Constant temperature and humidity device

Abstract

To provide a constant temperature / humidity device that easily uniformizes temperatures in a storage chamber by uniformizing temperatures on a fan suction side in the storage chamber.SOLUTION: A constant temperature / humidity device 10 comprises a storage chamber 22, a warm air passage TW having a warming heater 28, a circulation fan 25 adjacent to the storage chamber 22, and a fan cover 24 arranged between the storage chamber 22 and the warm air passage TW, comprises a structure for supplying air in the storage chamber 22 sucked by the fan 25, to the storage chamber 22 via the warm air passage TW and the warming heater 28, and comprises a short cycle generation mechanism for establishing communication between the warm air passage TW and the storage chamber 22 without involving the warming heater 28.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a constant temperature and humidity device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses, as one of the constant temperature and humidity devices, a fermentation device for fermenting foods such as donuts and bread dough. This fermentation device includes a storage chamber, a heating passage having a heater, and a circulation fan adjacent to the storage chamber. The fan sucks the air in the storage chamber and supplies it to the storage chamber through the heating passage.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] This disclosure provides a constant temperature and humidity device that easily equalizes the temperature in the storage chamber.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The constant temperature and humidity device in this disclosure includes a storage chamber, a heating passage having a heater, a circulation fan adjacent to the storage chamber, and a fan cover disposed between the storage chamber and the heating passage. In the constant temperature and humidity device that supplies the air in the storage chamber sucked by the fan to the storage chamber through the heating passage and the heater, a short-circuit generation mechanism that communicates the heating passage and the storage chamber without passing through the heater is provided.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] The constant temperature and humidity device in this disclosure stirs the air by the flow of the short circuit, making it easier to equalize the temperature in the storage chamber. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Perspective view of a constant temperature and humidity apparatus in Embodiment 1 [Figure 2] This figure shows the internal structure of the constant temperature and humidity apparatus in Embodiment 1, viewed from the front. [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view AA in Figure 2 [Figure 4] BB cross-section diagram in Figure 2 [Figure 5] Perspective view showing the circulation fan and surrounding components from the rear. [Figure 6] Perspective view showing the fan cover from the front. [Figure 7] Side cross-sectional view showing the outlet duct along with the surrounding structure. [Figure 8] Perspective view of the guide member [Figure 9] Perspective view showing the positioning section of the guide member along with the surrounding configuration. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] (Knowledge and other information that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time the inventors conceived of this disclosure, there was a technology for a constant temperature and humidity apparatus that included a storage chamber, a heater, and a circulating fan, in which the fan drew in air from the storage chamber and the heater supplied warm air to the storage chamber.

[0009] However, conventional technology had a problem where warm air could not reach certain parts of the storage chamber, resulting in areas with lower temperatures. Therefore, this disclosure provides a constant temperature and humidity device that facilitates the homogenization of the temperature inside the storage chamber.

[0010] Furthermore, at the time the inventors conceived of this disclosure, there was a technology for a constant temperature and humidity apparatus that included a door for opening and closing the storage chamber opening, and a wind deflector plate on the back of the door that projected diagonally upward toward the storage chamber. However, with conventional technology, the air deflector protrudes from the inside of the door when it is opened, which can get in the way when loading or unloading stored items. Therefore, this disclosure further provides a constant temperature and humidity device and a guide member that are advantageous for homogenizing the environment, such as temperature, inside the storage room and that facilitate the loading and unloading of stored items.

[0011] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, some unnecessarily detailed explanations may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. The attached drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand this disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0012] (Embodiment 1) Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to the drawings. [1-1. Overall Structure] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the constant temperature and humidity apparatus in Embodiment 1, and Figure 2 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the constant temperature and humidity apparatus in Embodiment 1 from the front side. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view AA of Figure 2, and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view BB of Figure 2. In this specification, the directions of the constant temperature and humidity apparatus 10, such as front, back, left, and right, are used based on Figures 1 and 2. For example, left and right in Figures 1 and 2 correspond to left and right of the constant temperature and humidity apparatus 10. Also, the front and rear of the constant temperature and humidity apparatus 10 are referred to as the front and back, respectively.

[0013] The constant temperature and humidity device 10 is a device that performs freeze-retard (thaw)-preheat-fermentation operations on food 1, such as donut dough or bread dough, and is also called a dough conditioner. Food 1 can also be referred to as stored food, fermentation target, or target object, etc. As shown in Fig. 1, the thermo-hygrostat 10 includes a main body 3 having a heat-insulating box 2 with an open front surface. A door 4 for opening and closing the front opening of the heat-insulating box 2 is attached to the main body 3. The heat-insulating box 2 is configured to be insulated with a foam-type heat-insulating material, and the door 4 is formed as a heat-insulating door insulated with a heat-insulating material. A machine room 5 (Fig. 2) is provided on one side of the left and right sides of the main body 3 (the left side of the heat-insulating box 2 in this configuration).

[0014] As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, in the machine room 5, a compressor 6, a condenser 7, a condenser fan 7F, an evaporator 8, and an evaporator fan 8F that constitute a refrigeration device are arranged. As shown in Fig. 2, the upper part of the left side surface of the heat-insulating box 2 is open, and an auxiliary heat-insulating material 9 is provided above the machine room 5 so as to close this opening from the outside. The evaporator 8 and the evaporator fan 8F are arranged in the auxiliary heat-insulating material 9. The space in the auxiliary heat-insulating material 9 communicates with a cold air passage TC described later through a cold air discharge duct 9B partitioned by a cold air passage partition plate 9A.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 1, the machine room 5 is surrounded by a panel 5P that forms a part of the exterior of the thermo-hygrostat 10, and a control panel 5CP is provided on the front surface of the panel 5P. The control panel 5CP is electrically connected to a control device 100 that controls each part of the thermo-hygrostat 10, and has a function of inputting various instructions from the user and displaying the operating state and the like. The control device 100 controls each part of the thermo-hygrostat 10 based on the instructions input through the control panel 5CP and the detection results of a sensor group 101 that detects the states of each part of the thermo-hygrostat 10. In this configuration, the control device 100 is built into the thermo-hygrostat 10. However, it is not limited to this configuration, and the control device 100 may be provided outside the thermo-hygrostat 10, and the thermo-hygrostat 10 may be remotely controlled by the control device 100.

[0016] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, an inner box 21 is arranged in the heat-insulating box 2 with a gap serving as a cold air passage TC left between the inner box 21 and the inner surface of the heat-insulating box 2. The inner box 21 is formed in a box shape with an open front surface and is made of a material having heat conductivity. A storage chamber 22 with an open front is provided inside the inner box 21. Above the storage chamber 22, an upper duct plate 23 is positioned with a gap between it and the inner box 21, which will serve as a downstream warm air passage TW. A fan cover 24 is positioned behind (towards the back of) the storage chamber 22, with a gap between it and the inner box 21, which will serve as an upstream warm air passage TW. In this way, the upper duct plate 23 and the fan cover 24 partition the warm air passage TW that extends from the back to the top of the storage chamber 22.

[0017] Multiple rails 41 are provided on the inner surfaces of both sides of the inner boxes 21 that make up the side walls of the storage chamber 22, spaced apart in the vertical direction. The left and right rails 41 support shelves 42 that extend in the front, back, left, and right directions within the storage chamber 22, allowing them to slide freely in the front, back, left, and right directions. The shelves 42 are made of a mesh-like plate material that allows air to pass through, and are also called donut mesh or screens. The rails 41 are sometimes also called donut mesh supports. The constant temperature and humidity device 10 in this configuration can accommodate six shelves 42 spaced apart in the vertical direction. Multiple food items 1 can be placed on each shelf 42 with spacing between them horizontally and vertically. For example, as shown in Figure 4, a total of 25 food items 1 can be placed, consisting of 5 on the left and 5 in the depth direction. Note that for the sake of explanation, only a portion of the arranged food items 1 are shown in Figure 2. The size, number, and shape of the food items 1 can be changed as appropriate.

[0018] On the opposite side of the storage chamber 22, separated by the fan cover 24, in the warm air passage TW at the back of the storage chamber 22, a circulation fan 25 (hereinafter referred to as the circulation fan 25), a humidifier 26, and an exhaust damper 27 are arranged. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the circulation fan 25 along with its surrounding components from the rear. As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the circulation fans 25 are arranged with a gap between them on the left and right. Each circulation fan 25 draws in air in front of it through the fan cover 24 and blows it out in the centrifugal direction. Figure 3 shows the airflow by the circulation fans 25 with arrows.

[0019] The humidifier 26 is located in the area below and to the left of the circulation fan 25 and humidifies the air drawn in by the circulation fan 25 under the control of the control device 100. The humidifier 26 is a heated type equipped with a water storage tank 26A and a humidifying heater 26B (hereinafter referred to as the humidifying heater 26B), but it is not limited to this configuration. The exhaust damper 27 is located in the area below and to the right of the circulation fan 25 and opens and closes an exhaust port that communicates with the cold air passage TC under the control of the control device 100.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, a heating element 28 (hereinafter referred to as the heating element 28) is positioned downstream of the warm air passage TW (above the inner box 21). The heating element 28 heats the air flowing through the warm air passage TW under the control of the control device 100. Therefore, as shown in Figure 3, the air blown by the circulation fan 25 towards the top of Figure 3 is heated by the heating element 28 downstream of the warm air passage TW. The air heated by the heating element 28 is supplied to the connecting outlet 31F located at the very downstream end of the warm air passage TW. A dehumidifying fan 29 (hereinafter referred to as the dehumidifying fan 29) is provided above the inner box 21. The dehumidifying fan 29 can dehumidify the storage chamber 22 by introducing air from the cold air passage TC into the inner box 21 under the control of the control device 100.

[0021] On the inner surface of door 4 (the side facing the storage room 22), a discharge duct plate 32 is provided to partition the discharge duct 31 that communicates with the connecting discharge section 31F. The discharge duct 31 extends vertically on the front side of the storage room 22 and is a space that guides air from the connecting discharge section 31F from top to bottom. The discharge duct plate 32 is provided with outlets 32A and air deflectors 32B spaced apart vertically. The outlets 32A are provided on both the left and right sides of the storage chamber 22, and the air that flows into the discharge duct 31 from the connecting discharge section 31F is blown out into the storage chamber 22 from each outlet 32A. The air deflectors 32B are provided on the opposite side (front side) of the storage chamber 22 of the discharge duct plate 32, and have the function of diverting the air in the discharge duct 31 to each outlet 32A, and adjusting the direction of the air blown out from each outlet 32A.

[0022] The position and shape of each air outlet 32A and each air deflector 32B are configured to blow air into each of the spaces partitioned by each shelf 42. In this configuration, as shown in Figure 3, each air outlet 32A and each air deflector 32B are configured to blow air diagonally downwards toward each shelf 42 from a position in front of and above each shelf 42. In addition, each air deflector 32B is longer from the top down to prevent air from the connecting air outlet 31F from going too far to the upper levels. The inclination angle of each air deflector 32B is the same. However, the shape and inclination angle of each air deflector 32B may be changed as appropriate.

[0023] With the above configuration, the operation of the circulation fan 25 allows the air heated by the heating heater 28 and humidified by the humidifier 26 (which can also be called regulated air, heated air, or warm air) to be supplied to the storage room 22 via the warm air passage TW, the connecting outlet 31F, and the outlet duct 31, and then drawn in by the circulation fan 25. This allows air to circulate between the warm air passage TW and the storage room 22, making it possible to raise the temperature and humidity inside the storage room 22. In addition, the operation of the dehumidifying fan 29 and the opening and closing of the exhaust damper 27 allow the cold air in the cold air passage TC to be introduced into the storage room 22, enabling dehumidification inside the storage room 22.

[0024] The control device 100 acquires the temperature and humidity of the storage chamber 22 using the temperature sensor and humidity sensor included in the sensor group 101, and controls each part so that the storage chamber 22 reaches a predetermined target temperature and humidity. As a result, the constant temperature and humidity device 10 can be operated to create an environment suitable for thawing, preheating, and fermentation in the storage chamber 22.

[0025] Furthermore, the operation of the compressor 6, condenser 7, condenser fan 7F, evaporator 8, and evaporator fan 8F, which constitute the refrigeration system, generates low-temperature, low-humidity air (hereinafter referred to as "cold air"). This cold air circulates through the cold air passage TC around the inner box 21 in a clockwise direction as shown in Figure 2, thereby cooling the inside of the storage chamber 22. The control device 100 acquires the temperature of the storage chamber 22 using the temperature sensors included in the sensor group 101, and controls the storage chamber 22 to a target temperature suitable for freezing. As a result, the constant temperature and humidity device 10 can be operated to create an environment suitable for freezing in the storage chamber 22.

[0026] [1-2. Fan cover 24 and its surrounding components] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the fan cover 24 from the front (storage chamber 22 side). The fan cover 24 has an intake port 111 (hereinafter referred to as the first intake port 111) formed in the area AR0 corresponding to the front of the circulating fan 25. Numerous intake ports 111 are provided at intervals both vertically and horizontally. When the circulating fan 25 rotates, air from inside the storage chamber 22 is drawn in through these first intake ports 111 and discharged into the warm air passage TW, causing air to circulate between the storage chamber 22 and the warm air passage TW. This circulating air is heated by the heating heater 28 and used to regulate the temperature inside the storage chamber 22. Therefore, if there are areas where the circulating air does not reach sufficiently, it can lead to problems such as the fermentation of food 1 placed in those areas not progressing.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, the circulation fan 25 is positioned at the rear, corresponding to one horizontal side of the storage chamber 22, and the air from the warm air passage TW flows in from above to the front, corresponding to the other horizontal side of the storage chamber 22. Therefore, depending on the shape and airflow of the warm air passage TW, the air from the warm air passage TW may not reach a portion of the storage chamber 22 sufficiently. The inventors investigated and found that in a predetermined area S (see Figure 3) of the storage chamber 22, located on the intake side and below the circulation fan 25, the air heated by the heating element 28 did not reach sufficiently, resulting in a relatively low temperature.

[0028] In this configuration, the predetermined region S is the region of the lowest (6th) shelf 42 and the shelf 42 adjacent to this shelf 42 (the 5th shelf 42), and is the region on the fan intake side. Therefore, in this configuration, as indicated by the symbol WS in Figure 3, a short-cycle intake port 112 (hereinafter referred to as the second intake port 112) is provided on a part of the fan cover 24, as shown in Figure 6, so that a portion of the air blown by the circulating fan 25 is guided in a short cycle through a predetermined region S. The short-cycle airflow indicated by the symbol WS in Figure 3 makes it possible to agitate the air on the fan intake side and draw high-temperature air that has passed through the heating heater 28 into the predetermined region S, thereby making the temperature on the fan intake side, including the predetermined region S, uniform.

[0029] The second suction port 112 and its surrounding configuration will be described below. The second intake port 112 is provided in a range that allows a direct connection between the blower side and the intake side of the circulation fan 25, relative to the fan cover 24 that separates the blower side and the intake side of the circulation fan 25. This allows a portion of the air blown by the circulation fan 25 to be guided to the intake side of the circulation fan 25 in a short cycle. Furthermore, the second intake port 112 is positioned within its range so that the short-cycle air agitates the air in a region including a predetermined region S. The fan cover 24 and the second intake port 112 correspond to the "short-cycle generation mechanism" of this disclosure.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the second suction port 112 in this configuration includes a second suction port 112A on the far side that is relatively far from the circulation fan 25, and a second suction port 112B on the near side that is relatively close to the circulation fan 25, within the range facing the predetermined region S. In Figure 6, the region AR6L, which is close to the humidifier 26, and the region AR6R, which is not close to the humidifier 26 (corresponding to the region facing the exhaust damper 27), are shown, respectively, in the area facing the bottom shelf 42. Furthermore, Figure 6 also shows the region AR1, which is facing the top shelf 42, and the region AR5, which is facing the fifth shelf 42 adjacent to the bottom shelf. Region AR0 corresponds to the region facing the second to fourth shelves 42.

[0031] The second intake port 112A on the separation side is formed in region AR6L, which is opposite the lowest shelf 42 and close to the humidifier 26. No intake ports, including the second intake port 112A on the separation side, are formed in region AR6R, which is adjacent to region AR6L. If an intake port were formed in region AR6R, the humidifier 26 would act as resistance, making it easier for air to flow through the intake port in region AR6R than through the intake port in region AR6L. In other words, if intake ports were uniformly formed on the fan cover 24, the type, size, and placement of equipment located in the space between the fan cover 24 and the storage chamber 22, and below the circulation fan 25, could cause an imbalance in short-cycle airflow between the intake ports of the fan cover 24. Such an imbalance in short-cycle airflow can be improved by adjusting the number of intake ports provided at various points on the fan cover 24. In this configuration, by not forming an intake port in region AR6R adjacent to region AR6L, the imbalance in short-cycle airflow between region AR6R and region AR6L adjacent to the humidifier 26 is improved, thereby enabling appropriate heating of region AR6L adjacent to the humidifier 26. In particular, in this configuration, the humidifier 26 almost completely occupies the space between the fan cover 24's region AR6L and the back of the inner box 21, so appropriately heating region AR6L is suitable for appropriate heating of the storage chamber 22. Furthermore, since the air circulating in region AR6L, which is close to the humidifier 26, includes short-cycle air, it can agitate the air over a wide area including region AR6L, making it easier to appropriately and consistently heat areas including, for example, the area around the bottom shelf 42.

[0032] Furthermore, within the range where appropriate heating is possible, a second suction port 112A on the separated side may also be provided in region AR6R. For example, the number, size, and position of the second suction ports 112A on the separated side may be adjusted for each of regions AR6L and AR6R to reduce temperature imbalances in regions AR6L, AR6R and their surroundings.

[0033] The second intake port 112B on the proximity side is provided across almost the entire width of the fan cover 24. Therefore, short-cycle air can be circulated across the fifth shelf 42 and its surrounding area, making it easier to equalize the temperature. The number, size, and position of the second intake ports 112B on the proximity side may be changed within a range that allows for appropriate temperature adjustment.

[0034] No air intake is provided in the area AR1 opposite the top shelf 42. As described above, since the air from the warm air passage TW flows in from above to the other horizontal side of the storage chamber 22, the area of ​​the top shelf 42 tends to become relatively hot. Therefore, by not providing an air intake in the area AR1 opposite the top shelf 42, the temperature rise in the area of ​​the top shelf 42 is suppressed, and the temperature is made more uniform with the other areas of the shelves 42. In this way, by generating the amount and flow of air supplied to equalize the temperature inside the storage chamber 22, it is advantageous not only for equalizing the temperature inside the storage chamber 22 but also for equalizing other environmental factors such as humidity.

[0035] [1-3. Effects related to Fan Cover 24] In this configuration, by providing a second intake port 112 on the fan cover 24, a short-cycle generation mechanism is realized that directs a portion of the air blown by the circulation fan 25 to the intake side region of the circulation fan 25 in the storage chamber 22 in a short cycle. As a result, the temperature on the intake side of the circulation fan 25 can be made uniform by the short-cycle flow, making it easier to equalize the temperature inside the storage chamber 22. In addition, a short-cycle generation mechanism can be realized with a simple configuration, avoiding an increase in the number of parts. Furthermore, the short-cycle flow generated by the short-cycle generation mechanism may be modified as appropriate, within the range that allows for the temperature inside the storage chamber 22 to be made uniform. In other words, the short-cycle generation mechanism only needs to stir the air inside the storage chamber 22 and make the temperature inside the storage chamber 22 uniform by connecting the warm air passage TW and the storage chamber 22 without going through the heating heater 28.

[0036] Furthermore, in this configuration, a short-cycle flow is generated in a predetermined region S within the storage chamber 22 where air from the warm air passage TW does not reach relatively well. This actively suppresses the temperature drop in the predetermined region S where air from the warm air passage TW is less likely to reach, which is advantageous for achieving more uniform temperature within the storage chamber 22. Furthermore, in this configuration, the constant temperature and humidity device 10 has a heating heater 28 and a warm air passage TW located at the top of the storage chamber 22, and a second intake port 112 that functions as a short-cycle intake port is located below the mounting position of the circulation fan 25 on the fan cover 24. Generally, when the heating element 28 and the warm air passage TW are located at the top of the storage chamber 22, a predetermined area S is likely to form, such as around the lower part of the mounting position of the circulating fan 25 on the fan cover 24, where the air heated by the heating element 28 is relatively difficult to reach. In contrast, the second intake port 112 generates a short-cycle flow in the predetermined area S, thereby actively suppressing the temperature drop in the predetermined area S. In other words, the constant temperature and humidity device 10 with this configuration is suitable for equalizing the temperature inside the storage chamber 22, including the predetermined area S, when the heating element 28 and the warm air passage TW are located at the top of the storage chamber 22.

[0037] Furthermore, the circulation fan 25 is positioned at the rear, corresponding to one horizontal side of the storage chamber 22. Air from the warm air passage TW flows in from above to the front, corresponding to the other horizontal side of the storage chamber 22. The short-cycle generation mechanism generates a short-cycle flow in a predetermined region S located at the bottom of one horizontal side of the storage chamber 22. With this configuration, although the air from the warm air passage TW does not easily reach the predetermined region S located at the bottom of one horizontal side of the storage chamber 22, generating a short-cycle flow in the predetermined region S allows the air from the warm air passage TW to be drawn into the predetermined region S. Therefore, this configuration is advantageous for achieving temperature uniformity within the storage chamber 22.

[0038] Furthermore, the fan cover 24 is provided with a first intake port 111 for circulating air between the storage chamber 22 and the warm air passage TW. This allows air to be circulated between the storage chamber 22 and the warm air passage TW by the rotation of the circulation fan 25, with a simple configuration. Furthermore, the storage chamber 22 can accommodate multiple shelves 42 spaced apart vertically, and the fan cover 24 does not have an intake port, including the second intake port 112, in the area corresponding to the uppermost shelf 42, while the first intake port 111 is provided in the areas corresponding to the other shelves 42. This reduces the amount of air from the warm air passage TW that reaches the area of ​​the uppermost shelf 42, thereby preventing the area of ​​the uppermost shelf 42 from becoming relatively hot.

[0039] Furthermore, a humidifier 26 is provided around the circulating fan 25, and the fan cover 24 extends between the storage chamber 22 and the humidifier 26. The fan cover 24 has a second intake port 112 in the region AR6L facing the humidifier 26 so that a relatively large amount of air from the circulating fan 25 flows around the humidifier 26, while the region AR6R adjacent to the region AR6L facing the humidifier 26 does not have an intake port, including the first second intake port 112. This allows the region AR6L close to the humidifier 26 to be appropriately heated.

[0040] Furthermore, the configuration of the short-cycle generation mechanism is not limited to the above configuration, as long as it is possible to generate the short-cycle flow described above. In addition, components for generating the short-cycle flow may be added, changed, replaced, or omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, while the short-cycle generation mechanism has been described in the case where it is installed in the constant temperature and humidity device 10 shown in Figure 1, etc., it is not limited to this. In short, the short-cycle generation mechanism can be installed in a constant temperature and humidity device that draws in air from the storage chamber 22 using a circulation fan 25 and supplies it to the storage chamber 22 via a warm air passage TW.

[0041] [1-4. Configuration of the discharge duct 31 and its surroundings] Figure 7 is a side cross-sectional view showing the discharge duct 31 located on the front side of the storage room 22, along with its surrounding configuration. The discharge duct 31 corresponds to the "duct space" in this disclosure. In Figure 7, the airflow from the warm air passage TW to the storage room 22 is indicated by arrows. The discharge duct plate 32 that partitions the discharge duct 31 is integrated with the door 4. Therefore, the discharge duct 31 and the door 4 open and close together. In this configuration, the discharge duct plate 32 forms the rearmost surface of the door 4.

[0042] As described above, the discharge duct plate 32 is provided with air outlets 32A and air deflectors 32B spaced apart vertically. Each air outlet 32A opens towards the respective areas of the multiple shelves 42 that are spaced apart vertically. The direction of the airflow from each air outlet 32A is adjusted by the air deflectors 32B.

[0043] The air deflector 32B is formed as an inclined member that protrudes diagonally upward from the discharge duct plate 32 toward the front of the door 4. Therefore, the air deflector 32B does not protrude from the discharge duct plate 32 toward the storage room 22. Consequently, even when the door 4 is opened, the air deflector 32B does not protrude and does not obstruct the loading and unloading of food items 1. The air deflector 32B directs a portion of the air in the discharge duct 31 diagonally downward toward the outlet 32A, thereby blowing air from the outlet 32A toward the area of ​​each shelf 42.

[0044] In this configuration, as shown in Figures 7 and 3, a plate-shaped guide member 151 can be placed above the front of each shelf 42 in the storage chamber 22. As shown in Figure 7, the guide member 151 is a member that guides at least a portion of the air from the air outlet 32A to the back of the storage chamber 22 (corresponding to the opposite side of the door 4), and is also called a rail duct. Each air outlet 32A and each guide member 151 are identical in shape. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the guide member 151. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the guide member 151 integrally comprises a flat plate portion 152 extending in the front-rear direction along the shelf board 42, a first end portion 153 connected to one end of the flat plate portion 152 in the front-rear direction and forming the front end of the guide member 151, and a second end portion 154 connected to the other end of the flat plate portion 152 in the front-rear direction and forming the rear end of the guide member 151. Each guide member 151 (at least their flat plate portions 152) can be positioned below the corresponding shelf board 42, substantially parallel to it.

[0045] The flat plate portion 152 is formed in a flat plate shape that extends across the width direction (left-right direction) of the storage chamber 22. The longitudinal direction of the flat plate portion 152 corresponds to the width direction of the storage chamber 22, and the short direction of the flat plate portion 152 corresponds to the front-to-back direction (depth direction) of the storage chamber 22. The length of the flat plate portion 152 in the longitudinal direction is approximately the same as the width of the storage chamber 22 and the width of the shelf board 42. Furthermore, the length of the flat plate portion 152 in the short direction is shorter than the length of the shelf board 42 in the direction from the back, which corresponds to one inner surface of the storage chamber 22, to the front, which corresponds to the opposite surface. The flat plate portion 152 is provided with slits 155 spaced apart in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. Each slit 155 is an opening that penetrates the flat plate portion 152 and is formed in the shape of an elongated hole that is relatively long in the front-to-back direction of the shelf plate 42. For example, the guide member 151 can be easily manufactured by bending a single metal plate in which each of the slits 155 is formed. The material of the guide member 151 is not limited to metal.

[0046] The first end portion 153 is formed as an inclined plate portion that protrudes forward and diagonally upward from the guide member 151, so that it becomes an inclined plate portion that bends from one end of the flat plate portion 152 on the side of the discharge duct 31 toward the upstream side of the discharge duct 31. In Figure 7, the food item 1 placed at the foremost position on the shelf 42 is indicated by reference numeral 1A, the second food item 1 is indicated by reference numeral 1B, and the third food item 1 is indicated by reference numeral 1C. As shown in Figure 7, the guide member 151 is positioned unevenly towards the discharge duct 31 side. The first end portion 153 is shaped to protrude diagonally upward toward the outlet 32A when the guide member 151 is placed in the storage chamber 22, and its front end PF is shaped to be closer to the outlet 32A than the shelf 42 and the food item 1A at the foremost position. This reduces the amount of air that directly hits the food items 1A and 1B.

[0047] Furthermore, the air guided by the first end portion 153 is guided backward along the upper surface of the guide member 151, thereby guiding it to the area where food 1C and the food 1 behind it are located. This increases the amount of airflow to food 1C and the food behind it. In this way, the amount of air directly hitting food 1A and food 1B is reduced, and the amount of airflow to food 1C and the food behind it is increased, thus suppressing variations in fermentation, etc., of food 1A to 1C and the food 1 behind them. Furthermore, a portion of the air guided by the first end 153 is supplied through the slit 155 to the space between the guide member 151 and the shelf 42. As a result, air from the outlet 32A can be appropriately distributed around the food items 1A and 1B. This allows for more uniform airflow and temperature distribution to food items 1A to 1C and the food items 1 after 1C, thereby suppressing variations in fermentation and other processes among food items 1A to 1C and the food items 1 behind them.

[0048] In other words, in this configuration, the length and inclination angle of the first end portion 153, the length LX from the front end PF to the rear end PR of the guide member 151, and the shape, number, and pitch of the slits 155 are set so that the environment, such as airflow and temperature, is uniform in the area of ​​the shelf 42 including the food item 1A at the very front. The shape of the first end portion 153, the length LX of the guide member 151, and the shape and number of the slits 155 may be appropriately changed depending on the direction and volume of air from the air outlet 32A.

[0049] The second end portion 154, which constitutes the rear end of the guide member 151, is formed in a front-to-back symmetrical shape with respect to the first end portion 153. In other words, the second end portion 154 is formed as an inclined plate portion that protrudes rearward and diagonally upward from the guide member 151. Therefore, the guide member 151 has a front-to-back symmetrical shape with respect to its front-to-back center PC, and more specifically, it has a plane symmetrical shape with respect to the plane MX that extends left and right through the front-to-back center PC.

[0050] Next, we will explain the arrangement of the guide member 151. As shown in Figure 8, positioning portions 156 for positioning the guide member 151 in the storage chamber 22 are formed at the left and right ends of the guide member 151. The positioning portions 156 in this configuration are rectangular holes formed at intervals in the front-to-back direction. Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the positioning portion 156 of the guide member 151 along with its surrounding configuration. As shown in Figure 9, the storage chamber 22 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 22T in the area of ​​each shelf 42 through which the positioning portion 156 of the guide member 151 can pass, and a mounting portion on which both sides of the guide member 151 are placed with the positioning portion 156 passed through the protrusions 22T. Although Figure 9 only shows the left side of the storage chamber, the same protrusions 22T and mounting portion also exist on the right side of the storage chamber.

[0051] Multiple protrusions 22T are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction and have a rectangular cross-sectional shape that protrudes upward. Therefore, by passing the positioning portions 156 of the guide member 151 through the protrusions 22T from above, the front-rear and left-right positions of the guide member 151 are determined, and the guide member 151 can be positioned as shown in Figures 7 and 9. In addition, by moving the guide member 151 upward, the positioning portions 156 can be easily removed from the protrusions 22T. Thus, the guide member 151 can be easily attached to and detached.

[0052] Furthermore, the positioning portion 156 of the guide member 151 can pass through the protruding portion 22T even if the front-to-back orientation of the guide member 151 is reversed. In this configuration, since the guide member 151 has a front-to-back symmetrical shape with respect to the front-to-back center PC of the guide member 151, even if the front-to-back orientation of the guide member 151 is reversed, it will have the same shape as when it is not reversed, and will be able to guide air as shown in Figure 7. Therefore, the front-to-back orientation of the guide member 151 does not matter when installing the guide member 151. The structure for positioning the guide member 151 in the storage chamber 22 is not limited to the structure described above, and other structures may be applied.

[0053] [1-5. Effects related to the guide member 151] In this configuration, a guide member 151 is provided that can be positioned above the shelf board 42. Since the guide member 151 can be positioned predominantly on the side of the air outlet duct 31, the airflow to stored items such as food 1A on the side of the air outlet duct 31 is reduced, and the environmental differences such as temperature caused by differences in airflow can be reduced. Therefore, variations in fermentation of each food item 1 can be reduced. In addition, since the guide member 151 is provided above the shelf board 42, the guide member 151 is less likely to get in the way when loading or unloading stored items or the shelf board 42. For example, if there is a door 4 that opens and closes the opening of the storage room 22, the airflow to food items such as food 1A can be reduced without the air deflector protruding from the back of the door 4, which is advantageous for homogenizing the environment such as airflow and temperature inside the storage room 22, and makes it easier to load and unload food items 1 and the shelf board 42 when the door 4 is open.

[0054] Furthermore, the length of the guide member 151 in the shorter direction is shorter than the length of the shelf 42 in the direction from one inner surface of the storage chamber 22 to the opposite surface, and the guide member 151 is detachable from the storage chamber 22. With this configuration, in the shorter direction of the guide member 151, by positioning the guide member 151 biased toward the discharge duct 31 side of the shelf 42, the airflow directly hitting food items 1A and 1B, which are stored on the discharge duct 31 side of the shelf 42, is reduced, and the amount of airflow to food items 1C and other stored items that are farther away from the discharge duct 31 can be increased, making it easier to equalize the temperature and other environmental conditions of each food item 1. In addition, removing the guide member 151 makes maintenance of the storage chamber 22 and the guide member 151 easier. Furthermore, if the arrangement of food items 1 and other items makes the arrangement of the guide member 151 undesirable, it is possible to remove the guide member 151 and use the constant temperature and humidity device 10.

[0055] The guide member 151 has a flat plate portion 152 and a first end portion 153 that bends from one end of the flat plate portion 152 on the side of the discharge duct 31 toward the upstream side of the discharge duct 31. This allows the air from the discharge duct 31 to be effectively guided toward the food 1 away from the discharge duct 31 by the flat plate portion 152, while the first end portion 153 suppresses the airflow directly onto the food 1 on the side of the discharge duct 31. Furthermore, the presence of a bend between the flat plate portion 152 and the first end portion 153 is advantageous for improving the strength of the guide member 151.

[0056] The first end portion 153 corresponds to the "inclined plate portion" in this disclosure, and the flat plate portion 152 corresponds to the "main body portion" in this disclosure. Furthermore, if the front-to-back orientation of the guide member 151 is reversed, the second end portion 154 corresponds to the "inclined plate portion" in this disclosure.

[0057] Furthermore, since the flat plate portion 152 has a slit 155 that penetrates it, a portion of the air flowing along the flat plate portion 152 can be supplied to the space on the opposite side of the flat plate portion 152 through the slit 155, making it easier to more uniformize the environment such as airflow and temperature to the stored items. Furthermore, since the guide member 151 has a symmetrical shape with respect to its front-to-rear center PC, the guide member 151 will have the same shape even if it is positioned in the reverse front-to-rear direction. This makes it possible to install the guide member 151 without being concerned about its front-to-rear orientation. The front-to-rear center PC corresponds to the "center in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the direction from one end of the flat plate portion 152 (main body portion) on the side of the discharge duct 31 (duct space) to the other end on the opposite side of the discharge duct 31" in this disclosure.

[0058] Furthermore, since the discharge duct 31 is equipped with an air outlet 32A for air supplied from the warm air passage TW and the heating heater 28, the guide member 151 can appropriately reduce the amount of high-temperature air blown onto the stored items on the discharge duct 31 side. In addition, since the discharge duct 31 is located in the door 4, the environment inside the storage room 22 can be made uniform without having to protrude a wind deflector from the back of the door 4, and it becomes easier to put in and take out stored items and shelves 42 with the door 4 open. Furthermore, multiple shelves 42 and multiple guide members 151 can be arranged in the storage room 22, and multiple air outlets 32A are provided on the door 4, with each of the air outlets 32A on the door 3 positioned above the corresponding guide member 151. This moderately reduces the amount of airflow from each air outlet 32A to the stored items on each shelf 42, which is advantageous for equalizing the temperature and other environmental conditions inside the storage room 22, and also makes it easier to load and unload stored items and shelves 42 with the door 4 open.

[0059] (Other embodiments) Embodiment 1 has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc., can be made within the scope of the claims or equivalents thereof.

[0060] The guide member 151 is not limited to the shape described above, and may be appropriately modified within a range that allows at least a portion of the air from the outlet 32A to be guided to the opposite side of the door 4 of the storage chamber 22. For example, the guide member 151 is not limited to a shape that is approximately the same width as the storage chamber 22, and may be shorter. Also, although the case in which the guide member 151 is provided in the constant temperature and humidity device 10 shown in Figure 1 etc. has been described, it is not limited to this. In short, the guide member 151 should be provided in a constant temperature and humidity device that includes a storage chamber 22 and a door 4 that opens and closes the opening of the storage chamber 22, and circulates air between the warm air passage TW having a heating heater 28 and the storage chamber 22. For example, the constant temperature and humidity device may be a device for storing items other than food 1. Furthermore, although we have described a case in which the air outlet 32A is provided on the door 4 of the storage room 22 (front of the constant temperature and humidity device 10) and the circulation fan 25 and fan cover 24 are provided on the rear of the storage room 22 (rear of the constant temperature and humidity device 10), the air outlet 32A may be provided on one side of the storage room 22 as seen from the door 4, and the circulation fan 25 and fan cover 24 may be provided on the other side.

[0061] (Note) Based on the above description of embodiments, the following technologies are disclosed.

[0062] (Technical 1) A constant temperature and humidity apparatus comprising a storage chamber, a warm air passage having a heater, a circulating fan adjacent to the storage chamber, and a fan cover disposed between the storage chamber and the warm air passage, wherein the air drawn in from the storage chamber by the fan is supplied to the storage chamber via the warm air passage and the heater, and the constant temperature and humidity apparatus further comprising a short-cycle generation mechanism that connects the warm air passage and the storage chamber without going through the heater. This configuration allows for easier temperature equalization within the storage chamber by agitating the air through short-cycle flow.

[0063] (Technology 2) The constant temperature and humidity apparatus according to Technology 1, wherein the fan is positioned on one horizontal side of the storage chamber, air from the warm air passage flows in from above to the other horizontal side of the storage chamber, and the short cycle generating mechanism generates a short cycle flow in which a portion of the air blown by the fan is returned to the fan without passing through the heater in a predetermined area located on one horizontal side and at the bottom of the storage chamber. This configuration actively suppresses temperature drops in certain areas where air from the warm air passage is relatively difficult to reach, which is advantageous for achieving more uniform temperature within the storage chamber.

[0064] (Technical 3) The constant temperature and humidity apparatus according to Technical 2, wherein the fan cover is provided with a short-cycle intake port for generating the short-cycle flow. This configuration allows for the implementation of a short-cycle generation mechanism with a simple design, avoiding an increase in the number of parts.

[0065] (Technical 4) The constant temperature and humidity apparatus according to Technical 3, wherein the fan cover is provided with an intake port for circulating air between the storage chamber and the warm air passage. This configuration allows for the circulation of air between the storage chamber and the warm air passage using a simple setup and the rotation of a circulating fan.

[0066] (Technical 5) The constant temperature and humidity apparatus according to Technical 5, wherein the storage chamber can be configured to have multiple shelves spaced apart in the vertical direction, and the fan cover is not provided with the intake port including the short-cycle intake port in the area corresponding to the uppermost shelf, but the intake port is provided in the area corresponding to the other shelves. This configuration reduces the amount of air from the warm air passage that reaches the top shelf area, thereby preventing the top shelf area from becoming relatively hot.

[0067] (Technical 6) A constant temperature and humidity apparatus according to any one of Technical 3 to 5, wherein a humidifier is provided around the fan, the fan cover extends between the storage chamber and the humidifier, and the fan cover is provided with a short-cycle intake port in a region facing the humidifier so that air from the fan flows relatively more around the humidifier, and no intake port, including the short-cycle intake port, is provided in a region adjacent to the region facing the humidifier. This configuration allows for proper heating of the area adjacent to the humidifier.

[0068] (Technical 7) A constant temperature and humidity apparatus comprising a storage chamber, a warm air passage having a heater, a circulating fan adjacent to the storage chamber, and a fan cover disposed between the storage chamber and the warm air passage, wherein the air from the storage chamber drawn in by the fan is supplied to the storage chamber via the warm air passage and the heater, wherein the heater and the warm air passage are located in the upper part of the storage chamber, and the fan cover has a short-cycle intake port below the mounting position of the fan. This configuration, with the heating element and warm air passage positioned at the top of the storage chamber, provides a suitable configuration for equalizing the temperature inside the storage chamber. [Industrial applicability]

[0069] As described above, the constant temperature and humidity apparatus of this disclosure is applicable to applications that homogenize the environment of a storage room. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0070] 1. 1A~1C Food (Storage) 2. Insulated box 3 Main unit 4 doors 10 Constant temperature and humidity device 22 Storage Rooms 24 Fan cover (short cycle generation mechanism) 25 Circulation fan 26 Humidifier 28 Heating heater 31. Discharge duct (duct space) 32. Discharge duct plate 32A Air outlet 32B Wind direction board 42 shelves 100 Control device 111 First Inlet 112 Second suction port (suction port for short cycle, short cycle generation mechanism) 112A Separation side second suction port 112B Proximity side second suction port 151 Guide Member 152 Flat plate part 153 First end 154 Second end 156 Positioning section TC cold air passage TW warm air passage S Predetermined area Front-to-back center of PC guide member

Claims

1. A constant temperature and humidity apparatus comprising a storage chamber, a warm air passage with a heater, a circulating fan adjacent to the storage chamber, and a fan cover disposed between the storage chamber and the warm air passage, wherein the air drawn in by the fan from the storage chamber is supplied to the storage chamber via the warm air passage and the heater, The system includes a short-cycle generation mechanism that connects the warm air passage and the storage chamber without using the heater. Constant temperature and humidity device.

2. The fan is positioned horizontally on one side relative to the storage chamber. The air from the warm air passage flows in from above to the other horizontal side of the storage chamber. The short-cycle generation mechanism generates a short-cycle flow in a predetermined area located horizontally on one side and at the bottom of the storage chamber, which returns a portion of the air blown by the fan back to the fan without passing through the heater. The constant temperature and humidity apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The fan cover is provided with a short-cycle intake port for generating the short-cycle flow. The constant temperature and humidity apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The fan cover is provided with an intake port for circulating air between the storage chamber and the warm air passage. The constant temperature and humidity apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The aforementioned storage room can accommodate multiple shelves spaced apart in the vertical direction. The fan cover is provided without the intake port, including the short-cycle intake port, in the area corresponding to the uppermost shelf, but with the intake port provided in the areas corresponding to the other shelves. The constant temperature and humidity apparatus according to claim 4.

6. A humidifier is provided around the aforementioned fan. The fan cover extends between the storage chamber and the humidifier, The fan cover is provided with a short-cycle intake port in the area facing the humidifier, such that the air from the fan flows relatively more around the humidifier, while the area adjacent to the area facing the humidifier is not provided with any intake ports, including the short-cycle intake port. A constant temperature and humidity apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

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