Pallets and containers

Abstract

To form a stable electromagnetic field in a container (an internal space of the container) to maintain freshness of objects to be cooled (stored) for a long time and reduce installation costs of a field generation device.SOLUTION: A pallet 21 is disposed at an indoor space in which a refrigeration machine 8 is installed and includes: multiple first conductor plates 211 laid on one surface of the pallet 21; and a generator 10 for applying a voltage to the first conductor plates 211 to form electromagnetic fields in a space formed by the first conductor plates 211, a second conductor plate 22 forming a ceiling surface 6 facing the one surface at the indoor space, and insulation plates 23 forming surfaces 7 facing the interior of the indoor space and excluding the one surface and the ceiling surface 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , , , , , , ,

[0005]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pallet and a container.

Background Art

[0002] As a storage method for maintaining the freshness of cooled objects (objects to be stored) such as foods and living bodies for a long time, a method of forming an electric field (electrostatic field atmosphere) in the space inside a warehouse in combination with refrigerated storage or frozen storage is known. In this method, by applying a high voltage inside the warehouse to form an electric field by voltage vibration while refrigerating the cooled object, the cooled object is made difficult to freeze even near the freezing point. As a result, long-term storage near the freezing point becomes possible (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The above-described storage method is a technique for making a cooled object difficult to freeze by applying a high voltage to form an electric field and causing the water molecules of the cooled object to vibrate slightly so that they are difficult to bond to each other. Therefore, in this storage method, it is important to stably form an electric field inside the warehouse. Further, when the cooled object is transported and moves between a plurality of refrigerated containers, refrigerated chambers, etc. and the storage location is changed, an electric field generator for stably forming an electric field inside the warehouse must be attached to all refrigerated containers, refrigerated chambers, etc. where the cooled object may be stored.

[0005] The pallets and containers in this invention were devised in view of these challenges, with the aim of forming a stable electromagnetic field inside the storage area to maintain the freshness of the items to be cooled (items to be stored) for a long period of time, and to reduce the cost of installing an electric field generator. However, this is not the only objective of this invention; another objective is to achieve effects and benefits that cannot be obtained by conventional technology, which are derived from the various configurations shown in the embodiments for carrying out the invention described later. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) The pallets disclosed herein are to be placed in a room equipped with a refrigerator. One of several palettes A pallet, the aforementioned One A plurality of first conductor plates laid on one surface of the pallet, and a voltage is applied to the plurality of first conductor plates, multiple A first conductor plate, a second conductor plate forming a ceiling surface facing the first surface in the room, and a surface facing the interior of the room and the first table The space is composed of an insulating plate that forms a surface and a surface other than the ceiling surface, and includes a generating device for forming an electromagnetic field. The generating device controls the application of voltage to the plurality of first conductor plates laid on one pallet and the other pallets among the plurality of pallets. ru.

[0007] (2) Preferably the pallet further comprises a non-conductive plate laid on one surface so as to cover the plurality of first conductive plates.

[0008] (3) Preferably, the plurality of first conductor plates are laid on the surface of the first conductor plate with gaps between them, and the generating device controls the voltage applied to each of the first conductor plates.

[0010] (5) The container disclosed herein is equipped with a refrigeration unit, multiple A container in which pallets are placed, multiple palette each A plurality of first conductor plates laid on one surface, a second conductor plate forming a ceiling surface opposite to the first surface, an insulating plate forming a surface facing the inside of the container excluding the first surface and the ceiling surface, and multipleA generating device for applying a voltage to a first conductor plate to form an electromagnetic field in the internal space of the container. The generating device controls the application of voltage to the plurality of first conductor plates laid on one pallet and the other pallets, respectively. and.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the disclosed container, a stable electromagnetic field can be formed in the storage (internal space of the container), so that the freshness of the object to be cooled (object to be stored) can be maintained for a long time, and the installation cost of the electric field generating device can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing a container according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a view seen from the outside of the container with the opening / closing door of the container of FIG. 1 open. [Figure 3] It is a view (a view corresponding to FIG. 2) for explaining the operation of the container of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a plan sectional view for explaining the arrangement of the pallet 21 in the container of FIG. l. [Figure 5A] It is the measurement result of the electric field distribution in the container of FIG. 1. [Figure 5B] It is the measurement result of the electric field distribution in the container of FIG. 1. [Figure 5C] It is the measurement result of the electric field distribution in the container of FIG. 1. [Figure 5D] It is the measurement result of the electric field distribution in the container of FIG. 1. [Figure 5E] It is the measurement result of the electric field distribution in the container of FIG. 1. [Figure 5F] It is the measurement result of the electric field distribution in the container of FIG. 1. [Figure 5G] It is the measurement result of the electric field distribution in the container of FIG. 1. [Figure 5H] It is the measurement result of the electric field distribution in the container of FIG. 1. [Figure 5I] It is the measurement result of the electric field distribution in the container of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] It is a diagram for explaining the measurement locations of the electric field distributions shown in FIGS. 5A to 5I. [Figure 7] It is a unit conversion table for electric fields.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Referring to the drawings, the pallet 21 and the container 1 as embodiments will be described. The embodiments shown below are merely examples, and there is no intention to exclude various modifications and applications of technologies not explicitly shown in the following embodiments. The configuration of this embodiment can be variously modified and implemented without departing from their gist. Also, it can be selectively adopted as necessary or combined as appropriate.

[0014] [1. Configuration] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the container 1 of this embodiment. The container 1 is a storage for refrigerating and storing objects to be cooled such as food and living bodies (hereinafter referred to as "objects to be stored") inside it, and is used, for example, in cargo transportation. A well-known refrigerator 8 is attached to the container 1. The container 1 of this embodiment has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the refrigerator 8 is arranged on one end side in the longitudinal direction (upper left in FIG. 1), and the opening / closing door 5 is arranged on the other end side in the longitudinal direction (lower right in FIG. 1). That is, the container 1 of this embodiment has an opening only on the other end side, and this opening is closed by the opening / closing door 5.

[0015] The refrigerator 8 is arranged in the accommodation part 9 provided on one end side of the container 1. The accommodation part 9 is a part formed by being recessed from the end face on one end side of the container 1 toward the internal space side of the container 1.

[0016] Multiple pallets 21 are placed on the bottom surface 2 of container 1. In the example shown in Figure 1, 12 pallets 21 (6 in the longitudinal direction × 2 in the width direction) are placed on the bottom surface 2 of container 1. The longitudinal and width directions of the pallets 21 in Figure 1 may be, for example, 1000 mm × 1000 mm (or 1100 mm × 1100 mm). That is, in Figure 1, since 6 pallets 21 in the longitudinal direction × 2 pallets 21 in the width direction are placed across one side of the bottom surface 2 of container 1, the dimensions of the bottom surface 2 of container 1 are 6000 mm (or 6600 mm) in the longitudinal direction and 2000 mm (or 2200 mm) in the width direction.

[0017] A portion of the generator 10 for forming an electromagnetic field and a down transformer 14 are arranged in the internal space formed between the top and bottom surfaces of the pallet 21.

[0018] The generator 10 includes a control box 11 that incorporates a transformer for generating high voltage and control means, a relay device 12 that controls the application of voltage to the first conductor plate 211 (described later), and a high-voltage cable 13. The high-voltage cable 13 is provided at the portion connecting the control box 11 and the relay device 12, the portion connecting the relay device 12 and the first conductor plate 211, and the portion connecting the pallet 21 to other pallets 21.

[0019] The step-down transformer 14 reduces the voltage of the refrigerator 8 or external power supply and supplies power to the control box 11 of the generator 10. The terminal block of the step-down transformer 14 is connected to the terminals at the end of the power cable of the refrigerator 8 and the terminals at the end of the power cable of the control box 11, respectively. Note that the connection method of these devices (step-down transformer 14, control box 11, relay device 12, etc.) is just one example.

[0020] The generator 10 and the step-down transformer 14 only need to be installed on at least one of the multiple pallets 21 arranged inside the container 1. The pallet 21 equipped with the generator 10 and the step-down transformer 14 (in other words, the main pallet 21) is connected to the other pallets 21 by high-voltage cables 13, thereby applying voltage to the first conductor plates 211 of the other pallets 21. Note that the main pallet 21 and each of the other pallets 21 do not need to be directly connected by high-voltage cables 13. For example, the main pallet 21 may be connected to a first other pallet 21, the first other pallet 21 to a second other pallet 21, the second other pallet 21 to a third other pallet 21, and so on, with each pallet 21 being connected in a daisy-chain fashion by high-voltage cables 13.

[0021] Multiple (three in the example shown in Figure 1) first conductor plates 211 are laid on the surface of each pallet 21. In the example shown in Figure 1, three first conductor plates 211 are laid parallel to the width direction of the container 1, but the first conductor plates 211 may also be laid parallel to the longitudinal direction of the container 1. Furthermore, an insulated plate 212 is laid on top of the multiple first conductor plates 211 so as to cover them all. As the insulated plate 212, a thin plate made of a material such as resin (FRP, ABS) or foamed polyethylene can be used.

[0022] Next, the internal structure of container 1 will be described. Figure 2 is a view from outside the container of container 1 with the opening door 5 of container 1 in Figure 1 open. As shown in Figure 2, container 1 comprises a plurality of pallets 21 forming a first conductor plate 211 laid on the internal bottom surface 2, a second conductor plate 22 forming a ceiling surface 6 opposite the bottom surface 2, and insulating plates 23 that form the surfaces facing the inside of container 1, excluding the bottom surface 2 and the ceiling surface 6. In other words, only the top and bottom surfaces (the surfaces with the shaded pattern in Figure 2) of container 1 conduct electricity, while the other surfaces (the surfaces with the dotted pattern in Figure 2) do not conduct electricity. As a result, when a voltage is applied to one conductor plate (first conductor plate 211), the electricity flows to the other conductor plate (second conductor plate 22), which conducts electricity more easily, thus forming a stable electromagnetic field.

[0023] For the first conductor plate 211 and the second conductor plate 22, thin metal plates such as aluminum plates or stainless steel plates can be used. If the ceiling surface 6 of the container 1 is originally made of a conductor, the ceiling surface 6 can be used as the second conductor plate 22. On the other hand, even if the bottom surface 2 of the container 1 is originally made of a conductor, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, multiple first conductor plates 211 are arranged in a row by multiple pallets 21 so as to cover the entire bottom surface 2. The items to be stored are placed on top of the first conductor plates 211.

[0024] As the insulating plate 23, a thin plate made of a material such as resin (FRP, ABS) or foamed polyethylene can be used. The insulating plate 23 is attached to both sides 7 in the width direction of the container 1, the side (inner surface) facing the inside of the opening / closing door 5, and the side 7 at one end in the longitudinal direction. The method of attachment is not particularly limited and can be attached with industrial adhesive or double-sided tape. It is preferable to seal the gaps after attaching the insulating plate 23.

[0025] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of container 1 in Figure 1 (corresponding to Figure 2). According to container 1 described above, an electromagnetic field can be generated by applying a voltage to the first conductor plate 211 laid on the bottom surface 2. However, since the inner surfaces other than the bottom surface 2 and the top surface 6 are made of insulating plates 23, the direction of the flow of electricity can be determined to be from bottom to top, as shown in Figure 3. In other words, in container 1 described above, the voltage (electricity) applied to the first conductor plate 211 flows towards the top surface 6, which is easier to flow through, thus forming a stable electromagnetic field.

[0026] Figure 4 is a plan cross-sectional view illustrating the arrangement of pallets 21 within container 1 in Figure 1. In the example shown in Figure 4, pallets #1-1 to #1-6 and #2-1 to #2-6 are arranged as pallets 21 within container 1. Pallets #1-1 to #1-6 belong to electrode group #1, and pallets #2-1 to #2-6 belong to electrode group #2. Electrode group #2 is located on the entrance side of container 1 (the side of the opening / closing door 5 in Figure 1), and electrode group #1 is located on the side opposite the opening / closing door 5 (the side of the refrigerator 8 in Figure 1).

[0027] One of the pallets #1-1 to #1-6 belonging to electrode group #1 may function as the main pallet 21, and one of the pallets #2-1 to #2-6 belonging to electrode group #2 may also function as the main pallet 21. The main pallet 21 of each electrode group applies a voltage to the first conductor plate 211 of the main pallet 21 and to the first conductor plates 211 of other pallets 21 belonging to the same electrode group. The main pallet 21 may apply the voltage to one or more pallets 21 sequentially in a relay manner. Note that electrode groups are not defined, and one main pallet 21 may apply a voltage to the first conductor plates 211 of all pallets 21 in container 1. Also, three or more electrode groups may be defined within container 1.

[0028] In Figure 4, the direction from left to right when viewing container 1 from the entrance side to the back is defined as the x-axis, the direction from the entrance side to the back is defined as the y-axis, and the vertically upward direction is defined as the z-axis. Additionally, point A1 is defined between container #1-1 and container #1-2, point A2 is defined in the center of container #1-3, point A3 is defined between container #1-3 and container #1-4, point A4 is defined in the center of container #1-4, and point A5 is defined between container #1-5 and container #1-6.

[0029] A voltage of 3.5 kV was applied to pallets #1-1 to #1-6. When the electric field strength was measured at a height near the first conductor plate 211 at points A1 to A5, the values ​​were 15.841 kV / m, 11.455 kV / m, 10.295 kV / m, 11.893 kV / m, and 15.024 kV / m, respectively. When the electric field strength was measured at a height approximately midway between the first conductor plate 211 and the second conductor plate 22 at points A1 to A5, the values ​​were 0.678 kV / m, 0.8396 kV / m, 0.9667 kV / m, 0.9432 kV / m, and 0.7986 kV / m, respectively. At points A1 to A5, the electric field strength was measured at a height near the second conductor plate 22 and was found to be 0.1663 kV / m, 0.321 kV / m, 0.4 kV / m, 0.3142 kV / m, and 0.2093 kV / m, respectively. The electric field strength is low at a height near the second conductor plate 22, and the electric field strength is generally symmetrical with respect to the x-axis and y-axis directions.

[0030] Next, when an electric field sensor was placed on a stack of cardboard sheets arranged vertically (near the midpoint between the first conductor plate 211 and the second conductor plate 22) and the electric field strength was measured, the reading at point A3 was 5.1342 kV / m. In other words, the electric field strength on a dielectric material such as cardboard was higher compared to the electric field strength of 0.9667 kV / m at the same location when no cardboard or similar material was placed.

[0031] Figures 5A to 5I show the measurement results of the electric field distribution inside container 1 in Figure 1. Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the measurement locations of the electric field distribution shown in Figures 5A to 5I. Figure 7 is a unit conversion table for electric fields. As shown in Figure 6, nine electric field sensors 100 (electric field sensors #1 to #9) are placed on any plane parallel to the surface of the first conductor plate 211. Converting the units of electric field [dBkV / m] shown in Figures 5A to 5I to electric field [kV / m] results in the unit conversion table shown in Figure 7.

[0032] Figure 5A shows the electric field distribution measured by electric field sensors #1 to #9 on planes Z=0, +20, and +40. Figure 5B shows the electric field distribution based on the electric field strength measured by electric field sensors #2, #4, #6, and #8 on any plane from Z=0 to +50. Figure 5C shows the electric field distribution at a cross-section of Y=-15 based on the electric field strength measured by electric field sensors #4 to #9 on any plane from Z=0 to +50. Figure 5D shows the electric field distribution at a cross-section of Y=-10 based on the electric field strength measured by electric field sensors #4 to #9 on any plane from Z=0 to +50. Figure 5D also shows the electric field distribution at a cross-section of Y=-5 based on the electric field strength measured by electric field sensors #4 to #9 on any plane from Z=0 to +50. Figure 5F shows the electric field distribution at a cross-section of Y=-0 based on the electric field strength measured by electric field sensors #4 to #6 on any plane from Z=0 to +50. Figure 5G shows the electric field distribution in a cross-section at Y=5 based on the electric field strength measured by electric field sensors #1 to #6 in any plane between Z=0 and +50. Figure 5H shows the electric field distribution in a cross-section at Y=10 based on the electric field strength measured by electric field sensors #1 to #6 in any plane between Z=0 and +50. Figure 5I shows the electric field distribution in a cross-section at Y=15 based on the electric field strength measured by electric field sensors #1 to #6 in any plane between Z=0 and +50.

[0033] As shown in Figures 5A to 5I, the electric field strength is high around Z=0 and low around Z=50.

[0034] [2. Effects]

[0035] (1) The pallet 21 comprises a plurality of first conductor plates 211 laid on one surface of the pallet 21, and a generator 10 for forming an electromagnetic field in the space composed of the first conductor plates 211, a second conductor plate 22 that forms a ceiling surface 6 facing one surface inside the room, and an insulating plate 23 that forms a surface facing the interior of the room, excluding the bottom surface 2 and the ceiling surface 6, by applying a voltage to the plurality of first conductor plates 211. This makes it possible to form a stable electromagnetic field inside the storage area (the internal space of the container 1), thereby maintaining the freshness of the items to be cooled (items to be stored) for a long period of time and reducing the installation cost of the generator 10. Specifically, even when the items to be cooled are transported and moved between multiple refrigerated containers or freezers, etc., and the storage location is changed, it is sufficient to provide the generator 10 on the pallet 21 on which the items to be cooled are placed, so there is no need to prepare a generator 10 for each storage location of the items to be cooled.

[0036] (2) The pallet 21 further comprises an insulated plate 212 laid so as to cover a plurality of first conductor plates 211 on one surface. This prevents leakage of current from the first conductor plates 211 to the object being cooled.

[0037] (3) Multiple first conductor plates 211 are laid on a surface with gaps between them, and the generator 10 controls the voltage applied to each first conductor plate 211. This reduces the resistance of the capacitor formed by the first conductor plate 211 and the second conductor plate 22, thereby reducing the power consumption of the generator 10.

[0038] (4) Other pallets 21, each having at least multiple first conductor plates 211, are arranged inside the room, and the generator 10 controls the voltage application to each pallet 21 and the multiple first conductor plates 211 laid on each of the other pallets 21. As a result, only one generator 10 is needed for multiple pallets 21, and the power consumption is also reduced to that of one generator 10, thus significantly reducing power consumption.

[0039] [3. Others] The configuration of container 1 described above is merely an example and is not limited to that. For example, the side surface of container 1 may be curved, or openings and doors may be provided on the side surface of container 1. Furthermore, container 1 may be a refrigerated room capable of storing pallets 21.

[0040] In the embodiment described above, the generator 10 and the step-down transformer 14 are arranged on the pallet 21, but the arrangement of these devices is not limited to this. The generator 10 and the step-down transformer 14 may also be arranged on the container 1. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0041] 1: Container 2: Bottom 5: Opening and closing doors 6: Ceiling surface 7: Side view 8: Refrigerator 9: Detention Unit 10: Generator 11: Control Box 12: Relay device 13: High-voltage cable 14: Step-down transformer 21: Palette 22: Second conductor plate 23: Insulating board 100: Electric field sensor 211: First Conductor Plate 212: Insulated plate

Claims

1. One of several pallets placed in a room equipped with a refrigerator, A plurality of first conductive plates laid on one surface of the aforementioned pallet, A generator for generating an electromagnetic field in a space formed by the plurality of first conductor plates, the plurality of first conductor plates, a second conductor plate forming a ceiling surface facing the first surface in the room, and insulating plates forming surfaces facing the interior of the room, excluding the first surface and the ceiling surface, by applying a voltage to the plurality of first conductor plates, Equipped with, The generating device controls the application of voltage to the plurality of first conductor plates laid on one pallet and the other pallets, respectively, among the plurality of pallets, and is characterized by this pallet.

2. Non-conducting plate laid on the first surface so as to cover the plurality of first conductive plates The pallet according to claim 1, further comprising the following:

3. The plurality of first conductor plates are laid on the surface of the first conductor plate with gaps between them, The generating device controls the application of voltage to each of the plurality of first conductor plates. A pallet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is the same as the one described in claim 1 or 2.

4. A container equipped with a refrigeration unit and on which multiple pallets are placed, A plurality of first conductive plates laid on one surface of each of the plurality of pallets, A second conductive plate forming a ceiling surface opposite to the first surface, An insulating plate that forms a surface facing the inside of the container, excluding the first surface and the ceiling surface, A generator for applying a voltage to the plurality of first conductor plates to form an electromagnetic field in the internal space of the container, Equipped with, A container characterized in that the generating device controls the application of voltage to the plurality of first conductor plates laid on one of the plurality of pallets and on the other pallets, respectively.

5. Non-conducting plate laid on the first surface so as to cover the plurality of first conductive plates The container according to claim 4, further comprising the above.

6. The plurality of first conductor plates are laid on the surface of the first conductor plate with gaps between them, The generating device controls the application of voltage to each of the plurality of first conductor plates. The container according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that it is a container according to claim 4 or 5.

7. The generating device is provided on the pallet, A container according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that

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