the guide hole to the bottom of the case body.

[0012] The present invention is also characterized in that the above-mentioned showcase is provided with a filter member that is removably arranged through an insertion port formed in a kick plate attached to the case body, and that, when inserted through the insertion port and arranged, collects dust particles contained in the outside air sucked into the lower blower fan.

[0013] Furthermore, in the showcase of the present invention, the lower blower fan is disposed in a horizontal position so as to suck in the outside air from below and blow it upward.

[0014] The present invention is also characterized in that the above-mentioned showcase is provided with an opening / closing detection unit that detects the opening and closing of the front opening, and a control unit that drives the lower blower fan on the condition that the opening / closing detection unit detects that the front opening is blocked.

[0015] The present invention is also characterized in that the above-mentioned showcase is provided with a temperature and humidity sensor that detects the temperature and humidity around the case body, and the control unit drives the lower blower fan when the detection result of the temperature and humidity sensor meets predetermined driving conditions.

[0016] The present invention is also characterized in that the showcase is provided with a wind speed detection sensor that detects the wind speed of the outside air passing through the slit in the exterior panel member, and a control unit that performs an alarm operation to prompt cleaning of the filter member when the detection value of the wind speed detection sensor is below a predetermined threshold value.

[0017] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that in the showcase, the door body is a heat insulating glass door. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, the air blowing means blows air toward the lower outer surface of the door body that blocks the front opening, so even if cold air inside the case body leaks to the outside, the blown air removes the cold air, thereby achieving the effect of suppressing the occurrence of condensation on the door body that blocks the front opening. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view schematically showing the internal structure of a showcase according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the external configuration of the showcase according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a characteristic control system of the showcase according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view showing a main part of the showcase shown in FIGS. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view showing a main part of the showcase shown in FIGS. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the details of the blower fan drive control process performed by the control unit shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view schematically showing the internal structure of a showcase according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a front view showing the external configuration of a showcase according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram that schematically shows a characteristic control system of the showcase according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view showing a main part of the showcase shown in FIGS. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an enlarged exploded perspective view showing the main parts of the showcase shown in FIGS. [Figure 12]FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the details of the blower fan drive control process performed by the control unit shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the process of determining whether or not the filter member needs to be cleaned, which is performed by the control unit 60 shown in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a front view showing the external configuration of a modified example of the showcase according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view showing a main part of a modified example of the showcase according to the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a showcase according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] <First Embodiment> Figures 1 to 3 each show a showcase according to embodiment 1 of the present invention, where Figure 1 is a cross-sectional side view showing the internal structure, Figure 2 is a front view showing the external configuration, and Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the characteristic control system.

[0022] The showcase 1 illustrated here is one that is installed in stores such as convenience stores and supermarkets, and includes a case body 10.

[0023] The case body 10 is a substantially rectangular heat-insulating housing with an opening 10a (hereinafter also referred to as the "front opening") formed on the front side. The case body 10 is provided with a storage chamber 11, a ventilation passage 13, a canopy 15, and a door body 17.

[0024] The storage room 11 is a room formed in a manner facing the front opening 10a. In this storage room 11, a plurality of (six in the illustrated example) product placement shelves 12 are provided in multiple levels along the vertical direction.

[0025] The product placement shelves 12 are conventionally known and each include a shelf board 12a. The shelf board 12a is a substantially flat member, and its upper surface forms a placement surface on which products are placed. The shelf board 12a is mounted on a pair of left and right bracket members 12b via rail members (not shown). The shelf board 12a is slidable in the front-to-rear direction relative to the bracket members 12b.

[0026] The ventilation passage 13 is formed inside the case body 10 and outside the storage chamber 11, and is an air passage from the intake port 141 to the air outlet 142.

[0027] Suction port 141 is an opening for drawing in air inside storage chamber 11, and is elongated and extends in the left-right direction. Suction port 141 opens at the lower front edge of storage chamber 11, i.e., at the front lower part of storage chamber 11.

[0028] The air outlet 142 is an opening for blowing air into the interior of the storage chamber 11. The air outlet 142 is provided to extend in the left-right direction and is provided at the upper front edge of the storage chamber 11, i.e., at the front upper part of the storage chamber 11.

[0029] A honeycomb-structured straightening member 19 is provided at this air outlet 142 in a manner that closes the air outlet 142. The straightening member 19 straightens the flow of air passing through it, i.e., the air blown out from the air outlet 142. This straightening member 19 has straightening slits 19a formed in its rear end portion, and is configured so that its thickness gradually decreases as it approaches the straightening slits 19a.

[0030] Such ventilation passage 13 comprises a lower duct 13a located below and outside the storage room 11, a rear duct 13b located behind and outside the storage room 11, and an upper duct 13c located above and outside the storage room 11, and these lower duct 13a, rear duct 13b and upper duct 13c are connected to one another.

[0031] A circulation fan 21 and an evaporator 22a are installed inside such ventilation duct 13. The circulation fan 21 is equipped with a circulation fan drive unit, such as a motor, and is driven by commands given from a control unit 30, which will be described later. This circulation fan 21 circulates air when driven. In the showcase 1, when the circulation fan 21 is driven, air drawn into the ventilation duct 13 through the suction port 141 is sent to the outlet 142, and then blown out from the outlet 142 into the storage chamber 11. In this way, the circulation fan 21 circulates air between the storage chamber 11 and the ventilation duct 13, i.e., between the inside and outside of the storage chamber 11.

[0032] The evaporator 22a is connected in a circular fashion to a compressor, a condenser, and an electronic expansion valve (not shown) through refrigerant pipes, thereby constituting the cooling unit 22 that circulates the refrigerant. The cooling unit 22 (mainly the compressor) is driven by commands given from the control unit 30.

[0033] This evaporator 22a exchanges heat between the refrigerant supplied to it and the air passing through the ventilation path 13 as the circulation fan 21 is driven, and more specifically, cools the air passing through the ventilation path 13 by evaporating the refrigerant.

[0034] The canopy 15 constitutes the upper front end of the case body 10 and forms the upper edge of the front opening 10a. A light source 16, such as a fluorescent lamp, is installed below the canopy 15 so as to illuminate downward.

[0035] The door body 17 has a left front door 17L and a right front door 17R. The left front door 17L is a heat-insulating glass door large enough to close the left half of the front opening 10a of the case body 10. The upper end of the left end portion of the left front door 17L is pivotally supported by the canopy 15, and the lower end is pivotally supported by a left support base 23 disposed on the lower left side of the case body 10, allowing the door to swing in the front-to-rear direction.

[0036] The right front door 17R is a heat-insulating glass door large enough to close the right half of the front opening 10a of the case body 10. The upper end of the right end portion of this right front door 17R is pivotally supported by the canopy 15, and the lower end is pivotally supported by a right support base 24 disposed on the lower right side of the case body 10, allowing the door to swing in the front-to-rear direction.

[0037] The showcase 1 includes a setting input unit 25, an open / close detection unit 26, a temperature and humidity sensor 27, a blower fan 28, and a control unit 30 in addition to the above configuration.

[0038] The setting input unit 25 is provided, for example, on the front surface of the canopy 15, and is an operation portion for inputting various settings. The open / close detection unit 26 is provided near the front opening 10a of the case body 10. This open / close detection unit 26 is turned off when the front opening 10a is closed by the door body 17 (the left front door 17L and the right front door 17R), and is turned on when at least one of the left front door 17L and the right front door 17R swings forward to open the front opening 10a, thereby sending an on signal to the control unit 30. The temperature and humidity sensor 27 is a detection means for detecting the temperature and humidity around the case body 10. The detection result of this temperature and humidity sensor 27 is provided to the control unit 30 as a detection signal.

[0039] The blower fan 28 is configured to include an upper blower fan 281 and a lower blower fan 282. The upper blower fan 281 is disposed inside the canopy 15. The upper blower fan 281 includes an upper blower fan drive unit such as a motor, and is driven by a command given from the control unit 30. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the upper blower fans 281 are provided in a number corresponding to the number of doors constituting the door body 17. More specifically, the upper blower fans 281 are provided in an upper portion of the left front door 17L and an upper portion of the right front door 17R.

[0040] As shown in Figure 4, when the upper blower fan 281 is driven, it takes in air from the storage room 11 (mainly a portion of the air blown out from the outlet 142) into the canopy 15 through an intake hole 151 formed in the canopy 15, and then blows the air out through a ventilation hole 152 formed in the canopy 15 to the upper inner surface 17a of the door body 17 that closes the front opening 10a.

[0041] The lower blower fan 282 is disposed in the lower part of the case body 10, behind the central portion of the kick plate 32 that blocks the gap between the left support base 23 and the right support base 24. The kick plate 32 has a plurality of through holes 321 formed at both left and right ends excluding the central portion. These through holes 321 are elongated holes whose longitudinal direction is the up-down direction. The kick plate 32 also has an introduction notch 322 formed at the upper end of the central portion, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0042] The lower blower fan 282 includes a lower blower fan drive unit such as a motor, and is driven by a command given from the control unit 30. When driven, the lower blower fan 282 blows air from the rear to the front.

[0043] Here, the rear side of the case body 10 of the showcase 1 is the wall of a store or the like, and other showcases 1 are installed on the left and right sides of the case body 10, and the lower blower fan 282 blows outside air that has passed through the passage hole 321 from front to rear toward the front.

[0044] The lower blower fan 282 constitutes a blowing means together with the blower duct 33. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the blower duct 33 is constituted by an air guide member 331, a guide member 332 and an exterior panel member 333.

[0045] The air guide member 331 is disposed in front of the lower blower fan 282 and guides the outside air (air) sent out by the lower blower fan 282 to the inlet cutout 322 .

[0046] The guide member 332 is made by bending a metal plate or the like, and has a rear end portion connected to the kick plate 32 and a front end portion connected to the lower end of the exterior panel member 333. The guide member 332 guides the outside air that has been led to the introduction notch 322 to the exterior panel member 333. The guide member 332 as a whole extends upward as it moves forward, and has a recess 332a formed in the middle that protrudes downward.

[0047] The exterior panel member 333 is attached in a manner that covers the front surface of the case body 10, i.e., the front surface of the lower edge of the front opening. The upper end, lower end, and both left and right ends of this exterior panel member 333 are bent backward, and the lower end is connected to the front end portion of the guide member 332, the upper end is connected to the front surface of the case body 10, the left end is connected to the left face of the case body 10, and the right end is connected to the right face of the case body 10. A plurality of slits 333a are formed in the upper end.

[0048] Such an exterior panel member 333 allows the outside air guided by the guide member 332 to pass radially between the front surface of the case body 10 and the guide member 332 so as to be diffused to the left and right, and then blows it upward through the slits 333a, guiding it to the lower outer surface 17b of the door body 17 that closes the front opening.

[0049] The control unit 30 comprehensively controls the operation of each unit of the showcase 1 in accordance with the programs and data stored in the storage unit 31. The control unit 30 may be realized by, for example, having a processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) execute a program, that is, by software, or by hardware such as an IC (Integrated Circuit), or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0050] In the showcase 1 having the above-described configuration, the control unit 30 drives the circulation fan 21 while driving the cooling unit 22, thereby cooling the air circulating between the storage room 11 and the ventilation duct 13, and cooling the products placed on each product storage shelf 12.

[0051] When the circulation fan 21 and the cooling unit 22 are driven to cool the products in this way, the control unit 30 performs the following blower fan drive control process.

[0052] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the details of the blower fan drive control process performed by the control unit 30 shown in FIG.

[0053] 6, the control unit 30 determines whether the open / close detection unit 26 is off (step S101). If the open / close detection unit 26 is not off (step S101: No), that is, if the open / close detection unit 26 is on and at least a part of the front opening 10a is open, the control unit 30 issues a command to the upper blower fan drive unit to stop driving the upper blower fan 281 and issues a command to the lower blower fan drive unit to stop driving the lower blower fan 282 (step S102), and then returns the procedure to end the current processing.

[0054] On the other hand, if the open / close detection unit 26 is off (step S101: Yes), the control unit 30 determines whether or not a detection signal is input from the temperature and humidity sensor 27 (step S103). If a detection signal is not input from the temperature and humidity sensor 27 (step S103: No), the control unit 30 repeats the above process.

[0055] On the other hand, if a detection signal is input from the temperature and humidity sensor 27 (step S103: Yes), the control unit 30 reads out drive condition information for driving the upper blower fan 281 and the lower blower fan 282 from the memory unit 31, and determines whether the detection result from the temperature and humidity sensor 27 satisfies the preset drive conditions (step S104).

[0056] If the detection result of the temperature and humidity sensor 27 does not satisfy the drive conditions (step S104: No), the control unit 30 repeats the process of step S103. On the other hand, if the detection result of the temperature and humidity sensor 27 satisfies the drive conditions (step S104: Yes), the control unit 30 issues a command to the upper blower fan drive unit to drive the upper blower fan 281, and issues a command to the lower blower fan drive unit to drive the lower blower fan 282 (step S105), and then returns the procedure to end the current process.

[0057] According to this, the upper blower fan 281 takes in air from the storage room 11 (mainly a portion of the air blown out from the outlet 142) into the inside of the canopy 15 through the intake hole 151, and sends the air out through the ventilation hole 152 to the upper inner surface 17a of the door body 17 that blocks the front opening 10a.

[0058] In addition, the lower blower fan 282 blows the outside air that has passed through the passage hole 321 from front to rear through the air duct 33 (air guide member 331, guide member 332 and exterior panel member 333) to the lower outer surface 17b of the door body 17 that closes the front opening.

[0059] In this way, the control unit 30 drives the upper blower fan 281 and the lower blower fan 282 when the detection result of the temperature and humidity sensor 27 satisfies the predetermined driving conditions, while the opening / closing detection unit 26 detects that the front opening 10a is closed.

[0060] Incidentally, when the control unit 30 stops the operation of the cooling unit 22 to perform defrosting operation to remove frost that has adhered to the evaporator 22a, or when it stops cooling the products placed on each product storage shelf 12, it issues a command to the upper blower fan drive unit to stop driving the upper blower fan 281, and issues a command to the lower blower fan drive unit to stop driving the lower blower fan 282.

[0061] As described above, according to the showcase 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention, the lower blower fan 282 sends air via the air duct 33 toward the lower outer surface 17b of the door body 17 that closes the front opening 10a, so even if cold air inside the case body 10 leaks to the outside, the outside air removes the cold air, thereby suppressing the occurrence of condensation on the door body 17 that closes the front opening 10a. Moreover, part of the air that has passed through the passage holes 321 due to the driving of the lower blower fan 282 passes through the lower part of the case body 10, thereby suppressing the occurrence of condensation on the lower part of the case body 10.

[0062] According to the showcase 1, the guide member 332 constituting the air supply duct 33 has the recess 332a formed therein, so that even if water enters through the slit 333a, it can be stored in the recess 332a, preventing the floor surface on which the showcase 1 is placed from getting wet. Moreover, the water stored in the recess 332a is exposed to the outside air passing through the guide member 332, which promotes evaporation of the stored water and enables it to be removed.

[0063] Furthermore, according to the showcase 1, the upper blower fan 281 blows air toward the upper inner surface 17a of the door body 17 that blocks the front opening 10a, thereby preventing air from accumulating near the upper inner surface 17a of the door body 17 and suppressing condensation on the door body 17 that blocks the front opening 10a.

[0064] According to the showcase 1, the control unit 30 drives the lower blower fan 282 when the detection result of the temperature and humidity sensor 27 satisfies predetermined driving conditions, provided that the opening / closing detection unit 26 detects that the front opening 10a is blocked. Therefore, the lower blower fan 282 is driven only in situations where condensation is likely to occur, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0065] According to the above-mentioned showcase 1, when the control unit 30 stops the operation of the cooling unit 22 to perform defrosting operation to remove frost adhering to the evaporator 22a, or when it stops cooling the products placed on each product storage shelf 12, it issues a command to the lower blower fan drive unit to stop the operation of the lower blower fan 282, which also helps to reduce power consumption.

[0066] <Embodiment 2> 7 to 9 each show a showcase according to a second embodiment of the present invention, with Fig. 7 being a cross-sectional side view showing the internal structure, Fig. 8 being a front view showing the external configuration, and Fig. 9 being a block diagram showing the characteristic control system. Components having the same configuration as the showcase 1 according to the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted where appropriate.

[0067] The showcase 2 illustrated here is one that is installed in a store such as a convenience store or supermarket, and is equipped with a case body 10, a setting input unit 25, an opening / closing detection unit 26, a temperature / humidity sensor 27, a blower fan 28a, a wind speed detection sensor 50, an alarm unit 51, and a control unit 60.

[0068] The blower fan 28a is configured to include an upper blower fan 281 and a lower blower fan 283. The lower blower fan 283 is disposed in the lower part of the case body 10, rearward of the approximate center of the kick plate 32 that closes the gap between the left support base 23 and the right support base 24.

[0069] This lower blower fan 283 is equipped with a lower blower fan drive unit such as a motor, and is driven by commands given from the control unit 60. As shown in FIG. 10 , the lower blower fan 283 is attached to the air guide member 334 in a manner that closes the opening 334a on the bottom surface of the air guide member 334. The air guide member 334 is a box body with openings 334b, 334a formed on the front and bottom surfaces, and is disposed behind the kick plate 32. The opening 334b ​​on the front surface of the air guide member 334 communicates with the introduction notch 322.

[0070] A plurality of guide holes 334c are formed in the upper surface of the air guide member 334, that is, in the surface that gradually slopes downward toward the rear.

[0071] The lower blower fan 283 has a rotation shaft extending vertically and is provided in a horizontal position so that it blows air upward when driven. A receiving member 284 is attached to the lower blower fan 283.

[0072] The receiving member 284 is formed in a region below the lower-side blower fan 283, and has an introduction opening 284a formed in its front surface, which communicates with a rectangular insertion opening 323 formed in the kick plate 32. The bottom of this receiving member 284 is spaced apart from the lower-side blower fan 283, and is provided with a plurality of air vents 284b on which the filter member 40 inserted through the insertion opening 323 is placed. In other words, when the lower-side blower fan 283 is driven, it draws in air that has passed through the air vents 284b and sends it out to the air duct 33 (the air guide member 334, the guide member 332, and the exterior panel member 333).

[0073] As shown in Fig. 11, the filter member 40 is configured to include a filter base 41 and a filter gripping portion 42. The filter base 41 is a rectangular flat plate sized to cover the outside air introduction area of ​​the lower blower fan 283, and has a mesh structure. The filter base 41 collects dust particles contained in the air (outside air) passing through it. The filter gripping portion 42 is a portion that extends upward from the front end portion of the filter base 41. The filter gripping portion 42 is formed so that its vertical dimension is larger than the vertical dimension of the insertion opening 323.

[0074] Such a filter member 40 is arranged so as to be insertable and detachable through the insertion opening 323, and when inserted through the insertion opening 323, the filter base 41 rests on the bottom of the receiving member 284. In this case, the filter member 40 captures dust particles contained in the outside air that is sucked through the air vent 284b by the lower blower fan 283. Furthermore, when the filter member 40 is inserted through the insertion opening 323, the filter gripping portion 42 abuts against the front surface of the kick plate 32 without being inserted through the insertion opening 323.

[0075] The wind speed detection sensor 50 detects the wind speed of the outside air passing through the slit 333a of the exterior panel member 333, and outputs the detection result as a detection signal to the control unit 60. The alarm unit 51 performs an alarm operation such as emitting a buzzer sound in response to a command given from the control unit 60.

[0076] The control unit 60 comprehensively controls the operation of each unit of the showcase 2 in accordance with the programs and data stored in the storage unit 61. The control unit 60 may be realized by, for example, having a processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) execute a program, that is, by software, or by hardware such as an IC (Integrated Circuit), or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0077] In the showcase 2 having the above-described configuration, the control unit 60 drives the circulation fan 21 while driving the cooling unit 22, thereby cooling the air circulating between the storage room 11 and the ventilation passage 13, and cooling the products placed on each product storage shelf 12.

[0078] When the circulation fan 21 and the cooling unit 22 are driven to cool the products in this way, the control unit 60 performs the following blower fan drive control process.

[0079] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the details of the blower fan drive control process performed by the control unit 60 shown in FIG.

[0080] 12, the control unit 60 determines whether the open / close detection unit 26 is off (step S201). If the open / close detection unit 26 is not off (step S201: No), that is, if the open / close detection unit 26 is on and at least a part of the front opening 10a is open, the control unit 60 issues a command to the upper blower fan drive unit to stop driving the upper blower fan 281 and issues a command to the lower blower fan drive unit to stop driving the lower blower fan 283 (step S202), and then returns the procedure to end the current processing.

[0081] On the other hand, if the open / close detection unit 26 is off (step S201: Yes), the control unit 60 determines whether or not a detection signal is input from the temperature and humidity sensor 27 (step S203). If a detection signal is not input from the temperature and humidity sensor 27 (step S203: No), the control unit 60 repeats the above process.

[0082] On the other hand, if a detection signal is input from the temperature and humidity sensor 27 (step S203: Yes), the control unit 60 reads out drive condition information for driving the upper blower fan 281 and the lower blower fan 283 from the memory unit 61, and determines whether the detection result from the temperature and humidity sensor 27 satisfies the preset drive conditions (step S204).

[0083] If the detection result of the temperature and humidity sensor 27 does not satisfy the drive conditions (step S204: No), the control unit 60 repeats the process of step S203. On the other hand, if the detection result of the temperature and humidity sensor 27 satisfies the drive conditions (step S204: Yes), the control unit 60 issues a command to the upper blower fan drive unit to drive the upper blower fan 281, and issues a command to the lower blower fan drive unit to drive the lower blower fan 283 (step S205), and then returns the procedure to end this processing.

[0084] According to this, the upper blower fan 281 takes in air from the storage room 11 (mainly a portion of the air blown out from the outlet 142) into the inside of the canopy 15 through the intake hole 151, and sends the air out through the ventilation hole 152 to the upper inner surface 17a of the door body 17 that blocks the front opening 10a.

[0085] The lower blower fan 283 also blows the outside air that has passed through the ventilation holes 284b and the filter member 40 to the lower outer surface 17b of the door body 17 that closes the front opening, via the air duct 33 (air guide member 334, guide member 332, and exterior panel member 333). In the air duct 33, as shown in FIG. 10, part of the outside air blown by the lower blower fan 283 passes through the guide hole 334c and is guided to the bottom of the case body 10.

[0086] In this way, the control unit 60 drives the upper blower fan 281 and the lower blower fan 283 when the detection result of the temperature and humidity sensor 27 satisfies the predetermined driving conditions, while the opening / closing detection unit 26 detects that the front opening 10a is closed.

[0087] Furthermore, when the control unit 60 drives the upper blower fan 281 and the lower blower fan 283 in the above-described blower fan drive control process, the control unit 60 performs the following filter member cleaning determination process.

[0088] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the process of determining whether or not the filter member needs to be cleaned, which is performed by the control unit 60 shown in FIG.

[0089] In the filter member cleaning determination process, the control unit 60 determines whether or not a detection signal has been input from the wind speed detection sensor 50 (step S211). If a detection signal has not been input from the wind speed detection sensor 50 (step S211: No), the control unit 60 repeats this process.

[0090] If a detection signal is input from the wind speed detection sensor 50 (step S211: Yes), that is, if the wind speed detection sensor 50 detects wind speed, the control unit 60 reads the threshold value from the memory unit 61 and determines whether the detection value included in the detection signal is below the threshold value (step S212).

[0091] Here, the threshold value is stored as threshold value information in the memory unit 61, and is a value for determining whether or not there is sufficient outside air blown by the lower blower fan 283. If the detected value is equal to or less than the threshold value, the outside air blown by the lower blower fan 283 will be insufficient, and there is a risk of condensation forming on the lower outer surface 17b of the door body 17.

[0092] If the detected value exceeds the threshold value (step S212: No), the control unit 60 determines that sufficient outside air is being blown, and returns the procedure to end the current processing without performing the processing described below.

[0093] On the other hand, if the detected value is below the threshold value (step S212: Yes), the control unit 60 determines that the amount of outside air being blown is insufficient and there is a risk of condensation forming on the door body 17, and causes the alarm unit 51 to emit a buzzer sound or other alarm to prompt cleaning of the filter member 40 (step S213), and then returns the procedure to end the current processing.

[0094] This allows the staff of the store that owns the showcase 2 to be aware of the need to clean the filter member 40, and makes it possible to have the filter member 40 cleaned and to allow a sufficient volume of outside air to be blown out.

[0095] Incidentally, when the control unit 60 stops the operation of the cooling unit 22 to perform defrosting operation to remove frost that has adhered to the evaporator 22a, or when it stops cooling the products placed on each product storage shelf 12, it issues a command to the upper blower fan drive unit to stop driving the upper blower fan 281, and also issues a command to the lower blower fan drive unit to stop driving the lower blower fan 283.

[0096] As described above, according to the showcase 2 of the second embodiment of the present invention, the lower blower fan 283 sends air through the air duct 33 toward the lower outer surface 17b of the door body 17 that closes the front opening 10a, so even if cold air inside the case body 10 leaks to the outside, the outside air removes the cold air, thereby suppressing the occurrence of condensation on the door body 17 that closes the front opening 10a. Moreover, part of the air that has passed through the passage holes 321 due to the driving of the lower blower fan 283 passes through the lower part of the case body 10, thereby suppressing the occurrence of condensation on the lower part of the case body 10.

[0097] According to the showcase 2, when the filter member 40 is inserted and arranged so as to be removably inserted through the insertion opening 323 formed in the kick plate 32 attached to the case body 10 and arranged, it collects dust particles contained in the outside air sucked into the lower blower fan 283, thereby preventing the lower blower fan 283 from blowing dust particles out towards the door body 17.

[0098] Furthermore, according to the showcase 2, the lower blower fan 283 is arranged in a horizontal position so as to draw in outside air from below and blow it upward, so that the filter member 40 can be inserted and removed simply by displacing it in the front-to-back direction through the insertion opening 323, thereby facilitating the replacement and cleaning of the filter member 40.

[0099] In particular, when the filter member 40 is inserted through the insertion opening 323, the filter base 41 rests on the bottom of the receiving member 284, while the filter gripping portion 42 abuts against the front surface of the kick plate 32 without being inserted through the insertion opening 323. This reduces the amount of forward protrusion of the filter member 40 from the insertion opening 323, thereby preventing it from coming into contact with the legs of users such as customers of the store.

[0100] According to the showcase 2, the guide hole 334c of the air guide member 334 constituting the air duct 33 guides a portion of the outside air blown from the lower air blower fan 283 to the bottom of the case body 10, thereby suppressing the occurrence of condensation at the bottom.

[0101] According to the showcase 2, when the detection value of the wind speed detection sensor 50 is below a predetermined threshold value, the control unit 60 performs an alarm operation to prompt cleaning of the filter member 40, thereby making store employees and other workers aware of the need to clean the filter member 40, and as a result, the occurrence of condensation on the front door can be suppressed.

[0102] Although the preferred first and second embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these and various modifications can be made.

[0103] In the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, the air blowing means is composed of the lower blower fans 282, 283 and the air blower duct 33, but in the present invention, the configuration is not particularly limited as long as it can blow air toward the lower outer surface of the door body that closes the front opening.

[0104] Although not specifically mentioned in the above-described first and second embodiments, the exterior panel member 333 constituting the air duct 33 may be provided with a guide member so as to actively diffuse the outside air passing between the exterior panel member 333 and the front surface of the case body 10 radially.

[0105] In the first embodiment described above, the lower blower fan 282 is driven to blow outside air onto the lower outer surface 17b of the door body 17, but in the present invention, as shown in Fig. 14, auxiliary blower fans 29 may also be provided on the left support base 23 and the right support base 24, and outside air may be introduced and blown onto the lower outer surface 17c near the axis of the left front door 17L and the lower outer surface 17c near the axis of the right front door 17R by driving the auxiliary blower fans 29. This allows the outside air to be blown intensively near the axis of the door body 17, where cool air inside the case body 10 is relatively likely to leak, and effectively suppresses the occurrence of condensation.

[0106] In the above-described first and second embodiments, the control unit 30 drives the upper blower fan 281 and the lower blower fans 282, 283 when the detection result of the temperature and humidity sensor 27 satisfies predetermined driving conditions, provided that the opening / closing detection unit 26 detects that the front opening 10a is blocked. However, in the present invention, the blower fan 28 may be driven when the opening / closing detection unit detects that the front opening is blocked.

[0107] In the above-described first and second embodiments, a temperature and humidity sensor 27 is provided, and the upper blower fan 281 and the like are driven in accordance with the detection results of the temperature and humidity sensor 27. However, in the present invention, the temperature and humidity sensor is merely an example, and a condensation sensor may be used instead of the temperature and humidity sensor.

[0108] Although not specifically mentioned in the above-described first embodiment, the control unit 30 may be configured to increase the rotation speed of the blower fan 28 for a predetermined period of time when the open / close detection unit switches from on to off.

[0109] In the first embodiment described above, the recess 332a is formed in the guide member 332, but in the present invention, the recess 332a does not have to be formed. Furthermore, if the recess 332a is formed, an evaporation sheet capable of absorbing water by capillary action may be provided upright in the recess 332a as needed.

[0110] In the second embodiment described above, the lower blower fan 283 is provided in a horizontal position, but in the present invention, the lower blower fan does not have to be provided in a horizontal position.

[0111] In the second embodiment described above, the filter member cleaning determination process is performed when the upper blower fan 281 and the lower blower fan 283 are driven in the blower fan drive control process. However, in the present invention, the filter member cleaning determination process may be performed under the condition that the lower blower fan 283 is driven.

[0112] 15, a wind direction guide 334d for guiding outside air that has passed through guide hole 334c to the bottom of case body 10 may be provided on a part of the opening edge of guide hole 334c on the upper surface of air guide member 334. In other words, air guide member 334 may be provided with wind direction guide 334d for guiding outside air that has passed through guide hole 334c to the bottom of case body 10.

[0113] This allows the outside air passing through the guide holes 334c to be properly guided to the bottom of the case body 10, thereby preventing condensation from forming at the bottom. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 1...showcase, 10...case body, 10a...front opening, 11...storage room, 12...product placement shelf, 13...ventilation duct, 13a...lower duct, 13b...rear duct, 13c...upper duct, 141...intake port, 142...air outlet, 15...canopy, 17...door body, 17a...upper inner surface, 17b...lower outer surface, 17L...left front door, 17R...right front door, 19...rectifying member, 21...circulation fan, 22...cooling unit , 22a...evaporator, 23...left side support base, 24...right side support base, 25...setting input unit, 26...open / close detection unit, 27...temperature and humidity sensor, 28...blower fan, 281...upper blower fan, 282, 283...lower blower fan, 30...control unit, 31...memory unit, 32...kick plate, 321...passage hole, 322...introduction notch, 33...blower duct, 331, 334...air guide member, 332...guide member, 333...exterior panel member.

Claims

1. a case body having a door provided in a manner to open and close a front opening formed on the front surface; a storage chamber provided inside the case body facing the front opening, the storage chamber having a plurality of product placement shelves provided along a vertical direction; a circulation fan that circulates air between the inside and outside of the storage chamber by sucking air into the storage chamber through an intake port that opens at a front lower portion of the storage chamber and blowing air into the storage chamber through an outlet that opens at a front upper portion of the storage chamber; a cooling unit that cools the air circulated by the circulation fan; Equipped with A showcase that cools products placed on the product placement shelf, The showcase is characterized by comprising an air blowing means for blowing air toward the outer surface of the lower side of the door body that closes the front opening.

2. The air blowing means is a lower blower fan disposed at the bottom of the case body for introducing and blowing outside air; an air duct that guides the outside air blown by the lower blower fan to the lower outer surface of the door body that closes the front opening; 2. The showcase according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The showcase described in claim 2, characterized in that the air blowing means is arranged on a support base that supports the lower end of the door body, and is equipped with an auxiliary air blowing fan that introduces outside air and blows it onto the lower outer surface near the axis of the door body.

4. The showcase described in claim 2, characterized in that the air supply duct is attached to the front surface of the case body, and is provided with an exterior panel member that allows the outside air to pass between the front surface and the duct, and guides the outside air to the lower outer surface of the door body that closes the front opening through a slit formed above the exterior panel member.

5. the air duct includes an air guide member that guides the outside air blown by the lower air blower fan toward the exterior panel member, The showcase according to claim 4, wherein the air guide member is formed with a guide hole for guiding a portion of the outside air blown by the lower blower fan to the bottom of the case body.

6. 6. The showcase according to claim 5, wherein the air guide member includes an air direction guide for guiding the outside air that has passed through the guide hole to the bottom of the case body.

7. The showcase described in claim 4 is characterized in that it is provided with a filter member that is removably inserted through an insertion port formed in a kick plate attached to the case body, and that, when inserted through the insertion port and arranged, collects dust particles contained in the outside air sucked into the lower blower fan.

8. 8. The showcase according to claim 7, wherein the lower blower fan is disposed in a horizontal position so as to suck in the outside air from below and blow it upward.

9. an opening / closing detection unit that detects whether the front opening is open or closed; a control unit that drives the lower blower fan on condition that the opening / closing detection unit detects that the front opening is closed; The showcase according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that it comprises:

10. a temperature and humidity sensor for detecting the temperature and humidity around the case body; The showcase according to claim 9, wherein the control unit drives the lower blower fan when the detection result of the temperature and humidity sensor satisfies a predetermined driving condition.

11. a wind speed detection sensor that detects the wind speed of the outside air passing through the slit of the exterior panel member; a control unit that performs a notification operation to prompt cleaning of the filter member when a detection value of the wind speed detection sensor is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value; 9. The showcase according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising:

12. 9. The showcase according to claim 1, wherein the door body is a heat insulating glass door.

Images