Refrigeration container

Abstract

This refrigeration container comprises: a container body that has therein a refrigeration space; a refrigerator that is capable of cooling a gas taken in from the refrigeration space and that has a heat exchanger which exchanges heat between gas guided to a compressor and gas compressed by the compressor; a refrigerator casing that has therein a refrigerator accommodation space which accommodates the refrigerator, and that includes a rear plate part which is further to the refrigeration space side than the refrigerator and a pair of side plate parts which cover the sides of the refrigerator; and an inlet box that is for guiding a gas from the refrigeration space to the refrigerator and that has a box inner space which protrudes further to the refrigerator accommodation space side than the rear plate part and which is connected to the refrigeration space. The heat exchanger is disposed between the inlet box and one of the side plate parts in the width direction of the container body. An intake part for taking gas into the heat exchanger is connected to the inlet box.

Description

Refrigerated Container

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerated container. The present application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-049535 filed with the Japan Patent Office on March 25, 2025, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] A refrigerated container is a container provided with a refrigerating function for freezing or refrigerating articles such as cargo stored in a container chamber. Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigerated container including: a container body having a refrigerated space to be cooled therein; a refrigerator configured to be capable of cooling circulating gas sucked from the refrigerated space; and a refrigerator casing disposed inside the container body and having a refrigerator accommodating space for accommodating the refrigerator therein.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2024-055257

[0004] In the refrigerated container described in Patent Document 1, since the refrigerator casing is disposed inside the container body, the internal space (storage space) of the container body other than the refrigerator casing is restricted. For this reason, in a refrigerated container provided with a refrigerator casing, effective utilization of the internal space of the container body and downsizing of the refrigerated container are desired.

[0005] In view of the foregoing circumstances, an object of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerated container that can utilize the internal space of a container body and achieve downsizing of the refrigerated container.

[0006] A refrigerated container according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a container body having a refrigerated space to be cooled inside; a refrigerator configured to cool circulating gas drawn in from the refrigerated space, comprising at least a compressor configured to compress the circulating gas and a heat exchanger configured to perform heat exchange between the circulating gas led to the compressor and the compressed gas which is the circulating gas compressed by the compressor; a refrigerator casing disposed inside the container body and having a refrigerator housing space inside which the refrigerator is housed, comprising at least a back plate portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the container body on the refrigerated space side of the refrigerator and a pair of side plate portions extending in a direction perpendicular to the width direction of the container body and covering the refrigerator; and an inlet box for guiding the circulating gas from the refrigerated space to the refrigerator, the inlet box protruding from the back plate portion toward the refrigerator housing space and having an internal box space which is an internal space connected to the refrigerated space. The heat exchanger is positioned between one of the pair of side plates and the inlet box in the width direction of the container body, and an intake section for taking in the circulating gas into the heat exchanger is connected to the inlet box.

[0007] According to at least one embodiment of this disclosure, a refrigerated container is provided that can utilize the internal space of the container body and make the refrigerated container more compact.

[0008] This is a schematic diagram showing a refrigerated container according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. This is a schematic perspective view of a refrigerated container according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. This is a schematic cross-sectional view along the longitudinal direction of the container body of a refrigerated container according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. This is a schematic diagram of the refrigeration unit casing of a refrigerated container according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from the direction indicated by arrow A in Figure 2. This is a schematic diagram of the refrigeration unit casing of a refrigerated container according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from the direction indicated by arrow A in Figure 2. This is an explanatory diagram for illustrating the entrance box of a refrigerated container according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] Hereinafter, several embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc., of the components described or shown in the drawings as embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure, but are merely illustrative examples.

[0010] (Refrigerated Container) Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a refrigerated container 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 1, some embodiments of the refrigerated container 1 include a container body 2 having a refrigerated space 20 to be cooled inside, and a refrigerator 3 configured to cool circulating gas drawn in from the refrigerated space 20.

[0011] The refrigerated space 20 can accommodate goods such as cargo. The refrigerator 3 is configured to cool gases such as air present in the refrigerated space 20. The refrigerated space 20 is cooled by drawing in circulating gas from the refrigerated space 20, cooling it, and then returning it to the refrigerated space 20. The refrigerated container 1 can adjust the temperature of the gas inside the container (the gas present in the refrigerated space 20) using the refrigerator 3. In the following embodiment, the refrigerator 3 can set the temperature of the gas inside the container to an extremely low temperature (below -40°C and above -120°C, preferably below -80°C).

[0012] (Refrigeration Unit) The refrigerator unit 3, as shown in Figure 1, includes a compressor 41 configured to compress the circulating gas, a turbine 42 configured to expand the circulating gas, an inlet line 5, a compressed gas line 6, an outlet line 7, and a heat exchanger 8.

[0013] (Inlet line, compressed gas line, outlet line) The inlet line 5, as shown in Figure 1, is a flow path for guiding circulating gas from the refrigerated space 20 to the compressor 41. The compressed gas line 6, as shown in Figure 1, is a flow path for guiding the compressed gas, which is the circulating gas compressed by the compressor 41, to the turbine 42. The outlet line 7 is a flow path for guiding the circulating gas, which has been expanded by the turbine 42, back to the refrigerated space 20.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the inlet line 5 is provided in the refrigeration space 20 and has a suction port 51 (opening) for drawing circulating gas from the refrigeration space 20 into the interior of the inlet line 5. The suction port 51 is formed at the upstream end of the inlet line 5. The downstream end of the inlet line 5 is connected to the compressor 41.

[0015] The compressed gas line 6 is located outside the refrigeration space 20. The upstream end of the compressed gas line 6 is connected to the compressor 41, and the downstream end is connected to the turbine 42.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the outlet line 7 is provided in the refrigeration space 20 and has an outlet 71 (opening) for guiding circulating gas from inside the outlet line 7 into the refrigeration space 20. The outlet 71 is formed at the downstream end of the outlet line 7. The upstream end of the outlet line 7 is connected to the turbine 42.

[0017] (Turbomachinery) In the illustrated embodiment, the refrigerator 3 described above includes a turbomachinery 4, as shown in Figure 1. The turbomachinery 4 includes the compressor 41 described above, the turbine 42 described above, a rotating shaft 43, and an electric motor 44, as shown in Figure 1. The rotating shaft 43 is connected to the compressor 41 and the turbine 42. The electric motor 44 is configured to generate rotational force to rotate the compressor 41, the turbine 42, and the rotating shaft 43.

[0018] In the illustrated embodiment, the impeller of the compressor 41 is attached to one side of the rotating shaft 43, and the wheel (turbine wheel) of the turbine 42 is attached to the other side of the rotating shaft 43. In other words, the compressor 41 and the turbine 42 are arranged coaxially with each other via the rotating shaft 43, which is the output shaft of the electric motor 44, and are connected to the rotating shaft 43. The electric motor 44 is configured to transmit the rotational force it generates to the rotating shaft 43.

[0019] In the illustrated embodiment, the electric motor 44 is supplied with current from a power source such as a generator (not shown), and is driven by the current supplied from the power source to drive (rotate) the rotating shaft 43, the compressor 41, and the turbine 42.

[0020] By driving the compressor 41, the gas in the refrigerated space 20 is drawn into the inlet line 5 via the suction port 51 and guided to the compressor 41. The compressor 41 is configured to compress the circulating gas, which is the gas drawn in from the refrigerated space 20 via the suction port 51. The circulating gas compressed by the compressor 41 is heated and pressurized higher than before it was introduced into the compressor 41, becoming a gas of relatively high temperature and pressure.

[0021] The compressed gas, which is a circulating gas compressed by the compressor 41, is led to the turbine 42 via the compressed gas line 6. The turbine 42 is configured to expand the compressed gas that has been led to it. The circulating gas expanded by the turbine 42 is cooled and depressurized compared to before it was introduced into the turbine 42, becoming a relatively cold and low-pressure fluid. The circulating gas expanded in the turbine 42 is blown out into the refrigerated space 20 from the outlet line 7 via the outlet 71.

[0022] (Heat Exchanger) The heat exchanger 8 is configured to exchange heat between the circulating gas flowing through the inlet line 5 and the compressed gas flowing through the compressed gas line 6. The heat exchanger 8 is configured so that heat is transferred between two gases with different temperatures separated by a heat transfer wall. Through heat transfer in the heat exchanger 8, the compressed gas flowing through the compressed gas line 6 is cooled and the circulating gas flowing through the inlet line 5 is heated. The circulating gas heated by the heat exchanger 8 is introduced into the compressor 41. The compressed gas cooled by the heat exchanger 8 is introduced into the turbine 42.

[0023] (Cooler) In the illustrated embodiment, the refrigerator 3 described above further includes a cooler 9 configured to cool the compressed gas flowing upstream of the heat exchanger 8 (compressor 41 side) of the compressed gas line 6. The cooler 9 is configured to exchange heat between the compressed gas flowing upstream of the heat exchanger 8 of the compressed gas line 6 and a coolant (for example, water) that is colder than the compressed gas. The cooler 9 is configured so that two fluids with different temperatures (compressed gas and coolant) transfer heat across a heat transfer wall.

[0024] Heat transfer in the cooler 9 cools the compressed gas flowing upstream of the heat exchanger 8 in the compressed gas line 6. The compressed gas cooled by the cooler 9 is then introduced into the heat exchanger 8 through the compressed gas line 6.

[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, the refrigerator 3 includes a coolant line 91 for circulating coolant and a cooling device 92 for cooling the coolant flowing through the coolant line 91. The coolant line 91 is a passage for returning the coolant taken from the cooler 9 to the cooler 9. The coolant line 91 is provided with a coolant pump 93 for supplying coolant in the coolant line 91 and a radiator 94. The cooling device 92 includes a radiator 94 and a fan 95 for air-cooling the radiator 94.

[0026] The coolant, which has been heated by heat transfer in the cooler 9, is guided to the coolant line 91 by the coolant pump 93, cooled by the cooling system 92 including the radiator 94, and then guided back to the cooler 9.

[0027] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a refrigerated container 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the container body 2 of the refrigerated container 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, along the longitudinal direction. Figures 4 and 5 are schematic views of the refrigeration casing 100 of the refrigerated container 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from the direction indicated by arrow A in Figure 2.

[0028] (Container body) As shown in Figure 2, the container body 2 has a plurality of walls 21 to 24 and is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape that extends along the longitudinal direction of the container body 2. Hereinafter, the horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the container body 2 is defined as the width direction of the container body 2. The plurality of walls 21 to 24 include a ceiling wall 21 that extends along a direction perpendicular to the height direction of the container body 2, a bottom wall 22 that extends below the ceiling wall 21 along a direction perpendicular to the height direction of the container body 2, and a pair of long side walls 23, 24 that are spaced apart from each other and each connects the ceiling wall 21 and the bottom wall 22.

[0029] The container body 2 may be a shipping container used for transporting goods, etc. The container body 2 may be a standard shipping container such as a 10ft container, a 20ft container, or a 40ft container.

[0030] As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the refrigerated container 1 comprises the container body 2 described above, the refrigerator 3 described above, the refrigerator casing 100, and the inlet box 300.

[0031] (Refrigeration Casing) The refrigeration casing 100 is located inside the container body 2 and has a refrigeration housing space 101 inside which the refrigeration unit 3 is housed. In the illustrated embodiment, the refrigeration casing 100 is located in an opening formed on one side in the longitudinal direction of the container body 2, as shown in Figure 3. The refrigerated container 1 is equipped with a door 25 that is configured to be openable and closable and located in an opening formed on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the container body 2. By opening the door 25, goods such as cargo and people can be moved between the outside of the container body 2 and the refrigerated space 20.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the refrigeration casing 100 includes a back plate portion 102, a top plate portion 103, a bottom plate portion 104, and a pair of side plate portions 105 and 106, as shown in Figure 2. Each of the back plate portion 102, the top plate portion 103, the bottom plate portion 104, and the pair of side plate portions 105 and 106 is formed in a flat plate shape. The back plate portion 102 extends along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the container body 2 on the side of the refrigerated space 20 in the longitudinal direction of the container body 2, relative to the refrigeration unit 3.

[0033] The ceiling plate portion 103 extends from the upper end of the back plate portion 102 along a direction perpendicular to the height direction of the container body 2, and covers the top of the refrigeration unit 3. The outer wall surface of the ceiling plate portion 103 faces the inner surface of the ceiling wall 21 with a gap in between. The bottom plate portion 104 extends from the lower end of the back plate portion 102 along a direction perpendicular to the height direction of the container body 2, and covers the bottom of the refrigeration unit 3. The outer wall surface of the bottom plate portion 104 faces the inner surface of the bottom wall 22 (floor surface 221) with a gap in between.

[0034] Each of the pair of side panels 105 and 106 extends along a direction perpendicular to the width direction of the container body 2, covering the side of the refrigeration unit 3. Side panel 105 is connected to one end of each of the back panel 102, top panel 103, and bottom panel 104 in the width direction of the container body 2. The outer wall surface of side panel 105 faces the inner surface of the long side wall 23 with a gap in between. Side panel 106 is connected to the other end of each of the back panel 102, top panel 103, and bottom panel 104 in the width direction of the container body 2. The outer wall surface of side panel 106 faces the inner surface of the long side wall 24 with a gap in between.

[0035] (Thermal insulation) In the illustrated embodiment, the refrigerated container 1 includes thermal insulation 200 laminated on the outer wall surface of the refrigeration unit casing 100, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The thermal insulation 200 includes a rear-side thermal insulation 202, an upper-side thermal insulation 203, a lower-side thermal insulation 204, and a pair of side-side thermal insulation 205 and 206. The thermal insulation 200 allows the refrigerated container 1 to suppress heat input to the refrigeration unit housing space 101 and heat dissipation from the refrigeration unit housing space 101.

[0036] The rear insulation material 202 is laminated on the outer wall surface (the side facing the freezing space 20) of the back plate portion 102. The top insulation material 203 is laminated on the outer wall surface (top surface) of the ceiling plate portion 103. The bottom insulation material 204 is laminated on the outer wall surface (bottom surface) of the bottom plate portion 104. The side insulation material 205 is laminated on the outer wall surface of the side plate portion 105, and the side insulation material 206 is laminated on the outer wall surface of the side plate portion 106.

[0037] (Inlet Box) The inlet box 300 constitutes part of the inlet line 5, which is a flow path for guiding circulating gas from the refrigeration space 20 to the refrigerator 3. The inlet box 300 protrudes from the back plate portion 102 of the refrigerator casing 100 toward the refrigerator housing space 101 and has an internal box space 301 which is an internal space connected to the refrigeration space 20.

[0038] As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the entrance box 300 includes a front panel 302, a bottom panel 303, a first side panel 304, and a second side panel 305. Each of the front panel 302, bottom panel 303, first side panel 304, and second side panel 305 is formed in a flat plate shape.

[0039] The front panel 302 extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the container body 2, on the side of the refrigeration unit housing space 101 in the longitudinal direction of the container body 2, compared to the back panel 102. The front panel 302 faces the back panel 102 across the box interior space 301.

[0040] The bottom plate 303 extends below the ceiling plate portion 103, along a direction perpendicular to the height direction of the container body 2. The bottom plate 303 faces the ceiling plate portion 103 across the box interior space 301.

[0041] Each of the first side plate 304 and the second side plate 305 extends along a direction perpendicular to the width direction of the container body 2. The first side plate 304 is connected to one end of each of the front plate 302 and bottom plate 303 in the width direction of the container body 2. The outer wall surface of the first side plate 304 faces the inner surface of the side plate portion 105 in the width direction of the container body 2 with a gap in between.

[0042] The second side plate 305 is connected to the other end of the front plate 302 and the bottom plate 303 in the width direction of the container body 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the second side plate 305 is formed integrally with the side plate portion 105, but it may be formed separately from the side plate portion 105.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3, the refrigerator casing 100 is formed with an inlet-side communication hole 52 for guiding circulating gas from the outside of the refrigerator casing 100 to the box inner space 301, and an outlet-side communication hole 72 for guiding circulating gas from the refrigerator accommodation space 101 to the outside of the refrigerator casing 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet-side communication hole 52 is a through hole penetrating the ceiling plate portion 103. The outlet-side communication hole 72 is a through hole penetrating the back plate portion 102. In the refrigeration space 20, gas with a relatively high temperature (warm air) gathers upward, and gas with a relatively low temperature (cold air) gathers downward. By forming the inlet-side communication hole 52 in the ceiling plate portion 103, gas with a relatively high temperature can be taken into the refrigerator 3, so the cooling effect of the refrigerator 3 on the refrigeration space 20 can be effectively exerted.

[0044] The refrigeration space 20 of the container body 2 is provided with the aforementioned suction port 51 (opening) for sucking gas such as air in the refrigeration space 20, and the aforementioned air outlet 71 (opening) for blowing gas such as air out into the refrigeration space 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the suction port 51 is provided above the inlet-side communication hole 52. The air outlet 71 is provided below the outlet-side communication hole 72.

[0045] (Inlet Flow Path) In the illustrated embodiment, an inlet flow path 601 is formed inside the container body 2, which connects the box inner space 301 and the refrigeration space 20, and guides gas existing in the refrigeration space 20 to the box inner space 301 via the suction port 51. The inlet flow path 601 is provided outside the refrigerator casing 100 and constitutes a part of the inlet line 5. The suction port 51 is formed at one end of the inlet flow path 601, and the other end of the inlet flow path 601 is connected to the inlet-side communication hole 52.

[0046] The circulating gas sucked from the refrigeration space 20 via the suction port 51 flows through the inlet flow path 601, and is then guided to the box inner space 301 via the inlet-side communication hole 52.

[0047] (Outlet flow path) In the illustrated embodiment, inside the container body 2, an outlet flow path 701 is formed which connects the refrigerator accommodation space 101 and the refrigeration space 20, and guides the circulating gas cooled in the refrigerator 3 to the refrigeration space 20 via the air outlet 71. The outlet flow path 701 is provided outside the refrigerator casing 100 and constitutes a part of the outlet line 7. An air outlet 71 is formed at one end of the outlet flow path 701, and the other end of the outlet flow path 701 is connected to the outlet-side communication hole 72.

[0048] The circulating gas expanded by the turbine 42 is guided to the outlet flow path 701 via the outlet-side communication hole 72, and after flowing through the outlet flow path 701, is blown out from the air outlet 71 into the refrigeration space 20.

[0049] The compressor 41, the turbine 42, the electric motor 44, the heat exchanger 8, the cooler 9, and the cooling device 92 are accommodated in the refrigerator accommodation space 101, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. The heat exchanger 8 is arranged at an upper position within the refrigerator accommodation space 101, and the cooler 9 and the cooling device 92 are arranged at a lower position within the refrigerator accommodation space 101. The compressor 41, the turbine 42, and the electric motor 44 are arranged below the heat exchanger 8 in the refrigerator accommodation space 101, and above the cooler 9 and the cooling device 92.

[0050] The heat exchanger 8 is arranged between one of the pair of side plate portions 105, 106, that is the side plate portion 105, and the first side plate 304 of the inlet box 300 in the width direction of the container body 2.

[0051] The refrigerator casing 100 includes a placing portion 107 on which the heat exchanger 8 is placed. The placing portion 107 extends below the ceiling plate portion 103 along a direction orthogonal to the height direction of the container body 2. The upper surface of the placing portion 107 faces the inner surface of the ceiling plate portion 103 across the space where the heat exchanger 8 is arranged. The placing portion 107 is supported by at least one of the back plate portion 102 and the side plate portion 105.

[0052] The heat exchanger 8 has an intake section 81 for taking in circulating gas, and the intake section 81 is connected to the first side plate 304 of the inlet box 300. The first side plate 304 has a connection port 306 to which the intake section 81 of the heat exchanger 8 is connected. By connecting the intake section 81 to the first side plate 304 of the inlet box 300, circulating gas is drawn from the box interior space 301 to the heat exchanger 8 via the connection port 306.

[0053] In this embodiment, the refrigerated container 1 can be made more compact by arranging the entrance box 300 inside the refrigeration unit casing 100, thereby utilizing the internal space of the container body 2. The refrigerated container 1 can utilize the internal space of the refrigeration unit casing 100 by arranging the heat exchanger 8, which has a relatively large volume in the refrigeration unit 3, between the side plate portion 105 and the first side plate 304 of the entrance box 300, and placing it on the mounting portion 107.

[0054] In this embodiment, the refrigerated container 1 has the intake section 81 of the heat exchanger 8 connected to the inlet box 300, which allows the heat exchanger 8 to be supported by the inlet box 300. This improves the reliability of the refrigeration unit 3 against vibrations that occur when transporting the refrigerated container 1.

[0055] In some embodiments of the refrigerated container 1, the intake section 81 of the heat exchanger 8 extends linearly along the width direction of the container body 2 and is connected to the connection port 306. In this embodiment of the refrigerated container 1, the length and surface area of ​​the intake section 81 of the heat exchanger 8 can be reduced, which allows for a more compact refrigerator 3 and suppresses heat input from outside the intake section 81 to the circulating gas flowing through the intake section 81.

[0056] (Drain Discharge Hole) Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the inlet box 300 of a refrigerated container 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In some embodiments of the refrigerated container 1, as shown in Figure 6, the inlet box 300 described above includes at least a first side plate 304 having a connection port 306 formed therein, and a second side plate 305 having a drain discharge hole 308 formed below the connection port 306.

[0057] Frost that accumulates in the internal space 301 of the box may melt due to normal operation or defrosting of the refrigerator 3, or natural melting after operation of the refrigerator 3, generating drain. In this embodiment, the refrigerated container 1 has a drain discharge hole 308 formed in the second side plate 305, allowing drain to be discharged from the internal space 301 of the box to the outside of the inlet box 300 through the drain discharge hole 308.

[0058] (Inclined plate) In some embodiments of the refrigerated container 1, as shown in Figure 6, the above-described inlet box 300 includes a first side plate 304 having a connection port 306, a second side plate 305 having a drain discharge hole 308, and an inclined plate 309. One end of the inclined plate 309 is connected below the connection port 306 of the first side plate 304, and the other end is connected below the drain discharge hole 308 of the second side plate 305. The inclined plate 309 is inclined downward in the width direction of the container body 2 as it approaches the second side plate 305.

[0059] In this embodiment, the refrigerated container 1 can guide the drain present in the box interior space 301 to the second side plate 305, where the drain discharge hole 308 is formed, by the inclination of the inclined plate 309, thereby improving the drain discharge performance of the inlet box 300. In the illustrated embodiment, the inclined plate 309 is separate from the bottom plate 303 and is positioned above the bottom plate 303 in the box interior space 301, but the inclined plate 309 may be a bottom plate 303 that has been inclined.

[0060] (Inlet channel forming section) In some embodiments of the refrigerated container 1, an inlet channel forming section 600 is provided which forms an inlet channel 601 above the internal space 301 of the box. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the inlet channel forming section 600 is positioned above the ceiling plate section 103 and forms the inlet channel 601 between itself and the ceiling plate section 103. The inlet channel forming section 600 includes an upper plate 602 that defines the area above the inlet channel 601, a front plate 603 that defines the side of the inlet channel 601 that is separated from the refrigerated space 20, and a back plate 604 that defines the side of the inlet channel 601 that is separated from the refrigerated space 20.

[0061] The upper plate 602 extends above the ceiling plate portion 103, along a direction perpendicular to the height direction of the container body 2. The front plate 603 is connected to the end of the upper plate 602 on the side of the refrigeration unit housing space 101 in the longitudinal direction of the container body 2, and extends along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the container body 2. The back plate 604 is connected to the end of the upper plate 602 on the side of the refrigeration space 20 in the longitudinal direction of the container body 2, and extends along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the container body 2.

[0062] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the suction port 51 described above includes a first suction port 51A, which is a through-hole that penetrates the upper plate 602, and a second suction port 51B, which is a through-hole that penetrates the back plate 604. The suction port 51 may include only one of the first suction port 51A or the second suction port 51B. In the illustrated example, the first suction port 51A and the second suction port 51B are rectangular holes having a longitudinal direction along the width direction of the container body 2. By forming the suction ports 51A and 51B in the upper plate 602 or back plate 604 of the inlet flow path forming section 600, it is possible to suppress obstruction of gas intake from the freezing space 20 through the suction ports 51A and 51B by the object to be frozen contained in the freezing space 20. Furthermore, by forming suction ports 51A and 51B on the upper plate 602 or back plate 604 of the inlet flow path forming section 600, relatively high-temperature gas can be drawn into the refrigerator 3, thereby enabling the refrigerator 3 to effectively cool the refrigerated space 20.

[0063] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the refrigerated container 1 includes a first suction port filter 401 provided at the first suction port 51A and having a mesh opening smaller than the size of the first suction port 51A, and a second suction port filter 402 provided at the second suction port 51B and having a mesh opening smaller than the size of the second suction port 51B. The first suction port filter 401 and the second suction port filter 402 can suppress the entry of foreign matter into the inlet line 5.

[0064] In some embodiments of the refrigerated container 1, as shown in Figure 5, a refrigerator-side insulating material 207 is provided, which is an insulating material laminated on the outer wall surface of the entrance box 300 and the outer surface of the heat exchanger 8 in the refrigerator housing space 101 described above.

[0065] In the illustrated embodiment, the refrigerator-side insulation material 207 is laminated on the outer surface of the front panel 302 (the surface of the container body 2 that is separated from the refrigerated space 20 in the longitudinal direction). In addition, the refrigerator-side insulation material 207 is laminated on the surface of the heat exchanger 8 that is separated from the refrigerated space 20 in the longitudinal direction of the container body 2.

[0066] During normal operation of the refrigerator 3, relatively low-temperature (below room temperature) gas flows through the inlet box 300 and the heat exchanger 8. In this embodiment, the refrigerated container 1 can suppress heat input to the inlet box 300 and the heat exchanger 8 in the refrigerator housing space 101 by stacking the refrigerator-side insulation material 207 on the inlet box 300 and the heat exchanger 8.

[0067] In some embodiments of the refrigerated container 1, as shown in Figure 5, the above-mentioned refrigeration unit-side insulation material 207 is laminated on the outer surface of the low-temperature side of the heat exchanger 8 where the intake portion 81 is provided, but not on the outer surface of the high-temperature side of the heat exchanger 8. On the low-temperature side of the heat exchanger 8, which is one side in the width direction of the container body 2 and where the intake portion 81 is provided, a relatively low-temperature gas introduced from the refrigerated space 20 flows. On the high-temperature side of the heat exchanger 8, which is the other side in the width direction of the container body 2, a relatively high-temperature gas (for example, room temperature) that has been heated by heat exchange in the heat exchanger 8 flows.

[0068] In this embodiment, the refrigerated container 1 does not require insulation by the refrigerator-side insulation material 207 on the high-temperature (room temperature) side of the heat exchanger 8 because a relatively high-temperature gas flows through that side. By not stacking the refrigerator-side insulation material 207 on the high-temperature side of the heat exchanger 8, the refrigerated container 1 can utilize the empty space on the high-temperature side of the heat exchanger 8 to provide a support structure for supporting the heat exchanger 8 in the refrigerator casing 100, thereby making better use of the internal space of the refrigerator casing 100.

[0069] In some embodiments of the refrigerated container 1, as shown in Figure 3, the back plate portion 102 of the refrigeration casing 100 includes a first back plate portion 102A and second back plate portions 102B and 102C that are lower than the first back plate portion 102A and protrude further toward the refrigeration housing space 101 than the first back plate portion 102A. The outlet side communication hole 72 is formed in the second back plate portions 102B and 102C.

[0070] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the first back plate portion 102A extends along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the container body 2. The lower end of the first back plate portion 102A is located below the bottom plate 303 of the entrance box 300, and the first back plate portion 102A has a surface facing the heat exchanger 8. The second back plate portions 102B and 102C include an inclined portion 102B, one end of which is connected to the lower end of the first back plate portion 102A, and which is inclined to be located downward from the one end toward the other end that protrudes toward the refrigerator housing space 101 in the longitudinal direction of the container body 2, and a flat plate portion 102C that extends downward from the other end of the inclined portion 102B along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the container body 2.

[0071] In this embodiment, the refrigerated container 1 allows for the utilization of the internal space of the container body 2 and enables the refrigerated container 1 to be made more compact by having a part of the back plate portion 102 of the refrigeration unit casing 100 (second back plate portions 102B, 102C) protrude towards the refrigeration unit housing space 101.

[0072] In the illustrated embodiment, the outlet line 7 includes turbine outlet piping 73 connecting the turbine 42 and the outlet side communication hole 72. The outlet side communication hole 72 is formed in the second back plate portions 102B and 102C (in the illustrated example, the inclined portion 102B).

[0073] In this embodiment, the refrigerated container 1 has an outlet-side communication hole 72 formed in the second back plate portion 102B, 102C (inclined portion 102B in the illustrated example) that protrudes toward the refrigerator housing space 101 side of the back plate portion 102. This reduces the length and surface area of ​​the turbine outlet piping 73 that connects the turbine 42 and the outlet-side communication hole 72, thereby suppressing heat input from outside the turbine outlet piping 73 to the circulating gas flowing through the turbine outlet piping 73.

[0074] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the refrigerated container 1 has an outlet-side communication hole 72 formed in the inclined portion 102B, so that the outlet-side communication hole 72 faces downwards towards the refrigerated space 20 in the longitudinal direction of the container body 2. In this case, the circulating gas blown out from the outlet-side communication hole 72 flows toward the outlet 71, so that the pressure loss of the circulating gas flowing through the outlet passage 701 can be suppressed.

[0075] (Outlet channel forming section) In some embodiments of the refrigerated container 1, as shown in Figure 3, an outlet channel forming section 700 is provided between the refrigerator housing space 101 and the refrigerated space 20 in the longitudinal direction of the container body 2 to form an outlet channel 701.

[0076] The outlet channel forming section 700 is supported by the refrigerator casing 100 (first back plate section 102A in the illustrated example) and hangs down below the first back plate section 102A, forming an outlet channel 701 between it and the second back plate sections 102B and 102C. As shown in Figure 3, the outlet channel forming section 700 may be laminated on the side of the back insulation material 202 laminated on the outer wall surface of the first back plate section 102A that is facing the refrigeration space 20, and the outlet channel 701 may be formed between it and the back insulation material 202 laminated on the outer wall surfaces of the second back plate sections 102B and 102C. In this case, the outlet channel forming section 700 can support the back insulation material 202 laminated on the outer wall surface of the first back plate section 102A, and deformation of the back insulation material 202 laminated on the outer wall surface of the first back plate section 102A can be suppressed.

[0077] In the illustrated embodiment, the outlet channel forming section 700 is a metal plate extending along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the container body 2. By using a metal with a smaller heat capacity than the rear-side insulating material 202 for the outlet channel forming section 700, the time required to cool the refrigerated space 20 can be shortened.

[0078] The air outlet 71 is formed between the lower end of the outlet flow path forming section 700 and the floor surface (floor surface 221 of the bottom wall 22) of the refrigerated space 20 of the container body 2. In the illustrated example, the air outlet 71 is a rectangular hole with a longitudinal direction along the width direction of the container body 2.

[0079] In this embodiment, the refrigerated container 1 has an outlet channel forming section 700 that forms an outlet channel 701 on the side of the refrigeration space 20 that is closer to the refrigeration unit casing 100 in the longitudinal direction of the container body 2, thereby suppressing heat input to the circulating gas flowing through the outlet channel 701. Furthermore, the outlet channel forming section 700 prevents damage or deterioration of the rear insulation material 202 due to collisions with cargo during unloading or cleaning of the interior of the container, thereby reducing its functionality. In addition, in this embodiment, the refrigerated container 1 has both the function of supporting the rear insulation material 202 and the function of forming the outlet channel 701 in the outlet channel forming section 700, which allows for the utilization of the internal space of the container body 2 and enables the refrigerated container 1 to be made more compact.

[0080] (Laying Member) In some embodiments of the refrigerated container 1, as shown in Figure 3, a laying member 800 may be provided which is laid on the floor surface (floor surface 221 of the bottom wall 22) of the refrigerated space 20 of the container body 2. A load to be cooled (object to be cooled) can be placed on the upper surface 801 of the laying member 800. The laying member 800 is configured to form a gas flow path 802 that extends along the longitudinal direction of the container body 2 between the upper surface 801 and the floor surface 221 of the bottom wall 22. The above-mentioned outlet 71 is formed below the upper surface 801 of the laying member 800 and is configured to communicate with the gas flow path 802. Specifically, the outlet 71 is formed at a height position such that at least a portion of it overlaps with the gas flow path 802 in the height direction of the container body 2.

[0081] In this embodiment, the refrigerated container 1 is configured such that the circulating gas (cold air) introduced into the gas flow path 802 via the outlet 71 flows through the gas flow path 802 and then flows above the upper surface 801 of the laying member 800. In this case, the circulating gas (cold air) introduced into the refrigerated space 20 via the outlet 71 can be guided to a wide area of ​​the refrigerated space 20. Therefore, even if the cargo to be cooled is placed on the upper surface 801 of the laying member 800, the entire refrigerated space 20 can be effectively cooled.

[0082] (Bypass line, first flow control valve, second flow control valve) In some embodiments of the refrigerated container 1, as shown in Figure 1, the above-described refrigeration unit 3 further includes a bypass line 11, a first flow control valve 12, and a second flow control valve 13. Note that the above-described embodiments of the refrigerated container 1 can also be fitted with a refrigeration unit 3 that does not include the bypass line 11, the first flow control valve 12, and the second flow control valve 13.

[0083] (Bypass line) The bypass line 11 is a flow path for extracting circulating gas from the upstream side of the heat exchanger 8 of the compressed gas line 6 and guiding it to the downstream side of the heat exchanger 8 of the compressed gas line 6.

[0084] In the illustrated embodiment, the upstream end 111 of the bypass line 11 is connected upstream of the cooler 9 of the compressed gas line 6. The downstream end 112 of the bypass line 11 is connected downstream of the heat exchanger 8 of the compressed gas line 6. In this case, by connecting the upstream end 111 of the bypass line 11 upstream of the cooler 9 of the compressed gas line 6, the refrigerated container 1 can circulate high-temperature circulating gas (warm air) through the bypass line 11 compared to when it is connected between the cooler 9 and the heat exchanger 8 of the compressed gas line 6, thereby promoting defrosting of the chiller 3 by the warm air.

[0085] In some other embodiments, the upstream end 111 of the bypass line 11 may be connected between the cooler 9 and the heat exchanger 8 of the compressed gas line 6.

[0086] (First flow control valve) The first flow control valve 12 is installed in the bypass line 11 and is configured to adjust the flow rate of the circulating gas flowing through the bypass line 11. The first flow control valve 12 is configured to adjust the flow rate of the circulating gas that is led downstream of the first flow control valve 12 (towards the turbine 42) via the bypass line 11 by changing the opening degree of the valve body located in the bypass line 11.

[0087] (Second flow control valve) The second flow control valve 13 is configured to adjust the flow rate of compressed gas flowing downstream of the connection point between the bypass line 11 and the upstream end 111 in the compressed gas line 6, and upstream of the connection point between the bypass line 11 and the downstream end 112. The second flow control valve 13 is configured to adjust the flow rate of circulating gas led downstream of the second flow control valve 13 (towards the turbine 42) via the compressed gas line 6 by changing the opening degree of the valve body located in the compressed gas line 6. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the second flow control valve 13 is provided between the connection point between the bypass line 11 and the upstream end 111 in the compressed gas line 6 and the heat exchanger 8.

[0088] Each of the first flow control valve 12 and the second flow control valve 13 may be an on-off valve whose opening can be adjusted to fully closed and fully open, or an opening adjustment valve whose opening can be adjusted to fully closed, fully open and at least one intermediate opening between these two.

[0089] In the embodiments shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first flow control valve 12 and the second flow control valve 13 are housed in the refrigerator housing space 101. The first flow control valve 12 and the second flow control valve 13 are positioned below the heat exchanger 8 and above the cooler 9 and cooling device 92 in the refrigerator housing space 101.

[0090] (Opening and closing of valves during normal operation) During normal operation (steady-state operation) of the chiller 3, the first flow control valve 12 is closed and the second flow control valve 13 is open. During normal operation (steady-state operation) of the chiller 3, the circulating gas flows through the inlet line 5, the compressed gas line 6 and the outlet line 7 without passing through the bypass line 11.

[0091] (Opening and closing of valves during defrost operation) During the defrost operation of the chiller 3 to melt frost attached to the chiller 3, the first flow control valve 12 and the second flow control valve 13 are open. During the defrost operation of the chiller 3, the warm air (circulating gas) compressed by the compressor 41 to a relatively high temperature and pressure melts the frost attached to the low-temperature side of the heat exchanger 8 and the inlet box 300, thereby warming the gas flowing through the heat exchanger 8. By warming the gas flowing through the heat exchanger 8, the temperature of the gas led to the turbine 42 can be raised to above room temperature, and the frost attached to the turbine 42 can be melted.

[0092] (Opening and closing of valves during warm-up operation) During warm-up operation to heat the refrigerated space 20 to a temperature higher than the ambient temperature outside the container body 2, the first flow control valve 12 is open and the second flow control valve 13 is closed. During warm-up operation of the chiller 3, warm air (circulating gas) that has been compressed by the compressor 41 to a relatively high temperature and pressure is introduced into the refrigerated space 20 via the bypass line 11 and the outlet line 7, thereby warming the gas present in the refrigerated space 20.

[0093] In this embodiment, the refrigerated container 1 can perform defrosting operation of the refrigerator 3 to melt frost on the components constituting the refrigerator 3, and warm-up operation to heat the refrigerated space 20 to a temperature higher than the ambient temperature outside the container body 2, by opening and closing the first flow control valve 12 and the second flow control valve 13. By performing warm-up operation to heat the refrigerated space 20 to a temperature higher than the ambient temperature outside the container body 2, the refrigerated container 1 can suppress the freezing of the objects to be frozen contained in the refrigerated space 20.

[0094] In this embodiment, the refrigerated container 1 allows for defrosting and warming operations of the refrigerator 3 using a relatively simple bypass line 11, a first flow control valve 12, and a second flow control valve 13, thus suppressing complexity in the configuration of the refrigerator 3.

[0095] In some embodiments of the refrigerated container 1, as shown in Figure 1, the refrigeration unit 3 includes the electric motor 44 configured to generate rotational force to rotate the compressor 41, and a rotation speed control device 45 for controlling the rotation speed of the electric motor 44. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotation speed control device 45 includes an inverter that can increase or decrease the rotation speed of the electric motor 44 by changing the frequency of the power supply provided to the electric motor 44.

[0096] When the refrigerator 3 starts defrosting or warming up, at least one of the following is performed: opening the first flow control valve 12 or closing the second flow control valve 13. The rotational speed control device 45 is configured to reduce the rotational speed of the electric motor 44 when at least one of the following conditions is met: opening the first flow control valve 12 or closing the second flow control valve 13. The rotational speed control device 45 is configured to reduce the rotational speed of the electric motor 44 to a rotational speed lower than that during normal operation (steady-state operation) when the above conditions are met. The rotational speed control device 45 may also adjust the rotational speed of the electric motor 44 to a predetermined rotational speed for each open / closed state of the first flow control valve 12 and the second flow control valve 13.

[0097] During defrosting and warming operations of the refrigerator 3, relatively high-temperature warm air (circulating gas) extracted from upstream of the heat exchanger 8 of the compressed gas line 6 is introduced into the components and flow paths of the refrigerator 3. In this embodiment, the refrigerated container 1 reduces the rotational speed of the electric motor 44 using the rotational speed control device 45 during defrosting and warming operations of the refrigerator 3, thereby suppressing excessive heat buildup of the warm air (circulating gas) and preventing heat damage to the components and flow paths of the refrigerator 3. By suppressing heat damage to the components and flow paths of the refrigerator 3, the refrigerated container 1 can improve the reliability of the components and flow paths of the refrigerator 3.

[0098] In this specification, expressions describing relative or absolute arrangements such as "in a certain direction," "along a certain direction," "parallel," "orthogonal," "center," "concentric," or "coaxial" shall not only describe such arrangements strictly, but also describe states of relative displacement with tolerances or angles or distances sufficient to achieve the same function. For example, expressions describing things being in an equal state such as "identical," "equal," and "homogeneous" shall not only describe states of being strictly equal, but also describe states where tolerances or differences exist to the extent that the same function is achieved. Furthermore, in this specification, expressions describing shapes such as quadrilaterals or cylindrical shapes shall not only describe geometrically precise quadrilaterals or cylindrical shapes, but also describe shapes including concave and concave parts, chamfered parts, etc., to the extent that the same effect is achieved. In addition, in this specification, expressions such as "equipment," "includes," or "possesses" a component are not exclusive expressions that exclude the existence of other components.

[0099] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, but also includes modified forms of the embodiments described above, as well as forms that combine these forms as appropriate.

[0100] The contents described in some of the embodiments above can be understood, for example, as follows:

[0101] [1] A refrigerated container (1) according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a container body (2) having a refrigerated space (20) to be cooled inside; a refrigerator (3) configured to cool a circulating gas drawn in from the refrigerated space (20), comprising at least: a compressor (41) configured to compress the circulating gas; and a heat exchanger (8) configured to perform heat exchange between the circulating gas introduced into the compressor (41) and the compressed gas which is the circulating gas compressed by the compressor (41); A refrigerator casing (100) disposed inside the container body (2) and having a refrigerator housing space (101) inside which the refrigerator (3) is housed, comprising at least a back plate portion (102) extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the container body (2) on the side of the refrigerator (3) towards the refrigerator space (20), and a pair of side plate portions (105, 106) extending in a direction perpendicular to the width direction of the container body (2) and covering the refrigerator (3); and an inlet box (300) for guiding the circulating gas from the refrigerator space (20) to the refrigerator (3), comprising an inlet box (300) that protrudes from the back plate portion (102) towards the refrigerator housing space (101) and has an internal box space (301) which is an internal space connected to the refrigerator space (20), The heat exchanger (8) is positioned in the width direction of the container body (2) between one of the pair of side plate portions (105, 106) (105) and the inlet box (300), and an intake portion (81) for taking in the circulating gas into the heat exchanger (8) is connected to the inlet box (300).

[0102] According to the configuration described in [1] above, the refrigerated container (1) can be made more compact by arranging the entrance box (300) inside the refrigeration unit casing (100), thereby utilizing the internal space of the container body (2). The refrigerated container (1) can be made more compact by arranging the heat exchanger (8), which has a relatively large volume in the refrigeration unit (3), between the side plate section (105) and the entrance box (300).

[0103] Furthermore, according to the configuration described in [1] above, the intake section (81) of the heat exchanger (8) of the refrigerated container (1) is connected to the inlet box (300), so that the heat exchanger (8) can be supported by the inlet box (300), thereby improving the reliability of the refrigeration unit (3) against vibrations that occur when transporting the refrigerated container 1.

[0104] [2] In some embodiments, the refrigerated container (1) described in [1] above, wherein the entrance box (300) includes at least a first side plate (304) that faces the one side plate portion (105) of the refrigeration casing (100) in the width direction of the container body (2) across the refrigeration housing space (101), and the first side plate (304) has a connection port (306) formed thereon to which the intake portion (81) of the heat exchanger (8) is connected, and the intake portion (81) of the heat exchanger (8) extends linearly along the width direction of the container body (2) and is connected to the connection port (306).

[0105] According to the configuration described in [2] above, the length and surface area of ​​the intake section (81) of the heat exchanger (8) can be reduced, which allows for a more compact refrigerator (3) and also suppresses heat input from outside the intake section (81) to the circulating gas flowing through the intake section (81).

[0106] [3] In some embodiments, the refrigerated container (1) described in [1] or [2] above, wherein the inlet box (300) includes at least: a first side plate (304) that faces the one side plate portion (105) of the refrigeration casing (100) in the width direction of the container body (2) across the refrigeration housing space (101), and having a connection port (306) formed therein to which the intake portion (81) of the heat exchanger (8) is connected; and a second side plate (305) that faces the first side plate (304) in the width direction of the container body (2) across the box internal space (301), and having a drain discharge hole (308) formed below the connection port (306).

[0107] According to the configuration described in [3] above, frost accumulated in the box interior space (301) may melt due to normal operation or defrosting of the refrigerator (3), or natural melting after operation of the refrigerator (3), generating drain. The refrigerated container (1) has drain discharge holes (308) formed in the second side plate (305), allowing drain to be discharged from the box interior space (301) to the outside of the inlet box (300) via the drain discharge holes (308).

[0108] [4] In some embodiments, the refrigerated container (1) described in [3] above, wherein the inlet box (300) includes an inclined plate (309) connected below the connection port (306) of the first side plate (304) and below the drain discharge hole (308) of the second side plate (305), the inclined plate (309) inclined downward toward the second side plate (305) in the width direction of the container body (2).

[0109] According to the configuration described in [4] above, the refrigerated container (1) can guide the drain present in the box interior space (301) to the second side plate (305) where the drain discharge hole (308) is formed, due to the inclination of the inclined plate (309), thereby improving the drain discharge performance of the inlet box (300).

[0110] [5] In some embodiments, the refrigerated container (1) is as described in any of [1] to [4] above, wherein the refrigeration casing (100) includes a ceiling plate portion (103) that extends from the upper end of the back plate portion (102) in a direction perpendicular to the height direction of the container body (2) and covers the top of the refrigeration unit (3), and an inlet-side communication hole (52) is formed in the ceiling plate portion (103) for guiding circulating gas from outside the refrigeration casing (100) into the box interior space (301).

[0111] According to the configuration described in [5] above, the refrigerated container (1) can take in relatively high-temperature gas by forming an inlet-side communication hole (52) in the ceiling plate portion (103), thereby enabling the cooling effect of the refrigerated space (20) by the refrigerator (3) to be effectively exerted.

[0112] [6] In some embodiments, the refrigerated container (1) described in [5] above further comprises an inlet channel forming section (600) which forms an inlet channel (601) above the box interior space (301) for guiding the gas present in the refrigerated space (20) to the box interior space (301) via a suction port (51) for drawing the circulating gas from the refrigerated space (20), the inlet channel forming section (600) includes a back plate (604) defining the refrigerated space (20) side of the inlet channel (601) and an upper plate (602) defining the upper part of the inlet channel (601), the suction port (51) is formed on at least one of the back plate (604) or the upper plate (602) of the inlet channel forming section (600).

[0113] According to the configuration described in [6] above, the refrigerated container (1) can prevent obstruction of gas intake from the refrigerated space (20) via the intake port (51) by the object to be frozen contained in the refrigerated space (20). Furthermore, by forming the intake port (51) on the top plate (602) or back plate (604), the refrigerated container (1) can draw in gas at a relatively high temperature, thereby enabling the cooling effect of the refrigerated space (20) by the refrigerator (3) to be effectively exerted.

[0114] [7] In some embodiments, the refrigerated container (1) described in [6] above is further provided with suction filters (401, 402) provided at the suction port (51) and having an opening smaller than the size of the suction port (51).

[0115] According to the configuration described in [7] above, the refrigerated container (1) can prevent foreign matter from entering the inlet line (5) by the intake filters (401, 402).

[0116] [8] In some embodiments, the refrigerated container (1) described in any of [1] to [7] above is further comprising a refrigerator-side insulating material (207) which is an insulating material laminated on the outer wall surface of the entrance box (300) and the outer surface of the heat exchanger (8) in the refrigerator housing space (101).

[0117] According to the configuration described in [8] above, a relatively low-temperature gas flows through the inlet box (300) and the heat exchanger (8). The refrigerated container (1) can suppress the heat input to the inlet box (300) and the heat exchanger (8) in the refrigerator housing space (101) by stacking the refrigerator-side insulation material (207) on the inlet box (300) and the heat exchanger (8).

[0118] [9] In some embodiments, the refrigerated container (1) described in [8] above is configured such that the refrigeration unit side insulation material (207) is laminated on the low-temperature side outer surface of the heat exchanger (8) where the intake portion (81) is provided, but is not laminated on the high-temperature side outer surface of the heat exchanger (8).

[0119] According to the configuration described in [9] above, relatively high-temperature gas flows through the high-temperature (room temperature) side of the heat exchanger (8), so insulation by the refrigerator-side insulation material (207) is unnecessary. By not stacking the refrigerator-side insulation material (207) on the high-temperature side of the heat exchanger (8), the refrigerated container (1) can be provided with a support structure for supporting the heat exchanger (8) in the refrigerator casing (100) in the empty space on the high-temperature side of the heat exchanger (8), thus enabling the utilization of the internal space of the refrigerator casing (100).

[0120]

[10] In some embodiments, a refrigerated container (1) according to any of [1] to [9] above, wherein the back plate portion (102) of the refrigeration casing (100) includes a first back plate portion (102A) and a second back plate portion (102B, 102C) that is lower than the first back plate portion (102A) and protrudes more toward the refrigeration housing space (101) than the first back plate portion (102A), and the second back plate portion (102B, 102C) is provided with an outlet side communication hole (72) for connecting the refrigeration housing space (101) and the refrigeration space (20) and for guiding the circulating gas cooled in the refrigeration unit (3) to the refrigeration space (20).

[0121] According to the configuration described in

[10] above, the refrigerated container (1) can utilize the internal space of the container body (2) by having a part of the back plate portion (102) of the refrigeration unit casing (100) (second back plate portions 102B, 102C) protrude toward the refrigeration unit housing space (101), thereby making the refrigerated container (1) more compact. The refrigerated container (1) can reduce the length and surface area of ​​the turbine outlet piping (73) connecting the turbine (42) and the outlet outlet piping (72) by forming an outlet-side communication hole (72) in the second back plate portion (102B, 102C) that protrudes toward the refrigeration unit housing space (101) in the back plate portion (102), thereby suppressing heat input from outside the turbine outlet piping (73) to the circulating gas flowing through the turbine outlet piping (73).

[0122]

[11] In some embodiments, the refrigerated container (1) described in

[10] further comprises an outlet channel forming section (700) which is supported by the refrigerator casing (100) and hangs down below the first back plate section (102A), and between the second back plate sections (102B, 102C) forms an outlet channel (701) for guiding the circulating gas cooled in the refrigerator (3), which is introduced through the outlet side communication hole (72), to the refrigerated space (20) through an outlet (71) provided below the outlet side communication hole (72).

[0123] According to the configuration described in

[11] above, the refrigerated container (1) can form an outlet channel (701) on the side of the refrigeration space (20) that is closer to the refrigeration unit casing (100) in the longitudinal direction of the container body (2) by the outlet channel forming section (700), thereby suppressing heat input to the circulating gas flowing through the outlet channel (701).

[0124]

[12] In some embodiments, the refrigerated container (1) described in

[11] further comprises a rear-side insulating material (202) laminated on the surface of the back plate portion (102) on the side facing the refrigerated space (20), the rear-side insulating material (202) being supported by the outlet flow path forming portion (700).

[0125] According to the configuration described in

[12] above, the refrigerated container (1) has both the function of supporting the rear insulation material (202) in the outlet channel forming section (700) and the function of forming the outlet channel (701), thereby making use of the internal space of the container body (2) and enabling the refrigerated container (1) to be made more compact.

[0126]

[13] In some embodiments, a refrigerated container (1) is as described in any of [1] to

[12] above, wherein the refrigerator (3) comprises: a turbine (42) configured to expand the circulating gas; an inlet line (5) for leading the circulating gas from the refrigerated space (20) to the compressor (41); a compressed gas line (6) for leading the compressed gas, which is the circulating gas compressed by the compressor (41), to the turbine (42); an outlet line (7) for leading the circulating gas, which has been expanded by the turbine (42), to the refrigerated space (20); a bypass line (11) connecting the upstream and downstream sides of the compressed gas line (6) to the heat exchanger (8); and a first flow control valve (12) configured to adjust the flow rate of the compressed gas flowing through the bypass line (11). The system includes an upstream connection to which the upstream end (111) of the bypass line (11) of the compressed gas line (6) is connected, and a second flow control valve (13) configured to adjust the flow rate of the compressed gas flowing between the upstream connection to which the downstream end (112) of the bypass line (11) is connected.

[0127] According to the configuration described in

[13] above, the refrigerated container (1) can perform defrosting operation of the refrigerator (3) to melt frost on the components of the refrigerator (3) and warm-up operation to heat the refrigerated space (20) to a temperature higher than the ambient temperature outside the container body (2) by opening and closing the first flow control valve (12) and the second flow control valve (13). During the defrosting operation of the refrigerator (3), the circulating gas compressed by the compressor (41) and heated to a relatively high temperature melts the frost adhering to the low-temperature side of the heat exchanger (8) and the inlet box (300), thereby warming the gas flowing through the heat exchanger (8). By warming the gas flowing through the heat exchanger (8), the temperature of the gas led to the turbine (42) can be raised to above room temperature, and the frost adhering to the turbine (42) can be melted.

[0128]

[14] In some embodiments, the refrigerated container (1) described in

[13] above, wherein the refrigerator (3) includes an electric motor (44) configured to generate a rotational force to rotate the compressor (41), and a rotational speed control device (45) for controlling the rotational speed of the electric motor (44), wherein the rotational speed control device (45) is configured to reduce the rotational speed of the electric motor when the first flow control valve is opened or the second flow control valve is closed.

[0129] According to the configuration described in

[14] above, during defrosting and warming operations of the refrigerator (3), relatively high-temperature warm air (circulating gas) extracted from upstream of the heat exchanger (8) of the compressed gas line (6) is introduced into the components and flow paths of the refrigerator (3). During defrosting and warming operations of the refrigerator (3), the refrigerated container (1) reduces the rotational speed of the electric motor (44) using the rotational speed control device (45), thereby suppressing the warm air (circulating gas) from becoming excessively hot, and thus suppressing thermal damage to the components and flow paths of the refrigerator (3). By suppressing thermal damage to the components and flow paths of the refrigerator (3), the refrigerated container (1) can improve the reliability of the components and flow paths of the refrigerator (3).

[0130] 1 Refrigerated container 2 Container body 3 Refrigeration unit 4 Turbomachinery 5 Inlet line 6 Compressed gas line 7 Outlet line 8 Heat exchanger 9 Cooler 11 Bypass line 12 First flow control valve 13 Second flow control valve 20 Refrigerated space 41 Compressor 42 Turbine 43 Rotating shaft 44 Electric motor 45 Rotation speed control device 51 Inlet 51A First inlet 51B Second inlet 52 Inlet side communication hole 71 Outlet 72 Outlet side communication hole 73 Turbine outlet piping 81 Intake section 100 Refrigeration unit casing 101 Refrigeration unit housing space 102 Back plate section 102A First back plate section 102B Inclined section 102C Flat section 200 Insulation material 300 Inlet box 301 Box interior space 302 Front plate 303 Bottom plate 304 First side plate 305 Second side plate 306 Connection port 308 Drain discharge hole 309 Inclined plate 600 Inlet flow path forming section 601 Inlet flow path 700 Outlet flow path forming section 701 Outlet flow path 800 Laying member 801 Top surface 802 Gas flow path

Claims

1. A container body having a refrigerated space to be cooled inside; a refrigerator configured to cool circulating gas drawn in from the refrigerated space, comprising at least a compressor configured to compress the circulating gas, and a heat exchanger configured to perform heat exchange between the circulating gas led to the compressor and the compressed gas which is the circulating gas compressed by the compressor; a refrigerator casing disposed inside the container body and having a refrigerator housing space inside which the refrigerator is housed, comprising at least a back plate portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the container body on the refrigerated space side of the refrigerator, and a pair of side plate portions extending in a direction perpendicular to the width direction of the container body and covering the refrigerator; and an inlet box for guiding the circulating gas from the refrigerated space to the refrigerator, the inlet box protruding from the back plate portion toward the refrigerator housing space and having an internal box space which is an internal space connected to the refrigerated space. A refrigerated container wherein the heat exchanger is positioned between one of the pair of side plates and the inlet box in the width direction of the container body, and an intake portion for taking in the circulating gas into the heat exchanger is connected to the inlet box.

2. The inlet box includes at least a first side plate that faces the one side plate portion of the refrigeration casing in the width direction of the container body, with the refrigeration housing space in between, and having a connection port formed therein to which the intake portion of the heat exchanger is connected, and the intake portion of the heat exchanger extends linearly along the width direction of the container body and is connected to the connection port, the refrigeration container according to claim 1.

3. The refrigerated container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inlet box comprises at least: a first side plate facing the one side plate portion of the refrigeration casing in the width direction of the container body, across the refrigeration housing space, and having a connection port formed therein for connecting the intake portion of the heat exchanger; and a second side plate facing the first side plate in the width direction of the container body, across the box internal space, and having a drain discharge hole formed below the connection port.

4. The refrigerated container according to claim 3, wherein the inlet box includes an inclined plate connected below the connection port of the first side plate and below the drain discharge hole of the second side plate, the inclined plate being inclined downward in the width direction of the container body toward the second side plate.

5. The refrigeration casing extends from the upper end of the back plate portion in a direction perpendicular to the height direction of the container body and includes a ceiling plate portion that covers the top of the refrigeration unit, and an inlet-side communication hole for guiding circulating gas from outside the refrigeration casing into the box interior space is formed in the ceiling plate portion, the refrigeration container according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The refrigerated container according to claim 5, further comprising an inlet channel forming section formed above the box interior space for guiding gas present in the refrigerated space into the box interior space via a suction port for drawing in the circulating gas from the refrigerated space, wherein the inlet channel forming section includes a back plate defining the refrigerated space side of the inlet channel and an upper plate defining the upper part of the inlet channel, and the suction port is formed on at least one of the back plate or the upper plate of the inlet channel forming section.

7. The refrigerated container according to claim 6, further comprising a suction port filter provided at the suction port, having a mesh opening smaller than the size of the suction port.

8. The refrigerated container according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a refrigerator-side insulating material which is an insulating material laminated on the outer wall surface of the entrance box and the outer surface of the heat exchanger in the refrigerator housing space.

9. The refrigeration container according to claim 8, wherein the refrigeration unit side insulation material is laminated on the outer surface of the low-temperature side of the heat exchanger where the intake portion is provided, but is not laminated on the outer surface of the high-temperature side of the heat exchanger.

10. The refrigeration container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the back plate portion of the refrigeration casing includes a first back plate portion having a surface facing the heat exchanger, and a second back plate portion that is lower than the first back plate portion and protrudes more toward the refrigeration housing space than the first back plate portion, and the second back plate portion has an outlet-side communication hole formed therein for connecting the refrigeration housing space and the refrigeration space and for guiding the circulating gas cooled by the refrigeration unit into the refrigeration space.

11. The refrigerated container according to claim 10, further comprising an outlet channel forming portion which is supported by the refrigeration casing and hangs down below the first back plate portion, and which forms an outlet channel between itself and the second back plate portion for guiding the circulating gas cooled in the refrigeration unit, which is introduced through the outlet side communication hole, into the refrigerated space through an outlet provided below the outlet side communication hole.

12. The refrigerated container according to claim 11, further comprising a rear-side insulating material laminated on the surface of the back plate portion facing the freezing space, the rear-side insulating material being supported in the outlet channel forming portion.

13. The refrigeration unit comprises: a turbine configured to expand the circulating gas; an inlet line for leading the circulating gas from the refrigeration space to the compressor; a compressed gas line for leading the compressed gas, which is the circulating gas compressed by the compressor, to the turbine; an outlet line for leading the circulating gas, which has been expanded by the turbine, to the refrigeration space; a bypass line connecting the upstream and downstream sides of the compressed gas line to the heat exchanger; a first flow control valve configured to adjust the flow rate of the compressed gas flowing through the bypass line; and a second flow control valve configured to adjust the flow rate of the compressed gas flowing between an upstream connection to which the upstream end of the bypass line of the compressed gas line is connected, and a downstream connection to which the downstream end of the bypass line is connected.

14. The refrigeration unit includes an electric motor configured to generate a rotational force to rotate the compressor, and a rotational speed control device for controlling the rotational speed of the electric motor, wherein the rotational speed control device is configured to reduce the rotational speed of the electric motor when the first flow control valve is opened or the second flow control valve is closed, the refrigerated container according to claim 13.

Images