Cold storage

Abstract

To provide a storage box which, even when dew condensation water occurs between an outer lid and an inner lid and freezes, can easily perform opening / closing of the outer lid and the inner lid.SOLUTION: A cold storage 1 has: a storage box body 2; a Stirling refrigerator 15 as a cooling unit; an outer lid 4 having a heat insulation property; and an inner lid 21 provided inside the outer lid 4. The storage box body 2 has: an inner container 6 thermally conductively connected to the Stirling refrigerator 15 and having an opening part 8 above; and a heat insulation member 7 provided on an outer periphery of the inner container 6. The outer lid 4 and the inner lid 21 openably / closably close the opening part 8. As an upper surface 22 of the inner lid 21 has an inclined surface 23 which becomes lower in a gravity direction toward the central side from its outer peripheral part, dew condensation water generated in a space between the outer lid 4 and the inner lid 21 flows down to the central side from the outer peripheral part of the inner lid 21, and freezing between the outer lid 4 and a cold storage body 5 and between the opening part 8 and the inner lid 21 is suppressed, and opening / closing of the outer lid 4 and the inner lid 21 can be easily performed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly to a refrigerator having an inner lid attached to the inside of an insulating outer lid in order to improve insulation and prevent the inflow of outside air. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a known type of refrigerator of this type includes a temperature control unit (corresponding to the refrigeration unit of the present invention), an inner container thermally connected to the temperature control unit and partially open, an insulating member attached to the outer periphery of the inner container, and a lid (corresponding to the outer lid of the present invention) that closes the open portion of the inner container, with an inner lid inserted into the upper part of the space defined by the inner container and the lid. The inner lid prevents the cold heat in the inner container from leaking to the outside, thereby efficiently maintaining a low temperature inside the inner container. In addition to the inner lid intended to prevent heat transfer by conduction, there are also inner lids intended to prevent the cold air in the inner container from leaking to the outside. In the former case, the inner lid needs to be thermally insulating, while in the latter case, it is not necessarily required to be thermally insulating, as it is sufficient to prevent the movement of airflow. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-121765 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Such refrigerators generally have a space surrounded by the outer lid, inner lid, and the top of the storage body. Although the volume of this space is small, moisture contained in the air present there cools and forms condensation. Furthermore, when the outer lid is opened and closed, moist outside air flows into the space, resulting in further condensation. Furthermore, in refrigerators where the inner container is cooled to an ultra-low temperature, the air pressure inside the inner container decreases due to cooling, or the storage body deforms due to temperature changes, causing moist outside air to flow into the space, resulting in further condensation within the space. The condensation water thus formed freezes as it is further cooled by cold energy leaking from the inner container. If the condensation water freezes between the outer lid, inner lid, gasket, and the top of the storage body, the outer lid and the top of the storage body may freeze, or the top of the storage body may freeze and the inner lid may freeze, making it difficult to open the outer lid or the inner lid.

[0005] The present invention aims to solve the above problems and provide a storage facility in which the outer and inner lids can be easily opened and closed even if condensation occurs between the outer and inner lids and freezes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The refrigerator described in claim 1 of the present invention comprises a storage body, a cooling unit, an outer lid having thermal insulation properties, and an inner lid attached to the inside of the outer lid, wherein the storage body comprises an inner container that is thermally connected to the cooling unit and has an opening at the top, and an insulating member attached to the outer periphery of the inner container, wherein the outer lid is configured to close the opening of the inner container in an openable and closable manner, and the inner lid is configured to close the opening, and wherein the upper surface of the inner lid has a portion that becomes lower in the direction of gravity from the outer periphery toward the center.

[0007] The refrigerator according to claim 2 of the present invention is the refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the inner lid is a smooth surface.

[0008] The refrigerator according to claim 3 of the present invention is the refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the inner lid is water-repellent.

[0009] Furthermore, the refrigerator described in claim 4 of the present invention is one of claims 1 to 3, in which a surface that becomes lower toward the opening is formed on the upper part of the storage body surrounding the opening. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] By configuring the refrigerator described in claim 1 of the present invention as described above, condensation water generated in the space formed between the outer lid and the inner lid flows down from the outer periphery of the inner lid toward the center, so that even if this condensation water freezes, it is possible to prevent freezing between the outer lid and the top of the refrigerator body or between the top of the refrigerator body and the inner lid, making it easy to open and close the outer lid and inner lid.

[0011] Furthermore, by making the surface of the inner lid smooth, condensed water can be more reliably caused to flow down toward the center of the inner lid.

[0012] Furthermore, by making the surface of the inner lid water-repellent, condensed water can be more reliably caused to flow down toward the center of the inner lid.

[0013] Furthermore, by forming a surface that lowers in the direction of gravity toward the opening at the upper part of the storage body surrounding the opening, condensation water that forms at the top of the storage body can be reliably caused to flow down to the top surface of the inner lid and further toward the center of the inner lid. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are external views of a refrigerator showing an embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a front view and (b) is a plan view. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view along the line AA of a refrigerator showing a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the same with the outer lid removed. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the same with the outer lid removed. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of a refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the same with the outer lid removed. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of a refrigerator showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the same with the outer lid removed. [Figure 14] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. Reference numeral 1 denotes a storage cabinet of the present invention. This storage cabinet 1 comprises a storage cabinet main body 2, a mechanism 3, and an outer lid 4. The storage cabinet main body 2 comprises a main body shell 5, an inner container 6, and an insulating member 7. An opening 8 is formed in the upper part of the main body shell 5. A slope 5B that slopes downward in the direction of gravity toward the opening 8 is formed on the upper end surface 5A of the main body shell 5, surrounding the opening 8. This slope 5B extends inward from near the inner end of the area of ​​the upper end surface 5A that abuts a packing 20 (described later). A rib 5C that protrudes inward is formed around the entire periphery of the opening 8 of the main body shell 5, and the outer periphery of an inner lid 21 (described later) is configured to rest on this rib 5C. A ring-shaped groove 9 is formed on the upper part of the main body shell 5, surrounding the outside of the opening 8. The groove 9 is formed so as to open downward. The inner container 6 is composed of a sidewall member 10, which is formed into a rectangular cylindrical shape by bending a flat plate of aluminum alloy with high thermal conductivity, and a bottom member 11 attached to the lower opening of the sidewall member 10. A ring-shaped groove 12 is formed in the bottom member 11. The lower end portion 10A of the sidewall member 10 is inserted into the groove 12 to close the lower opening of the sidewall member 10. Meanwhile, the upper end portion 10B of the sidewall member 10 is inserted into the groove 9 to attach the inner container 6 to the main shell body 5 so that the inner surface of the inner container 6 is exposed from the opening 8. A thermosiphon 13 is thermally connected to the outer surface of the sidewall member 10 for transferring cold generated by a Stirling refrigerator 15 (described later) to the inner container 6. The heat insulating member 7 is provided outside the inner container 6 and inside the main shell body 5. The heat insulating member 7 is made of a foamed resin, a vacuum heat insulating material, or the like.

[0016] The mechanism section 3 is configured to include a mechanism section shell 14 that is integrally attached to the main body shell 5 of the storage main body 2, and a Stirling refrigerator 15 that serves as a cooling unit housed inside this mechanism section shell 14. The mechanism section shell 14 is formed with an intake port 16 and an exhaust port 17 for discharging heat generated by the Stirling refrigerator 15 to the outside of the mechanism section 3. The thermosiphon 13 is thermally connected to a cold end 15A of the Stirling refrigerator 15.

[0017] The outer lid 4 is pivotally supported on the main body shell 5 by a hinge (not shown) so as to openably and closably close the opening 8 of the storage container main body 2. The outer lid 4 is configured to have an outer lid shell 18 and an insulating member 19 provided inside the outer lid shell 18. Note that foamed resin, vacuum insulating material, or the like is used as the insulating member 19. In addition, an annular packing 20 is provided on the outer periphery of the lower surface of the outer lid 4 so as to be able to abut against the upper end surface 5A of the storage container main body 2 when the lid is closed.

[0018] An inner lid 21 is removably inserted into the upper part of the inner container 6, and as described above, its outer periphery rests on the rib 5C. The inner lid 21 is made of foamed resin or the like, and has a smooth outer surface. The surface of the inner lid 21 is desirably water-repellent. Depending on the type of item to be stored in the inner container 6, the inner lid 21 is desirably made of a chemical-resistant material. An inclined surface 23 is formed on the upper surface 22 of the inner lid 21 around the entire outer periphery, decreasing in the direction of gravity toward the center of the inner lid 21. Therefore, a recess 24 surrounded by the inclined surface 23 is formed on the upper surface 22 of the inner lid 21.

[0019] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. When the Stirling refrigerator 15 is operated, cold is generated at the cold end 15A. This cold is transferred to the side wall member 10 via the thermosiphon 13. As described above, since the side wall member 10 is made of an aluminum alloy with high thermal conductivity, the cold is conducted throughout the side wall member 10. As a result, the inside of the inner container 6 is cooled by the entire side wall member 10.

[0020] As mentioned above, the inner lid 21 is inserted into the opening 8. The inner lid 21 is made of foamed resin or the like, which prevents the cold from being transferred from the inner container 6 to the outside of the storage facility 1. As a result, in combination with the insulating effect of the insulating member 19 of the outer lid 4, the thermal insulation of the storage facility 1 can be improved.

[0021] It should be noted that the inner lid 21 cannot completely block the transfer of heat, and some cold leakage occurs. Furthermore, since the main body outer shell 5 is made of synthetic resin or the like, it is inevitable that cold will leak through the main body outer shell 5. As a result, the air in the space surrounded by the outer lid 4, inner lid 21, packing 20, and the upper end surface 5A and inclined surface 5B of the main body outer shell 5 will be cooled. When this air is cooled, the moisture contained in the air condenses, forming condensation water. This condensation water freezes as it cools further.

[0022] However, condensation water formed on the upper surface 22 of the inner lid 21 will accumulate in the recess 24. In particular, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 4 , most of the condensation water formed near the outer periphery of the inner lid 21 flows down the inclined surface 23 and accumulates in the recess 24, with almost no water flowing into the gap formed between the inner lid 21 and the opening 8. As described above, the smooth surface of the inner lid 21 makes it difficult to impede the flow of condensation water, so that the condensation water can more reliably flow down toward the recess 24 of the inner lid 21. It is also desirable that the surface of the inner lid 21 be water-repellent. In this way, by making the surface of the inner lid 21 water-repellent, the condensation water can more reliably flow down toward the recess 24 of the inner lid 21. Furthermore, most of the condensation water generated on the surface of the packing 20 and the upper end surface 5A and inclined surface 5B of the main body outer shell 5 flows down the inclined surface 5B of the main body outer shell 5 and the inclined surface 23 of the inner lid 21 and accumulates in the recess 24. In particular, since the inclined surface 5B is formed inward from near the inner end of the area of ​​the upper end surface 5A where the packing 20 abuts, most of the condensation water generated on the upper end surface 5A flows down through the inclined surface 5B and the inclined surface 23 into the recess 24, so that almost no condensation water remains on the upper end surface 5A. Furthermore, condensation water generated on the underside of the outer lid 4 drips due to gravity and accumulates in the recess 24 of the inner lid 21. The condensed water accumulated in the recess 24 of the inner lid 21 freezes into ice as it is further cooled, but as mentioned above, almost no condensed water flows between the inner lid 21 and the opening 8, which reduces the risk of the inner lid 21 and the opening 8 freezing over and making it impossible to remove the inner lid 21. Even if ice grows on the inner lid 21, it is unlikely that this ice will grow beyond the inclined surface 23 to the space between the upper end surface 5A of the main body outer shell 5 and the packing 20, which reduces the risk that the main body outer shell 5 and the packing 20 will freeze over and make it impossible to open the outer lid 4.

[0023] As described above, the present invention provides a refrigerator 1 having a storage body 2, a Stirling refrigerator 15 as a cooling unit, an outer lid 4 having thermal insulation properties, and an inner lid 21 provided inside the outer lid 4, wherein the storage body 2 has an inner container 6 that is thermally connected to the Stirling refrigerator 15 and has an opening 8 on the top, and a thermal insulating member 7 provided on the outer periphery of the inner container 6, wherein the outer lid 4 is configured to close the opening 8 of the inner container 6 in an openable and closable manner, and the inner lid 21 is configured to close the opening 8. Since the upper surface 22 of the lid 21 has an inclined surface 23 that becomes lower in the direction of gravity from its outer periphery toward the center, condensation water generated in the space formed between the outer lid 4 and the inner lid 21 flows down from the outer periphery of the inner lid 21 toward the center. Therefore, even if this condensation water freezes, it is possible to prevent freezing between the gasket 20 of the outer lid 4 and the upper end surface 5A of the upper part of the refrigerator body 5, or between the opening 8 at the top of the refrigerator body 5 and the inner lid 21, making it easy to open and close the outer lid 4 and inner lid 21.

[0024] Furthermore, in the present invention, by making the surface of the inner lid 21 smooth, condensed water can be more reliably caused to flow down from the inclined surface 23 on the outer periphery of the inner lid 21 toward the recess 24 on the central side.

[0025] Furthermore, in the present invention, by making the surface of the inner lid 21 water-repellent, condensed water can be more reliably caused to flow down from the inclined surface 23 on the outer periphery of the inner lid 21 toward the recess 24 on the central side.

[0026] Furthermore, the present invention forms an inclined surface 5B at the upper part surrounding the opening 8 of the storage body 2, which slopes downward in the direction of gravity toward the opening 8, thereby ensuring that condensation water generated at the upper part of the storage body 2 flows down to the upper surface 22 of the inner lid 21, and furthermore, the inclined surface 23 of the inner lid 21 allows the water to flow down toward the recess 24 on the central side of the inclined surface 23.

[0027] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 6 to 8. Reference numeral 1 denotes a storage container according to the present invention. This storage container 1 comprises a storage container main body 2, a mechanism 3, and an outer lid 4. The storage container main body 2 comprises a main body shell 5, an inner container 6, and an insulating member 7. An opening 8 is formed in the upper part of the main body shell 5. A slope 5B that slopes downward in the direction of gravity toward the opening 8 is formed on the upper end surface 5A of the main body shell 5, surrounding the opening 8. This slope 5B extends inward from the inner end of the area of ​​the upper end surface 5A that abuts a packing 20 (described later). A rib 5C that protrudes inward is formed around the entire periphery of the opening 8 of the main body shell 5, and the outer periphery of an inner lid 31 (described later) is configured to rest on this rib 5C. A ring-shaped groove 9 is formed on the upper part of the main body shell 5, surrounding the outside of the opening 8. The groove 9 is formed so as to open downward. The inner container 6 is composed of a sidewall member 10, which is formed into a rectangular cylindrical shape by bending a flat plate of aluminum alloy with high thermal conductivity, and a bottom member 11 attached to the lower opening of the sidewall member 10. A ring-shaped groove 12 is formed in the bottom member 11. The lower end portion 10A of the sidewall member 10 is inserted into the groove 12 to close the lower opening of the sidewall member 10. Meanwhile, the upper end portion 10B of the sidewall member 10 is inserted into the groove 9 to attach the inner container 6 to the main shell body 5 so that the inner surface of the inner container 6 is exposed from the opening 8. A thermosiphon 13 is thermally connected to the outer surface of the sidewall member 10 for transferring cold generated by a Stirling refrigerator 15 (described later) to the inner container 6. The heat insulating member 7 is provided outside the inner container 6 and inside the main shell body 5. The heat insulating member 7 is made of a foamed resin, a vacuum heat insulating material, or the like.

[0028] The mechanism section 3 is configured to include a mechanism section shell 14 that is integrally attached to the main body shell 5 of the storage main body 2, and a Stirling refrigerator 15 that serves as a cooling unit housed inside this mechanism section shell 14. The mechanism section shell 14 is formed with an intake port 16 and an exhaust port 17 for discharging heat generated by the Stirling refrigerator 15 to the outside of the mechanism section 3. The thermosiphon 13 is thermally connected to a cold end 15A of the Stirling refrigerator 15.

[0029] The outer lid 4 is pivotally supported on the main body shell 5 by a hinge (not shown) so as to openably and closably close the opening 8 of the storage container main body 2. The outer lid 4 is configured to have an outer lid shell 18 and an insulating member 19 provided inside the outer lid shell 18. Note that foamed resin, vacuum insulating material, or the like is used as the insulating member 19. In addition, an annular packing 20 is provided on the outer periphery of the lower surface of the outer lid 4 so as to be able to abut against the upper end surface 5A of the storage container main body 2 when the lid is closed.

[0030] An inner lid 31 is removably inserted into the top of the inner container 6, and its outer periphery rests on the rib 5C as described above. The inner lid 31 is composed of an upper shell 32, a lower shell 33, and a heat insulating material 34 provided between these shells 32, 33. The upper shell 32 of the inner lid 31 has an inclined surface 35 formed around its entire periphery, which slopes downward in the direction of gravity toward the center of the inner lid 31. Therefore, a recess 36 surrounded by the inclined surface 35 is formed in the upper shell 32, which is the top surface of the inner lid 31. The surface of the upper shell 32 is preferably smooth. Furthermore, it is desirable for the surface of the upper shell 32 to be water-repellent. Furthermore, depending on the type of item to be stored in the inner container 6, it is desirable for the upper shell 32 and lower shell 33 to be formed of a chemical-resistant material.

[0031] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. When the Stirling refrigerator 15 is operated, cold is generated at the cold end 15A. This cold is transferred to the side wall member 10 via the thermosiphon 13. As described above, since the side wall member 10 is made of an aluminum alloy with high thermal conductivity, the cold is conducted throughout the side wall member 10. As a result, the inside of the inner container 6 is cooled by the entire side wall member 10.

[0032] As mentioned above, the inner lid 31 is inserted into the opening 8. The inner lid 31 has thermal insulation properties due to the insulating material 34, and therefore the transfer of cold heat from the inner container 6 to the outside of the storage facility 1 is suppressed. As a result, combined with the insulating effect of the insulating member 19 of the outer lid 4, the thermal insulation properties of the storage facility 1 can be improved.

[0033] It should be noted that the inner lid 31 cannot completely block the transfer of heat, and some cold leakage occurs. Furthermore, since the main body outer shell 5 is made of synthetic resin or the like, it is inevitable that cold will leak through the main body outer shell 5. As a result, the air in the space surrounded by the outer lid 4, inner lid 31, packing 20, and the upper end surface 5A and inclined surface 5B of the main body outer shell 5 will be cooled. When this air is cooled, the moisture contained in the air condenses, forming condensation water. This condensation water freezes as it cools further.

[0034] However, condensation water formed on the upper shell body 32 of the inner lid 31 accumulates in the recess 36. In particular, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 7 , most of the condensation water formed near the outer periphery of the inner lid 31 flows down the inclined surface 35 and accumulates in the recess 36, with almost no water flowing into the gap formed between the inner lid 31 and the opening 8. As described above, the smooth surface of the upper shell body 32 of the inner lid 31 makes it difficult to impede the flow of condensation water, so that the condensation water can more reliably flow down toward the recess 36 of the inner lid 31. It is also desirable that the surface of the upper shell body 32 of the inner lid 31 be water-repellent. By making the surface of the upper shell body 32 water-repellent in this way, the condensation water can more reliably flow down toward the recess 36 of the inner lid 31. Furthermore, most of the condensation water generated on the surface of the packing 20 and the upper end surface 5A and inclined surface 5B of the main body outer shell 5 flows down the inclined surface 5B of the main body outer shell 5 and the inclined surface 35 of the inner lid 31 and accumulates in the recess 36. In particular, since the inclined surface 5B is formed inward from near the inner end of the area of ​​the upper end surface 5A where the packing 20 abuts, most of the condensation water generated on the upper end surface 5A flows down through the inclined surface 5B and the inclined surface 35 into the recess 36, so that almost no condensation water remains on the upper end surface 5A. Furthermore, condensation water generated on the underside of the outer lid 4 drips due to gravity and accumulates in the recess 36 of the inner lid 31. The condensed water accumulated in the recess 36 of the inner lid 31 freezes into ice as it is further cooled, but as described above, almost no condensed water flows between the inner lid 31 and the opening 8, which reduces the risk of the inner lid 31 and the opening 8 freezing over and making it impossible to remove the inner lid 31. Even if ice grows on the inner lid 31, it is unlikely that this ice will grow beyond the inclined surface 35 to the space between the upper end surface 5A of the main body outer shell 5 and the packing 20, which reduces the risk that the main body outer shell 5 and the packing 20 will freeze over and make it impossible to open the outer lid 4.

[0035] As described above, the present invention provides a refrigerator 1 having a storage body 2, a Stirling refrigerator 15 as a cooling unit, an outer lid 4 having thermal insulation properties, and an inner lid 31 provided inside the outer lid 4, wherein the storage body 2 has an inner container 6 that is thermally connected to the Stirling refrigerator 15 and has an opening 8 at the top, and a thermal insulating member 7 provided on the outer periphery of the inner container 6, wherein the outer lid 4 is configured to close the opening 8 of the inner container 6 in an openable and closable manner, and the inner lid 31 is configured to close the opening 8. Since the upper outer shell body 32 of 31 has an inclined surface 35 that becomes lower in the direction of gravity from its outer periphery toward the center, condensation water generated in the space formed between the outer lid 4 and the inner lid 31 flows down from the outer periphery of the inner lid 31 toward the center. Therefore, even if this condensation water freezes, it can be prevented from freezing between the gasket 20 of the outer lid 4 and the upper end surface 5A of the upper part of the refrigerator body 5, or between the opening 8 at the top of the refrigerator body 5 and the inner lid 31, so that the outer lid 4 and the inner lid 31 can be easily opened and closed.

[0036] In addition, by making the upper outer shell 32 of the inner lid 31 a smooth surface, the present invention allows condensation water to more reliably flow down from the inclined surface 35 on the outer periphery of the inner lid 31 toward the recess 36 in the center.

[0037] In addition, by making the upper outer shell 32 of the inner lid 31 water-repellent, the present invention allows condensation water to more reliably flow down from the inclined surface 35 on the outer periphery of the inner lid 31 toward the recess 36 in the center.

[0038] Furthermore, the present invention forms an inclined surface 5B at the upper part surrounding the opening 8 of the storage body 2, which slopes downward in the direction of gravity toward the opening 8, thereby ensuring that condensation water generated at the top of the storage body 2 flows down to the upper shell body 32 of the inner lid 31, and furthermore, the inclined surface 35 of the inner lid 31 allows the water to flow down toward the recess 36 on the central side of the inclined surface 35.

[0039] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 9 to 11. Reference numeral 1 denotes a storage container according to the present invention. This storage container 1 comprises a storage container main body 2, a mechanism 3, and an outer lid 4. The storage container main body 2 comprises a main body shell 5, an inner container 6, and an insulating member 7. An opening 8 is formed in the upper part of the main body shell 5. A slope 5B that slopes downward in the direction of gravity toward the opening 8 is formed on the upper end surface 5A of the main body shell 5, surrounding the opening 8. This slope 5B extends inward from the inner end of the area of ​​the upper end surface 5A that abuts a packing 20 (described later). A rib 5C that protrudes inward is formed around the entire periphery of the opening 8 of the main body shell 5, and the outer periphery of an inner lid 41 (described later) is configured to rest on this rib 5C. A ring-shaped groove 9 is formed on the upper part of the main body shell 5, surrounding the outside of the opening 8. The groove 9 is formed so as to open downward. The inner container 6 is composed of a sidewall member 10, which is formed into a rectangular cylindrical shape by bending a flat plate of aluminum alloy with high thermal conductivity, and a bottom member 11 attached to the lower opening of the sidewall member 10. A ring-shaped groove 12 is formed in the bottom member 11. The lower end portion 10A of the sidewall member 10 is inserted into the groove 12 to close the lower opening of the sidewall member 10. Meanwhile, the upper end portion 10B of the sidewall member 10 is inserted into the groove 9 to attach the inner container 6 to the main shell body 5 so that the inner surface of the inner container 6 is exposed from the opening 8. A thermosiphon 13 is thermally connected to the surface of the sidewall member 10 to transfer cold generated by a Stirling refrigerator 15 (described later) to the inner container 6. The heat insulating member 7 is provided outside the inner container 6 and inside the main shell body 5. The heat insulating member 7 is made of a foamed resin, a vacuum heat insulating material, or the like.

[0040] The mechanism section 3 is configured to include a mechanism section shell 14 that is integrally attached to the main body shell 5 of the storage main body 2, and a Stirling refrigerator 15 that serves as a cooling unit housed inside this mechanism section shell 14. The mechanism section shell 14 is formed with an intake port 16 and an exhaust port 17 for discharging heat generated by the Stirling refrigerator 15 to the outside of the mechanism section 3. The thermosiphon 13 is thermally connected to a cold end 15A of the Stirling refrigerator 15.

[0041] The outer lid 4 is pivotally supported on the main body shell 5 by a hinge (not shown) so as to openably and closably close the opening 8 of the storage container main body 2. The outer lid 4 is configured to have an outer lid shell 18 and an insulating member 19 provided inside the outer lid shell 18. Note that foamed resin, vacuum insulating material, or the like is used as the insulating member 19. In addition, an annular packing 20 is provided on the outer periphery of the lower surface of the outer lid 4 so as to be able to abut against the upper end surface 5A of the storage container main body 2 when the lid is closed.

[0042] An inner lid 41 is removably inserted into the upper part of the inner container 6, and its outer periphery rests on the rib 5C as described above. The inner lid 41 includes a flat insulating portion 42 made of a foamed resin or the like and a sheet-like sealing portion 43 provided on the upper surface of the insulating portion 42. That is, the sealing portion 43 forms the upper surface 44 of the inner lid 41. The sealing portion 43 has a smooth surface and is made of a chemical-resistant material such as silicone rubber. The sealing portion 43 extends outward from the outer periphery of the insulating portion 42 along its entire periphery and is tapered toward the outer periphery. Furthermore, when the inner lid 41 is inserted into the opening 8, the outer periphery of the sealing portion 43 closely contacts the inner periphery of the opening 8. When the inner lid 41 is inserted into the opening 8 from above, the sealing portion 43, which is in close contact with the inner periphery of the opening 8, deforms so that its outer periphery becomes higher. As a result, when the inner lid 41 is inserted into the opening 8, an inclined surface 45 that slopes downward in the direction of gravity is formed around the entire periphery on the upper surface 44 of the inner lid 41, and a recess 46 is formed surrounded by this inclined surface 45. Depending on the type of article to be stored in the inner container 6, it is desirable that the heat insulating portion 42 constituting the inner lid 41 be made of a chemical-resistant material.

[0043] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. When the Stirling refrigerator 15 is operated, cold is generated at the cold end 15A. This cold is transferred to the side wall member 10 via the thermosiphon 13. As described above, since the side wall member 10 is made of an aluminum alloy with high thermal conductivity, the cold is conducted throughout the side wall member 10. As a result, the inside of the inner container 6 is cooled by the entire side wall member 10.

[0044] As mentioned above, the inner lid 41 is inserted inside the opening 8. The inner lid 41 has the insulating portion 42 formed of a foamed resin or the like, which suppresses the transfer of cold heat from the inner container 6 to the outside of the storage facility 1. As a result, combined with the insulating effect of the insulating member 19 of the outer lid 4, the thermal insulation of the storage facility 1 can be improved.

[0045] It should be noted that the inner lid 41 cannot completely block the transfer of heat, and some cold leakage occurs. Furthermore, since the main body outer shell 5 is made of synthetic resin or the like, it is inevitable that cold will leak through the main body outer shell 5. As a result, the air in the space surrounded by the outer lid 4, inner lid 41, packing 20, and the upper end surface 5A and inclined surface 5B of the main body outer shell 5 will be cooled. When this air is cooled, the moisture contained in the air condenses, forming condensation water. This condensation water freezes as it cools further.

[0046] However, condensation water formed on the upper surface 44 of the inner lid 41 accumulates in the recess 46. In particular, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 10 , most of the condensation water formed near the outer periphery of the inner lid 41 flows down the inclined surface 45 and accumulates in the recess 46, and almost none of it flows into the gap formed between the inner lid 41 and the opening 8. As described above, the smooth surface of the seal portion 43 of the inner lid 41 makes it difficult to impede the flow of condensation water, so that the condensation water can more reliably flow down toward the recess 46 formed in the inner lid 41. In addition, it is desirable that the surface of the seal portion 43 of the inner lid 41 be water-repellent. In this way, by making the surface of the seal portion 43 water-repellent, the condensation water can more reliably flow down toward the recess 46 formed in the inner lid 41. Furthermore, most of the condensation water generated on the surface of the packing 20 and the upper end surface 5A and inclined surface 5B of the main body outer shell 5 flows down the inclined surface 5B of the main body outer shell 5 and the inclined surface 45 of the inner lid 41 and accumulates in the recess 46. In particular, since the inclined surface 5B is formed inward from near the inner end of the area of ​​the upper end surface 5A where the packing 20 abuts, most of the condensation water generated on the upper end surface 5A flows down through the inclined surface 5B and the inclined surface 45 into the recess 46, so that almost no condensation water remains on the upper end surface 5A. Furthermore, condensation water generated on the underside of the outer lid 4 drips due to gravity and accumulates in the recess 46 of the inner lid 41. The condensed water accumulated in the recess 46 of the inner lid 41 freezes into ice as it is further cooled, but as described above, almost no condensed water flows between the inner lid 41 and the opening 8, which reduces the risk of the inner lid 41 and the opening 8 freezing over and making it impossible to remove the inner lid 41. Even if ice grows on the inner lid 41, it is unlikely that this ice will grow beyond the inclined surface 45 to the space between the upper end surface 5A of the main body outer shell 5 and the packing 20, which reduces the risk that the main body outer shell 5 and the packing 20 will freeze over and make it impossible to open the outer lid 4.

[0047] In particular, in the case of this embodiment, the outer periphery of the seal portion 43 is in close contact with the inner periphery of the opening 8, so that condensation water flowing down the inclined surface 5B can be prevented from flowing into the gap formed between the inner lid 41 and the opening 8. This more reliably prevents freezing of the inner lid 41 and the opening 8, and more reliably prevents the inner lid 41 from becoming unable to be removed.

[0048] As described above, the present invention provides a refrigerator 1 having a storage body 2, a Stirling refrigerator 15 as a cooling unit, an outer lid 4 having thermal insulation properties, and an inner lid 41 provided inside the outer lid 4, wherein the storage body 2 has an inner container 6 that is thermally connected to the Stirling refrigerator 15 and has an opening 8 on the top, and a thermal insulating member 7 provided on the outer periphery of the inner container 6, wherein the outer lid 4 is configured to close the opening 8 of the inner container 6 in an openable and closable manner, and the inner lid 41 is configured to close the opening 8. Since the upper surface 44 of the lid 41 has an inclined surface 45 that becomes lower in the direction of gravity from its outer periphery toward the center, condensation water generated in the space formed between the outer lid 4 and the inner lid 41 flows down from the outer periphery of the inner lid 41 toward the center. Therefore, even if this condensation water freezes, it is possible to prevent freezing between the gasket 20 of the outer lid 4 and the upper end surface 5A of the upper part of the cooler body 5, or between the opening 8 at the top of the cooler body 5 and the inner lid 41, making it easy to open and close the outer lid 4 and inner lid 41.

[0049] In addition, by making the surface of the sealing portion 43 of the inner lid 41 smooth, the present invention allows condensation water to more reliably flow down from the inclined surface 45, which is the outer periphery of the inner lid 41, toward the recess 46 in the center.

[0050] Furthermore, in the present invention, by making the surface of the inner lid 41 water-repellent, condensed water can be more reliably caused to flow down from the inclined surface 45 on the outer periphery of the inner lid 41 toward the recess 46 on the central side.

[0051] Furthermore, the present invention forms an inclined surface 5B at the upper part surrounding the opening 8 of the storage body 2, which slopes downward in the direction of gravity toward the opening 8, thereby ensuring that condensation water generated at the upper part of the storage body 2 flows down to the upper surface 44 of the inner lid 41, and furthermore, the inclined surface 45 of the inner lid 41 allows the water to flow down toward the recess 46 on the central side of the inclined surface 45.

[0052] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 12 to 14. Reference numeral 1 denotes a storage cabinet of the present invention. This storage cabinet 1 comprises a storage cabinet main body 2, a mechanism 3, and an outer lid 4. The storage cabinet main body 2 comprises a main body shell 5, an inner container 6, and an insulating member 7. An opening 8 is formed in the upper part of the main body shell 5. A slope 5B that slopes downward in the direction of gravity toward the opening 8 is formed on the upper end surface 5A of the main body shell 5, surrounding the opening 8. This slope 5B extends inward from the inner end of the area of ​​the upper end surface 5A that abuts a packing 20 (described later). An inward-protruding rib 5C is formed around the entire periphery of the opening 8 of the main body shell 5, and the outer periphery of an inner lid 51 (described later) is configured to rest on this rib 5C. A ring-shaped groove 9 is formed on the upper part of the main body shell 5, surrounding the outside of the opening 8. The groove 9 is formed so as to open downward. The inner container 6 is composed of a sidewall member 10, which is formed into a rectangular cylindrical shape by bending a flat plate of aluminum alloy with high thermal conductivity, and a bottom member 11 attached to the lower opening of the sidewall member 10. A ring-shaped groove 12 is formed in the bottom member 11. The lower end portion 10A of the sidewall member 10 is inserted into the groove 12 to close the lower opening of the sidewall member 10. Meanwhile, the upper end portion 10B of the sidewall member 10 is inserted into the groove 9 to attach the inner container 6 to the main shell body 5 so that the inner surface of the inner container 6 is exposed from the opening 8. A thermosiphon 13 is thermally connected to the outer surface of the sidewall member 10 for transferring cold generated by a Stirling refrigerator 15 (described later) to the inner container 6. The heat insulating member 7 is provided outside the inner container 6 and inside the main shell body 5. The heat insulating member 7 is made of a foamed resin, a vacuum heat insulating material, or the like.

[0053] The mechanism section 3 is configured to include a mechanism section shell 14 that is integrally attached to the main body shell 5 of the storage main body 2, and a Stirling refrigerator 15 that serves as a cooling unit housed inside this mechanism section shell 14. The mechanism section shell 14 is formed with an intake port 16 and an exhaust port 17 for discharging heat generated by the Stirling refrigerator 15 to the outside of the mechanism section 3. The thermosiphon 13 is thermally connected to a cold end 15A of the Stirling refrigerator 15.

[0054] The outer lid 4 is pivotally supported on the main body shell 5 by a hinge (not shown) so as to openably and closably close the opening 8 of the storage container main body 2. The outer lid 4 is configured to have an outer lid shell 18 and an insulating member 19 provided inside the outer lid shell 18. Note that foamed resin, vacuum insulating material, or the like is used as the insulating member 19. In addition, an annular packing 20 is provided on the outer periphery of the lower surface of the outer lid 4 so as to be able to abut against the upper end surface 5A of the storage container main body 2 when the lid is closed.

[0055] An inner lid 51 is detachably inserted into the upper part of the inner container 6, and its outer periphery rests on the rib 5C as described above. The inner lid 51 is formed from a foamed resin or the like, and its outer surface is formed to be smooth. The surface of the inner lid 51 is preferably water-repellent. Depending on the type of item to be stored in the inner container 6, the inner lid 51 is preferably formed from a chemical-resistant material. An outer inclined surface 53 is formed on the upper surface 52 of the inner lid 51 around the entire outer periphery, and the outer periphery slopes downward in the direction of gravity toward the center of the inner lid 51. A central convex portion 54 is formed in the center of the upper surface 52 of the inner lid 51, and an inner inclined surface 55 is formed around the entire outer periphery of the central convex portion 54. The central convex portion 54 is flush with the outer periphery of the upper surface 52 of the inner lid 51. Therefore, a recess 56 surrounded by the outer inclined surface 53 and the inner inclined surface 55 is formed in an annular shape on the upper surface 52 of the inner lid 51 .

[0056] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. When the Stirling refrigerator 15 is operated, cold is generated at the cold end 15A. This cold is transferred to the side wall member 10 via the thermosiphon 13. As described above, since the side wall member 10 is made of an aluminum alloy with high thermal conductivity, the cold is conducted throughout the side wall member 10. As a result, the inside of the inner container 6 is cooled by the entire side wall member 10.

[0057] As mentioned above, the inner lid 51 is inserted into the opening 8. The inner lid 51 is made of foamed resin or the like, which suppresses the transfer of cold heat from the inner container 6 to the outside of the storage facility 1. As a result, in combination with the insulating effect of the insulating member 19 of the outer lid 4, the thermal insulation of the storage facility 1 can be improved.

[0058] It should be noted that the inner lid 51 cannot completely block the transfer of heat, and some cold leakage occurs. Furthermore, since the main body outer shell 5 is made of synthetic resin or the like, it is inevitable that cold will leak through the main body outer shell 5. As a result, the air in the space surrounded by the outer lid 4, inner lid 51, packing 20, and the upper end surface 5A and inclined surface 5B of the main body outer shell 5 will be cooled. When this air is cooled, the moisture contained in the air condenses, forming condensation water. This condensation water freezes as it is further cooled.

[0059] However, condensation water formed on the upper surface 52 of the inner lid 51 accumulates in the recess 56. In particular, most of the condensation water formed near the outer periphery of the inner lid 51 flows down the outer inclined surface 53 and accumulates in the recess 56, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 13 , and almost none of it flows into the gap formed between the inner lid 51 and the opening 8. Similarly, most of the condensation water formed on the inner inclined surface 55 of the inner lid 51 flows down the inner inclined surface 55 and accumulates in the recess 56, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 13 . As described above, the smooth surface of the inner lid 51 makes it difficult to impede the flow of condensation water, so that the condensation water can more reliably flow down toward the recess 56 of the inner lid 51. In addition, it is desirable that the surface of the inner lid 51 be water-repellent. In this way, by making the surface of the inner lid 51 water-repellent, the condensation water can more reliably flow down toward the recess 56 of the inner lid 51. Furthermore, most of the condensation water generated on the surface of the packing 20 and the upper end surface 5A and inclined surface 5B of the main body outer shell 5 flows down the inclined surface 5B of the main body outer shell 5 and the outer inclined surface 53 of the inner lid 51 and accumulates in the recess 56. In particular, since the inclined surface 5B is formed inward from near the inner end of the area of ​​the upper end surface 5A where the packing 20 abuts, most of the condensation water generated on the upper end surface 5A flows down through the inclined surface 5B and the outer inclined surface 53 to the recess 56, so that almost no condensation water remains on the upper end surface 5A. Furthermore, condensation water generated on the underside of the outer lid 4 drips due to gravity. Of the dripped condensation water, the condensation water that drips from the inclined surface 5B to the inner inclined surface 55 accumulates in the recess 56 of the inner lid 51. The condensed water accumulated in the recess 56 of the inner lid 51 freezes into ice as it is further cooled, but as described above, almost no condensed water flows between the inner lid 51 and the opening 8, which reduces the risk of the inner lid 51 and the opening 8 freezing over and making it impossible to remove the inner lid 51. Even if ice grows on the inner lid 51, it is unlikely that this ice will grow beyond the outer inclined surface 53 to the space between the upper end surface 5A of the main body outer shell 5 and the packing 20, which reduces the risk that the main body outer shell 5 and the packing 20 will freeze over and make it impossible to open the outer lid 4.

[0060] In this embodiment, a central protrusion 54 is formed in the central portion of the inner lid 51, thereby making it possible to thicken the central portion of the inner lid 51. This makes it possible to improve the heat insulating properties of the inner lid 51.

[0061] As described above, the present invention provides a refrigerator 1 having a storage body 2, a Stirling refrigerator 15 as a cooling unit, an outer lid 4 having thermal insulation properties, and an inner lid 51 provided inside the outer lid 4, wherein the storage body 2 has an inner container 6 that is thermally connected to the Stirling refrigerator 15 and has an opening 8 at the top, and a thermal insulating member 7 provided on the outer periphery of the inner container 6, wherein the outer lid 4 is configured to close the opening 8 of the inner container 6 in an openable and closable manner, and the inner lid 51 is configured to close the opening 8. Since the upper surface 52 of 51 has an outer inclined surface 53 that becomes lower in the direction of gravity from its outer periphery toward the center, condensation water generated in the space formed between the outer lid 4 and the inner lid 51 flows down from the outer periphery of the inner lid 51 toward the center. Therefore, even if this condensation water freezes, it can be prevented from freezing between the gasket 20 of the outer lid 4 and the upper end surface 5A of the upper part of the refrigerator body 5, or between the opening 8 at the top of the refrigerator body 5 and the inner lid 51, making it easy to open and close the outer lid 4 and inner lid 51.

[0062] Furthermore, in the present invention, by making the surface of the inner lid 51 smooth, condensed water can be more reliably caused to flow down from the outer inclined surface 53, which is the outer periphery of the inner lid 51, toward the recess 56 on the central side.

[0063] In addition, by making the surface of the inner lid 51 water-repellent, the present invention allows condensation water to more reliably flow down from the outer inclined surface 53, which is the outer periphery of the inner lid 51, toward the recess 56 in the center.

[0064] Furthermore, the present invention forms an inclined surface 5B at the upper part surrounding the opening 8 of the storage body 2, which slopes downward in the direction of gravity toward the opening 8, thereby ensuring that condensation water generated at the upper part of the storage body 2 flows down to the upper surface 52 of the inner lid 51, and furthermore, the outer inclined surface 53 of the inner lid 51 allows the water to flow down toward the recess 56 on the central side of the outer inclined surface 53.

[0065] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention. For example, in the above-described embodiments, a Stirling refrigerator is used as the cooling unit, but a cooling device such as a compressor refrigerator or a thermomodule using a Peltier element may also be used. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, the outer periphery of the upper surface of the inner lid is raised to provide a recess in the center of the inner lid. However, any structure may be used as long as it can guide condensation water from the outer periphery to the center of the inner lid. For example, the inner lid may be curved overall so that the center is lower. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1. Storage 2. Storage facility body 4 Outer lid 5A Top surface 5B Slope 6 Inner container 7. Heat insulating materials 8 Openings 15 Stirling refrigerator (cooling unit) 21 Inner lid 22 Top side 23 Slope 24 recess 31 Inner lid 32 Upper shell body (upper surface) 35 Slope 36 Recess 41 Inner lid 44 Top side 45 Slope 46 Recess 51 Inner lid 52 Top side 53 Outer slope 56 Recess

Claims

1. A refrigerator having a storage body, a cooling unit, a thermally insulating outer lid, and an inner lid provided inside the outer lid, wherein the storage body has an inner container thermally connected to the cooling unit and having an opening at the top, and a thermal insulating member provided on the outer periphery of the inner container, wherein the outer lid is configured to close the opening of the inner container in an openable and closable manner, and the inner lid is configured to close the opening, A refrigerator characterized in that the upper surface of the inner lid has a portion that becomes lower in the direction of gravity from its outer periphery toward its center.

2. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the inner lid is smooth.

3. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the inner lid is water-repellent.

4. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a surface that decreases in the direction of gravity toward the opening is formed at an upper end of the storage body that surrounds the opening.

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