Cooling storage cabinet

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a cooling storage cabinet that allows for easy detection of refrigerant leakage.　A cooling storage cabinet according to the present disclosure comprises: a refrigerant circuit that generates cool air; a storage compartment that is cooled by the cool air generated by the refrigerant circuit; a machine compartment that is partitioned from the storage compartment by a heat insulation wall and accommodates at least a part of the refrigerant circuit; and a detection duct through which air in the storage compartment is conveyed from a suction port that opens into the storage compartment. The detection duct includes a refrigerant sensor that is provided on the heat insulation wall of the machine compartment and detects a refrigerant in the air conveyed from the storage compartment.

Description

Cooling storage

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooling storage.

[0002] Patent Literature 1 discloses a showcase including a refrigerant leakage sensor that detects leakage of refrigerant. This showcase includes an air passage extending from a suction port to a blow-out port, and an evaporator provided in the air passage, and the refrigerant leakage sensor is provided below the evaporator.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-085419

[0004] The present disclosure provides a cooling storage that can easily detect refrigerant leakage.

[0005] This specification includes the entire content of Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-028583 filed on February 26, 2025. The cooling storage according to the present disclosure includes: a refrigerant circuit that generates cool air; a storage chamber cooled by the cool air generated by the refrigerant circuit; a machine room partitioned from the storage chamber by a heat insulating wall and accommodating at least a part of the refrigerant circuit; and a detection duct through which air from the storage chamber is conveyed from a suction port opened in the storage chamber, wherein the detection duct is provided on the heat insulating wall of the machine room, and includes a refrigerant sensor that detects refrigerant in the air conveyed from the storage chamber.

[0006] In the cooling storage according to the present disclosure, refrigerant leaked into the storage chamber can be conveyed to the detection duct and detected. Therefore, refrigerant leakage can be easily detected.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a showcase according to Embodiment 1, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a machine room in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the showcase

[0008] (Knowledge and other information forming the basis of this disclosure) At the time the inventors conceived this disclosure, the technology for refrigerated storage, including showcases, required the use of refrigerants with low environmental impact as the refrigerant used to fill the refrigerant circuit. Therefore, in the industry, it was common practice to design products that included refrigerant sensors to detect refrigerant leakage, given that many refrigerants with low environmental impact are flammable. Under these circumstances, the inventors conceived the idea of ​​changing the placement of the refrigerant sensor, based on the fact that placing the refrigerant sensor in the area below the cooler, where leaked refrigerant is easily detected, makes the refrigerant sensor susceptible to the effects of defrost water. The inventors then discovered that in order to realize this idea, it was necessary to make it easier for leaked refrigerant to reach the refrigerant sensor, and in order to solve this problem, they came to form the subject of this disclosure. Thus, this disclosure provides a refrigerated storage unit that makes it easier to detect refrigerant leakage.

[0009] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary details may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily verbose and to facilitate understanding for those skilled in the art. The accompanying drawings and the following explanation 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.

[0010] (Embodiment 1) Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] [1-1. Configuration] [1-1-1. Overall Configuration] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the showcase 1 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of section II in Figure 1, showing a side cross-section of the showcase 1. In the figure, the reference numeral X indicates the left direction when the showcase 1 is viewed from the front, the reference numeral Y indicates the front direction of the showcase 1, and the reference numeral Z indicates the upward direction of the showcase 1. The showcase 1 in this embodiment is installed, for example, inside a store such as a convenience store or supermarket. The showcase 1 corresponds to an example of a "cooled storage unit" in this disclosure.

[0012] The showcase 1 has a display room 2 that opens at the front. The display room 2 is a space for storing goods such as merchandise. The display room 2 is formed by partitioning both sides in the left-right direction, both sides in the up-down direction, and the rear side with insulating walls 21. The showcase 1 also has a door 22 that opens and closes the opening at the front of the display room 2. When the door 22 is closed, it seals the display room 2. The door 22 is made of a transparent material such as double-glazed glass, and is configured so that the inside of the display room 2 can be seen even when the door 22 is closed. The display room 2 corresponds to an example of a "storage room" in this disclosure.

[0013] As shown in Figure 2, a partition plate 23 is provided in the display room 2. The partition plate 23 is located at the rear of the display room 2 and has a plate-shaped rear surface portion 24 that is substantially perpendicular to the front-to-back direction of the showcase 1, and a plate-shaped upper surface portion 25 that extends forward from the upper end of the rear surface portion 24. The display room 2 is also provided with a bottom plate 26. The bottom plate 26 is a plate-shaped member provided at the bottom of the display room 2 and arranged substantially horizontally. The bottom plate 26 extends forward from the lower end of the rear surface portion 24. The display room 2 is divided into the display section 3 and the cold air duct section 4 by the partition plate 23 and the bottom plate 26.

[0014] The display section 3 is the space in the display room 2 where goods are placed. The display section 3 is the part of the display room 2 partitioned off from the front side of the rear section 24, the lower side of the top section 25, and the upper side of the bottom plate 26. The display section 3 is positioned so that it can be seen through the opening at the front of the display room 2. The display section 3 is provided with a plurality of shelves 31 on which goods such as products are placed. The shelves 31 are substantially horizontal, plate-shaped members.

[0015] The cooling duct section 4 is a space that generates cold air to cool the display section 3. The cooling duct section 4 is a partitioned portion of the display room 2 located behind the rear section 24, above the top section 25, and below the bottom plate 26. The cooling duct section 4 communicates with the display section 3 via a cold air outlet 41 that opens on the front side of the front end of the top section 25, and a cold air intake 42 that opens on the front side of the front end of the bottom plate 26.

[0016] The cold air duct section 4 is equipped with a cooler 43 and a cold air fan 44. The cooler 43 mainly functions as an evaporator and is a heat exchanger that cools the display room 2. The cooler 43 absorbs heat from the air in the cold air duct section 4 using the refrigerant inside, and cools the air in the cold air duct section 4. Hereafter, the cooled air will be referred to as cold air. The cold air fan 44 is a blower that circulates air between the display section 3 and the cold air duct section 4. In detail, the air in the display section 3 flows into the cold air duct section 4 via the cold air intake port 42 when the cold air fan 44 is driven, is cooled in the cooler 43, and then returns to the display section 3 via the cold air outlet port 41. In other words, each part of the display room 2 is cooled by the cold air generated by the refrigerant circuit C, which includes the cooler 43 and will be described later. Furthermore, a heater 45 for defrosting the cooler 43 is provided in the cold air duct section 4.

[0017] A temperature control sensor 46 is provided in the display room 2. The temperature control sensor 46 is a temperature sensor that detects the internal temperature T of the display room 2. In this embodiment, the temperature control sensor 46 is provided in the cold air duct section 4 of the display room 2. More specifically, the temperature control sensor 46 is provided in the cold air duct section 4 at a position downstream of the cooler 43 in the airflow from the cold air fan 44.

[0018] The showcase 1 has a machine room 5. The machine room 5 is a space located below the display room 2. The machine room 5 is separated from the display room 2 above by a first insulating wall 21A on the lower side of the display room 2, and is formed by partitioning each side and bottom with sheet metal or the like. The first insulating wall 21A is an insulating wall 21 that separates the display room 2 and the machine room 5. The first insulating wall 21A corresponds to an example of an "insulating wall" in this disclosure.

[0019] The machine room 5 is equipped with a compressor 51 and a condenser 52. The compressor 51 is a device that compresses and discharges the refrigerant. The condenser 52 is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing inside and the air. The condenser 52 mainly dissipates heat from the refrigerant discharged to the compressor 51 into the air, causing the refrigerant to liquefy.

[0020] The compressor 51, condenser 52, and cooler 43 are connected to a refrigerant piping to form a refrigerant circuit C. The refrigerant circuit C may include any devices such as an expansion valve (not shown). The refrigerant circuit C cools the air with the cooler 43 to generate cold air. In this embodiment, the refrigerant circuit C is filled with a flammable refrigerant such as isobutane (R600a) or propane (R290).

[0021] Furthermore, a condenser fan 53 is provided in the machine room 5. The condenser fan 53 is a blower that transports air for heat exchange with the refrigerant in the condenser 52. The condenser fan 53 can be any type of blower, such as an axial flow fan. In this embodiment, the machine room 5 has an outside air intake port 54 opening on the front of the machine room 5 and an exhaust port 55 opening on the rear of the machine room 5. The outside air intake port 54 and the exhaust port 55 are openings that allow air to pass between the inside of the machine room 5 and the outside of the showcase 1. The condenser fan 53 blows air towards the rear, drawing in outside air from the showcase 1 into the machine room 5 via the outside air intake port 54, allowing it to exchange heat with the refrigerant through the condenser 52, and then exhausting it from the exhaust port 55.

[0022] Furthermore, an outside temperature sensor 56 is provided in the machine room 5. The outside temperature sensor 56 detects the outside air temperature TA, which is the temperature of the outside air. In this embodiment, the outside temperature sensor 56 is provided near the outside air intake 54 and detects the outside air temperature TA from the outside air taken into the machine room 5. In this specification, "outside air" refers to the air in the space surrounding the display room 2, which is a storage room (for example, the sales floor of a store).

[0023] [1-1-2. Configuration of detection duct and air supply duct] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the machine room 5 in Figure 2. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a detection duct 60 is attached to the first insulated wall 21A that separates the display room 2 and the machine room 5.

[0024] The detection duct 60 has a suction passage 61. The suction passage 61 is a pipe with a space formed inside through which air passes. The suction passage 61 penetrates the first insulated wall 21A and is provided spanning the display room 2 and the machine room 5. An inlet 61A is provided at one end of the suction passage 61. The inlet 61A is an opening that connects the inside and outside of the suction passage 61. The inlet 61A opens in the display room 2. More specifically, the inlet 61A opens in the cold air duct section 4 of the display room 2.

[0025] The detection duct 60 has a detection unit 62. The detection unit 62 is a device connected to the other end of the suction passage 61. In this embodiment, the detection unit 62 is located inside the machine room 5. The detection unit 62 has a housing 63. The housing 63 has a space formed inside, and the internal space is in communication with the inside of the suction passage 61.

[0026] The detection unit 62 has a circulation fan 64. The circulation fan 64 is a blower that circulates air between the display room 2 and the detection duct 60 when driven. The circulation fan 64 draws air from the display room 2 into the housing 63 via the intake port 61A and the intake passage 61. The circulation fan 64 is installed inside the housing 63.

[0027] The detection unit 62 has a refrigerant sensor 65. The refrigerant sensor 65 is a sensor capable of detecting the type of refrigerant filled in the refrigerant circuit C. Specifically, the refrigerant sensor 65 is installed inside the housing 63 and detects the concentration of refrigerant inside the housing 63. The refrigerant sensor 65 may be any type of sensor, such as a semiconductor type or a catalytic combustion type.

[0028] The detection unit 62 has a switching device 66. The switching device 66 is a device that combines any number of valves, such as on-off valves, in any way. The switching device 66 is connected to a first discharge channel 67 and a second discharge channel 68.

[0029] The first discharge channel 67 is a pipe provided in the detection duct 60, with a space formed inside through which air passes. The first discharge channel 67 penetrates the first insulated wall 21A and spans the display room 2 and the machine room 5. One end of the first discharge channel 67 is connected to the switching device 66. The other end of the first discharge channel 67 has a first outlet 67A. The first outlet 67A is an opening that connects the inside and outside of the first discharge channel 67. The first outlet 67A is open in the display room 2. More specifically, the first outlet 67A is open in the cold air duct section 4 of the display room 2. More specifically, the first outlet 67A is located behind the intake port 61A, that is, downstream of the intake port 61A in the airflow within the cold air duct section 4 from the cold air intake port 42 to the cold air outlet port 41.

[0030] The second discharge passage 68 is a pipe provided in the detection duct 60, with a space formed inside through which air passes. The second discharge passage 68 is located inside the machine room 5. One end of the second discharge passage 68 is connected to the switching device 66. The other end of the second discharge passage 68 has a second outlet 68A. The second outlet 68A is an opening that connects the inside and outside of the second discharge passage 68. The second outlet 68A is open inside the machine room 5. As shown in Figure 3, the second outlet 68A is located in the machine room 5, behind the showcase 1, relative to the condenser fan 53. As described above, the condenser fan 53 blows air towards the rear inside the machine room 5, generating a flow of outside air towards the rear. Therefore, the second outlet 68A is located downstream of the condenser fan 53 in the flow of outside air in the machine room 5.

[0031] The switching device 66 switches the destination of the air that flows into the housing 63 via the suction passage 61 between the first discharge passage 67 and the second discharge passage 68. Specifically, by switching the destination of the air in the housing 63 to the first discharge passage 67, the switching device 66 switches the air outlet in the detection duct 60 to the first discharge outlet 67A. Also, by switching the destination of the air in the housing 63 to the second discharge passage 68, the switching device 66 switches the air outlet in the detection duct 60 to the second discharge outlet 68A.

[0032] As shown in Figure 3, the intake port 61A and the first outlet port 67A of the detection duct 60, which open in the machine room 5, are positioned so that they do not overlap vertically with the cooler 43. In this embodiment, the first insulated wall 21A is provided with a defrost water receiving section 21C below the cooler 43 to receive the defrost water from the cooler 43. The defrost water receiving section 21C is formed by the upper surface of the first insulated wall 21A being recessed downwards. The intake port 61A and the first outlet port 67A are positioned to avoid the defrost water receiving section 21C. Therefore, it is possible to prevent defrost water from the cooler 43 from entering the inside of the detection duct 60 through the intake port 61A and the first outlet port 67A.

[0033] Furthermore, the detection duct 60 is detachably attached to the first insulated wall 21A while the suction passage 61, detection unit 62, first discharge passage 67, and second discharge passage 68 are assembled as a single unit. In detail, the detection duct 60 is detachably attached to the first insulated wall 21A with insertion portions 61B and 67B, respectively, provided in the suction passage 61 and the first discharge passage 67, inserted from the inside of the machine room 5 into insertion holes 21B formed in the first insulated wall 21A. The insertion portions 61B and 67B are portions that extend in the direction intersecting the first insulated wall 21A, i.e., in the vertical direction, in the suction passage 61 and the first discharge passage 67. The insertion hole 21B is a hole that penetrates the first insulated wall 21A and connects the display room 2 and the machine room 5. The insertion hole 21B extends in the direction along the insertion portions 61B and 67B, that is, in the vertical direction.

[0034] As described above, since the detection duct 60 is detachable from the first insulated wall 21A, maintenance of the circulation fan 64, refrigerant sensor 65, and switching device 66 can be easily performed by removing the detection duct 60. In particular, many refrigerant sensors 65 have characteristics that become inaccurate after contact with refrigerant, and their product lifespan is shorter than that of the showcase 1. For this reason, it is particularly easy to reduce the man-hours required for maintenance such as calibration or replacement of the refrigerant sensor 65.

[0035] In this embodiment, the intake passage 61, the housing 63, and the first discharge passage 67 are covered with insulating material. Therefore, even if low-temperature air from the display room 2 flows into the intake passage 61, the housing 63, and the first discharge passage 67, condensation is less likely to occur on the outer surfaces of the intake passage 61, the housing 63, and the first discharge passage 67 inside the machine room 5.

[0036] Furthermore, an air supply duct 70 is provided in the first insulated wall 21A. The air supply duct 70 has an air supply passage 71. The air supply passage 71 is a pipe with a space formed inside through which air passes. An air supply inlet 71A is formed at one end of the air supply passage 71. The air supply inlet 71A is an opening that connects the inside and outside of the air supply passage 71. The air supply inlet 71A is open in the machine room 5. An air supply outlet 71B is formed at the other end of the air supply passage 71. The air supply outlet 71B is an opening that connects the inside and outside of the air supply passage 71. The air supply outlet 71B is open in the display room 2.

[0037] The air supply duct 70 has an opening / closing device 72. The opening / closing device 72 is a device that opens and closes the air supply passage 71. The opening / closing device 72 is, for example, an opening / closing valve.

[0038] As shown in Figure 3, the air supply outlet 71B of the air supply duct 70 that opens in the display room 2 is positioned so as not to overlap vertically with the cooler 43, similar to the intake port 61A and the first outlet 67A. More specifically, the air supply outlet 71B is positioned in the first insulated wall 21A to avoid the defrost water receiving section 21C. This prevents defrost water from the cooler 43 from entering the inside of the detection duct 60 via the air supply outlet 71B.

[0039] Further, as shown in FIG. 3, in the air supply duct 70, an air supply suction port 71A opening in the machine room 5 is located closer to the front side of the showcase 1 than a second air outlet 68A of the detection duct 60. As described above, the condenser fan 53 blows air toward the rear inside the machine room 5, and generates a flow of outside air directed toward the rear. For this reason, it can be said that the air supply suction port 71A is located upstream of the second air outlet 68A in the flow of outside air in the machine room 5.

[0040] [1-1-3. Configuration of Control System] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the showcase 1. The showcase 1 includes a control unit 80.

[0041] The control unit 80 is connected to each device of the showcase 1 including the cool air fan 44, the heater 45, the compressor 51, the condenser fan 53, the circulation fan 64, the switching device 66, the opening / closing device 72, and the like, and controls the operation of each device. Further, the control unit 80 is connected to each sensor including the temperature adjustment sensor 46, the outside air temperature sensor 56, the refrigerant sensor 65, and the like, and acquires detection values from each sensor.

[0042] The control unit 80 includes a processor 81 and a storage medium 82. The processor 81 is configured by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit), or the like.

[0043] The storage medium 82 is configured by, for example, a hard disk, a flash memory, an optical disk, or the like. The storage medium 82 stores a control program 83. The processor 81 reads and executes the control program 83 stored in the storage medium 82, thereby executing each process for the showcase 1.

[0044] [1-2. Operation] The operation of the showcase 1 configured as described above will be described below.

[0045] [1-2-1. Operation during Normal Operation] First, the operation of the showcase 1 when the processor 81 does not detect refrigerant leakage, that is, during normal operation, will be described.

[0046] During normal operation of the showcase 1, the processor 81 operates the cool air fan 44, the compressor 51, and the condenser fan 53. Through the operation of the cool air fan 44, the air in the display chamber 2 circulates between the display section 3 and the cool air duct section 4 via the cool air outlet 41 and the cool air suction port 42. Further, through the operation of the compressor 51, the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit C condenses in the condenser 52 and evaporates in the cooler 43. Accordingly, the air in the display chamber 2 absorbs heat to the refrigerant inside the cooler 43 and is cooled while circulating between the display section 3 and the cool air duct section 4.

[0047] Further, during normal operation of the showcase 1, the processor 81 switches the opening / closing device 72 to a closed state to close the air supply flow path 71 of the air supply duct 70. Accordingly, during normal operation of the showcase 1, air exchange between the display chamber 2 and the machine room 5 can be prevented, and a temperature rise in the display chamber 2 can be suppressed.

[0048] Further, during normal operation of the showcase 1, the processor 81 operates the circulation fan 64 in a state where the switching device 66 switches the inflow destination of air in the housing 63 to the first outlet flow path 67. Accordingly, the air in the display chamber 2 flows into the detection duct 60 via the suction port 61A, passes through the suction flow path 61, the housing 63, the first outlet flow path 67, and the first outlet 67A in order, and flows into the inside of the display chamber 2 again. That is, during normal operation of the showcase 1, the processor 81 switches the air outlet in the detection duct 60 to the first outlet 67A by the switching device 66, and circulates air between the display chamber 2 and the detection duct 60 by operating the circulation fan 64.

[0049] Accordingly, the refrigerant leaking into the display chamber 2 easily reaches the refrigerant sensor 65 provided in the detection duct 60, and the processor 81 easily detects refrigerant leakage. The processor 81 determines whether refrigerant leakage has occurred in the display chamber 2 based on a detection value from the refrigerant sensor 65. Specifically, the processor 81 determines that refrigerant leakage has occurred in the display chamber 2 when the detection value of the refrigerant concentration inside the housing 63 by the refrigerant sensor 65 exceeds a predetermined concentration stored in the storage medium 82.

[0050] [1-2-2. Operation when refrigerant leak is detected] Next, we will explain the operation when the processor 81 detects a refrigerant leak in the display room 2.

[0051] When a refrigerant leak is detected in the display room 2, the processor 81 switches the air inlet of the housing 63 to the second discharge channel 68 using the switching device 66 and operates the circulation fan 64. As a result, the refrigerant filling the display room 2 flows into the detection duct 60 via the intake port 61A, passes through the intake channel 61, housing 63, second discharge channel 68, and second outlet port 68A in order, and flows into the machine room 5. In other words, after detecting a refrigerant leak, the processor 81 switches the air outlet in the detection duct 60 to the second outlet port 68A using the switching device 66 and operates the circulation fan 64 to exhaust the refrigerant from the display room 2 into the machine room 5.

[0052] This allows the concentration of refrigerant in the display room 2 to be reduced. In addition, the refrigerant that flows into the machine room 5 can be diffused in the machine room 5, and after its concentration is reduced, it can be discharged to the outside of the showcase 1 through the exhaust port 55. Therefore, even if the door 22 is opened after a refrigerant leak occurs in the display room 2, it is possible to suppress the formation of a region with a high concentration of refrigerant outside the showcase 1.

[0053] Furthermore, when the processor 81 detects a refrigerant leak in the display room 2, it stops the operation of the compressor 51 and continues the operation of the condenser fan 53. Due to the operation of the condenser fan 53, even after the detection of a refrigerant leak, an outside air flow is generated inside the machine room 5 from the outside air intake 54 to the exhaust port 55. As a result, the refrigerant that flows into the machine room 5 via the second outlet 68A is easily diffused, and the refrigerant concentration tends to decrease. In particular, in this embodiment, the second outlet 68A is located downstream of the condenser fan 53 in the outside air flow. As a result, the refrigerant that flows into the machine room 5 from the second outlet 68A is easily diffused by the high-velocity outside air blown by the condenser fan 53.

[0054] Furthermore, if the processor 81 detects a refrigerant leak in the display room 2, it switches the opening / closing device 72 to the open state, opening the air supply passage 71. When the air supply passage 71 is open, the refrigerant is exhausted from the display room 2 to the machine room 5 by the circulation fan 64, and the air from the machine room 5 flows into the display room 2 through the air supply passage 71. As a result, even when the refrigerant is exhausted from the display room 2, which is sealed by the door 22, to the machine room 5, as in this embodiment, the decrease in pressure inside the display room 2 can be suppressed, and it becomes easier to continue exhausting the refrigerant from the display room 2 to the machine room 5. In particular, in this embodiment, the air supply inlet 71A is located upstream of the second outlet 68A in the flow of outside air by the condenser fan 53. Therefore, outside air can be supplied to the display room 2 before it mixes with the refrigerant flowing into the machine room 5 from the second outlet 68A, making it easier to reduce the concentration of refrigerant inside the display room 2.

[0055] Furthermore, when the processor 81 detects a refrigerant leak in the display room 2, it may also perform actions such as notifying the user or manager of the showcase 1 of the refrigerant leak.

[0056] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, the showcase 1 comprises a refrigerant circuit C that generates cold air, a display room 2 that is cooled by the cold air generated by the refrigerant circuit C, a machine room 5 separated from the display room 2 by a first insulated wall 21A and housing at least a part of the refrigerant circuit C, and a detection duct 60 through which air from the display room 2 is transported from an intake port 61A that opens in the display room 2. The detection duct 60 is provided in the first insulated wall 21A of the machine room 5 and is equipped with a refrigerant sensor 65 that detects the refrigerant in the air transported from the display room 2. As a result, refrigerant leaked into the display room 2 can be transported to the detection duct 60 and detected. Therefore, refrigerant leaks can be easily detected.

[0057] As in this embodiment, the detection duct 60 in the showcase 1 may further include a circulation fan 64 that transports air from the display room 2 to the detection duct 60 via an intake port 61A, a first outlet 67A that opens in the display room 2, a second outlet 68A that opens in the machine room 5, and a switching device 66 that switches the air outlet in the detection duct 60 between the first outlet 67A and the second outlet 68A. When the refrigerant sensor 65 detects refrigerant, the switching device 66 switches the air outlet in the detection duct 60 to the second outlet 68A. This configuration allows refrigerant leaked into the display room 2 to be circulated through the detection duct 60 for detection, and after detection of refrigerant leakage, the leaked refrigerant can be diffused within the machine room 5. This makes it easier to detect refrigerant leakage while suppressing the formation of areas with high refrigerant concentration outside the showcase 1.

[0058] As in this embodiment, the machine room 5 may be configured to include a condenser 52 and a condenser fan 53 of the refrigerant circuit C, and the second outlet 68A of the detection duct 60 may be located downstream of the condenser fan 53 in the flow of outside air generated by the condenser fan 53. This makes it easier for the high-velocity airflow generated by the condenser fan 53 to hit the refrigerant flowing into the machine room 5 via the second outlet 68A, thus facilitating the diffusion of the refrigerant flowing into the machine room 5. As a result, it is possible to suppress the formation of areas with high refrigerant concentration outside the showcase 1.

[0059] As in this embodiment, the detection duct 60 may be configured to be detachably attached to the first insulated wall 21A. This allows the detection duct 60 to be removed from the first insulated wall 21A for maintenance such as calibration or replacement of the refrigerant sensor 65. This improves the maintainability of the showcase 1.

[0060] (Other Embodiments) As described above, Embodiment 1 has been explained as an example of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to this and can be applied to embodiments that have been modified, replaced, added, or omitted. Furthermore, it is possible to create new embodiments by combining the components described in Embodiment 1 above. Therefore, other embodiments are described below as examples.

[0061] In Embodiment 1, a door-type showcase 1 was described as an example of a refrigerated storage unit. A refrigerated storage unit can have any storage chamber that is cooled using a refrigerant circuit C. Therefore, the refrigerated storage unit is not limited to the door-type showcase 1. For example, the refrigerated storage unit may be an open-type showcase. Alternatively, the refrigerated storage unit may be a refrigerator or freezer. However, in cases where the storage chamber is sealed, such as in door-type showcases, refrigerators, or freezers, the concentration of leaked refrigerant in the storage chamber tends to increase, making the application of this disclosure particularly effective.

[0062] In Embodiment 1, the control unit 80 was described as including a processor 81 and a storage medium 82, but this is just one example. The control unit 80 may use, for example, wired logic that cannot be rewritten. Using wired logic in the control unit 80 is effective in improving processing speed. Examples of wired logic include ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 80 may also be implemented by combining a processor and wired logic. Implementing the control unit 80 by combining a processor and wired logic can improve processing speed while increasing the degree of freedom in software design. Furthermore, the control unit 80 and a circuit having a different function from the control unit 80 may be configured with a single semiconductor element. Examples of circuits having a different function include A / D and D / A conversion circuits. The control unit 80 may also be configured with a single semiconductor element or with multiple semiconductor elements. When composed of multiple semiconductor elements, various controls may be implemented using different semiconductor elements. Furthermore, the control unit 80 may be configured with a configuration that includes semiconductor elements and passive components such as resistors or capacitors.

[0063] Furthermore, although the above embodiment described that the detection duct 60 can be attached to and detached from the first insulated wall 21A as a standalone unit, this is merely an example. For example, the detection duct 60 may be configured to be detachably attached to other parts of the first insulated wall 21A as a detection duct module, in which the detection duct 60 and a part of the first insulated wall 21A are integrated. In this case, the showcase 1 may, for example, be equipped with a standalone part of the first insulated wall 21A that is part of the detection duct module, which can be replaced with the detection duct module. This allows the detection duct module to be attached to other parts of the first insulated wall 21A when refrigerant leakage detection is required, and the standalone part of the first insulated wall 21A to be attached to other parts of the first insulated wall 21A when refrigerant leakage detection is not required.

[0064] Since the embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes of the technology described herein, various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc., can be made within the claims or their equivalents.

[0065] (Note) The above description of embodiments discloses the following technologies. (Technology 1) A cooling storage facility comprising: a refrigerant circuit for generating cold air; a storage room cooled by the cold air generated by the refrigerant circuit; a machine room separated from the storage room by an insulating wall and housing at least a part of the refrigerant circuit; and a detection duct through which air from the storage room is transported from an intake opening in the storage room, wherein the detection duct is provided in the insulating wall of the machine room and is equipped with a refrigerant sensor for detecting the refrigerant in the air transported from the storage room. This makes it possible to transport refrigerant leaked into the storage room to the detection duct and detect it. This makes it easier to detect refrigerant leaks.

[0066] (Technology 2) The cooling storage facility according to Technology 1, wherein the detection duct further comprises a circulation fan that transports air from the storage room to the detection duct via an intake port, a first outlet opening in the storage room, a second outlet opening in the machine room, and a switching device that switches the air outlet in the detection duct between the first and second outlets, and when the refrigerant sensor detects refrigerant, the switching device switches the air outlet in the detection duct to the second outlet. This makes it possible to circulate refrigerant leaked into the storage room to the detection duct for detection, and after detecting a refrigerant leak, the leaked refrigerant can be diffused in the machine room. This makes it easier to detect refrigerant leaks while suppressing the formation of areas with high refrigerant concentrations outside the cooling storage facility.

[0067] (Technical 3) The cooling storage facility according to Technical 2, wherein the machine room comprises a condenser and a condenser fan of the refrigerant circuit, and the second outlet of the detection duct is located downstream of the condenser fan in the flow of outside air generated by the condenser fan. This makes it easier for the high-velocity airflow generated by the condenser fan to hit the refrigerant flowing into the machine room through the second outlet, thereby facilitating the diffusion of the refrigerant flowing into the machine room. As a result, it is possible to suppress the formation of areas with high refrigerant concentration outside the cooling storage facility.

[0068] (Technical 4) The cooling storage unit according to any one of Technical 1 to 3, wherein the detection duct is detachably attached to the insulated wall. This allows the detection duct to be removed from the insulated wall for maintenance such as calibration or replacement of the refrigerant sensor. This improves the maintainability of the cooling storage unit.

[0069] This disclosure is applicable to refrigerated storage facilities. Specifically, this disclosure is applicable to any refrigerated storage facility, such as door-type or open-type display cases, refrigerators, or freezers.

[0070] 1 Showcase (Cooled Storage) 2 Display Room (Storage Room) 3 Display Section 4 Cold Air Duct Section 5 Machine Room 21 Insulated Wall 21A First Insulated Wall (Insulated Wall) 21B Insertion Hole 21C Defrost Water Receiving Section 22 Door 23 Partition Plate 24 Rear Section 25 Top Section 26 Bottom Plate 31 Shelf 41 Cold Air Outlet 42 Cold Air Inlet 43 Cooler 44 Cold Air Fan 45 Heater 46 Temperature Control Sensor 51 Compressor 52 Condenser 53 Condenser Fan 54 Outside Air Inlet 55 Exhaust Port 56 Outside Temperature Sensor 60 Detection Duct 61 Inlet Flow 61A Inlet 61B Insertion Section 62 Detection Unit 63 Housing 64 Circulation Fan 65 Refrigerant sensor 66 Switching device 67 First discharge path 67A First outlet 67B Insertion section 68 Second discharge path 68A Second outlet 70 Air supply duct 71 Air supply path 71A Air supply intake 71B Air supply outlet 72 Opening / closing device 80 Control unit 81 Processor 82 Storage medium 83 Control program C Refrigerant circuit

Claims

1. A cooling storage facility comprising: a refrigerant circuit for generating cold air; a storage room cooled by the cold air generated by the refrigerant circuit; a machine room separated from the storage room by an insulating wall and housing at least a portion of the refrigerant circuit; and a detection duct through which air from the storage room is transported from an intake opening in the storage room, wherein the detection duct is provided in the insulating wall of the machine room and is equipped with a refrigerant sensor for detecting the refrigerant in the air transported from the storage room.

2. The detection duct further comprises a circulating fan that transports air from the storage room to the detection duct via the intake port, a first outlet opening in the storage room, a second outlet opening in the machine room, and a switching device that switches the air outlet in the detection duct between the first outlet and the second outlet, wherein when the refrigerant sensor detects refrigerant, the switching device switches the air outlet in the detection duct to the second outlet.

3. The cooling storage unit according to claim 2, wherein the machine room comprises a condenser and a condenser fan of the refrigerant circuit, and the second outlet of the detection duct is provided downstream of the condenser fan in the flow of outside air by the condenser fan.

4. The cooling storage cabinet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the detection duct is detachably attached to the insulating wall.

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