ULTRA—LOW TEMPERATURE FREEZER
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
`
`[0001]
`
`This is a continuation application of International
`
`Patent Application No. PCT/JP2016/O72589 filed August 2,
`
`2016, which claims the benefit of priority to Japanese
`
`Patent Application No. 2015—167043 filed August 26, 2015,
`
`the full contents of both of which are incorporated herein
`
`10
`
`by reference.
`
`Technical Field
`
`[0002]
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`15
`
`20
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`25
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`3O
`
`The present disclosure relates to an ultra—low
`
`temperature freezer.
`
`Description of the Related Art
`
`[0003]
`
`Ultra-low temperature freezers have been developed,
`
`which are each configured to cool
`
`the interior of a
`
`storage compartment
`
`to an ultra—low temperature,
`
`for
`
`example, ~80°C or lower to preserve body tissues or store
`
`frozen food for a long period of time.
`
`[0004]
`
`Such an ultra—low temperature freezer is configured
`
`such that, among the component devices of a refrigerant
`
`circuit, an evaporator is disposed to surround the storage
`
`compartment, while a compressor, a condenser, a
`
`decompressor, etc., are housed in a machinery compartment
`
`which is provided separately from the storage compartment
`
`(see,
`
`for example, Japanese Patent No. 5026736).
`
`
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
`
`[0001]
`
`This is a continuation application of International
`
`Patent Application No. PCT/JP2016/O72589 filed August 2,
`
`2016, which claims the benefit of priority to Japanese
`
`Patent Application No. 2015—167043 filed August 26, 2015,
`
`the full contents of both of which are incorporated herein
`
`10
`
`by reference.
`
`Technical Field
`
`[0002]
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`3O
`
`The present disclosure relates to an ultra—low
`
`temperature freezer.
`
`Description of the Related Art
`
`[0003]
`
`Ultra-low temperature freezers have been developed,
`
`which are each configured to cool
`
`the interior of a
`
`storage compartment
`
`to an ultra—low temperature,
`
`for
`
`example, ~80°C or lower to preserve body tissues or store
`
`frozen food for a long period of time.
`
`[0004]
`
`Such an ultra—low temperature freezer is configured
`
`such that, among the component devices of a refrigerant
`
`circuit, an evaporator is disposed to surround the storage
`
`compartment, while a compressor, a condenser, a
`
`decompressor, etc., are housed in a machinery compartment
`
`which is provided separately from the storage compartment
`
`(see,
`
`for example, Japanese Patent No. 5026736).
`
`
`
`[0005]
`
`An ultra~low temperature freezer including a dual
`
`refrigerant circuit also has a similar configuration.
`
`In
`
`this case, devices housed in the machinery compartment
`
`increase as well as pipes connecting these devices one
`
`another also increases, which complicates the interior of
`
`the machinery compartment.
`
`[0006]
`
`10
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`15
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`Thus,
`
`in order not
`
`to deteriorate the workability of
`
`assembly work, maintenance work, and the like for such
`
`devices housed in the machinery compartment, consideration
`
`is given to,
`
`for example, provision of enough space among
`
`the devices in the machinery compartment.
`
`[0007]
`
`However,
`
`in another aspect, it is desired for the
`
`ultra—low temperature freezer to achieve a storage
`
`compartment having a larger capacity while minimizing the
`
`whole size. Accordingly, further rationalization is
`
`demanded of the machinery compartment.
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`20
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`[0008]
`
`The present disclosure has been made in view of the
`
`above, and an aspect thereof is to provide an ultra~low
`
`temperature freezer capable of rationalizing an
`
`arrangement of devices in a machinery compartment of the
`
`25
`
`ultra—low temperature freezer having a dual refrigerant
`
`circuit, and enhancing maintainability and manufacturing
`
`workability.
`
`30
`
`[0009]
`
`SUMMARY
`
`
`
`An ultra—low temperature freezer according to an
`
`aspect of the present disclosure comprises: an insulated
`
`case defining a storage compartment having an opening in
`
`an upper face; an insulated door configured to be able to
`
`open and close the opening; a first refrigeration unit
`
`configured such that a first compressor,
`
`a first condenser,
`
`and a first decompressor are mounted on a first mounting
`
`board; a second refrigeration unit configured such that a
`
`second compressor, a second condenser, and a second
`
`decompressor are mounted on a second mounting board; a
`
`machinery compartment provided adjacent
`
`to the insulated
`
`case,
`
`the machinery compartment configured to house the
`
`first refrigeration unit and the second refrigeration unit
`
`so as to be independently drawable in the horizontal
`
`direction; and a control unit where a control circuit is
`
`mounted,
`
`the control unit configured to be drawable
`
`independently of the first refrigeration unit and the
`
`second refrigeration unit,
`
`the first refrigeration unit,
`
`the second refrigeration unit, and the control unit being
`
`housed in the machinery compartment so as to be stacked in
`
`a vertical direction.
`
`[0010]
`
`Other features of the present disclosure will become
`
`apparent
`
`from descriptions of the present specification
`
`and of the accompanying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0011]
`
`For more thorough understanding of the present
`
`disclosure and advantages thereof,
`
`the following
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`10
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`15
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`20
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`30
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`
`
`description should be read in conjunction with the
`
`accompanying drawings.
`
`Fig.
`
`l is an external perspective view illustrating an
`
`ultra—low temperature freezer according to an embodiment
`
`of the present disclosure.
`
`Fig.
`
`2
`
`is an external perspective view illustrating a
`
`state where an insulated door of an ultra—low temperature
`
`freezer according to an embodiment of the present
`
`disclosure is opened.
`
`Fig.
`
`3
`
`is a perspective front View illustrating a
`
`storage compartment of an ultra-low temperature freezer
`
`according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
`
`Fig.
`
`4 is a perspective plan view illustrating a
`
`storage compartment of an ultra—low temperature freezer
`
`according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
`
`Fig.
`
`5 is a perspective side view illustrating a
`
`storage compartment of an ultra—low temperature freezer
`
`according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
`
`Fig.
`
`6 is a diagram illustrating a refrigerant circuit
`
`of an ultra—low temperature freezer according to an
`
`embodiment of the present disclosure.
`
`Fig.
`
`7 is a perspective diagram when viewed from a
`
`back side of an ultra—low temperature freezer according to
`
`an embodiment of the present disclosure.
`
`Fig.
`
`8 is a plan View illustrating a mounting board
`
`for a refrigeration unit according to an embodiment of the
`
`present disclosure.
`
`Fig.
`
`9 is an external perspective view illustrating a
`
`mounting board for a refrigeration unit according to an
`
`embodiment of the present disclosure.
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`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`3O
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`
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`Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating a reinforcing
`
`portion of a mounting board according to an embodiment of
`
`the present disclosure.
`
`Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating a storage rack
`
`provided to a machinery compartment according to an
`
`embodiment of the present disclosure.
`
`Fig. 12 is a front View illustrating a mounting board
`
`according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
`
`Fig. 13 is an external perspective View illustrating a
`
`mounting board for a control unit according to an
`
`embodiment of the present disclosure.
`
`Fig. 14 is a diagram illustrating a control circuit
`
`according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
`
`[0012]
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`At least the following matters will be made clear from
`
`the present description with reference to the accompanying
`
`10
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`15
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`drawings.
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`20
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`[0013]
`
`An ultra—low temperature freezer 1 according to an
`
`embodiment of the present disclosure is a refrigeration
`
`apparatus capable of cooling an interior of a storage
`
`compartment 4, which will be described later,
`
`to a
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`25
`
`predetermined temperature or lower (for example, —80°C or
`
`lower) of an ultra—low temperature.
`
`The ultra~low
`
`temperature freezer 1 is suitable for the preservation at
`
`the ultra—low temperature of frozen food or body tissue
`
`and specimen to be preserved at a low temperature for a
`
`30
`
`long period of time.
`
`[0014]
`
`
`
`==Configuration of ultra—low temperature freezer==
`
`Fig.
`
`l is an external perspective view illustrating
`
`the ultra—low temperature freezer 1 according to an
`
`embodiment of the present disclosure.
`
`Fig.
`
`2 is an
`
`external perspective view illustrating a state where an
`
`insulated door 13 of the ultra-low temperature freezer l
`
`is opened.
`
`Fig.
`
`3 is a perspective front view
`
`illustrating an interior of the storage compartment 4 of
`
`the ultra—low temperature freezer 1.
`
`Fig.
`
`4 is a
`
`10
`
`perspective plan view illustrating an interior of the
`
`storage compartment 4 of the ultra—low temperature freezer
`
`1.
`
`Fig.
`
`5 is a perspective side View illustrating an
`
`interior of the storage compartment 4 of the ultra—low
`
`temperature freezer l.
`
`15
`
`[0015]
`
`Note that,
`
`in the following description, a direction
`
`from left to right when facing a front face of the ultra—
`
`low temperature freezer l is defined as a forward
`
`direction of an X—axis,
`
`a direction from the front to the
`
`rear is defined as a forward direction of a Y—axis, and a
`
`vertically upward direction is defined as a forward
`
`direction of a Z—axis.
`
`[0016]
`
`The ultra—low temperature freezer 1
`
`includes: a
`
`substantially rectangular parallelepiped insulated case 2
`
`that defines the storage compartment 4 having an opening
`
`on an upper face;
`
`the insulated door 13 configured to be
`
`able to open and close the opening of the storage
`
`compartment 4; and a machinery compartment
`
`3 disposed
`
`adjacent
`
`to and on a side of the insulated case 2.
`
`[0017]
`
`20
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`25
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`30
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`
`
`The insulated case 2
`
`includes a front insulated wall
`
`2A, a rear insulated wall 2B, a right insulated wall 2C, a
`
`left insulated wall 2D and an insulated bottom 2E, and
`
`forms the storage compartment 4
`
`in the interior thereof.
`
`In the interior of the storage compartment 4, a storage
`
`item, such as body tissue or food,
`
`is stored.
`
`[0018]
`
`In the ultra—low temperature freezer 1 according to an
`
`embodiment of the present disclosure, as illustrated in
`
`Fig. 4,
`
`the front insulated wall 2A is formed such that a
`
`thickness Tl thereof becomes smaller than a thickness T2
`
`of the rear insulated wall 2B, a thickness T3 of the right
`
`insulated wall 2C, and a thickness T4 of the left
`
`insulated wall 2D,
`
`to facilitate moving of a storage item
`
`into and out of the storage compartment 4.
`
`[0019]
`
`The insulated case 2
`
`is configured as such.
`
`Thus,
`
`when moving a storage item in and out of the storage
`
`compartment 4, a worker can lifts up and down a storage
`
`item at a position closer to the worker’s standing place.
`
`This can facilitate moving in and out of a storage item.
`
`Accordingly, it becomes possible to move a storage item in
`
`and out of the storage compartment 4 in a short period of
`
`time,
`
`thereby being able to reduce a period of time in
`
`which the insulated door 13 should be kept open. This can
`
`minimize an increase in temperature within the storage
`
`compartment 4.
`
`[0020]
`
`Further, a storage item can be lifted up and down at a
`
`position closer to a worker’s standing place.
`
`Thus, it
`
`becomes possible to move a storage item in and out
`
`in a
`
`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
`
`
`
`posture with less strain,
`
`thereby being able to enhance
`
`safety of the work.
`
`[0021]
`
`The insulated door 13 is configured using a plurality
`
`of
`
`(5 pieces in an embodiment of the present disclosure)
`
`pivot members 14 that are disposed side by side along an
`
`upper end part of the rear insulated wall 2B, by pivoting
`
`on or being pivotally supported by these pivot members 14.
`
`The insulated door 13 is configured to open and close the
`
`10
`
`opening of the insulated case 2 by pivoting on a central
`
`axis formed along the upper end part of the rear insulated
`
`wall 2B.
`
`A handle portion 16 is provided to the insulated
`
`door 13, and a worker operates the handle portion 16 to
`
`open and close the insulated door 13.
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`15
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`[0022]
`
`Further the insulated case 2 according to an
`
`embodiment of the present disclosure includes an inner
`
`case 7 whose upper face is configured to be opened, and an
`
`outer case 6 surrounding the inner case 7, a breaker 8, an
`
`insulating material 9, and a vacuum insulated panel 12.
`
`[0023]
`
`The outer case 6 is configured with a board material
`
`made of a steel plate, and is open on the upper side and
`
`constitutes outer wall surfaces and outer bottom surface
`
`of the insulated case 2.
`
`The inner case 7 is configured
`
`with a board material made of metal having high thermal
`
`conductivity,
`
`such as aluminum, and similarly is open on
`
`the upper side and constitutes inner wall surfaces and
`
`inner bottom surface of the insulated case 2.
`
`The breaker
`
`8 is a member made of a synthetic resin, and is mounted to
`
`connect between the outer case 6 and the inner case 7.
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`
`
`[0024]
`
`The insulating material
`
`9 is a polyurethane resin
`
`filled in a space surrounded by the outer case 6,
`
`the
`
`inner case 7, and the breaker 8.
`
`The insulating material
`
`9 is filled in each of the front
`
`insulated wall 2A,
`
`the
`
`rear insulated wall 2B,
`
`the right insulated wall 2C,
`
`the
`
`left insulated wall 2D and the insulated bottom 2E of the
`
`insulated case 2.
`
`[0025]
`
`10
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`15
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`The vacuum insulated panel 12 is a member having
`
`insulating properties configured such that glass wool is
`
`stored in a casing constituted by a multi—layer film, such
`
`as aluminum and a synthetic resin, having no air
`
`permeability,
`
`the air in the casing is discharged by a
`
`predetermined vacuum discharge means, and an opening of
`
`the casing is joined by thermal welding, or the like.
`
`[0026]
`
`The vacuum insulated panel 12 is mounted between the
`
`outer case 6 and the aforementioned insulating material 9
`
`2O
`
`filled between the inner case 7 and the outer case 6.
`
`[0027]
`
`[0027]
`
`The vacuum insulated panel 12 according to an
`
`embodiment of the present disclosure has insulating
`
`25
`
`properties higher than that of the insulating material 9.
`
`Thus,
`
`the combined use of the insulating material
`
`9 and
`
`the vacuum insulated panel 12 can achieve insulating
`
`properties higher than insulating properties in the case
`
`where only the insulating material
`
`9 is used.
`
`30
`
`[0028]
`
`
`
`Accordingly,
`
`in the ultra—low temperature freezer 1
`
`according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,
`
`the
`
`vacuum insulated panel 12 and the insulating material
`
`9
`
`are used in combination for the front insulated wall 2A.
`
`More specifically,
`
`in an embodiment of the present
`
`disclosure,
`
`the vacuum insulated panel 12 is mounted
`
`between the inner case 7 and the outer case 6
`
`in the front
`
`insulated wall 2A.
`
`Fig.
`
`4 illustrates a state where the
`
`ultra—low temperature freezer 1 according to an embodiment
`
`10
`
`of the present disclosure has the vacuum insulated panel
`
`12 in the front
`
`insulated wall 2A.
`
`[0029]
`
`With such an embodiment, even in the case where the
`
`front insulated wall 2A is formed to have a thickness that
`
`15
`
`is smaller than the thicknesses of the rear insulated wall
`
`2B,
`
`the right insulated wall 2C, and the left insulated
`
`wall 2D,
`
`the front
`
`insulated wall 2A is able to ensure
`
`insulating properties equivalent
`
`to the insulating
`
`properties of the rear insulated wall 2B,
`
`the right
`
`20
`
`insulated wall 2C and the left insulated wall 2D.
`
`Accordingly, it becomes possible to restrain power
`
`consumption that is necessary for cooling the interior of
`
`the storage compartment 4
`
`to a predetermined temperature
`
`or lower (for example, —80°C or lower).
`
`25
`
`[0030]
`
`Further, a configuration is made such that only the
`
`thickness of the front
`
`insulated wall 2A is reduced while
`
`the thicknesses of the rear insulated wall 2B,
`
`the right
`
`insulated wall 2C, and the left insulated wall 2D are made
`
`30
`
`greater than the thickness of the front insulated wall 2A.
`
`This can minimize degradation of strength of the insulated
`
`lO
`
`
`
`case 2. Accordingly, reliability, such as failure
`
`tolerance and durability, of the ultra—low temperature
`
`freezer 1 can also be maintained.
`
`{0031}
`
`Further,
`
`in the ultra-low temperature freezer 1
`
`according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as
`
`illustrated in Fig 4, a configuration is made such that
`
`the vacuum insulated panel 12 is mounted between the
`
`insulating material
`
`9 and the outer case 6
`
`in the front
`
`10
`
`insulated wall 2A.
`
`[0032}
`
`[0033]
`
`15
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`20
`
`Accordingly,
`
`the vacuum insulated panel 12 is mounted
`
`such that the insulating material
`
`9 is interposed between
`
`the vacuum insulated panel 12 and the inner case 7. This
`
`can minimize reduction in the temperature of the vacuum
`
`insulated panel 12 caused by the inner case 7 which is
`
`cooled to such a degree equivalent to the degree of
`
`cooling the interior of the storage compartment 4,
`
`thereby
`
`being able to minimize degradation of insulation
`
`performance caused by damage, such as crack, fracture, and
`
`rupture, occurring in the vacuum insulated panel 12.
`
`Consequently, reliability, such as failure tolerance and
`
`durability of the ultra~low temperature freezer 1 can be
`
`25
`
`maintained.
`
`[0034]
`
`The interior of the storage compartment 4 is cooled by
`
`a first refrigerant circuit 100 and a second refrigerant
`
`circuit 200.
`
`30
`
`[0035]
`
`ll
`
`
`
`Although the details will be described later,
`
`the
`
`first refrigerant circuit 100 includes a first compressor
`
`101, condensers 102, 104, a decompressor 108, and a first
`
`evaporator 111, and is configured to cool
`
`the interior
`
`(storage compartment 4) of the insulated case 2
`
`to a
`
`predetermined temperature or lower by circulating a
`
`refrigerant in this order.
`
`[0036]
`
`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
`
`Similarly,
`
`the second refrigerant circuit 200 includes
`
`a second compressor 201, condensers 202, 204, a
`
`decompressor 208, and a second evaporator 211, and is
`
`configured to cool
`
`the interior (storage compartment 4) of
`
`the insulated case 2
`
`to a predetermined temperature or
`
`lower by circulating a refrigerant in this order.
`
`[0036]
`
`Then,
`
`the first evaporator 111 constituting the first
`
`refrigerant circuit 100 and the second evaporator 211
`
`constituting the second refrigerant circuit 200 are
`
`mounted,
`
`to enable heat exchange,
`
`so as to surround the
`
`storage compartment 4
`
`in a circumferential surface on the
`
`insulating material
`
`9 side of the inner case 7
`
`(outer
`
`circumferential surface of the inner case 7).
`
`[0037]
`
`Further, a heat exchanger 109 constituting the first
`
`refrigerant circuit 100 and a heat exchanger 209
`
`constituting the second refrigerant circuit 200 are
`
`provided, as illustrated in Fig. 4, within the rear
`
`insulated wall 2B of the insulated case 2, while being
`
`covered with the insulating material 9.
`
`Then, a portion
`
`of a rear wall 6B where the heat exchangers 109, 209 are
`
`provided is covered with a plate—shaped rear surface cover
`
`6D.
`
`12
`
`
`
`[0038]
`
`Further,
`
`the first compressor 101,
`
`the condensers 102,
`
`104, and the decompressor 108 constituting the first
`
`refrigerant circuit 100 are housed in the machinery
`
`compartment 3, as a first refrigeration unit 500A which
`
`will be described later,
`
`together with various devices
`
`such as a control circuit 300 of the ultra—low temperature
`
`freezer 1.
`
`[0039]
`
`10
`
`Similarly,
`
`the second compressor 201,
`
`the condensers
`
`202, 204, and the decompressor 208 constituting the second
`
`refrigerant circuit 200 are housed in the machinery
`
`compartment 3, as a second refrigeration unit 500B which
`
`will be described later,
`
`together with various devices
`
`15
`
`such as the control circuit 300 of the ultra-low
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`20
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`25
`
`temperature freezer 1.
`
`[0040]
`
`The control circuit 300 includes a microcomputer 300a
`
`and memoroy, and is configured to execute a control
`
`program for controlling the ultra—low temperature freezer
`
`1.
`
`The control circuit 300 is housed in the machinery
`
`compartment
`
`3 as a control unit 400, which will be
`
`described later.
`
`[0041]
`
`The machinery compartment
`
`3
`
`includes, as illustrated
`
`in Fig.
`
`l, a front panel 3A,
`
`a rear panel 3D, and a side
`
`panel 3B constituting a side face opposite to the side on
`
`which the insulated case 2 is provided. Ventilation slits
`
`3C are formed in the front panel 3A and the side panel 38.
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`30
`
`[0042]
`
`13
`
`
`
`Further,
`
`in the front panel 3A of the machinery
`
`compartment 3, an operation panel 21 for operating the
`
`ultra—low temperature freezer l is provided.
`
`[0043]
`
`Further, although not illustrated, a measurement hole
`
`passes through between the machinery compartment
`
`3 and the
`
`insulated case 2. This measurement hole is formed to pass
`
`through the outer case 6 constituting the insulated case 2,
`
`the insulating material 9, and the inner case 7,
`
`so as to
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`10
`
`communicate between the storage compartment 4 and the
`
`machinery compartment 3.
`
`It is possible to insert a
`
`temperature sensor 309, 310 through the measurement hole
`
`from the machinery compartment
`
`3
`
`to the interior of the
`
`storage compartment 4.
`
`15
`
`[0044]
`
`A cable is drawn from the temperature sensor 309, 310,
`
`which is inserted into the storage compartment 4,
`
`to the
`
`machinery compartment
`
`3
`
`through the measurement hole.
`
`The
`
`cable is coupled to the control circuit 300 in the
`
`20
`
`machinery compartment 3.
`
`'Then,
`
`in this measurement hole,
`
`a gap formed with the cable is closed with a plug made of
`
`a spongelike deformable material having insulating
`
`properties. Note that,
`
`in a state where the temperature
`
`sensor 309, 310 is not mounted,
`
`the measurement hole is
`
`closed in an insulating manner with this plug.
`
`==Refrigerant circuit of ultra—low temperature freezer==
`
`[0045]
`
`Next, a refrigerant circuit 150 of the ultra—low
`
`temperature freezer 1 according to an embodiment of the
`
`present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig.
`
`6.
`
`Fig.
`
`6 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of
`
`25
`
`30
`
`l4
`
`
`
`the refrigerant circuit 150 according to an embodiment of
`
`the present disclosure.
`
`[0046]
`
`As indicated in an example in Fig. 6,
`
`the refrigerant
`
`circuit 150 includes two substantially identical
`
`refrigerant circuits,
`
`that is,
`
`the first refrigerant
`
`circuit 100 and the second refrigerant circuit 200.
`
`<<<First refrigerant circuit>>>
`
`[0047]
`
`The first refrigerant circuit 100 includes the first
`
`compressor 101,
`
`the upstream condenser 102 and the
`
`downstream condenser 104, a shunt 107 configured to
`
`separate gas and liquid,
`
`the decompressor 108 and the heat
`
`exchanger 109, and a decompressor 110
`
`and the first
`
`evaporator 111.
`
`The first refrigerant circuit 100 is
`
`configured in an annular manner so that that a refrigerant
`
`discharged from the first compressor 101 is returned to
`the first compressor 101 again. LIn the first refrigerant
`
`circuit 100,
`
`for example, a zeotropic refrigerant mixture
`
`(hereinafter, simply referred to as the “refrigerant”)
`
`containing four types of refrigerants, which will be
`
`described later,
`
`is sealed.
`
`[0048]
`
`Further,
`
`in this first refrigerant circuit 100, an oil
`
`cooler 101a is provided at an oil reservoir within the
`
`first compressor 101, a pipe 103 is provided between the
`
`upstream condenser 102 and the oil cooler 101a,
`
`a
`
`dehydrator 106 is provided between the downstream
`
`condenser 104 and the shunt 107, a buffer 112 is provided
`
`between the first compressor 101 on the intake side and
`
`the heat exchanger 109.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`15
`
`
`
`[0049}
`
`Further,
`
`the first refrigerant circuit 100 includes a
`
`first fan 105 to cool
`
`the upstream condenser 102 and the
`
`downstream condenser 104.
`
`The first fan 105 is a
`
`propeller blower including a fan motor 105a.
`
`[0050]
`
`The first compressor 101 is configured to compress and
`
`discharge the intake refrigerant to the upstream condenser
`
`102.
`
`10
`
`[0051]
`
`The upstream condenser 102 is configured such that,
`
`for example, a copper or aluminum tube to radiate the heat
`
`of the refrigerant discharged from the first compressor
`
`101 is formed into a meander shape.
`
`15
`
`[0052]
`
`The downstream condenser 104 is configured such that,
`
`for example, a copper or aluminum tube to further radiate
`
`the heat of the refrigerant outputted from the upstream
`
`condenser 102 is formed into a meander shape.
`
`20
`
`[0053]
`
`These upstream condenser 102 and downstream condenser
`
`104 are integrally configured in a single tube sheet.
`
`[0054]
`
`The shunt 107 is configured to separate the
`
`refrigerant outputted from the downstream condenser 104
`
`into the refrigerant in a liquid phase and the refrigerant
`
`in a gas phase, and decompress the refrigerant in the
`
`liquid phase through the decompressor (capillary tube) 108,
`
`and thereafter evaporate the decompressed refrigerant in
`
`an outer tube 109a of the heat exchanger 109.
`
`[0055]
`
`25
`
`30
`
`16
`
`
`
`The heat exchanger 109 is,
`
`for example, a metal or
`
`aluminum double tube including the outer tube 109a and an
`
`inner tube 109b.
`
`The refrigerant in the gas phase from
`
`the shunt 107 flows through the inner tube 109b, and the
`
`refrigerant in the gas phase, which is obtained by
`
`evaporating the refrigerant in the liquid phase,
`
`flowing
`
`through the inner tube 109b is cooled at the outer tube
`
`109a.
`
`[0056]
`
`10
`
`The decompressor 110 is,
`
`for example,
`
`a capillary tube,
`
`configured to decompress the refrigerant having entered
`
`the liquid phase by being cooled at the inner tube 109b of
`
`the heat exchanger 109, and output
`
`the decompressed
`
`refrigerant to the first evaporator 111.
`
`15
`
`[0057]
`
`The first evaporator 111 is,
`
`for example,
`
`a copper or
`
`aluminum tube to evaporate the refrigerant decompressed by
`
`the decompressor 110.
`
`As described above,
`
`the first
`
`evaporator 111 is,
`
`for example, attached to the outer
`
`faces except
`
`the upper opening of the inner case 7 so as
`
`to thermally contact the outer faces. Note that such
`
`attachment of the first evaporator 111 is not
`
`limited to
`
`this, as long as a configuration allowing thermal contact.
`
`[0058]
`
`The refrigerant is configured to cool an interior of
`
`the inner case 7 by cooling action when being evaporated
`
`(vaporized)
`
`in the first evaporator 111. This refrigerant
`
`having entered the gas phase by evaporation is taken into
`
`the compressor 101 in the heat exchanger 109 together with
`
`the previously evaporated refrigerant.
`
`[0059]
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`17
`
`
`
`Note that the pipe 103 is provided inside the
`
`peripheral portion of the upper face opening of the outer
`
`case 6. This peripheral portion of the upper face opening
`
`is a portion where packing (not illustrated) mounted to
`
`the insulated door 13 closely contact
`
`in a state where the
`
`aforementioned insulated door 13 is closed, and the high—
`
`temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor 101
`
`flows in the pipe 103.
`
`Thus, heating by this refrigerant
`
`prevents condensation which is caused by cooling from the
`
`low—temperature inner case 7 side. This can enhance
`
`hermeticity within the outer case 6. Further,
`
`the
`
`dehydrator 106 is configured to remove moisture contained
`
`in the refrigerant. Further,
`
`the buffer 112 includes a
`
`capillary tube 112a and an expansion tank 112b, and the
`
`amount of the refrigerant that circulates in the first
`
`refrigerant circuit 100 is maintained appropriate by
`
`taking the refrigerant in the gas phase on the intake side
`
`of the first compressor 101 into the expansion tank 112b
`
`through the capillary tube 112a.
`
`<<<Second refrigerant circuit>>>
`
`[0060]
`
`The second refrigerant circuit 200 includes, similarly
`
`to the above,
`
`the second compressor 201,
`
`the upstream
`
`condenser 202 and the downstream condenser 204,
`
`a shunt
`
`207 configured to separate gas and liquid,
`
`the
`
`decompressor 208 and the heat exchanger 209, and a
`
`decompressor 210 and the second evaporator 211.
`
`The
`
`second refrigerant circuit 200 is configured in an annular
`
`manner so that a refrigerant discharged from the second
`
`compressor 201 is returned to the second compressor 201
`
`again.
`
`In the second refrigerant circuit 200,
`
`the
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`18
`
`
`
`refrigerant similar to the above is sealed. Further,
`
`this
`
`second refrigerant circuit 200 includes, similarly to the
`
`above, an oil cooler 201a, a pipe 203,
`
`a dehydrator 206,
`
`and a buffer 212. Here,
`
`the heat exchanger 209 includes
`
`an outer tube 209a and an inner tube 209b. Further,
`
`the
`
`buffer 212 includes a capillary tube 212a and an expansion
`
`tank 212b.
`
`[0061]
`
`In the second refrigerant circuit 200, a second fan
`
`205 is provided to cool
`
`the upstream condenser 202 and the
`
`downstream condenser 204.
`
`The second fan 205 is a
`
`propeller blower including a fan motor 205a.
`
`[0062]
`
`Note that the aforementioned pipe 103 and pipe 203 are
`
`provided inside the peripheral portion of the upper face
`
`opening of the outer case 6,
`
`for example,
`
`so as to overlap
`
`each other.
`
`The aforementioned first evaporator 111 and
`
`second evaporator 211 are,
`
`for example, attached in such a
`
`manner as to thermally contact the outer faces except
`
`the
`
`upper face opening of the inner case 7,
`
`for example,
`
`so as
`
`not
`
`to overlap each other.
`
`<<<Refrigerant>>>
`
`[0063]
`
`The refrigerant according to an embodiment of the
`
`present disclosure is,
`
`for example, a zeotropic
`
`refrigerant mixture containing R245fa, R600, R23, and R14.
`
`Here, R245fa indicates Pentafluoropropane (CHFZCH2CF3), and
`
`has a boiling point of +15.3°C.
`
`R600 indicates normal
`
`butane (n—Cfiho), and has a boiling point of —0.5°C.
`
`R23
`
`indicates Trifluoromethane <CHF3), and has a boiling point
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`19
`
`
`
`of -82.1°C.
`
`R14 indicates Tetrafluoromethane (CF4), and
`
`has a boiling point of —127.9°C.
`
`[0064]
`
`Note that R600 has a high boiling point
`
`(evaporation
`
`temperature), and easily contains oil, water, etc.
`
`Further, R245fa is a refrigerant to be made noncombustible
`
`by being mixed with R600, which is combustible, at a
`
`predetermined ratio (e.g., R245fa and R600 are in the
`
`ratio of 7:3).
`
`10
`
`[0065]
`
`15
`
`20
`
`In the first refrigerant circuit 100,
`
`the refrigerant
`
`compressed in the first compressor 101 radiates heat
`
`in
`
`the upstream condenser 102 and the downstream condenser
`
`104, and is condensed to enter the liquid phase.
`
`Then,
`
`the refrigerant in the liquid state is subjected to a
`
`moisture removal process in the dehydrator 106, and
`
`thereafter is separated,
`
`in the shunt 107,
`
`into the
`
`refrigerant in the liquid phase (mainly R245fa, R600
`
`having a high boiling temperature) and the refrigerant in
`
`the gas state (R23, R14). Note that,
`
`in an embodiment of
`
`the present disclosure,
`
`the refrigerant having radiated
`
`heat
`
`in the upstream condenser 102 cools the oil within
`
`the first compressor 101 at the oil cooler 101a, and
`
`thereafter radiates heat again in the downstream condenser
`
`25
`
`104.
`
`[0066]
`
`The refrigerant in the separated liquid state (mainly
`
`R245fa, R600)
`
`is decompressed in the decompressor 108, and
`
`thereafter is evaporated at the outer tube 109a in the
`
`30
`
`heat exchanger 109.
`
`[0067]
`
`20
`
`
`
`The refrigerant in the separated gas state (R23, R14)
`
`is cooled and condensed by the heat of evaporation of the
`
`aforementioned refrigerant
`
`(R245fa, R600) evaporated in
`
`~the outer tube 109a and the refrigerant in the gas phase
`
`5
`
`(R23, R14)
`
`returned from the first evaporator 111, while
`
`passing through the inner tube 109b of the heat exchanger
`
`109, resulting in the refrigerant in the liquid state. At
`
`this time,
`
`the refrigerant having not been evaporated in
`
`the first evaporator 111 is evaporated.
`
`10
`
`[0068]
`
`Note that the second refrigerant circuit 200 is
`
`similar to the above.
`
`[0069]
`
`15
`
`2O
`
`25
`
`Further, as described above, R245fa has a boiling
`
`point of about 15°C, R600 has a boiling point of about 0°C,
`
`R23 has a boiling point of about ~82°C, and R14 has a
`
`boiling point of about ~128°C. Accordingly,
`
`in the first
`
`refrigerant circuit 100 and the second refrigerant circuit
`
`200, R23 and R14 in the zeotropic refrigerant mixture are
`
`cooled through vaporization action of R600, and R23, R14
`
`having entered in the liquid phase are guided to the first
`
`evaporator 111 and the second evaporator 211, and
`
`evaporated. This can cause an item to be cooled,
`
`for
`
`example,
`
`to a temperature corresponding to a boiling point
`
`of R23 and R14
`
`(e.g., about ~82°C to ~128°C). Note that
`
`the refrigerant having not been evaporated in the first
`
`evaporator 111 and the second evaporator 211 is evaporated
`
`in the heat exchangers 109, 209.
`
`<<<Control circuit>>>
`
`30
`
`[0070]
`
`21
`
`
`
`Next,
`
`the control circuit 300 according to an
`
`embodiment of the present disclosure will be described
`
`with reference to Fig. 14.
`
`[0071]
`
`The control circuit 300 according to an embodiment of
`
`the present disclosure includes a control board 301, a
`
`switching power supply 302, a power supply switch 304,
`
`compressor relays 305, and relays 306,
`
`to control the
`
`first compressor 101 and the fan motor 105a of the first
`
`refrigerant circuit 100, and the second compressor 201 and
`
`the fan motor 205a of the second refrigerant circuit 200.
`
`[0072]
`
`Note that, as will be described later,
`
`the above
`
`described components of the control circuit 300 are
`
`mounted onto a control—unit—mounting board 410, and housed
`
`in the machinery compartment
`
`3 as the control unit 400.
`
`[0073]
`
`Then,
`
`the control circuit 300 is configured to be
`
`connected to a first compressor temperature sensor 307
`
`configured to detect a temperature of the first compressor
`
`101, a second compressor temperature sensor 308 configured
`
`to detect a temperature of the second compressor 201, a
`
`first temperature sensor 309 configured to detect a
`
`temperature within the freezer so as to control
`
`the first
`
`compressor 101,
`
`a second temperature sensor 310 configured
`
`to detect a temperature within the freezer so as to
`
`control
`
`the second compressor 201, a first sensor 311
`
`configured to detect a temperature of the first fan 105,
`
`and a second sensor 312 configured to detect a temperature
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`of the second fan 205.
`
`[0074]
`
`22
`
`
`
`The control board 301 includes a microcomputer 301a,
`
`and is configured to output control signals for opening
`
`and closing two relays 306 in response to detection
`
`signals from the first compressor temperature sensor 307
`
`and the second compressor temperature sensor 308, and also
`
`output control sign
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