Equipment including refrigeration device and showcase

Abstract

To provide equipment including a refrigeration device capable of efficiently recovering a refrigerant, and to provide a showcase.SOLUTION: Equipment including a refrigeration device includes the refrigeration device which has a refrigerant circuit where a compressor, a condenser, a decompression device and an evaporator are connected by piping, and where a refrigerant circulates. The equipment includes: a housing for storing the refrigeration device; and a cylinder connection part which is provided between the condenser and the decompression device being communicated with the piping, and to which a refrigerant recovery cylinder for recovering the refrigerant is detachably connected. The inside of the housing is divided into a cooling chamber for storing the evaporator, and a machine chamber for storing the condenser. The cylinder connection part is provided at the position at which, in a state where the refrigerant recovery cylinder is connected to the cylinder connection part, at least part of a container body of the refrigerant recovery cylinder is positioned inside the cooling chamber.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an appliance and a showcase equipped with a refrigeration device having a refrigerant circuit through which a refrigerant circulates. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is a refrigeration device that uses a flammable refrigerant as the refrigerant circulating in a refrigerant circuit. As this type of refrigeration device, there is a refrigerant recovery system that recovers refrigerant from a refrigeration device equipped with a refrigerant circuit in order to dispose of the flammable refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The refrigerant recovery system of Patent Document 1 includes a refrigerant circuit configured by sequentially connecting a compressor, a condenser, a capillary tube, and an evaporator, a first on-off valve provided in a pipe between the compressor and the condenser, and a second on-off valve provided in a pipe between the condenser and the capillary tube. During refrigerant recovery, the refrigerant recovery system of Patent Document 1 continues operation of the compressor with the second on-off valve closed, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, closes the first on-off valve to stop operation of the compressor and recovers the refrigerant in a high-pressure section of the refrigerant circuit. The high-pressure section of the refrigerant circuit is a circuit section between the first and second on-off valves and via a condenser. The refrigerant recovered in the high-pressure section is recovered in a refrigerant recovery cylinder of an external, publicly known recovery facility connected to the pipe between the first and second on-off valves. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-105028 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the refrigerant recovery system of Patent Document 1, high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant recovered in the high-pressure section is recovered in a refrigerant recovery cylinder of the recovery equipment, but as the refrigerant temperature rises, it may gasify and exceed the capacity of the refrigerant recovery cylinder. In the refrigerant recovery system of Patent Document 1, there is a risk that the gasified refrigerant may exceed the capacity of the refrigerant recovery cylinder and become unable to be recovered by the refrigerant recovery cylinder, posing a problem in terms of efficient recovery work. In addition, the refrigerant recovery system of Patent Document 1 requires the refrigerant to be transported to an external recovery facility to be recovered, which also poses a problem in terms of efficient recovery work.

[0006] The present disclosure is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an appliance and a showcase equipped with a refrigeration device that can efficiently recover refrigerant. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The equipment equipped with a refrigeration device according to the present disclosure is an equipment equipped with a refrigeration device having a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, a condenser, a pressure reducing device and an evaporator are connected by piping and a refrigerant circulates, and the equipment comprises a housing that houses the refrigeration device, and a cylinder connection part that is connected to the piping between the condenser and the pressure reducing device and to which a refrigerant recovery cylinder that recovers the refrigerant is detachably connected, the interior of the housing is divided into a cooling chamber that houses the evaporator and a machine chamber that houses the condenser, and the cylinder connection part is positioned so that when the refrigerant recovery cylinder is connected to the cylinder connection part, at least a portion of the container body of the refrigerant recovery cylinder is located inside the cooling chamber.

[0008] The showcase according to the present disclosure is a housing of an apparatus including the refrigeration device, in which a portion constituting a cooling chamber is configured in a box shape with a portion open. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, when the refrigerant recovery cylinder is connected to the cylinder connection portion, at least a portion of the container body of the refrigerant recovery cylinder is positioned inside the cooling chamber and cooled, thereby promoting condensation of the refrigerant recovered in the refrigerant recovery cylinder and enabling the refrigerant to be recovered efficiently. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a showcase according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of a showcase according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a showcase according to the first embodiment in a state where a refrigerant recovery cylinder is connected. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic front view of a showcase according to the first embodiment in a state where a refrigerant recovery cylinder is connected. [Figure 5] 2 is a schematic plan view of a machine room of the showcase according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a first modification of an example of arrangement of a refrigerant recovery cylinder in a showcase according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a schematic front view showing a first modified example of the arrangement of the refrigerant recovery cylinder in the showcase according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a second modified example of the arrangement of the refrigerant recovery cylinder in the showcase according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a schematic front view showing a second modification of the arrangement example of the refrigerant recovery cylinder in the showcase according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a third modification of the arrangement example of the refrigerant recovery cylinder in the showcase according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a fourth modified example of the arrangement of the refrigerant recovery cylinder in the showcase according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a showcase according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a block diagram relating to control of the showcase according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A showcase, which is an example of equipment equipped with a refrigeration device, will be described below with reference to the drawings. Here, the same reference numerals in the following drawings, including Figure 1, denote the same or equivalent components. The configurations of the components shown in the entire specification are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the configurations described in the specification.

[0012] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a showcase 1 according to embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the showcase 1 according to embodiment 1. The configuration of the showcase 1 according to embodiment 1 will be described below. In the following description, to facilitate understanding, terms indicating directions, such as "up," "down," "right," "left," "front," and "rear," are used as appropriate, but these are for the purpose of explanation and do not limit the embodiments. Furthermore, in embodiment 1, terms such as "up," "down," "right," "left," "front," and "rear" are used when the showcase 1 is viewed from the front.

[0013] The showcase 1 of the first embodiment is a showcase 1 with a built-in refrigeration unit. As shown in FIG. 1, the showcase 1 of the first embodiment is a vertical open showcase, and the housing 1a of the showcase 1 has an upper housing 10a and a lower housing 20a located below the upper housing 10a. The upper housing 10a has a cooling chamber 10 therein. The lower housing 20a has a machine chamber 20 therein. The interior of the housing 1a is divided into the cooling chamber 10 and the machine chamber 20.

[0014] The upper housing 10a has an insulating wall 8 that is open at the front and on both the left and right sides, side panels (not shown) attached to the left and right sides of the insulating wall 8, and a box-shaped inner layer partition panel 9 that is spaced apart inside the insulating wall 8 and the left and right side panels and has an open front. The cooling chamber 10 inside the upper housing 10a has a storage chamber 10a1 and an inner layer duct 11. The cooling chamber 10 is divided into the storage chamber 10a1 and the inner layer duct 11 by the inner layer partition panel 9. The storage chamber 10a1 is the portion inside the inner layer partition panel 9. The inner layer duct 11 is the portion surrounded by the inner layer partition panel 9, the insulating wall 8, and the side panels (not shown).

[0015] The inner duct 11 has an upper duct 11a extending in the front-rear direction at the top of the upper housing 10a, a rear duct 11b extending in the up-down direction at the rear of the upper housing 10a, and a bottom duct 11c extending in the front-rear direction at the bottom of the upper housing 10a. The bottom duct 11c is a section defined by the bottom partition plate 9a of the inner partition plate 9 and the bottom insulating wall 8a of the insulating wall 8.

[0016] The showcase 1 has an upper housing 10a that constitutes the cooling chamber 10 in the housing 1a and is configured in a box shape with a portion open. The showcase 1 in Fig. 1 has a front opening 16 and is open at the front, but this is not limited to this and the top may be open as well, or both the front and top may be open. The showcase 1 has a removable cover 16a that covers the opening, and for example, when the store in which the showcase 1 is installed is closed, the cover 16a is placed on the housing 1a to close the front opening 16.

[0017] The storage room 10a1 is a room that constitutes a cooling space for displaying and cooling products, etc. Multiple shelves 12 for displaying products are provided within the storage room 10a1, for example, four shelves. Here, the topmost shelf 12 is labeled AA, the second shelf BB, the third shelf CC, and the fourth shelf DD. Fluorescent lamps 13 for illumination are attached to the front lower surface of each shelf 12 except for the fourth shelf and to the ceiling 10c of the storage room 10a1.

[0018] An air outlet 17 is formed at the upper edge of the front opening 16 of the storage chamber 10a1. An air inlet 18 of the bottom duct 11c is formed at the lower edge of the front opening 16 of the storage chamber 10a1.

[0019] 1, an operation panel 26 for user operation is attached to the outside of a canopy 25 provided at the top of the heat insulating wall 8. From the operation panel 26, operation inputs such as commands for a pump-down operation described below are performed.

[0020] The inner duct 11 is provided with an evaporator 5, a pressure reducing device 4, an evaporator blower 15, a check valve 32, and a drain pan 34. The evaporator 5, the pressure reducing device 4, the evaporator blower 15, and the check valve 32 will be described later with reference to FIG. 2.

[0021] The drain pan 34 is disposed in the bottom duct 11c. The drain pan 34 is disposed on the bottom insulating wall 8a. The drain pan 34 is a receptacle for receiving drain water such as defrost water generated from the evaporator 5. A drain outlet 21a is formed in the drain pan 34 and the bottom insulating wall 8a. The drain outlet 21a serves to allow the drain water accumulated in the drain pan 34 to fall toward the drain water evaporator 22 disposed in the machine room 20.

[0022] The drain pan 34 has a cylinder passage opening 34a extending vertically through it, through which a refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 (described later) passes. A cylindrical wall portion 34b extending upward is provided around the opening of the cylinder passage opening 34a. In the illustrated example, the inner wall surface of the wall portion 34b is formed so as not to contact the outer circumferential surface of the container body 40a of the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40, but it may be formed so as to contact the inner wall surface. As will be explained below, the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 needs to be cooled. Because the metal sheet constituting the drain pan 34 is cooled, the wall portion 34b of the drain pan comes into contact with the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40, thereby cooling the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40. The shape of the wall portion 34b when viewed vertically is not particularly limited, and may be a circle, a square, or the like. From the perspective of cooling the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40, it is desirable that the shape of the wall portion 34b when viewed vertically conform to the outer circumferential surface of the container body 40a.

[0023] The drain water evaporator 22 is a device that evaporates drain water supplied from the drain pan 34. The drain water evaporator 22 has a configuration in which a plurality of evaporator plates (not shown) made of nonwoven fabric, porous resin molding, or the like are arranged at intervals, and an evaporator tray (not shown) that collects drain water is arranged below the plurality of evaporator plates.

[0024] In the machine room 20, the compressor 2, the high pressure switch 31, the condenser 3, the branching section 33, the cylinder connection section 41, etc. are arranged.

[0025] Hereinafter, each of the components arranged in the cooling chamber 10 and the machine chamber 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Note that Fig. 1 does not show some of the components included in the showcase 1, and the components will be described as a whole with reference to Fig. 2.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 2, the showcase 1 is equipped with a refrigeration system 30 having a refrigerant circuit 30a. The refrigerant circuit 30a is a circuit in which a compressor 2, a condenser 3, a pressure reducing device 4, and an evaporator 5 are connected by piping, and a refrigerant circulates. The refrigerant circuit 30a further has a high-pressure switch 31, a check valve 32, and a branching section 33. The refrigerant circuit 30a is configured by connecting the compressor 2, high-pressure switch 31, condenser 3, branching section 33, pressure reducing device 4, evaporator 5, and check valve 32 in this order.

[0027] The components constituting the refrigerant circuit 30a are housed separately in a cooling chamber 10 and a machine chamber 20. The cooling chamber 10 houses an evaporator 5, a pressure reducing device 4, and a check valve 32. The machine chamber 20 houses a compressor 2, a condenser 3, a high-pressure switch 31, and a branching section 33. The refrigeration system 30 also includes an evaporator blower 15 and a condenser blower 6, with the evaporator blower 15 housed in the cooling chamber 10 and the condenser blower 6 housed in the machine chamber 20.

[0028] The compressor 2 draws in a low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant, compresses it, and discharges a high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant. The compressor 2 is, for example, an inverter compressor whose capacity, which is the amount of refrigerant discharged per unit time, is controlled by changing its operating frequency. The condenser 3 exchanges heat between the air and the refrigerant to condense and liquefy the refrigerant. The pressure reducing device 4 reduces the pressure of the refrigerant to expand it. The pressure reducing device 4 is, for example, an electronic expansion valve whose throttle opening can be adjusted. The evaporator 5 exchanges heat between the air and the refrigerant to evaporate and gasify the refrigerant.

[0029] The condenser blower 6 blows air to cool the condenser 3. In the illustrated example, two condenser blowers 6 are installed, but the number of condenser blowers 6 may be one, and there is no limit to the number. The evaporator blower 15 blows air to the evaporator 5.

[0030] The high-pressure switch 31 is connected to the discharge side of the compressor 2, and stops the compressor 2 as a protective action when the pressure discharged from the compressor 2, i.e., the high-pressure pressure, exceeds a preset abnormal pressure. Stopping the compressor 2 when the pressure discharged from the compressor 2 exceeds the abnormal pressure is called high-pressure cut. The check valve 32 is provided in the piping between the evaporator 5 and the compressor 2 in the refrigerant circuit 30a, and allows the refrigerant to flow from the evaporator 5 to the compressor 2, and prevents the refrigerant from flowing in the opposite direction.

[0031] The showcase 1 further includes a control device 50. The control device 50 is housed in the lower housing 20a. The control device 50 controls the entire showcase 1 including the refrigeration device 30. The control device 50 has a refrigerant recovery mode in which a pump-down operation is performed to recover refrigerant to a high-pressure section 60, which is a section in the refrigerant circuit 30a between the check valve 32 and the pressure reducing device 4. The high-pressure section 60 is a section in the refrigerant circuit 30a between the check valve 32 and the pressure reducing device 4 that passes through the condenser 3. The pump-down operation is performed by closing the pressure reducing device 4 and operating the compressor 2.

[0032] The control device 50 is configured, for example, by a microprocessor unit or the like. However, the configuration of the control device 50 is not limited to this. For example, the control device 50 may be configured with updatable firmware or the like.

[0033] The refrigerant circulating within the refrigerant circuit 30a is a flammable HC refrigerant with a global warming potential (GWP) of 1500 or less, such as propane or isobutane. The GWP of propane is 3.3, and the GWP of isobutane is 4. In the technical field, GWP is also abbreviated as GWP. In addition to flammable refrigerants, slightly flammable refrigerants with a GWP of 150 or less, such as R32 or HFO refrigerants, may also be used. The amount of refrigerant filled within the refrigerant circuit 30a is, for example, less than 300 g. In this specification, flammable and slightly flammable are collectively referred to as "flammable."

[0034] The refrigerant circuit 30a further has a cylinder connection part 41. The cylinder connection part 41 is a connection port for detachably connecting a refrigerant recovery cylinder 40, which will be described later. The cylinder connection part 41 is provided in the refrigerant circuit 30a so as to communicate with the piping between the condenser 3 and the pressure reducing device 4. Specifically, the cylinder connection part 41 is provided so as to communicate with a branch part 33, which is provided between the condenser 3 and the pressure reducing device 4. The cylinder connection part 41 opens when the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is connected, and communicates between a container body 40a, which will be described later, of the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 and the refrigerant circuit 30a. When the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is not connected, the cylinder connection part 41 is closed by a closing means such as a shutter (not shown).

[0035] The refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is a refrigerant recovery mechanism that recovers the refrigerant inside the refrigerant circuit 30a. The refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 has a container body 40a that stores the refrigerant and a container connection part 40b for connecting the container body 40a to the cylinder connection part 41. The refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 has a configuration in which the container connection part 40b is integrally provided at the end of the container body 40a. The container connection part 40b preferably has a check valve mechanism (not shown) to prevent backflow of refrigerant that has once flowed into the container body 40a from the refrigerant circuit 30a via the container connection part 40b.

[0036] The refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is detachably connected to the cylinder connection part 41. When recovering a refrigerant, the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is connected to the cylinder connection part 41, and the refrigerant inside the refrigerant circuit 30a is recovered into the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40. The container connection part 40b of the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is normally closed with a shutter (not shown) or a cap (not shown), but opens when the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is connected to the cylinder connection part 41, thereby connecting the container body 40a and the refrigerant circuit 30a.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the showcase 1 according to the first embodiment with the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 connected. FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of the showcase 1 according to the first embodiment with the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 connected. The refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is connected to the cylinder connection part 41 with the container connection part 40b facing downward. When the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is connected to the cylinder connection part 41, at least a part of the container body 40a is located inside the cooling chamber 10. In the example of FIG. 3, the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is arranged such that the container body 40a straddles the machine chamber 20 and the cooling chamber 10. In the housing 1a, a through-hole 43 that connects the machine chamber 20 and the cooling chamber 10 is formed penetrating the bottom insulating wall 8a, and the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is arranged so as to straddle the machine chamber 20 and the cooling chamber 10 through the through-hole 43 and the cylinder through-hole 34a.

[0038] In this way, the showcase 1 is configured so that when the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is connected to the cylinder connection part 41, at least a portion of the container body 40a is located within the cooling chamber 10. The position of the cylinder connection part 41 in the showcase 1 is set so that when the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is connected to the cylinder connection part 41, at least a portion of the container body 40a is located within the cooling chamber 10. In other words, the showcase 1 is provided with the cylinder connection part 41 at a position where at least a portion of the container body 40a of the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 connected to the cylinder connection part 41 is located within the cooling chamber 10.

[0039] The cylinder connection part 41 is disposed below the drain pan 34. Note that the cylinder connection part 41 may be disposed above the drain pan 34 or inside the wall part 34b of the drain pan 34, as shown in Figs. 6 to 11 of a modified example described later. Furthermore, the cylinder connection part 41 may be disposed so that the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is disposed in the inner duct 11 in which the evaporator 5 is disposed, as long as it does not obstruct the air passage.

[0040] Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view of the machine room 20 of the showcase 1 according to the first embodiment. In Fig. 5, the dotted line indicates the evaporator 5. In the machine room 20, a condenser 3, a condenser blower 6, a compressor 2, a check valve 32, and a drain water evaporation device 22 are arranged in a row from front to rear. Note that the drain water evaporation device 22 is not shown in Fig. 5.

[0041] Of the housings 1a of the showcase 1, the lower housing 20a, which houses the machine room 20, has a box-shaped main body 1aa that is open at least to the side (here, the right side) as shown in Fig. 5, and a side panel 1ab that detachably covers the opening of the main body 1aa. The cylinder connector 41 is located in a position that is exposed when the side panel 1ab is removed. In other words, the cylinder connector 41 is located in a position that is visible to an operator when the side panel 1ab is removed, in other words, in a position that is easily accessible to an operator.

[0042] Next, the operation of the showcase 1 will be described. When the evaporator blower 15 is operated, the air in the bottom duct 11c is blown out toward the rear inner duct 11, exchanges heat with the evaporator 5, and then is blown up and out of the air outlet 17 at the upper edge of the front opening 16 toward the air inlet 18 at the lower edge.

[0043] As a result, a cold air curtain is formed at the front opening 16 of the storage chamber 10a1. The cold air curtain prevents or suppresses the intrusion of outside air into the storage chamber 10a1 from the front opening 16, and some of the cold air forming the cold air curtain circulates within the storage chamber 10a1, thereby cooling the inside of the storage chamber 10a1.

[0044] The air blown out from the air outlet 17 forms a cool air curtain or cools the storage compartment 10a1, and then returns to the bottom duct 11c from the air inlet 18 and is sucked into the evaporator blower 15 again.

[0045] During operation of the showcase 1, drain water such as defrost water from the evaporator 5 falls into the drain pan 34, falls through the drain outlet 21a onto the evaporation plate (not shown) of the drain water evaporation device 22, and accumulates in an evaporation tray (not shown). The drain water accumulated in the evaporation tray is sucked up by the evaporation plate due to capillary action. In addition, as a configuration for impregnating the evaporation plate with drain water, the drain water accumulated in the evaporation tray may be sucked up by a pump or the like and sprayed from above the evaporation plate.

[0046] Then, the air from the condenser blower 6 passes through the condenser 3 and is heated, and then is blown toward the drain water evaporator 22. The warm air blown toward the drain water evaporator 22 is blown against the evaporation plate of the drain water evaporator 22, thereby evaporating the drain water contained in the evaporation plate.

[0047] When the temperature inside the showcase 1 is below approximately 10°C, water adhering to the evaporator 5 frosts on the evaporator 5. As the frost progresses, the heat exchange rate of the evaporator 5 decreases, resulting in a decline in evaporation performance. Therefore, the showcase 1 detects the degree of frost and, if it determines that defrosting of the evaporator 5 is necessary, defrosts the evaporator 5. For example, the degree of frost is detected by determining that defrosting of the evaporator 5 is necessary when the operating time of the compressor 2 reaches a predetermined time. A heater (not shown) is provided in the evaporator 5, and defrosting is performed by energizing the heater for a predetermined period of time. When defrosting is performed, drain water falls into the drain pan 34, as described above, and then falls from the drain outlet 21a onto the evaporation plate of the drain water evaporation device 22 and accumulates in the evaporation dish. The evaporation dish may be provided with a float switch (not shown) that detects the amount of drain water drained.

[0048] The showcase 1 having the above configuration is required to safely recover the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 30a when it is disposed of at the end of its life.

[0049] The refrigerant recovery operation using the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 will be described below. (1) When the operator operates the operation panel 26 to instruct the refrigerant recovery mode, the control device 50 starts pump-down operation. During pump-down operation, the control device 50 switches the pressure reduction device 4 from open to closed and operates the compressor 2. As a result, the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 30a is recovered in the high-pressure section 60 that extends from the check valve 32 to the pressure reduction device 4. Specifically, the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 30a is recovered in the high-pressure section 60 that extends from the check valve 32 through the compressor 2 and the condenser 3 to the pressure reduction device 4. During pump-down operation, the evaporator blower 15 may or may not be operated, but operating it is preferable because refrigerant recovery can be completed in a short period of time.

[0050] (2) When the recovery of the refrigerant into the high-pressure section 60 is completed, the control device 50 stops the operation of the compressor 2 and the evaporator blower 15, thereby stopping the pump-down operation.

[0051] (3) After the pump-down operation is stopped, the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is connected to the cylinder connection part 41 by an operator. When connecting the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 to the cylinder connection part 41, the operator removes the side panel 1ab from the main body 1aa in the lower housing 20a. Then, the operator passes the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 from bottom to top through the through-hole 43 with the container connection part 40b facing downward, and then moves the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 downward to connect the container connection part 40b to the cylinder connection part 41. Here, the cylinder connection part 41 is located in a position that is easily accessible by an operator. This makes the showcase 1 easy to connect the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40.

[0052] Although the connection example in which the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is connected to the cylinder connection part 41 from the machine chamber 20 side has been described here, it may also be connected to the cylinder connection part 41 from the cooling chamber 10 side. In this case, as shown by the dotted line in Fig. 3, the shelf 12 of the fourth level DD is removed, and the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is connected to the cylinder connection part 41 from the cooling chamber 10 side through an opening (not shown) and through-hole 43 provided in the bottom partition plate 9a. The opening provided in the bottom partition plate 9a is closed with a lid or the like except when the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is connected.

[0053] When the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is connected to the cylinder connection part 41, the inside of the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is connected to the refrigerant circuit 30a. As a result, the refrigerant recovered in the high-pressure part 60 of the refrigerant circuit 30a is recovered into the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 due to the pressure difference.

[0054] Here, the refrigerant gasifies as its temperature rises. Therefore, if the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant in the high-pressure section 60 continues to be collected in the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 while remaining in a high-temperature state, the refrigerant may exceed the capacity of the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 and may not be able to be collected at all.

[0055] In the showcase 1, at least a portion of the container body 40a of the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is located inside the cooling chamber 10. Therefore, the showcase 1 can cool the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 while recovering the refrigerant, and can create a high-pressure, low-temperature environment inside the container body 40a. By creating a high-pressure, low-temperature environment inside the container body 40a, the showcase 1 can promote condensation of the gas refrigerant that has flowed into the container body 40a, and can efficiently recover the refrigerant.

[0056] The showcase 1 can recover the refrigerant by connecting a refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 to the cylinder connection part 41, so the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 30a can be recovered safely without taking the showcase 1 outdoors or employing a large-scale structure to recover the refrigerant.

[0057] Furthermore, the showcase 1 can employ some or all of the following methods (a) to (c) as a method for cooling the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 during refrigerant recovery. (a) Before starting the pump-down operation, the control device 50 controls the refrigeration device 30 to lower the temperature of the cooling compartment 10. Specifically, the control device 50 performs control such as reducing the opening of the pressure reducing device 4 to lower the temperature in the evaporator 5. The control to lower the temperature of the cooling compartment 10 may be performed for a preset time period, or may be performed until the temperature of the cooling compartment 10 has lowered by a preset amount. (b) The control device 50 operates the evaporator blower 15 during refrigerant recovery. (c) In the showcase 1, the cover 16a is placed on the housing 1a during refrigerant recovery, preventing the cold air in the cooling chamber 10 from escaping to the outside.

[0058] Incidentally, to recover the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 30a, it is necessary to form a closed circuit within the refrigerant circuit 30a, and the showcase 1 forms a closed circuit using a check valve 32 and a pressure reducing device 4. The refrigerant recovery system of Patent Document 1 forms a closed circuit by providing two valves, a first on-off valve and a second on-off valve, in the refrigerant circuit. The first on-off valve is provided in the piping connecting the compressor and the condenser. The second on-off valve is provided in the piping connecting the condenser and the capillary tube. The first on-off valve and the second on-off valve are newly provided valves to form a closed circuit within the refrigerant circuit.

[0059] In contrast, the showcase 1 does not require a new valve to form a closed circuit, and can use the existing check valve 32 and pressure reducing device 4. Therefore, the showcase 1 has a cost advantage over the refrigerant recovery system of Patent Document 1.

[0060] The showcase 1 is not limited to the structure shown in Figures 1 to 5. The showcase 1 can be modified as follows within the scope of the gist of the present invention, for example, with respect to the installation posture of the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40, the arrangement position of the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40, and the arrangement position of the cylinder connection part 41.

[0061] (Modification 1 and Modification 2) Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a first modified example of the arrangement of the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 in the showcase 1 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 7 is a schematic front view showing a first modified example of the arrangement of the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 in the showcase 1 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a second modified example of the arrangement of the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 in the showcase 1 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 9 is a schematic front view showing a second modified example of the arrangement of the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 in the showcase 1 according to embodiment 1.

[0062] In the above-described showcase 1, the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is arranged across the cooling chamber 10 and the machine chamber 20, but as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the cylinder connection part 41 may be arranged inside the cooling chamber 10, and the entire refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 may be arranged inside the cooling chamber 10. In this arrangement, the showcase 1 has a pipe 33a extending from the branch part 33 to the inside of the cooling chamber 10, and the cylinder connection part 41 is provided at the end of the pipe 33a.

[0063] In the above configuration, the showcase 1 can cool the entire refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 with the cold air in the cooling chamber 10, thereby promoting condensation of the refrigerant and recovering the refrigerant more efficiently. In the above configuration, the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 may be connected to the cylinder connection part 41 in a horizontal position as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, or in a vertical position as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is not limited to being placed horizontally or vertically, and may also be connected to the cylinder connection part 41 in an oblique position inclined relative to the ground. The showcase 1 may be provided with openings in structural parts that interfere with placing the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 horizontally, vertically, or obliquely. The openings may be closed with a lid or the like when the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is not connected.

[0064] When the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is installed in a horizontal position, the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 may be disposed in the storage chamber 10a1 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, or may be disposed in the bottom duct 11c.

[0065] Furthermore, when the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is placed in the cooling chamber 10, it is advisable to provide a partition so that it cannot be seen from the front of the showcase 1. This prevents customers from seeing the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 in the showcase 1 installed in a store, even during refrigerant recovery.

[0066] (Variation 3) 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a third modification of the arrangement example of the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 of the showcase 1 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 10, the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 may be arranged so as to be located in the internal space of the drain pan 34.

[0067] In the above configuration, the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is cooled not only by the cold air in the cooling chamber 10 but also by the drain water stored in the drain pan 34. This allows the showcase 1 to recover the refrigerant in the high-pressure section 60 more efficiently.

[0068] (Variation 4) 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a fourth modified example of the arrangement of the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 of the showcase 1 according to the first embodiment. The showcase 1 has a configuration in which the cylinder connection part 41 opens downward and the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is connected below the cylinder connection part 41. When the refrigerant is propane, propane is heavier than air. Therefore, by positioning the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 below the cylinder connection part 41, the showcase 1 can recover the refrigerant into the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 by the weight of the propane in addition to the pressure difference.

[0069] As described above, the showcase 1 of the first embodiment is a showcase equipped with a refrigeration unit 30 having a refrigerant circuit 30a in which a compressor 2, a condenser 3, a pressure reducing device 4, and an evaporator 5 are connected by piping, and in which a refrigerant circulates. The showcase 1 includes a housing 1a that houses the refrigeration unit 30, and a cylinder connection part 41 that is provided in communication with the piping between the condenser 3 and the pressure reducing device 4 and to which a refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 that recovers a refrigerant is detachably connected. The interior of the housing 1a is divided into a cooling chamber 10 that houses the evaporator 5, and a machine chamber 20 that houses the condenser 3. The cylinder connection part 41 is provided at a position such that at least a portion of the container body 40a of the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is located inside the cooling chamber 10 when the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is connected to the cylinder connection part 41.

[0070] With the above configuration, the showcase 1 can cool at least a portion of the container body 40a of the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 with the cold air in the cooling chamber 10 when the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is connected to the cylinder connection part 41. This allows the showcase 1 to promote condensation of the gas refrigerant recovered in the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40, and allows the refrigerant to be recovered efficiently. Furthermore, the showcase 1 does not need to be transported to a location with external recovery equipment to recover the refrigerant, improving recovery workability.

[0071] The showcase 1 is equipped with a check valve 32 that is connected to a pipe between the evaporator 5 and the compressor 2, and that allows the flow of refrigerant from the evaporator 5 to the compressor 2 and blocks the flow of refrigerant from the compressor 2 to the evaporator 5, and a control device 50 that controls the refrigeration device 30. The control device 50 has a refrigerant recovery mode that performs a pump-down operation to recover refrigerant in a high-pressure section 60 that is a portion of the refrigerant circuit 30a between the check valve 32 and the pressure reducing device 4.

[0072] With the above configuration, the showcase 1 can configure the high-pressure section 60 as a closed circuit in the refrigerant circuit 30a using the existing check valve 32 and pressure reducing device 4, and can recover the refrigerant in the high-pressure section 60 by pump-down operation.

[0073] In the refrigerant recovery mode, the control device 50 controls the refrigeration device 30 to lower the temperature of the cooling chamber 10 before starting the pump-down operation. The control device 50 also operates the evaporator blower 15 during operation in the refrigerant recovery mode.

[0074] With the above configuration, the showcase 1 can further cool the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 during refrigerant recovery, and can recover the refrigerant efficiently.

[0075] The housing 1a has a main body 1aa in the shape of a box with an opening on one side, which forms a machine chamber 20 inside, and a side panel 1ab that detachably covers the opening of the main body 1aa. The cylinder connection part 41 is provided in the machine chamber 20 at a position that is exposed when the side panel 1ab is removed from the main body 1aa.

[0076] With the above configuration, the showcase 1 can improve the workability when connecting the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 to the cylinder connecting portion 41.

[0077] The housing 1a has a through-hole 43 that connects the cooling chamber 10 and the machine chamber 20. When the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is connected to the cylinder connector 41, it passes through the through-hole 43 and is disposed across the machine chamber 20 and the cooling chamber 10.

[0078] With the above-described configuration, the showcase 1 can arrange the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 across the machine room 20 and the cooling room 10.

[0079] The cylinder connection part 41 is disposed in the cooling chamber 10, and when the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is connected to the cylinder connection part 41, the entire container body 40a is located in the cooling chamber 10.

[0080] With the above configuration, the showcase 1 can more efficiently cool the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 and efficiently recover the refrigerant.

[0081] In the showcase 1, the portion of the housing 1a that constitutes the cooling chamber 10 is configured in a box shape with a part open, and has a detachable cover 16a that closes the opening.

[0082] With the above configuration, when the showcase 1 is operating in the refrigerant recovery mode, the cover 16a is hung on the housing 1a, thereby preventing the cold air in the cooling chamber 10 from escaping to the outside. As a result, the showcase 1 can efficiently cool the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 and efficiently recover the refrigerant.

[0083] Embodiment 2 The second embodiment relates to a configuration in which the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is always connected to the cylinder connection part 41. The following description will focus on the configuration of the second embodiment that is different from the first embodiment, and the configuration that is not described in the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment.

[0084] FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a showcase 1 according to embodiment 2. FIG. 13 is a block diagram relating to the control of the showcase 1 according to embodiment 2. The showcase 1 according to embodiment 2 has a shut-off valve 42, a leak detection device 71, and a life detection device 72 in addition to the configuration of embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 1 etc. The leak detection device 71 and the life detection device 72 are not shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 13 shows only the configuration relating to the control of the showcase 1 according to embodiment 2. Note that while FIG. 13 shows a configuration in which the showcase 1 is equipped with both the leak detection device 71 and the life detection device 72, the showcase 1 may be equipped with only one of them.

[0085] The shutoff valve 42 is a valve that shuts off communication between the refrigerant circuit 30a and the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 connected to the cylinder connection part 41. The shutoff valve 42 is provided in the piping portion between the branch part 33 and the cylinder connection part 41, in other words, in the piping portion between the piping between the condenser 3 and the pressure reducing device 4 and the cylinder connection part 41. The shutoff valve 42 is configured as a solenoid valve that opens and closes in response to a signal from the control device 50. The shutoff valve 42 is not limited to a solenoid valve, and may be configured as a manual valve. Here, the explanation will be given assuming that the shutoff valve 42 is configured as a solenoid valve and is opened and closed by the control device 50.

[0086] The leak detection device 71 is a device that detects refrigerant leakage. The leak detection device 71 is composed of a sensor that detects refrigerant leakage, and is electrically connected to the control device 50. Specifically, the leak detection device 71 is composed of, for example, a gas concentration sensor. The leak detection device 71 is not limited to a gas concentration sensor, and may also be composed of, for example, a current detection sensor that detects the compressor operating current, and may be configured to detect a refrigerant leakage when the current detected by the current detection sensor falls below a reference value.

[0087] The life detection device 72 is a device that detects the life of the showcase 1. As the operating time of the showcase 1 passes, the discharge pressure of the refrigerant increases, and the air volume supplied to the condenser 3 tends to decrease due to clogging of the condenser 3, etc. The life detection device 72 detects the life of the showcase 1 based on the increase in the discharge pressure of the refrigerant or the decrease in the air volume supplied to the condenser 3. Specifically, for example, the life detection device 72 detects the end of the life when the discharge pressure of the refrigerant reaches a preset threshold. The threshold is the lower of the abnormal pressure when a high-pressure cut is performed and the pressure corresponding to the minimum air volume. The minimum air volume is the air volume required to supply to the condenser 3 and maintain a state in which the refrigerant concentration is lower than the lower flammability limit (LFL).

[0088] The life detection device 72 detects the life of the showcase 1 based on a decrease in the amount of air supplied to the condenser 3, but may also detect the life based on, for example, the power value of the condenser blower 6. Specifically, for example, the life detection device 72 detects that the life has ended when the power value of the condenser blower 6 has reached or exceeded a preset abnormality determination value. The abnormality determination value is the power value of the condenser blower 6 for maintaining the air volume supplied to the condenser 3 at the minimum air volume required to keep the refrigerant concentration at or below the lower flammability limit LFL.

[0089] In the first embodiment, the showcase 1 is triggered to start operation in the refrigerant recovery mode by an instruction to switch to the refrigerant recovery mode by an operator, but if the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is constantly connected to the cylinder connection part 41, the following may also be used as the trigger. The control device 50 may be triggered to start operation in the refrigerant recovery mode by the detection of a refrigerant leak by the leak detection device 71. The control device 50 may also be triggered to start operation in the refrigerant recovery mode by the detection of the end of the life of the showcase 1 by the life detection device 72.

[0090] In the showcase 1 of the second embodiment, when a refrigerant leak is detected by the leak detection device 71 or when the life detection device 72 detects the end of the life of the showcase 1, the control device 50 opens the shutoff valve 42 and starts operation in the refrigerant recovery mode. In this way, the showcase 1 may be configured to start operation in the refrigerant recovery mode when the detection of a refrigerant leak or the detection of the end of the life of the showcase 1 is used as a trigger.

[0091] As described above, in the showcase 1 of the second embodiment, the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is always connected to the cylinder connection part 41. The refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 may be connected to the cylinder connection part 41 at the time of shipping the showcase 1. In the showcase 1 of the second embodiment, the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is always connected to the cylinder connection part 41, so that while the showcase is operating, the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 can be used as a liquid reservoir in addition to its function as a recovery cylinder.

[0092] In a configuration in which the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is always connected to the cylinder connection part 41, the temperature of the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 can be lowered by positioning the cylinder connection part 41 as follows: Inside the machine room 20, an air flow from front to rear is created by operation of the condenser blower 6, and the air flows through the condenser 3 and then the drain water evaporator 22. The air temperature downstream of the drain water evaporator 22 is lower than that upstream of the drain water evaporator 22. For this reason, by positioning the cylinder connection part 41 downstream of the drain water evaporator 22 in the air flow, the showcase 1 can lower the temperature of the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 compared to when it is positioned upstream of the drain water evaporator 22, in other words, compared to when it is positioned immediately downstream of the condenser 3.

[0093] In the first embodiment, the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is connected to the cylinder connection part 41 by an operator after the pump-down operation is stopped. However, in a configuration in which the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is always connected to the cylinder connection part 41, the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is connected to the cylinder connection part 41 before the pump-down operation is started. In this case, the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 may be pre-cooled before the pump-down operation is started. Pre-cooling can be performed, for example, by changing the control conditions to the conditions that can most effectively cool the cooling chamber 10 and operating the showcase 1. As a specific control, the control device 50 may change the control conditions to the conditions that can most effectively cool the cooling chamber 10, operate the showcase 1 for a preset set time, and then start the pump-down operation.

[0094] In a configuration in which the refrigerant recovery cylinder 40 is always connected to the cylinder connection part 41, the cooling chamber 10 and the machine chamber 20 communicate with each other through the through hole 43, and in order to prevent the cold air from escaping from the cooling chamber 10, a packing may be installed on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 43. The showcase 1 can prevent the cold air from escaping from the cooling chamber 10 by sealing the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 43 and the outer peripheral surface of the container body 40a with the packing.

[0095] In the above example, the showcase 1 is a multi-tiered open showcase, but it may be a flat single-sided type, a flat double-sided type, or a reach-in type. Also, in the above example, the equipment equipped with a refrigeration device is a showcase, but it may be a refrigerator or a cooling unit.

[0096] Although the preferred embodiments have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0097] Various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices. (Appendix 1) A device including a refrigeration device having a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, a condenser, a pressure reducing device, and an evaporator are connected by piping, and a refrigerant circulates, a housing that houses the refrigeration device; a cylinder connection portion provided in communication with a pipe between the condenser and the pressure reducing device, to which a refrigerant recovery cylinder for recovering a refrigerant is detachably connected, The inside of the housing is divided into a cooling chamber that houses the evaporator and a machine chamber that houses the condenser, An apparatus having a refrigeration device, wherein the cylinder connection portion is positioned so that, when the refrigerant recovery cylinder is connected to the cylinder connection portion, at least a portion of the container body of the refrigerant recovery cylinder is positioned inside the cooling chamber. (Appendix 2) a check valve connected to a pipe between the evaporator and the compressor, allowing the refrigerant to flow from the evaporator to the compressor and preventing the refrigerant from flowing from the compressor to the evaporator; a control device for controlling the refrigeration device, The control device has a refrigerant recovery mode in which a pump-down operation is performed to recover refrigerant in a high-pressure section that is a section between the check valve and the pressure reducing device in the refrigerant circuit. 1. An apparatus equipped with a refrigeration device as described in Appendix 1. (Appendix 3) The control device controls the refrigeration device in the refrigerant recovery mode to lower the temperature of the cooling chamber before starting the pump-down operation. 1. An apparatus equipped with a refrigeration device as described in Appendix 2. (Appendix 4) an evaporator blower for blowing air to the evaporator, The control device operates the evaporator blower during operation in the refrigerant recovery mode. 1. An apparatus equipped with a refrigeration device as described in Appendix 2 or Appendix 3. (Appendix 5) a shutoff valve provided in a piping portion between the piping between the condenser and the pressure reducing device and the cylinder connection portion, the shutoff valve shutting off communication between the refrigerant circuit and the refrigerant recovery cylinder connected to the cylinder connection portion; a leakage detection device that detects refrigerant leakage from the refrigerant circuit, the shutoff valve is configured as a solenoid valve that is opened and closed by the control device, The control device opens the shutoff valve when the leak detection device detects a refrigerant leak and starts operation in the refrigerant recovery mode. An apparatus including the refrigeration device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 2 to 4. (Appendix 6) a shutoff valve provided in a piping portion between the piping between the condenser and the pressure reducing device and the cylinder connection portion, the shutoff valve shutting off communication between the refrigerant circuit and the refrigerant recovery cylinder connected to the cylinder connection portion; a lifespan detection device for detecting the lifespan of the device; the shutoff valve is configured as a solenoid valve that is opened and closed by the control device, The control device opens the shutoff valve when the life detection device detects the end of the life of the equipment, and starts operation in the refrigerant recovery mode. An apparatus including the refrigeration device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 2 to 5. (Appendix 7) the housing has a box-shaped main body with an opening on one side and forming the machine chamber therein, and a side panel that detachably closes the opening of the main body, The cylinder connection portion is provided in the machine room at a position that is exposed when the side panel is removed from the main body. An apparatus including the refrigeration device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 6. (Appendix 8) the housing has a through hole that communicates the cooling chamber with the machine chamber, An apparatus including a refrigeration device according to any one of appendices 1 to 7, wherein the refrigerant recovery cylinder, when connected to the cylinder connection portion, is arranged across the machine chamber and the cooling chamber through the through hole. (Appendix 9) the cylinder connection portion is disposed in the cooling chamber; When the refrigerant recovery cylinder is connected to the cylinder connector, the entire container body is located in the cooling chamber. An apparatus including the refrigeration device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 7. (Appendix 10) a drain pan for receiving drain water generated in the evaporator; The refrigerant recovery cylinder connected to the cylinder connection part is located in the internal space of the drain pan. An apparatus including the refrigeration device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 9. (Appendix 11) a condenser blower for blowing air to the condenser; a drain water evaporator that is disposed downstream of the condenser in the flow of air generated by the condenser blower and that evaporates the drain water supplied from a drain pan that receives the drain water generated in the evaporator, The cylinder connection is located downstream of the drain water evaporation device in the air flow. An apparatus including the refrigeration device according to claim 10, which is dependent on any one of claims 1 to 8. (Appendix 12) The cylinder connection portion opens downward, and the refrigerant recovery cylinder is connected below the cylinder connection portion. An apparatus comprising the refrigeration device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 11. (Appendix 13) The refrigerant is propane or isobutane An apparatus including the refrigeration device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 12. (Appendix 14) An apparatus including the refrigeration device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 13, The showcase has a part of the housing that forms the cooling chamber and is configured in a box shape with a part open. (Appendix 15) 15. The showcase according to claim 14, further comprising a removable cover that covers the opening of the housing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 1 showcase, 1a housing, 1aa main body, 1ab side panel, 2 compressor, 3 condenser, 4 pressure reducing device, 5 evaporator, 6 condenser blower, 8 insulating wall, 8a bottom insulating wall, 9 inner layer partition plate, 9a bottom partition plate, 10 cooling chamber, 10a upper housing, 10a1 storage chamber, 10c ceiling, 11 inner layer duct, 11a upper duct, 11b rear duct, 11c bottom duct, 12 shelf, 13 fluorescent lamp, 15 evaporator blower, 16 front opening, 16a cover, 17 outlet, 18 intake port, 20 machine room, 20a lower housing, 21a drain outlet, 22 drain water evaporation device, 25 eaves, 26 operation panel, 30 refrigeration device, 30a refrigerant circuit, 31 High-pressure pressure switch, 32 check valve, 33 branch section, 33a piping, 34 drain pan, 34a cylinder opening, 34b wall section, 40 refrigerant recovery cylinder, 40a container body, 40b container connection section, 41 cylinder connection section, 42 shut-off valve, 43 through hole, 50 control device, 60 high-pressure section, 71 leak detection device, 72 life detection device.

Claims

1. A device including a refrigeration device having a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, a condenser, a pressure reducing device, and an evaporator are connected by piping, and a refrigerant circulates, a housing that houses the refrigeration device; a cylinder connection portion provided in communication with a pipe between the condenser and the pressure reducing device, to which a refrigerant recovery cylinder for recovering a refrigerant is detachably connected, The inside of the housing is divided into a cooling chamber that houses the evaporator and a machine chamber that houses the condenser, The cylinder connection part is provided at a position where at least a part of a container body of the refrigerant recovery cylinder is positioned inside the cooling chamber when the refrigerant recovery cylinder is connected to the cylinder connection part. Equipment equipped with a refrigeration unit.

2. a check valve connected to a pipe between the evaporator and the compressor, allowing the refrigerant to flow from the evaporator to the compressor and preventing the refrigerant from flowing from the compressor to the evaporator; a control device for controlling the refrigeration device, The control device has a refrigerant recovery mode in which a pump-down operation is performed to recover refrigerant in a high-pressure section that is a section between the check valve and the pressure reducing device in the refrigerant circuit. An appliance comprising the refrigeration device according to claim 1.

3. The control device controls the refrigeration device in the refrigerant recovery mode to lower the temperature of the cooling chamber before starting the pump-down operation. An appliance comprising the refrigeration device according to claim 2.

4. an evaporator blower for blowing air to the evaporator, The control device operates the evaporator blower during operation in the refrigerant recovery mode. An appliance comprising the refrigeration device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. a shutoff valve provided in a piping portion between the piping between the condenser and the pressure reducing device and the cylinder connection portion, the shutoff valve shutting off communication between the refrigerant circuit and the refrigerant recovery cylinder connected to the cylinder connection portion; a leakage detection device that detects refrigerant leakage from the refrigerant circuit, the shutoff valve is configured as a solenoid valve that is opened and closed by the control device, The control device opens the shutoff valve when the leak detection device detects a refrigerant leak and starts operation in the refrigerant recovery mode. An appliance comprising the refrigeration device according to claim 2 or 3.

6. a shutoff valve provided in a piping portion between the piping between the condenser and the pressure reducing device and the cylinder connection portion, the shutoff valve shutting off communication between the refrigerant circuit and the refrigerant recovery cylinder connected to the cylinder connection portion; a lifespan detection device for detecting the lifespan of the device; the shutoff valve is configured as a solenoid valve that is opened and closed by the control device, The control device opens the shutoff valve when the life detection device detects the end of the life of the equipment, and starts operation in the refrigerant recovery mode. An appliance comprising the refrigeration device according to claim 2 or 3.

7. the housing has a box-shaped main body with an opening on one side and forming the machine chamber therein, and a side panel that detachably closes the opening of the main body, The cylinder connection portion is provided in the machine room at a position that is exposed when the side panel is removed from the main body. An apparatus comprising the refrigeration device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. the housing has a through hole that communicates the cooling chamber with the machine chamber, The refrigerant recovery cylinder, when connected to the cylinder connection portion, is arranged across the machine chamber and the cooling chamber through the through hole.

9. the cylinder connection portion is disposed in the cooling chamber; When the refrigerant recovery cylinder is connected to the cylinder connector, the entire container body is located in the cooling chamber. An apparatus comprising the refrigeration device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

10. a drain pan for receiving drain water generated in the evaporator; The refrigerant recovery cylinder connected to the cylinder connection part is located in the internal space of the drain pan. An apparatus comprising the refrigeration device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

11. a condenser blower for blowing air to the condenser; a drain water evaporator that is disposed downstream of the condenser in the flow of air generated by the condenser blower and that evaporates the drain water supplied from a drain pan that receives the drain water generated in the evaporator, The cylinder connection is located downstream of the drain water evaporation device in the air flow. An apparatus comprising the refrigeration device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

12. The cylinder connection portion opens downward, and the refrigerant recovery cylinder is connected below the cylinder connection portion. An apparatus comprising the refrigeration device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

13. The refrigerant is propane or isobutane An apparatus comprising the refrigeration device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

14. An apparatus equipped with the refrigeration device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The showcase has a part of the housing that forms the cooling chamber and is configured in a box shape with a part open.

15. 15. The showcase according to claim 14, further comprising a detachable cover that closes the opening of the housing.

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