阅读说明：本技术 制冷装置 (Refrigerating device ) 是由 太田章博 佐藤宏之 于 2019-07-30 设计创作，主要内容包括：热管具有蒸发部。蒸发部具有第1管路(28)和第2管路(30)。第1管路(28)具有第1近端部(36a)、第1长环绕部(40a)、第1中继部(44a)、第1短环绕部(42a)、以及第1远端部(38a)。第2管路(30)具有第2近端部(36b)、第2短环绕部(42b)、第2中继部(44b)、第2长环绕部(40b)、以及第2远端部(38b)。在储藏室的周围,第1长环绕部(40a)在第1环绕方向上延伸,第1中继部(44a)折返预定次,第1短环绕部(42a)在第1或第2环绕方向上延伸。此外,第2短环绕部(42b)在第1环绕方向上延伸,第2中继部(44b)折返预定次,第2长环绕部(40b)在第1或第2环绕方向上延伸。从近端部侧数相同数量的第1折返部(46a)与第2折返部(46b)被配置于相对的壁面。(The heat pipe has an evaporation portion. The evaporator has a 1 st line (28) and a 2 nd line (30). The 1 st tubing (28) has a 1 st proximal end (36a), a 1 st long loop (40a), a 1 st relay (44a), a 1 st short loop (42a), and a 1 st distal end (38 a). The 2 nd tube (30) has a 2 nd proximal end (36b), a 2 nd short loop (42b), a 2 nd relay (44b), a 2 nd long loop (40b), and a 2 nd distal end (38 b). Around the storage chamber, a 1 st long loop portion (40a) extends in a 1 st loop direction, a 1 st relay portion (44a) is folded back a predetermined number of times, and a 1 st short loop portion (42a) extends in the 1 st or 2 nd loop direction. In addition, the 2 nd short surrounding portion (42b) extends in the 1 st surrounding direction, the 2 nd relay portion (44b) is folded back a predetermined number of times, and the 2 nd long surrounding portion (40b) extends in the 1 st or 2 nd surrounding direction. The 1 st folded part (46a) and the 2 nd folded part (46b) are arranged on the opposite wall surfaces, and the number of the folded parts is the same from the side of the proximal end part.)

1. A refrigeration device comprising:

refrigerating machine, and

a heat pipe having a condensing portion connected to the refrigerator so as to be heat-exchangeable for condensing a refrigerant, a piping portion for circulating the refrigerant between the condensing portion and the evaporating portion, and an evaporating portion extending along a wall surface of a storage chamber for storing an object to be stored and connected to the wall surface so as to be heat-exchangeable for evaporating the refrigerant; the refrigeration appliance is characterized in that it is provided with,

the evaporation part is provided with a 1 st pipeline and a 2 nd pipeline;

the 1 st pipe line has a 1 st proximal end portion on a side close to the condensation portion, a 1 st distal end portion on an opposite side of the 1 st proximal end portion, and a 1 st long loop portion, a 1 st short loop portion, and a 1 st relay portion arranged between the 1 st proximal end portion and the 1 st distal end portion;

the 2 nd pipe line has a 2 nd proximal end portion on a side close to the condensation portion, a 2 nd distal end portion on an opposite side of the 2 nd proximal end portion, and a 2 nd long loop portion, a 2 nd short loop portion, and a 2 nd relay portion arranged between the 2 nd proximal end portion and the 2 nd distal end portion;

in the 1 st tube path, the 1 st proximal end portion is located above the 2 nd proximal end portion, the 1 st long loop portion is provided near the 1 st proximal end portion, the 1 st short loop portion is provided near the 1 st distal end portion, and the 1 st relay portion is provided between the 1 st long loop portion and the 1 st short loop portion;

the 1 st long loop extends from the 1 st proximal end side to the 1 st distal end side around the storage chamber in a 1 st loop direction and along a wall surface more than the 1 st short loop;

the 1 st relay section has at least 1 st turn-back section, and the 1 st turn-back section switches the circulating direction of the 1 st pipeline;

the 1 st short loop portion extends from the 1 st proximal end side to the 1 st distal end side around the storage chamber in the 1 st loop direction when the number of the 1 st turn-back portions is even, in the 2 nd loop direction opposite to the 1 st loop direction when the number of the 1 st turn-back portions is odd, and along a wall surface smaller than the 1 st long loop portion;

in the 2 nd tube path, the 2 nd proximal end portion is located below the 1 st proximal end portion, the 2 nd short loop portion is provided near the 2 nd proximal end portion, the 2 nd long loop portion is provided near the 2 nd distal end portion, and the 2 nd relay portion is provided between the 2 nd short loop portion and the 2 nd long loop portion;

the 2 nd short looping portion extends from the 2 nd proximal end portion side to the 2 nd distal end portion side in the 1 st looping direction and along a wall surface smaller than the 2 nd long looping portion around the storage chamber;

the 2 nd relay section has the same number of 2 nd turn-back sections as the 1 st turn-back section, and the 2 nd turn-back section switches the circulating direction of the 2 nd pipeline;

the 2 nd long circulating portion extends from the 2 nd proximal end portion side to the 2 nd distal end portion side around the storage chamber in the 1 st circulating direction when the number of the 2 nd folded portions is even, and in the 2 nd circulating direction when the number of the 2 nd folded portions is odd, along a wall surface more than the 2 nd short circulating portion;

the 1 st folded part counted from the 1 st proximal end portion side and the 2 nd folded part counted from the 2 nd proximal end portion side are disposed on opposite wall surfaces, where N is an integer of 1 or more.

2. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 1,

the heat pipe is a thermosiphon;

the 1 st pipe line and the 2 nd pipe line extend gradually downward in the vertical direction from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion thereof.

3. The refrigeration apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,

the 1 st pipe line and the 2 nd pipe line are connected to the same refrigerator.

4. The refrigerating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the number of the 1 st turn-back part and the 2 nd turn-back part is even;

the 1 st relay section has a 1 st turnaround pipeline connecting 2 of the 1 st turnaround sections;

the 2 nd relay unit has a 2 nd turn-back pipeline connecting 2 of the 2 nd turn-back units.

5. The refrigerating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

when the number of walls of the storage compartment is denoted as a,

the short surrounding portions of the 1 st pipe and the 2 nd pipe extend along the wall surfaces of A/2 x B (B is an integer of 1 or more),

the difference between the number of wall surfaces along which the short surrounding portions extend and the number of wall surfaces along which the long surrounding portions extend is A/2.

6. The refrigerating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

the 1 st pipe and the 2 nd pipe have the same total length.

7. The refrigerating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

the heat pipe has a connecting pipe connecting the 1 st distal end portion and the 2 nd distal end portion.

8. The refrigerating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,

when the refrigerator is referred to as a 1 st refrigerator and the heat pipe is referred to as a 1 st heat pipe,

the method comprises the following steps: a 1 st system composed of the 1 st refrigerator and the 1 st heat pipe, and

a 2 nd system including a 2 nd refrigerator independent of the 1 st refrigerator, and a 2 nd heat pipe including the condensation unit, the piping unit, and the evaporation unit, the evaporation unit including the 1 st pipeline and the 2 nd pipeline, and being connected to the 2 nd refrigerator;

the heat pipes of each system are laid in the same storage compartment.

9. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 8,

the heat pipes of each system were laid in a storage chamber having 4 wall surfaces;

the number of the 1 st turn-back part and the 2 nd turn-back part is even;

the 1 st pipe line and the 2 nd pipe line of the 2 nd heat pipe have a shape in which the 1 st pipe line and the 2 nd pipe line of the 1 st heat pipe are turned upside down.

10. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 8 or 9,

the 1 st turn-back portion and the 2 nd turn-back portion, which are the nth (N is an integer of 1 or more) portions from the condenser portion side of the 1 st heat pipe, and the 1 st turn-back portion and the 2 nd turn-back portion, which are the nth portions from the condenser portion side of the 2 nd heat pipe, are disposed on different wall surfaces.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a refrigeration apparatus, and more particularly, to a refrigeration apparatus that condenses and evaporates a refrigerant to perform a cooling function.

Background

Conventionally, there is known a refrigerating apparatus that performs heat exchange between a refrigerator and a storage chamber via a thermosiphon connected to a cooling portion of the refrigerator (for example, see patent document 1). In the refrigeration apparatus disclosed in patent document 1, the piping of the thermosiphon has 2 paths, and each of the 2 paths has a structure that descends along a different half cycle of the storage chamber. In this refrigeration apparatus, the inclination angle of the piping path is increased, thereby avoiding a situation in which the refrigerant flow in the piping is obstructed when the low-temperature storage is inclined.

[ Prior art documents ]

[ patent document ]

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2005-156011

Disclosure of Invention

[ problems to be solved by the invention ]

The storage room of the low temperature storage needs to maintain a low temperature state stably. Therefore, various attempts have been made to suppress the temperature rise in the storage chamber in the low-temperature storage. For example, the storage room is covered with an insulating material having high heat insulation. In addition, the door for putting the storage object into/out of the storage room is a double door. Further, the inner door is divided into a plurality of sections, thereby reducing the opening area when the storage object is put in and taken out. Further, the apparatus is configured to: when the door is opened for more than a certain time, an alarm for calling the attention of the user is sounded. Further, the apparatus is configured to: as a measure against a temporary power failure, an auxiliary cooling source such as liquefied gas is used to suppress an increase in the temperature in the storage chamber.

The present inventors have made extensive studies on a refrigeration apparatus mounted in a low-temperature storage room, and as a result, have found that: in the conventional refrigeration apparatus, there is room for improvement in stably maintaining the temperature of the low-temperature storage.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for further stabilizing the temperature of a low-temperature storage.

[ means for solving the problems ]

In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present application is a refrigeration apparatus. The refrigeration device includes: a refrigerator; and a heat pipe having a condensing portion connected to the refrigerator in a heat-exchangeable manner to condense the refrigerant, a piping portion for circulating the refrigerant between the condensing portion and the evaporating portion, and an evaporating portion extending along a wall surface of a storage chamber for accommodating the storage object and connected to the wall surface in a heat-exchangeable manner to evaporate the refrigerant. The evaporation part is provided with a 1 st pipeline and a 2 nd pipeline. The 1 st pipeline has: a 1 st proximal end portion on a side close to the condensation portion; a 1 st distal portion opposite the 1 st proximal portion; and a 1 st long loop portion, a 1 st short loop portion, and a 1 st relay portion, which are disposed between the 1 st proximal end portion and the 1 st distal end portion. The 2 nd pipeline has: a 2 nd proximal end portion near the condensing portion side; a 2 nd distal portion opposite the 2 nd proximal portion; and a 2 nd long loop portion, a 2 nd short loop portion, and a 2 nd relay portion, which are disposed between the 2 nd proximal end portion and the 2 nd distal end portion. In the 1 st tube, the 1 st proximal portion is located above the 2 nd proximal portion, and has a 1 st long loop portion near the 1 st proximal portion, a 1 st short loop portion near the 1 st distal portion, and a 1 st relay portion between the 1 st long loop portion and the 1 st short loop portion. The 1 st long loop extends from the 1 st proximal end side to the 1 st distal end side around the storage chamber in the 1 st loop direction and along more wall surfaces than the 1 st short loop. The 1 st relay unit has at least 1 st turn-back unit, and the 1 st turn-back unit switches the 1 st pipeline in the direction of circulation. The 1 st short surrounding portion extends from the 1 st proximal end portion side to the 1 st distal end portion side around the storage chamber along a wall surface less than the 1 st long surrounding portion in a 2 nd surrounding direction opposite to the 1 st surrounding direction in a case where the number of the 1 st folded portions is even, in the 1 st surrounding direction, and in a case where the number of the 1 st folded portions is odd. In the 2 nd pipeline, the 2 nd proximal end portion is located lower than the 1 st proximal end portion, and the 2 nd short surrounding portion is provided near the 2 nd proximal end portion, the 2 nd long surrounding portion is provided near the 2 nd distal end portion, and the 2 nd relay portion is provided between the 2 nd short surrounding portion and the 2 nd long surrounding portion. The 2 nd short looping portion extends from the 2 nd proximal end portion side to the 2 nd distal end portion side in the 1 st looping direction and along a wall surface less than the 2 nd long looping portion around the storage chamber. The 2 nd relay section has the same number of 2 nd turn-back sections as the 1 st turn-back section, and the 2 nd turn-back section switches the direction of the 2 nd pipe path. The 2 nd long looping portion extends from the 2 nd proximal end portion side to the 2 nd distal end portion side around the storage chamber, in a case where the number of the 2 nd turn-back portions is even, in the 1 st looping direction, in a case where the number of the 2 nd turn-back portions is odd, in the 2 nd looping direction and along a wall surface more than the 2 nd short looping portion. The 1 st turn-back portion (N is an integer of 1 or more) counted from the 1 st proximal end portion side and the 2 nd turn-back portion (N is an integer of 1 or more) counted from the 2 nd proximal end portion side are disposed on opposite wall surfaces.

Any combination of the above-described constituent elements and the conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, and the like are also effective as aspects of the present invention.

[ Effect of the invention ]

According to the present application, the temperature of the low-temperature storage can be further stabilized.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a low-temperature storage compartment in which a refrigeration device according to embodiment 1 is mounted.

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the low temperature storage.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the storage chamber and the evaporation unit.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the evaporation portion.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method of manufacturing the 1 st pipeline and the 2 nd pipeline.

Fig. 6 (a) to 6 (F) are schematic views showing a state in which the wall surface of the storage chamber is developed.

Fig. 7 (a) to 7 (D) are schematic views showing a state in which the wall surface of the storage chamber is expanded.

Fig. 8 (a) to 8 (D) are schematic views showing a state in which the wall surface of the storage chamber is expanded.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a low-temperature storage compartment in which the refrigeration apparatus according to embodiment 2 is mounted.

Fig. 10 (a) is a perspective view of the storage chamber and the evaporation unit. Fig. 10 (B) is a perspective view of the evaporation unit.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the relationship between the postures of the evaporation unit of the 1 st heat pipe and the evaporation unit of the 2 nd heat pipe.

Fig. 12 (a) to 12 (F) are schematic views showing a state in which the wall surface of the storage chamber is developed.

Fig. 13 (a) to 13 (D) are schematic views showing a state in which the wall surface of the storage chamber is developed.

Fig. 14 (a) to 14 (D) are schematic views showing a state in which the wall surface of the storage chamber is expanded.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view for explaining a connecting pipe provided in the refrigeration apparatus according to modification 1.

Detailed Description

The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are not intended to limit the invention, and are merely examples, and all the features and combinations described in the embodiments are not limited to the essential contents of the invention. The same or equivalent constituent elements, members, and processes shown in the respective drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are appropriately omitted. In addition, the scale or shape of each part shown in the drawings is set inexpensively for ease of explanation and is not to be construed restrictively unless specifically mentioned. In addition, when the terms "1 st", "2 nd", and the like are used in the present specification or claims, the terms do not denote any order or importance unless otherwise specified, but are merely used to distinguish one component from another. In the drawings, a part of a member which is not important in describing the embodiment is omitted.

(embodiment mode 1)

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a low-temperature storage compartment in which a refrigeration device according to embodiment 1 is mounted. Fig. 2 is a rear view of the low temperature storage. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the inside of the low-temperature storage. Note that the evaporation portion of the heat pipe is only partially illustrated. The low-temperature storage 1(1A) is used for cryopreservation of a material derived from a living body such as a cell or a living tissue, a drug, a reagent, and the like. The low-temperature storage 1 includes: an insulation box body 2, the upper surface of which is opened; and a machine chamber 4 disposed adjacent to the heat insulating box 2.

The heat insulating box body 2 has an outer box 2a and an inner box 2b both having an open upper surface. A space between the outer casing 2a and the inner casing 2b is filled with an insulating material, not shown. Examples of the heat insulating material include urethane resin, glass wool, and vacuum heat insulating material. The space inside the inner box 2b constitutes a storage chamber 6. The storage chamber 6 is a space for storing objects to be stored. The target temperature in the storage chamber 6 (hereinafter, referred to as "internal temperature" as appropriate) is, for example, 50 ℃ below zero.

A heat insulation door 8 is provided on the upper surface of the heat insulation box 2 via a gasket. The heat-insulating door 8 has one end fixed to the heat-insulating box 2 and is provided so as to be rotatable about the one end. This closes the opening of the storage chamber 6 so as to be openable and closable. A handle portion 10 for opening and closing the heat-insulating door 8 is provided on the other end side of the heat-insulating door 8. The evaporation portion 24 of the heat pipe 16 described later is laid on the wall surface 26 of the inner box 2b on the heat insulating material side. The interior of the storage chamber 6 is cooled by evaporation of the refrigerant in the evaporation portion 24.

The machine room 4 is a space for accommodating the refrigeration apparatus 12 of the present embodiment. However, in the refrigeration apparatus 12, a part of the pipe portion 22 of the heat pipe 16 and the evaporation portion 24 are disposed in the heat insulation box body 2. Since the structures of the heat insulating box 2 and the machine room 4 are well known, a more detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The refrigerating apparatus 12 is an apparatus capable of cooling the storage room to an ultra-low temperature of-50 ℃ or lower. The refrigeration device 12 includes a refrigerator 14, and a heat pipe 16.

The refrigerator 14 is a device for cooling the condensation section 20 of the heat pipe 16. As the refrigerator 14, conventionally known refrigerators such as a Gifford Mcmahon (GM) refrigerator, a pulse tube refrigerator, a stirling refrigerator, a solvay refrigerator, a claude cycle refrigerator, and a joule thomson (JM) refrigerator can be used. The refrigerator 14 has a cooling unit 18 that absorbs external heat. Since the configuration of the refrigerator 14 is well known, a more detailed description is omitted.

The heat pipe 16 is a device for cooling a cooling target by using the heat of vaporization of the refrigerant, and mediates heat exchange between the cooling unit 18 of the refrigerator 14 and the inside of the storage chamber 6. The heat pipe 16 includes a condenser 20, a pipe 22, and an evaporator 24.

The condensation section 20 is connected in heat exchange relationship with the cooling section 18 of the refrigerator 14. The refrigerant in the condenser 20 is cooled and condensed into liquid by heat exchange between the condenser 20 and the cooler 18. For example, the condensation unit 20 includes: a condensing fin connected to the cooling portion 18; and a refrigerant passage formed by the grooves of the condensing fins. The cold heat of the cooling portion 18 is transmitted to the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage via the condensation fins. The gaseous refrigerant becomes liquid in the refrigerant passage. As the refrigerant, for example, refrigerant gases such as R740 (argon), R50 (methane), R14 (tetrafluoromethane), and R170 (ethane) can be used.

One end of a piping section 22 is connected to the condensing section 20. More specifically, one end of the piping unit 22 is connected to the refrigerant passage of the condensation unit 20. The other end of the pipe section 22 is connected to the evaporation section 24. The refrigerant in the heat pipe 16 is circulated between the condensing unit 20 and the evaporating unit 24 by the pipe unit 22.

The evaporation unit 24 is connected to the inside of the storage chamber 6 so as to be heat-exchangeable. Specifically, the evaporation portion 24 is tubular and extends along the wall surface 26 of the inner box 2b on the side of the heat insulating material, in other words, along the wall surface 26 of the storage chamber 6. The evaporation portion 24 is connected to the wall surface 26 so as to exchange heat, thereby evaporating the refrigerant. For example, the evaporation portion 24 is fixed to the wall surface 26 directly or via a heat conductive material.

That is, the cooling medium that has become liquid in the condensation section 20 flows into the evaporation section 24 through the piping section 22. Then, the evaporation portion 24 absorbs heat from the inside of the storage chamber 6 and evaporates. The interior of the storage chamber 6 is cooled by evaporation of the refrigerant. The refrigerant that has become a gas in the evaporation unit 24 flows into the refrigerant passage of the condensation unit 20 through the piping unit 22. Then, the condensed liquid is condensed again in the condenser 20 to become liquid.

The evaporator 24 has a 1 st pipe 28 and a 2 nd pipe 30. The pipe section 22 includes a 1 st pipe 32 and a 2 nd pipe 34. One end of the 1 st pipe 32 and one end of the 2 nd pipe 34 are connected to the condensation unit 20. The other end of the 1 st pipe 32 is connected to one end of the 1 st pipe 28, and the other end of the 2 nd pipe 34 is connected to one end of the 2 nd pipe 30. Thus, the 1 st and 2 nd pipes 28, 30 are connected to the same refrigerator 14. The boundary between the pipe portion 22 and the evaporation portion 24 is, for example, a boundary between a region in contact with the heat pipe 16 and the wall surface 26 and a region not in contact with the wall surface 26. That is, in the pipe of the heat pipe 16, the portion in contact with the wall surface 26 is the evaporation portion 24, and the portion not in contact with the wall surface 26 is the pipe portion 22. The other ends of the 1 st and 2 nd pipelines 28 and 30 are connected to each other via a connecting pipe 50 described later.

A part of the refrigerant flows from the condenser 20 into the 1 st pipe line 28 of the evaporator 24 through the 1 st pipe 32. The refrigerant reaches the end opposite to the pipe portion 22 side while exchanging heat between the 1 st pipe line 28 and the wall surface 26 that is overlapped. The gaseous cooling medium evaporated in this process is returned to the condensation unit 20 through the 1 st pipe 32. That is, the liquid refrigerant and the gas refrigerant flow through the 1 st pipe line 28 and the 1 st pipe 32, respectively. At this time, the liquid refrigerant flows outside the tube, and the gas refrigerant flows in the center of the tube.

The other part of the refrigerant flows from the condenser 20 into the 2 nd pipe line 30 of the evaporator 24 through the 2 nd pipe 34. The refrigerant reaches the end opposite to the pipe portion 22 side while exchanging heat between the 2 nd pipe line 30 and the wall surface 26 that is overlapped. The gaseous cooling medium evaporated in this process is returned to the condensation unit 20 through the 2 nd pipe 34. That is, the liquid refrigerant and the gas refrigerant flow through the 2 nd pipe line 30 and the 2 nd pipe 34, respectively. At this time, the liquid refrigerant flows outside the tube, and the gas refrigerant flows in the center of the tube. That is, the refrigeration apparatus 12 includes: a 1 st refrigerant circulation path including a 1 st pipe 32 and a 1 st pipeline 28; and a 2 nd refrigerant circulation path including a 2 nd pipe 34 and a 2 nd pipeline 30.

Next, the structure of the evaporation unit 24 will be described in detail. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the storage chamber and the evaporation unit. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the evaporation portion. As described above, the evaporation portion 24 has the 1 st pipe 28 and the 2 nd pipe 30. The 1 st line 28 has: the 1 st proximal end portion 36a near the condensation portion 20 side; a 1 st distal portion 38a opposite the 1 st proximal portion 36 a; and a 1 st long loop portion 40a, a 1 st short loop portion 42a, and a 1 st relay portion 44a disposed between the 1 st proximal end portion 36a and the 1 st distal end portion 38 a.

The 2 nd line 30 has: the 2 nd proximal end portion 36b near the condensation portion 20 side; a 2 nd distal portion 38b opposite the 2 nd proximal portion 36 b; and a 2 nd long loop portion 40b, a 2 nd short loop portion 42b, and a 2 nd relay portion 44b disposed between the 2 nd proximal end portion 36b and the 2 nd distal end portion 38 b.

The 1 st proximal end portion 36a is located above the 2 nd proximal end portion 36b in the 1 st conduit 28. In addition, the 1 st tubing 28 has a 1 st long loop 40a near the 1 st proximal end 36a, a 1 st short loop 42a near the 1 st distal end 38a, and a 1 st relay 44a between the 1 st long loop 40a and the 1 st short loop 42 a. That is, in the 1 st line 28, the 1 st proximal end portion 36a, the 1 st long loop portion 40a, the 1 st intermediate portion 44a, the 1 st short loop portion 42a, and the 1 st distal end portion 38a are arranged in this order from the condensation portion 20 side.

The 1 st long loop portion 40a extends from the 1 st proximal end portion 36a side to the 1 st distal end portion 38a side around the storage chamber 6 in the 1 st loop direction and along more of the wall surface 26 than the 1 st short loop portion 42 a. The 1 st relay segment 44a has at least 1 st turn-around segment 46a, and the 1 st turn-around segment 46a switches the direction in which the 1 st pipeline 28 is looped. The 1 st short looping portion 42a extends along the wall surface 26 less than the 1 st long looping portion 40a in the 1 st looping direction when the number of 1 st folded portions 46a is even, and in the 2 nd looping direction opposite to the 1 st looping direction when the number of 1 st folded portions 46a is odd, from the 1 st proximal end portion 36a toward the 1 st distal end portion 38a around the storage chamber 6.

In the 2 nd pipe 30, the 2 nd proximal end portion 36b is located below the 1 st proximal end portion 36 a. Further, the 2 nd conduit 30 has a 2 nd short loop 42b near the 2 nd proximal end 36b, a 2 nd long loop 40b near the 2 nd distal end 38b, and a 2 nd relay 44b between the 2 nd short loop 42b and the 2 nd long loop 40 b. That is, in the 2 nd pipe 30, the 2 nd proximal end portion 36b, the 2 nd short surrounding portion 42b, the 2 nd intermediate portion 44b, the 2 nd long surrounding portion 40b, and the 2 nd distal end portion 38b are arranged in this order from the condensation portion 20 side.

The 2 nd short looping portion 42b extends from the 2 nd proximal end portion 36b side to the 2 nd distal end portion 38b side around the storage chamber 6 in the 1 st looping direction similar to the 1 st long looping portion 40a and along the wall surface 26 less than the 2 nd long looping portion 40 b. The 2 nd relay section 44b has the same number of 2 nd turn-back sections 46b as the 1 st turn-back section 46a, and the 2 nd turn-back section 46b switches the direction in which the 2 nd pipeline 30 circulates. The 2 nd long loop portion 40b extends from the 2 nd proximal end portion 36b side to the 2 nd distal end portion 38b side around the storage chamber 6 in the 1 st loop direction when the number of the 2 nd folded portions 46b is even, and in the 2 nd loop direction and along the wall surface 26 more than the 2 nd short loop portion 42b when the number of the 2 nd folded portions 46b is odd.

When the number of the wall surfaces 26 overlapped by the 1 st long loop portion 40a is denoted by m and the number of the wall surfaces 26 overlapped by the 1 st short loop portion 42a is denoted by n, the number m + n of the wall surfaces 26 overlapped by the 1 st long loop portion 40a or the 1 st short loop portion 42a is equal to or more than the total number of the wall surfaces 26 defining the storage chamber 6. The same applies to the 2 nd long loop portion 40b and the 2 nd short loop portion 42 b. In the present embodiment, the number of wall surfaces 26 overlapping the 1 st long loop portion 40a and the 2 nd long loop portion 40b is equal, and the number of wall surfaces 26 overlapping the 1 st short loop portion 42a and the 2 nd short loop portion 42b is equal. The above-mentioned "overlap" means that the wall surface 26 overlaps with the 1 st pipe line 28 or the 2 nd pipe line 30 as viewed from the normal direction of the wall surface 26.

In the present embodiment, the storage chamber 6 has 4 wall surfaces 26. The wall surface 26 is a surface extending in the vertical direction. Hereinafter, the 4 wall surfaces 26 are referred to as a 1 st wall surface 26a, a 2 nd wall surface 26b, a 3 rd wall surface 26c, and a 4 th wall surface 26 d. The 1 st wall surface 26a to the 4 th wall surface 26d are arranged in the counterclockwise direction in this order to define the storage chamber 6. Therefore, the 1 st wall surface 26a and the 3 rd wall surface 26c are opposed to each other, and the 2 nd wall surface 26b and the 4 th wall surface 26d are opposed to each other. The counterclockwise direction and the clockwise direction in the present embodiment refer to the rotational directions when the storage chamber 6 is viewed from the upper side in the vertical direction.

The 1 st proximal end portion 36a is configured to overlap the 1 st wall surface 26 a. For example, the 1 st proximal end portion 36a is disposed near the side of the 1 st wall surface 26a that contacts the 4 th wall surface 26 d. The 1 st long loop portion 40a extends from the 1 st wall surface 26a toward the 4 th wall surface 26d in the counterclockwise direction (1 st loop direction) around the storage chamber 6 from the 1 st proximal end portion 36a side toward the 1 st distal end portion 38a side, that is, along the 4 wall surfaces 26.

The number of the 1 st folded portions 46a is an even number, more specifically, 2. The first 1 st folded portion 46a located on the 1 st long loop portion 40a side is arranged to overlap the 4 th wall surface 26d, and the second 1 st folded portion 46a located on the 1 st short loop portion 42a side is arranged to overlap the 3 rd wall surface 26 c. The 1 st relay section 44a has a 1 st turnaround conduit 48a connecting between 2 1 st turnaround sections 46 a. The 1 st relay unit 44a has a pipe shape that curves and advances in a substantially "S" shape.

The 1 st turn-around portion 46a is substantially U-shaped, and the direction of the 1 st pipe 28 is switched from the counterclockwise direction to the clockwise direction (the 2 nd turn-around direction) by the first 1 st turn-around portion 46 a. The 1 st folded line 48a extends from the first 1 st folded portion 46a in the clockwise direction and from the 4 th wall surface 26d to the 3 rd wall surface 26c, i.e., along 2 wall surfaces 26, to reach the second 1 st folded portion 46 a. The circulating direction of the 1 st pipe 28 is switched from the clockwise direction to the counterclockwise direction by the second 1 st turnaround portion 46 a.

The 1 st short loop portion 42a extends from the 1 st proximal end portion 36a side to the 1 st distal end portion 38a side around the storage chamber 6 in the same counterclockwise direction as the 1 st long loop portion 40a from the 3 rd wall surface 26c to the 4 th wall surface 26d, that is, along 2 wall surfaces 26. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the number of wall surfaces 26 on which the 1 st relay segment 44a is superimposed is equal to the number of wall surfaces 26 on which the 1 st short loop segment 42a is superimposed.

Further, the 2 nd proximal portion 36b is arranged to overlap the 1 st wall surface 26a, like the 1 st proximal portion 36 a. The 2 nd short loop portion 42b extends from the 2 nd proximal end portion 36b to the 2 nd distal end portion 38b around the storage chamber 6 in the same counterclockwise direction as the 1 st long loop portion 40a from the 1 st wall surface 26a to the 2 nd wall surface 26b, that is, along the 2 wall surfaces 26. Therefore, the number of wall surfaces 26 on which the 2 nd and 1 st short loop portions 42b and 42a overlap is equal.

The number of the 2 nd folded portions 46b is an even number, more specifically, 2. The first 2 nd turn-around portion 46b located on the 2 nd short turn-around portion 42b side is arranged to overlap the 2 nd wall surface 26b, and the second 2 nd turn-around portion 46b located on the 2 nd long turn-around portion 40b side is arranged to overlap the 1 st wall surface 26 a. The 2 nd relay section 44b has a 2 nd switchback pipeline 48b connecting 2 nd switchback sections 46 b. The 2 nd relay unit 44b has a pipe shape that curves and advances in a substantially "S" shape.

The 2 nd turn-back portion 46b is substantially U-shaped, and the direction of the 2 nd pipe line 30 is switched from the counterclockwise direction to the clockwise direction by the first 2 nd turn-back portion 46 b. The 2 nd turn-around line 48b extends from the first 2 nd turn-around portion 46b to the 1 st wall surface 26a in the clockwise direction and from the 2 nd wall surface 26b, that is, along the 2 wall surfaces 26, and reaches the second 2 nd turn-around portion 46 b. The direction of the 2 nd pipe 30 is switched from the clockwise direction to the counterclockwise direction by the second 2 nd turn-back portion 46 b. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the number of wall surfaces 26 on which the 2 nd relay segment 44b is superimposed is equal to the number of wall surfaces 26 on which the 2 nd short loop segment 42b is superimposed.

The 2 nd long loop portion 40b extends from the 2 nd proximal end portion 36b to the 2 nd distal end portion 38b around the storage chamber 6 in the same counterclockwise direction as the 1 st short loop portion 42a and from the 1 st wall surface 26a to the 4 th wall surface 26d, that is, along the 4 wall surfaces 26. Therefore, the number of wall surfaces 26 on which the 2 nd long loop portion 40b and the 1 st long loop portion 40a overlap is equal.

The 1 st folded portion 46a counted from the 1 st proximal end portion 36a side to the nth (N is an integer of 1 or more) and the 2 nd folded portion 46b counted from the 2 nd proximal end portion 36b side are disposed on the opposing wall surfaces 26, that is, the wall surfaces 26 extending in parallel to each other. The two 1 st folded portions 46a and the 2 nd folded portions 46b are arranged at substantially the same height in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the 1 st folded portion 46a from the 1 st proximal end portion 36a side is disposed on the 4 th wall surface 26d, and the 1 st 2 nd folded portion 46b from the 2 nd proximal end portion 36b is disposed on the 2 nd wall surface 26b facing the 4 th wall surface 26 d. The two 1 st folded portions 46a and the 2 nd folded portions 46b are arranged at substantially the same height in the vertical direction. Similarly, the second 1 st turn-back portion 46a from the 1 st proximal end portion 36a side is disposed on the 3 rd wall surface 26c, and the second 2 nd turn-back portion 46b from the 2 nd proximal end portion 36b is disposed on the 1 st wall surface 26a facing the 3 rd wall surface 26 c. The two 1 st folded portions 46a and the 2 nd folded portions 46b are arranged at substantially the same height in the vertical direction.

The heat pipe 16 of the present embodiment is a so-called thermosiphon that circulates a refrigerant by gravity. Therefore, the condensation unit 20 is disposed vertically above the evaporation unit 24. The 1 st and 2 nd pipelines 28, 30 are inclined downward in the vertical direction from the proximal end portions (36a, 36b) to the distal end portions (38a, 38b), respectively. The refrigerant that has become liquid in the condensation portion 20 is transferred to the evaporation portion 24 by gravity, and flows from the proximal end portions (36a, 36b) to the distal end portions (38a, 38 b). Thus, even when the inner surface of the pipe constituting the heat pipe 16 has a simple smooth shape, the liquid refrigerant can be transferred to the evaporation portion 24.

The heat pipe 16 of the present embodiment includes a connecting pipe 50 connecting the 1 st distal end portion 38a and the 2 nd distal end portion 38 b. The liquid refrigerant flowing in the 1 st pipe line 28 gradually evaporates while flowing from the 1 st proximal end portion 36a to the 1 st distal end portion 38a, but a part of the liquid refrigerant reaches the 1 st distal end portion 38 a. Similarly, the liquid refrigerant flowing in the 2 nd pipe 30 is also the same, and a part of the liquid refrigerant reaches the 2 nd distal end portion 38 b.

Since the 1 st distal end portion 38a and the 2 nd distal end portion 38b are connected by the connecting pipe 50, the liquid refrigerant reaching the respective distal end portions can flow into the other pipe side. Therefore, the liquid refrigerant can be moved from the pipeline having a large amount of liquid refrigerant to the pipeline having a small amount of liquid refrigerant between the 1 st pipeline 28 and the 2 nd pipeline 30. Thereby, the amount of the liquid refrigerant is uniformalized between the 1 st pipe line 28 and the 2 nd pipe line 30.

The heat pipe 16 of the present embodiment does not include a device for locally changing the pressure of the refrigerant in the pipe, such as a compressor or an expansion valve, or a structure for changing the pressure of the refrigerant in the pipe due to the pipe being closed by a liquid, such as a thin pipe or a capillary tube. That is, in the heat pipe 16 of the present embodiment, the pressure of the refrigerant in the pipe line is equal at any portion.

In addition, the heat pipe 16 may have the following configuration: the tube has a plurality of thin grooves, called wicks (wicks), extending in the longitudinal direction of the tube on the outer periphery thereof, and liquid refrigerant is transferred between the grooves and the liquid refrigerant by capillary force acting thereon. The heat pipe 16 may be configured to circulate the refrigerant by a device such as a compressor that controls the pressure of the refrigerant in the pipe. In this case, for example, the 1 st pipe line 28 is used as the forward path portion, and the 2 nd pipe line 30 is used as the return path portion, thereby constituting a refrigerant circulation path connecting the compressor, the condenser 20, the 1 st pipe 32, the evaporator 24, and the 2 nd pipe 34 in this order.

That is, in the heat pipe 16, the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor, becomes high-pressure gas, and flows into the condenser 20. The refrigerant in the condensation portion 20 is cooled by the refrigerator 14, condensed into a liquid, and flows into the 1 st pipe 32. In this case, the refrigerant in the condenser 20 is at a high pressure, and therefore condenses into a liquid even at a high temperature. Therefore, the refrigerator 14 can be configured by a simple device such as a blower. Therefore, the "refrigerator" in the present application is not particularly limited as long as it can condense the refrigerant in the condensing portion, and includes simple equipment such as a blower. The liquid refrigerant flowing into the 1 st pipe 32 flows into the 1 st pipe 28 of the evaporation unit 24 through the 1 st pipe 32.

At this time, the refrigerant pressure in the pipeline raised by the compressor is lowered in the 1 st pipe 32, so that the heat exchange in the evaporation portion 24 can be performed efficiently. Specifically, the 1 st pipe 32 is preferably locally small in diameter so that only the liquid refrigerant flows into it. For example, the 1 st pipe 32 may be formed of a thin tube such as a capillary tube. For example, a narrow tube having a diameter of 2.5mm or less is used as the 1 st pipe 32. This allows only the liquid refrigerant to flow into the 1 st pipe 32, and effectively reduces the pressure in the refrigerant line by friction in the pipe.

The liquid refrigerant flowing into the 1 st pipe line 28 of the evaporation unit 24 gradually evaporates due to heat exchange between the evaporation unit 24 and the storage chamber 6, and flows into the 2 nd pipe 34 through the 1 st pipe line 28, the connecting pipe 50, and the 2 nd pipe line 30 as a gaseous refrigerant. The gaseous refrigerant flowing into the 2 nd pipe 34 flows into the compressor again and is compressed, and flows into the condenser 20 as high-pressure gas.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the 1 st pipe 28 and the 2 nd pipe 30 have the same total length. This makes it possible to make the contact length between the 1 st line 28 and the storage chamber 6 equal to the contact length between the 2 nd line 30 and the storage chamber 6. Therefore, the heat loads applied to the 1 st duct 28 and the 2 nd duct 30 are the same, and the inside of the storage chamber 6 can be uniformly cooled. Furthermore, the 1 st and 2 nd pipes 28, 30 can be manufactured more simply. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method of manufacturing the 1 st pipeline and the 2 nd pipeline. In fig. 5, a broken line a indicates a position where the piping material 52 is bent when the 1 st pipe 28 is produced. The broken line b indicates a position where the piping material 52 is bent when the 2 nd pipe 30 is produced.

As shown in fig. 5, when the total length of the 1 st pipe 28 is the same as the total length of the 2 nd pipe 30, the 1 st pipe 28 and the 2 nd pipe 30 can be manufactured with a common piping material 52. In addition, the 1 st and 2 nd pipelines 28 and 30, the 1 st and 2 nd long loop portions 40a and 40b, the 1 st and 2 nd short loop portions 42a and 42b, and the 1 st and 2 nd relay portions 44a and 44b of the present embodiment have the same length, respectively. Thus, the piping material 52 can be made common to the 1 st folded portion 46a or the 2 nd folded portion 46 b. That is, the 1 st duct 28 and the 2 nd duct 30 can be produced by making the bending positions (positions where the respective walls 26 are bent) different by using a common serpentine pipe.

In the present embodiment, the number of the 1 st folded portions 46a and the number of the 2 nd folded portions 46b are even numbers. This also makes it possible to make the direction in which the meandering pipe is bent common. That is, the convex fold or the concave fold can be made to coincide with the broken line a and the broken line b. The 1 st long loop portion 40a and the 2 nd short loop portion 42b are equal in angle (inclination with respect to the direction of gravity) to the direction of gravity. In addition, the angles formed by the 1 st short looping portion 42a and the 2 nd long looping portion 40b with respect to the gravity direction are also equal. In addition, the angle formed by the portion that circles in the 1 st loop direction in the 1 st relay segment 44a and the angle formed by the portion that circles in the 1 st loop direction in the 2 nd relay segment 44b with respect to the direction of gravity are also equal. The same applies to the portions of the 1 st relay segment 44a and the 2 nd relay segment 44b that encircle in the 2 nd encircling direction. As a result, the 1 st line 28 and the 2 nd line 30 come into contact with the storage chamber 6 along the same trajectory in the vertical direction. Therefore, the storage chamber 6 can be uniformly cooled. In addition, the angles formed by the 1 st and 2 nd pipes 28, 30 in the 1 st circumferential direction and the angles formed by the 1 st and 2 nd pipes 28, 30 in the 2 nd circumferential direction are also equal to each other. This enables the storage chamber 6 to be cooled more uniformly.

When the number of the wall surfaces 26 of the storage chamber 6 is denoted by a, the 1 st and 2 nd pipelines 28, 30 extend along the wall surfaces 26 where the number of the short loop portions (42a, 42B) is a/2 × B (B is an integer of 1 or more), and the difference between the number of the wall surfaces 26 where the short loop portions (42a, 42B) extend and the number of the wall surfaces 26 where the long loop portions (40a, 40B) extend is a/2. That is, when the number of walls is a, the number of walls overlapped by the short-circuiting portion is C, and the number of walls overlapped by the long-circuiting portion is D, the conditions that C is a/2 × B (B is an integer of 1 or more) and D-C is a/2 are satisfied. This makes it possible to equalize the total number of pipes of the 1 st pipe line 28 and the 2 nd pipe line 30 overlapping the wall surface 26 in each wall surface 26. As a result, the wall surfaces 26 are cooled equally, so that the inside of the storage chamber 6 can be cooled more uniformly.

In the present embodiment, the number of wall surfaces 26 along which the 1 st folded pipeline 48a (or the 1 st relay section 44a) extends is equal to the number of wall surfaces 26 along which the 2 nd folded pipeline 48b (or the 2 nd relay section 44b) extends, and when the number of wall surfaces is denoted as E, the condition that E is a/2 is satisfied. This allows all the wall surfaces of the wall surface 26 to be cooled by the 1 st and 2 nd return ducts 48a, 48b, and thus the inside of the storage chamber 6 can be uniformly cooled.

Fig. 6 (a) to 6 (F) are schematic views showing a state in which the wall surface of the storage chamber is developed. In fig. 6 (a) to 6 (F), the number a of wall surfaces 26 is 4. In fig. 6 (a) to 6 (C), the numbers of the 1 st folded portions 46a and the 2 nd folded portions 46b are even numbers, respectively, and in fig. 6 (D) to 6 (F), the numbers of the 1 st folded portions 46a and the 2 nd folded portions 46b are odd numbers, respectively.

In fig. 6 (a) and 6 (D), the 1 st and 2 nd long surrounding portions 40a and 40b overlap 4 wall surfaces 26, and the 1 st and 2 nd short surrounding portions 42a and 42b overlap 2 wall surfaces 26. Therefore, the number of wall surfaces 2 along which the short detour passes satisfies the requirement of a/2 × B (4/2 × 1 — 2). The difference 2 between the number of wall surfaces 4 along which the long loop extends and the number of wall surfaces 2 along which the short loop extends satisfies a/2 (4/2-2). In this case, the number of tubes to be stacked on each wall surface 26 is uniform.

In fig. 6 (B) and 6 (E), the 1 st and 2 nd long loop portions 40a and 40B overlap 5 wall surfaces 26, and the 1 st and 2 nd short loop portions 42a and 42B overlap 3 wall surfaces 26. Therefore, the number of wall surfaces along which the short detour is formed, 3, does not satisfy the requirement of A/2 × B (does not satisfy the requirement that "B is an integer of 1 or more"). The difference 2 between the number of walls 4 along which the long loop extends and the number of walls 2 along which the short loop extends satisfies a/2 (4/2-2). In this case, the number of tubes to be stacked is not uniform in each wall surface 26.

In fig. 6 (C) and 6 (F), the 1 st and 2 nd long loop portions 40a and 40b overlap 6 wall surfaces 26, and the 1 st and 2 nd short loop portions 42a and 42b overlap 4 wall surfaces 26. Therefore, the number of wall surfaces 4 along which the short detour passes satisfies the requirement of a/2 × B (4/2 × 2 — 4). The difference 2 between the number of wall surfaces 6 along which the long loop extends and the number of wall surfaces 4 along which the short loop extends satisfies a/2 (4/2-2). In this case, the number of tubes to be stacked on each wall surface 26 is uniform.

Fig. 7 (a) to 7 (D) are schematic views showing a state in which the wall surface of the storage chamber is expanded. In fig. 7 (a) to 7 (D), the number a of the wall surfaces 26 is 6. The number of the 1 st folded portions 46a and the 2 nd folded portions 46b is even.

In fig. 7 (a), the 1 st and 2 nd long loop portions 40a and 40b overlap 6 wall surfaces 26, and the 1 st and 2 nd short loop portions 42a and 42b overlap 3 wall surfaces 26. Therefore, the number of wall surfaces along which the short detour is formed is 3, which satisfies the requirement of a/2 × B (6/2 × 1 — 3). The difference 3 between the number of wall surfaces 6 along which the long loop extends and the number of wall surfaces 3 along which the short loop extends satisfies a/2 (6/2-3). In this case, the number of tubes to be stacked on each wall surface 26 is uniform.

In fig. 7 (B), the 1 st and 2 nd long loop portions 40a and 40B overlap 7 wall surfaces 26, and the 1 st and 2 nd short loop portions 42a and 42B overlap 4 wall surfaces 26. Therefore, the number of wall surfaces 4 along which the short detour passes does not satisfy the requirement of A/2 × B (does not satisfy the requirement that "B is an integer of 1 or more"). The difference 3 between the number of walls 7 along which the long loop extends and the number of walls 4 along which the short loop extends satisfies a/2 (6/2-3). In this case, the number of tubes to be stacked is not uniform in each wall surface 26.

In fig. 7 (C), the 1 st and 2 nd long loop portions 40a and 40b overlap 8 wall surfaces 26, and the 1 st and 2 nd short loop portions 42a and 42b overlap 5 wall surfaces 26. Therefore, the number of wall surfaces along which the short detour is formed, i.e., 5, does not satisfy the requirement of A/2 × B (does not satisfy the requirement that "B is an integer of 1 or more"). The difference 3 between the number of walls 8 along which the long loop extends and the number of walls 5 along which the short loop extends satisfies a/2 (6/2-3). In this case, the number of tubes to be stacked is not uniform in each wall surface 26.

In fig. 7 (D), the 1 st and 2 nd long loop portions 40a and 40b overlap 9 wall surfaces 26, and the 1 st and 2 nd short loop portions 42a and 42b overlap 6 wall surfaces 26. Therefore, the number of wall surfaces 6 along which the short detour passes satisfies the requirement of a/2 × B (6/2 × 2 — 6). The difference 3 between the number of wall surfaces 9 along which the long loop extends and the number of wall surfaces 6 along which the short loop extends satisfies a/2 (6/2-3). In this case, the number of tubes to be stacked on each wall surface 26 is uniform.

Fig. 8 (a) to 8 (D) are schematic views showing a state in which the wall surface of the storage chamber is expanded. In fig. 8 (a) to 8 (D), the number a of wall surfaces 26 is 6. The number of the 1 st folded portions 46a and the 2 nd folded portions 46b is odd.

In fig. 8 (a), the 1 st and 2 nd long loop portions 40a and 40b overlap 6 wall surfaces 26, and the 1 st and 2 nd short loop portions 42a and 42b overlap 3 wall surfaces 26. Therefore, the number of wall surfaces along which the short detour is formed is 3, which satisfies the requirement of a/2 × B (6/2 × 1 — 3). The difference 3 between the number of wall surfaces 6 along which the long loop extends and the number of wall surfaces 3 along which the short loop extends satisfies a/2 (6/2-3). In this case, the number of tubes to be stacked on each wall surface 26 is uniform.

In fig. 8 (B), the 1 st and 2 nd long loop portions 40a and 40B overlap 7 wall surfaces 26, and the 1 st and 2 nd short loop portions 42a and 42B overlap 4 wall surfaces 26. Therefore, the number of wall surfaces 4 along which the short detour passes does not satisfy the requirement of A/2 × B (does not satisfy the requirement that "B is an integer of 1 or more"). The difference 3 between the number of walls 7 along which the long loop extends and the number of walls 4 along which the short loop extends satisfies a/2 (6/2-3). In this case, the number of tubes to be stacked is not uniform in each wall surface 26.

In fig. 8 (C), the 1 st and 2 nd long loop portions 40a and 40b overlap 8 wall surfaces 26, and the 1 st and 2 nd short loop portions 42a and 42b overlap 5 wall surfaces 26. Therefore, the number of wall surfaces along which the short detour is formed, i.e., 5, does not satisfy the requirement of A/2 × B (does not satisfy the requirement that "B is an integer of 1 or more"). The difference 3 between the number of walls 8 along which the long loop extends and the number of walls 5 along which the short loop extends satisfies a/2 (6/2-3). In this case, the number of tubes to be stacked is not uniform in each wall surface 26.

In fig. 8 (D), the 1 st and 2 nd long loop portions 40a and 40b overlap 9 wall surfaces 26, and the 1 st and 2 nd short loop portions 42a and 42b overlap 6 wall surfaces 26. Therefore, the number of wall surfaces 6 along which the short detour passes satisfies the requirement of a/2 × B (6/2 × 2 — 6). The difference 3 between the number of wall surfaces 9 along which the long loop extends and the number of wall surfaces 6 along which the short loop extends satisfies a/2 (6/2-3). In this case, the number of tubes to be stacked on each wall surface 26 is uniform.

As described above, the refrigeration apparatus 12 of the present embodiment includes: a refrigerator 14; and a heat pipe 16 having a condensing portion 20 connected to the refrigerator 14 so as to be heat-exchangeable for condensing the refrigerant, an evaporating portion 24 extending along a wall surface 26 of the storage chamber 6 accommodating the storage object and connected to the wall surface 26 so as to be heat-exchangeable for evaporating the refrigerant, and a piping portion 22 for circulating the refrigerant between the condensing portion 20 and the evaporating portion 24. The evaporator 24 has a 1 st pipe 28 and a 2 nd pipe 30.

The 1 st line 28 has: the 1 st proximal end portion 36a near the condensation portion 20 side; a 1 st distal portion 38a opposite the 1 st proximal portion 36 a; and a 1 st long loop portion 40a, a 1 st short loop portion 42a, and a 1 st relay portion 44a disposed between the 1 st proximal end portion 36a and the 1 st distal end portion 38 a. The 2 nd line 30 has: the 2 nd proximal end portion 36b near the condensation portion 20 side; a 2 nd distal portion 38b opposite the 2 nd proximal portion 36 b; and a 2 nd long loop portion 40b, a 2 nd short loop portion 42b, and a 2 nd relay portion 44b disposed between the 2 nd proximal end portion 36b and the 2 nd distal end portion 38 b.

In the 1 st line 28, the 1 st proximal portion 36a is located above the 2 nd proximal portion 36b, and has a 1 st long loop portion 40a near the 1 st proximal portion 36a, a 1 st short loop portion 42a near the 1 st distal portion 38a, and a 1 st relay portion 44a between the 1 st long loop portion 40a and the 1 st short loop portion 42 a. The 1 st long loop portion 40a extends from the 1 st proximal end portion 36a side to the 1 st distal end portion 38a side around the storage chamber 6 in the 1 st loop direction and along more of the wall surface 26 than the 1 st short loop portion 42 a. The 1 st relay segment 44a has at least 1 st turn-around segment 46a, and the 1 st turn-around segment 46a switches the direction in which the 1 st pipeline 28 is looped. The 1 st short looping portion 42a extends along the wall surface 26 less than the 1 st long looping portion 40a in the 2 nd looping direction opposite to the 1 st looping direction in the case where the number of 1 st folded portions 46a is even, in the 1 st looping direction, and in the case where the number of 1 st folded portions 46a is odd, in the periphery of the storage chamber 6 from the 1 st proximal end portion 36a side to the 1 st distal end portion 38a side.

In the 2 nd pipeline 30, the 2 nd proximal portion 36b is located below the 1 st proximal portion 36a, and has a 2 nd short loop portion 42b near the 2 nd proximal portion 36b, a 2 nd long loop portion 40b near the 2 nd distal portion 38b, and a 2 nd relay portion 44b between the 2 nd short loop portion 42b and the 2 nd long loop portion 40 b. The 2 nd short looping portion 42b extends from the 2 nd proximal end portion 36b side to the 2 nd distal end portion 38b side around the storage chamber 6 in the 1 st looping direction and along the wall surface 26 less than the 2 nd long looping portion 40 b. The 2 nd relay section 44b has the same number of 2 nd turn-back sections 46b as the 1 st turn-back section 46a, and the 2 nd turn-back section 46b switches the direction in which the 2 nd pipeline 30 circulates. The 2 nd long loop portion 40b extends along the wall surface 26 more than the 2 nd short loop portion 42b in the 1 st loop direction when the number of 2 nd folded portions 46b is even and in the 2 nd loop direction when the number of 2 nd folded portions 46b is odd around the storage chamber 6 from the 2 nd proximal end portion 36b to the 2 nd distal end portion 38 b.

The 1 st folded portion 46a counted from the 1 st proximal end portion 36a side by the nth number (N is an integer of 1 or more) and the 2 nd folded portion 46b counted from the 2 nd proximal end portion 36b side by the nth number are disposed on the opposing wall surfaces 26. With this configuration, the number of pipes to be laid on each wall surface can be increased and the vertical interval of the pipes can be narrowed, as compared with a case where the pipes are wound around the wall surface of the storage room from one end to the other end in the same direction all the time. This can further stabilize the temperature of the low-temperature storage 1.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the 1 st pipeline 28 and the 2 nd pipeline 30 can be laid on the wall surface 26 of the storage chamber 6 without intersecting each other. In the case where the pipes intersect, one pipe may be separated from the wall surface 26 at the intersection portion. Therefore, the cooling efficiency of the storage chamber 6 by the duct separated at the crossing portion may be lowered. In contrast, according to the present embodiment, such a decrease in cooling efficiency can be avoided. Therefore, the storage chamber 6 can be cooled more uniformly, and the temperature of the low-temperature storage 1 can be further stabilized.

In the present embodiment, the 1 st long loop portion 40a and the 2 nd short loop portion 42b are "paired" and mainly cool the upper region of the storage chamber 6. The 1 st short loop portion 42a and the 2 nd long loop portion 40b are "paired" and mainly cool the lower region of the storage chamber 6. Further, the 1 st relay 44a and the 2 nd relay 44b form a pair, and mainly cool the middle region of the storage chamber 6. This enables the entire storage chamber 6 to be cooled in a balanced manner.

In the present embodiment, the heat pipe 16 is a thermosiphon, and the 1 st pipe line 28 and the 2 nd pipe line 30 extend downward in the vertical direction from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion thereof. This makes it possible to more easily realize the following effects: the 1 st and 2 nd pipelines 28 and 30 are laid in the storage chamber 6 while avoiding crossing each other. The 1 st line 28 and the 2 nd line 30 are connected to the same refrigerator 14. This can simplify the structure of the low-temperature storage 1.

The number of the 1 st folded portions 46a and the 2 nd folded portions 46b is even, the 1 st relay portion 44a has a 1 st folded line 48a connecting between the adjacent 2 1 st folded portions 46a, and the 2 nd relay portion 44b has a 2 nd folded line 48b connecting between the adjacent 2 nd folded portions 46 b. Thus, the long loop portion and the short loop portion can be laid in the same loop direction in each pipeline.

When the number of the wall surfaces 26 of the storage chamber 6 is denoted by a, the short loop portions of the 1 st duct 28 and the 2 nd duct 30 extend along a/2 × B number (B is an integer equal to or greater than 1) of wall surfaces. The difference between the number of wall surfaces 26 along which the short surrounding portions extend and the number of wall surfaces 26 along which the long surrounding portions extend is a/2. This makes it possible to equalize the number of tubes overlapping the wall surface 26 in each wall surface 26, that is, the number of times the 1 st and 2 nd pipeline 28 and 30 pass through each wall surface 26. As a result, the storage chamber 6 can be cooled more uniformly, and the temperature of the low-temperature storage 1 can be further stabilized.

In addition, the 1 st 28 and 2 nd 30 pipelines have equal total lengths. This makes it possible to make the piping materials 52 used for the production of the 1 st pipe 28 and the 2 nd pipe 30 common. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the refrigeration apparatus 12 can be reduced. In addition, in the 1 st pipe line 28 and the 2 nd pipe line 30, the 1 st long loop portion 40a and the 2 nd long loop portion 40b, the 1 st short loop portion 42a and the 2 nd short loop portion 42b, and the 1 st relay portion 44a and the 2 nd relay portion 44b have the same length, respectively. Thus, the piping material 52 can be shared until the 1 st folded portion 46a or the 2 nd folded portion 46b is produced. Further, the number of the 1 st folded portions 46a and the number of the 2 nd folded portions 46b are even numbers, respectively. This also makes it possible to make the direction in which the meandering pipe is bent common. Therefore, the manufacturing process of the refrigeration apparatus 12 can be further simplified.

Further, the heat pipe 16 has a connecting pipe 50 connecting the 1 st distal end portion 38a and the 2 nd distal end portion 38 b. This makes it possible to equalize the amount of liquid refrigerant between the 1 st pipe line 28 and the 2 nd pipe line 30. As a result, the storage chamber 6 can be cooled more uniformly, and the temperature of the low-temperature storage 1 can be further stabilized.

(embodiment mode 2)

Embodiment 2 has a configuration substantially common to embodiment 1, except that the configuration of the refrigeration apparatus 12 is different. Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be mainly described with respect to a configuration different from that of embodiment 1, and a description of a common configuration will be simply described or omitted. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a low-temperature storage compartment on which the refrigeration apparatus according to embodiment 2 is mounted. Fig. 10 (a) is a perspective view of the storage chamber and the evaporation unit. Fig. 10 (B) is a perspective view of the evaporation unit.

The refrigeration apparatus 12 of the present embodiment mounted in the low-temperature storage 1(1B) includes a combination of a plurality of refrigerators and heat pipes. Here, as an example, a refrigeration apparatus 12 including a 1 st system 12I as a 1 st combination and a 2 nd system 12II as a 2 nd combination will be described. The number of systems is not limited to 2. In the following description and the drawings, the structure of the 1 st system 12I is denoted by "I" at the end of the reference numeral, and the structure of the 2 nd system 12II is denoted by "II" at the end of the reference numeral.

The 1 st system 12I includes a 1 st refrigerator 14I and a 1 st heat pipe 16I. The 1 st refrigerator 14I is the refrigerator 14 in embodiment 1, and the 1 st heat pipe 16I is the heat pipe 16 in embodiment 1.

The 2 nd system 12II is comprised of a 2 nd chiller 14II independent of the 1 st chiller 14I, and a 2 nd heat pipe 16II connected to the 2 nd chiller 14 II. The heat pipes (16I, 16II) of the respective systems (12I, 12II) are laid in the same storage chamber 6. That is, 2 refrigeration units are provided in 1 storage chamber 6.

As the 2 nd refrigerator 14II, a refrigerator having the same configuration as the 1 st refrigerator 14I can be used. The 2 nd heat pipe 16II includes a condenser 20II, a pipe 22II, and an evaporator 24II, as in the 1 st heat pipe 16I. The condensation unit 20II and the piping unit 22II have the same configurations as the condensation unit 20I and the piping unit 22I in the 1 st system 12I. The evaporator 24II has a 1 st pipe line 28II and a 2 nd pipe line 30 II. The 1 st pipe line 28II is connected to the condensation unit 20II via a 1 st pipe 32II, and the 2 nd pipe line 30II is connected to the condensation unit 20II via a 2 nd pipe 34 II.

The 1 st line 28II has the same configuration as the 1 st line 28I. Specifically, the 1 st pipe line 28II includes: a 1 st proximal end portion 36aII near the condensing portion 20II side; the opposite, distal 1 end 38 aII; and a 1 st long loop portion 40aII, a 1 st short loop portion 42aII, and a 1 st relay portion 44aII disposed between the 1 st proximal end portion 36aII and the 1 st distal end portion 38 aII.

The 2 nd pipe 30II has the same configuration as the 2 nd pipe 30I. Specifically, the 2 nd pipe 30II includes: a 2 nd proximal end portion 36bII near the condensation portion 20II side; the opposite, distal 2 nd end 38 bII; and a 2 nd long encircling portion 40bII, a 2 nd short encircling portion 42bII, and a 2 nd relay portion 44bII, which are arranged between the 2 nd proximal end portion 36bII and the 2 nd distal end portion 38 bII.

The 1 st proximal end portion 36aII is located above the 2 nd proximal end portion 36bII in the 1 st line 28 II. In addition, the 1 st tube 28II has a 1 st long loop 40aII near the 1 st proximal end 36aII, a 1 st short loop 42aII near the 1 st distal end 38aII, and a 1 st relay 44aII between the 1 st long loop 40aII and the 1 st short loop 42 aII.

The 1 st long loop portion 40 al extends from the 1 st proximal end portion 36 al side to the 1 st distal end portion 38 al side around the storage chamber 6 in the 1 st loop direction and along the wall surface 26 more than the 1 st short loop portion 42 al. The 1 st relay section 44aII has at least 1 st turn-around section 46aII, and this 1 st turn-around section 46aII switches the direction in which the 1 st pipeline 28II is looped. The 1 st short looping portion 42 al extends from the 1 st proximal end portion 36 al side to the 1 st distal end portion 38 al side around the storage chamber 6 in the 1 st looping direction if the number of 1 st folded portions 46 al is even, and in the 2 nd looping direction opposite to the 1 st looping direction and along the wall surface 26 less than the 1 st long looping portion 40 al if the number of 1 st folded portions 46 al is odd.

In the 2 nd line 30II, the 2 nd proximal end portion 36bII is located below the 1 st proximal end portion 36 aII. Furthermore, the 2 nd line 30II has a 2 nd short loop 42bII near the 2 nd proximal end 36bII, a 2 nd long loop 40bII near the 2 nd distal end 38bII, and a 2 nd relay 44bII between the 2 nd short loop 42bII and the 2 nd long loop 40 bII.

The 2 nd short looping portion 42bII extends from the 2 nd proximal end portion 36bII side to the 2 nd distal end portion 38bII side around the storage chamber 6 in the same 1 st looping direction as the 1 st long looping portion 40aII and along the wall surface 26 less than the 2 nd long looping portion 40 bII. The 2 nd relay section 44bII has the same number of 2 nd switchback sections 46bII as the 1 st switchback section 46aII, and the 2 nd switchback section 46bII switches the direction in which the 2 nd pipeline 30II is looped. The 2 nd long looping portion 40bII extends from the 2 nd proximal end portion 36bII side to the 2 nd distal end portion 38bII side around the storage chamber 6 in the 1 st looping direction if the number of 2 nd folded portions 46bII is even, in the 2 nd looping direction if the number of 2 nd folded portions 46bII is odd, and along the wall surface 26 more than the 2 nd short looping portion 42 bII.

In the present embodiment, the number of 1 st switchback portions 46 al in the 1 st pipeline 28II is equal to the number of 1 st switchback portions 46 al in the 1 st pipeline 28I. In addition, the number of the 2 nd switchback portions 46bI in the 2 nd pipeline 30II is equal to the number of the 2 nd switchback portions 46bI in the 2 nd pipeline 30I. Further, the number of 1 st turnaround portions 46 al in the 1 st pipeline 28II is also equal to the number of 2 nd turnaround portions 46bI in the 2 nd pipeline 30II, and the number of 1 st turnaround portions 46 al in the 1 st pipeline 28I is also equal to the number of 2 nd turnaround portions 46bI in the 2 nd pipeline 30I. That is, the 1 st folded portion 46aI, the 1 st folded portion 46aII, the 2 nd folded portion 46bI, and the 2 nd folded portion 46bII are all the same in number. Therefore, the number of the folded portions is equal in the 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12 II.

In the present embodiment, the storage chamber 6 in which the 1 st heat pipe 16I and the 2 nd heat pipe 16II are laid has 4 wall surfaces 26, specifically, a 1 st wall surface 26a, a 2 nd wall surface 26b, a 3 rd wall surface 26c, and a 4 th wall surface 26 d. The 1 st wall surface 26a to the 4 th wall surface 26d are arranged in this order in the counterclockwise direction to define the storage chamber 6.

The 1 st line 28II and the 2 nd line 30II have a structure in which the 1 st line 28I and the 2 nd line 30I are rotated by 90 ° counterclockwise. That is, the 1 st proximal end portion 36aII is configured to overlap the 2 nd wall surface 26 b. For example, the 1 st proximal end portion 36aII is disposed in the vicinity of the side of the 2 nd wall surface 26b that contacts the 1 st wall surface 26 a. The 1 st long loop portion 40 al extends around the storage chamber 6 from the 1 st proximal end portion 36 al side to the 1 st distal end portion 38 al side, counterclockwise, and from the 2 nd wall surface 26b to the 1 st wall surface 26a, i.e., along the 4 wall surfaces 26.

The number of the 1 st folded portions 46aII is an even number, more specifically, 2. The first 1 st folded portion 46 al located on the 1 st long loop portion 40 al side is arranged to overlap the 1 st wall surface 26a, and the second 1 st folded portion 46 al located on the 1 st short loop portion 42 al side is arranged to overlap the 4 th wall surface 26 d. The 1 st relay section 44aII has a 1 st turnaround conduit 48aII connecting between 2 1 st turnaround sections 46 aII.

The 1 st turn-around portion 46 al is substantially U-shaped, and the direction of the 1 st pipe line 28II is switched from the counterclockwise direction to the clockwise direction by the first 1 st turn-around portion 46 al. The 1 st folded line 48 al extends from the first 1 st folded portion 46 al in the clockwise direction and from the 1 st wall surface 26a to the 4 th wall surface 26d, i.e., along 2 wall surfaces 26, to reach the second 1 st folded portion 46 al. The direction of the 1 st pipe line 28II is switched from the clockwise direction to the counterclockwise direction by the second 1 st turnaround portion 46 aII.

The 1 st short loop portion 42 al extends from the 1 st proximal end portion 36 al side to the 1 st distal end portion 38 al side around the storage chamber 6 in the same counterclockwise direction as the 1 st long loop portion 40 al and from the 4 th wall surface 26d to the 1 st wall surface 26a, that is, along 2 wall surfaces 26.

The 2 nd proximal end portion 36bII and the 1 st proximal end portion 36aII are also configured to overlap the 2 nd wall surface 26 b. The 2 nd short looping portion 42bII extends from the 2 nd proximal end portion 36bII side to the 2 nd distal end portion 38bII side around the storage chamber 6 in the same counterclockwise direction as the 1 st long looping portion 40aII and from the 2 nd wall surface 26b to the 3 rd wall surface 26c, that is, along the 2 wall surfaces 26.

The number of the 2 nd folded portions 46bII is an even number, more specifically, 2. The first 2 nd folded portion 46bII located on the 2 nd short-side surrounded portion 42bII side is arranged to overlap the 3 rd wall surface 26c, and the second 2 nd folded portion 46bII located on the 2 nd long-side surrounded portion 40bII side is arranged to overlap the 2 nd wall surface 26 b. The 2 nd relay section 44bII has a 2 nd switchback pipeline 48bII connecting between the 2 nd switchback sections 46 bII.

The 2 nd turn-back portion 46bII is substantially U-shaped, and the direction of the 2 nd pipe line 30II is switched from the counterclockwise direction to the clockwise direction by the first 2 nd turn-back portion 46 bII. The 2 nd folded line 48bII extends from the first 2 nd folded portion 46bII in the clockwise direction and from the 3 rd wall surface 26c to the 2 nd wall surface 26b, i.e., extends along 2 wall surfaces 26, and reaches the second 2 nd folded portion 46 bII. The direction of the 2 nd pipe line 30II is switched from the clockwise direction to the counterclockwise direction by the second 2 nd turn-around portion 46 bII.

The 2 nd long loop portion 40bII extends from the 2 nd proximal end portion 36bII side to the 2 nd distal end portion 38bII side around the storage chamber 6 in the same counterclockwise direction as the 1 st short loop portion 42aII and from the 2 nd wall surface 26b to the 1 st wall surface 26a, i.e., along the 4 wall surfaces 26.

The 1 st folded portion 46 al counted from the 1 st proximal end portion 36 al side (N is an integer of 1 or more) and the 2 nd folded portion 46bII counted from the 2 nd proximal end portion 36bII side are disposed on the opposing wall surfaces 26. In the present embodiment, the first 1 st folded portion 46 al from the 1 st proximal end portion 36 al side is disposed on the 1 st wall surface 26a, and the first 2 nd folded portion 46bII from the 2 nd proximal end portion 36bII side is disposed on the 3 rd wall surface 26c facing the 1 st wall surface 26 a. Similarly, the second 1 st folded portion 46 al from the 1 st proximal end portion 36 al side is disposed on the 4 th wall surface 26d, and the second 2 nd folded portion 46bi from the 2 nd proximal end portion 36bII is disposed on the 2 nd wall surface 26b facing the 4 th wall surface 26 d.

Further, in the present embodiment, the 1 st turn-back portion 46aI and the 2 nd turn-back portion 46bI, which are the nth (N is an integer of 1 or more) turns from the condensation portion 20I side of the 1 st heat pipe 16I, and the 1 st turn-back portion 46aI and the 2 nd turn-back portion 46bI, which are the nth turns from the condensation portion 20II side of the 2 nd heat pipe 16II, are disposed on different wall surfaces.

In the present embodiment, the 1 st turn-around portion 46aI and the 2 nd turn-around portion 46bI are disposed on the 4 th wall surface 26d and the 2 nd wall surface 26b, respectively, from the side of the condensation portion 20I of the 1 st heat pipe 16I. On the other hand, the 1 st turn-back portion 46 al and the 2 nd turn-back portion 46bII are disposed on the 1 st wall surface 26a and the 3 rd wall surface 26c, respectively, from the condensing portion 20II side of the 2 nd heat pipe 16 II. Therefore, the 4 folded portions are disposed on different wall surfaces 26.

The second 1 st turn-back portion 46aI and the 2 nd turn-back portion 46bI from the side of the condensation portion 20I of the 1 st heat pipe 16I are disposed on the 3 rd wall surface 26c and the 1 st wall surface 26a, respectively. On the other hand, the second 1 st turn-back portion 46 al and the 2 nd turn-back portion 46bII from the condensing portion 20II side of the 2 nd heat pipe 16II are disposed on the 4 th wall surface 26d and the 2 nd wall surface 26b, respectively. Therefore, the 4 folded portions are disposed on different wall surfaces 26.

Like the 1 st heat pipe 16I, the 2 nd heat pipe 16II is a thermosiphon. Therefore, the 1 st line 28II and the 2 nd line 30II are inclined gradually downward in the vertical direction from the proximal end portions (36aII, 36bII) to the distal end portions (38aII, 38bII), respectively. Further, the 2 nd heat pipe 16II has a joining pipe 50II joining the 1 st distal end portion 38aII and the 2 nd distal end portion 38 bII. The 2 nd heat pipe 16II may be configured to circulate a refrigerant by a compressor or the like.

The connecting pipe 50I has a substantially U-shaped configuration, and a bent portion protrudes from the 4 th wall surface 26d when viewed from the normal direction of the 4 th wall surface 26 d. That is, the bent portion of the connecting pipe 50I protrudes in the normal direction of the 1 st wall surface 26a beyond the side of the 4 th wall surface 26d that contacts the 1 st wall surface 26a when viewed from the normal direction of the 4 th wall surface 26 d. Therefore, the connecting pipe 50I has a region not in contact with the 4 th wall surface 26 d. The 2 nd long surrounding portion 40bII extends from the 4 th wall surface 26d to the 1 st wall surface 26a through between the portions of the connecting pipe 50I protruding from the 4 th wall surface 26 d. In other words, the connecting pipe 50I spans the 2 nd long surrounding portion 40bII at a portion protruding from the 4 th wall surface 26 d. This makes it possible to lay the 1 st heat pipe 16I and the 2 nd heat pipe 16II on the same storage chamber 6 while reducing the number of intersections of the respective pipes as much as possible. That is, the 1 st, 2 nd, and 2 nd pipe lines 28I, 28II, 30I, and 30II do not intersect with each other, and all of the pipe lines abut against the wall surface 26. Separate from the wall 26 is only the connecting tube 50I. This makes it possible to cool the storage chamber 6 more uniformly, thereby further stabilizing the temperature of the low-temperature storage 1. In the structure without the connecting pipe 50I, the 1 st heat pipe 16I and the 2 nd heat pipe 16II can be laid on the same storage chamber 6 without crossing each other without making a structural effort to protrude a part of the piping from the wall surface.

In the present embodiment, the 1 st and 2 nd pipelines 28II, 30II of the 2 nd heat pipe 16II have the shape in which the 1 st and 2 nd pipelines 28I, 30I of the 1 st heat pipe 16I are inverted upside down. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the relationship between the postures of the evaporation unit of the 1 st heat pipe and the evaporation unit of the 2 nd heat pipe. As shown in fig. 11, the 1 st pipe line 28II and the 2 nd pipe line 30II are identical in shape to the 1 st pipe line 28I and the 2 nd pipe line 30I rotated by 180 ° about the axis Z. The axis Z is an intersection of a virtual plane X parallel to the 2 nd wall surface 26b and the 4 th wall surface 26d facing each other and located in the middle of the 2 wall surfaces and a virtual plane Y parallel to the bottom surface 26e (lower surface) and the top surface 26f (upper surface) of the storage chamber 6 and located in the middle of the 2 surfaces. The top surface 26f is a plane including the upper ends of the 1 st to 4 th wall surfaces 26a to 26 d.

The 1 st proximal end 36aII of the 1 st tube 28II corresponds to the 2 nd distal end 38bI of the 2 nd tube 30I, and the 2 nd proximal end 36bII of the 2 nd tube 30II corresponds to the 1 st distal end 38aI of the 1 st tube 28I. Therefore, the connecting tube 50I connected to the 1 st distal end portion 38aI and the 2 nd distal end portion 38bI can be connected to the 1 st proximal end portion 36aI and the 2 nd proximal end portion 36bI by turning the 1 st tube line 28I and the 2 nd tube line 30I upside down, thereby obtaining the evaporation portion 24 II. Thus, the evaporation portion 24I and the evaporation portion 24II can be configured by the same shape member. Therefore, the evaporation portion 24I and the evaporation portion 24II can perform heat exchange in the same manner as the storage chamber 6. That is, the storage chamber 6 can be cooled more uniformly whether the 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12II are driven individually or driven simultaneously.

The 1 st and 2 nd pipes 28II and 30II have the same total length as the 1 st and 2 nd pipes 28I and 30I. Therefore, the 1 st pipe line 28II and the 2 nd pipe line 30II can be manufactured with the common piping material 52. Further, in the 1 st and 2 nd pipelines 28II and 30II, the 1 st and 2 nd long surrounding portions 40aII and 40bII, the 1 st and 2 nd short surrounding portions 42aII and 42bII, and the 1 st and 2 nd relay portions 44aII and 44bII have the same length, respectively. Thus, the piping material 52 can be made common to the 1 st folded portion 46aII and the 2 nd folded portion 46 bII. The number of the 1 st folded portions 46aII and the number of the 2 nd folded portions 46bII are even numbers, respectively. This also makes it possible to make the direction in which the meandering pipe is bent common.

When the number of walls of the storage chamber 6 is denoted by a, the number of walls overlapping the short loop portion is denoted by C, and the number of walls overlapping the long loop portion is denoted by D, the 1 st and 2 nd pipelines 28I and 30I, and the 1 st and 2 nd pipelines 28II and 30II both satisfy the conditions of C ═ a/2 × B (B is an integer equal to or greater than 1), and D-C ═ a/2. This makes it possible to equalize the number of tubes to be stacked on each wall surface 26 between the 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12 II. In addition, even when the 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12II are viewed as a whole, the number of pipes to be stacked on each wall surface 26 can be made uniform. Thus, the storage chamber 6 can be cooled more uniformly whether the 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12II are driven individually or simultaneously.

Fig. 12 (a) to 12 (F) are schematic views showing a state in which the wall surface of the storage chamber is developed. In fig. 12 (a) to 12 (F), the 1 st line 28I and the 2 nd line 30I of the 1 st system 12I are indicated by solid lines, and the 1 st line 28II and the 2 nd line 30II of the 2 nd system 12II are indicated by broken lines. In fig. 12 (a) to 12 (F), the number a of the wall surfaces 26 is 4. Note that, in fig. 12 (a) to 12 (C), the number of folded portions (46aI, 46bI, 46aII, 46bII) is even, and in fig. 12 (D) to 12 (F), the number of folded portions (46aI, 46bI, 46aII, 46bII) is odd.

In fig. 12 a and 12D, the 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12II are such that the long loops (40aI, 40bI, 40aI, and 40 bI) overlap the 4 wall surfaces 26, and the short loops (42aI, 42bI, 42aI, and 42 bI) overlap the 2 wall surfaces 26. Therefore, the number of wall surfaces 2 along which the short detour passes satisfies the requirement of a/2 × B (4/2 × 1 — 2). The difference 2 between the number of walls 4 along which the long loop extends and the number of walls 2 along which the short loop extends satisfies a/2 (4/2-2). In this case, the number of tubes to be stacked on each wall surface 26 is equal in each of the 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12 II. Therefore, the number of tubes overlapping each wall surface 26 is equal in the entire 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12 II.

In fig. 12B and 12E, in both the 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12II, the long loop portions (40aI, 40bI, 40aII, and 40bII) overlap 5 wall surfaces 26, and the short loop portions (42aI, 42bI, 42aII, and 42bII) overlap 3 wall surfaces 26. Therefore, the number of wall surfaces along which the short detour is formed, 3, does not satisfy the requirement of A/2 × B (does not satisfy the requirement that "B is an integer of 1 or more"). The difference 2 between the number of walls 4 along which the long loop extends and the number of walls 2 along which the short loop extends satisfies a/2 (4/2-2). In this case, the number of tubes overlapped on each wall surface 26 is not uniform in each of the 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12 II.

As shown in fig. 12B, when the folded portions (46aI, 46bI, 46aII, 46bII) are even, the number of tubes to be overlapped on each wall surface 26 is not uniform even in the 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12 II. On the other hand, as shown in fig. 12E, when the number of turns (46aI, 46bI, 46aII, 46bII) is odd, the number of tubes to be overlapped on each wall surface 26 is equal in the entire 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12 II. Therefore, when the number of the turn-back portions is odd, the storage chamber 6 can be uniformly cooled when the 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12II are driven simultaneously. However, when either one of the two is driven independently, the cooling uniformity is lowered.

In fig. 12C and 12F, the 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12II are such that the long loops (40aI, 40bI, 40aI, and 40 bI) overlap the 6 wall surfaces 26, and the short loops (42aI, 42bI, 42aI, and 42 bI) overlap the 4 wall surfaces 26. Therefore, the number of wall surfaces 4 along which the short detour passes satisfies the requirement of a/2 × B (4/2 × 2 — 4). The difference 2 between the number of wall surfaces 6 along which the long loop extends and the number of wall surfaces 4 along which the short loop extends satisfies a/2 (4/2-2). In this case, the number of tubes to be stacked on each wall surface 26 is equal in each of the 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12 II. Therefore, the number of tubes overlapping each wall surface 26 is equal in the entire 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12 II.

Fig. 13 (a) to 13 (D) are schematic views showing a state in which the wall surface of the storage chamber is developed. In fig. 13 (a) to 13 (F), the 1 st line 28I and the 2 nd line 30I of the 1 st system 12I are shown in a realized manner, and the 1 st line 28II and the 2 nd line 30II of the 2 nd system 12II are shown in a broken line. In fig. 13 (a) to 13 (D), the number a of the wall surfaces 26 is 6. The number of the folded portions (46 al, 46bI, 46 al, 46 bI) is even.

In fig. 13 a, the long loop portions (40aI, 40bI, 40aII, 40bII) overlap 6 wall surfaces 26, and the short loop portions (42aI, 42bI, 42aII, 42bII) overlap 3 wall surfaces 26. Therefore, the number of wall surfaces along which the short detour is formed is 3, which satisfies the requirement of a/2 × B (6/2 × 1 — 3). The difference 3 between the number of wall surfaces 6 along which the long loop extends and the number of wall surfaces 3 along which the short loop extends satisfies a/2 (6/2-3). In this case, the number of tubes overlapping each wall surface 26 is equal in each of the 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12 II. Therefore, the number of tubes to be stacked on each wall surface 26 is also equal in the entire 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12 II.

In fig. 13B, the long loops (40aI, 40bI, 40aII, 40bII) overlap 7 wall surfaces 26, and the short loops (42aI, 42bI, 42aII, 42bII) overlap 4 wall surfaces 26. Therefore, the number of wall surfaces 4 along which the short detour passes does not satisfy the requirement of A/2 × B (does not satisfy the requirement that "B is an integer of 1 or more"). The difference 3 between the number of walls 7 along which the long loop extends and the number of walls 4 along which the short loop extends does not satisfy the requirement of a/2 (6/2-3). In this case, the number of tubes overlapped on each wall surface 26 is not uniform in each of the 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12 II. In addition, the number of tubes overlapping each wall surface 26 is not uniform in the entire 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12 II.

In fig. 13C, the long loops (40aI, 40bI, 40aII, 40bII) overlap 8 wall surfaces 26, and the short loops (42aI, 42bI, 42aII, 42bII) overlap 5 wall surfaces 26. Therefore, the number of wall surfaces along which the short detour is formed, i.e., 5, does not satisfy the requirement of A/2 × B (does not satisfy the requirement that "B is an integer of 1 or more"). The difference 3 between the number of walls 8 along which the long loop extends and the number of walls 5 along which the short loop extends does not satisfy the requirement of a/2 (6/2-3). In this case, the number of tubes overlapped on each wall surface 26 is not uniform in each of the 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12 II. In addition, the number of tubes overlapping each wall surface 26 is not uniform in the entire 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12 II.

In fig. 13D, the long loop portions (40aI, 40bI, 40aII, 40bII) overlap the 9 wall surfaces 26, and the short loop portions (42aI, 42bI, 42aII, 42bII) overlap the 6 wall surfaces 26. Therefore, the number of wall surfaces 6 along which the short detour passes satisfies the requirement of a/2 × B (6/2 × 2 — 6). The difference 3 between the number of wall surfaces 9 along which the long loop extends and the number of wall surfaces 6 along which the short loop extends satisfies a/2 (6/2-3). In this case, the number of tubes overlapping each wall surface 26 is equal in each of the 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12 II. Therefore, the number of tubes to be stacked on each wall surface 26 is also equal in the entire 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12 II.

Fig. 14 (a) to 14 (D) are schematic views showing a state in which the wall surface of the storage chamber is expanded. In fig. 14 (a) to 14 (D), the 1 st line 28I and the 2 nd line 30I of the 1 st system 12I are indicated by solid lines, and the 1 st line 28II and the 2 nd line 30II of the 2 nd system 12II are indicated by broken lines. In fig. 14 (a) to 14 (D), the number a of the wall surfaces 26 is 6. The number of the folded portions (46 al, 46bI, 46 al, 46 bI) is odd.

In fig. 14 (a), the long loop portions (40aI, 40bI, 40aII, 40bII) overlap 6 wall surfaces 26, and the short loop portions (42aI, 42bI, 42aII, 42bII) overlap 3 wall surfaces 26. Therefore, the number of wall surfaces along which the short detour is formed is 3, which satisfies the requirement of a/2 × B (6/2 × 1 — 3). The difference 3 between the number of wall surfaces 6 along which the long loop extends and the number of wall surfaces 3 along which the short loop extends satisfies a/2 (6/2-3). In this case, the number of tubes overlapping each wall surface 26 is equal in each of the 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12 II. Therefore, the number of tubes to be stacked on each wall surface 26 is also equal in the entire 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12 II.

In fig. 14 (B), the long loops (40aI, 40bI, 40aII, 40bII) overlap 7 wall surfaces 26, and the short loops (42aI, 42bI, 42aII, 42bII) overlap 4 wall surfaces 26. Therefore, the number of wall surfaces 4 along which the short detour passes does not satisfy the requirement of A/2 × B (does not satisfy the requirement that "B is an integer of 1 or more"). The difference 3 between the number of walls 7 along which the long loop extends and the number of walls 4 along which the short loop extends does not satisfy the requirement of a/2 (6/2-3). In this case, the number of tubes overlapped on each wall surface 26 is not uniform in each of the 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12 II. In addition, the number of tubes overlapping each wall surface 26 is not uniform in the entire 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12 II.

In fig. 14C, the long loops (40aI, 40bI, 40aII, 40bII) overlap 8 wall surfaces 26, and the short loops (42aI, 42bI, 42aII, 42bII) overlap 5 wall surfaces 26. Therefore, the number of wall surfaces along which the short detour is formed, i.e., 5, does not satisfy the requirement of A/2 × B (does not satisfy the requirement that "B is an integer of 1 or more"). The difference 3 between the number of walls 8 along which the long loop extends and the number of walls 5 along which the short loop extends does not satisfy the requirement of a/2 (6/2-3). In this case, the number of tubes overlapped on each wall surface 26 is not uniform in each of the 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12 II. In addition, the number of tubes overlapping each wall surface 26 is not uniform in the entire 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12 II.

In fig. 14 (D), the long loop portions (40aI, 40bI, 40aII, 40bII) overlap the 9 wall surfaces 26, and the short loop portions (42aI, 42bI, 42aII, 42bII) overlap the 6 wall surfaces 26. Therefore, the number of wall surfaces 6 along which the short detour passes satisfies the requirement of a/2 × B (6/2 × 2 — 6). The difference 3 between the number of wall surfaces 9 along which the long loop extends and the number of wall surfaces 6 along which the short loop extends satisfies a/2 (6/2-3). In this case, the number of tubes overlapping each wall surface 26 is equal in each of the 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12 II. Therefore, the number of tubes to be stacked on each wall surface 26 is also equal in the entire 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12 II.

As described above, the refrigeration apparatus 12 of the present embodiment includes: a 1 st system 12I including a 1 st refrigerator 14I and a 1 st heat pipe 16I; and a 2 nd system 12II including a 2 nd refrigerator 14II independent of the 1 st refrigerator 14I, and a 2 nd heat pipe 16II including a condensing unit 20II, a piping unit 22II, and an evaporating unit 24II, and the evaporating unit 24II including a 1 st pipe line 28II and a 2 nd pipe line 30II and connected to the 2 nd refrigerator 14 II. The heat pipes (16I, 16II) of the systems (12I, 12II) are laid in the same storage chamber 6. Thus, even if any one of the 1 st system 12I and the 2 nd system 12II malfunctions, the other system can be used to uniformly cool the storage chamber 6. Therefore, the temperature of the low-temperature storage 1 can be further stabilized.

In the present embodiment, the heat pipes (16I, 16II) of the respective systems (12I, 12II) are laid in the storage chamber 6 having 4 wall surfaces 26, and the number of the folded portions (46aI, 46bI, 46aI, 46 bI) is an even number. Thus, the 1 st and 2 nd pipelines 28II and 30II of the 2 nd heat pipe 16II can be formed in the shape obtained by vertically inverting the 1 st and 2 nd pipelines 28I and 30I of the 1 st heat pipe 16I. As a result, when the storage room 6 is cooled by the 1 st system 12I alone and when the storage room 6 is cooled by the 2 nd system 12II alone, the storage room 6 can be cooled with the same balance. In addition, the manufacturing cost of the refrigeration apparatus 12 can be reduced and the manufacturing process of the refrigeration apparatus 12 can be simplified.

In the present embodiment, the nth (N is an integer of 1 or more) 1 st turn-around portion 46aI and 2 nd turn-around portion 46bI from the side of the condensation portion 20I of the 1 st heat pipe 16I and the nth 1 st turn-around portion 46aI and 2 nd turn-around portion 46bI from the side of the condensation portion 20II of the 2 nd heat pipe 16II are disposed on different wall surfaces 26. This makes it possible to lay the 1 st heat pipe 16I and the 2 nd heat pipe 16II on the same storage chamber 6 while reducing the number of intersections of the respective pipes as much as possible. As a result, the storage chamber 6 can be cooled more uniformly, and the temperature of the low-temperature storage 1 can be further stabilized.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. The foregoing embodiments do not merely represent specific examples for practicing the present invention. The contents of the embodiments do not limit the technical scope of the present invention, and various design changes such as changes, additions, deletions, and the like of the constituent elements can be made without departing from the scope of the spirit of the invention defined by the claims. The new embodiment with the design change has the effects of the combined embodiment and the modification. In the above-described embodiment, the expressions such as "in the present embodiment" and "in the present embodiment" are added to the contents in which such a design change is possible for emphasis, but the design change is allowed even in the contents without such an expression. Any combination of the above-described constituent elements is also effective as an aspect of the present invention. The hatching attached to the cross section of the drawing does not limit the material of the hatched object.

(modification 1)

Fig. 15 is a perspective view for explaining a connecting pipe provided in the refrigeration apparatus according to modification 1. The coupling pipes (50I, 50II) of modification 1 have portions extending along the bottom surface 26e of the storage chamber 6. The portion in contact with the bottom surface 26e is configured as the lowermost portion of the connecting pipe (50I, 50II) and the lowermost portion of the evaporation portion (24I, 24 II). This also enables the interior of the storage chamber 6 to be cooled from the bottom surface 26 e. Since the portion in contact with the bottom surface 26e is the lowermost portion of the evaporation portion 24, even in a configuration in which the refrigerant circulates by gravity, such as a thermosiphon tube, a part of the refrigerant reaches the portion in contact with the bottom surface 26e in a liquid state. The liquid refrigerant is uniformly stored in a portion in contact with the bottom surface 26e, and heat exchange with the storage chamber 6 is possible. That is, the interior of the storage chamber 6 can be cooled from the bottom surface 26e without depending on the method of circulating the refrigerant. As a result, the storage chamber 6 can be cooled more uniformly, and the temperature of the low-temperature storage 1 can be further stabilized.

(others)

Alternatively, the refrigeration device 12 may include a coolant container connected to the heat pipe 16 to store coolant of the heat pipe 16. For example, the refrigerant container is connected to the refrigerant passage of the condenser unit 20 via a pipe. The refrigerant can flow between the heat pipe 16 and the refrigerant container through the piping. When the pressure inside the heat pipe 16 becomes high, a part of the refrigerant moves from the heat pipe 16 to the refrigerant container. When the pressure in the heat pipe 16 decreases, a part of the refrigerant moves from the refrigerant container to the heat pipe 16. Thereby, the pressure inside the heat pipe 16 can be adjusted.

The embodiments may be defined by the items described below.

[ item 1]

A cryogenic storage (1) comprising: a storage chamber (6) for storing the storage object, and

and a cooling device (12) that cools the storage chamber (6).

[ Industrial availability ]

The present invention can be used for a refrigeration apparatus.

[ description of reference numerals ]

6 storage compartments, 12 refrigeration devices, 12I 1 st system, 12II 2 nd system, 14 refrigerator, 14I 1 st refrigerator, 14II 2 nd refrigerator, 16 heat pipe, 16I 1 st heat pipe, 16II 2 nd heat pipe, 20 condensing part, 22 piping part, 24 evaporating part, 26 wall surface, 28 1 st piping, 30 nd 2 nd piping, 36a 1 st near end part, 36b 2 nd near end part, 38a 1 st far end part, 38b 2 nd far end part, 40a 1 st long surrounding part, 40b 2 nd long surrounding part, 42a 1 st short surrounding part, 42b 2 nd short surrounding part, 44a 1 st relay part, 44b 2 nd relay part, 46a 1 st folded part, 46b 2 nd folded part, 48a 1 st folded piping, 48b 2 nd folded piping, 50 connecting pipe.