Lifting device and refrigeration device

Abstract

The present invention provides a lifting device that can raise and lower a movable body capable of accommodating an object within its internal space, and has an object removal section on its front, and that can easily remove an object from the movable body while using as few electrical components as possible other than the drive mechanism for raising and lowering the movable body, and a refrigeration device using the same. [Solution] The lifting device comprises a housing that constitutes an internal space, a movable body provided to move up and down within the internal space, and a drive device for raising and lowering the movable body. The movable body has a storage section for accommodating an object. The housing has an object removal section provided on its front. When the movable body rises, the storage section moves forward and protrudes in front of the removal section. The movable body has a sliding mechanism that allows the storage section to move in the front-rear direction when the movable body is raised.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a lifting device and a refrigeration device.

Background Art

[0002] A liquid immersion type refrigeration device (quick freezer) with a faster cooling speed than the air cooling method is known (for example, Patent Document 1). In a liquid immersion type refrigeration device, an object such as food is frozen by immersing the object in a coolant (a non-freezing liquid such as an ethanol solution) stored in a cooling tank.

[0003] A liquid cooling type refrigeration device includes, for example, a cooling tank for storing a coolant, and a movable body (lifting cage) that can enter the cooling tank through an upper opening of the cooling tank. With an object stored in a storage portion inside the movable body, the object can be immersed in the coolant by lowering the movable body into the cooling tank.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Conventionally, as a liquid cooling type refrigeration device, a refrigeration device of a type (chest type) in which a door (upper door) provided at an upper opening of a cooling tank is opened upward to take in and out an object has been mainstream. However, in a chest type refrigeration device, in order to open the upper door, other devices or articles cannot be placed on the upper part of the refrigeration device. For example, in a relatively narrow space such as a private house, it is desirable that the upper space of the refrigeration device can also be effectively utilized.

[0006] To allow other equipment to be placed on top of the refrigeration unit, a door can be installed on the front. In this case, space is needed above the cooling tank inside the refrigeration unit to lift containers containing the objects, but the space above the refrigeration unit can be effectively utilized. The door would be installed on the front side of the space above the cooling tank.

[0007] In the case of a liquid immersion type refrigeration system having a front door, operations for loading and unloading objects can include opening and closing the front door, lifting and lowering the object (such as a container containing the object) in the vertical direction from inside the cooling tank, and pushing and pulling the object in the forward and backward directions. Of these operations, the lifting operation is known to use a device (lifting device) that raises and lowers a movable body including the object housing. The lifting operation can be automated using this lifting device. It can also be linked to the opening and closing of the front door. Of the remaining operations, from the perspective of improving operability, it is desirable that the push-pull operation be linked to the lift-down operation.

[0008] One might consider automating the pushing and pulling operation using a separate drive mechanism (electrical component) from the one used for lifting and lowering. However, electrical components for automating the pushing and pulling operation typically need to be installed on the moving body, and low-temperature environments such as below -20°C are harsh for electrical components. Therefore, it is undesirable to install electrical components on or around a moving body that is immersed in a coolant.

[0009] Furthermore, using drive devices (electrical components) other than those used for lifting operations to automate pushing and pulling operations increases power consumption and manufacturing costs; therefore, it is desirable not to use separate electrical components for pushing and pulling operations.

[0010] The object of this disclosure is to provide a lifting device that can raise and lower a movable body capable of accommodating an object in its internal space, and has an object removal section on its front, and that can easily remove an object from the movable body while using as few electrical components as possible other than the drive mechanism for raising and lowering the movable body, and a refrigeration device using the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] A lifting device relating to one aspect of this disclosure is: The enclosure that constitutes the internal space, A movable body is provided that can move up and down within the aforementioned internal space, The system includes a drive device for raising and lowering the movable body. The movable body has a housing section for housing an object. The housing has an object removal section provided on its front. As the movable body rises, the housing section moves forward and protrudes ahead of the removal section. The movable body has a sliding mechanism that allows the housing to move in the front-rear direction when the movable body is raised. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to one aspect of this disclosure, it is possible to provide a lifting device that can raise and lower a movable body capable of accommodating an object in an internal space, and has an object removal section on its front, and that can easily remove an object from the movable body with as few electrical components as possible other than the drive mechanism for raising and lowering the movable body, and a refrigeration device using the same. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the closed state of the lifting device (refrigeration device) of the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the open state of the lifting device (refrigeration device) of the embodiment. [Figure 3]It is a partial perspective view showing an open state of the lifting device (refrigeration device) of the embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a partial perspective view showing the cam mechanism of the lifting device of the embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the cam mechanism of the lifting device of the embodiment. [Figure 6] It is another schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the cam mechanism of the lifting device of the embodiment. [Figure 7] It is another schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the cam mechanism of the lifting device of the embodiment. [Figure 8] It is another schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the cam mechanism of the lifting device of the embodiment. [Figure 9] It is a cross-sectional view showing a closed state of the lifting device (refrigeration device) of the embodiment. [Figure 10] It is a cross-sectional view showing a state during the transition from the closed state to the open state of the lifting device (refrigeration device) of the embodiment. [Figure 11] It is a cross-sectional view showing an open state of the lifting device (refrigeration device) of the embodiment. [Figure 12] It is a cross-sectional view showing a state during the transition from the open state to the closed state of the lifting device (refrigeration device) of the embodiment. [Figure 13] It is a cross-sectional view showing a state during the transition from the open state to the closed state of the lifting device (refrigeration device) of the embodiment (a state after FIG. 12).

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present disclosure will be described while referring to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are basically the same.

[0015] In the drawings, the lifting device and the refrigeration device are denoted by the same reference numeral (1), but the refrigeration device 1 is the entire illustrated device, and the lifting device 1 is a device composed of a part obtained by removing components related to the refrigeration function such as the cooling tank 2 from the entire illustrated device.

[0016] <Lifting device> Referring to Figures 1 to 13, the lifting device 1 of this embodiment comprises a housing 11, a movable body 3, and a drive device 4.

[0017] The lifting device 1 in this embodiment is a lifting device used in the refrigeration device 1, which will be described later. The lifting device 1 is not limited to this, and may be a lifting device used for other purposes, such as an elevator for transporting goods such as food or merchandise.

[0018] The housing 11 constitutes the internal space for the movable body 3 to move up and down. For example, in this embodiment, the internal space for the movable body 3 to move up and down consists of the inside of the cooling tank 2 and the space above it. In the illustrated lifting device 1, the housing 11 consists of a main body 11a and a top plate 11b. Furthermore, the enclosure is not particularly limited as long as it is a box-shaped structure that constitutes the internal space. For example, if the lifting device is an elevator for transporting goods, the enclosure may be made up of walls that form a vertically extending space provided within a building.

[0019] The movable body 3 is provided within the internal space of the housing 11 so as to be able to move up and down. The movable body 3 can be raised and lowered vertically by the drive device 4.

[0020] The movable body 3 may have a lifting support frame 35. The lifting support frame 35 is a frame that supports the entire movable body 3 from above. The lifting support frame 35 is supported from above by a pulley belt 15. The pulley belt 15 is connected to the drive unit 4 via a pulley 16 supported by a support frame 13 fixed to the top plate 11b (see Figure 9) so as to be linked to the movement of the electric motor of the drive unit 4. With this configuration, the movable body 3 can be raised and lowered vertically by the drive device 4.

[0021] The drive unit 4 includes, for example, a drive unit (such as an electric motor) that supplies power to raise and lower (move in the vertical direction) the movable body 3, and a transmission unit (such as a pulley belt, gears, or pulley) that transmits the driving force of the drive unit. The configuration and arrangement of the drive unit 4 are not particularly limited, but in a lifting device 1 used in a refrigeration system, it is preferable that at least the electric motor and other electrical components constituting the drive unit of the drive unit 4 are not installed inside the cooling tank 2 or in a part immersed in the coolant, and in this embodiment, it is even more preferable that they are not installed in the internal space (lifting space) below the lifting support frame 35. In this case, it is possible to prevent electrical components from being exposed to extremely low-temperature environments. It is also possible to prevent splashes of coolant from coming into contact with electrical components such as motors.

[0022] The movable body 3 has a storage section 31 for accommodating an object (or a container containing an object, etc.). In the drawing, the storage section 31 is composed of shelves arranged in two tiers, upper and lower. In this case, the object (or a container containing the object) can be stored by placing it on the shelves. However, the shape of the housing section 31 of the movable body 3 is not particularly limited, as long as it has a holding means capable of holding the target part. The housing section 31 may be, for example, a container with a depth capable of accommodating the target object. The storage section 31, such as shelves or containers, is preferably made of a liquid-permeable material such as mesh or perforated metal in order to quickly immerse the object in the coolant and improve cooling efficiency.

[0023] The housing 11 has an object removal section 12a located on its front (see Figure 2). In the illustrated lifting device 1, the retrieval section 12a is an opening (retrieval port) provided on the front of the housing 11. Furthermore, a door (front door 12) for opening and closing the dispensing opening is provided in front of the dispensing section 12a.

[0024] The front door 12 of the lifting device (refrigeration device) shown in the diagram is a front-opening door that opens from the top to the front, but it may also be a side-opening door that opens from the side to the front, or a double-hinged door. In the case of such a front door, the housing section 31 may be pushed back by the front door when the door is closed. The front door may be a sliding door that slides vertically or horizontally. Furthermore, the retrieval section 12a does not necessarily have to have a door.

[0025] Furthermore, in the retrieval section 12a, the user can not only retrieve the object from the storage section 31 of the movable body 3, but also store the object in the storage section of the movable body 3. In other words, the retrieval section 12a is a part from which objects can be taken in and out.

[0026] Referring to Figures 9 to 11, in the lifting device 1 of this embodiment, when the movable body 3 rises, the housing section 31 moves forward and protrudes forward. That is, when rising, the housing section 31 moves forward to a state in which, in a top view, at least a part of the housing section 31 is positioned in front of the housing 11 (in the case of a refrigeration device, in front of the cooling tank 2).

[0027] Furthermore, referring to Figures 11 to 13 and Figure 9, the hoisting section 31 moves backward and then returns to its original position before the movable body 3 descends. During the descent, the hoisting section 31 retracts to a state where, in a top view, the entire hoisting section 31 is located within the internal space of the housing 11 (in the case of a refrigeration system, inside the cooling tank 2) (Figures 13 and 9).

[0028] For example, in the refrigeration device 1 described later, the housing section 31 retracts as the movable body 3 descends, and retracts to the above position before descending to the upper opening 2a of the cooling tank 2. As a result, as the movable body 3 descends further, the housing section 31 (object) can enter the interior of the cooling tank 2 through the upper opening 2a of the cooling tank 2 and be immersed in the coolant.

[0029] Furthermore, the lifting device 1 may have a control mechanism that, when it detects the opening of the front door 12, initiates the upward movement of the movable body 3 by the drive device 4. Furthermore, the lifting device 1 may have a control mechanism that, when it detects that the front door 12 is closed, causes the drive device 4 to lower the movable body 3.

[0030] (Cam mechanism) The lifting device 1 preferably includes a cam mechanism that moves the housing section 31 in the front-rear direction when the movable body 3 is raised, in conjunction with the vertical movement of the movable body 3, as described above. The cam mechanism itself does not require any electrical components.

[0031] Referring mainly to Figures 4 and 5, the cam mechanism includes a guide member 20 provided on the inner surface of both of the left-right side walls (in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 5) of the internal space (cooling tank 2) and bulging out from the inner surface (in the left-right direction), and an attachment 32 coupled to the housing 31. The guiding member 20 includes a main guiding member 21 and an auxiliary guiding member 22. The attachment 32 has pins 32a that protrude outward in both the left and right directions. The attachment 32 also has protrusions 32b that protrude outward in both the left and right directions. Furthermore, the guide member 20 is designed to overlap with a portion of the pin 32a and the tip of the protruding piece 32b in the left-right direction.

[0032] The lifting device 1 (cam mechanism) includes a first guideway A that guides the housing section 31 forward when the movable body 3 is rising, and a second guideway B that guides the housing section 31 backward when the movable body 3 is descending. The second guideway B is located behind the first guideway A. The guide member 20 has a first guide surface 21a which becomes the first guide path A and a second guide surface 21b which becomes the second guide path B.

[0033] With this cam mechanism, when the movable body 3 is raised, the pin 32a slides against the lower surface (first guide surface 21a) of the guide member 20 (main guide member 21), thereby guiding the housing section 31 forward. When the movable body 3 is lowered, the pin 32a slides against the rear portion (second guide surface 21b) of the upper surface of the guide member 20 (main guide member 21), thereby guiding the housing section 31 backward. In other words, as shown in Figure 5(a), pin 32a passes through the first taxiway A (white arrow) when ascending and through the second taxiway B (black arrow) when descending. Thus, in a side view (see Figure 5(a)), it is preferable that pin 32a passes through different taxiways (first taxiway A and second taxiway B) during ascent and descent.

[0034] In this case, the height of the pin 32a (the vertical length of the attachment 32) and the highest position of the guide member 20 (the vertical length of the guide member 20, the height of the installation position of the guide member 20) are adjusted so that the final height of the pin 32a when raised, which is determined according to the upper limit of the vertical range of motion of the movable body 3, is higher than the highest position of the guide member 20 (main guide member 21).

[0035] Furthermore, the movable body 3 has a sliding mechanism (slide rail 33) that allows the housing section 31 to move in the front-rear direction. The sliding mechanism is not limited to a slide rail; any mechanism that allows the housing section 31 to move in the front-rear direction is acceptable.

[0036] As a result, even when the user closes the front door 12 and the housing section 31 and attachment 32 are pushed horizontally backward by the front door 12, the pin 32a can move horizontally backward without any problems.

[0037] On the other hand, for example, if the final height position of the pin 32a during upward movement is designed to be lower than the highest position in the groove 23 (first guide surface 21a) of the guide member 20 (main guide member 21), then the pin 32a can move only within the groove 23 of the guide member 20 during both upward and downward movement (not shown). However, in this case, since the storage section 31 cannot move freely in the horizontal direction, when the front door 12 is closed, it is necessary to lower the storage section 31 with the drive device 4 before the front door 12 comes into contact with the storage section 31 to prevent contact between the front door 12 and the storage section 31. Possible measures include detecting the start of the closing operation of the front door 12 and driving the drive device 4 to drive the drive device 4 to close the front door 12, or using the front door 12 as an electric closing mechanism and starting the closing drive of the front door 12 only after the storage section 31 has started to be lowered by the drive device 4. However, in the former case, if the user closes the front door 12 quickly, there is a risk that contact between the front door 12 and the storage section 31 cannot be completely prevented, and in the latter case, the mechanism becomes complicated. By making the storage section 31 movable in the front-rear direction at the upper limit of the vertical range of motion of the movable body 3, the front door 12 can push the storage section 31 backward when the front door 12 is closed. Even if the user closes the front door 12 quickly, the storage section 31 can be safely moved backward (to the position shown in Figure 5(a)), and after detecting that the front door 12 is closed, the storage section 31 can be lowered by the drive device 4.

[0038] Furthermore, in the range behind the position of pin 32a when the housing section 31 is pushed backward by closing the front door 12 (the state shown in Figure 5(a)) (the range indicated by the diagonally extending black arrow in Figure 5(a)), the upper surface of the main guide member 21 is a second guide surface 21b that slopes downward toward the rear. In this range of the upper surface of the main guide member 21, pin 32a is pressed from above when it descends, so pin 32a is guided to the rear end of the main guide member 21. Then, the housing section 31 can enter the inside of the cooling tank 2 vertically and be immersed in the coolant at a predetermined position in the front-rear direction.

[0039] Furthermore, the auxiliary guide member 22 forms a groove 23 between itself and the main guide member 21 to assist in guiding the pin 32a so that it reliably passes through the first guide path A in the groove 23 when rising. However, even without the auxiliary guide member 22, the movement of the pin 32a when rising basically does not change, so the guide member 20 may have only the main guide member 21.

[0040] The guide member 20 (main guide member 21) may have an upwardly projecting projection 21d at a predetermined distance rearward from the position of the pin 32a when the upward movement is completed (when the movable body 3 has reached its highest point) (see Figure 5(b)). The height of the projection 21d is adjusted to a height that restricts the return of the housing section 31 (pin 32a) to the rear when the front door 12 is open, and allows the housing section 31 (pin 32a) to move backward when the front door 12 is closed (without preventing it from being pushed back). This prevents the storage compartment 31 from moving to the rear when the front door 12 is opened, due to operations such as placing an object in the storage compartment 31, and also does not interfere with the operation of closing the front door 12. Alternatively, another member with a similar function may be provided instead of the projection 21d.

[0041] The main guide member 21 may have a flap 211 at its rear end. The flap 211 is rotatable vertically and is pushed down by the downward movement of the pin 32a (see Figure 6), so it does not obstruct the movement of the housing 31 (pin 32a) when it is lowered (see the black arrow extending downward in Figure 5). However, the pin 32a is biased by a spring mechanism or the like to return to the position shown in Figure 5(a), and when the pin 32a descends further and passes through the flap 211, the flap 211 rotates upward and returns to the position shown in Figure 5(a). As a result, the flap 211 can reliably guide the pin 32a to the first guide surface 21a (groove 23) during ascent (Figures 8(a) and 8(b)).

[0042] The flap 211 is not limited to a rotatable configuration; for example, it may be fixed or formed on the rear end of the main guide member 21. In this case, the shape of the flap 211 can be such that it extends downward toward the rear, as shown in Figure 5(a), so that the pin 32a is guided backward as the pin 32a descends. In a configuration such as that of this embodiment, where the movable body 3 is suspended from above, the movable body 3 can easily move in the front-rear direction, so when the pin 32a comes into contact with the upper surface of the flap 211, it is guided backward. After passing the flap 211, the front-rear position is returned to its original position, so when the pin 32a descends, it bypasses the rear of the flap 211, and when the pin 32a rises, it is guided along the lower surface of the flap 211 to the first guideway A. The flap 211 may also be configured to bend downward in response to stress from above. This allows the spring mechanism described above to be replaced by the elastic deformation force of the flap 211 itself.

[0043] Alternatively, instead of using the flap 211, for example, a spring mechanism or the like that can be provided on the pin 32a to allow it to retract inward in the left-right direction, and a cam slope that contacts the pin 32a and retracts the pin 32a inward in the left-right direction may be provided on the rear end of the main guide member 21. In addition, various configurations can be adopted as long as the pin 32a is guided along the rear end of the main guide member 21 when it moves downward, and its movement to the rear is restricted when it moves upward, guiding it to the first taxiway A in front.

[0044] The attachment 32 may have protruding pieces 32b that project outward in the left-right direction (both directions). The protruding piece 32b is provided on the same side of the attachment 32 as the pin 32a, and, like the pin 32a, protrudes outward to a degree that allows it to slide with the guide member 20. Furthermore, in the attachment 32, the pin 32a and the protruding piece 32b are provided with a distance greater than the maximum vertical width of the guide member 20 (main guide member 21) (they are spaced apart in the vertical direction).

[0045] As the pin 32a descends and passes the main guide member 21 and the flap 211, the flap 211 returns to the position shown in Figure 5(a). Then, as the housing 31 descends to a position where it is immersed in the coolant, the flap 211 is pushed down by the convex piece 32b (Figure 7). Therefore, once the housing 31 reaches the position where it is immersed in the coolant, the back-and-forth movement of the convex piece 32b is restricted by the flap 211. Thus, the housing 31 can be immersed in the coolant at a predetermined position in the front-and-back direction within the cooling tank 2.

[0046] When the housing section 31 rises, as shown in Figure 8(a), the protrusion 32b separates from the flap 211 and the flap 211 returns to the position shown in Figure 5(a). Then, the pin 32a contacts the flap 211 and guides the pin 32a to the first guide surface 21a (groove 23). At this time, as shown in Figure 8(b), the protrusion 32b is located above the upper surface of the main guide member 21. That is, since the pin 32a and the protrusion 32b are provided with a distance greater than the maximum vertical width of the guide member 20 (main guide member 21), the protrusion 32b is located above the upper surface of the main guide member 21 while the pin 32a is being guided to the first guide surface 21a (groove 23), and the protrusion 32b does not collide with the main guide member 21. Therefore, while the housing section 31 is moving, the protrusion 32b does not collide with the guide member 20 and obstruct its movement. When the housing section 31 reaches a position where it is immersed in the coolant, the protrusion 32b comes into contact with the rear end of the flap 211 or the main guide member 21, and the housing section 31 is held in a predetermined position in the front-rear direction within the cooling tank 2.

[0047] Referring to Figures 5(a) and 5(b), the upper surface of the main guide member 21 is a non-contact surface 21c that does not come into contact with the pin 32a in the range from the front-rear position of the pin 32a when the front door 12 is open (the state shown in Figure 5(b)) to the front-rear position of the pin 32a when the housing section 31 (attachment 32) is pushed backward by closing the front door 12 (the state shown in Figure 5(a)). This allows the pin 32a to move backward horizontally without obstruction even when the housing section 31 and attachment 32 are pushed backward horizontally by the front door 12. The non-contact surface 21c may be inclined downward toward the rear, as shown in Figure 5(a). This allows the storage section 31 to retract as it descends, even if the user accidentally activates the front door 12's closing detection mechanism (such as a switch) while the storage section 31 is protruding forward from the housing 11. However, tilting the non-contact surface 21c reduces the inclination of the second guide surface 21b, which guides the pin 32a backward during descent. A steeper inclination of the second guide surface 21b results in less friction between the second guide surface 21b and the pin 32a, and smoother guidance of the pin 32a backward during descent. Therefore, if the inclination of the second guide surface 21b becomes too gentle, it may hinder the guidance of the pin 32a backward. Therefore, from the viewpoint of making the inclination of the second guide surface 21b steeper to facilitate smooth guidance of the pin 32a to the rear during descent, the non-contact surface 21c may be a horizontal surface without inclination, as shown in Figure 5(b). From this perspective, the inclination and length of the non-contact surface 21c can be adjusted as appropriate, but it is sufficient that the area below the pin 32a becomes the second guide surface 21b when the front door 12 is in contact with the storage section 31 and the closing detection mechanism of the front door 12 is activated.

[0048] <Refrigeration equipment> In the refrigeration apparatus of this embodiment, the object is frozen by immersing it in a cooling liquid. In other words, the refrigeration apparatus of this embodiment is a liquid immersion type refrigeration apparatus (rapid freezer).

[0049] The objects are not particularly limited, but examples include packaged foods. Examples of packaged foods include packaged foods containing a predetermined amount of meat, fish, or processed products thereof.

[0050] Coolant is a cooled antifreeze (a liquid that does not freeze even when cooled to the target temperature). In this embodiment, an example of an antifreeze is a liquid containing an organic solvent. Such an antifreeze may be called an organic brine or the like. Examples of organic solvents include alcohols such as ethanol. Examples of coolants (antifreezes) include solutions of organic solvents (such as aqueous ethanol solutions). Another example of an antifreeze solution is the use of highly concentrated saline solution. Such antifreeze solutions are sometimes called salt brine.

[0051] The temperature of the coolant is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to set it to a temperature that allows for rapid freezing to maintain the freshness of food and other items (for example, within a range of approximately -40°C to -20°C).

[0052] The refrigeration device 1 of this embodiment comprises the above-mentioned lifting device and a cooling tank 2.

[0053] The cooling tank 2 has an upper opening 2a (see Figure 3) and stores coolant inside. The coolant is cooled, for example, by a refrigeration cycle device (not shown) installed in the cooling tank 2. To cool the coolant, for example, an evaporator (refrigerant pipe) having cooling performance is provided inside or on the outer periphery of the cooling tank 2 in a refrigeration cycle device. In this case, for example, a compressor located downstream of the refrigerant pipe, a condenser located downstream of the compressor, and a throttle section (expansion valve, capillary tube, etc.) located downstream of the condenser (upstream of the refrigerant pipe) are installed in the machine room 5 below the cooling tank 2. If an evaporator is installed inside the cooling tank 2, the cooling tank 2 may have stirring means for stirring the coolant stored inside.

[0054] In the refrigeration device 1, the internal space of the lifting device consists of the inside of the cooling tank and the space above it. By raising and lowering the object (movable body 3, housing section 31) using the lifting device, the object is immersed in and removed from the cooling liquid.

[0055] In the refrigeration device 1 of this embodiment, the movable body 3 has a sliding mechanism (slide rail 33) that allows the housing section 31 to move in the front-rear direction. In this case, it is preferable that the sliding mechanism (slide rail 33) is provided above the housing section 31. In this case, by positioning the slide mechanism (slide rail 33) above the housing (the part of the movable body that is immersed in the coolant), the slide rail 33 is not immersed in the coolant when the housing is immersed in the coolant during cooling. Compared to the case where the slide rail 33 is immersed in the coolant, when the slide rail 33 is not immersed in the coolant, the solidification of the lubricating grease on the slide rail 33 is reduced, and the lubricity of the slide rail 33 can be maintained. Furthermore, if the slide rail 33 is immersed in the coolant along with the housing during cooling, the coolant may enter the interior of the slide rail 33, potentially causing coolant to drip from the slide rail 33 when the front door is opened. However, by positioning the slide rail 33 above the housing, the slide rail 33 is not immersed in the coolant, thus preventing coolant from dripping from the slide rail.

[0056] In this embodiment, the refrigeration device 1 is equipped with a lid 34 for closing the upper opening 2a of the cooling tank 2, separate from the front door 12, and the lid 34 opens and closes the upper opening 2a of the cooling tank 2 by moving in the vertical direction. For example, the control mechanism detects the closing of the front door 12, which initiates the downward movement of the movable body 3. As the movable body 3 descends, the housing section 31 becomes immersed in the coolant in the cooling tank 2, and as the movable body 3 descends further, the lid 34 is pressed against the upper opening 2a of the cooling tank 2. This closes the upper opening 2a of the cooling tank 2. In this state, the control mechanism detects the opening of the front door 12, which initiates the upward movement of the movable body 3. As the movable body 3 rises, the lid 34 rises, opening the upper opening 2a of the cooling tank 2.

[0057] In conventional chest-type freezers, the top door, which serves as the lid for the cooling tank, typically opens to about 90 degrees. Therefore, a height at least equal to the width or depth of the main body, such as the cooling tank, is required for the top door to rotate. For this reason, chest-type freezers require ample space above them. In contrast, if the lid 34 of the cooling tank 2 moves vertically, there is no need for space to rotate the lid, as in a chest-type freezer; only enough space to move the storage compartment 31 back and forth for removal is sufficient. Thus, when using a lid 34 that moves vertically, the vertical space required for installing the refrigeration device can be reduced. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the top plate 11b is installed above the vertically moving lid 34, other devices can be placed on top of the top plate 11b, allowing for effective use of vertical space.

[0058] Furthermore, when the movable body 3 rises and the housing section 31 extends forward, there is a possibility that coolant may drip from the housing section 31 or the object to the outside of the cooling tank 2. To prevent this, the front door 12 may be equipped with a liquid return plate to return any coolant that drips from the storage compartment 31, etc., when the front door 12 is opened back to the cooling tank 2. The liquid return plate 121 is designed such that, for example, when the front door 12 is open, its tip is positioned above the upper opening 2a of the cooling tank 2 or the upper edge surrounding it, and it slopes downward toward the tip (see Figure 10). This liquid return plate 121 allows the coolant dripping from the storage section 31 or the object to be returned to the cooling tank 2. This prevents the coolant from dripping onto the floor or other surfaces.

[0059] [summary] A lifting device (e.g., lifting device 1) relating to one aspect of this disclosure is: The enclosure that constitutes the internal space (for example, enclosure 11), A movable body (for example, movable body 3) is provided to move up and down within the aforementioned internal space, The system includes a drive device (for example, drive device 4) for raising and lowering the movable body. The movable body has a housing section (for example, housing section 31) for housing an object. The housing has an object removal section (for example, removal section 12a) provided on its front. As the movable body rises, the housing section moves forward and protrudes ahead of the removal section. The movable body has a sliding mechanism (for example, a slide rail 33) that allows the housing to move in the front-rear direction when the movable body is raised.

[0060] A lifting device relating to one aspect of this disclosure is: When the movable body rises, a first taxiway (for example, first taxiway A) guides the housing forward, The system includes a second taxiway (for example, a second taxiway B) that guides the housing section backward when the movable body descends. The second taxiway is located behind the first taxiway.

[0061] A lifting device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a cam mechanism including a guide member (e.g., guide member 20) provided on the inner surface of the side wall of the internal space and bulging out from the inner surface, and an attachment (e.g., attachment 32) coupled to the housing. The guide member has a first guide surface (for example, a first guide surface 21a) that serves as the first guide path and a second guide surface (for example, a second guide surface 21b) that serves as the second guide path. The attachment has a pin (for example, pin 32a) that protrudes outward in the left-right direction. The pin is guided forward by sliding against the first guide surface of the guide member when it is raised, and guided backward by sliding against the second guide surface of the guide member when it is lowered.

[0062] In a lifting device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the retrieval section is provided with a front door (for example, a front door 12), and when the door is closed, the front door pushes the storage section backward.

[0063] In a lifting device relating to one aspect of this disclosure, The guide member has a projection (for example, projection 21d) at a predetermined distance rearward from the position of the pin when the upward movement is completed. The projection extends upward to such an extent that it restricts the rearward return of the storage compartment when the front door is open, and does not prevent the storage compartment from being pushed backward by the front door when the front door is closed.

[0064] One aspect of this disclosure (for example, refrigeration device 1) is a refrigeration device that freezes an object by immersing it in a coolant, which is a cooled antifreeze. The refrigeration equipment is The above-mentioned lifting device, The system includes a cooling tank (e.g., cooling tank 2) having an upper opening (e.g., upper opening 2a) and storing the cooling liquid inside. The internal space of the lifting device consists of the inside of the cooling tank and the space above it. By raising and lowering the object using the lifting device, the object is immersed in and removed from the cooling liquid.

[0065] In a refrigeration apparatus relating to one aspect of this disclosure, The sliding mechanism is located above the housing section.

[0066] A refrigeration apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes, in addition to the front door, a lid (for example, a lid 34) for closing the upper opening of the cooling tank. The lid moves vertically to open and close the upper opening of the cooling tank.

[0067] In a refrigeration apparatus relating to one aspect of this disclosure, A liquid return plate (for example, a liquid return plate 121) is provided on the front door to return the coolant that drips from the storage compartment when the front door is opened back to the cooling tank.

[0068] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of this disclosure is indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims are intended to be included. Configurations obtained by combining the configurations of the different embodiments described herein are also included in the scope of this disclosure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0069] 1. Lifting device (refrigeration device) 11 cabinets 11a Main Unit 11b Top plate 12 doors 12a Removal section 121 Liquid return plate 13 Support Slots 14 rails 15 Pulley belt 16 Pulleys 2 Cooling tank 2a Top opening 20 Induction Member 21 Main guide member 21a 1st guidance surface 21b 2nd guidance surface 21c Non-contact surface 21d Protrusion 22 Auxiliary guide member 23 Groove 211 Flap 3 Movable body 31 Storage compartment (shelf) 32 Attachments 32a pin 32b Convex piece 33 Slide rails 34 Lid 35 Lifting support frame 4. Drive system 5 Machine room A 1st taxiway B Second taxiway

Claims

1. The enclosure that constitutes the internal space, A movable body is provided that can move up and down within the aforementioned internal space, The system includes a drive device for raising and lowering the movable body, The movable body has a housing section for housing an object, The housing has an object removal section provided on the front, When the movable body rises, the housing section moves forward and protrudes further forward than the removal section. The movable body is a lifting device having a sliding mechanism that allows the housing to move in the front-rear direction when the movable body is raised.

2. When the movable body rises, a first guideway guides the housing section forward, The movable body is provided with a second guideway that guides the housing section backward when it is descending, The lifting device according to claim 1, wherein the second taxiway is located behind the first taxiway.

3. The cam mechanism includes a guide member provided on the inner surface of the side wall of the internal space and bulging out from the inner surface, and an attachment coupled to the housing, The guide member has a first guide surface that serves as the first guide path and a second guide surface that serves as the second guide path formed thereon. The aforementioned attachment has pins that protrude outward in the left-right direction, The lifting device according to claim 2, wherein the pin is guided forward by sliding against the first guide surface of the guide member when the device is raised, and is guided backward by sliding against the second guide surface of the guide member when the device is lowered.

4. The lifting device according to claim 3, wherein the removal section is provided with a front door, and when the door is closed, the front door pushes the storage section backward.

5. The guide member has a projection located at a predetermined distance rearward from the position of the pin at the time the upward movement is completed. The lifting device according to claim 4, wherein the projection extends upward to such an extent that it restricts the return of the housing to the rear when the front door is opened, and does not prevent the housing from being pushed back to the rear by the front door when the front door is closed.

6. A refrigeration device that freezes an object by immersing it in a coolant, which is a cooled antifreeze, The lifting device according to claim 4, It comprises a cooling tank having an upper opening and storing the cooling liquid inside, The internal space of the lifting device consists of the inside of the cooling tank and the space above it. A refrigeration apparatus in which the object is raised and lowered by the lifting device, thereby immersing and removing the object from the cooling liquid.

7. The refrigeration apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the sliding mechanism is provided above the housing section.

8. In addition to the aforementioned front door, the cooling tank is provided with a lid for closing the aforementioned upper opening. The refrigeration apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the lid moves vertically to open and close the upper opening of the cooling tank.

9. The refrigeration apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a liquid return plate is provided on the front door for returning the coolant that drips from the storage section when the front door is opened back to the cooling tank.

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