Cold stocker

Abstract

In a cold stocker according to the present invention, a compartment-cooling heat exchanger is connected to a cold-side heat exchanger mounted to a cold section of a Stirling refrigerating engine so as to form a cold-side refrigerant circulation circuit. To a warm section of the Stirling refrigerating engine, a first warm-side heat exchanger and a second warm-side heat exchanger are mounted. A heat-dissipating heat exchanger is connected to the first warm-side heat exchanger so as to form a first warm-side refrigerant circulation circuit. To the second warm-side heat exchanger are connected a heat exchange portion for promoting evaporation in drainage and a heat exchange portion for preventing dew condensation on a cold stocker wall so as to form a second warm-side refrigerant circulation circuit.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a cold stocker that uses to a Stirling engine to cool the inside of a compartment thereof. A “cold stocker” is a concept encompassing appliances in general in which the temperature in a closed space thereof (referred to as the “compartment” thereof) is lowered for the purpose of preserving food and the like, and the specific product name thereof is not limited to “refrigerator”, “freezer”, “refrigerator-freezer”, or the like. BACKGROUND ART [0002] In the refrigerating cycle of a cold stocker, a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) or a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) is used as a refrigerant. Since these refrigerants, when released into the atmosphere, more or less lead to the destruction of the ozone layer, the production and use thereof are globally regulated. [0003] Hence, Stirling refrigerating engines, which do not use an ozone depleting substance as a refrigerant, have been attracting much attention. In a Stirling refrigerating engine...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] In addition, the air cooling method itself inherently suffers from a large thermal resistance and does not help achieve absorption of enough heat. This inconveniently prevents the difference between the temperature of the warm section and the ambient temperature from reducing quickly, which prevents the COP (coefficient of performance) of the Stirling refrigerating engine from being improved.

[0050] With this structure, since the heat storage portion is formed in the warm-side refrigerant circulation circuit that includes the heat exchange portion and the heat exchanger disposed in the warm section of the Stirling refrigerating engine, it is possible, even if the Stirling refrigerating engine is off, to carry out defrosting by making use of heat stored in the heat storage portion. The cold of frost is collected by the heat storage portion, and is used for cooling the warm section during a normal operation. This reduces thermal load on the heat dissipation system, and thus heat dissipation efficiency of the whole heat dissipation system is improved. Hence, the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 operates with an enhanced COP, and thus the power consumption is reduced.

Problems solved by technology

Furthermore, a large amount of cooling air needs to be blown to the radiator.

Such a structure is accompanied by inconveniences such as: dust clogging between the fins for dissipating heat; big noise caused by the blowing air; and a large amount of power consumed by the fan.

In addition, the air cooling method itself inherently suffers from a large thermal resistance and does not help achieve absorption of enough heat.

This inconveniently prevents the difference between the temperature of the warm section and the ambient temperature from reducing quickly, which prevents the COP (coefficient of performance) of the Stirling refrigerating engine from being improved.

As a result, heat is absorbed through the outer surface of the gaskets and part of the wall facing outside around the gaskets, and thus the moisture in the air condenses into dew.

The dew drips down to make the floor wet, and also causes the wall of the cold stocker made of a coated steel plate to develop rust.

To prevent these inconveniences, in conventional cold stockers, electric heaters are arranged inside the walls near the gaskets for the purpose of preventing dew condensation, and this disadvantageously increases power consumption.

Images