showcase

Abstract

This disclosure provides a showcase that can heat products on a shelf to an appropriate temperature while keeping power consumption low. [Solution] The showcase of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of product shelves provided inside the display room and heaters attached to the product shelves, wherein the plurality of product shelves are configured in a plurality of ways in which the heater configuration differs, and at least the uppermost product shelf is provided with an electrically independent main heater and an auxiliary heater, the auxiliary heater is provided outside the main heater along the outer edge of the product shelf and is configured to have a smaller power supply and a larger power supply per unit length than the main heater.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a showcase.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a showcase including a showcase body having an inner product storage section, a cooling device for supplying cold air to the product storage section, one or more product shelves disposed in the product storage section, a product shelf heater attached to the product shelf, and a control device for controlling power supply to the cooling device and the product shelf heater. The control device controls power supply to the product shelf heater so that the power consumption of the product shelf heater is reduced while the cooling device is energized.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] This disclosure provides a showcase capable of heating products on a product shelf to be heated to an appropriate temperature while suppressing power consumption.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The showcase in this disclosure includes a plurality of product shelves provided inside a display room and heaters attached to the product shelves. The plurality of product shelves are configured in a plurality of modes with different heater configurations. At least the product shelf disposed at the uppermost stage is provided with a main heater and an auxiliary heater that are electrically independent. The auxiliary heater is provided outside the main heater along the outer peripheral edge of the product shelf, and is configured such that the power supply amount is smaller than that of the main heater and the power supply amount per unit length is larger.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] According to the showcase of this disclosure, the main heater and auxiliary heater can be controlled so as not to exceed the rated current value of the commercial power supply, thereby suppressing power consumption and allowing the products on the shelves to be heated to an appropriate temperature. Furthermore, by controlling the auxiliary heater ON / OFF in accordance with the ON / OFF control of the main heater, the current values ​​of the main heater and auxiliary heater can be suppressed even when all shelves of products are to be heated. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Perspective view showing the showcase in Embodiment 1 [Figure 2] Plan view showing the configuration of the first and second shelf units in Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] Plan view showing the configuration of the third to fifth shelves in Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] Block diagram showing the control configuration in Embodiment 1 [Figure 5] Timing chart showing heater power control when the first shelf is heated and shelves 2 through 5 are cooled. [Figure 6] Timing chart showing heater power control when the first and second shelves are heated and the third through fifth shelves are cooled. [Figure 7] Timing chart showing heater power control when the first to fifth shelves of merchandise are to be heated. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] (Knowledge and other information that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time the inventors conceived of this disclosure, there was a technology in display cases that used a control device to control the power supply to the shelf heaters so that the power consumption of the shelf heaters would be reduced while the cooling device was powered. In this case, if the showcase is to be used with a single-phase 100V commercial power supply, it is necessary to ensure that the electrical rating of the outlet does not exceed 15A to 125V. For example, in conventional technology, a product shelf heater consists of a first product shelf heater and a second product shelf heater, the first product shelf heater is located on the periphery of the product shelf, and the second product shelf heater is located inside the first product shelf heater. The control device operates the first and second product shelf heaters while the power supply to the cooling device is stopped, and stops operating the second product shelf heater while the power supply to the cooling device is on. However, with conventional technology, if the cooling device remains powered on, the second shelf heater remains stopped, which causes the temperature of the products on the heated shelves directly above the cooling target to drop. Furthermore, the front row of shelves, especially the corners, directly above the shelves to be cooled, is particularly susceptible to the influence of ambient temperature and therefore difficult to heat. The inventors discovered that if the capacity of the shelf heaters is set to match the shelves that are difficult to heat, the overall heater capacity becomes high, and there is a risk that the current value of the showcase may exceed the rated current value of the outlet (15A). The subject matter of this disclosure was developed to solve this problem. Therefore, this disclosure provides a showcase that can heat products on a shelf to be heated to an appropriate temperature while keeping power consumption low.

[0009] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary details may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily verbose and to facilitate understanding for those skilled in the art. The attached drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand this disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0010] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. [1-1. Configuration] [1-1-1. Overall Configuration of the Showcase] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the showcase in Embodiment 1. In this embodiment, the case where an open showcase is applied as the showcase of the present disclosure will be described as an example. The showcase 1 is arranged, for example, on the floor of a store such as a supermarket or a convenience store, and displays products such as beverages and foods, which are objects to be displayed, in a refrigerated state. The showcase 1 is a so-called open-type showcase.

[0011] The showcase 1 includes a substantially box-shaped case 10 with an open front for taking in and out products. Hereinafter, with the opening direction of the case 10 in the horizontal direction being the front, the direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction in the horizontal direction is referred to as the width direction or the left-right direction.

[0012] An exhibition room 11 where products are displayed is provided inside the case 10. The case 10 includes a deck pan 12 provided below the exhibition room 11, a pair of side plates 13 provided on both sides of the exhibition room 11, a top plate 14 provided above the exhibition room 11, and a back plate (not shown) provided behind the exhibition room 11. The exhibition room 11 has a shape in which the front side is not covered by the deck pan 12, the side plates 13, the top plate 14, and the back plate.

[0013] A machine room 15 is provided below the case 10. Inside the machine room 15, a compressor, a condenser, a fan, etc. (not shown) are accommodated. A cold air duct for circulating cold air is provided below the deck pan 12. One end of the cold air duct extends upward along the back surface of the exhibition room 11 and communicates with a blowout port (not shown) provided in the upper front of the exhibition room 11. On the other hand, the other end of the cold air duct communicates with a suction port 16 provided on the front side of the deck pan 12. Inside the cold air duct of the machine room 15, an evaporator is provided, and the compressor, condenser, expansion mechanism provided below the deck pan, and evaporator constitute the cooling device 17.

[0014] Also, an exhaust duct is provided inside the machine room 15. The exhaust duct extends upward along the back side of the cold air duct of the display room 11 and communicates with the upper part of the case 10. Then, the refrigerant sent from the compressor to the condenser and cooled is sent to the evaporator. The evaporator cools the air flowing through the duct and sends it to the air outlet, and the air after cooling the display room 11 is sucked into the duct from the suction port 16. Thereby, the inside of the display room 11 can be cooled. On the other hand, the air that has exchanged heat with the condenser in the machine room 15 is exhausted from the upper part of the case through the exhaust duct.

[0015] [1-1-2. Structure of the merchandise shelves] Inside the display room 11, merchandise shelves 20 are provided. In the present embodiment, five stages of merchandise shelves 20 are provided, and from the merchandise shelf 20 located above, they are the first-stage merchandise shelf 20a, the second-stage merchandise shelf 20b, the third-stage merchandise shelf 20c, the fourth-stage merchandise shelf 20d, and the fifth-stage merchandise shelf 20e. In the following description, when explaining the merchandise shelves in general, they will be described as "merchandise shelves 20". Each of the first-stage merchandise shelf 20a to the fifth-stage merchandise shelf 20e is configured to be able to function as a merchandise shelf 20 to be heated or cooled.

[0016] Figure 2 is a plan view showing the structure of the first-stage merchandise shelf and the second-stage merchandise shelf in Embodiment 1. Since the structures of the first-stage merchandise shelf 20a and the second-stage merchandise shelf 20b are the same, in the following description, the first-stage merchandise shelf 20a will be described.

[0017] As shown in Figure 2, the first-stage merchandise shelf 20a includes a flat merchandise shelf body 21. The product shelf body 21 is provided with a main heater 22. The main heater 22 is arranged in multiple rows (five rows in this embodiment) along the outer edge of the product shelf body 21. An auxiliary heater 23 is provided on the outside of the main heater 22 of the product shelf body 21. In this embodiment, the power supply capacity of the main heater 22 is greater than that of the auxiliary heater 23, while the power supply capacity per unit length of the main heater 22 is less than that of the auxiliary heater 23. Specifically, for example, the power supply capacity of the main heater 22 is 245W, and the power supply capacity per unit length is 27.8W / m. Furthermore, the power supply capacity of the auxiliary heater 23 is 76W, and the power supply capacity per unit length is 37.0W / m.

[0018] Figure 3 is a plan view showing the configuration of the third to fifth shelves in Embodiment 1. Since the configuration of the third to fifth shelves 20c to 20e is the same, the following description will focus on the third shelf 20c. As shown in Figure 3, the third-tier product shelf 20c is similarly equipped with a product shelf body 21. The main shelf unit 21 is equipped with a main heater 24. There is no auxiliary heater 23. The main heaters 24 are arranged in multiple rows (five rows in this embodiment) along the outer edge of the product shelf body 21. In this embodiment, for example, the power supply capacity of the main heater 24 is 290W, and the power supply capacity per unit length is 29.3W / m.

[0019] [1-1-3. Control Configuration] Next, the control configuration in Embodiment 1 will be described. Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the control configuration in Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 4, the showcase 1 is equipped with a control device 30. The control device 30 includes a processor 31 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processor Unit), a memory 32, and an interface circuit (not shown) for connecting other devices and sensors.

[0020] Memory 32 is a storage device that stores programs and data. Memory 32 has a non-volatile storage area and stores a predetermined control program. Memory 32 is composed of, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory) or RAM (Random Access Memory). The processor 31 controls each part of the showcase 1 by reading and operating the control program stored in the memory 32.

[0021] The control device 30 is connected to the main heater 22 and auxiliary heater 23 of the first-stage product shelf 20a, the main heater 22 and auxiliary heater 23 of the second-stage product shelf 20b, the main heater 24 of the third-stage product shelf 20c, the main heater 24 of the fourth-stage product shelf 20d, and the main heater 24 of the fifth-stage product shelf 20e. The control device 30 receives detection values ​​from temperature sensors 35 installed on the first to fifth shelves 20a and 20e respectively, and based on these detection values ​​from the temperature sensors 35, it performs ON / OFF control of each main heater 22, 24 and auxiliary heater 23, and output control of each main heater 22, 24 and auxiliary heater 23.

[0022] In this embodiment, the power required for the operation of the showcase 1 includes the power of the cooling device 17, such as the compressor, and the power of the main heaters 22 and 24 and the auxiliary heater 23. In this embodiment, the power supply for the showcase 1 is 100V, which is commercial power. The control device 30 controls the cooling device 17, the main heaters 22, 24, and the auxiliary heaters 23 so that the current value due to the power of the cooling device 17 and the current value due to the power of the main heaters 22, 24, and the auxiliary heaters 23 do not exceed the rated current value of the commercial power supply, which is 15A.

[0023] [1-2. Effect] Next, the operation of Embodiment 1 will be described. Figure 5 is a timing chart showing the heater power supply control when the first shelf is heated and the second to fifth shelves are cooled. As shown in Figure 5, the main heater 22 and auxiliary heater 23 of the first-tier product shelf 20a, which is to be heated, are simultaneously controlled ON / OFF based on the values ​​detected by the temperature sensor 35. Since the second to fifth shelves 20b and 20e are designated for cooling, the main heaters 22 and 24 and the auxiliary heater 23 are controlled to be constantly OFF.

[0024] Figure 6 is a timing chart showing the heater power control when the first and second shelves are heated and the third through fifth shelves are cooled. As shown in Figure 6, when the main heaters 22 of the first shelf 20a and the second shelf 20b are controlled to be ON simultaneously, the auxiliary heaters 23 are controlled to be OFF. Furthermore, if either the main heater 22 of the first-tier shelf 20a or the second-tier shelf 20b is controlled to OFF, the auxiliary heaters 23 of the first-tier shelf 20a and the second-tier shelf 20b are simultaneously controlled to ON. Since the third shelf 20c through the fifth shelf 20e are designated for cooling, the main heater 24 is controlled to be constantly OFF.

[0025] Figure 7 is a timing chart showing the heater power supply control when the first to fifth shelves of merchandise are to be heated. As shown in Figure 7, when the first to fifth shelves 20a to 20e are to be heated, the control device 30 controls the auxiliary heaters 23 of the first shelf 20a and the second shelf 20b to ON if the main heaters 22, 24 of at least one shelf 20 among the first to fifth shelves 20a to 20e are controlled to OFF. Furthermore, if all the main heaters 22,24 of the first-stage product shelves 20a to the fifth-stage product shelves 20e are controlled to be ON, the control device 30 controls the auxiliary heaters 23 of the first-stage product shelves 20a and the second-stage product shelves 20b to be OFF. By controlling the ON / OFF states of the main heaters 22 and 24 and the auxiliary heater 23 in this way, the overall power consumption of the showcase 1 can be reduced.

[0026] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, the showcase 1 in this embodiment comprises a plurality of product shelves 20 installed inside the display room 11 and a cooling device 17 for cooling the display room 11. Of the plurality of product shelves 20, at least the first-tier product shelf 20a (product shelf) located on the uppermost level is provided with electrically independent main heaters 22 and auxiliary heaters 23, while the other product shelves 20 are provided only with main heaters 24, and the auxiliary heaters 23 are installed outside the main heaters 22 along the outer edge of the first-tier product shelf. As a result, by providing a main heater 22 and an auxiliary heater 23 at least on the top shelf, the temperature difference between products placed at the periphery of the shelf 20 to be heated and products placed further inside the shelf can be reduced. Therefore, since the auxiliary heater 23 heats the products at the periphery that are difficult to heat, the products can be heated uniformly without increasing the power supply, and power consumption can be reduced.

[0027] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the showcase 1 is configured such that the auxiliary heater 23 has a lower power supply capacity and a higher power supply capacity per unit length than the main heater 22. This makes it easier to heat the edges of the product shelves 20 when the auxiliary heater 23 is turned ON. In addition, by controlling the ON / OFF status of the auxiliary heater 23 in accordance with the ON / OFF control of the main heater 22, the current values ​​of the main heaters 22, 24 and the auxiliary heater 23 can be suppressed even when all levels of the product shelves 20 are to be heated.

[0028] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the showcase 1 consists of five shelves 20, and the main heater 22 and auxiliary heater 23 are installed on the topmost first shelf 20a (shelf) and the second shelf from the top, the second shelf 20b (shelf). As a result, when the first and second shelves 20a and 20b, located above the cooling target, are to be heated, the temperature difference between products placed at the periphery of the first and second shelves 20a and 20b and products placed inside the periphery can be reduced. Therefore, by using the auxiliary heater 23 to heat products that are difficult to heat at the periphery, products can be heated uniformly without increasing the power supply, and power consumption can be suppressed.

[0029] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the main heater 22 of the showcase 1 is installed by bending multiple times around the central area of ​​the product shelf 20. This allows the main heater to heat the edges of the shelves, which are generally harder to warm.

[0030] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the main heater 22 and auxiliary heater 23 of the showcase 1 can be used with a single-phase 100V power supply. As a result, the auxiliary heater 23 heats the edges of products that are difficult to warm, allowing for uniform heating of products without increasing the power supply, thus suppressing power consumption. Therefore, products can be heated even when using a commercial single-phase 100V power supply.

[0031] (Other embodiments) As described above, Embodiment 1 has been explained as an example of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to this and can be applied to embodiments that have been modified, replaced, added, or omitted. Furthermore, it is possible to create new embodiments by combining the components described in Embodiment 1 above. Therefore, other embodiments are illustrated below.

[0032] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the product shelf 20 has five shelves, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, a product shelf 20 with four shelves may be provided, and a main heater 22 and an auxiliary heater 23 may be provided on the top shelf and the second shelf 20.

[0033] Furthermore, although the above embodiment described the showcase 1 as an open-type showcase 1, this is merely an example. The showcase 1 may also be a closed-type showcase 1 having a transparent door that closes the display compartment 11 from the front. Alternatively, the showcase 1 may be a showcase with a door that prevents the interior from being seen.

[0034] [Configurations supported by the above embodiment] The above embodiment supports the following configuration:

[0035] (Note) Based on the above description of embodiments, the following technologies are disclosed. (Technical 1) A showcase comprising a plurality of product shelves installed inside a display room, and heaters attached to the product shelves, wherein the plurality of product shelves are configured in a plurality of ways in which the heater configuration differs, and at least the uppermost product shelf is provided with an electrically independent main heater and an auxiliary heater, the auxiliary heater is provided along the outer edge of the product shelf and outside the main heater, and is configured to have a smaller power supply and a larger power supply per unit length than the main heater. With this configuration, by providing a main heater and an auxiliary heater on at least the top shelf, the temperature difference between products placed at the periphery of the shelf to be heated and products placed further inside can be reduced. Therefore, by using the auxiliary heater to heat products that are difficult to heat at the periphery, products can be heated uniformly without increasing the power supply, thus reducing power consumption. In addition, by controlling the ON / OFF status of the auxiliary heater in accordance with the ON / OFF control of the main heater, the current values ​​of the main heater and auxiliary heater can be suppressed even when all shelves are to be heated.

[0036] (Technology 2) The showcase according to Technology 1, wherein the main heater and auxiliary heater are provided on the topmost shelf and the second-to-last shelf of the product shelves. With this configuration, when the top shelf and the second-to-top shelf located above the cooling target are to be heated, the temperature difference between products placed on the periphery of the top shelf and the second-to-top shelf and products placed inside of the periphery can be reduced. Therefore, by using an auxiliary heater to heat products that are difficult to heat on the periphery, products can be heated uniformly without increasing the power supply, thus reducing power consumption.

[0037] (Technical 3) The showcase according to Technical 1 or Technical 2, wherein the main heater is provided by bending multiple times around the central area of ​​the product shelf. This configuration allows the main heater to heat the relatively difficult-to-heat peripheral areas of the product shelves. [Industrial applicability]

[0038] This disclosure is suitably applicable as a showcase that can heat products on a shelf to be heated to an appropriate temperature while keeping power consumption low. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0039] 1. Showcase 10 cases 11 Exhibition room 12 deck pans 13 Side panel 14 Top plate 15 Machine room 16 Inlet 17 Cooling device 20 product shelves 20a 1st stage product shelf 20b 2nd stage product shelf 20c 3rd tier product shelf 20d 4th stage product shelf 20e 5th tier product shelf 21 Main shelf unit 22 Main heater 23 Auxiliary heater 24 Main heater 30 Control device 31 processors 32 memory 35 Temperature Sensor

Claims

1. Multiple product shelves installed inside the display room, The product shelf is equipped with a heater, Multiple product shelves are configured in multiple ways with different heater configurations, and at least the uppermost product shelf is provided with an electrically independent main heater and an auxiliary heater. The auxiliary heater is provided along the outer edge of the product shelf, outside of the main heater, and is configured to have a lower power supply and a higher power supply per unit length than the main heater. A display case.

2. The main heater and auxiliary heater are installed on the top shelf and the second shelf from the top of the product shelves. The showcase according to claim 1.

3. The main heater is installed by bending multiple times around the central area of ​​the product shelf. The showcase according to claim 1.

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