Cooler box

Abstract

Unlike cooler boxes using Peltier elements, this reduces the power cost required to operate the cooler box. [Solution] The insulated box 1 comprises outer walls 5 and 8 that are in contact with the atmosphere, and inner walls 6 and 9 that are located inside the outer walls 5 and 8. Adsorbent material 11 is provided in the voids 7 and 10 between the outer walls 5 and 8 and the inner walls 6 and 9. The outer wall 5 is provided with a pressure regulating device 21 for adjusting the pressure inside the voids 7 and 10 with that of the atmosphere. The adsorbent material 11 is made of a porous material.

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a cold storage box for storing items while keeping them cool. 【Background Art】 【0002】 Conventionally, for example, the cold storage box described in Patent Document 1 below includes a box body, a lid, and a Peltier element provided on the lid. This cold storage box utilizes the Peltier effect of the Peltier element to keep the items stored inside cool for a long time. 【Prior Art Documents】 【Patent Documents】 【0003】 【Patent Document 1】 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-271091 【Summary of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 【0004】 y However, in the cold storage box described in Patent Document 1, a large current is required to drive the Peltier element in order to cool the interior to a predetermined temperature or lower. Therefore, the power cost required to drive the cold storage box was high. 【0005】 This disclosed technology has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to reduce the power cost required to drive a cold storage box, unlike a cold storage box using a Peltier element. 【Means for Solving the Problems】 【0006】 In order to achieve the above object, the technology according to claim 1 is a cold storage box including an outer wall in contact with the atmosphere and an inner wall disposed inside the outer wall, wherein an adsorbent is provided in a chamber between the outer wall and the inner wall, and a pressure adjusting device for adjusting the pressure in the chamber to between the atmosphere is provided on the outer wall. This is the gist. 【0007】 According to the configuration of the above technology, the pressure inside the chamber is adjusted with the atmosphere by the pressure adjustment device, thereby adjusting the amount of moisture inside the chamber by the amount of moisture in the atmosphere, and adjusting the amount of moisture adsorbed by the adsorbent and the amount of moisture released from the adsorbent. Then, the temperature change (latent heat) that occurs in the chamber when the moisture adsorbed by the adsorbent is released cools the inside of the inner wall of the cooler box. 【0008】 To achieve the above objective, the technology described in claim 2 is intended to be the technology described in claim 1 in which the adsorbent is a porous material. 【0009】 According to the configuration of the above technology, in addition to the effects of the technology described in claim 1, for example, activated carbon, which is a recycled material, can be used as the porous material constituting the adsorbent. [Effects of the Invention] 【0010】 According to the technology described in claim 1, unlike a cooler box using a Peltier element, the power cost required to operate the cooler box can be reduced. 【0011】 According to the technology described in claim 2, in addition to the effects of the technology described in claim 1, the cost of the adsorbent can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the insulated box can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0012】 [Figure 1] A schematic diagram illustrating the operating state of a refrigerated box mounted on a light vehicle, according to one embodiment, before the light vehicle begins to move (before transport). [Figure 2] A conceptual diagram relating to one embodiment, showing the surface of an adsorbent material constituting a cooler box, and illustrating its state before transport. [Figure 3] A schematic diagram illustrating the operating state of a refrigerated box mounted on a light vehicle, according to one embodiment, after the light vehicle has started moving (during transport). [Figure 4] A conceptual diagram illustrating the surface of an adsorbent material constituting a cooler box, according to one embodiment, showing its operational state during transport. [Figure 5] Conceptual diagram showing the relationship between the pores of the adsorbent and moisture in the air according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] Conceptual diagram showing the relationship between the moisture retained in the pores and water molecules according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] Conceptual diagram showing the state of water molecules detached from the pores according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] Table comparing and showing various performances of various transportation means for transporting refrigerated and frozen goods according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] Graph showing the relationship of various transportation means with respect to cost and loading capacity according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] Graph showing the relationship of various transportation means with respect to energy consumption and cold storage capacity (cooling capacity) according to an embodiment. 【MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION】 1] 【0013】 Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a cold storage box is embodied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 6] 【0014】 In this embodiment, a portable cold storage box that can be used for delivering goods (such as frozen foods and refrigerated foods) will be described. This cold storage box is assumed to be used, for example, for refrigerated or frozen deliveries of goods using a light vehicle. 【0015】 [Regarding the configuration of the cold storage box] FIG. 1 is a cold storage box 1 mounted on a light vehicle, schematically showing the operating state before the light vehicle starts moving (before transportation). Before transportation, the inside of the cold storage box 1 is empty. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of the surface of the adsorbent 11 (described later) that constitutes the cold storage box 1, showing the operating state before transportation. FIG. 3 is a cold storage box 1 mounted on a light vehicle, conceptually showing the operating state after the light vehicle starts moving (during transportation). During transportation, goods GD are stored in the cold storage box 1. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of the surface of the adsorbent 11 that constitutes the cold storage box 1, showing the operating state during transportation. 【0016】 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the cold storage box 1 includes a box body 2 having a bottomed box shape with an opening 12, and a lid body 3 that is rotatably attached to the box body 2 via a hinge or the like and opens and closes the opening 12. A sealing material (not shown) is provided at the joint between the box body 2 and the lid body 3 so as to seal the opening 12 when the lid body 3 is closed. 【0017】 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the box body 2 includes an outer wall 5 in contact with the atmosphere and an inner wall 6 disposed inside the outer wall 5. In this embodiment, the outer wall 5 is made of a resin material as an example. The inner wall 6 is made of a heat insulating material such as urethane as an example. 【0018】 An air chamber 7 is provided between the outer wall 5 and the inner wall 6. An adsorbent 11 is provided throughout the air chamber 7. The adsorbent 11 is formed of a pallet-shaped porous material. As the porous material, for example, activated carbon, which is a recycled material, can be used. 【0019】 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the lid body 3 includes an outer wall 8 in contact with the atmosphere and an inner wall 9 disposed inside the outer wall 8, similar to the box body 2, and an adsorbent 11 is provided throughout the air chamber 10 between the outer wall 8 and the inner wall 9. 【0020】 Here, the air chamber 10 of the lid body 3 and the air chamber 7 of the box body 2 communicate with each other via a communication hole (not shown). The box body 2 and the lid body 3 constitute an outer box by their outer walls 5 and 8, and an inner box by their inner walls 6 and 9. 【0021】 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a pressure adjusting device 21 for adjusting the pressure in the air chamber 7 with the atmosphere is provided on the outer wall 5 of the box body 2. The pressure adjusting device 21 includes an electric pressure adjusting fan 22 and an electric pressure valve 23. The pressure adjusting fan 22 is configured to be able to rotate forward and backward. An electric circulation fan 24 for circulating air is provided inside the box body 2. Also, a temperature sensor 25 for detecting the internal temperature is provided inside the box body 2. 【0022】 A rechargeable battery 26 is provided on the outer wall 5 of the box body 2. This battery 26 is configured to supply power to operate the pressure regulating device 21 and the circulation fan 24. A solar cell 28 is provided on the outer wall 8 of the lid 3. This solar cell 28 is configured to supply power to operate the pressure regulating device 21 and the circulation fan 24, and to charge the battery 26. 【0023】 In the "pre-transport" state shown in Figure 1, the pressure regulating device 21 opens the pressure valve 23 and rotates the pressure regulating fan 22 in the forward direction. In this state, air containing moisture is introduced into the empty chambers 7 and 10 via the pressure valve 23 and the pressure regulating fan 22. The introduced air is supplied to the adsorbent material 11 located inside the empty chambers 7 and 10. As shown in Figure 2, moisture MT from the air is adsorbed into the fine gaps (pores) 31 on the surface of the adsorbent material 11. In Figure 2, the circles represent water molecules WM. 【0024】 On the other hand, during transport as shown in Figure 3, the pressure regulating device 21 opens the pressure valve 23 and reverses the rotation of the pressure regulating fan 22. In this state, the air in the empty chambers 7 and 10 is released into the atmosphere via the pressure regulating fan 22 and the pressure valve 23. In the adsorbent 11, as shown in Figure 4, moisture (water molecules WM) vaporizes (detaches) from the pores 31 on the surface of the adsorbent 11. 【0025】 Figure 5 shows a conceptual diagram illustrating the relationship between the pores 31 of the adsorbent 11 and moisture in the air. As shown in Figure 5, the positive pressure of the atmosphere acts on the surface of the adsorbent 11, causing water molecules WM from the air to be adsorbed into the pores 31. The moisture MT adsorbed into the pores 31 remains within the pores 31 due to intermolecular forces. 【0026】 Here, Figure 6 shows a conceptual diagram illustrating the relationship between water molecules MT and water molecules WM that remain in the pores 31. As shown in Figure 6, the "molecular motion (indicated by double-headed arrows)" of the water molecules WM that remain in the pores 31 is small. In contrast, Figure 7 shows a conceptual diagram illustrating the state of water molecules WM that have left the pores 31. When water molecules WM absorb heat from the atmosphere (endothermic), the "molecular motion" shown by double-headed arrows in Figure 7 increases, and water is released from the adsorbent 11. This endothermic reaction removes heat from inside the cooler box 1 (inside the inner walls 6,9) surrounded by the adsorbent 11, and the inside of the cooler box 1 is cooled. 【0027】 In this cooler box 1, a cooling effect is obtained by utilizing the temperature change (latent heat) caused by the adsorption and release of moisture MT to the adsorbent material 11, as described above. In short, this cooler box 1 uses moisture MT in the atmosphere to cool its interior. Therefore, in the summer when there is a lot of moisture MT in the air, the latent heat increases, and the cooling capacity of the cooler box 1 increases. 【0028】 [Regarding the function and effects of insulated boxes] As explained above, according to the configuration of the insulated box 1 of this embodiment, the pressure inside the empty chambers 7 and 10 is adjusted with the atmosphere by the pressure adjustment device 21, thereby adjusting the amount of moisture inside the empty chambers 7 and 10 by the moisture in the atmosphere, and adjusting the amount of moisture adsorbed by the adsorbent 11 and the amount of moisture released from the adsorbent 11. When the moisture adsorbed by the adsorbent 11 is released, the temperature change (latent heat) that occurs in the empty chambers 7 and 10 cools the inside of the inner wall 6 of the insulated box 1. For this reason, unlike driving a Peltier element (which requires a lot of power), the power cost required to drive the insulated box 1 can be reduced. 【0029】 According to the configuration of this embodiment, for example, activated carbon, which is a recycled material, can be used as the porous material constituting the adsorbent 11. Therefore, the cost of the adsorbent 11 can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the insulated box 1 can be reduced. 【0030】 According to the configuration of this embodiment, since moisture in the air is used to cool the cooler box 1, there is no need to use a special refrigerant, and the user's effort related to maintenance can be reduced. In addition, the cooling capacity of the cooler box 1 can be further increased in the summer when there is a lot of moisture. 【0031】 In this embodiment, a temperature sensor 25 is provided inside the cooler box 1, allowing the cooling effect of the cooler box 1 to be adjusted based on the detection results of the temperature sensor 25. Furthermore, a predetermined temperature can be maintained for a certain period of time. 【0032】 Figure 8 shows a table comparing the performance of various means of transporting refrigerated and frozen goods. In Figure 8, the various means of transport are arranged vertically as follows: (a) mechanical refrigeration unit (2t truck), (b) mechanical refrigeration unit (light vehicle), (c) vehicle-mounted refrigerator (compressor type, Peltier type), (d) insulated box (NeoShield, DNP multi-functional insulated box), (e) insulated bag, and (f) this embodiment. Furthermore, for each means of transport (a) to (f), the "method," "cooling capacity," "energy consumption," "initial cost," "equivalent load capacity: 1000L," "load capacity," and "purpose of use." 【0033】 Here, "delivery" in the context of "purpose of use" refers to transporting goods to multiple locations (involving opening and closing doors). "Transportation" refers to transporting goods all at once by truck or automobile (without opening and closing doors). 【0034】 The insulated box 1 of this embodiment (f) is a "chemical type", has a cooling capacity of "-20℃", energy consumption of "20W", initial cost of "+100,000 yen", load capacity of "1000L", and is intended for use in "delivery". 【0035】 Here, assuming a cooling capacity of "-20℃", the Peltier-type in-car refrigerator (c) and the "vacuum insulation + coolant" type cooler box (d) shown in Figure 8, which are shaded, reach "-9℃" and "below 5℃", respectively, failing to meet the required temperature. 【0036】 Furthermore, assuming an energy consumption of "20W," the compressor-type and Peltier-type in-car refrigerators shown in (c) with diagonal lines would consume "45W" and "80W" respectively, which is more power than the cooler box 1. 【0037】 Furthermore, assuming a load capacity of "1000L", the in-car refrigerator (c), the insulated cooler box (d) using insulation and ice packs, and the cooler bag (e) would have load capacities of "65L" to "15L", which is less than that of cooler box 1. 【0038】 If we consider "delivery," then (d) the insulated box and (e) the insulated bag would be considered "transportation" and therefore unsuitable for delivery. 【0039】 Figure 9 shows a graph illustrating the relationship between cost and load capacity and various means of transport. Figure 10 shows a graph illustrating the relationship between energy consumption and cooling capacity of various means of transport. As shown in Figure 9, the insulated box 1 of this embodiment can have a larger load capacity and lower costs compared to "insulated boxes" and "in-vehicle refrigerators". As shown in Figure 10, the insulated box 1 of this embodiment can have higher cooling capacity and lower energy consumption compared to "insulated boxes" and "in-vehicle refrigerators". 【0040】 Furthermore, this disclosed technology is not limited to the embodiments described above, and it can be implemented by appropriately modifying a part of the configuration without departing from the spirit of the disclosed technology. [Industrial applicability] 【0041】 This disclosed technology can be used in delivery vehicles and other equipment used to transport refrigerated and frozen goods. [Explanation of symbols] 【0042】 1. Cooler box 5. Exterior walls 6 Inner wall 7 vacant rooms 8. Exterior Walls 9 Inner wall 10 vacancies 11 Adsorbent 21 Pressure Regulator

Claims

[Claim 1] In a cooler box comprising an outer wall that is in contact with the atmosphere and an inner wall positioned inside the outer wall, wherein an adsorbent is provided in the void between the outer wall and the inner wall, The outer wall is equipped with a pressure regulating device for adjusting the pressure inside the vacant room with that of the atmosphere. A cooler box characterized by the following features. [Claim 2] In the cooler box according to claim 1, The adsorbent material is a porous material. A cooler box characterized by the following features.

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