Antechamber structure, storage vault, and its control system

Abstract

To suppress abrupt decrease of humidity in an internal space of a storage due to door opening / closing of the storage.SOLUTION: A storage system controls opening and closing of a front chamber structure 2 and doors 14, 24, in which a humidifier 23 is provided in an internal space 20 communicating with a storage 1 via a first door 14. By keeping the humidity of the internal space 20 of the front chamber structure 2 above an absolute humidity inside the storage, it is possible to prevent the humidity inside the storage from rapidly decreasing when the first door 14 is opened.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] It relates to a technology for humidity control in a storage vault.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in order to store temperature-controlled objects that require temperature management, such as foods like meat, fish, and vegetables, in a fresh state, a constant-temperature and high-humidity storage vault (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "storage vault") has been used. In order to prevent the temperature inside the freezer from rising significantly when storing and retrieving items, a pre-chamber is provided near the entrance door of the low-temperature freezer, and doors are provided at the entrance of the pre-chamber and the pre-chamber so that when the door of the freezer is opened, a large amount of cold air inside the freezer does not directly leak to the outside. By closing the entrance door of the pre-chamber and opening the door of the storage vault, the cold air of the storage vault can enter the pre-chamber, and the room temperature of the pre-chamber can be maintained between that of the storage vault and the outside air, suppressing a large and rapid change in the temperature inside the storage vault.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for humidifying air with a water shower in a closed space and blowing it into a storage vault. Since this document showers water in a closed space separate from the storage vault, it functions as a humidifying means for the storage vault and does not have a structure like the pre-chamber of the storage vault where people and objects can enter and exit because there is no door connecting to the outside.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When the humidification method inside the storage vault is not a rapid humidification method such as a water boiling method (steam method), an ultrasonic method, or a water spray method, but for example, a water evaporation type humidification method where the humidification inside the vault is slow, in dry regions, if the door of the storage vault is left open to the outside air for a long time, the water vapor inside the storage vault will leak to the outside, causing the humidity inside the vault to drop rapidly, and it will take a long time for the humidity inside the vault to recover, deteriorating the quality of stored items that require moisture retention such as the gonads of seafood, flower petals, and vegetables.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to suppress a rapid decrease in humidity in the internal space of the storage vault accompanying the opening and closing of the door of the storage vault.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] A humidifying device is provided in an internal space that communicates with the internal space of the storage vault with the first door, which is the door of the storage vault, open, and that communicates with the external space with the second door, which is the door of the pre-chamber structure, open.

[0008] When the second door is closed, the internal space of the pre-chamber structure is humidified, causing the first door to open. Even when the internal space of the storage vault communicates with the internal space of the pre-chamber structure, the difference in absolute humidity between the internal space of the pre-chamber structure and the internal space of the storage vault can be suppressed to be small. Therefore, in this state, a rapid decrease in humidity in the internal space of the storage vault is suppressed. Usually, the temperature of the internal space of the pre-chamber structure is often between the temperature inside the storage vault and the outside air. For example, if the absolute humidity of both spaces is the same, the relative humidity inside the pre-chamber structure with a higher temperature will be lower than the relative humidity inside the storage vault. However, if the air inside the pre-chamber structure enters the storage vault and the absolute humidity is the same, if the temperature inside the storage vault returns to its original state, the relative humidity will also return to the original relative humidity.

[0009] Preferably, in addition to the first humidifying device in the pre-chamber structure, a second humidifying device is provided in the internal space of the storage vault in the present invention.

[0010] Even when the first door is open, the difference in absolute humidity between the internal space of the anteroom structure and the internal space of the storage vault can be suppressed to be small by humidifying the internal space of the storage vault. Therefore, in this state, a rapid decrease in humidity in the internal space of the storage vault is suppressed.

[0011] The anteroom structure of the present invention preferably includes a humidification control device that controls the operation of the first humidification device so that the absolute humidity of the internal space of the anteroom structure is included in the target absolute humidity range of the storage vault.

[0012] The air in the internal space of the anteroom structure is humidified so that the absolute humidity of the internal space of the anteroom structure is included in the target absolute humidity range of the storage vault. Thereby, even when the first door is open and the internal space of the storage vault communicates with the internal space, if the absolute humidity of the internal space of the storage vault is included in the target absolute humidity range, the difference in absolute humidity between the internal space of the anteroom structure and the internal space of the storage vault can be suppressed to be even smaller. Therefore, in this state, a rapid decrease in humidity in the internal space of the storage vault is suppressed even more.

[0013] The anteroom structure of the present invention preferably includes at least one of an alarm control device that controls the operation of an alarm device to issue an alarm when the absolute humidity of at least one of the internal spaces of the anteroom structure and the storage vault becomes lower than the lower limit value of the target absolute humidity range, and a safety control device that controls the operation of a door drive device so that at least one of the first door and the second door of the storage vault remains in a closed state.

[0014] (1) When the absolute humidity of the internal space of the anteroom structure becomes lower than the lower limit value of the target absolute humidity, an alarm is output

[0015] When the absolute humidity in the internal space of the anteroom structure becomes lower than the lower limit value of the target absolute humidity range of the storage, the operation of the alarm device is controlled to output an alarm, so that the operator or the person working in the storage can recognize that the absolute humidity in the internal space of the anteroom has become lower than the lower limit value of the target absolute humidity range. As a result, when the first door is open, the operator or the person working in the storage closes the first door. By maintaining the closed state of the first door, the inflow of air from the internal space of the anteroom structure into the internal space of the storage can be prevented, and the humidity in the internal space of the storage can be prevented from further decreasing. Also, when the second door is open, the operator or the person working in the storage closes the second door. By maintaining the closed state of the second door, the inflow of air from the external space into the internal space of the anteroom structure can be prevented, and the humidity in the internal space of the anteroom structure can be prevented from further decreasing.

[0016] When the closed state of the second door is maintained and the first humidifier in the internal space of the anteroom structure is operating, the absolute humidity in the internal space of the anteroom structure can be controlled within the target absolute humidity range.

[0017] When the closed state of the first door is maintained and the second humidifier in the internal space of the storage is operating, the absolute humidity in the internal space of the storage can be controlled within the target absolute humidity range of the storage.

[0018] (2) When the absolute humidity in the internal space of the anteroom structure becomes lower than the lower limit value of the target absolute humidity and an alarm is output

[0019] When the absolute humidity in the internal space of the anteroom structure becomes lower than the lower limit value of the target absolute humidity range, the operation of the alarm device is controlled to output an alarm, so that the operator or the person working in the storage can recognize that the absolute humidity in the internal space of the anteroom has become lower than the lower limit value of the target absolute humidity range. As a result, when the second door is open, the operator or the person working in the storage closes the second door. By maintaining the closed state of the second door, the inflow of air from the external space into the internal space of the storage can be prevented, and the humidity in the internal space of the anteroom structure can be prevented from further decreasing.

[0020] When the absolute humidity of the internal space of the anteroom structure becomes lower than the lower limit value of the target absolute humidity range, the first safety control device controls the operation of the first door driving device so that the closed state of the first door is maintained, thereby preventing air from flowing from the internal space of the anteroom structure into the internal space of the storage vault and preventing the humidity in the internal space of the storage vault from further decreasing.

[0021] For example, when the absolute humidity of the internal space of the anteroom structure becomes lower than the lower limit value of the target absolute humidity range, the second safety control device controls the operation of the second door driving device so that the closed state of the second door is maintained, thereby preventing air from flowing from the external space into the internal space of the anteroom structure and preventing the humidity in the internal space of the anteroom structure from further decreasing.

[0022] For example, when the absolute humidity of the internal space of the storage vault becomes lower than the lower limit value of the target absolute humidity range of the storage vault, the second alarm device is controlled to issue an alarm, so that the operator or the person working inside the vault can recognize that the absolute humidity of the internal space of the anteroom is lower than the lower limit value of the target absolute humidity range. As a result, if the first door is open, the operator or the person working inside the vault closes the first door. By maintaining the closed state of the first door, air flow from the internal space of the anteroom structure into the internal space of the storage vault can be prevented, and further decrease in the humidity of the internal space of the storage vault can be prevented. Also, if the second door is open, the operator or the person working inside the vault closes the second door. By maintaining the closed state of the second door, air flow from the external space into the internal space of the anteroom structure can be prevented, and further decrease in the humidity of the internal space of the anteroom structure can be prevented.

[0023] For example, when the absolute humidity of the internal space of the anteroom structure becomes lower than the lower limit value of the target absolute humidity range, the third safety control device controls the operation of the first door driving device so that the closed state of the first door is maintained, thereby preventing air from flowing from the internal space of the anteroom structure into the internal space of the storage vault and preventing the humidity in the internal space of the storage vault from further decreasing.

[0024] For example, when the absolute humidity of the internal space of the anteroom structure becomes lower than the lower limit value of the target absolute humidity range, the fourth safety control device controls the operation of the second door driving device so that the closed state of the second door is maintained, thereby preventing the inflow of air from the external space into the internal space of the anteroom structure and preventing the humidity of the internal space of the anteroom structure from further decreasing.

[0025] A second aspect of the present invention is a storage system including the storage vault and the anteroom structure, and is a storage system provided with a sensor for measuring the absolute humidity of the storage vault.

[0026] The humidity of the internal space of the storage vault can be constantly managed by a sensor for measuring the absolute humidity of the storage vault.

[0027] Also, for example, it outputs to a first safety control device and a second safety control device that control the operation of the first door driving device and / or the operation of the second door driving device from the sensor, and by closing the first door and / or the second door, the humidity of the internal space of the storage vault and the internal space of the anteroom structure can be constantly controlled. Note that the first safety control device and the second safety control device may be integrated. The control device of the present embodiment is an integrated one of the first safety control device and the second safety control device.

Advantages of the Invention

[0028] By keeping the absolute humidity of the anteroom above the target humidity in the storage vault, it becomes possible to always keep the humidity in the storage vault near the target humidity.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0030] A case where a pre-chamber provided with humidifying means in the storage vault is required will be described. In a high-humidity environment south of Honshu, Japan, it is possible to easily maintain a high-humidity environment inside the storage vault just by compensating for the defrosting of the frost adhering to the heat transfer fins of the indoor temperature regulator. For example, in Table 2, when the outside air temperature in winter is 10°C and the relative humidity is 50%, even if the temperature drops to 0°C at 4.7 g / m 3 the relative humidity becomes 96%. However, in a dry area where the relative humidity is 35% or less at 10°C, when the outside air at 10°C enters the storage vault at 0°C, the relative humidity of the incoming air becomes 70% or less, and water vapor escapes every time the door is opened and closed. Table 1 shows the temperature and relative humidity of the coldest month among the past monthly average temperatures and monthly average relative humidities of winter low-humidity cities in major cities around the world. Also, the "0°C conversion humidity" is the relative humidity at that temperature in absolute humidity (g / m 3) It is the value of the relative humidity when it is converted to and the temperature is further set to 0°C. When viewed in terms of the humidity at 0°C conversion, it is 70% in Tokyo, 48% in Sapporo, 53% in Seoul, 60% in Oslo, and approximately 36% in Beijing. In the drying of food, the water activity that indicates the activity of the surface water on the food surface becomes a problem. However, except by actually measuring at the actual temperature for individual foods, the water activity cannot be known. Generally, the water activity of fresh foods is said to be 0.97 - 0.99. Therefore, the drying of food cannot be prevented unless the relative humidity in the storage is set to 97%RH or higher. However, since drying is due to the escape of free water from the food, in many cases, the taste and texture are better when an appropriate amount of free water has escaped. When the difference between the relative humidity and the water activity is large, water evaporates rapidly from the food surface, so the replenishment of water from inside the food cannot keep up, the water balance of the food is disrupted, and the value of the food decreases. Therefore, when storing food naked, the humidity in the storage should ideally be around 97 - 100%RH, but at least 80%RH or higher is required.

[0031]

Table 1

[0032]

Table 2

[0033] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10, embodiments of the front chamber structure and its control system according to the present invention will be described. 〔First Embodiment〕

[0034] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a storage for raw whole bluefin tuna (hereinafter referred to as "tuna") in a cold and dry region such as Hokkaido as described above.

[0035] In FIG. 1, it is installed on the cooler 11 at one end of the internal space 10 of the storage, and the evaporator 12 is installed at the diagonal other end. The cooler 11 adjusts the temperature inside the storage so that the temperature inside the internal space 10 of the storage becomes -0.5 to +1 °C. The evaporator 12 is an evaporator composed of a blower that blows air over the water surface of the water storage tank and sends moist air into the storage. The absolute humidity in the internal space 10 of the storage is within the first target absolute humidity range which is the target value of the storage corresponding to a relative humidity of 80 to 100% RH at each temperature (for example, when the temperature is 0 °C, it is 3.9 to 4.9 g / m 3 ) to humidify the storage. The first target absolute humidity range may be variously changed depending on the storage period of the stored items and the presence or absence of packaging. For example, the upper limit value of the first target absolute humidity range may be set to an absolute humidity corresponding to a relative humidity of less than 100% RH (for example, 97% RH, etc.) at each temperature. Also, when the food is packaged, for example, the lower limit value of the first target absolute humidity range may be set to an absolute humidity corresponding to a relative humidity different from 80% RH (for example, 70% RH, etc.) at each temperature.

[0036] In FIG. 1, a first temperature and humidity sensor module 13 is installed in the internal space 10 of the storage. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, it is installed on the ceiling near the first door 14 (to be described later) in the internal space 10 of the storage. The first temperature and humidity sensor module 13 provides information on the temperature and humidity environment in the internal space 10 of the storage to the control device 50 (to be described later).

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, a first door 14 is installed so that the internal space 10 of the storage and the internal space 20 of the front chamber communicate with each other.

[0038] In FIG. 1, a steam humidifier 21 is installed in the internal space 20 of the front chamber structure. The steam humidifier 21 is a steam humidifier that can humidify rapidly compared to the evaporator 12. The absolute humidity in the internal space 20 of the front chamber structure is within the second target absolute humidity range which is the target value of the front chamber structure corresponding to a relative humidity of 70 to 100% RH at each temperature (for example, when the temperature is 0 °C, it is 3.4 to 4.9 g / m 3) Humidify so as to be included therein. The second target absolute humidity range may be variously changed as long as it is equal to or higher than the intermediate value between the absolute humidity of the outside air and the absolute humidity inside the storage. For example, the upper limit value of the second target absolute humidity range may be set to the absolute humidity corresponding to less than 100% RH (for example, 95% RH, or 98% RH, etc.) of the relative humidity at each temperature. Also, for example, as long as it is equal to or higher than the intermediate value between the absolute humidity of the outside air and the absolute humidity inside the storage, the lower limit value of the second target absolute humidity range may be set to the absolute humidity corresponding to a relative humidity different from 70% RH (for example, 60% RH, or 80% RH, etc.) of the relative humidity at each temperature. The upper limit value and / or the lower limit value of the first target absolute humidity range and the upper limit value and / or the lower limit value of the second target absolute humidity range may be the same or different.

[0039] Hereafter, the lower limit value of the first target absolute humidity range shall be the first target humidity hereafter, and the lower limit value of the second target absolute humidity range shall be the second target humidity.

[0040] In FIG. 1, a second temperature and humidity sensor module 22 is installed in the internal space 20 of the front chamber structure. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, it is installed on the ceiling of the internal space 20 of the front chamber structure near a second door 23 to be described later.

[0041] In FIG. 1, a second door 23 is installed so that the external space communicates with the internal space 20 of the front chamber structure.

[0042] Tuna is sensitive to drying, and its quality deteriorates rapidly in a dry state. The drying and moisture absorption of food depend on the water activity on the food surface, but since the water activity varies depending on whether it has skin or not, the part, and the storage temperature, it is impossible to obtain an accurate water activity value other than by actual measurement. In the experiment, it was found that by keeping the inside of the storage at a relative humidity of around 97% RH near 0°C, the surface of the tuna can be moderately dried and stored in an ideal state.

[0043] In the internal space 10 of the vault, an evaporative humidifier 12 is installed instead of a water spray humidifier because there is a risk of contamination of the products due to water droplets adhering to them, and the internal space of the vault is humidified until it reaches near the saturation humidity. When the temperature is constant, evaporation becomes impossible when the saturation humidity is reached, so the formation of supersaturation is suppressed. When the temperature slowly drops and supersaturation occurs, water vapor condenses on the water storage surface due to the airflow inside the vault, so the formation of supersaturation is suppressed.

[0044] However, since the evaporation rate of the evaporative humidifier 12 is slow, if the humidity in the internal space 10 of the vault drops rapidly and significantly, it takes a long time to recover. It is necessary to prevent drying caused by the opening of the first door 14 and the second door 23, which are the causes of a significant decrease in humidity and an increase in temperature in the internal space 10 of the vault.

[0045] Although not shown, the anteroom structure of this embodiment includes a first door drive device 31 and a second door drive device 32. The same applies to the second and third embodiments described later.

[0046] Also, although not shown, the anteroom structure of this embodiment includes a first door opening / closing detection device 41 and a second door opening / closing detection device 42. The same applies to the second and third embodiments described later.

[0047] Furthermore, a control device 50 (corresponding to the storage system of the invention; not shown), which is an electronic unit composed of a microcomputer or the like, controls the first door drive device 31 and the second door drive device 32. The same applies to the second and third embodiments described later.

[0048] The storage system of the first embodiment will be specifically described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3.

[0049] That is, the first temperature and humidity sensor module 13 determines whether the humidity in the internal space of the vault is equal to or higher than the first target humidity (FIG. 3 / STEP101).

[0050] In the determination of STEP101, when it is determined that the humidity in the internal space of the storage vault is not equal to or higher than the first target humidity (Fig. 3 / STEP101..NO), the first temperature and humidity sensor module 13 sends a first humidity signal to the control device 50.

[0051] In the determination of STEP101, when it is determined that the humidity in the internal space of the storage vault is not equal to or higher than the first target humidity (Fig. 3 / STEP101..NO), the first door opening / closing detection device 41 determines whether the first door 14 is closed (Fig. 3 / STEP103).

[0052] In the determination of STEP103, when it is determined that the first door 14 is not closed (Fig. 3 / STEP103..NO), the first door opening / closing detection device 41 sends a first door opening signal to the control device 50.

[0053] The control device 50 that has received the first humidity signal and the first door opening signal sends a first drive signal to the first door drive device 31, and the first door drive device 31 is driven (Fig. 3 / STEP105). When the first door drive device 31 is driven, the first door 14 moves to close the entrance of the storage vault.

[0054] The first door opening / closing detection device 41 uses a first optical sensor module 60 that irradiates light to the first door 14. The first optical sensor module 60 measures the distance between the first door 14 and the optical sensor module 60, and determines that the first door 14 is closed when the distance becomes equal to or less than a predetermined distance. In addition to the optical sensor module, known sensor modules such as a current sensor module, a camera sensor module, and a proximity sensor module that can detect the opening and closing of the first door 14 can also be used. The same applies to the second door opening / closing detection device 42 described later.

[0055] When the processes of STEP101..NO, STEP103..NO, and STEP105 are repeated, the distance between the first optical sensor module 60 and the first door 14 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined distance, so the first door opening / closing detection device 41 determines that the first door 14 is closed.

[0056] When the first optical sensor module 61 determines that the first door 14 is closed, since the evaporator 12 in the internal space 10 of the storage vault is operating constantly, the water vapor generated from the evaporator stays in the internal space 10 of the storage vault. Therefore, the humidity in the internal space 10 of the storage vault becomes equal to or higher than the first target value.

[0057] In the above STEP101, when the first temperature and humidity sensor module 13 determines that the humidity is equal to or higher than the first target humidity (Figure 3 / STEP101..YES), the second temperature and humidity sensor module 22 determines whether the humidity is equal to or higher than the second target humidity (Figure 3 / STEP107).

[0058] When the second temperature and humidity sensor module 22 determines that the humidity is not equal to or higher than the second target humidity (Figure 3 / STEP107..NO), the second temperature and humidity sensor module 22 sends a second humidity signal to the control device 50.

[0059] Also, when the second door 23 is open, the second door open / close detection device 42 sends a second open signal to the control device 50 (Figure 3 / STEP109..NO). The control device 50 that has received the second humidity signal and the second open signal sends a second drive signal to the second door drive device 32, and the second door drive device 32 is driven (Figure 3 / STEP111). When the second door drive device 32 is driven, the second door 23 moves to close the internal space 20 of the front chamber structure.

[0060] When STEP101..YES, STEP107..NO, STEP109..NO, and STEP111 are repeated, the distance between the second optical sensor module 62 and the second door 23 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined distance. Therefore, the second optical sensor module 62 determines that the second door 23 is closed.

[0061] When it is determined that the second door 23 is closed, since the steam humidifier 21 is operating, the water vapor generated from the steam humidifier 21 stays in the internal space 20 of the front chamber structure. Therefore, the humidity in the internal space 20 of the front chamber structure becomes equal to or higher than the second target value.

[0062] Figure 4 shows a storage vault equipped with an alarm device 70 in the internal space 20 of the front chamber structure of the tuna storage vault of Figure 1.

[0063] Using the flowchart of FIG. 3, the storage system equipped with the warning device 70 will be described.

[0064] In the determination of STEP101 described above, when it is determined that the humidity in the internal space 10 of the storage vault is not equal to or higher than the first target humidity (see FIG. 3 / STEP101..NO), the first temperature and humidity sensor module 13 sends a first humidity signal to the control device 50. The control device 50 that has received the first humidity signal sends a first warning signal to the warning device 70. The warning device 70 that has received the first warning signal outputs a first warning so that an operator or a person working in the internal space 10 of the storage vault or the internal space 20 of the anteroom structure can recognize that the absolute humidity in the internal space 10 of the storage vault has become lower than the lower limit value of the target absolute humidity range.

[0065] In STEP101 above, when the first temperature and humidity sensor module 13 detects that it is equal to or higher than the first target humidity (see FIG. 3 / STEP101..YES), the second temperature and humidity sensor module 22 determines whether it is equal to or higher than the second target humidity (see FIG. 3 / STEP107). When the second temperature and humidity sensor module 22 determines that it is not equal to or higher than the second target humidity (see FIG. 3 / STEP107..NO), the second temperature and humidity sensor module 22 sends a second humidity signal to the control device 50. The control device 50 that has received the second humidity signal sends a second warning signal to the warning device 70.

[0066] The warning device 70 that has received the second warning signal outputs a second warning so that an operator or a person working in the internal space 10 of the storage vault or the internal space 20 of the anteroom structure can recognize that the absolute humidity in the internal space 20 of the anteroom structure has become lower than the lower limit value of the target absolute humidity range. 〔Second Embodiment〕

[0067] FIGS. 5 and 6 show a rice storage vault in a cold and dry region such as Hokkaido.

[0068] As shown in Fig. 5, a first temperature control device 11 is provided at an end of the internal space 10 of the storage vault. The first temperature control device 11 adjusts the air temperature in the internal space of the storage vault to be between -0.5°C and +1°C.

[0069] In Fig. 5, a first temperature and humidity sensor module 13 is installed in the internal space 10 of the storage vault. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, it is installed on the ceiling near the first door 14, which will be described later, in the internal space 10 of the storage vault. The first temperature and humidity sensor module 13 provides information on the temperature and humidity environment of the internal space 10 of the storage vault to a control device 50, which will be described later.

[0070] As shown in Fig. 5, a first door 14 is installed so that the internal space 10 and the internal space 20 of the storage vault communicate with each other.

[0071] As shown in Fig. 5, a steam humidifier 21 is installed in the internal space 20 of the anteroom structure. The steam humidifier 21 is a steam humidifier that can humidify rapidly compared with the evaporator 12, and humidifies so that the amount of water vapor in the air is always between 3.4 and 4.9 g / m 3 (second target absolute humidity range).

[0072] As shown in Fig. 5, a second temperature and humidity sensor module 22 is installed in the internal space 20 of the anteroom structure. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, it is installed on the ceiling near the second door 24, which will be described later, in the internal space 20 of the anteroom structure.

[0073] As shown in Fig. 5, the second door 24 is installed so as to communicate the external space and the internal space 20 of the anteroom structure.

[0074] Rice is less likely to have quality deterioration problems in a short-term low-humidity environment. The first temperature control device 11 provided in the internal space 10 of the storage vault needs to supplement water vapor by the amount of water discharged to the outside during dehumidification when cooling. The cooling of the first temperature control device 11 operates when the temperature of the internal space 10 of the storage vault rises due to heat intrusion from the surrounding heat-insulating panels and heat dissipation from the stored items, and when the first door 14 is opened for taking in and out the stored items in the storage vault. Since the spray type humidifier 21 in the internal space of the anteroom humidifies the internal space 20 of the anteroom to saturated humidity, water vapor is replenished from the internal space 20 of the anteroom when the first door 14 is opened. Since the first door 14 of the commercial refrigerator is frequently opened, water vapor is frequently supplied from the internal space 20 of the anteroom to the internal space 10 in the storage vault, and it can be prevented that the internal space 10 in the storage vault is in a low-humidity state for a long time.

[0075] There is no need to provide a humidifying means in the storage vault, so the maximum storage space can be taken. In addition, since the spray type humidifier 21 in the internal space of the anteroom structure does not directly spray into the storage vault, contamination of the stored items by water droplets can be prevented.

[0076] Using the flowchart of FIG. 7, the storage system of the second embodiment will be specifically described.

[0077] That is, the first temperature and humidity sensor module 13 in the internal space 10 of the storage vault determines whether the humidity in the internal space of the storage vault is equal to or higher than the first target humidity (FIG. 7 / STEP201).

[0078] In the determination of STEP201, when it is determined that the humidity in the internal space 10 of the storage vault is not equal to or higher than the first target humidity (FIG. 7 / STEP201..NO), the first temperature and humidity sensor module 13 sends a first humidity signal to the control device 50.

[0079] In the determination of STEP201, when it is determined that the humidity in the internal space of the storage vault is not equal to or higher than the first target humidity (FIG. 7 / STEP201..NO), the first door opening / closing detection device 41 determines whether the first door 14 is open (FIG. 7 / STEP203).

[0080] In the determination of STEP203, when it is determined that the first door 14 is not open (Fig. 7 / STEP203..NO), the first door opening / closing detection device 41 sends a first door closed signal to the control device 50.

[0081] The control device 50 that has received the first humidity signal and the first door closed signal sends a first drive signal to the first door drive device 31, and the first door drive device 31 is driven (Fig. 7 / STEP205). When the first door drive device 31 is driven, the first door 14 moves so as to close the entrance of the storage chamber.

[0082] When STEP201..NO, STEP203..NO, and STEP205 are repeated, the distance between the first optical sensor module 61 and the first door 14 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined distance, so the first door opening / closing detection device 41 determines that the first door 14 is open.

[0083] When the first door opening / closing detection device 41 determines that the first door 14 is open, since the evaporator 21 in the internal space 20 of the anteroom structure is always operating, the water vapor generated from the evaporator 21 moves to the internal space of the storage chamber, and the humidity in the internal space 10 of the storage chamber becomes equal to or higher than the first target value, and the process proceeds to STEP201..YES described later.

[0084] In the above STEP201, when the first temperature and humidity sensor module 13 detects that it is equal to or higher than the first target humidity (Fig. 7 / STEP201..YES), the second temperature and humidity sensor module 23 determines whether it is equal to or higher than the second target humidity (Fig. 7 / STEP207).

[0085] When the second temperature and humidity sensor module 22 is determined not to be equal to or higher than the second target humidity (Fig. 7 / STEP207..NO), the second temperature and humidity sensor module 22 sends a second humidity signal to the control device 50.

[0086] Also, when the second door 23 is open, the second door opening / closing detection device 42 transmits a second open signal to the control device 50 (Fig. 7 / STEP209..NO). The control device 50 that has received the second humidity signal and the second open signal transmits a second drive signal to the second door drive device 32, and the second door drive device 32 is driven (Fig. 7 / STEP211). When the second door drive device 32 is driven, the second door moves to close the internal space 20 of the front chamber structure.

[0087] When STEP201..YES, STEP207..NO, STEP209..NO, and STEP211 are repeated, the distance between the second optical sensor module 61 and the second door 23 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined distance, so the second door opening / closing detection device 42 determines that the second door 23 is closed.

[0088] When it is determined that the second door 23 is closed and the steam humidifier 21 is operating, the water vapor generated by the steam humidifier 21 stays in the internal space 20 of the front chamber structure, so the humidity in the internal space 20 of the front chamber structure becomes equal to or higher than the second target value. 〔Third Embodiment〕

[0089] In Fig. 8, 10 indicates the internal space of the storage vault, and 20 indicates the internal space 20 of the front chamber structure of the first embodiment.

[0090] In Fig. 8, a cooler 11 is installed at one end of the internal space 10 of the storage vault, and an evaporator 15 is installed at the other diagonal end. The cooler 11 adjusts the internal temperature of the storage vault 10 to be -0.5°C to +1°C. The evaporator 15 is an evaporator composed of a blower that blows air over the water surface of the water storage tank and sends moist air into the storage vault, and humidifies the air in the internal space 10 of the storage vault so that the amount of water vapor in the air is 3.9 to 5.5 g / m 3 (First target absolute humidity range).

[0091] In FIG. 8, a first temperature and humidity sensor module 13 is installed in the internal space 10 of the storage vault. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, it is installed on the ceiling near a first door 14, which will be described later, in the internal space 10 of the storage vault. The first temperature and humidity sensor module 13 provides information on the temperature and humidity environment of the internal space 10 of the storage vault to a control device 50, which will be described later.

[0092] In FIG. 8, a first door 14 is installed at the center of the lower side of the internal space 10 of the storage vault and communicates with the internal space of the anteroom.

[0093] In FIG. 8, a first temperature conditioner 15 near a second door, which will be described later, is installed in the internal space 20 of the anteroom structure.

[0094] In FIG. 8, a steam humidifier 21 is installed near the first temperature conditioner 15 in the internal space 20 of the anteroom structure. The steam humidifier 21 is a steam humidifier that can humidify rapidly compared with an evaporator 12, and humidifies the internal space 20 of the anteroom structure so that the amount of water vapor in the air becomes 3.4 to 4.9 g / m 3 above (the second target absolute humidity range).

[0095] In FIG. 8, a second temperature and humidity sensor module 22 is installed in the internal space 20 of the anteroom structure. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, it is installed on the ceiling near a second door 23, which will be described later, in the internal space 20 of the anteroom structure.

[0096] In FIG. 8, a second door 23 is installed at the lower part of the left side of the internal space 20 of the anteroom structure. The second door 23 communicates with the external space.

[0097] FIGS. 8 and 9 show a storage vault in which the internal space of the anteroom in the first embodiment is controlled to an intermediate temperature and humidity between the external space and the internal space of the storage vault. Tuna is stored in the internal space 10 of the storage vault, and the internal space 20 of the anteroom is used as a wine cellar for storing wine.

[0098] Adjacent to each other are storage spaces with different temperatures and humidities. The storage space with a greater difference from the outside air is placed at the back as the internal space 10 of the storage vault, and the storage space with a smaller difference is used as the internal space 20 of the anteroom. In this way, the space of the internal space 20 of the anteroom can be utilized without waste. The internal space 20 of the anteroom structure is provided with a steam humidifier 21 that can humidify relatively rapidly and a temperature controller 25, and the internal space 10 of the storage vault is provided with an evaporative humidifier 12 and a temperature controller 15. Thus, when the second door 23 is opened, the humidity of the internal space 20 of the anteroom structure where the temperature and humidity change rapidly can be stabilized, and it is possible to prevent the tuna stored in the internal space 10 of the storage vault from being contaminated by water droplets and condensation.

[0099] Using the flowchart of FIG. 10, the storage system of the second embodiment will be specifically described.

[0100] That is, the first temperature and humidity sensor module 13 determines whether the internal space of the storage vault is at or above the first target humidity (FIG. 10 / STEP301).

[0101] In STEP301, if the first temperature and humidity sensor module 13 determines that the internal space of the storage vault is not at or above the first target humidity (FIG. 10 / STEP301..NO), it sends a first humidity signal to the control device 50.

[0102] In the determination of STEP301, if it is determined that the humidity of the internal space of the storage vault is not at or above the first target humidity (FIG. 10 / STEP301..NO), the first door opening and closing detection device 41 determines whether the first door 14 is closed (FIG. 10 / STEP303).

[0103] In the determination of STEP303, if it is determined that the first door 14 is closed (FIG. 10 / STEP303..NO), the first door opening and closing detection device 41 sends a first door opening signal to the control device 50.

[0104] The control device 50 that has received the first humidity signal and the first door opening signal sends a first drive signal to the first door drive device 31, and the first door drive device 31 is driven (FIG. 10 / STEP305). When the first door drive device 31 is driven, the first door 14 moves so as to close the entrance of the storage.

[0105] When STEP301..NO, STEP303..NO, and STEP305 are repeated, the distance between the first optical sensor module and the first door 14 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined distance. Therefore, the first door opening / closing detection device 41 determines that the first door 14 is open.

[0106] When the first door opening / closing detection device 41 determines that the first door 14 is open, since the evaporator 21 in the internal space 20 of the front chamber structure is always operating, the water vapor generated from the evaporator 21 moves to the internal space of the storage, and the humidity in the internal space of the storage becomes equal to or higher than the first target value, and the process proceeds to STEP301..YES described later.

[0107] When the process proceeds to YES in STEP301, the first temperature and humidity sensor module 13 determines whether the temperature is equal to or higher than the first target temperature (FIG. 10 / STEP307).

[0108] When it is determined in STEP307 that the temperature is not equal to or higher than the first target temperature (FIG. 10 / STEP307..NO), the first temperature and humidity sensor module 13 sends a first temperature signal to the control device 50.

[0109] When the cooler 11 is operating, a cooler drive signal is sent to the control device 50.

[0110] The control device 50 that has received the first temperature signal and has not received the cooler drive signal determines that the cooler 11 is not operating (FIG. 10 / STEP309) and sends a cooler start signal to the cooler 11.

[0111] The cooler 11 that has received the cooler start signal starts operating. (FIG. 10 / STEP311) When the cooler 11 starts operating, the temperature inside the storage decreases, so the process proceeds to STEP307..YES.

[0112] In the above STEP307, when it is determined that the temperature of the internal space of the storage vault is equal to or higher than the first target humidity (Figure 10 / STEP307..YES), the second temperature and humidity sensor module 22 determines whether it is equal to or lower than the second target humidity (Figure 10 / STEP313).

[0113] When the second temperature and humidity sensor module 22 determines that it is not equal to or higher than the second target humidity (Figure 10 / STEP313..NO), the second temperature and humidity sensor module 22 sends a second humidity signal to the control device 50.

[0114] Also, when the second door 24 is open, the second door open / close detection device 42 sends a second open signal to the control device 50 (Figure 10 / STEP315..NO). The control device 50 that has received the second humidity signal and the second open signal sends a second drive signal to the second door drive device 32, and the second door drive device 32 is driven (Figure 10 / STEP317). When the second door drive device 32 is driven, the second door 23 moves to close the internal space 20 of the front chamber structure.

[0115] When STEP201..YES, STEP207..NO, STEP209..NO, and STEP211 are repeated, the distance between the second optical sensor module 61 and the second door 23 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined distance, so the second door open / close detection device 42 determines that the second door 23 is closed.

[0116] When it is determined that the second door 24 is closed, since the steam humidifier 21 is operating, the water vapor generated from the steam humidifier 21 stays in the internal space 20 of the front chamber structure, so the humidity of the internal space 20 of the front chamber structure becomes equal to or higher than the second target value (Figure 10 / STEP313..YES).

[0117] In the above STEP313, when the humidity of the internal space 20 of the front chamber structure becomes equal to or higher than the second target value (Figure 10 / STEP313..YES), the second temperature and humidity sensor module 22 determines whether it is within the second target temperature range (Figure 10 / STEP317).

[0118] In STEP317, when it is determined that the temperature is not within the range of the second target temperature (Fig. 10 / STEP317..NO), the second temperature and humidity sensor module 22 sends the second temperature signal to the control device 50.

[0119] When the second temperature control unit 25 is operating, it sends a temperature control unit drive signal to the control device 50.

[0120] The control device 50 that has received the first temperature signal and has not received the cooler drive signal determines that the cooler 11 is not operating (Fig. 10 / STEP319..NO) and sends a temperature control unit start signal to the second temperature control unit 25.

[0121] The second temperature control unit 25 that has received the temperature control unit start signal starts up. (Fig. 10 / STEP321) When the second temperature control unit 25 starts up, the temperature of the internal space 20 of the front chamber structure is adjusted within the second target temperature range.

[0122] In the internal space 20 of the front chamber structure, expensive wooden musical instruments, paintings, fabrics, paper cultural properties, etc. can be stored.

[0123] Only the alarm device 70 may be installed in the internal space 20 of the front chamber structure of the present invention, or the first door drive device 40 and / or the second door drive device 41 may be provided together. Further, the front chamber structure of the present invention may include only the first door drive device 40, or may include the second door drive device 41 together. Further, the front chamber structure of the present invention may include only the second door drive device 41.

[0124] The alarm device 70 outputs an alarm so that the operator or a person working inside the storage can recognize the situation inside the storage with the five senses. The alarm output may use known devices such as those that turn a relay ON / OFF, those that notify by sound with a buzzer, those that notify remotely by communication, those that notify with a lamp, those that notify by vibration or smell, etc. Note that the alarm device 70 of the present embodiment outputs a first alarm and a second alarm, but instead, it may include a first alarm device that outputs a first alarm and a second alarm device that outputs a second alarm.

[0125] In the above-described first to third embodiments, the first temperature and humidity sensor module 13 determines the temperature and humidity of the internal space 10 of the storage chamber, and various signals are sent to the control device 50 according to the determination result. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a temperature and humidity sensor provided in the internal space of the storage chamber measures the temperature and humidity of the storage chamber, and sends the measurement result to the control unit. The control unit that has received the measurement result may determine whether the temperature and humidity of the internal space of the storage chamber are within the target temperature range and / or the target absolute humidity range. Further, without being limited thereto, other sensor modules such as a temperature and humidity sensor module for the internal space of the front chamber structure may have the same configuration.

[0126] In the above-described first to third embodiments, the first target absolute humidity range and the second target absolute humidity range are 3.4 to 4.9 g / m of the amount of water vapor in the air 3 However, the target absolute humidity range in the control system of the present invention is not limited thereto. The target absolute humidity range may be determined according to the temperature inside the storage chamber.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0127] 1 Storage chamber 2 Front chamber structure 10 Internal space of the storage chamber 11 Refrigerator 12 Evaporative humidifier 13 First temperature and humidity sensor module 14 First door 15 First temperature control unit 20 Internal space of the front chamber structure 21 Steam humidifier 22 Second temperature and humidity sensor module 23 Second door 25 Second temperature control unit 31 First door drive device 32 Second door drive device 41 First door opening / closing detection device 42 Second door opening / closing detection device 50 Control device 60 First optical sensor module 70 Alarm device

Claims

1. A first humidifying device is provided in the internal space of a pre-chamber structure that communicates with the internal space of a vault via a first door, and the first humidifying device humidifies the internal space of the pre-chamber structure to be equal to or higher than the target absolute humidity of the internal space of the vault. The pre-chamber structure and the vault.

2. When the absolute humidity of the internal space of at least one of the pre-chamber structure and the vault becomes lower than the lower limit value of the target absolute humidity range, an alarm control device that controls the operation of an alarm device to issue an alarm, and a safety control device that controls the operation of a door drive device so that at least one of the closed states of the first door of the vault and the second door through which the internal space of the external space and the pre-chamber structure communicate is maintained, comprising at least one of The pre-chamber structure and the vault according to claim 1.

3. The vault, the pre-chamber structure according to claims 1 to 2, in a storage system comprising a sensor for measuring the absolute humidity of the vault is provided Storage system.

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