KR20090031068A - Supercooling system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a subcooling device.

The present invention includes a first storage space having a sub-zero temperature region, a second storage space having a temperature region different from the second storage space, and a first or second storage space, and storing food or liquid containing liquids. It provides a supercooling apparatus comprising a container to.

Description

Subcooler {APPARATUS FOR SUPERCOOLING}

The present invention relates to a subcooling device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a supercooling apparatus for storing water in a supercooled state such that when a user impacts the water storage container, the water in the container starts to change phase and ice crystals and liquids are mixed and changed into a slush state. In addition, the present invention relates to a supercooling apparatus which can be applied to a freezer compartment of a general refrigerating compartment to store water in a supercooled state.

Subcooling means a phenomenon that no change occurs even when the melt or solid is cooled to below the phase transition temperature at equilibrium. Each substance has a stable state corresponding to the temperature at that time, so that the temperature can be gradually changed so that members of the substance can keep up with the temperature change while maintaining the stable state at each temperature. However, if the temperature suddenly changes, the member cannot afford to change to the stable state according to each temperature, so that the state remains stable at the starting point temperature, or a portion thereof changes to the state at the end point temperature.

For example, if water is gradually cooled, it will not temporarily solidify even if it reaches a temperature of 0 ° C or lower. However, when the object is in the supercooled state, it becomes a kind of metastable state, and even a slight stimulus breaks the unstable equilibrium state and is likely to move to a more stable state. That is, when a small piece of material is added to the supercooled liquid or the liquid is suddenly shaken, the liquid starts to solidify immediately and the temperature of the liquid rises to the freezing point, thereby maintaining a stable equilibrium at that temperature.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, an electrostatic field atmosphere is created in a refrigerator, and thawing of meat and fish in the refrigerator is performed at a negative temperature. In addition to meat and fish, freshness of fruits is maintained.

This technique uses a supercooling phenomenon, which refers to a phenomenon in which the melt or solid does not change even when the melt or solid is cooled to below the phase transition temperature at equilibrium.

Such a technique includes the electrostatic field treatment method, the electrostatic field treatment device, and electrodes used in them.

1 is a view showing an embodiment of a thawing and freshness holding device according to the prior art, wherein the cold storage 1 is constituted by a heat insulator 2 and an outer wall 5, and the internal temperature control mechanism (not shown). Is installed. The metal shelf 7 installed in the interior of the storehouse has a two-stage structure, and on each stage, objects for thawing or freshness maintenance and ripening of vegetables, meat and fish are mounted. The metal shelf 7 is insulated from the bottom of the furnace by the insulator 9. The high voltage generator 3 can generate direct current and alternating voltage up to 0 to 5000 V, and the inside of the heat insulating material 2 is covered with an insulating plate 2a such as vinyl chloride. The high voltage cable 4 for outputting the voltage of the high voltage generator 3 is connected to the metal wire board 7 through the outer wall 5 and the heat insulating material 2.

When the door 6 provided on the front side of the cold storage 1 is opened, the safety switch 13 (refer FIG. 2) which is not shown in figure is turned off, and the output of the high voltage generator 3 is interrupted | blocked.

2 is a circuit diagram showing the circuit configuration of the high voltage generator 3. AC 100V is supplied to the primary side of the voltage regulating transformer 15. Reference numeral 11 denotes a power supply lamp, and reference numeral 19 denotes a lamp indicating an operating state. The relay 14 operates when the above-mentioned door 6 is closed and the safety switch 13 is turned on. This state is indicated by the relay operation lamp 12. The relay contact ( 14a, 14b, and 14c are closed, and an AC 100V power source is applied to the primary side of the voltage regulating transformer 15.

The applied voltage is adjusted by the adjusting knob 15a on the secondary side of the voltage adjusting transformer 15, and the adjusted voltage value is displayed on the voltmeter. The adjusting knob 15a is connected to the primary side of the secondary boosting transformer 17 of the voltage adjusting transformer 15. In this boosting transformer 17, the boosting voltage is boosted at a ratio of 1:50, for example. When a voltage of 60V is applied, it is stepped up to 3000V.

_One end O ₁ of the secondary side output of the boosting transformer 17 is connected to the metal shelf 7 insulated from the cold storage via the high voltage cable 4, and the other end O _{2 of the} output is earthed. Moreover, since the outer wall 5 is earthed, even if the user of the cold storage 1 contacts the outer wall of the cold storage, there is no electric shock. In addition, if the metal shelf 7 is exposed in the furnace in FIG. 1, since the metal shelf 7 needs to be kept insulated in the furnace, it is necessary to separate it from the walls of the furnace (the air insulates). . In addition, when the object 8 protrudes from the metal shelf 7 and contacts the inner wall, current flows to the ground through the high wall. Therefore, when the insulating plate 2a is attached to the inner wall, the drop of applied voltage is prevented. And even if the said metal shelf 7 is coat | covered with vinyl chloride material etc. without exposing in the inside, the whole inside becomes an electric field atmosphere.

In the prior art, since an electric field or a magnetic field is applied to an object to be cooled and stored so that the object enters a supercooled state, a complicated device for generating an electric field or a magnetic field for storage in the supercooled state of the object is provided. High power consumption is required for the generation of such electric or magnetic fields. In addition, such a device for generating an electric field or a magnetic field is additionally provided with a device (for example, an electric field or magnetic field shielding structure, a blocking device, etc.) for the safety of the user when the electric field or the magnetic field is generated, when the electric field or magnetic field is generated due to the high power. Should be.

An object of the present invention is to provide a supercooling apparatus capable of preventing the formation of ice crystals by placing a container for storing food and liquid over storage spaces having different temperature ranges.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a supercooling device that thickens the heat insulator and allows the upper part of the container to be positioned therein so that the upper part of the container is maintained at a high temperature by the heat insulator to prevent ice crystals from forming. .

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a supercooling device that is located outside the cooling chamber, and stored at room temperature, so that ice crystals can be prevented from being formed on the top of the container.

The present invention includes a first storage space having a sub-zero temperature region, a second storage space having a temperature region different from the second storage space, and a first or second storage space, and storing food or liquid containing liquids. It provides a supercooling apparatus comprising a container to.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a subcooling apparatus, wherein the second storage space has a temperature region higher than that of the maximum ice crystal generation zone.

In another aspect of the present invention, the second storage space provides a supercooling apparatus, characterized in that it has a temperature range of room temperature.

In still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a supercooling device, wherein the first storage space is insulated by a heat insulating material.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a cooling space for storing food and liquid at a sub-zero temperature, and includes a casing including an insulation layer and a container insertion groove formed on one side of the cooling space of the casing. to provide. Through such a configuration, a simple structure can be added during foaming of the casing to easily form a space having a higher temperature than the cooling space, so that a part of the container can be inserted.

In still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a supercooling device, wherein the heat insulation layer of the casing is thicker than other portions where the thickness of the vicinity of the container insertion groove is formed. Through such a configuration, even when the container insertion groove is formed, the heat insulating performance between the cooling space and the outside can be maintained.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a supercooling device is provided with a cold air, a cooling chamber for storing food and a subcooling chamber protruding outward from the cooling chamber, inserting a container for storing food and beverage. Through this configuration, it is possible to prevent the formation of ice crystals on the upper portion of the container by outside air at room temperature without providing a separate heat source.

In another aspect of the present invention, the subcooling chamber provides an overcooling apparatus, characterized in that it comprises an opening for inserting the container on the upper surface. Through this configuration, the container can be stored in a state of passing through the subcooling chamber.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a supercooling device, which is located around the opening and includes a sealing member for sealing a gap between the opening and the inserted container. Through such a configuration, it is possible to prevent outside air from flowing into the subcooling chamber or to prevent cold air from flowing out of the subcooling chamber to the outside, thereby increasing the efficiency of the subcooling apparatus.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a supercooling apparatus, characterized in that the sealing member is made of an elastic material and formed in an approximately ring shape.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a subcooling apparatus further comprising a cold air flow path for introducing cold air into the subcooling chamber. The cold air flow path may be configured, for example, with a duct. Through such a configuration, the subcooling chamber can be stably maintained at a low temperature.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a supercooling apparatus, further comprising a valve positioned on a flow passage to control cold air flowing into the subcooling chamber. Through such a configuration, it is possible to control the cold air to flow into the subcooling chamber only when the container is stored in the subcooling chamber.

In another aspect of the present invention, the subcooling chamber is partitioned into a plurality of spaces in which the container is stored, and provides an subcooling device including an opening for inserting the container on an upper surface of the partitioned space.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a supercooling apparatus, further comprising a plurality of cold air flow paths respectively introducing cold air into the plurality of spaces.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a supercooling apparatus, further comprising a plurality of valves provided on a plurality of cold air flow passages and controlling respective cold air flow passages.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a supercooling apparatus, which is in close contact with or attached to at least one surface of the subcooling chamber and further includes an evaporator through which a refrigerant flows.

In another aspect of the present invention, the subcooling chamber provides a subcooling apparatus, characterized in that the subcooling chamber can be taken in and out from the cooling chamber. Through such a configuration, when the food or liquid stored in the container is not stored in the supercooled state, the subcooling chamber can be inserted into the cooling chamber to use the appearance in a flat state.

Further, as another aspect of the present invention, the subcooling chamber provides a subcooling apparatus, characterized in that the dispensing form from the cooling chamber is a drawer type.

In another aspect of the present invention, the subcooling chamber provides a subcooling apparatus characterized in that the upper and lower forms of the subcooling chamber are in a form in which the upper portion of the subcooling chamber is lowered down to a predetermined angle.

In the supercooling apparatus provided by the present invention, a container for storing food or a liquid is located in a space having two different temperature regions, and the liquid does not produce ice crystals, and may be stored in a supercooled state.

Further, the supercooling apparatus provided by the present invention provides a temperature region in which the liquid does not form ice crystals by foaming a part of the region thickly upon foaming of the casing, so that a relatively high temperature region can be easily provided.

In addition, the supercooling device provided by the present invention, by adjusting the foam thickness of the heat insulating material, so that the upper portion of the container is located in a relatively high temperature region, it is possible to eliminate the separate structure for heat insulation with the low temperature region.

In addition, in the subcooling apparatus provided by the present invention, the container is exposed to the outside air outside the subcooling apparatus, and thus ice crystals can be prevented without adding a separate heat source.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a view showing a process in which ice tuberculosis is generated in the liquid being cooled. As shown in FIG. 3, the container C containing the liquid L in the cooling space S is cooled.

It is assumed that the cooling temperature of the cooling space S is cooled, for example, from room temperature to 0 degrees (phase transition temperature of water) or below the phase transition temperature of the liquid L. As this cooling proceeds, for example, below water (-1 to -5 degrees) or below the maximum ice crystal formation zone of water where ice crystals are produced at maximum at about -1 degrees to -5 degrees for water. It is intended to maintain the supercooled state of water or liquid (L) even at a cooling temperature below the maximum ice crystal generation zone of.

Evaporation takes place from the liquid L during this cooling, so that the water vapor W1 flows into the gas (or space) Lg in the vessel C. When the container C is closed by the lid Ck, the gas Cg may be in a supersaturated state due to the vaporized water vapor W1. However, in the present specification, the container (C) may optionally include a lid (Ck), if included, the cold air of the cooling space directly flows in, or the surface of the liquid (L) or the temperature of the gas (Lg) on the surface The cooling by the cold air can be prevented to some extent.

As the cooling temperature reaches or passes the temperature of the maximum ice crystal generation zone of the liquid L, it is formed as freeze tuberculosis F2 on the inner wall of the container or freeze tuberculosis F1 in the gas Lg. Alternatively, condensation takes place at a portion where the surface Ls of the liquid L and the inner wall of the container C (which substantially coincide with the cooling temperature of the cooling space S) are formed and the condensed liquid L is iced. It can be formed as freezing tuberculosis (F3).

For example, when the frozen tuberculosis F1 in the gas Lg descends and penetrates into the liquid L through the surface Ls of the liquid L, the supercooled state of the liquid L is released and the liquid ( A freezing phenomenon is caused in L), and the supercooling of the liquid L is released.

Alternatively, when the frozen tuberculosis F3 comes into contact with the surface Ls of the liquid L, the supercooled state of the liquid L is released, thereby causing a freezing phenomenon in the liquid L. FIG.

As described above, looking at the process of formation of freezing tubers F1 to F3, when the liquid L is stored below the temperature of the maximum ice crystal generation zone of the liquid L, it is evaporated from the liquid L, and the liquid Due to freezing of water vapor on the surface Ls of (L) and freezing at the inner wall of the container C near the surface Ls of the liquid L, the release of the supercooled state of the liquid L is prevented. Is caused.

4 is a view showing a process for preventing the formation of ice tuberculosis applied to the supercooling apparatus according to the present invention.

4 shows the temperature on the surface Ls of the gas Lg or the liquid L so as to prevent freezing of the water vapor W1 in the gas Lg, ie, to maintain the water vapor W1 state continuously. More preferably, the phase transition temperature of the liquid L is higher than or equal to the temperature of the maximum ice crystal generation zone of L). In addition, the temperature of the surface Ls of the liquid L is set to the temperature of the maximum ice crystal generation zone of the liquid L so that the surface Ls of the liquid L does not freeze even if it contacts the inner wall of the container C. More preferably, the phase transition temperature of the liquid L is equal to or higher than that.

As a result, the liquid L in the container C is maintained in the supercooled state at or below the phase transition temperature or below the maximum ice crystal generation temperature of the liquid L.

5 is a supercooled state graph of water according to FIG. 4. The graphs of FIG. 5 are temperature graphs measured with the principle according to FIG. 4 applied when liquid L is water.

As shown in FIG. 5, line I is a cooling temperature curve of the cooling space S, line II is a temperature curve of gas Lg (air) on the water surface in the container C, and line III is a container ( C) The temperature of the outer surface, the temperature of the outer surface of the container (C) is substantially the same as the temperature of the water inside the container (C).

As shown, when the cooling temperature is maintained at about -13 to -14 degrees (see line I), the temperature of the gas Lg on the water surface in the vessel C is about 4 higher than the temperature of the maximum ice crystal generation zone of the water. When maintained at -6 degrees, the supercooled state in which the liquid state is maintained stably is maintained for a long time while the temperature of the water in the vessel C is maintained at about -11 degrees which is below the temperature of the maximum ice crystal generation zone of the water.

6 is a view showing a supercooling apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The supercooling apparatus 1000 includes a freezing chamber 1100 that is provided with cold air by a refrigeration cycle (not shown) and is maintained at a temperature below zero and a refrigerating chamber 1200 maintained at a temperature lower than room temperature. The main body 1500 of the subcooling apparatus 1000 is foamed and molded with a heat insulating material, and is divided into a freezing chamber 1100 and a refrigerating chamber 1200 during foam molding. In addition, the front surface of the main body 1500 is provided with a freezer compartment door 1300 and a refrigerator compartment door 1400 for opening and closing the freezer compartment 1100 and the refrigerating compartment 1200, respectively.

In order to maintain the freezing chamber 1100 and the refrigerating chamber 1200 at a low temperature, the main body 1500 is foamed so that the freezing chamber 1100 and the refrigerating chamber 1200 have a sufficient thickness so as not to be affected by ambient air at room temperature. At this time, the thickness of the foam material of the predetermined region 1510 on the freezer compartment 1100 side maintained at sub-zero temperatures is thicker than that of the other parts of the main body 1500. The temperature of the inner surface of the main body 1500 is equal to the temperature inside the freezing chamber 1100 or the temperature of the outside of the refrigerating chamber 1200, and the temperature of the outer surface of the main body is equal to room temperature. Therefore, the middle portion of the main body 1500 linearly increases in temperature from the inner surface to the outer surface. Since the predetermined region 1510 is thicker than the other portions of the main body 1500, the predetermined region 1510 has a wide region having a temperature corresponding to the temperature between the freezing point and the room temperature.

In addition, the predetermined region 1510 is formed with a container insertion groove 1512 for inserting the container 200. When the container 200 is inserted into the container insertion groove 1512, the lower part of the container 200 is maintained at a sub-zero temperature under the influence of the freezer compartment 1100, and the upper part of the container 200 is connected to the main body 1500. It is maintained at the temperature of the middle part. Although the temperature of the upper portion of the vessel 200 may vary according to the thickness of the foam of the predetermined region 1510 and the depth of the vessel insertion groove 1512, it is preferable that ice crystals of the liquid contained in the vessel 200 are not produced. Do. In addition, even if ice crystals are produced, it is preferable that they do not thaw again at the top of the liquid to freeze the liquid.

When the container 200 is not inserted into the container insertion groove 1512, cold air of the freezing chamber 1100 flows into the container insertion groove 1512 to be equal to the temperature of the freezing chamber 1100. However, when the container 200 is inserted into the container insertion groove 1512, while the inflow of cold air from the freezing chamber 1100 is blocked, the temperature in the container insertion groove 1512 is set at an intermediate region between the temperature in the freezing chamber 1100 and the outside air temperature. Rise to temperature.

In addition, the upper portion of the container insertion groove 1512 may be provided with a fixing member (not shown) such as tongs for fixing the container 200, the lower portion of the container insertion groove 1512 to block the cold air of the freezer compartment 1100 A sealing member (not shown) can be provided.

7 is a view showing a supercooling apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The subcooling apparatus 1000 includes a cooling chamber 1100 maintained at a temperature below zero and a subcooling chamber 1200 in which a container 200 for storing a liquid or food to be stored in a subcooling state is stored. The cooling chamber 1100 and the subcooling chamber 1200 do not necessarily have to be separate spaces, and the subcooling chamber 1200 includes a space maintained at a temperature below zero, and is used to store liquid or food in a supercooling state. Points to the space used for the purpose. The subcooling chamber 1200 is installed to be withdrawn from the cooling chamber 1100. FIG. 7 illustrates a supercooling apparatus having a subcooling chamber 1200 which is pulled out in a kimchi refrigerator type cooling chamber 1100 of the first embodiment of the present invention. However, the cooling chamber 1100 may be any type as long as it is a general refrigerator type or a form capable of storing food at a low temperature, and the subcooling chamber 1200 may also be a rotary type cooling chamber 1100 having one shaft fixed by a drawer or a hinge. Any form can be used as long as it can be taken out.

Since the subcooling chamber 1200 is to be maintained at a sub-zero temperature, the cold air passage 1210 through which the cold air flows from the cooling chamber 1100 or the evaporator (not shown) is connected. The cold air passage 1210 is also provided with a valve 1220 that regulates the inlet of cold air into the subcooling chamber 1200. When no food or liquid is stored in the subcooling chamber 1200, that is, when the subcooling chamber 1200 is not in use, the cold air is blocked from flowing into the subcooling chamber 1200, and only the cooling chamber 1100 is cooled, thereby cooling the subcooling apparatus 1000. Can increase the energy efficiency.

In addition to the cold air passage 1210 and the valve 1220, it is also possible to extend a portion of the evaporator (not shown) in contact with the subcooling chamber 1200 to directly cool the subcooling chamber 1200.

In addition, the subcooling chamber 1200 is partitioned into a plurality of spaces by partition walls. In addition, a cold air flow passage 1210 is connected to each partitioned space, and a valve 1220 is provided on the cold air flow passage 1210. Through such a configuration, when food or liquid is stored only in a part of the subcooling chamber 1200, the cold air is provided to maintain only a part of the space at a sub-zero temperature, and the cold air is blocked from being provided to other spaces to increase energy efficiency. Can be. In addition, in order to increase the cooling performance of the subcooling chamber 1200 and the cooling performance of each partitioned space, the casing and the partition wall forming the exterior of the subcooling chamber 1200 are preferably formed of a heat insulating material.

In addition, an opening 1230 into which the container 200 may be inserted is formed on an upper surface of the subcooling chamber 1200. One or more openings 1230 are preferably formed in a partitioned space. When the container 200 is inserted through the opening 1230, the lower part of the container 200 is positioned in the subcooling chamber 1200 maintained at a sub-zero temperature, and the upper part of the container 200 is exposed to outside air at room temperature. That is, the lower portion of the vessel 200 is located in the subzero temperature region, and the upper portion of the vessel 200 is located in the normal temperature region. Therefore, as described above, ice crystals may be prevented from being formed on the upper portion of the container 200, and food or liquid stored in the container 200 may be prevented from being frozen. Therefore, the food stored in the container 200 can be stored in a supercooled state. In addition, it is preferable to include a sealing member (not shown) for sealing a gap between the container 200 and the opening 1230 around the opening 1230. The sealing member (not shown) prevents the cold air of the subcooling chamber 1200 from flowing out to the outside and the outside air at room temperature into the subcooling chamber 1200 through the gap, thereby improving the subcooling efficiency and the subcooling stability.

1 is a view showing an embodiment of a thawing and freshness holding device according to the prior art;

2 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration of the high voltage generator 3;

3 is a view showing a process of generating ice tuberculosis in the liquid being cooled,

4 is a view showing a process for preventing the formation of ice tuberculosis applied to the supercooling apparatus according to the present invention,

5 is a supercooled state graph of water according to FIG. 4,

6 is a view showing a supercooling apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

7 is a view showing a supercooling apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (19)

A first storage space having a sub-zero temperature range; A second storage space having a temperature region different from the second storage space; And Located over the first and second storage space, the container for storing a liquid containing food or liquid; supercooling apparatus comprising a. The method of claim 1, The second storage space has a temperature region higher than the temperature region of the maximum ice crystal generation zone. The method of claim 2, The second storage space has a temperature range of room temperature. The method of claim 1, The 1st storage space is insulated by the heat insulating material, The supercooling apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. A casing providing a cooling space for storing food and liquid at sub-zero temperatures, the casing comprising an insulation layer; And And a container insertion groove formed on one surface of the cooling space side of the casing. The method of claim 5, A supercooling device, characterized in that the insulation layer of the casing is thicker than the other parts of the thickness in the vicinity where the container insertion groove is formed. A cooling chamber provided with cold air and storing food; And a subcooling chamber protruding outward from the cooling chamber and into which a container for storing food and beverage can be inserted. The method of claim 7, wherein The supercooling chamber comprises an opening for inserting the container on the upper surface. The method of claim 8, And a sealing member positioned around the opening and sealing a gap between the opening and the inserted container. The method of claim 9, The sealing member is made of an elastic material and formed in a substantially ring shape. The method of claim 7, wherein And a cold air flow path for introducing cold air into the subcooling chamber. The method of claim 11, Located on the flow path, the subcooling apparatus further comprises; a valve for controlling the cold air flowing into the subcooling chamber. The method of claim 7, wherein The supercooling chamber is partitioned into a plurality of spaces in which the containers are stored, and has an opening for inserting the container in the upper surface of the partitioned space. The method of claim 13, And a plurality of cold air flow paths respectively introducing cold air into the plurality of spaces. The method of claim 14, And a plurality of valves provided on the plurality of cold air flow passages to control respective cold air flow passages. The method of claim 7, wherein The evaporator is in close contact with or attached to at least one surface of the subcooling chamber, and the refrigerant flows. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 16, The subcooling chamber is capable of entering and exiting from the cooling chamber. The method of claim 17, The subcooling room is a subcooling device, characterized in that the drawer type from the cooling chamber is a drawer type. The method of claim 17, The subcooling chamber is a subcooling apparatus characterized in that the upper portion of the subcooling chamber descends downward to a predetermined angle.

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