JP2000201841A - Grain storage - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a grain storage that prevents external air from flowing into a storage tank and keeps the storage tank at a predetermined humidity even when the remaining amount of grains is small. SOLUTION: A part of wind generated by a heat radiating fan 162 is sent to a space between a storage tank 106 and a casing 102 via a drain pipe 168 (arrow C). Due to the air from the drain pipe 168, part of the cool air cooled in the gap between the cooling fins 154 flows into the storage tank 106 from the hole 158 (arrow D). Since it is also cold, it sinks below the storage tank 106 by its own weight (arrow E). This allows
The air pressure in the storage tank 106 becomes higher than the outside air, and the air in the storage tank 106 is pushed to the outside through gaps such as the measuring lever 136 and the tray 140 (arrow F). That is, the pressure inside the storage tank 106 becomes positive with respect to the outside air,
It is possible to prevent moisture-containing outside air from entering the storage tank 206.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a grain storage for controlling the inside of a storage tank containing grains at a temperature lower than room temperature.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, rice bins for storing grains, particularly white rice, have poor storage conditions (outside air temperature and humidity), and during the rainy season and summer season, insects grow, mold grows, and the taste deteriorates. Or Therefore, as shown in FIG. 20, the present invention provides a low-temperature rice bottle which is provided with a control device for controlling the inside of the rice bottle to a predetermined temperature lower than the normal temperature and which can always keep the inside of the rice bottle at a constant temperature (low temperature). Has been proposed by the applicant.

In the rice bin 200, the lid 208 is opened, the white rice 204 is put into the storage tank 206, and then the lid 208 is closed, whereby cooling by the cooling device 210 is started. In the cooling device 210, the cooling element 252
, A cooling surface of the cooling element 252 directed toward the storage unit 206A is cooled to cool the surrounding atmosphere.

[0004] The cooling air cooled in the gap between the cooling fins 254 is quickly cooled by the cooling fan 256 into the storage tank 20.
6 (a space provided between the storage tank 206 and the casing 202). This cooling fan 2
By turning the knob 56, the accumulation of cool air is prevented, the cool air is sent evenly around the storage tank 206, and the unevenness of the cooling of the white rice 204 is prevented.

[0005] A storage section 206A of the storage tank 206 is provided.
Are provided with a plurality of holes 258 so that some cold air can be directly supplied to the storage unit 2.
06A. The cool air dehumidifies the storage tank 206, thereby suppressing moisture absorption of the white rice 204 and preventing the occurrence of mold and the like.

As described above, according to the conventional technique (rice bin 200), a constant state can be maintained even if the storage period is long.

[0007]

By the way, when the remaining amount of white rice stored in the storage tank 206 decreases, the density of the rice layer decreases and the air permeability increases.

In the prior art (Rice 200), a radiating fan 262 is mounted below the radiating fins 260 of the cooling device 210, and the hot air from the radiating fins 260 is quickly discharged from the exhaust port 264 to the outside of the device. . A drain collection dish 270 is provided below the radiating fins 260, and water droplets dripping from the cooling surface of the cooling element 252 of the cooling device 210 are collected through a drain pipe 268.

Therefore, the drain tube 268 and the hole 2
58, the space on the suction side of the heat dissipation fan 262 (FIG. 2).
0 below the heat dissipation fan 262), the space provided between the storage tank 206 and the casing 202, and the inside of the storage tank 206.

For this reason, when the radiating fan 262 is rotated when the amount of white rice is small, the suction pressure of the radiating fan 262 causes a negative pressure in the storage tank 206, and the measuring lever 2
36, outside air containing moisture enters the storage tank 206 from the tray 240 or the like (see the thick arrow in FIG. 21). Due to the inflow of the outside air, the rice stored in the storage tank becomes sticky due to the moisture, and a bridging phenomenon occurs in which the rice grains stick together, so that the rice may not be able to be taken out. In addition, since the humidity in the storage tank is increased, mold may be generated.

In view of the above facts, the present invention provides a grain storage which can prevent outside air from flowing into the storage tank and maintain the inside of the storage tank at a predetermined humidity even when the remaining amount of grains is small. The purpose is to get.

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage tank for storing grains, and the flow rate is restricted by guiding the grains in the storage tank by a small-diameter introduction path. A discharge means for discharging while measuring, a temperature adjusting unit for controlling the atmosphere in the storage tank to a predetermined low temperature and low humidity, and positively introducing the outside air whose temperature is low and low by the temperature adjusting unit into the storage tank. Positive pressure means for making the inside of the storage tank a positive pressure with respect to the outside air pressure so that outside air does not flow into the storage tank from the introduction path of the discharge means.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the temperature adjusting section adjusts the temperature of the atmosphere in the storage tank storing the grains so as to have a predetermined low temperature and low humidity. In the grain storage,
Grains can be stored at low temperature and low humidity.

When taking out the grains contained in the storage tank, the grains are guided by a discharge means to a small-diameter introduction path to restrict the flow rate and discharge while measuring.

[0015] When the amount of stored grains is reduced, the density of the grains is reduced, the air permeability is improved, and the outside air containing moisture easily flows through the gap of the storage tank. In particular, since the introduction path of the discharge means has a small diameter, if a bridging phenomenon occurs due to the humidity of the inflowing outside air, the introduction path is clogged and the kernel cannot be taken out.

Therefore, the outside air (hereinafter referred to as "cooling air") which has been made low-temperature and low-humidity by the temperature adjusting section by the positive pressure means.
Is positively introduced into the storage tank, and the pressure in the storage tank is increased to be higher than the outside pressure. As a result, even if the amount of grains stored in the storage tank is reduced, it is possible to prevent the humid outside air from flowing into the storage tank from the introduction path of the discharge means, and to reduce the grains in the storage tank. It can be stored under a predetermined humidity. In addition, by introducing cooling air into the storage tank, an effect of dehumidifying the inside of the storage tank can be obtained.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the positive pressure means is a blower fan disposed in the vicinity of the temperature adjusting section, and the positive pressure means is provided in the storage tank. The pressure inside the storage tank is made positive with respect to the outside air pressure by forcibly sending a part of the cooling air by the adjusting unit.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a part of the cooling air generated from the temperature adjusting section is sent into the storage tank by the blower fan. Accordingly, a predetermined amount of cooling air can be forcibly sent into the storage tank regardless of the flow of air generated by the temperature difference.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the blower fan is also used as a radiator fan for discharging hot air radiated from the temperature adjusting section to the outside of the device. , Is characterized.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the heat radiating fan is provided for discharging the hot air generated when the cooling air is generated in the temperature adjusting section to the outside of the apparatus. Normally, when cooling air is generated by the temperature adjusting section, the heat radiating fan is operated so that hot air does not stay in the apparatus. That is, when the cooling air is being generated, the radiating fan is also operating, so that the radiating fan can be used not only for discharging the hot air but also for sending the cooling air into the storage tank. Thus, the pressure inside the storage tank can be made positive without providing a new blower fan or a control mechanism.

[0021]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a low temperature rice bin 100 as a grain storage according to the present invention.

The low-temperature rice bottle 100 is covered with a box-shaped casing 102 made of a thin steel plate or a hard resin.
In this casing 102, polished rice 10 as a grain is contained.
4 (hereinafter simply referred to as white rice 104 in the present embodiment) is provided.
The storage tank 106 is made of a thin steel plate or a hard resin, and is preferably made of the same material as the casing 102.

As shown in FIG. 2, the storage tank 106 has a rectangular box shape having an outer dimension smaller than that of the casing 102 (hereinafter referred to as a storage portion 106A), and a lower portion gradually having an inverted quadrangular pyramid shape. (Hereinafter referred to as a funnel portion 106B). This funnel section 106
B allows the white rice 104 stored in the storage unit 106A to be collected in a partial area (near the top of the funnel unit 106B).

The upper end surface of the storage portion 106A of the storage tank 106 is open, and the peripheral portion thereof is
The storage tank 106 is mainly supported by the casing 102 at the upper end thereof in a suspended state. In addition, the storage tank 106
Are received by the heat insulating material below the funnel 106B.

Also, as shown in FIG.
A lid 108 is provided corresponding to the upper end opening of A.
The lid 108 is rotatable around one side, and usually closes the opening, and is opened when the white rice 104 is put into the storage tank 106.

Here, a space is formed between the four side surfaces of the storage tank 106 and the four side surfaces of the casing 102 (the heat insulating material 112 is attached to the outer side surface). The heat insulating material 112 is made of synthetic resin such as foamed styrene, and may be a solid member that has been molded in advance, or may be filled into the space by spraying or the like in a low-viscosity (soft) state. , May be solidified.

A rectangular hole 11 is provided in the storage section 106A corresponding to the right side of FIG.
4 are provided, and the casing 102 is correspondingly provided.
Is also provided with a rectangular hole 116.

A window frame 118 is fitted between the peripheries of the holes 114 and 116, and is separated from the space filled with the heat insulating material 112.

A transparent thin plate 120 made of glass or synthetic resin is attached to the window frame 118, so that the holes 114 and 116 can be viewed through the storage section 106A. As a function. That is, the rough estimation of the storage state of the white rice 104 stored in the storage unit 106A can be visually determined.

The outer peripheral portion of the funnel portion 106B of the storage tank 106, the surface corresponding to the back surface and the left and right sides of the low-temperature rice bottle 100 is supported by a block-shaped heat insulating material 122. Thus, the storage tank 106 has the heat insulating material interposed substantially over the entire area except the upper end opening, and as a result, the storage tank 106 has a configuration excellent in heat retention.

Here, on the surface of the funnel portion 106B, which corresponds to the front of the low-temperature rice bottle 100, the thickness of the heat insulating material 112 is smaller than that of the storage portion 106A. For this reason, the heat retaining effect in this portion is weaker than in other portions, and the portion is easily affected by the temperature of the outside air and the like.

The lower end of the funnel 106 B is
4 are integrally formed. The measuring mass 124 has a cylindrical shape extending from the apex of the funnel portion 106B, and the volume of the cylindrical body is a unit discharge amount (for example, one unit). In addition, there is no heat insulating material around the measuring mass 124 and the structure is directly affected by the temperature of the outside air.

As shown in FIG. 3, the measuring mass 124 is
A first opening / closing lid 126 which constitutes a part of the discharge mechanism is provided corresponding to the lower end opening. First open / close lid 1
One end of the shaft 26 is supported by a shaft 128, and this shaft 12
8 can be rotated.

Further, from the shaft 128, a discharge mechanism is formed together with the first opening / closing lid 126 via an extension plate 130 formed integrally with the first opening / closing lid 126 and bent at a substantially right angle. One end of a second opening / closing lid 132 is pivotally supported, and a first opening / closing lid 126 and a second opening / closing lid 13 are provided.
2 is adapted to rotate integrally about a shaft 128. The second opening / closing lid 132 is bent at a substantially right angle to the extension plate 130 in a direction opposite to the direction of the first opening / closing lid 126.

The second opening / closing lid 132 is connected to the funnel 106
B corresponds to the vertex opening. Here, when the first opening / closing lid 126 closes the opening of the measuring mass 124,
The opening of the funnel portion 106B is opened (see the solid line in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3A). In this state, the white rice 104 flows down the measuring mass 124, and the cylinder can be filled up.

On the other hand, the first opening / closing lid 126 is
When the opening 4 is open, the opening of the funnel portion 106B is closed by the second opening / closing lid 132 (see the imaginary line in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3B). Thereby, the white rice 10 only in the cylinder
4 is discharged, and the next white rice 104 is held by the funnel 106B. That is, by repeatedly opening and closing the first opening / closing lid 126 and the second opening / closing lid 132, the white rice can be discharged in unit amounts (one unit).

The unit of the first opening / closing lid 126, the second opening / closing lid 132, and the extension plate 130 (hereinafter, referred to as an opening / closing unit 134) is a biasing means (such as a torsion coil spring) attached to the shaft 128. In the normal state, the first opening / closing lid 126 is closed and the second opening / closing lid 132 is held in an open state by the urging force (not shown).

The first opening / closing lid 126 and the second opening / closing lid 132
A measuring lever 136 is arranged in correspondence with the extension plate 130 connecting the two.

The measuring lever 136 has its block-shaped main body supported by a shaft 138 in the vicinity of the extension plate 130, and is turned counterclockwise in FIG. 3 by the urging force of an urging means (not shown). It is being rushed. The measuring lever 136 extends from the portion supported by the shaft 138 to the casing 102, and the distal end portion is an operation portion 136A.
The casing 102 in the region where the operation unit 136A is located is provided with a concave portion 102A, and the operation unit 136A
Project from a rectangular hole 102B provided on the bottom surface of the concave portion 102A. The hole 102B is larger than the thickness of the operation portion 136A (vertical direction in FIG. 3), and limits the rotation range of the shaft 138.

Here, usually, the operating portion 136A is held in a state of being in contact with the upper end of the hole 102B by the urging force of the urging means, and when the user presses down the operating portion 136A, The metering lever 136 rotates clockwise about the shaft 138 against the urging force of the urging means.

The measuring lever 136 has an opening / closing projection 136.
B is provided, and in the normal state, the opening / closing projection 136B is in contact with the extension plate 130 of the opening / closing unit 134 in the normal state. The rotation trajectory of the opening / closing projection 136B about the shaft 138 is described by the extension plate 130
Has a structure that interferes with Therefore, when the operation unit 136A is pressed, the opening / closing projection 136B rotates the extension plate 130 in a counterclockwise direction about the shaft 128, that is, in a direction against the urging force of the urging means, thereby causing the first plate 130 to rotate. Can be opened and the second open / close lid 132 can be moved to the closed position.

Below the measuring mass 124, a tray 140 is provided.
Are arranged. As shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 40 denotes white rice 10 falling and discharged from the measuring mass 124.
And tray body 140A for receiving the tray body 1
It is attached to one side of the periphery of the opening of 40A, and is constituted by a holding portion 140B for holding by a user, and is an integrally molded plastic product.

The storage space 1 in which the tray 140 is stored
Reference numeral 42 denotes an open front of the low-temperature rice bottle 100, so that the user can freely take out the tray 140. That is, the operation unit 136 of the measuring lever 136
A is operated (pressed), a predetermined amount (one operation is performed) of white rice is stored in the tray body 140A, the grip 140B is gripped, and the tray 140 is removed from the storage space 142 to obtain desired white rice. Can be obtained.

As shown in FIG. 4, a transparent measuring plate 144 having a predetermined length from the grip 140B is attached to the opening surface of the tray 140. As a result, although the opening surface is slightly reduced, the tray 1
Since it is arranged at a position irrelevant to the trajectory of the discharge (fall) of the white rice to 40, the weighing mass 124 by the tray 140
There is no effect on the receipt of white rice 104 from Japan.

On the weighing plate 144, ruled lines 146 are uniformly printed from the gripping portion 140B side, and numerals 1 to 6 are printed corresponding to each ruled line 146 from the gripping portion 140B side. One scale of the ruled line 146 is one set.

When measuring the amount of the white rice 104, as shown in FIG. 5, the gripper 140B of the tray 140 is turned downward to determine which ruled line 146 the height of the stored white rice 104 matches. Thereby, the amount of the white rice 104 stored in the tray 140 can be accurately recognized.

Here, the range in which the weighing plate 144 can be arranged is limited as described above, and it is necessary to leave an opening capable of reliably storing the outflow of white rice from the weighing mass 124 in the tray 140. In the weighing plate 144 of the present embodiment, 6
Only the weighing up to the case can be performed.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, an extension line 147 of the ruled line 146 and a position of the ruled line 146 corresponding to the five joints of the extension line 147 are provided on the inner side surface of the tray 140. A ruled line 148 radiating at every predetermined angle is printed, and numbers from 6 to 9 are printed in correspondence with the ruled line 148. This ruled line 1
One scale of 48 is one set.

Here, the white rice 104 in the tray 140 is 6
In the above case, while changing the inclination angle of the tray 140, a ruled line 148 that coincides with the upper surface of the white rice 104 in a horizontal state with each other is selected, and the number corresponding to the ruled line 148 is visually checked. The amount of 104 can be accurately recognized (see FIG. 7).

(Cooling Device) As described above, the cooling device 110 is disposed in the space between the storage tank 106 and the casing 102, which is the back side of the low-temperature rice bottle 100.

The space is divided by the vertical wall 150 into the casing 102 side and the storage tank 106 side.

As shown in FIG. 8, the cooling device 110 is attached to the vertical wall 150. The cooling device 110 includes a cooling element 152 provided through the vertical wall 150.

The cooling element 152 utilizes the Peltier effect, and its schematic configuration is as follows.

That is, as the cooling element 152, a p-type semiconductor and an n-type semiconductor are arranged, one surface of each of them is attached to a single metal plate having high thermal conductivity, and the other surface is Attached to separate high thermal conductivity metal plates. This separate metal plate having high thermal conductivity is connected to the positive and negative output terminals of a rectifier circuit having a transformer and the like, and a direct current flows when an AC power is supplied to the rectifier circuit. It has become.

Here, when an electric current is applied while the n-type semiconductor side is positive, an endothermic effect occurs on the high heat conductive metal plate common to the p-type semiconductor and the n-type semiconductor, and the separate high heat conductive metal plate is used. The exothermic effect occurs on that of the board.

Therefore, the cooling element 152 is connected to the vertical wall 150
When a metal plate having a high thermal conductivity common to the p-type semiconductor and the n-type semiconductor is disposed in the space on the storage tank 106 side, a separate metal plate having a high thermal conductivity is disposed in the space on the casing 102 side. By doing so, the inside of the storage tank 106 can be cooled.

This cooling effect is smaller than the cooling effect of a general air conditioner or refrigerator, which is cooled by compressing and circulating using Freon gas or the like, but exerts a sufficient function for storing white rice at a low temperature.

A cooling fin 154 is attached to the surface of the cooling element 152 facing the storage tank 106, and the cooling capacity is increased by a plurality of gaps formed by the cooling fin 154. In addition, cooling fin 1
A cooling fan 156 is provided near 54.
It has a function of rapidly sending the cool air cooled in the gap between the cooling fins 154 around the storage section 106A of the storage tank 106.

In the present embodiment, attention is paid to the fact that cold air is heavier than normal-temperature air, and a plurality of holes 158 are provided in the upper portion of the storage section 106A. This allows the storage unit 1 to be
The cold air that has entered the inside of 06A gradually descends by its own weight, and as a result, it is possible to substantially uniformly cool (dehumidify) as a whole.

Here, as shown in FIG. 10, the opening area and the shape of each hole 158 are so large that the white rice 104 does not pass in any state, and the shape of the hole 158. In the embodiment, the long hole has a slit width smaller than the maximum diameter of the white rice 104. The shape of the hole 158 is not limited to a long hole, and is not particularly limited, such as a circular hole, an elliptical hole, a rectangular hole, a star-shaped hole, and a cross-shaped hole. It is sufficient if the opening area and the shape are not changed.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
Radiation fins 160 are attached to the surface facing the second casing 102 side, and the gap formed by the radiation fins 160 increases the flow velocity of the radiated hot air and promotes the cooling effect. .

A radiating fan 162 is mounted below the radiating fin 160.
It has the role of quickly discharging the hot air in the gap between them. In addition, an exhaust port 164 is provided on the back surface of the casing 102, and hot air exhausted from the gap can be exhausted to the outside of the apparatus by the heat dissipation fan 162.

The cooling side of the cooling element 152 in the cooling device 110, that is, the surface facing the storage tank 106,
Water droplets may be generated to cool the atmosphere.

Therefore, a drain tray 166 is disposed below the cooling device 110 in the space on the storage tank 106 side (see FIG. 1). A drain pipe 168 is provided in the drain tray 166, and penetrates the vertical wall 150.

The drain pipe 168 penetrating the vertical wall 150
Are vertically branched, as shown in FIG. The drain tube 168 extending upward is bent at approximately 90 degrees in the space between the above-described heat radiation fin 160 and the heat radiation fan 162. In addition, the opening at the tip is the radiation fan 162.
And is further bent by approximately 90 degrees so as to face. As a result, part of the wind from the radiation fan 162 is
68, into the space between the storage tank 106 and the casing 102, cooled and dehumidified by the cooling fins 154 of the cooling device 110, and sent into the storage tank 106 through the holes 158 (FIG. 11 see thick arrow).

On the other hand, a drain recovery tray 170 is provided corresponding to the opening at the distal end of the drain pipe 168 extending downward. For this reason, water droplets generated in the cooling element 152 are collected in the drain collection tray 170 via the drain tray 166 and the drain pipe 168.

Here, the drain collecting plate 170 is provided in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the plate-shaped nonwoven fabric 172 assembled in a lattice shape is accommodated therein. This non-woven fabric 172
Since water can easily absorb water, it can absorb water accumulated in the drain collection dish and can suck water up to a position higher than the stored water level.

For this reason, the area of contact with the outside air is larger than the surface area of the drain recovery tray, and the water in the drain recovery tray 170 can be quickly evaporated (see FIG. 13).

The sponge or the like that easily absorbs water may be arranged in addition to the non-woven fabric 172. In short, any sponge that directly contacts the atmosphere may be used.

As shown in FIG. 1, a control section 174 for controlling the operation of the cooling device 110 and a power supply section 176 for driving the cooling fan 156 and the radiating fan 162 are provided below the vertical wall section 150. Control unit 178 with
Are arranged. In addition, an exhaust port 180 is provided in the casing 102 in correspondence with the control unit 178 to mitigate an increase in ambient temperature due to heat generation of the control unit 178 itself.

As shown in FIG. 14, the cooling distribution in the storage tank 106 by the cooling device 110 is such that the cooling air is sufficiently distributed to the storage section 106A,
Although the temperature becomes substantially uniform (for example, 15 ° C.) due to the effect of 12, at the funnel portion 106B, since the heat insulating material 112 is thin, it is easily affected by the outside air. For example, the outside air is at room temperature (20 ° C.). If there is, the temperature is slightly higher than that of the storage unit 106A. Further, in the measuring mass 124, the heat insulating material 11
2 is not provided at all, the temperature is further affected by the outside air, the temperature is higher than the funnel portion 106B, and the temperature becomes close to room temperature.

That is, the white rice 104 discharged next is:
Instead of being stored at a low temperature, it is stored gradually at a temperature close to normal temperature, so that a large change in temperature does not occur when it is discharged to the tray 140, thereby preventing the occurrence of dew condensation and the like.

In the above description, the temperature distribution from the storage section 106A to the measuring mass 124 is raised with a predetermined inclination.
May be excluded, and only the storage unit 106A may be set as the temperature adjustment range. In this case, the temperature difference between the storage unit 106A and the funnel unit 106B becomes large, but since these are communicated with each other, the temperature change is smaller than the temperature change from the storage unit 106A directly discharged to the tray 140. Is less.

(Temperature Control of Cooling Unit) As shown in FIG. 15, the control unit 178 according to the present embodiment includes a power supply unit 176 and a control unit 174.
74 includes a controller 175, to which a cooling element (Peltier element) 152 is connected via a driver 184. In the Peltier driver 184, a predetermined voltage is output to the cooling element 152 based on a control signal input from the controller 175. The higher this voltage, the higher the cooling efficiency. This voltage control uses 8 bits (0 to 255).
(256 steps).

A cooling fan 156 and a radiating fan 162 are connected to the controller 175 via drivers 177 and 179, respectively, and are mounted near the cooling fins 154 to detect the temperature of the cooling air. 186 and the storage section 106A of the storage tank 106
And a storage unit temperature sensor 188 for detecting the ambient temperature in the storage unit 106A.

Here, the temperature of the cooling air and the temperature in the storage section 106A are both detected, and when the detected temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature, the voltage is decreased step by step and the predetermined temperature is lowered. If it is lower than the threshold, control is performed to increase the voltage for each step. It should be noted that the voltage increase and decrease are limited to 0 steps and 255 steps, respectively.

Here, when actually cooling the inside of the storage tank 106, it is necessary to set not only the temperature but also the relative humidity. For example, if the temperature in the storage tank 106 is 15 ° C. and 70%
When RH (RH is relative humidity) is set, the threshold value of the storage unit temperature sensor 188 may be set to 15 ° C. On the other hand, in order to take the relative temperature into account, the setting of the temperature of the cooling air is determined from the psychrometric chart shown in FIG. That is, 15
The temperature corresponding to 70 ° C and 70% RH is 9.5 ° C (dew point temperature). In the cooling air temperature sensor 186, the threshold may be set at 9.5 ° C.

Incidentally, a frequently used temperature set value is extracted from the psychrometric chart of FIG.
When the temperature inside 6 is 15 ° C. and the relative humidity is 60 RH, the temperature of the cooling air is controlled at 7.3 ° C. The temperature 15
℃ is constant, 8.5 ℃ when the relative humidity is 65 RH, 75 ℃
When it is RH, it is 10.5 ° C.

Generally, the temperature in the storage tank 106 is
10 ° C to 15 ° C is optimal, and the relative humidity is optimally 65RH to 75RH.

As described above, since the temperature is adjusted not only by the temperature in the storage tank 106 but also by the temperature of the cooling air, it is possible to maintain the inside of the storage tank 106 at an appropriate temperature and an appropriate humidity. .

The operation of the present embodiment will be described below.

After the lid 108 is opened and the white rice 104 is put in, the lid 108 is closed, so that the cooling device 110
Starts cooling. The storage amount of the white rice 104 can be recognized by opening the lid 108 and the thin plate 1 can be recognized.
The cooling device can be visually checked from the viewing window of the window frame 118 to which the cooling device 20 is attached, and the cooling device is not operated in an empty state.

In the cooling device 110, a predetermined voltage is applied to the cooling element 152 to cool the cooling surface of the cooling element 152 directed to the storage section 106A.

Therefore, the surrounding atmosphere is cooled. Here, since the cooling fins 154 are provided,
The cooling effect of the cooling element 152 increases, and cooling can be performed in a short time.

(Operation and Effect of Cooling Fan 156) Here, a cooling fan 156 is provided in the vicinity of the cooling element 152 together with the cooling fin 154, and the cool air cooled in the gap between the cooling fins 154 is quickly sent to the periphery of the storage tank 106. I try to circulate. Without this cooling fan 156,
Temperature unevenness of cold air occurs between the back side and the front side of the storage tank 106, and the white rice 104 may not be cooled uniformly. Therefore, by turning the cooling fan 156, the accumulation of the cool air is prevented, and the cool air is sent evenly around the storage tank 106, thereby preventing the uneven cooling of the white rice 104.

Further, since the cooling fan is driven to prevent cold air from staying in the cooling fins 154, the generation of water droplets in the cooling element 152 due to excessive cooling can also be suppressed.

(Operation and Effect of Hole 158 for Preventing Condensation)
A plurality of holes 15 are provided in the storage portion 106A of the storage tank 106.
8 is provided, and some cold air is directly supplied to the storage unit 106A.
It is designed to get inside. This cold air is white rice 10
4 is not mainly cooled, and depending on the humidity of the outside air flowing in when the lid 108 is opened, if the humidity is high, the moisture may be absorbed by the white rice 104. Then, a part of the cool air is sent into the storage unit 106A, and dehumidification is performed by the cool air, so that the white rice 10
4 can suppress the absorption of water and can prevent the occurrence of mold and the like.

Since the hole 158 has a slit width smaller than the maximum outer diameter of the white rice 104, the hole 158
There is no problem that the white rice 104 passes out of the storage unit 106A.

(Operation and Effect of Radiation Fan 162) Below the radiation fin 160 provided on the cooling element 152,
A heat dissipation fan 162 is attached.

Here, in FIG. 17, the flow of air by the radiating fan 162 when the remaining amount of stored white rice is small is indicated by a thick arrow. As shown in FIG. 17, the radiating fan 162 sucks air from the exhaust port 180 (arrow A) and sends it to the radiating fins 160 to quickly discharge hot air in the gap between the radiating fins 160. (Arrow B).

The wind (air) generated by the radiating fan 162
Of the storage tank 106 via the drain pipe 168.
Space between the casing 102 and the casing 102 (the cooling fins 154
(Arrow C). This drain pipe 16
Due to the air from 8, the cool air dehumidified and cooled in the gap between the cooling fins 154 is partly pushed out from the hole 158 and flows into the storage tank 106 (arrow D).

The air that flows in from the drain pipe 168 and pushes out the cool air is also cooled and dehumidified by the cooling fins 154 of the cooling device 110, and is further pushed out of the hole 158 by the air that has flowed in through the drain pipe and stored. It flows into the tank 106.

The air flowing into the storage tank 106 (cooled air that has been cooled and dehumidified) is cooler than the air in the storage tank 106, and sinks below the storage tank 106 by its own weight (arrow E). As a result, the pressure in the storage tank 106 becomes higher than the outside air, and the air in the storage tank 106 is pushed out from the gap between the measuring lever 136 and the tray 140 in the storage tank 106 (arrow F).

That is, the air cooled and dried by the cooling fins 154 flows through the holes 158 by the rotation of the radiating fan 162, so that the inside of the storage tank 106 is made positive with respect to the outside air pressure, and the measuring lever 224 and the tray It is possible to prevent the outside air containing moisture from entering the storage tank 206 from 240 or the like. Thereby, the bridging phenomenon of rice and the occurrence of mold in the storage tank can be prevented.

(Modification) In the above embodiment, attention is paid to the fact that the drain pipe 168 for guiding the water droplets generated by the cooling element 152 to the drain recovery tray 170 penetrates the vertical wall 150, and the storage tank The air from the heat radiation fan 162 installed on the opposite side of the space between the casing 106 and the casing 102 and the vertical wall 150 is sent through the drain pipe 168, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is not something to be done.

For example, as shown in FIG. 18, the ventilation wall 250 may be formed by hollowing out the vertical wall portion 150 and the heat insulating material 112 between the heat radiation fin 160 and the cooling fin 154. The ventilation guide hole 250 allows the storage tank 1
The space between the casing 06 and the casing 102 is communicated with the space where the wind is sent from the radiating fan 162, and a part of the wind (air) from the radiating fan 162 is transferred to the storage tank 10.
6 and the casing 102 can be guided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 19, a guide tube 252 having a distal end opening bent approximately 90 degrees so as to face the heat dissipation fan 162 may be fitted into the air blowing guide hole 250. Thereby, a predetermined amount of wind (air) can be more reliably guided to the space between the storage tank 106 and the casing 102.

[0098]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the outside air from flowing into the storage tank, and to maintain the inside of the storage tank at a predetermined humidity even when the remaining amount of grains is small. Has an effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a low-temperature rice bin according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a storage tank.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a weighing mass and its periphery.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a tray.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the tray showing a weighing state of 1 to 6 mats.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing a weighing state of 6 or more.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a cooling device.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the upper part of the storage unit.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the hole shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram in the vicinity of a heat dissipation fan and a drain pipe shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a nonwoven fabric.

FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view of the drain collection dish.

FIG. 14 is a cooling temperature distribution diagram in a low-temperature rice bin storage tank.

FIG. 15 is a control block diagram including a cooling device for a low-temperature rice bin.

FIG. 16 is a psychrometric chart showing the relationship between temperature and relative humidity.

FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram showing the flow of air by the heat radiating fan when the storage amount in the low-temperature rice bottle is low.

FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram near a heat dissipation fan according to a modification.

FIG. 19 is a configuration diagram near a heat dissipation fan according to a modification.

FIG. 20 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional low-temperature rice bin.

FIG. 21 is a conceptual diagram showing the flow of air in a conventional low-temperature rice bin when the storage amount is low.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 low temperature rice bottle 106 storage tank 110 cooling device 124 measuring mass 136 measuring lever 140 tray 152 cooling element 154 cooling fin 156 cooling fan 158 hole 160 heat radiation fin 162 heat radiation fan 168 drain tube

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] November 22, 1999 (1999.11.
22)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claim 1

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0012

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage tank for storing grains, and the flow rate is restricted by guiding the grains in the storage tank by a small-diameter introduction path. A discharging means for discharging while measuring, a temperature adjusting section for taking in the outside air which is an atmosphere in the storage tank, and controlling the outside air to a predetermined low temperature and low humidity, and a low temperature and low humidity by the temperature adjusting section. Air outside the storage tank is positively introduced into the storage tank, and the inside of the storage tank is adjusted to the outside air pressure.
And into the storage tank from the introduction path of the discharge means.
Positive pressure means for preventing the inflow of outside air .

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0013

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

According to the invention described in claim 1, at a temperature adjustment unit, the atmosphere in the storage tank for accommodating the grain
The outside air is taken in, and the temperature of the outside air is adjusted to a predetermined low temperature and low humidity. Low temperature and low humidity by temperature control
Outside air is positively introduced into the storage tank by positive pressure means.
As a result, the grain storage can store the grains at low temperature and low humidity.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0016

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Here, in the positive pressure means, the outside air (hereinafter referred to as "cooling air") which has been made low-temperature and low-humidity by the temperature control section is positively introduced into the storage tank, so that the pressure in the storage tank becomes equal to the outside air pressure. The pressure is made positive so that the pressure becomes higher . As a result, even if the number of grains stored in the storage tank is reduced, it is possible to prevent the humid outside air from flowing into the storage tank from the introduction path of the discharge means, and to reduce the grains in the storage tank. It can be stored under a predetermined humidity. In addition, by introducing cooling air into the storage tank, an effect of dehumidifying the inside of the storage tank can also be obtained.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2B100 AA02 BD20 GA14 GA27 4B066 DD04 DD18 DD32 DD90 4D043 AA02 AA04 BB01 BB08 BB11 BB21 DB07 JD02 JF08 JF09 JF10

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A storage tank for storing grains, discharge means for restricting the flow rate and guiding the grains in the storage tank by guiding the grains in the storage tank through a small-diameter introduction path, and discharging the storage tank. A temperature adjustment unit that controls the internal atmosphere to a predetermined low temperature and low humidity, and external air whose temperature and low humidity have been lowered by the temperature adjustment unit is positively taken into the storage tank, and outside air is introduced into the storage tank from the introduction path of the discharge unit. Positive pressure means for making the inside of the storage tank a positive pressure with respect to the outside air pressure so as not to flow into the storage tank. 2. The method according to claim 2, wherein the positive pressure means is a blower fan disposed in the vicinity of the temperature adjustment section, and forcibly sends a part of the cooling air from the temperature adjustment section into the storage tank. The grain storage according to claim 1, wherein the inside of the storage tank is set to a positive pressure with respect to the outside air pressure. 3. The grain storage according to claim 2, wherein the blower fan is also used as a radiator fan for discharging hot air radiated from the temperature adjusting section to the outside of the apparatus.