WO2010071322A2 - Cooling control apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooling control apparatus, and more particularly, to a cooling control apparatus which can control a cooling temperature to create a desired state of a stored object, when the crystallization of the stored object is performed due to the phase transition. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooling control apparatus, including: an accommodation room with a storing space therein to store a stored object; a cooling means cooling the accommodation room or the storing space; and after the accommodation room or the storing space is cooled to a temperature below the maximum ice crystal formation zone by the cooling means such that the stored object enters a supercooled state, when the supercooled state of the stored object is released and the phase transition of the stored object occurs, a temperature control means changing a cooling temperature of the accommodation room, the stored object or the storing space to continuously perform the phase transition of the stored object.

Description

Cooling control unit

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cooling control device, and more particularly, to a cooling control device capable of controlling a cooling temperature to form a state of a desired storage object when crystallization proceeds due to a phase transition of the storage object.

 Background Art Conventionally, in the natural state by adjusting the cooling rate or in an electric field or a magnetic field atmosphere, a thaw 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.

1 is a temperature graph of a conventional supercooled state.

In the case of the supercooled state in FIG. 1, the cooling device maintains the stored object in the supercooled state, and continuously maintains the freezing state at or below the phase transition temperature (for example, 0 ° C.). The cooling temperature (I) of the storage space in which the object is stored is maintained at, for example, -5 ° C., while the temperature (II) of the object is somewhat higher than this cooling temperature, but is kept below the phase transition temperature without phase change. It is becoming.

2 is a temperature graph when the conventional supercooled state is released.

In FIG. 2, the supercooled state of the enclosure is released so that the temperature of the enclosure rises to a phase transition temperature, or to a temperature near the phase transition temperature, from which the phase transition (or phase conversion or crystallization) of the enclosure begins. In this case, the conventional cooling apparatus maintains the previous cooling temperature as it is, and the time for the crystallization of the enclosure due to this cooling is always kept constant. Therefore, it is not possible to control and adjust the time for the enclosure to crystallize.

In addition, the most important factor in maintaining the freshness of the frozen food storage is to cause the production of juice in the thawing process through the destruction of the tissue due to the formation of ice crystals in the freezing process. That is, when freezing the food, the factor which has the greatest influence on the freshness of the food is the maximum ice crystal generation band between -1 ° C and -7 ° C. In this section moisture in the food is converted to ice. Therefore, if the time of this section is long, the shape of the ice crystal is non-uniform, and the size is also increased, thereby damaging the tissue of the food.

3 is a graph of the temperature and the cooling temperature of the object by the conventional freezing storage method.

The storage space in the general cooling or freezing apparatus is constantly cooled to a set temperature (for example, -20 ° C), as shown in the cooling temperature graph I of FIG. 3.

Section (a) shows that the object (or food, etc.) is stored in the storage space in the refrigerating device, so that the temperature of the object decreases. In this section (a), the cooling temperature of the refrigerating device is set at a temperature significantly lower than the maximum ice crystal generation zone temperature, so that when the cooling is performed, the objects stay in the maximum ice crystal generation zone in a supercooled state.

As can be seen from the stored temperature graph II, in the case of the set cooling temperature of FIG. 3, the stored temperature drops rapidly, and the supercooled state of the stored material becomes considerably unstable, which can be seen in the section a. As can be seen, the time for holding the object in the supercooled state in the maximum ice crystal generation zone is relatively short, and at this time, the supercooled state of the object is released and the temperature of the object rises to the phase transition temperature so that phase transformation or phase transition proceeds. . The holding time of this section (a) is related to the number of ice crystal nuclei when the article is frozen, and the shorter holding time increases the number of ice crystal nuclei.

Section (b) is a process of the phase change of the thing, and section (c) is the process of the phase change of the thing, during the freezing of the thing is progressed, the temperature of the thing is lowered again. In particular, the holding time of the section (c) corresponds to the time that the contents stay in the maximum ice crystal generation zone, which is related to the size of the nucleus of the ice. In other words, the longer the holding time, the larger the size of the nucleus of the ice. In particular, when the number of ice crystal nuclei is quite large, the probability of forming larger nuclei of ice increases.

In section d, the article is a section that is completely frozen and stored in the frozen state.

After the section (d), the user withdraws the goods to the outside of the storage space, and corresponds to the process of thawing.

In the above-mentioned sections (a) to (c), the number of ice crystal nuclei increases, and a very large nucleus of ice is formed, so that the destruction of the deposit proceeds considerably.

In addition, natural thawing or forced thawing is required in the thawing process of the object, in particular, in order to thaw a frozen object below -20 ° C.

In the case of thawing from the cooling temperature to room temperature (natural thawing), exposure to room temperature in a temperature range (14-20 ° C.) in which bacterial growth is active, and there is a risk of bacterial infection such as fallout bacteria. In addition, due to moisture evaporation and color development deterioration of the quality even if the entire thaw. In addition, drips are also generated by prolonged external exposure.

In addition, in the case of thawing (forced thawing) by a heating mechanism such as a microwave oven, a large amount of drip occurs, there is water evaporation, and in the case of an object such as meat, the color of the meat becomes black and the quality is significantly reduced.

 An object of the present invention is to provide a cooling control device that adjusts the cooling temperature at the time of phase change of an object to maintain or switch the object to a desired state.

Moreover, an object of this invention is to provide the apparatus and the method of manufacturing a slush which adjusts the progress of a slush at the time of crystallization of an object.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a slush manufacturing apparatus and method for controlling the slush storage time by adjusting the time of crystallization of the object.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a freezing storage method and a freezing storage device for increasing the supercooled state holding time of a package to suppress the number of ice crystal nuclei during phase change of the package.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a freezing storage method and a freezing storage device in which the size of the ice core is suppressed during the phase change of the stored object.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a freezing storage method and a freezing storage device for storing in a frozen state so that the thawing process of the storage can be easily performed.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a freezing storage method and a freezing storage device so that the thawing process of the storage is performed in the storage space.

The cooling control apparatus of this invention cools an accommodating chamber or accommodating space below the temperature of the maximum ice crystal generation | generation zone by the accommodating chamber in which the accommodating space which accommodates an accommodation object was formed, the cooling means for cooling an accommodating chamber, or a accommodating space, and a cooling means. After the object enters the supercooled state, the supercooled state of the object is released, and when the phase transition of the object proceeds, the cooling temperature of the accommodation chamber or the object or the storage space is varied so that the phase transition of the object continues. And a temperature control means to make it possible.

 Further, the slush manufacturing apparatus of the present invention includes a storage chamber in which a storage space for accommodating objects is formed, cooling means for cooling the storage chamber or storage space, and a storage chamber or storage space below the temperature of the maximum ice crystal generation zone by the cooling means. After the coolant enters the supercooled state, the supercooled state of the object is released, and when the phase transition of the object proceeds, the temperature of the accommodating chamber or the object or the storage space is increased so that the object crystallizes. Or temperature control means for adjusting the crystal size to produce a slush.

 In addition, the present invention, the slush manufacturing method is the step of cooling the storage space for accommodating the object below the temperature of the maximum ice crystal generation zone of the object, and when the supercooled state of the object is released after entering the subcooled state, Adjusting the time or crystal size at which the enclosure is crystallized to raise the temperature of the enclosure or compartment to produce a slush.

 In addition, the freezing storage method of the present invention is a method for freezing and storing the objects stored in the cooling space, the first cooling step of maintaining and cooling the temperature of the cooling space to the subcoolable temperature, and the supercooled state of the cooled storage is released If so, a second cooling step of cooling the temperature of the cooling space to a refrigeration temperature lower than the subcoolable temperature.

In addition, the present invention has the effect of adjusting the progress of the slush at the time of crystallization of the object.

In addition, the present invention has the effect of adjusting or displaying the slush storage time by adjusting the time of crystallization of the object.

In addition, the present invention has the effect of being able to thaw when the storage period of the slush storage is frozen.

In addition, the present invention has an effect of increasing the time of holding the supercooled state of the package to suppress the number of ice crystal nuclei during the phase change of the package, thereby preventing the package from being destroyed in the freezing process.

In addition, the present invention has the effect that the size of the ice core is suppressed during the phase change of the object to prevent the destruction of the object, the quality of the object is maintained.

In addition, the present invention has the effect of keeping the storage temperature in the temperature range of the maximum ice crystal generation zone during freezing storage, so that the thawing process of the storage can be easily performed.

In addition, the present invention has the effect of performing the refrigeration storage so that the thawing process of the storage is carried out at a low temperature in the storage space, the quality of the storage can be maintained even in the thawing process.

1 is a temperature graph of a conventional supercooled state.

2 is a temperature graph when the conventional supercooled state is released.

3 is a graph of the temperature and the cooling temperature of the object by the conventional freezing storage method.

4 is a temperature graph corresponding to the release of the supercooled state according to the present invention.

5 is a configuration diagram of a slush manufacturing apparatus that is a cooling control device according to the present invention.

6 is a flowchart of a slush manufacturing method according to the present invention.

7 is a graph of the temperature and the cooling temperature of the object by the freezing storage method according to the present invention.

8 is a configuration diagram of a freezing storage device performing the freezing storage method of FIG. 7.

9 is a flowchart of a freezing storage method according to the present invention.

 In the following, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail, together with the drawings.

4 is a temperature graph corresponding to the release of the supercooled state according to the present invention.

The slush manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a storage space in which the objects are stored, and cools the storage space to below the phase transition temperature. However, preferably, the cooling temperature of the storage space is at a temperature of the maximum ice crystal generation zone (for example, -1 to -7 ° C) or lowers below this temperature.

The cooling temperature graph I of FIG. 4 varies in temperature depending on the release of the supercooling of the objects in the temperature graph II of the objects.

Before the time tsc, the enclosure is cooled to cool below the phase transition temperature and close to the cooling temperature, where the enclosure is maintained in a supercooled state. The supercooled state of an enclosure may be affected by any physical shock (e.g. cooling, electric shock, acoustic shock, vibration impulse, radio wave shock, interruption of supply of electric and magnetic fields), or even in the absence of other unusual shocks. Due to instability, the time point at which the supercooling is released is the time tsc.

At the time tsc, when the supercooled state of the object is released, the temperature of the object or the storage space rises to or near the phase transition temperature. It is possible to detect that the supercooling state of the object is released due to such a rapid temperature rise. At this time, the slush manufacturing apparatus maintains the cooling temperature (or control temperature) without changing for a predetermined time or more. This may require time to accurately determine the supercooling release of the package, and after the crystallization of the package (or phase change of the package) has been carried out to some extent, the temperature may be adjusted to adjust the time for the package to crystallize. Because it is.

At a time t1 at which a predetermined time has elapsed from the time tsc, the slush manufacturing apparatus raises the cooling temperature (control temperature) by a certain amount, thereby adjusting the time for the storage to crystallize.

For example, in the case of the temperature I1, since the cooling temperature is relatively low, the crystallization rate (i.e., the slush rate) of the object becomes high, and the storage period in which the object can be stored in the slush state is shortened. This storage period means the period from when the containment is almost crystallized to the slush stage and to the ice stage.

In the case of the temperature I3, since the cooling temperature is relatively high, the crystallization rate (slush speed) of the stored object is slow, and the slush storage period becomes long.

In the case of the temperature I2, the crystallization rate and the slush storage period correspond to the middle level.

As described above, after the supercooled state of the article is released, the cooling temperature is increased, but the crystallization rate and the slush storage period of the article can be adjusted according to the degree of temperature rise.

In addition, in the case of the temperature rise, as shown in FIG. 4, the control may not be kept constant at the temperatures I1, I2, and I3, but may be increased step by step, or may be stepped down after rising temporarily.

In addition, since the temperatures I1, I2, and I3 are all included in the maximum ice crystal generation temperature, the crystallization may be continuously performed, or at least lower than the phase transition temperature, so that the crystallization may be continued.

5 is a configuration diagram of a slush manufacturing apparatus that is a cooling control device according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, the slush manufacturing apparatus includes a cooling cycle 1 for cooling a constant storage space, a temperature sensing unit 2 for sensing a temperature of a storage space or a temperature of the storage space, and supplies heat into the storage space. Or a heat source supply unit 3 for generating heat, an input unit 4 for inputting setting and operation commands such as a temperature setting of the storage space from the user, a slush storage period, a slush running speed, and the like, and a slush manufacturing apparatus. A display unit 5 for displaying an operation or the like, a subcooling unit 6 for maintaining an object in the storage space in a supercooled state that is freezing at a temperature lower than the phase transition temperature, and a supercooling release unit forcibly releasing the supercooling state of the object. (7) and a control unit 8 for controlling to perform at least control such as supercooling storage of the contents by the slush manufacturing apparatus, slush generation, slush speed and the like. However, the slush manufacturing apparatus is provided with a power supply unit (not shown) for supplying power to each element that requires a power supply, the provision of such a power supply is only a natural technology for those familiar with the technical field to which the present invention belongs, the description and Illustration is omitted.

The cooling cycle 1 is divided into an intercooling type and a direct cooling type according to a method of cooling an object.

 The intercooled cooling cycle includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, an evaporator for generating cold air for cooling the storage space or a storage object, a fan for forcibly flowing the cold air generated therein, an inlet duct for introducing cold air into the storage space, and a storage space. It consists of a discharge duct to guide the cold air passing through the evaporator. In addition, the intercooled cooling cycle may include a condenser, a dryer, an expansion device, and the like.

  The direct cooling cycle consists of a compressor for compressing the refrigerant and an evaporator installed in the case adjacent to the inner surface of the case forming the storage space to evaporate the refrigerant. However, the direct cooling cooling cycle includes a condenser and an expansion valve.

In the present embodiment, the storage space may be a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber provided in a refrigerator, a freezer, or the like, or may be in the form of separate spaces inside the refrigerating chamber or the freezing chamber.

The temperature sensing unit 2 detects the temperature of the storage space or the temperature of the storage, and is formed on the sidewall of the storage space to sense the temperature of the air in the storage space, or is adjacent to the storage or in contact with the storage. This is true of sensors that can accurately sense temperature. The temperature detector 2 may apply the temperature value itself, or may apply the current value, voltage value, or resistance value corresponding to the temperature to the controller 8.

The heat source supply unit 3 is a component that can be selectively provided, and corresponds to an element forcibly raising the temperature of the storage space or the temperature of the storage object. For example, a heating heater coil, a magnetron, a light irradiation means, or the like may be used. This may be the case.

The input unit 4 receives a slush temperature setting of the storage space, a thawing command, a setting and operation command of the heat source supply unit, etc. from the user. For example, the input unit 4 may be a push button, a keyboard, a touch pad, or the like. The input unit 4 may receive an input of a command to perform the slush manufacturing method according to the present invention.

The input unit 4 may receive a supercooling release command for the operation of the subcooling release unit 7 for releasing the subcooling of the object. In addition, the predetermined time of operation of the subcooling release unit 7 may be input to allow the subcooling of the object to be released at a desired time.

In addition, the input unit 4 has a temperature value corresponding to the degree of temperature rise (for example, + 2 ° C. and + 4 ° C. rise relative to the cooling temperature), and a temperature value after the supercooling release (for example, -5 ° C., − 4 ° C.) or a selection value (eg, low speed, medium speed, high speed, etc.) for the crystallization time of the package may be input. If the crystallization time is large in temperature rise information, the crystallization time is further delayed. Alternatively, the slush rate corresponds to the crystal size. If the slush rate is fast, the crystal size formed within a predetermined time becomes relatively large. If the slush rate is slow, the crystal size formed within the predetermined time becomes relatively small. The input unit 4 may receive an input (for example, small, medium, large) for the crystal size.

In addition, the input unit 4 receives a defrost command, which decomposes forcibly with the operation of the defrost command or the heat source supply unit 3 to increase the temperature of the storage space by performing only the control of the cooling cycle 1. And a thawing instruction for rapidly raising the temperature of the storage space.

The display unit 5 may basically perform an operation performed by the refrigeration apparatus, for example, display of the temperature of the storage space or the stored object, display of the cooling temperature, and display of the thawing operation being performed.

In addition, the display unit 5 may display the progress rate of the present slush, the storage period, the crystal size, the end of the storage period, and the warning.

The sub-cooling unit 6 is to maintain the freezing state of the objects in the storage space even below the phase transition temperature, and to prevent the objects from being frozen by applying energy to water molecules in the objects. The subcooling unit 6 may be a means for generating and applying an electric field or a magnetic field, for allowing moisture to cause magnetic resonance, or for applying electromagnetic waves. In addition, the subcooling section 6 may be such that the cooling of the object is made to stand, thereby allowing natural cooling. In addition, this subcooling part 6 should be understood to apply energy (heat energy, electric energy, magnetic energy, light energy, etc.) to the object to keep the object in a supercooled state.

In addition, the subcooling release 7 extends the physical shock (for example, cooling, electric shock, acoustic shock, vibration impulse, radio wave shock, interruption of supply of electric and magnetic fields) to the storage being stored in the supercooled state. To ensure that the supercooled state of the package can be released at a desired time. This subcooling release part 7 includes a function of interrupting energy applied by the subcooling part 6.

The control unit 8 includes the above-described cooling cycle 1, the temperature sensing unit 2, the heat source supply unit 3, the input unit 4, the display unit 5, the supercooling unit 6, and the supercooling release unit 7. Can be controlled. That is, the controller 8 controls the cooling cycle 1 according to the input by the input unit 4 or the predetermined freezing storage method, so that the cooling operation corresponding to the cooling temperature according to FIG. 4 described above is performed. In particular, the control unit 8 is the temperature sensing unit 2 detects the temperature of the storage space or the storage object, as shown in Figure 3 during the cooling, the temperature of the storage or storage space rapidly rises to become the phase transition temperature, or phase transition When the temperature varies considerably close to the temperature, the controller 8 may confirm that a phase change or a phase transition of the object is generated.

The control unit 8 controls the cooling cycle 1 to perform the cooling by including the temperature of the maximum ice crystal generation zone or by setting the cooling temperature below it.

The control unit 8 detects the natural supercooling release of the stored object by the temperature sensing unit 2, or the operation command of the subcooling release unit 7 from the input unit 4, or the operation of the preset subcooling release unit 7. By operating the subcooling release unit 7 by a predetermined time, it is possible to accurately detect the release of the subcooling.

In addition, the control unit 8 may be configured to determine a temperature value corresponding to a preset or input temperature rise, a temperature value after the supercooling release, or a crystallization time of the package after the supercooling of the package is released, immediately or after a predetermined time has elapsed. Temperature control is performed according to the selected value, input to the crystal size, and the like. Such temperature control can be achieved by temperature control by the cooling cycle 1, operation control of the heat source supply unit 3, and operation control of the cooling cycle 1 and the heat source supply unit 3. In addition, the control unit 8 stores look-up data (such as relationship data between the cooling temperature, the amount of storage, the degree of progression of the slush, etc.) of the progress of the slush, and calculates the storage period of the slush in accordance with the degree of temperature rise. Can be stored. In particular, when the slush manufacturing apparatus can obtain information about the weight of the object, the controller 8 can accurately determine the storage period of the slush, the progress of the slush, the size of the slush crystal, etc. by using the weight information. have.

In addition, when the crystallization of the stored object proceeds excessively, the control unit 8 provides the heat source supply unit 3 by input from the input unit 4 with respect to thawing of the stored object or by independent determination (determination of the slush storage period). It is also possible to melt the enclosure by the operation of.

In addition, it should be understood that the controller 8 includes a storage unit (not shown) that stores data such as input commands, control settings, and temperature settings input by the user.

In FIG. 6 below, the operation of the control unit 8 and the like will be described in detail.

6 is a flowchart of a slush manufacturing method according to the present invention.

In step S51, the controller 8 controls the cooling cycle 1 to perform cooling of the storage space. At this time, the cooling temperature is the temperature of the maximum ice crystal generating zone or the cooling is performed at a temperature lower than this temperature. In particular, when the cooling is performed at a temperature lower than the maximum ice crystal generation zone, the unstable subcooling state may be naturally released by the cooling temperature while maintaining the subcooling state. Is one of.

In step S53, the controller 8 determines whether the supercooled state of the object is released by the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 2 or by the execution of the supercooling release command as described above. If the supercooled state is released, the flow proceeds to step S55. When the subcooling state is released, the controller 8 may display the subcooling release state through the display unit 5.

In step S55, the control unit 8 maintains the cooling temperature of step S51 until a predetermined time elapses, but proceeds to step S57 when a predetermined time elapses. In the elapse of the predetermined time, the control unit 8 may include a device such as a timer (not shown) in hardware or software to calculate the time, and determine the elapse of time, the arrival of the set time, and the like.

In step S57, the controller 8 raises the cooling temperature (temperatures I1, I2, I3 in Fig. 4) so that the temperature of the storage space or the object may be increased. At this time, the control part 8 raises a cooling temperature by the cooling cycle 1, by the heat source supply part 3, or by the combined operation of the cooling cycle 1 and the heat source supply part 3. As described above, the degree of increase of the cooling temperature is determined by the control unit 8 independently or by the user's input by the storage period of the generated slush, the rate of the slush generated, or the crystal size of the slush. The controller 8 controls the temperature rise.

In step S59, the controller 8 determines whether the storage period calculated for the object has elapsed. For this determination, the controller 8 may calculate a time after the subcooling release step S53 and the like, compare the calculated time with the storage period, and determine whether the elapsed time has elapsed. If the storage period has not elapsed, the current state may be maintained as it is, or the storage period may be displayed through the display unit 5, or the remaining storage period may be displayed. If the storage period has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S61.

In step S61, the controller 8 may operate the heat source supply unit 3 when the slush of the containment is almost frozen due to crystallization, so that the slush of the containment can be melted. At this time, the controller 8 may display that the storage period of the slush has ended or that the thawing is in progress through the display unit 5. However, the controller 8 may display that the simple object is frozen in the display unit 5 in step S61, and may perform thawing only when there is a user input through the input unit 4. .

In the above-described flowchart, the step of setting the time of step S55, the step of setting the temperature rise degree of step S57, the step of setting the thawing of step S61 to automatically perform the step, etc. before each step is performed. Can be performed.

Also, steps S55, S59 and S61 are steps that can be selectively performed in slush production.

After the step S61, when all of the objects are thawed, the temperature of the objects or the temperature of the storage space gradually increases above the phase transition temperature, so that the controller 8 senses such a temperature change, thereby defrosting the objects. You can confirm that it is completed. After the completion of such thawing, the controller 8 may again perform the cooling of step S51.

7 is a graph of the temperature and the cooling temperature of the object by the freezing storage method according to the present invention.

In the section A, the storage space in which the objects (or foods, etc.) are stored and cooled is maintained at a subcoolable temperature and cooled. This subcoolable temperature corresponds to a temperature at which the object is kept subcooled in the temperature range of the maximum ice crystal generating zone (-1 to -7 ° C), or the subcoolable temperature itself is a temperature range of the maximum ice crystal generating zone. The temperature is included in, or at a temperature slightly lower than the temperature range of the maximum ice crystal generation zone, so that the object is maintained in the supercooled state in the maximum ice crystal generation zone. Such a supercoolable temperature is maintained at a higher temperature than the conventional cooling temperature, so that the supercooled state of the package can be maintained for a longer time while the temperature of the package decreases more slowly even if the temperature of the package drops.

As can be seen from the stored temperature graph II, in the case of the set cooling temperature of FIG. 7, the stored temperature decreases, but as can be seen in the section A, the stored material is the maximum ice crystal generation zone. In the supercooled state is maintained for a relatively long time, due to the instability of the supercooled state, the temperature of the object rises to the phase transition temperature and the phase change or phase transition proceeds. The holding time of this section A is related to the number of ice crystal nuclei when the article is frozen, and the number of ice crystal nuclei decreases as the holding time becomes longer.

In the section B, when the phase change of the object starts, the cooling temperature for the storage space in which the object is accommodated is started to a freezing temperature such as, for example, -20 ° C. This freezing temperature corresponds to a temperature lower than the subcooling temperature in the section A, and the cooling rate in the section B also proceeds faster than the cooling rate in the section A, so that the stored temperature is the maximum ice crystal generation. To pass through the temperature range of the band more quickly. By this rapid cooling, as in the section C, the time for which the package temperature stays in the maximum ice crystal generation zone is relatively reduced. The holding time of the section C corresponds to the time that the contents stay in the maximum ice crystal generation zone, which is related to the size of the nucleus of the ice. In other words, the shorter the holding time, the smaller the size of the ice core. In particular, if the number of ice crystal nuclei is significantly smaller, ice nuclei will be made smaller.

In the section D, as in the sections B and C, the low freezing temperature is maintained for a predetermined time or more, so that the contents can be completely frozen.

In the section D, since the freezing (or freezing) of the storage is completed as a whole, in the section E, even though the temperature of the storage space is not maintained at the freezing temperature, the freezing state of the storage can be maintained, so that the cooling temperature is maximized. It is included in the temperature range of the ice crystal forming zone, or lower than the phase transition temperature, but maintained at a temperature higher than the freezing temperature to perform low temperature freezing storage. The cooling temperature during this low temperature freezing storage may be higher than the above-described subcoolable temperature but may be lower than the phase transition temperature.

Freezing storage of the contents is carried out while the section E is continuously maintained. However, for example, when the thawing command or the preset freezing time by the user is completed with the refrigerating device, the thawing section for the object may be performed.

In the section F, the cooling temperature during the low temperature freezing storage is raised to a temperature for low temperature thawing, so that the things are thawed inside the storage space. Here, the temperature for thawing is maintained at, for example, 1 ~ 2 ℃, so that the phase change of the object is carried out, so that there is no effect on the quality of the object. That is, such low-temperature thawing minimizes the occurrence of drips and the like in the package, and solves the problem of evaporation of moisture, thereby hardly affecting the quality of the package.

8 is a configuration diagram of a freezing storage device performing the freezing storage method of FIG. 7.

As shown in FIG. 8, the freezing storage device includes a cooling cycle 11 for cooling a predetermined storage space, a temperature sensing unit 12 for sensing a temperature of a storage space or a temperature of the storage space, and supplies heat into the storage space. Or a heat source supply unit 13 for generating heat, an input unit 14 for receiving a temperature setting of a storage space from the user, a thawing command, an operation command for the heat source supply unit, and the like, and an operation for performing a freezing storage device. The display part 15 and the control part 16 which control to perform freeze storage of the thing by a freezing storage device are provided. However, the refrigeration storage device is provided with a power supply unit (not shown) for supplying power to each element that requires power, but the provision of such a power supply is only a natural technology for those familiar with the technical field to which the present invention belongs, the description and Illustration is omitted.

The cooling cycle 11 is divided into an intercooling type and a direct cooling type according to a method of cooling an object.

 The intercooled cooling cycle includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, an evaporator for generating cold air for cooling the storage space or a storage object, a fan for forcibly flowing the cold air generated therein, an inlet duct for introducing cold air into the storage space, and a storage space. It consists of a discharge duct to guide the cold air passing through the evaporator. In addition, the intercooled cooling cycle may include a condenser, a dryer, an expansion device, and the like.

  The direct cooling cycle consists of a compressor for compressing the refrigerant and an evaporator installed in the case adjacent to the inner surface of the case forming the storage space to evaporate the refrigerant. However, the direct cooling cooling cycle includes a condenser and an expansion valve.

In the present embodiment, the storage space may be a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber provided in a refrigerator, a freezer, or the like, or may be in the form of separate spaces inside the refrigerating chamber or the freezing chamber.

The temperature sensing unit 12 detects the temperature of the storage space or the temperature of the storage space, and is formed on the sidewall of the storage space to sense the temperature of air in the storage space, or is adjacent to the storage space or in contact with the storage space. This is true of sensors that can accurately sense temperature. The temperature detector 12 applies a current value, a voltage value, or a resistance value change value corresponding to the temperature to the controller 16. The temperature sensor 12 may recognize that the temperature of the object or the storage space rapidly rises when the phase transition of the object is made, so that the controller 16 recognizes the release of the supercooled state of the object.

The heat source supply unit 13 is a component that may be selectively provided, and corresponds to an element forcibly raising the temperature of the storage space or the temperature of the storage object. For example, a heat generator coil, a magnetron, a light irradiation unit, or the like may be used. This may be the case.

The input unit 14 receives a temperature setting of the storage space from the user, a thawing command, an operation command of the heat source supply unit, and the like, for example, a push button, a keyboard, a touch pad, and the like. The input unit 14 may receive a command to perform the freezing storage method according to the present invention, or may receive a command to perform the freezing storage method according to the prior art. In addition, the input unit 14 may receive an input for varying or setting a storage temperature at low temperature freezing storage, or may receive an input time of a freezing section such as a section D.

In addition, the input unit 14 receives a thawing command, which is accompanied by an operation of the thawing command or the heat source supply unit 13 to increase the temperature of the storage space by performing only the control of the cooling cycle 11. And a thawing instruction for rapidly raising the temperature of the storage space. In addition, the cooling cycle 11 and the heat source supply unit 13 may be controlled together to increase the temperature of the storage space.

The display unit 15 is basically performing an operation performed by the freezing storage device, for example, a description of each section of FIG. 7, a display of a temperature of a storage space or a storage object, a display of a cooling temperature, and a thawing operation. Indication can be performed. In addition, the display unit 15 may display the freezing time of the stored object.

The controller 16 may also basically perform a freezing treatment according to a conventional freezing storage method, but this embodiment will be described focusing on the freezing storage method according to the present invention.

The controller 16 controls the cooling cycle 11 according to an input by the input unit 14 or a predetermined freezing storage method, so that a cooling operation corresponding to the cooling temperature according to FIG. 7 described above is performed. In particular, the controller 16 detects the temperature of the storage space or the stored object in the performance of the interval after the section B, while cooling the temperature of the storage or the storage space as shown in FIG. 7. Is rapidly increased to become a phase transition temperature, or when the temperature is changed to a temperature quite close to the phase transition temperature, the controller 16 may confirm that phase change or phase transition of the stored object has occurred. In the following FIG. 8, the operation of the control unit 16 and the like will be described in detail.

In addition, the controller 16 may include a timer (not shown) in hardware or software to calculate a required time. In particular, the controller 16 may calculate and display the execution time of the rapid cooling or the freezing time of the stored object (a cumulative time after the supercooling release or the cumulative time after the low temperature freezing storage) and the like is displayed on the display unit 15.

9 is a flowchart of a freezing storage method according to the present invention. This cryopreservation method may be performed in the cryopreservation apparatus of FIG. 8.

In step S71, the controller 16 maintains the cooling of the storage space at a subcoolable temperature.

In step S73, the goods are put in by the user. In the case of such input, the freezing storage device may be provided with a detection sensor that can detect the input of the object, it may be detected through the input input by the user. However, such input detection may be selectively performed.

In step S75, the control unit 16 determines whether the supercooling state of the stored object is released through the temperature sensing of the storage space or the stored object by the temperature sensing unit 12 to start the phase change. In step S75, while the subcooled state of the package is maintained, cooling according to the subcoolable temperature is continuously performed, and section A of FIG. 7 is performed.

In step S77, the control unit 16 controls the cooling cycle 11 so that rapid cooling is carried out in sections B, C and D so that the temperature of the contained product passes the maximum ice crystal generation temperature in a short time. Do as follows: The set temperature for the cooling cycle 11 at this time corresponds to the above-mentioned freezing temperature.

In step S79, the controller 16 performs the freezing section so that the section D lasts for a predetermined time or more, so that the contents are entirely frozen. In addition to the control by the set time, the controller 16 completely freezes the stored object when there is only a difference of a certain size (for example, within 3 to 5 ° C.) between the stored space temperature or the set temperature. The determination may be made that the execution of the section D may be terminated.

In step S81, the controller 16 controls the cooling cycle 11 to perform the low temperature freezing storage so that the temperature of the storage space or the storage object corresponds to the low temperature freezing temperature. When performing the low temperature freezing, only the cooling cycle 11 may be adjusted to adjust the cooling temperature, and the heat source supply unit 13 may be operated to raise the temperature of the storage space or the object to the desired low temperature freezing temperature.

In step S83, the control unit 16 acquires a thaw command through the input unit 14, or determines whether the freezing time (the execution time of the freezing section such as the sections B to E) of the preset storing is finished. To judge. The freezing time herein may include the time from the sections B to E of FIG. 7 or the time of the sections E. FIG. Further, the thawing instruction may be selected from thawing by the cooling cycle 11, thawing by the heat source supply unit 13, or a combination of these thawings as described above.

In step S85, the control unit 16 raises the temperature of the storage space or the object to a low temperature thawing temperature by the above-described thawing method, so that the object is thawed in the storage space.

In addition, the input unit 14 may obtain a command for restarting cooling in response to the previously obtained defrost command, and in response to the command, the controller 16 starts cooling the storage space. Control to a subcoolable temperature or a freezing temperature can be performed.

In the above, the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments of the present invention and the accompanying drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited by the above embodiments and drawings, and the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the contents described in the claims below.

Claims (27)

An accommodation chamber in which an accommodation space for accommodating objects is formed; Cooling means for cooling the storage chamber or storage space; After the accommodating chamber or the accommodating space is cooled to a temperature below the maximum ice crystal generating zone by the cooling means and the contents enter the supercooled state, the supercooled state of the contents is released and the phase transition of the contents proceeds. Or a temperature control means for varying the cooling temperature of the object or the accommodation space to allow the phase transition of the object to proceed continuously. 2. The cooling control device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling control device includes release means for forcibly releasing the supercooled state of the stored object. 2. The cooling control device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature control means includes a heat source supply unit installed in the accommodation chamber to supply heat to the storage space or the enclosure or to generate heat. The cooling control device according to claim 3, wherein the temperature control means controls at least one of the heat source supply unit and the cooling means to control the cooling temperature of the storage space or the storage object. The temperature control means according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the temperature control means adjusts the time or crystal size at which the enclosure is crystallized by raising the temperature of the enclosure or the enclosure or the enclosure when the phase transition of the enclosure proceeds. Cooling control device characterized in that to generate a slush. The cooling control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the temperature control means controls the cooling rate of the stored object to be faster than the previous cooling rate when the phase transition of the stored object proceeds. An accommodation chamber in which a storage space for accommodating objects is formed; Cooling means for cooling the storage chamber or storage space; After the accommodating chamber or the accommodating space is cooled to a temperature below the maximum ice crystal generating zone by the cooling means and the object enters the supercooled state, the supercooled state of the object is released and the phase transition of the object proceeds. Or temperature control means for raising the temperature of the object or the storage space to adjust the time or crystal size at which the object is crystallized to produce a slush. The method of claim 7, wherein The temperature control means is a slush manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that to raise the temperature after a certain time after the supercooled state of the package is released. The method of claim 7, wherein The temperature control means adjusts the degree of temperature rise of the object or the storage space, thereby adjusting the crystal size of the object. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elevated storage space temperature is the temperature range of the maximum ice crystal generation zone of the package or between the temperature range and the phase transition temperature. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, The slush manufacturing apparatus is provided with the release means which forcibly releases the supercooling state of a thing. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, The temperature control means is provided in the storage chamber, the slush manufacturing apparatus characterized in that it comprises a heat source supply unit for supplying heat to the storage space or the object or generates heat. The method of claim 12, The temperature control part controls at least one or more of a heat source supply part and a cooling means, and raises the temperature of a storage space or a storage object, The slush manufacturing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, The slush manufacturing apparatus includes an input unit for receiving a temperature value corresponding to a degree of temperature rise, a temperature value after releasing subcooling, or a selection value for a crystallization time or a crystal size of an article. Cooling the storage space containing the storage object to a temperature below the maximum ice crystal generation zone of the storage object; If the subcooled state of the enclosure is released after the enclosure enters the supercooled state, increasing the temperature of the enclosure or compartment to produce a slush by adjusting the time or crystal size at which the enclosure crystallizes. Slush manufacturing method characterized by the above-mentioned. The method of claim 15, The cooling step is a slush manufacturing method, characterized in that performed for a predetermined time after the state of the supercooled state of the package is released. The method of claim 15, The temperature increase step is a slush manufacturing method characterized in that to control the temperature rise degree of the object or storage space. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, The subcooling method includes a releasing step of forcibly releasing the supercooled state of the package during or after the cooling step. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, The temperature raising step includes at least one of supplying heat to the storage space or the enclosure or generating heat, and stopping the cooling step. In the method for freezing the storage stored in the cooling space, A first cooling step of cooling by maintaining the temperature of the cooling space at a subcoolable temperature; And a second cooling step of cooling the temperature of the cooling space to a refrigeration temperature lower than the subcoolable temperature when the supercooled state of the cooled storage is released. The method of claim 20, The subcoolable temperature is a refrigeration storage method, characterized in that the cooling temperature to be included in the maximum ice crystal generation zone temperature, or to include the temperature of the package in the maximum ice crystal generation zone temperature. The method of claim 21, The cooling rate of the object in the second cooling step is faster than the cooling rate of the object in the first cooling step. The method of claim 20, A freezing storage method, characterized in that the second cooling step is maintained for a predetermined time to freeze the contents. The method of claim 23, wherein The freezing storage method is a freezing storage method, characterized in that for storing the frozen goods in the second cooling step at a low temperature freezing temperature of more than the subcoolable temperature. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the cold freezing temperature is lower than the phase transition temperature. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 25, The freezing storage method includes the step of cooling the temperature of the cooling space to the refrigerating temperature of the phase change temperature or more, freezing storage method, characterized in that to thaw the low temperature. The method of claim 26, The step of cooling to the refrigeration temperature is a freezing storage method, characterized in that is performed by obtaining a thaw command for the object from the user.

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