Construction structure and method for seasonal ice skating rinks that consider heat loss reduction.

Abstract

In ice skating rinks located outdoors or semi-outdoors, cooling pipes are strongly affected by ambient temperature, sunlight, wind, and rain, leading to reduced cooling efficiency. In particular, existing skating rink facilities often lack sufficient insulation around the cooling pipes, resulting in increased refrigerant temperature and unnecessary power consumption. Furthermore, these facilities are designed with replacement in mind, and there are no means to retrofit and improve insulation performance while utilizing existing piping. As a result, this leads to increased electricity costs, unstable operating conditions, and significant operational problems, especially given rising electricity prices. [Solution] The present invention provides an insulating structure that can be retrofitted without requiring the replacement of existing ice skating rink cooling piping. This suppresses heat intrusion from the outside air, improves cooling efficiency, enables easy installation on existing equipment, reduces power consumption, and stabilizes ice quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ice skating rink established on the premise of outdoor or seasonal business, and particularly relates to an establishment structure and method of an ice skating rink for reducing heat loss caused by the establishment structure of refrigeration equipment and cooling pipes.

Background Art

[0002] In an outdoor or seasonal business type ice skating rink, a configuration is generally used in which a refrigerant or brine supplied from a refrigerator is circulated through cooling pipes to form and maintain an ice surface. However, in the conventional rink establishment, the connection parts and flexible pipe parts of the cooling pipes are often arranged in a state of being exposed to the outside air, and unnecessary heat exchange occurs in these parts, leading to problems such as a decrease in refrigeration efficiency and an increase in power consumption. In recent years, with the increase in electricity charges, the power consumption of refrigeration equipment in the operation of an ice skating rink has become a significant factor affecting the operation cost. Particularly, in an outdoor or seasonal business type ice skating rink, due to the limitations in the establishment period and structure, the impact of heat loss caused by cooling pipes on the overall operation cost cannot be ignored.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to reduce unnecessary heat loss caused by cooling pipes and improve the stability of refrigeration efficiency and ice surface temperature control by devising the establishment structure in an ice skating rink established on the premise of outdoor or seasonal business.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] ​To solve the above problems, the ice skating rink construction structure according to the present invention is an ice skating rink constructed outdoors or for seasonal operation, and is characterized in that it is equipped with cooling pipes for circulating a refrigerant or brine supplied from a chiller, a flexible pipe section is provided in at least a part of the cooling pipes, and an insulating member is arranged in at least a part of the piping section including the connection part and the section exposed to the outside air. [Effects of the Invention]

[0005] According to the present invention, since unnecessary heat exchange occurring in the flexible piping section of the cooling pipe is suppressed, it is possible to improve refrigeration efficiency, reduce power consumption, and stabilize ice surface temperature control. Furthermore, since the present invention can be implemented simply by modifying the rink's construction structure without changing the type of refrigeration unit or refrigerant, it can also be applied to existing outdoor or seasonal ice skating rinks. It can be easily applied.

[0006] Furthermore, since it can be installed retrofitted without removing or replacing existing piping, it contributes to shortening the installation period and reducing construction costs. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the cooling piping arrangement for an outdoor or seasonally constructed ice skating rink according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a side view showing the flexible piping section of the cooling piping exposed to the outside air. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the flexible piping section with an insulating material placed on it. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. The cooling piping is located under the link floor or around the link edge, connecting the chiller and the link cooling unit. Flexible piping sections of the cooling pipes, which are provided for vibration absorption, installation error absorption, or ease of connection, are prone to frost formation and condensation due to contact with the outside air. In this embodiment, a foamed rubber-based material, a resin-based material, or a similar heat insulating member is placed along the entire length or part thereof of the flexible piping section. The aforementioned heat insulating member may be configured to be detachable during setup and dismantling, and may also serve as a moisture barrier. [Examples]

[0009] The thermal insulation structure of the present invention is applicable not only to outdoor rinks but also to indoor skating rinks, temporary rinks, event rinks, etc. Materials such as expanded polystyrene, expanded polyurethane, and cross-linked foam can be used for the thermal insulation member. The dimensions and thickness of the thermal insulation member may also be changed according to the pipe diameter. For fixing methods, resin bands, metal bands, hook-and-loop fasteners, etc., can be used and selected according to construction conditions and environment. Furthermore, a waterproof layer or weather-resistant layer may be provided on the surface of the thermal insulation member to improve durability during long-term use.

[0010] The cooling pipe is enclosed by a two-part insulation member, upper and lower, which is positioned around the pipe and secured with a band or the like. The insulation member is made of an insulating material such as foamed resin and may have recesses that conform to the shape of the pipe to reduce gaps. [Industrial applicability]

[0011] This invention provides a simple insulation technology that can be applied to existing ice skating rink facilities and is widely usable by rink operators, construction companies, facility management companies, and others. In particular, it contributes to reducing power consumption and stabilizing operation in outdoor and semi-outdoor rinks, making it useful as an energy-saving measure in the face of rising electricity prices. Furthermore, since it does not involve equipment replacement, it can reduce initial investment and contribute to extending the lifespan of existing facilities. In addition, it can be applied to temporary rinks and skating rinks installed for short periods, such as for events, and has high utility value in the entire skating rink-related industry. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0012] 10 Ice skating rink 11 Cooling piping main body 12. Insulation material

Claims

1. An ice skating rink construction structure for an outdoor or seasonal operation, comprising cooling pipes for circulating a refrigerant or brine supplied from a chiller, a flexible pipe section provided in at least a portion of the cooling pipes, an insulating member arranged in at least a portion of the section of the piping including the flexible pipe section and connection section that is exposed to the outside air, and the insulating member having a detachable segmented structure attached to the outer circumference of the flexible pipe section and fixed by a fixing member.

2. The ice skating rink construction structure according to claim 1, wherein the heat insulating member is selectively arranged in the section of the flexible piping where frost or condensation occurs.

3. The ice skating rink construction structure according to claim 1, wherein the heat insulating member is made of a foamed rubber material, a resin material, or a combination thereof.

4. The ice skating rink construction structure according to claim 1, wherein the heat insulating member is configured to be detachable during construction and dismantling.

5. A method for constructing an ice skating rink having the construction structure described in claim 1, characterized by including the step of placing an insulating member in the section of the flexible piping of the cooling pipe that is exposed to the outside air.

Images