Refrigeration equipment

Abstract

To provide a refrigeration system that can prevent quality deterioration due to freezing. [Solution] The system comprises a main body 10 having a freezing space 11h in which an object to be frozen is contained, a cold air generator 13 having a function to generate cold air, and a control unit 30 that controls the operation of the cold air generator 13. The main body 10 is provided so as to surround the freezing space 11h and includes a circulation channel 12 that circulates cold air around the freezing space 11h, a flow rate adjustment unit 15 that supplies cold air in the circulation channel 12 to the freezing space 11h through a cold air supply port 15a formed in the wall 10a of the freezing space 11h, and a cold air suction unit 20 that sucks cold air from the freezing space 11h through a suction port 20a formed in the wall 10b of the freezing space 11h. The control unit 30 has the function of controlling the flow rate adjustment unit 15 so that a flow is formed along the wall 10b of the freezing space 11h where the suction port 20a of the cold air suction unit 20 is located, by the cold air supplied from the flow rate adjustment unit 15.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigeration device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a refrigeration device capable of freezing a frozen object such as food to a predetermined temperature.

Background Art

[0002] When storing foods such as fresh foods for a long time, a method of maintaining the quality by freezing the foods is adopted. Conventional refrigeration devices and the like for freezing foods have a storage space for storing the foods, and the temperature in this storage space is lowered to a predetermined temperature to take heat from the foods and freeze the foods. Specifically, low-temperature air (cold air) is supplied into the storage space, and the temperature in the storage space is lowered and the temperature of the foods is lowered by the contact between the foods and the cold air (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in conventional refrigeration devices and the like, since the foods are frozen by bringing the cold air supplied into the storage space into contact with the foods, the interface between the cold air and the foods, that is, the surface of the foods is rapidly cooled and frozen. When the surface of the foods is rapidly cooled, it will induce deterioration of the internal tissue of the foods and the like, resulting in a decrease in the quality of the frozen foods.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique that, in addition to supplying cold air into the storage space, lowers the temperature of the gas inside the storage space by lowering the temperature of the walls of the storage space with the cold air. However, the technique in Patent Document 1, which lowers the temperature of the walls, is merely an aid in lowering the temperature inside the storage space by supplying cold air into it. Currently, there are no freezing devices other than those that freeze food by directly contacting the cold air supplied into the storage space, and there is a need for a freezing device that can prevent the deterioration of the quality of frozen food.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a refrigeration device that can prevent quality deterioration due to freezing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The first invention is a freezing apparatus for freezing an object to be frozen, comprising: a main body having a freezing space in which the object to be frozen is contained; a cold air generator having a function of generating cold air; and a control unit that controls the operation of the cold air generator, wherein the main body comprises: a circulation channel provided so as to surround the freezing space and forming a circulating flow of cold air around the freezing space; a cold air supply mechanism that supplies a portion of the cold air in the circulation channel to the freezing space through a cold air supply port formed in the wall of the freezing space; and a cold air suction unit that sucks cold air from the freezing space through a suction port formed in the wall of the freezing space, wherein the control unit has a function of controlling the cold air supply mechanism so as to form a flow along the wall of the freezing space where the suction port of the cold air suction unit is located, using the cold air supplied from the cold air supply mechanism. The refrigeration apparatus of the second invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the suction port of the cold air suction section is provided in the wall on which the cold air supply port is provided and / or in a wall continuous with said wall. The refrigeration apparatus of the third invention is characterized in that, in the second invention, the control unit has a function of controlling the cold air supply mechanism so that a flow is formed along the wall where the cold air supply port is formed and the wall of the refrigeration space where the suction port of the cold air suction unit is provided, by the cold air supplied from the cold air supply mechanism. The refrigeration apparatus of the fourth invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the cold air supply mechanism includes a flow rate adjustment unit that adjusts the flow rate of cold air flowing from the cold air supply port into the refrigerated space. The refrigeration apparatus of the fifth invention is characterized in that, in the fourth invention, the main body is provided with an isolation wall that forms a retention space between itself and a wall provided in the refrigeration space where the cold air supply port is located, and the flow rate adjustment unit is provided with a swing-type opening and closing mechanism having a swing-type door for opening and closing the cold air supply port, and a sliding-type opening and closing mechanism having a sliding-type door for opening and closing a cold air inlet provided in the isolation wall, wherein the swing-type door of the swing-type opening and closing mechanism swings such that the surface facing the retention space is opposite to the flow direction of the cold air flowing in the circulation channel when the cold air supply port is open. The refrigeration apparatus of the sixth invention, in the second invention, comprises a cold air suction section provided so as to be recessed from the wall where the suction port is located and communicating with the suction port, and a return passage connecting the cold air suction space and the circulation passage, wherein the circulation passage is provided with a blower controlled by the control unit that generates a flow of cold air within the circulation passage, and the blower is provided such that the direction of the flow of cold air flowing in from the suction port is parallel to the normal direction of the wall where the suction port is located. The refrigeration apparatus of the seventh invention is characterized in that, in the sixth invention, a flow straightening member is provided between the cold air intake space and the return flow path for straightening the cold air flowing from the cold air intake space to the return flow path. The refrigeration apparatus of the eighth invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, two cold air suction units are provided, and the two cold air suction units are provided on mutually opposing inner surfaces in the refrigeration space. The refrigeration apparatus of the ninth invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, a mounting platform for placing an object to be frozen is provided in the freezing space of the main body, and the mounting platform has a configuration in which the surface in contact with the object to be frozen has low thermal conductivity between it and the object to be frozen. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the first to third inventions, the cold air supplied from the cold air supply mechanism flows along the wall and is drawn into the suction port of the cold air suction unit. This allows the temperature inside the freezing space to be lowered through heat exchange between the cold air flowing along the wall and the gas inside the freezing space. As a result, the object to be frozen can be frozen without contact between the cold air supplied from the cold air supply mechanism and the object to be frozen inside the freezing space, thus preventing quality degradation due to freezing. Furthermore, the cold air generated from the cold air generator circulates within the circulation channel, and a portion of the cold air is supplied into the freezing space. This allows the cold air in the circulation channel and the cold air supplied into the freezing space to be maintained at a stable temperature. According to the fourth to seventh inventions, a gas flow along the wall surface can be appropriately formed. According to the eighth invention, the efficiency of lowering the temperature in the refrigerated space can be improved. According to the ninth invention, since cooling from the surface in contact with the mounting table can be suppressed, the object to be frozen can be frozen uniformly. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the simplified configuration of the refrigeration device 1 of this embodiment, making the flow of cold air easier to understand. [Figure 2] This is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the refrigeration device 1 of this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram illustrating an enlarged cross-sectional view of the upper part of the refrigeration device 1 of this embodiment, in which the multiple swing doors 16a of the swing-type opening / closing mechanism 16 of the flow rate adjustment unit 15 are positioned in the closed position, and the multiple sliding doors 18a of the sliding-type opening / closing mechanism 18 are positioned in the closed position. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram illustrating an enlarged cross-sectional view of the upper part of the refrigeration device 1 of this embodiment, in which the multiple swing doors 16a of the swing-type opening / closing mechanism 16 of the flow rate adjustment unit 15 are positioned in the fully open position, and the multiple sliding doors 18a of the sliding-type opening / closing mechanism 18 are positioned in the fully open position. [Figure 5] This is a schematic front view of the refrigeration device 1 of this embodiment. [Figure 6]This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in Figure 2. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view along line VII-VII in Figure 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The freezing apparatus of this embodiment is used to freeze objects to be frozen, and is characterized by its ability to freeze objects while maintaining their quality.

[0011] The objects to be frozen by the freezing apparatus of this embodiment are not particularly limited. For example, examples of objects to be frozen include fresh foods such as fresh fish, raw meat, and vegetables, foods that are consumed without heating, and substances having water-containing tissues such as cellular tissue used in medicine. In particular, when food products are stored for a long period of time using the freezing apparatus of this embodiment, factors that cause quality changes can be minimized even during long-term storage. Furthermore, when food products are frozen, the freshness of the product after thawing can be kept close to that of the product before freezing. For example, even with foods containing emulsified structures that cannot maintain their pre-freezing state after thawing under normal freezing methods, the condition and freshness of the product after thawing can be kept close to that of the product before freezing.

[0012] <Refrigeration device 1 of this embodiment> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the refrigeration device 1 of this embodiment comprises a main body 10 having a refrigeration space 11h for housing an object to be frozen M, a cold air generator 13 having the function of generating cold air, and a control unit 30 that controls the operation of various devices provided in the refrigeration device 1, such as the cold air generator 13. The control unit 30 controls the operation of various devices to adjust the flow state of cold air in the refrigeration space 11h in order to properly freeze the object to be frozen M housed in the refrigeration space 11h of the main body 10. How the control unit 30 controls the operation of various devices will be described later.

[0013] <Main body 10> As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the main body 10 of the refrigeration device 1 of the present embodiment has a box-shaped structure. This main body 10 has a general heat insulation structure and is configured to prevent heat transfer between the inside and outside of the main body 10. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the main body 10 has a double-wall structure and an insulating member 10i is provided between the double walls. A refrigerator 11 is provided inside the main body 10, and a hollow refrigerating space 11h, which is a space for accommodating the refrigeration target M, is provided inside the refrigerator 11.

[0014] The refrigerator 11 is formed of a material with high thermal conductivity for all six walls (ceiling wall 11a, four side walls 11b, and bottom wall 11d) surrounding the refrigerating space 11h. For example, the six walls 11a to 11d of the refrigerator 11 are formed of an aluminum plate or the like. An opening 11s for communicating between the inside and outside of the refrigerating space 11h is provided in one of the four side walls 11b of the refrigerator 11 (the left side wall 11b in FIG. 7). Also, an opening 10s is provided at a position corresponding to the opening 11s in the side wall 10b of the main body 10 corresponding to the opening 11s of the refrigerator 11. A door 11t for opening and closing the opening 11s of the refrigerator 11 is provided on the refrigerator 11 (see FIGS. 5 and 7). This door 11t has a general heat insulation structure and also has a structure for hermetically sealing the opening 11s of the side wall 11b. That is, when the door 11t is opened, the refrigeration target M can be taken in and out between the inside of the refrigerating space 11h and the outside through the opening 10s and the opening 11s, and when the door 11t is closed, the inside of the refrigerating space 11h can be made airtight and insulated from the outside. For example, the door 11t has an insulating member 11i inside, and a seal member (not shown) is provided on the inner surface of the door 11t (the surface on the refrigerating space 11h side). The seal member seals between the outer surface of the wall 10b where the opening 11s is formed and the inner surface of the door 11t. Therefore, when the door 11t is closed, the inside of the refrigerating space 11h can be made airtight and insulated from the outside by the door 11t. Note that the mechanism for opening and closing the door 11t is not particularly limited. However, if it is a mechanism that slides and moves the door 11t, it is possible to suppress the leakage of cold air when opening and closing the door 11t, so it becomes easier to maintain high heat insulation performance.

[0015] <Circulation flow path 12> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a circulation flow path 12, which is a flow path for flowing the cold air generated by a cold air generating device 13 described later, is provided around the main body portion 10. This circulation flow path 12 is a flow path provided so as to surround the periphery of the freezing space 11h. Specifically, the circulation flow path 12 is a flow path provided between the inner surface of the main body portion 10 and the outer surface of the refrigerator 11. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the circulation flow path 12 is provided so as to have an upper portion of the refrigerator 11 (upper flow path 12a), a left portion of the refrigerator 11 (left flow path 12b2), a lower portion of the refrigerator 11 (lower flow path 12d), and a flow path located in the right portion of the refrigerator 11 (right flow path 12b1). Note that a part of the right flow path 12b1 in the circulation flow path 12 is formed by a return flow path 21 of a cold air suction portion 20 described later.

[0016] Furthermore, the circulation channel 12 is configured such that in part, the outer surface of the wall of the freezer 11 forms the inner surface of the channel. In other words, a part of the circulation channel 12 is configured to be shared with the wall of the freezer 11. For example, in Figure 2, the lower wall of the upper channel 12a of the freezer 11 and the upper wall of the lower channel 12d of the freezer 11 are composed of the ceiling wall 11a and the lower wall 11d of the freezer 11, respectively. Also, in Figures 1 and 2, the cold air suction section 20, which will be described later, is provided in two locations on the right side wall 11b and the left side wall 11b. However, if only one cold air suction section 20 is provided, the side wall 11b without the cold air suction section 20 will also constitute the wall of the circulation channel 12. For example, if the cold air suction section 20 is not provided on the left side wall 11b of the freezer 11, the right wall of the left channel 12b2 will be composed of the left side wall 11b of the freezer 11. Conversely, if the cold air intake section 20 is not provided on the right side wall 11b of the freezer 11, the left wall of the right flow path 12b1 is formed by the right side wall 11b of the freezer 11. With this configuration, it becomes possible to cool the freezer 11 from the surroundings by the cold air flowing through the circulation path 12.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the circulation channel 12 is equipped with two blowers 6 that generate a flow of cold air within the circulation channel 12. Specifically, the two blowers 6 are provided so that a flow like that shown by arrow A in Figure 2 is generated in the circulation channel 12. The two blowers 6 only need to be capable of generating a flow of cold air within the circulation channel 12, and their installation position and blowing method are not particularly limited. For example, centrifugal blowers that draw in gas from the direction of rotation axis and exhaust it in a direction perpendicular to the direction of rotation axis, such as a sirocco fan or a turbo fan, can be used as the two blowers 6. If such centrifugal blowers are used, the blowers 6 can be placed in the corner of the main body 10, making the device more compact and enabling effective suction of cold air from within the refrigerated space 11h.

[0018] For example, if centrifugal blowers are used for both blowers 6, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, blower 6a can be installed at the corner of the circulation channel 12. Specifically, it can be installed at the lower left corner of the circulation channel 12 where it bends, that is, where the left channel 12b2 and the lower channel 12d are connected. Alternatively, blower 6b can be installed in the middle of the right channel 12b1, and on the back side (to the right of the cold air suction space 20b in Figure 2) of the cold air suction unit 20, which will be described later, located on the back of one side wall 11b (the right side wall 11b in Figure 2). By installing blower 6b in this way, cold air can be efficiently drawn from within the freezing space 11h into the right channel 12b1 via the cold air suction space 20b of the cold air suction unit 20 and the return channel 21.

[0019] <Cold air generator 13> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a cold air generator 13 is provided in the circulation channel 12. Specifically, a cold air generator 13 is provided in the middle of the circulation channel 12 to cool the gas (cold air) flowing through the circulation channel 12 (in other words, to generate cold air). For example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, when cold air is drawn from the freezing space 11h into the rightward channel 12b1 by the blower 6b, the cold air generator 13 can be provided in the upper channel 12a to which gas is supplied from the rightward channel 12b1. Also, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, when cold air is drawn from the freezing space 11h into the rightward channel 12b1 by the blower 6b, the cold air generator 13 can be provided downstream of the blower 6b in the rightward channel 12b1. This cold air generator 13 can be a known cooler or the like that can cool the gas (cold air) to about -20°C.

[0020] <Flow rate adjustment section 15> As shown in Figures 1 and 3, multiple cold air supply openings 15a are formed in the lower wall of the upper passage 12a of the circulation passage 12, that is, in the ceiling wall 11a of the freezer 11. These multiple cold air supply openings 15a are through-holes that connect the upper passage 12a of the circulation passage 12 to the freezing space 11h of the freezer 11. The upper passage 12a of the circulation passage 12 is provided with multiple swinging doors 16a of the swinging opening / closing mechanism 16 of the flow rate adjustment unit 15, which opens and closes each of these multiple cold air supply openings 15a. These multiple swinging doors 16a swing when a controller operates a link mechanism or the like (not shown). Specifically, the multiple swing-type doors 16a are designed to swing between a position where their lower surfaces are in surface contact with the upper surface of the lower wall of the upper flow path 12a (closed position, see Figure 3) and a position where the upstream end (right side in Figures 1 and 2) of the upper flow path 12a swings upward (fully open position, see Figure 4). In other words, the multiple swing-type doors 16a can open and close the multiple cold air supply ports 15a by swinging. Therefore, when the multiple swing-type doors 16a swing and open the multiple cold air supply ports 15a, the lower surfaces of the multiple opening / closing members 16 become inclined surfaces that face from the upstream side of the upper flow path 12a of the circulation flow path 12 toward the cold air supply port 15a that each swing-type door 16a closes (see Figure 4). As a result, when the multiple cold air supply ports 15a are opened by the multiple swing-type doors 16a, cold air can flow smoothly toward the multiple cold air supply ports 15a. Furthermore, by adjusting the swing angle of the multiple swing-type doors 16a, the amount of cold air flowing into the multiple cold air supply ports 15a can be adjusted.

[0021] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, an isolation wall 17 of the flow rate adjustment unit 15 is provided below the ceiling wall 11a of the freezer 11. This isolation wall 17 is a wall provided above the freezing space 11h of the freezer 11 to form a retention space 17h, and a cold air inlet 17a is formed therein that connects the retention space 17h with the freezing space 11h below the isolation wall 17 (i.e., the space where the object to be frozen M is contained, hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "storage space"). The retention space 17h is provided with multiple sliding doors 18a of the sliding opening and closing mechanism 18 of the flow rate adjustment unit 15, which open and close each of these multiple cold air inlets 17a. The multiple sliding doors 18a slide when the controller C operates a link mechanism, etc., which is not shown. Specifically, these multiple sliding doors 18a are designed to move with their lower surfaces in surface contact with the upper surface of the isolation wall 17, and can move between a state in which the multiple cold air inlets 17a are completely closed (fully closed state, see Figure 3) and a state in which the multiple cold air inlets 17a are completely open (fully open state, see Figure 4). In other words, the multiple cold air inlets 17a can be opened and closed by moving along the upper surface of the isolation wall 17.

[0022] Since the flow rate adjustment unit 15 has the above configuration, the amount of cold air flowing into the storage space from the upper flow path 12a of the circulation flow path 12 can be adjusted by controlling the swinging of the multiple swing doors 16a of the swing-type opening / closing mechanism 16 and the movement of the multiple sliding doors 18a of the sliding opening / closing mechanism 18 of the flow rate adjustment unit 15. Moreover, since the cold air flowing in from the multiple cold air supply ports 15a is first introduced into the retention space 17h and then supplied to the storage space through the multiple cold air inlet ports 17a, the inflow velocity of the cold air flowing into the storage space can be suppressed, and moreover, it becomes possible to allow the cold air flowing into the storage space to flow in a state close to laminar flow, so that, as will be described later, the cold air flowing into the storage space can form a flow along the wall of the freezing space.

[0023] <Cold air suction section 20> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a pair of side walls 11b, 11b of the freezer 11 are provided with suction ports 20a of the cold air suction unit 20. The suction ports 20a of the cold air suction unit 20 have an upper suction port 20a1 and a lower suction port 20a2, and slit plates s (see Figure 7) are provided in the upper suction port 20a1 and the lower suction port 20a2.

[0024] Furthermore, the cold air suction unit 20 has cold air suction spaces 20b1 and 20b2 that communicate with the upper suction port 20a1 and the lower suction port 20a2. These cold air suction spaces 20b1 and 20b2 are spaces that communicate with the freezing space 11h, with the upper suction port 20a1 and the lower suction port 20a2 as openings. In other words, they are spaces that are recessed from the side wall 11b where the suction port 20a of the cold air suction unit 20 is located. The bottoms of both these cold air suction spaces 20b1 and 20b2 (the parts located on the side opposite to the freezing space 11h) are connected to the return channel 21. This return channel 21 is provided to return the cold air in the freezing space 11h to the circulation channel 12, but the return channel 21 is part of the circulation channel 12. For example, in Figures 1 and 2, the return channel 21, which is in communication with the cold air suction space 20b1 and the cold air suction space 20b2 of the right-side cold air suction section 20, is part of the right-side channel 12b1 of the circulation channel 12.

[0025] In Figures 1 and 2, the left-side cold air intake section 20 does not have a return flow path 21, but a return flow path 21 may also be provided in the left-side cold air intake section 20. In this case, similar to the right-side cold air intake section 20, the return flow path 21 may be part of the left-side flow path 12b2 of the circulation flow path 12, or it may simply be a flow path that connects the cold air intake spaces 20b1 and 20b2 of the left-side cold air intake section 20 to the left-side flow path 12b2.

[0026] <Control Unit 30> As shown in Figure 2, the refrigeration device 1 of this embodiment includes a control unit 30. This control unit 30 has the function of controlling the operation of each device so that the freezing space 11h of the freezer 11 is in a state suitable for freezing the object to be frozen M. A state suitable for freezing the object to be frozen M in the freezing space 11h of the freezer 11 means a state in which the object to be frozen M can be frozen by the temperature gradient of the gas in the freezing space 11h without the cold air directly coming into contact with the object to be frozen M in the freezing space 11h (storage space). Specifically, the control unit 30 has the function of controlling the supply and discharge of cold air into the freezing space 11h so that a flow of cold air (cold air layer) is formed along the side wall 11b in the freezing space 11h of the freezer 11. Moreover, the control unit 30 has the function of controlling the supply and discharge of cold air into the freezing space 11h so that the pressure inside the freezing space 11h of the freezer 11 is negative compared to the circulation flow path 12.

[0027] Specifically, the control unit 30 has the function of controlling the operation of the cold air generator 13, the swing-type opening / closing mechanism 16 and the slide-type opening / closing mechanism 18 of the flow rate adjustment unit 15, and the two blowers 6. The control unit 30 is also electrically connected to various sensors, such as a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the cold air in the freezing space 11h of the freezer 11 and the circulation channel 12, and a flow rate sensor that measures the flow rate of cold air in the circulation channel 12. Based on signals from the various sensors, the control unit 30 has the function of controlling the operation of the cold air generator 13 to adjust the temperature of the cold air generated by the cold air generator 13. Furthermore, based on signals from the various sensors, the control unit 30 has the function of controlling the operation of the two blowers 6 to adjust the flow rate of cold air flowing through the circulation channel 12 and the flow rate of cold air drawn in from the suction port 20a of the cold air suction unit 20. Furthermore, the control unit 30 has the function of adjusting the amount of cold air supplied to the freezing space 11h of the freezer 11 by controlling the operation of the two blowers 6 and the swing-type opening / closing mechanism 16 and the slide-type opening / closing mechanism 18 of the flow rate adjustment unit 15 based on signals from various sensors.

[0028] Since the refrigeration device 1 of this embodiment has the above configuration, the control unit 30 controls the operation of the cold air generator 13 to adjust the temperature of the cold air generated by the cold air generator 13, the flow rate of the cold air flowing through the circulation channel 12, and the amount of cold air supplied to and discharged from the freezing space 11h of the freezer 11, thereby adjusting the freezing space 11h of the freezer 11 to a predetermined temperature.

[0029] Furthermore, the refrigeration device 1 of this embodiment has the above configuration, and after the cold air supplied from the cold air supply port 15a is retained in the retention space 17h, it is supplied to the storage space from the cold air inlet 17a. Moreover, the flow rate of the gas supplied from the cold air inlet 17a to the storage space (i.e., the opening ratio of the cold air inlet 17a) and the amount of cold air drawn in from the suction port 20a of the cold air suction unit 20 are adjusted. As a result, a flow of cold air (a layer of cold air) can be formed in the refrigeration space 11h of the freezer 11 by the cold air supplied from the cold air inlet 17a along the lower surface and side wall 11b of the isolation wall 17, and the inside of the refrigeration space 11h of the freezer 11 can be maintained at a negative pressure than the circulation channel 12. In addition, the cold air supplied from the cold air inlet 17a can be kept from directly contacting the object M to be frozen in the refrigeration space 11h of the freezer 11. As a result, the freezing space 11h can be formed with a temperature gradient in which the object to be frozen M has the highest temperature and the temperature of the isolation wall 17 and side wall 11b (cold air flow (cold air layer) along the isolation wall 17 and side wall 11b) is the lowest. Therefore, the object to be frozen M can be frozen to a good state, and the deterioration of the quality of the object to be frozen M due to freezing can be prevented.

[0030] Furthermore, the cold air generated by the cold air generator 13 is circulated through a circulation channel 12 provided around the freezer 11. In other words, the cold air generated by the cold air generator 13 returns to the cold air generator 13 after passing through the circulation channel 12 and the freezing space 11h of the freezer 11. Moreover, a portion of the cold air flowing through the circulation channel 12 is supplied to the freezing space 11h of the freezer 11, while the remaining cold air is used to maintain the temperature of the freezing space 11h of the freezer 11 by flowing through the circulation channel 12. This allows for effective utilization of the cold air and efficient temperature maintenance of the freezing space 11h of the freezer 11. In short, the freezing of the object M to be frozen in the freezing space 11h of the freezer 11 and the temperature maintenance of the freezing space 11h of the freezer 11 can be performed efficiently.

[0031] By freezing the object to be frozen M with the freezing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, which has the configuration described above, the object to be frozen M can be frozen in a state where it does not contain ice crystals and maintains its state before freezing. Moreover, even in its frozen state, the frozen object M can be easily cut with a knife, and by thawing the frozen object M, it is possible to obtain a frozen object M in almost the same state as before freezing. The reason why the freezing apparatus 1 of this embodiment can perform such freezing is thought to be as follows.

[0032] First, if we refer to the cold air released from cooling devices such as evaporators to lower the heat (temperature) contained in the object M to be frozen as the basic cold air, then expressing the temperature of that cold air from a thermal perspective, it is determined by the amount that serves as a guideline for the average value of the energy distribution of the particles that make up the environmental system. In short, the cold air released from the cooling device itself naturally has random and wide-ranging errors in thermal uniformity, so it is considered that there is a situation of temperature unevenness. Therefore, when the object M to be frozen and the cold air come into direct contact, the cold air with a lower temperature at the time of heat exchange first promotes individual and vigorous heat exchange at the surface interface of the object M, causing the phenomenon of ice formation to occur. As a result, the temperature governing the entire object M never reaches below freezing point, and the heat conduction of the ice progresses into the interior of the object M, increasing the solute concentration in the unfrozen parts of the object M, which was the main cause of deterioration of the quality of the object M.

[0033] In the refrigeration system 1 of this embodiment, the cold air released from the cold air generator 13 is temporarily entrusted to a flow path through which cold air flows, such as the circulation channel 12, and the circulation channel 12 is cooled except for the freezing space 11h of the freezer 11 where the temperature of the object to be frozen M is lowered, thereby drastically narrowing the width of the heat unevenness within the circulation channel 12. The cold air in the circulation channel 12 is supplied to the freezing space 11h, and then returned to the circulation channel 12 via the cold air suction unit 20, etc., and can be used as cold air. Moreover, the cold air supplied from the circulation channel 12 to the freezing space 11h can remove heat from the object to be frozen M and lower its temperature to the target temperature. Furthermore, while the cold air in the circulation channel 12 is constantly under forced pressure by the blower 6, the freezing space 11h is under more negative pressure than the circulation channel 12, which increases the activity of thermal particles. As a result, heat exchange between the cold air and the object to be frozen M can be completed even without the incoming cold air directly contacting the object to be frozen M, and the movement of thermal molecules in the cold air after heat exchange becomes smoother.

[0034] In general food freezing concepts, the growth of ice crystals inside the food is considered to depend primarily on the freezing rate and the final freezing temperature. Therefore, the freezing rate of water contained within the food changes in a temperature-dependent manner, and freeze concentration occurs in the unfrozen portions, which greatly accelerates certain chemical reactions, causing changes in the physical properties of the food. Problems such as the expansion pressure inside the food caused by freezing have been the biggest challenges in developing freezing technology to this day.

[0035] On the other hand, in the case of the refrigeration device 1 of this embodiment, the amount of cold air heat (temperature) is very close to the same temperature within the circulation channel 12. Therefore, heat is transferred from the object to be frozen M, which has a high temperature, to the cold air in the refrigerated space 11h, where a lower temperature is maintained. This cold air from the refrigerated space 11h, from which heat has been transferred, is supplied into the constantly flowing circulation channel 12. Furthermore, the cold air supplied to the circulation channel 12 is carried to the suction port of the cold air generator 13, where it is recooled and supplied into the circulation channel 12 as new cold air, thus enabling heat exchange based on the circulation of heat. In other words, in the refrigeration device 1 of this embodiment, an environment that induces uniform heat exchange can be created within the refrigerated space 11h by considering the entire solid body of the object to be frozen M. Moreover, in the refrigeration device 1 of this embodiment, the temperature error of the cold air circulating within the circulation channel 12 can be kept to a very small level. For example, in the refrigeration apparatus 1 of this embodiment, if the temperature of the cold air supplied from the cold air generator 13 to the circulation channel 12 is -25°C, the average temperature of the cold air circulating through the circulation channel 12 and returning to the cold air generator 13 can be close to -25°C, and a more accurate and uniform average temperature can be created by the repeated circulation of cold air. Therefore, in the refrigeration apparatus 1 of this embodiment, a very stable state of cold air can be used, so the freezing of the object M to be frozen in the freezing space 11h can be carried out stably.

[0036] <Regarding circulation channel 12> In the example described above, the circulation channel 12 was provided in which channels were located in the upper part of the freezer 11, the left part of the freezer 11, the lower part of the freezer 11, and the right part of the freezer 11 as shown in Figure 1. However, the circulation channel 12 may also be formed in the area at the back of the freezer 11 as shown in Figure 1 (the right area in Figure 7), in addition to the locations mentioned above. With such a configuration, all walls of the freezer 11 except for the side wall 11b where the opening 11s is provided can be surrounded by channels through which cold air flows, thereby further enhancing the effect of maintaining the temperature inside the freezing space 11h of the freezer 11.

[0037] <Regarding the suction port 20a of the cold air suction unit 20> As mentioned above, the suction port 20a of the cold air suction unit 20 may be provided on opposite side walls 11b of the four side walls 11b of the freezer 11, or the suction port 20a of the cold air suction unit 20 may be provided on only one side wall 11b (for example, the right side wall 11b in Figures 1 and 2). Also, although not shown, if the circulation channel 12 is provided outside the side wall 11b where the opening 11s is not provided, that is, outside the right side wall 11b in Figure 7, the suction port 20a of the cold air suction unit 20 may be provided on the right side wall 11b in Figure 7, and the cold air suction space 20b and return channel 21 may be provided on the back of it.

[0038] <Regarding the suction port 20a of the cold air suction unit 20> As mentioned above, the suction port 20a of the cold air suction unit 20 may be provided on opposite side walls 11b of the four side walls 11b of the freezer 11, or the suction port 20a of the cold air suction unit 20 may be provided on only one side wall 11b (for example, the right side wall 11b in Figure 2). Also, although not shown, if the circulation channel 12 is provided outside the side wall 11b where the opening 11s is provided, that is, outside the right side wall 11b in Figure 7, the suction port 20a of the cold air suction unit 20 may be provided on the right side wall 11b in Figure 7, and the cold air suction space 20b and return channel 21 may be provided on the back of it.

[0039] <Regarding the flow rate adjustment unit 15> In the example described above, a case was explained in which a retention space 17h is provided by an isolation wall 17, but it is not necessary to provide an isolation wall 17. In that case, the flow rate adjustment unit 15 only needs to be provided with a swing-type opening and closing mechanism 16 that opens and closes the multiple cold air supply ports 15a. On the other hand, as the mechanism for opening and closing the multiple cold air supply ports 15a, a sliding opening and closing mechanism having multiple sliding doors, which has the same configuration as the sliding opening and closing mechanism 18 described above, may be adopted. Note that if an isolation wall 17 is not provided, it may be necessary to increase the distance from the multiple cold air supply ports 15a to the suction port 20a of the cold air suction unit 20 in order to ensure that the gas flowing in from the multiple cold air supply ports 15a comes into contact with the object to be cooled M and to form a gas flow along the wall surface. Therefore, in order to make the device compact while allowing the refrigeration device 1 of this embodiment to perform the predetermined functions, it is desirable to provide a retention space 17h by an isolation wall 17.

[0040] <Regarding the cold air supply port 15a> As mentioned above, the cold air supply port 15a is formed in the upper wall 10a of the freezer 11, that is, in the wall continuous with the side wall 11b where the suction port 20a of the cold air suction unit 20 is formed. However, it may also be provided in the side wall 11b where the suction port 20a of the cold air suction unit 20 is formed. As mentioned above, if it is provided in the upper wall 10a, the cold air supplied from the suction port 20a of the cold air suction unit 20 can flow smoothly along the side wall 11b, making it easier to appropriately adjust the temperature distribution within the freezing space 11h.

[0041] In this case as well, the cold air supply port 15a is provided with a cold air supply mechanism that opens and closes the cold air supply port 15a so that the amount of cold air supplied into the freezing space 11h can be adjusted. The configuration of the cold air supply mechanism in this case is not particularly limited, as long as it is a structure that can open and close the cold air supply port 15a. For example, a flap or the like can be provided at the opening of the cold air supply port 15a formed in the side wall 11b, and a configuration can be adopted in which the opening of the cold air supply port 15a is opened and closed by swinging this flap.

[0042] Even when a cold air supply port 15a is provided in the side wall 11b, a separation wall as described above may be provided to form a stagnant space separated from the storage space between it and the side wall 11b, and cold air may be supplied to the storage space from a gas inlet provided in the separation wall.

[0043] Furthermore, when the suction port 20a of the cold air suction unit 20 is formed on the side wall 11b where the suction port 20a of the cold air suction unit 20 is formed, it is desirable that the cold air supply port 15a be provided above the suction port 20a of the cold air suction unit 20 in order to allow the cold air to flow smoothly along the side wall 11b.

[0044] <Regarding the blower device 6> In the example described above, a centrifugal blower such as a sirocco fan or turbo fan was used as the blower 6, which draws in gas from the direction of rotation axis and exhausts it in a direction perpendicular to the direction of rotation axis. However, the blower 6 is not necessarily limited to a centrifugal blower. As long as it is possible to form a flow of cold air flowing in one direction as indicated by the arrow in the circulation passage 12, a general fan or other blower that flows gas along the axis may be used.

[0045] When a centrifugal blower is used as the blower 6, the blower 6 can be installed such that the direction of flow of cold air entering from the suction port into which the blower 6 draws in cold air is parallel to the direction normal to the wall surface 11b where the suction port 20a of the cold air suction section 20 is located (see blower 6b on the right in Figure 2). In this case, cold air can be effectively drawn in from the suction port 20a, and turbulence in the layer of cold air formed along the wall surface 11b by the cold air drawn in from the suction port 20a can be suppressed, which is desirable in terms of the order of heat exchange. It is also possible to obtain a similar effect by providing a flow straightening member 21s in the return flow path 21 that straightens the cold air flowing into the return flow path 21 through the suction port 20a and the cold air suction space 20b (see Figures 2 to 4).

[0046] It is desirable that the blower 6 has a structure that prevents cold air from leaking into the circulation path 12 to the outside (i.e., the space inside the main body 10) or from drawing in air from the outside, that is, a structure in which the flow path inside the blower 6 is airtightly isolated from the outside.

[0047] <Regarding the flow rate adjustment unit 15> The structure for opening and closing the multiple cold air supply ports 15a and multiple cold air inlet ports 17a in the flow rate adjustment unit 15 is not limited to the structure described above. For example, multiple plate-shaped members may be simply moved up and down to open and close the multiple cold air supply ports 15a and multiple cold air inlet ports 17a, or a single plate-shaped member may be provided that covers all of the multiple cold air supply ports 15a and multiple cold air inlet ports 17a, and this single opening / closing plate may be moved up and down to open and close all of the multiple cold air supply ports 15a and multiple cold air inlet ports 17a simultaneously.

[0048] <Regarding mounting platform D> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a platform D for placing the object to be frozen M is provided in the freezing space 11h of the freezer 11 of the main body 10, and the object is frozen while placed on the platform D. The material and structure of this platform D should preferably be such that the amount of heat lost from the object to be frozen M due to heat conduction between the platform D and the object is small. In other words, it is desirable that the surface of the platform D that comes into contact with the object to be frozen M has a configuration that reduces heat conductivity between the platform D and the object. For example, if a platform plate for placing the object to be frozen M is provided on the platform D, the upper surface of the platform plate, that is, the surface on which the object to be frozen M is placed, should have a protrusion, and the platform plate and the object to be frozen M should come into contact only with the tips of these protrusions. This reduces the contact area between the platform plate and the object to be frozen M, thus preventing heat from being lost from the object to be frozen M due to heat conduction between the platform plate P and the object. Furthermore, the same effect can be obtained by using materials with low thermal conductivity for the mounting plate itself or for the material forming the upper surface of the mounting plate. [Industrial applicability]

[0049] The freezing apparatus of the present invention is suitable for freezing food products such as fresh foods and medical organs. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0050] 1. Refrigeration equipment 6. Blower 10 Main body 11 Freezer 11a Upper wall 11b Side wall 11h Refrigerated space 12 Circulation channel 13. Cold air generator 15. Cooling air supply mechanism 15a Cold air supply port 16. Swivel-type opening and closing mechanism 16a Swinging door 17 Isolation Wall 17h retention space 17a Cold air inlet 18. Sliding opening and closing mechanism 18 Sliding doors 20 Cold air intake section 20a1 Suction port 20a2 Suction port 20a Suction port 20b1 Cold air intake space 20b2 Cold air intake space 21 Returned Channels 21s Rectifier 30 Control Unit M Frozen items D Mounting platform

Claims

1. A freezing device for freezing objects, A main body having a freezing space in which the object to be frozen is contained, A cold air generating device having the function of generating cold air, It comprises a control unit that controls the operation of the cold air generating device, The main body is, A circulation channel is provided so as to surround the aforementioned freezing space and forms a circulation flow of cold air around the freezing space, A cold air supply mechanism that supplies a portion of the cold air in the circulation channel to the cold space through a cold air supply port formed in the wall of the cold space, It includes a cold air suction unit that sucks cold air from within the freezing space through a suction port formed in the wall of the freezing space, The control unit, The cold air supply mechanism has a function to control the cold air supply mechanism so that a flow is formed along the wall of the freezing space where the suction port of the cold air suction unit is located, using the cold air supplied from the cold air supply mechanism. A refrigeration apparatus characterized by the following features.

2. The suction port of the cold air suction unit is The cold air supply port is provided in the wall and / or in a wall continuous with the wall. The refrigeration apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the features described above.

3. The control unit, The cold air supply mechanism has a function to control the cold air supply mechanism so that a flow is formed along the wall where the cold air supply port is formed and the wall of the freezing space where the suction port of the cold air suction unit is located, by the cold air supplied from the cold air supply mechanism. The refrigeration apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by its features.

4. The aforementioned cold air supply mechanism is The system includes a flow rate adjustment unit that adjusts the flow rate of cold air flowing from the cold air supply port into the freezing space. The refrigeration apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the features described above.

5. The main body is, The aforementioned freezing space is provided with an isolation wall that forms a retention space between the wall and the wall on which the cold air supply port is provided. The aforementioned flow rate adjustment unit is A swing-type opening and closing mechanism having a swing-type door for opening and closing the aforementioned cold air supply port, It is equipped with a sliding door for opening and closing a cold air inlet provided in the aforementioned isolation wall, The swinging door of the swinging opening and closing mechanism is The surface on the side of the stagnant space oscillates so as to be opposed to the direction of flow of cold air flowing in the circulation channel when the cold air supply port is open. The refrigeration apparatus according to feature 4.

6. The aforementioned cold air intake section is A cold air suction space is provided that is recessed from the wall where the suction port is located and communicates with the aforementioned suction port, It is equipped with a return channel that connects the cold air intake space and the circulation channel, The aforementioned circulation channel includes: A blower controlled by the control unit is provided to generate a flow of cold air within the circulation channel. The blower device is The suction port for drawing in cold air is positioned so that the direction of the flow of cold air entering from the suction port is parallel to the normal direction of the wall on which the suction port is located. The refrigeration apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by its features.

7. A flow straightening member is provided between the cold air intake space and the return flow path to straighten the cold air flowing from the cold air intake space to the return flow path. The refrigeration apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that it is as described above.

8. The aforementioned cold air intake section is provided in two locations. The two aforementioned cold air intake sections are, Provided on the opposing inner surfaces in the aforementioned freezing space The refrigeration apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the features described above.

9. Within the freezing space of the main body, A platform for placing items to be frozen is provided. The mounting platform is, The surface that comes into contact with the object being frozen has a configuration that reduces thermal conductivity between it and the object being frozen. The refrigeration apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the features described above.

Images