Humidifier

Abstract

To increase a humidification amount.SOLUTION: A humidifier 30 includes a supply unit 36, an air blow unit 37, a humidifying unit 38, and a heating unit 39. The supply unit 36 supplies crushed ice. The air blow unit 37 blows basic cooling air. The humidifying unit 38 humidifies the basic cooling air blown from the air blow unit 37 with the crushed ice supplied from the supply unit 36. The heating unit 39 melts the crushed ice supplied from the supply unit 36.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a humidifier. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technology for realizing a low-temperature, high-humidity environment for storing perishable foods such as seafood and vegetables that require freshness. In this technology, humidification is achieved by vaporizing ice using cold air blown in.

[0003] For example, a high humidity storage technology is known in which fresh food is cooled to a low temperature while being stored at a high humidity by circulating air using a fan through a heat exchanger that drops ice (see, for example, Patent Document 1). With this technology, moisture is added from the ice to the air being cooled, making it possible to maintain the freshness of the fresh food by keeping the temperature and humidity inside the storage low and high. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-332654 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, the amount of humidification by ice is small, so fresh food and the like cannot be sufficiently humidified.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a humidifier capable of increasing the amount of humidification. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one aspect, the humidification device of this embodiment is characterized by comprising a supply unit that supplies crushed ice, a blower unit that blows basic cold air, a humidifier unit that humidifies the basic cold air blown from the blower unit with the crushed ice supplied by the supply unit, and a heating unit that melts the crushed ice supplied by the supply unit. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, the amount of humidification can be increased. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a temperature and humidity control device 100 including a humidifier according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a humidifier 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic enlarged view of a portion of the humidifier 30. [Figure 4A] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a portion of the humidifier 30. [Figure 4B] FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a portion of the humidifier 30. [Figure 5A] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a conventional humidifier 30'. [Figure 5B] FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a portion of a conventional humidifier 30'. [Figure 6A] FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a humidifier 30 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6B] FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating a portion of a humidifier 30 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7A] FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a humidifier 30 according to a third embodiment. [Figure 7B] FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating a portion of a humidifier 30 according to a third embodiment. [Figure 8A] FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a humidifier 30 according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 8B] FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating a portion of a humidifier 30 according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 9A]FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a humidifier 30 according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 9B] FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating a portion of a humidifier 30 according to a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] (First embodiment) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of a humidifier according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a temperature and humidity control device 100 including a humidifier according to the first embodiment.

[0011] 1, the temperature and humidity control device 100 can also be called a cooling machine or a cooling storage. The temperature and humidity control device 100 is a commercial cooling storage device for storing and controlling the temperature of fresh food such as meat, fish, and vegetables.

[0012] The temperature and humidity control device 100 stores fresh food in a warehouse and continuously maintains the target temperature, for example, 0° Celsius, which is an appropriate temperature for storage inside the warehouse, and can uniformly cool the temperature of the fresh food from its surface to its center to 0° Celsius. Moreover, during this cooling, the temperature and humidity control device 100 prevents the moisture in the fresh food stored in the warehouse from freezing to form frozen matter (ice crystals), so that the fresh food does not reach a freezing temperature in the range of, for example, -1° C. to -5° C. In this way, the temperature and humidity control device 100 has the function of maintaining the quality, such as the freshness, of the fresh food.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 1, the temperature and humidity control device 100 includes a storage cabinet 10, a cooling unit 20, and a humidifier 30. The temperature and humidity control device 100 may have other components not shown in Fig. 1. The cooling unit 20 and the humidifier 30 are disposed inside the storage cabinet 10. The cooling unit 20 and the humidifier 30 may be disposed outside the storage cabinet 10.

[0014] The storage 10 is made of a metal such as stainless steel in a box shape and is installed on the floor. The cooling unit 20 is, for example, an air conditioner cooling device, and generates basic cold air that is cold air at a temperature lower than a target temperature.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 1, the humidifier 30 has an intake port 31 and an exhaust port 32. The intake port 31 and the exhaust port 32 are formed in a mesh or lattice shape so that the air inside the storage 10 can pass through. The humidifier 30 takes in basic cool air supplied from the cooling unit 20 through the intake port 31, humidifies the air, and then exhausts the air from the exhaust port 32. The thick arrows show a schematic flow of the cool air.

[0016] Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of humidifier 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, humidifier 30 includes inlet 31, outlet 32, control unit 33, ice maker 34, ice conveyor 35, supply unit 36, blower unit 37, humidifier unit 38, heater unit 39, and heat insulating unit 40. The positional relationship of each component of humidifier 30 is not limited to that shown in Fig. 2. Humidifier 30 may also include other components not shown in Fig. 2.

[0017] Control unit 33 is configured, for example, by a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Control unit 33 controls each component of humidifier 30, including ice maker 34, ice conveyor 35, supply unit 36, blower unit 37, humidifier unit 38, heater unit 39, and heat insulating unit 40, in accordance with a control program stored in a storage unit (not shown). The storage unit is configured, for example, by a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory).

[0018] Ice maker 34 cools water supplied from a water tank (not shown) to produce crushed ice. Ice transporter 35 transports the crushed ice produced by ice maker 34 to supply unit 36. Supply unit 36 ​​supplies the crushed ice transported by ice transporter 35 to humidifier unit 38.

[0019] Supply unit 36 ​​is formed by a plurality of chutes 50 arranged in the Y direction. Ice conveyor 35 is, for example, a screw conveyor (not shown). The screw conveyor has, for example, continuous spiral blades. Ice conveyor 35 has a function of continuously linearly conveying crushed ice supplied from ice maker 34 under the control of control unit 33 along the Y direction, i.e., the direction in which the plurality of chutes 50, 50 are arranged. Supply unit 36 ​​can continuously linearly convey crushed ice in the Y direction, which is the conveying direction of the crushed ice, by driving a motor according to a command from control unit 33.

[0020] The chute portion 50 is formed to be hollow. The chute portion 50 may be formed to have a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The chute portion 50 may also have a circular, elliptical, triangular, polygonal, or other cross-sectional shape.

[0021] The heating unit 39 melts the crushed ice supplied by the chute unit 50. The heating unit 39 is configured by, for example, a heater controlled by the control unit 33. The heating unit 39 is disposed outside the chute unit 50.

[0022] The heat insulating section 40 blocks heat radiation from the heating section 39 to the surroundings. The heat insulating section 40 is made of, for example, a heat insulating material. The heat insulating section 40 is disposed outside the chute section 50. The heat insulating section 40 is also disposed outside the heating section 39. Therefore, the chute section 50, the heating section 39, and the heat insulating section 40 are disposed in this order from the inside to the outside. The heating section 39 may be disposed inside the chute section 50. When the heating section 39 is disposed inside the chute section 50, the heat insulating section 40 may be disposed inside or outside the chute section 50. When the heat insulating section 40 is disposed inside the chute section 50, the heat insulating section 40 is disposed between the heating section 39 and the chute section 50. In this case, the heating section 39, the heat insulating section 40, and the chute section 50 are disposed in this order from the inside to the outside. When the insulation section 40 is disposed outside the chute section 50, the chute section 50 is disposed between the heating section 39 and the insulation section 40. In this case, the heating section 39, the chute section 50, and the insulation section 40 are disposed in this order from the inside to the outside. The insulation section 40 prevents heat exchange from the heating section 39 disposed outside or inside the chute section 50 to the cold air blown by the air blower section 37, and prevents a temperature rise.

[0023] The blower 37 blows the cold air taken in from the intake 31 towards the humidifier 38. The blower 37 is, for example, a fan. The humidifier 38 is hollow. The humidifier 38 is formed of a plurality of ice-filled tanks 51 arranged in the Y direction. The ice-filled tanks 51 are formed so that air and water can pass through the inner and outer edges of the ice-filled tanks 51 due to the plurality of holes formed therein. The ice-filled tanks 51 are, for example, formed of a mesh or punched holes. The air blown towards the humidifier 38 is humidified by the humidifier 38 and then discharged from the exhaust port 32.

[0024] The chute unit 50, ice-filled tank 51, heating unit 39, and heat insulating unit 40 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 3, Fig. 4A, and Fig. 4B. Fig. 3 is a schematic enlarged view of a portion of the humidifier 30. Fig. 4A is a plan view of a portion of the humidifier 30. Fig. 4B is a side view of a portion of the humidifier 30.

[0025] At least a portion of the chute portion 50 is inserted into the upper portion 381 of the ice-packed tank 51. The chute portion 50 is formed in a shape that guides the water w melted by the heating portion 39 to the inner edge 382 of the ice-packed tank 51. For example, the chute portion 50 is formed in a skirt shape (flare shape) downward from the lower portion 361. The lower end portion 362 of the chute portion 50 contacts the inner edge 382 of the ice-packed tank 51.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, when the ice i transported by the ice transporter 35 is transported to the chute section 50, the ice i falls through the inside of the chute section 50 by gravity. Then, when the ice i passes through the chute section 50, it is melted by heat provided by the heating section 39 arranged outside the chute section 50 and becomes water w. In addition, the ice i that has passed through the chute section 50 gradually accumulates in the ice-filled tank 51. As a result, the upper end of the ice i piled up in the ice-filled tank 51 approaches the chute section 50 as shown in FIG. 3, so that the ice i is melted by heat provided by the heating section 39 arranged outside the chute section 50 and becomes water w. The melted water w flows along the heating section 39 and the lower end 362 of the chute section 50 and can wet the inner edge 382 of the ice-filled tank 51. The water w that has wet the inner edge 382 can wet the outer edge 381 of the ice-filled tank 51. This allows the surface of ice-filled tank 51 to be kept wet, increasing the amount of humidification when cold air is blown by blower 37. If heating unit 39 is disposed inside chute unit 50, ice i comes into direct contact with heating unit 39 as it passes through chute unit 50, and is melted by the heat applied by heating unit 39 to become water w.

[0027] 3, 4A, and 4B, the humidifier 30 of this embodiment includes a heat insulating section 40 that blocks heat dissipation from the heating section 39 to the surroundings. This allows the amount of humidification to be increased without increasing the temperature of the basic cold air supplied from the cooling section 20, preventing a rise in temperature inside the storage 10. At the same time, heat exchange between the basic cold air and the heating section 39 can be prevented, reducing energy costs.

[0028] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the humidifier according to the present invention will be described. The basic configuration of the humidifier of the second embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0029] Figures 5A and 5B are diagrams showing the configuration of a conventional humidifier 30'. Figure 5A is a plan view illustrating a portion of the conventional humidifier 30'. Figure 5B is a side view illustrating a portion of the conventional humidifier 30'.

[0030] 5A and 5B, in conventional humidifier 30', multiple ice tanks 51 are arranged in groups of three along the Y direction. In this case, cold air blown from blower 37 toward humidifier 38 escapes through gap 71a between ice tanks 51a and 51b, or gap 71b between ice tank 51c and the side wall of humidifier 30'.

[0031] 5A and 5B, in a conventional humidifier 30', the chute unit 50 is disposed above the humidifier unit 38. In this case, the cool air blown from the blower unit 37 toward the humidifier unit 38 passes through the gap 72a between the chutes 50a and 50b, for example.

[0032] As a result, the amount of cool air that comes into contact with the humidifying unit 38 decreases, decreasing the amount of humidification by the humidifying unit 38. Therefore, in the humidifying device of the second embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the humidifying device 30 of the first embodiment, a shielding plate is further provided to prevent a gap formed between the chute unit 50 and the humidifying unit 38.

[0033] Figures 6A and 6B are diagrams showing the configuration of a humidifier 30 according to a second embodiment. Figure 6A is a plan view illustrating a portion of the humidifier 30 according to the second embodiment. Figure 6B is a side view illustrating a portion of the humidifier 30 according to the second embodiment.

[0034] The humidifier 30 of the second embodiment shown in Figures 6A and 6B includes a first shielding plate 61 as a shielding plate. In the second embodiment, the supply section 36 of the humidifier 30 is formed by a plurality of chute sections 50. In the example of Figures 6A and 6B, the plurality of chute sections 50 are disposed above each humidifier section 38. The first shielding plate 61 is disposed so as to shield the gaps between the chute sections 50.

[0035] 6A and 6B, the first shielding plate 61 is formed to shield each chute unit 50 on the front side (i.e., the -X direction side) where cool air is supplied from the blower unit 37. This allows the cool air blown from the blower unit 37 toward the humidifier unit 38 to be supplied to the humidifier unit 38 without passing through the gap 72a between the chutes 50a, 50b as in the conventional example shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. As a result, the amount of cool air supplied to the humidifier unit 38 can be increased, and the amount of humidification by the humidifier unit 38 can be increased.

[0036] (Third embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the humidifier according to the present invention will be described. The basic configuration of the humidifier of the third embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0037] 7A and 7B are diagrams showing the configuration of a humidifier 30 according to a third embodiment. Fig. 7A is a plan view illustrating a portion of the humidifier 30 according to the third embodiment. Fig. 7B is a side view illustrating a portion of the humidifier 30 according to the third embodiment.

[0038] In the humidifier 30 of the third embodiment shown in Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B, second shielding plates 62a and 62b are provided as shielding plates. In the third embodiment, the humidifier 30's humidifying section 38 is formed by a plurality of ice tanks 51. In the example of Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B, the ice tanks 51 are arranged in groups of three along the Y direction. The second shielding plate 62a is arranged to shield the gaps between the ice tanks 51. The second shielding plate 62b is arranged to shield the gaps between the ice tanks 51 and the side wall of the humidifier 30.

[0039] In the example of Figures 7A and 7B, second shielding plate 62a is formed in a V-shape along the side of ice tank 51 between ice tanks 51. This allows the cold air blown from blower 37 toward humidifier 38 to come into contact with the surface of ice tank 51 without passing through gap 71a between ice tanks 51a and 51b as in the conventional example shown in Figures 5A and 5B. As a result, the amount of humidification by humidifier 38 can be increased.

[0040] 7A and 7B, second shielding plate 62b is formed obliquely along the side surface of ice tank 51c between ice tank 51c and the side wall of humidifier 30. This allows the cold air blown from blower 37 toward humidifier 38 to come into contact with the surface of humidifier 38 without passing through gap 71b between humidifier ice tank 51c and the side wall of humidifier 30' as in the conventional example shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. As a result, the amount of humidification by humidifier 38 can be increased.

[0041] (Fourth embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the humidifier according to the present invention will be described. The basic configuration of the humidifier of the fourth embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 3, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0042] Figures 8A and 8B are diagrams showing the configuration of a humidifier 30 according to a fourth embodiment. Figure 8A is a plan view illustrating a portion of the humidifier 30 according to the fourth embodiment. Figure 8B is a side view illustrating a portion of the humidifier 30 according to the fourth embodiment.

[0043] 8A and 8B, the humidifier 30 of the fourth embodiment includes the first shielding plate 61 described in the second embodiment and the second shielding plates 62a and 62b described in the third embodiment as shielding plates. The details of the first shielding plate 61 and the second shielding plates 62a and 62b overlap with the descriptions of the second and third embodiments, so the description will be simplified.

[0044] In the humidifier 30 of the fourth embodiment, in addition to the first shielding plate 61, second shielding plates 62a and 62b are provided. This prevents the cold air blown from the blower 37 toward the humidifier 38 from passing through the gap 72a between the shooters 50a and 50b, the gap 71a between the ice tanks 51a and 51b, or the gap 71b between the ice tank 51c located immediately adjacent to the side wall of the humidifier 30' and the side wall of the humidifier 30', as in the conventional case shown in Figures 5A and 5B. As a result, the cold air can be brought into contact with the surface of the humidifier 38, and the amount of humidification by the humidifier 38 can be increased.

[0045] Fifth embodiment Next, a fifth embodiment of the humidifier according to the present invention will be described. The basic configuration of the humidifier of the fifth embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0046] 9A and 9B are diagrams showing the configuration of a humidifier 30 according to a fifth embodiment. Fig. 9A is a plan view illustrating a portion of the humidifier 30 according to the fifth embodiment. Fig. 9B is a side view illustrating a portion of the humidifier 30 according to the fifth embodiment.

[0047] In the humidification device 30 of the fifth embodiment shown in Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B, another ice tank 78 is provided between the multiple ice tanks 51. In the example of Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B, the multiple ice tanks 38 are arranged in groups of three along the Y direction. The other ice tank 78 is arranged between the ice tanks 51 along the side of the other ice tanks 51. This allows the cold air blown from the blower 37 toward the humidification unit 38 to come into contact with the surface of the newly provided other ice tank 78 without passing through the gap 71a between the ice tanks 51a and 51b as in the conventional case shown in Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B. As a result, the amount of humidification can be increased by the ice tank 78.

[0048] In addition, in the fifth embodiment, a second shielding plate 62b may be provided as in the second embodiment. This allows the cold air blown from the blower 37 toward the humidifier 38 to come into contact with the surface of the humidifier 38 without passing through the gap 71b between the ice tank 38c and the side wall of the humidifier 30' as in the conventional case shown in Figures 5A and 5B. As a result, the amount of humidification by the humidifier 38 can be increased. [Industrial Applicability]

[0049] The humidifier of the present invention has the effect of increasing the amount of humidification when humidifying with ice, and is suitable for all types of humidifiers. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 10 Storage 20 Cooling section 30 Humidifier 31 Intake 32 Outlet 33 Control Unit 34 Ice maker 35 Ice conveyor 36 Supply section 37 Blower 38 Humidification unit 39 Heating section 40 Insulation section 50 Shooter Club 51 Ice filling tank 61 1st shielding plate 62a 2nd shielding plate 62b 2nd shielding plate 78 Ice-filled tank 100 Temperature and humidity control device

Claims

1. a supply unit for supplying crushed ice; A blower that blows basic cool air; A humidification unit that humidifies the basic cool air blown from the blowing unit by the crushed ice supplied by the supply unit; A humidifier comprising: a heating unit that melts the crushed ice supplied by the supply unit.

2. The humidifier according to claim 1, The supply section is formed in a hollow shape, A humidifier characterized by:

3. The humidifier according to claim 1, The humidifying unit includes an ice-filled tank having a plurality of holes formed between an inner edge and an outer edge to allow air and water to pass therethrough, The supply unit is hollow and shaped to guide the water melted by the heating unit to the inner edge of the ice-filled tank. A humidifier characterized by:

4. The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The heating section is disposed outside or inside the supply section. A humidifier characterized by:

5. The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, At least a part of the supply unit is inserted into an upper portion of the humidification unit. A humidifier characterized by:

6. The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The heating unit further includes a heat insulating unit that insulates the heating unit from the surroundings. A humidifier characterized by:

7. The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The heater further includes a shielding plate for closing a gap formed by the supply unit and the humidifying unit. A humidifier characterized by:

8. The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The supply unit is formed by a plurality of shooters, The apparatus further includes a first shielding plate for shielding the gap between the chute portions. A humidifier characterized by:

9. The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The humidification section is formed by a plurality of ice-filled tanks, The ice storage tank further includes a second shielding plate for shielding the gap between the ice storage tanks. A humidifier characterized by:

10. The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 6, Further comprising a first shielding plate and a second shielding plate, The supply unit is formed by a plurality of shooters, The first shielding plate shields the gap between the chute portions, The humidification section is formed by a plurality of ice-filled tanks, The second shielding plate shields the gap between the ice-filled tanks. A humidifier characterized by:

11. The humidifier according to claim 9 or 10, The side surfaces of the ice tanks are inclined with respect to the direction of the basic cold air blown by the blower, The second shielding plate is formed between the ice tanks and inclined along the inclination of the ice tanks. A humidifier characterized by:

12. The humidifier according to any one of claims 9 to 11, A further ice-filled tank is provided between the plurality of ice-filled tanks. A humidifier characterized by:

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