showcase

Abstract

This disclosure provides a showcase that ensures suction performance while making the ventilation holes less visible from the outside, thereby improving the overall appearance. [Solution] The showcase of this disclosure comprises a display chamber, a machine chamber provided below the display chamber, and a cover member covering the front of the machine chamber, wherein the cover member has a recess that is recessed toward the rear, and ventilation holes are formed in the recess.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a showcase.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigerated and chilled showcase in which a base is provided below a product display section, and includes a cover member that covers an opening of the base, and the cover member has a plurality of rod-shaped members that extend in the left-right direction and are spaced apart in the up-down direction.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides a showcase that can ensure suction performance, make ventilation holes difficult to be visually recognized from the outside, and improve the appearance.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The showcase in the present disclosure includes a display chamber, a machine chamber provided below the display chamber, and a cover member that covers the front surface of the machine chamber, and a recess that is recessed backward is formed in the cover member, and ventilation holes are formed in the recess.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] According to the showcase of the present disclosure, by forming ventilation holes in the recess, it is possible to ensure suction performance and make the ventilation holes difficult to be visually recognized from the outside. Therefore, the appearance of the showcase can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] [Figure 1] Perspective view showing the showcase in Embodiment 1 [Figure 2] Plan view showing the interior of the machine room in Embodiment 1 [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a side view showing the interior of the machine room in Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] Front view showing the machine room portion in Embodiment 1 [Figure 5] Front view showing the machine room portion with the cover member removed in Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] Perspective view from the front showing the cover member in Embodiment 1 [Figure 7] Perspective view from the rear side showing the cover member in Embodiment 1 [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] (Knowledge and other information that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time the inventors conceived this disclosure, in showcases used to keep various products refrigerated in supermarkets and convenience stores, a refrigeration cycle unit, such as a compressor, is installed in a lower machine room in order to display products at a height that is easily accessible to customers. A condenser for heat dissipation is provided on the front side of the refrigeration cycle unit, and a cover member such as a kick plate is provided further in front of that for protection and concealment purposes. Generally, cover members are provided with ventilation holes to allow air to vent to the condenser. However, these ventilation holes are visible to the user and therefore unsightly. Conventional technology uses cover members with multiple stainless steel rod-shaped members to conceal the ventilation holes in the kick plate from the user's view and improve the appearance of the showcase. However, conventional technology has the drawbacks of a complex structure and a large number of parts due to the use of multiple rod-shaped members. Furthermore, because many stainless steel rod-shaped members are used, it is not possible to match the color with the display compartment above the showcase, resulting in design problems. In addition, the inventor discovered that the overall weight of the cover member becomes heavy, and in order to solve these problems, the subject of this disclosure was formed. Therefore, this disclosure provides a showcase that ensures suction performance while making the ventilation holes less visible from the outside, thereby improving the appearance.

[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) Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to the drawings. [1-1. Structure] [1-1-1. Overall configuration of the showcase] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a showcase in Embodiment 1. In this embodiment, the case in which an open showcase is applied as the showcase of this disclosure will be explained as an example. Showcase 1 is placed on the floor of a store, such as a supermarket or convenience store, and displays beverages, food, and other products in a refrigerated state. Showcase 1 is a so-called open-type showcase.

[0011] Showcase 1 is equipped with a roughly box-shaped case 10 with an opening at the front for loading and unloading 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] The interior of the case 10 is a display chamber 11 where products are displayed. The case 10 includes a deck pan 12 provided below the display chamber 11 (see FIG. 3), a pair of side plates 13 provided on both sides of the display chamber 11, a top plate 14 provided above the display chamber 11, and a back plate 15 provided behind the display chamber 11. The display chamber 11 has a shape where the front side is the only side not covered by the deck pan 12, the side plates 13, the top plate 14, and the back plate 15. Inside the display chamber 11, a plurality of shelf plates 16 for placing products are provided.

[0013] [1-1-2. Structure of the Machine Room] Below the case 10, a machine room 20 is provided. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the inside of the machine room in Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the inside of the machine room in Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 omits the side plate of the machine room. FIG. 4 is a front view showing the machine room portion in Embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a front view showing the machine room portion with the cover member removed in Embodiment 1. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the machine room 20 houses a compressor 21, a condenser 22, and an accumulator 23. The compressor 21, the condenser 22, the accumulator 23, an expansion mechanism not shown, and an evaporator not shown are connected by refrigerant pipes to form a refrigeration cycle.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the condenser 22 is arranged at the front part of the machine room 20. On both sides of the condenser 22 in the machine room 20, shielding plates 29 that close the front side of the machine room 20 are attached. Thereby, the front side of the machine room 20 functions as a flow path through which air circulates only in the condenser 22 part. A blower 24 is positioned behind the condenser 22. In this embodiment, there are two blowers 24, one on the left and one on the right.

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, an evaporation device 25 is located behind the blower 24. The evaporation device 25 consists of a box-shaped evaporation tray 26 having a predetermined depth, and a plurality of evaporation promoting members 27 arranged in parallel in a predetermined direction inside the evaporation tray 26. In this embodiment, the evaporation promoting member 27 is arranged to be substantially parallel to the airflow supplied from the blower 24. In this embodiment, the air supplied to the machine room 20 by the operation of the blower 24 is heat-exchanged with the refrigerant by the condenser 22, then sent to the evaporator 25, and discharged to the outside from the rear of the machine room 20. An electrical box 28, which houses circuit boards and the like, is located on one side of the machine room 20.

[0016] [1-1-3. Structure of the cover component] Figure 6 is a perspective view from the front of the cover member in Embodiment 1. Figure 7 is a perspective view from the rear of the cover member in Embodiment 1. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a cover member 30 is provided on the front side of the machine room 20. The cover member 30 is configured to cover substantially the entire front area of ​​the machine room 20. The cover member 30 has a recess 31 that is recessed toward the rear. The recess 31 is located below the cover member 30 and consists of a recess upper surface 32, a recess rear surface 33 extending downward from the rear edge of the recess upper surface 32, and a recess lower surface 34 extending forward from the lower edge of the recess rear surface 33. The upper surface 32 of the recess is formed to be inclined such that the rear end is higher than the front end. The lower surface 34 of the recess is formed to be inclined such that the rear end is higher than the front end. The inclination angle of the lower surface 34 of the recess is greater than the inclination angle of the upper surface 32 of the recess.

[0017] Multiple first ventilation holes 35 are formed in the rear surface 33 of the recess. Multiple first ventilation holes 35 are arranged across the entire width of the rear surface 33 of the recess. In this embodiment, the horizontally elongated first ventilation holes 35 are arranged in three rows in the vertical direction. A second ventilation hole 36 is formed in the region of the upper surface 32 of the recess that corresponds to the width of the condenser 22. The first ventilation hole 35 and the second ventilation hole 36 function as ventilation holes as defined in this disclosure.

[0018] Furthermore, a slit 37 is formed between the upper end of the cover member 30 and the lower end of the display compartment 11. In this embodiment, the first ventilation hole 35, the second ventilation hole 36, and the slit 37 function as air intakes for the machine room 20.

[0019] [1-2. Effect] Next, the operation of Embodiment 1 will be described. In this embodiment, the compressor 21 is driven to circulate the refrigerant through the condenser 22, expansion mechanism, and evaporator, causing the evaporator to exchange heat with the air circulating in the display room 11. As a result, the air cooled by the evaporator is blown into the display room 11 through a duct (not shown) located at the rear of the display room 11, thereby cooling the display room 11.

[0020] Furthermore, by driving the blower 24, outside air is drawn into the machine room 20 through the first vent 35, the second vent 36, and the slit 37. The outside air drawn into the machine room 20 passes through the condenser 22, exchanges heat with the refrigerant, and then passes through the evaporator 25 to be discharged to the outside.

[0021] In this embodiment, a recess 31 is formed in the cover member 30, a first ventilation hole 35 is formed in the rear surface 33 of the recess 31, and a second ventilation hole 36 is formed in the upper surface 32 of the recess. Furthermore, since the upper surface 32 and lower surface 34 of the recess are formed with an inclination such that the rear end is higher than the front end, the rear surface 33 of the recess is located above the front opening of the recess 31. Therefore, when a user of the showcase views the showcase from the outside, their viewpoint will be located above the display room 11. As a result, the lower surface 34 of the recess of the cover member 30 will be visible to some extent, but the first ventilation hole 35 and the second ventilation hole 36 will be difficult to see from the outside. As a result, the first ventilation holes 35 and the second ventilation holes 36 are difficult to see from the outside, thus improving the appearance of the showcase.

[0022] Furthermore, the first ventilation holes 35 and the second ventilation holes 36 ensure that the appearance of the showcase is maintained while ensuring sufficient suction performance to the machine room 20. Furthermore, since the first ventilation hole 35 and the second ventilation hole 36 are formed below the cover member 30, if refrigerant leakage occurs from the refrigerant piping, condenser 22, etc., that constitute the refrigeration cycle of the machine room 20, the refrigerant, which is heavier than air, can be efficiently diffused.

[0023] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, the showcase 1 in this embodiment comprises a display room 11, a machine room 20 located below the display room 11, and a cover member 30 covering the front of the machine room 20. The cover member 30 has a recess 31 that is recessed toward the rear, and a first ventilation hole 35 and a second ventilation hole 36 (ventilation hole) are formed in the recess 31. This allows for the formation of a first ventilation hole 35 and a second ventilation hole 36 in the recess 31, thereby ensuring suction performance while making the first ventilation hole 35 and the second ventilation hole 36 less visible from the outside. As a result, the appearance of the showcase can be improved.

[0024] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the showcase 1 has a recess 31 composed of a recess upper surface 32, a recess rear surface 33 extending downward from the rear edge of the recess upper surface 32, and a recess lower surface 34 extending forward from the lower edge of the recess rear surface 33. The first ventilation hole 35 and the second ventilation hole 36 (ventilation hole) are formed in the recess rear surface 33 and the recess upper surface 32. This allows for the formation of ventilation holes on the lower surface 34 and upper surface 32 of the recess 31, ensuring suction performance while making the first ventilation hole 35 and the second ventilation hole 36 less visible from the outside. As a result, the appearance of the showcase can be improved.

[0025] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the showcase 1 is formed such that the upper recess surface 32 and the lower recess surface 34 are inclined so that the rear end is higher than the front end, and the inclination angle of the lower recess surface 34 is greater than the inclination angle of the upper recess surface 32. This allows the rear surface 33 of the recess to be positioned above the front opening of the recess 31. As a result, the first ventilation hole 35 and the second ventilation hole 36 can be made less visible from the outside, improving the appearance of the showcase.

[0026] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first ventilation hole 35 (ventilation hole) formed in the recessed rear surface 33 of the showcase 1 extends over substantially the entire width of the cover member 30. As a result, by forming the first ventilation holes 35 over substantially the entire width of the cover member 30, sufficient suction performance for the machine room 20 can be obtained.

[0027] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the showcase 1 has a condenser 22 positioned at the front of the machine room 20, and the second ventilation hole 36 (ventilation hole) formed on the upper surface 32 of the recess is formed in an area corresponding to the width of the condenser 22. This allows for sufficient suction performance to be obtained for the machine room 20 by forming the second vent hole 36 in an area corresponding to the width of the condenser 22.

[0028] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the recess 31 of the showcase 1 is located below the cover member 30. As a result, by positioning the recess 31 below the cover member 30, the first ventilation holes 35 and the second ventilation holes 36 formed in the recess 31 can be made less visible from the outside. Therefore, the appearance of the showcase can be improved.

[0029] (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.

[0030] In the above embodiment, the showcase 1 was described as an open-type showcase 1, but this is just one example. The showcase 1 may be a closed-type showcase 1, for example, having a transparent door that closes the display compartment 11 from the front. Alternatively, the showcase 1 may be a commercial refrigerator or freezer with a door that prevents the contents from being seen.

[0031] [Configurations supported by the above embodiment] The above embodiment supports the following configuration:

[0032] (Note) Based on the above description of embodiments, the following technologies are disclosed. (Technical 1) A showcase comprising a display room, a machine room located below the display room, and a cover member covering the front of the machine room, wherein the cover member has a recess formed in the rearward direction, and ventilation holes are formed in the recess. This configuration allows for ventilation holes to be formed in the recesses, ensuring suction performance while making the ventilation holes less visible from the outside. Therefore, the display case can be made to look more aesthetically pleasing.

[0033] (Technical 2) The showcase according to Technical 1, wherein the recess is composed of an upper surface of the recess, a rear surface of the recess extending downward from the rear edge of the upper surface of the recess, and a lower surface of the recess extending forward from the lower edge of the rear surface of the recess, and the ventilation holes are formed on the rear surface of the recess and the upper surface of the recess. This configuration allows for ventilation holes to be formed on the lower and upper surfaces of the recesses, ensuring suction performance while making the ventilation holes less visible from the outside. This improves the appearance of the display case.

[0034] (Technical 3) The upper surface of the recess and the lower surface of the recess are formed to be inclined such that the rear end is higher than the front end, and the inclination angle of the lower surface of the recess is formed to be greater than the inclination angle of the upper surface of the recess, the showcase according to Technical 1 or Technical 1. This configuration allows the rear surface of the recess to be positioned above the front opening of the recess. As a result, the ventilation holes can be made less visible from the outside, improving the appearance of the display case.

[0035] (Technical 4) The showcase according to any one of Technical 1 to 3, wherein the ventilation holes formed on the rear surface of the recess extend over substantially the entire width of the cover member. With this configuration, sufficient suction performance for the machine room can be obtained by forming ventilation holes over substantially the entire width of the cover member.

[0036] (Technical 5) The showcase according to any one of Technical 1 to 4, wherein a condenser is located in the front of the interior of the machine room, and the ventilation holes formed on the upper surface of the recess are formed in an area corresponding to the width of the condenser. With this configuration, sufficient suction performance for the machine room can be obtained by forming the vent holes in an area corresponding to the width of the condenser.

[0037] (Technical 6) The showcase according to any one of Technical 1 to Technical 5, wherein the recess is located below the cover member. With this configuration, by positioning the recess below the cover member, the ventilation holes formed in the recess can be made less visible from the outside. As a result, the appearance of the showcase can be improved. [Industrial applicability]

[0038] This disclosure is suitably applicable as a showcase that ensures suction performance while making the ventilation holes less visible from the outside, thus improving its appearance. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0039] 1. Showcase 10 cases 11 Exhibition room 12 deck pans 13 Side panel 14 Top plate 15 Back plate 16 shelves 20 Machine room 21 Compressor 22 Condenser 23 Accumulator 24 Blower 25 Evaporator 26 Evaporating dish 27 Evaporation-promoting member 28 Electrical box 30 Cover component 31 Recess 32 Upper surface of recess 33 Rear surface of recess 34 Lower surface of recess 35 First ventilation opening 36. Second ventilation opening 37 Slits

Claims

1. It comprises a display room, a machine room located below the display room, and a cover member covering the front of the machine room. The cover member has a recess formed in the rear, A ventilation hole is formed in the recess. A display case.

2. The recess is composed of an upper recess surface, a rear recess surface extending downward from the rear edge of the upper recess surface, and a lower recess surface extending forward from the lower edge of the rear recess surface. The ventilation holes are formed on the rear surface of the recess and the upper surface of the recess. The showcase according to claim 1.

3. The upper surface and lower surface of the recess are formed to be inclined such that the rear end is higher than the front end. The inclination angle of the lower surface of the recess is formed to be greater than the inclination angle of the upper surface of the recess. The showcase according to claim 2.

4. The ventilation holes formed on the rear surface of the recess extend over substantially the entire width of the cover member. The showcase according to claim 2.

5. A condenser is located at the front of the interior of the aforementioned machine room. The ventilation holes formed on the upper surface of the recess are formed in a region corresponding to the width of the condenser. The showcase according to claim 2.

6. The recess is located below the cover member. The showcase according to claim 1.

Images