WO2018076583A1 - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerator comprises: a storage chamber at least divided into a refrigerating chamber (3) and a freezing chamber (4); a first evaporator (22) provided in a cooling chamber (8) which is connected to the storage chamber via an air supply duct (9, 10); a fan (13) through which air cooled by the first evaporator (22) flows toward the storage chamber from the cooling chamber (8); a first air duct opening/closing device (11) inserted into the air supply duct (10) which is connected to the refrigerating chamber (3); a second air duct opening/closing device (12) inserted into the air supply duct (9) which is connected to the freezing chamber (4); a second evaporator (23) provided inside or around the freezing chamber (4) and connected to a refrigerant passage (B) in parallel to the first evaporator (22); and a switching unit (25) that switches whether the refrigerant flows to the first evaporator (22) or the second evaporator (23). The refrigerator can suppress the temperature rise of the storage chamber, and highly preserve the freshness of foodstuffs and the like.

Description

refrigerator

The present application claims the priority of the Chinese Patent Application Serial No. PCT Application No.

Technical field

The invention relates to a refrigerator which stores and stores foods in a storage room, and more particularly relates to a refrigerator having a forced circulation evaporator and a direct cooling evaporator.

Background technique

In a conventional refrigerator, there is a refrigerator that forcibly circulates air cooled by an evaporator into a storage compartment. For example, the refrigerator disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2013-200074 is a refrigerator. In such a refrigerator, the evaporator is disposed inside the cooling chamber, and the air cooled in the evaporator is sent out to the cooling chamber by the fan and supplied to the storage chamber through the supply duct. The storage compartment is usually divided into a plurality of storage compartments such as a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment, and the amount of cold air supplied to each storage compartment is controlled by opening and closing a damper or the like provided on the supply duct.

In addition, in such a refrigerator, defrosting is performed in order to melt the frost on the evaporator. When the defrosting is performed, the compressor and the fan are stopped, and the inside of the cooling chamber is heated by an electric heating defrosting heater or the like provided inside the cooling chamber. At this time, in order to prevent the cooling indoor air warmed by the defrosting heater from flowing into the storage compartment, the temperature in the storage compartment rises, and the damper or the like provided in the supply duct is closed.

Further, in the prior art, there is a direct-cooling type refrigerator which does not have a fan for forcibly circulating cold air, and directly cools the storage compartment by natural convection of cold air after heat exchange with the evaporator. For example, the refrigerator disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2009-198079 is a refrigerator. In such a refrigerator, an evaporator for cooling the storage compartment is provided inside the heat insulating box constituting the wall surface of the storage compartment and inside the storage compartment. Further, in order to melt the frost on the evaporator, the defrosting is stopped, and the defrosting water in the storage chamber is prevented from being frozen again, and is heated by an electric heater or the like.

However, from the viewpoint of suppressing the temperature rise in the storage chamber and maintaining the quality of the food, the above-described conventional refrigerator can be further improved.

In the forced circulation type refrigerator of the conventional art, as described in the Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2013-200074, the following problems exist. That is: the amount of frost on the evaporator is large, and a large amount of water in the storage room is taken away. Moreover, when the frost is applied to the defrosting melt evaporator, the temperature in the storage compartment is likely to rise.

Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given in conjunction with FIG. 5. Fig. 5 shows an example of control of defrosting in a conventional forced circulation type refrigerator, which is a time chart and a temperature change table in the storage chamber. The refrigerator of the conventional example shown in the figure has a storage compartment divided into a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment, and a damper is provided on the supply duct connecting the refrigerating compartment from the cooling compartment.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the conventional refrigerator, when the defrosting is performed between time T11 and time T12, the compressor and the fan are stopped, the damper is closed, and the defrosting heater is used for heating. Then, at the end of time T12, the defrosting heater is used for heating, and after a pause, the compressor and the fan are operated at time T13, and the cooling operation of the cooling storage chamber is restarted. Here, as shown in the portion indicated by the elliptical chain line X in Fig. 5, the conventional refrigerator of the prior art restarts the cooling operation after the start of the operation of the defrosting, and during this time, the temperature of the storage compartment, particularly the freezing compartment, is remarkable. rise.

Further, as described in the Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2009-198079, in the direct-cooling type refrigerator of the conventional art, the evaporator is disposed in the peripheral wall or inside of the storage compartment, and the temperature in the storage compartment is easily directly affected by the temperature change of the evaporator. . Therefore, if the temperature of the evaporator rises due to defrosting, the temperature in the storage chamber easily rises.

If the temperature in the freezing compartment rises as described above, the temperature change in the freezing compartment increases, and the temperature difference between the frozen-preserved food and the surrounding air increases, causing a difference in water vapor pressure, causing the water to sublimate, thereby causing The food is dry and produces so-called frozen spots. In addition, there is a problem that a large temperature change causes the food to thaw and then freeze, resulting in a larger knot inside the food. Ice, which causes the destruction of food cells, the emergence of so-called drip. In other words, the quality of foods and the like stored in the inside of the freezing compartment may deteriorate.

Summary of the invention

In order to at least solve one of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator capable of suppressing an increase in temperature in a storage compartment and maintaining a high degree of freshness of stored foods and the like.

In order to achieve the object of the present invention, an embodiment of the present invention provides a refrigerator having: a storage compartment that can be at least divided into a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment; and a first evaporator that is disposed in the cooling compartment, a cooling chamber is connected to the storage chamber through a supply duct; a fan is configured to flow the cooled air in the first evaporator from the cooling chamber to the storage chamber; the first air duct opener is inserted into the setting a second air duct opener inserted into the supply duct connected to the freezer compartment; a second evaporator disposed inside the freezer compartment or a refrigerant passage connected to the first evaporator, and a switching unit for switching whether the refrigerant flows to the first evaporator or the second evaporator.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator has: a first adjusting unit disposed at an upstream refrigerant passage of the first evaporator; and a first accumulator disposed at the first evaporator a downstream refrigerant passage; a first internal heat exchanger disposed at a downstream refrigerant passage of the first accumulator to exchange heat with a refrigerant flowing through the first regulating unit; and a second regulating unit a refrigerant passage disposed upstream of the second evaporator; a second accumulator disposed at a downstream refrigerant passage of the second evaporator; and a second internal heat exchanger disposed at the second The downstream refrigerant passage of the accumulator exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing through the second regulating unit.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator has: a compressor for compressing a refrigerant evaporated in the first evaporator or the second evaporator; and a defrosting heater for melting the same Defrost on the first evaporator, and when defrosting with the defrosting heater, operating the compressor, stopping the fan, closing the first air duct opener and the second wind The channel opener switches the switching unit such that the refrigerant flows only to the refrigerant passage connecting the second evaporator.

Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial technical effects:

According to the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator having: a forced circulation type first evaporator disposed in a cooling chamber; and a direct cooling type second evaporator disposed inside or around the freezing chamber, juxtaposed with the first evaporator a refrigerant passage connection; a switching unit for switching the refrigerant passage; a first duct opener inserted into the supply duct connected to the refrigerating chamber; and a second duct opener inserted into the connecting freezer The supply is in the airway.

According to this configuration, by switching the switching unit to open and close the first air duct opener and the second air duct opener, the forced circulation type cooling of the refrigerating compartment and the forced circulation type refrigerating and straightening of the freezing compartment can be realized. Switching between cold cooling. In this way, the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment can be maintained at appropriate temperatures, respectively. In addition, it is possible to reduce the number of defrosting and prevent excessive drying of the freezing compartment. As a result, the freshness of the food can be maintained.

Specifically, by switching the switching unit to cause the refrigerant to flow into the second evaporator, and closing the second duct opener connected to the freezer compartment, the compressor is operated, and the second evaporator pair can be utilized without operating the fan. Cooling in the freezer.

In this way, the frosting on the first evaporator can be reduced, and the freezing chamber can be prevented from being excessively dried, so that the frequency of running the defrosting is reduced compared to the conventional forced circulation type refrigerator. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in temperature in the freezing chamber and a result of drying of the food or the like. In addition, it is also possible to reduce the amount of power consumption by defrosting and the amount of power consumed by the fan.

Further, by switching the switching unit to cause the refrigerant to flow into the first evaporator, and opening the second duct opener connected to the freezer compartment, the compressor and the fan are operated, and the freezer compartment can be cooled by the first evaporator.

In this way, the frost can be condensed on the first evaporator, thereby reducing the frost on the second evaporator, so that the number of defrosting of the second evaporator is reduced compared with the conventional direct cooling type refrigerator. As a result, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the freezing compartment from rising due to defrosting, and to maintain good quality of the food stored in the freezing compartment for a long period of time. In addition, it also has the effect of reducing the amount of power consumption by defrosting.

In addition, by operating the fan and opening the first air duct opener, the cold room can be cooled by the melting heat of the first evaporator, and the cold room can be humidified by the moisture of the frost. In this way, it is possible to prevent the food in the refrigerating compartment from drying and maintain its quality.

Further, according to the present invention, the first refrigerant passage on which the first evaporator is disposed is sequentially provided with: a first regulating unit, a first evaporator, a first accumulator, and a first internal heat exchanger. On the other hand, the second refrigerant passage on which the second evaporator is disposed is sequentially provided with a second regulating unit, a second evaporator, a second accumulator, and a second internal heat exchanger. According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the liquid refrigerant from being sucked into the compressor and perform efficient cooling while performing the cooling operation by the first evaporator and the cooling operation by the second evaporator. In this way, it is possible to ensure that the food or the like stored in the storage compartment is properly cooled.

Further, according to the present invention, it has a defrosting heater for melting the frost on the first evaporator, and when defrosting with the defrosting heater, the compressor can be operated, the fan is stopped, and the first air duct opener is closed. With the second air duct opener, by switching the switching unit, the refrigerant flows only to the refrigerant passage connecting the second evaporator. In this way, when the first evaporator is defrosted, the second evaporator can be used to cool the freezer compartment, thereby suppressing the temperature rise of the freezer compartment. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the food stored in the freezing compartment from drying or the like, and to maintain the freshness of the food or the like at a high level.

DRAWINGS

1 is a schematic structural view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a cross-sectional view showing a second evaporator of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a block diagram of a refrigerator control system shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a control time chart of a defrosting operation of a refrigerator and a temperature change table in a storage compartment according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a control time chart of running defrosting in a refrigerator of the prior art and a temperature change table in the storage compartment.

detailed description

Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic block diagram of a refrigerator 1 shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 1, a side cross-sectional view of the refrigerator 1 overlaps with a thumbnail of the refrigeration cycle 20. As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator 1 is mainly provided with a heat insulating box 2, and a storage compartment for storing food or the like is provided inside the heat insulating box 2.

The inside of the storage compartment is divided into two storage compartments having different storage temperatures, that is, the refrigerating compartment 3 in the refrigerating temperature range and the freezing compartment 4 in the freezing temperature domain. The refrigerating compartment 3 is separated from the freezing compartment 4 located in the lower layer by a heat insulating partition wall 7. The inside of the refrigerating compartment 3 and the freezing compartment 4 are provided with a shelf not shown in the drawings, a storage container not shown in the drawings, and the like for storing foods and the like.

As the main body of the refrigerator 1, the structure of the heat insulating box 2 includes an outer box 2a made of a steel plate and having an opening at the front, and an inner box 2b made of synthetic resin and disposed in the outer box 2a with a gap therebetween. The heat insulating material 2c is made of urethane foam, and is foamed and filled in a space between the outer casing 2a and the inner casing 2b.

An opening is provided in front of the heat insulating box 2, and the openings correspond to the freezing compartment 3 and the freezing compartment 4, respectively, and the tops 5 and 6 which are freely openable and closable are respectively provided. Further, a storage basket may be provided inside the boxes of the doors 5 and 6. Further, the refrigerator 1 is provided with a door opening and closing sensor 44 for detecting opening and closing of the doors 5, 6.

Further, the storage compartment can be divided into finer partitions, for example, other storage compartments such as an ice making compartment and a fruit and vegetable compartment, and a plurality of doors are provided corresponding to the respective storage compartments. Further, a storage container or the like that can be pulled out integrally with each door may be provided in each storage chamber.

The rear side and the top surface of the refrigerating compartment 3 are provided with a supply duct 10 for introducing the air cooled in the first evaporator 22 described below into the interior of the refrigerating compartment 3. The supply duct 10 refers to a space formed between a partition (made of synthetic resin) constituting the back surface of the refrigerating compartment 3 and the inner box 2b of the heat insulating box 2. The partition body is provided with an air outlet for supplying cold air flowing into the supply duct 10 to the inside of the refrigerating compartment 3.

The back side of the freezing compartment 4 is provided with a supply duct 9 which is connected to the freezing compartment 4 and the supply duct 10. A partition made of synthetic resin is interposed between the supply duct 9 and the freezing compartment 4. In addition, the partition body is provided with an air outlet, from which the cold air flows to the freezing chamber 4, which A damper 12 as a second air duct opener is provided on the air outlet. In the following description, the freezing damper 12 is referred to as an F damper 12 as appropriate.

Further, a supply damper 10 connected to the refrigerating compartment 3 is provided with a refrigerating damper 11 as a first duct opening and closing device. In the following description, the refrigerating damper 11 is referred to as an R damper 11 as appropriate. The supply duct 9 is connected to the supply duct 10 via the R damper 11.

The R damper 11 and the F damper 12 are an electric damper which is composed of a plate-like body and a drive motor, and the former is a shaft that can be freely rotated on one side to support the opening and closing cover. Further, the first duct opening and closing device or the second duct opening and closing device is not limited to these, and other types of opening and closing devices such as a sliding type opening and closing plate may be employed.

By opening and closing the R damper 11, it is possible to adjust whether air flows from the supply duct 9 to the supply duct 10 or not. Further, by appropriately adjusting the opening and closing operation of the R damper 11, the flow rate of the cold air supplied to the refrigerating compartment 3 can be adjusted.

Further, by opening and closing the F damper 12, it is possible to adjust whether air flows from the supply duct 9 to the freezing compartment 4 or not. The flow rate of the cold air supplied to the freezing compartment 4 can be adjusted by appropriately adjusting the opening and closing operation of the F damper 12.

On the depth side of the supply duct 9, the inside of the heat insulating box 2 is provided with a cooling chamber 8 which is spaced apart from the supply duct 9 by a separator made of synthetic resin. The interior of the cooling chamber 8 is provided with a first evaporator 22 for cooling the air circulating inside the chamber. A detailed description of the first evaporator 22 will be described later.

Further, inside the cooling chamber 8, below the first evaporator 22, a defrosting heater not shown in the drawing is provided as a defrosting unit for melting and removing the frost on the first evaporator 22. Further, a return port is provided below the cooling chamber 8 for returning air from the freezing chamber 4 to the cooling chamber 8.

An opening is provided above the cooling chamber 8 to connect the supply air duct 9 as a air supply port, and the air supply port is provided with a fan 13 for circulating cold air. That is, the blower 13 functions to cause the cooled air in the first evaporator 22 to flow from the cooling chamber 8 to the storage compartment. The fan 13 is an axial fan having a rotatable propeller fan; a fan motor not shown in the drawings; and a casing having a wind tunnel not shown in the drawings. In addition, the fan 13 may also employ, for example, a combination of a propeller fan and a motor without a bushing, and other types of fans such as a multi-blade fan.

A refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 18 is provided inside the refrigerator compartment 3 for detecting the temperature inside the refrigerator compartment 3. In the following description, the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 18 is referred to as an R sensor 18 as appropriate. A freezer compartment temperature sensor 19 is provided inside the freezing compartment 4 for detecting the temperature inside the freezing compartment 4. Hereinafter, the freezer compartment temperature sensor 19 will be referred to as an F sensor 19 as appropriate. In addition, the mounting position of the R sensor 18 and the F sensor 19 is not limited to the position shown in FIG. Further, the refrigerator 1 is provided with an outside temperature sensor 43 for detecting the temperature outside the tank and a cooler temperature sensor 45 for detecting the temperature of the first evaporator 22.

As the refrigeration unit, the refrigerator 1 has a vapor compression refrigeration cycle 20 . The refrigeration cycle 20 includes a compressor 21 for compressing the refrigerant, and a condenser 24 for compressing the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant to exchange heat with the outside air to condense the refrigerant. An unillustrated heat radiating fan or the like for supplying air to the compressor 21 and the condenser 24 and blowing air to the condenser 24 is disposed in a machine room located on the depth side below the refrigerator 1. Further, the refrigerant used in the refrigeration cycle 20 of the refrigerator 1 is isobutane (R600a).

Further, the refrigeration cycle 20 includes a first evaporator 22 disposed inside the cooling chamber 8 for performing forced circulation refrigeration, and a second evaporator 23 disposed inside the freezing chamber 4 for direct cooling Refrigeration.

The first evaporator 22 is, for example, a fin-and-tube heat exchanger in which the inside of the heat exchange tube is a refrigerant flow path. The refrigerant flowing through the first evaporator 22 exchanges heat with the air flowing through the cooling chamber 8 and evaporates. As a result, the air flowing through the cooling chamber 8 is cooled, and the cooled air is supplied to the refrigerating chamber 3 and the freezing chamber 4. In addition, the first evaporator 22 may employ other types of heat exchangers, such as heat exchangers using flat porous tubes and shaped tubes.

For example, the second evaporator 23 may be a refrigerant flow path inside the heat exchange tube, and various heat exchangers such as a wire for promoting heat transfer and a fin tube may be provided outside the heat exchange tube. Further, the second evaporator 23 may be a so-called pressure-welded plate type heat exchanger in which a pair of steel sheets are bonded together to form a refrigerant flow path between the steel sheets. The refrigerant flowing through the second evaporator 23 exchanges heat with the air in the freezing compartment 4 and evaporates. In this way, the freezing compartment 4 is cooled.

The second evaporator 23 is disposed in the second refrigerant passage B, and the latter is juxtaposed to the refrigerant passage in which the first evaporator 22 is disposed, that is, the first Refrigerant channel A. That is, the refrigeration cycle circuit 20 has a first refrigerant passage A that sequentially connects the three-way valve 25, the first regulator unit 26, the first evaporator 22, the first accumulator 28, and the first internal heat exchanger 30. And the compressor 21. Further, the refrigeration cycle circuit 20 has a second refrigerant passage B which is in turn connected to the three-way valve 25, the second regulator unit 27, the second evaporator 23, the second accumulator 29, the second internal heat exchanger 31, and the compression Machine 21.

Specifically, the first evaporator 22 and the second evaporator 23 are respectively connected with a first adjusting unit 26 and a second adjusting unit 27 for compressing and expanding the high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The first adjustment unit 26 and the second adjustment unit 27 are, for example, a capillary tube or the like. The upstream side of the first adjustment unit 26 and the second adjustment unit 27 is provided with a three-way valve 25 as a switching unit.

Then, by switching the three-way valve 25, the refrigerant passages on the outlet side of the condenser 24 can be connected to the first refrigerant passage A and the second refrigerant passage B, respectively. In addition, the three-way valve 25 may be a switching unit capable of closing both the first refrigerant passage A and the second refrigerant passage B or opening both.

Further, the three-way valve 25 may be a flow rate adjusting valve or the like capable of adjusting the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing to the first refrigerant passage A and the second refrigerant passage B, respectively. Further, as the switching unit instead of the three-way valve 25, an electromagnetic opening and closing valve or the like may be provided on each of the first refrigerant passage A and the second refrigerant passage B. Further, as the switching unit instead of the three-way valve 25, for example, an electronic expansion valve that can be completely closed, which can be respectively connected to the first refrigerant passage A and the second refrigerant passage B, can be used.

A first accumulator 28 is disposed downstream of the first evaporator 22 on the first refrigerant passage A for temporarily storing the liquid refrigerant to prevent it from flowing back to the compressor 21. A first internal heat exchanger 30 is disposed downstream of the first accumulator 28 on the first refrigerant passage A, and the refrigerant flowing through the first regulator unit 26 flows back from the first accumulator 28 to the compressor 21. The refrigerant exchanges heat here.

Similarly, a second accumulator 29 is provided downstream of the second evaporator 23 on the second refrigerant passage B. A second internal heat exchanger 31 is disposed downstream of the second accumulator 29, and the refrigerant flowing through the second regulator unit 27 and the refrigerant returning from the second accumulator 29 to the compressor 21 are heat exchanged there. .

According to this configuration, even when the first evaporator 22 performs the cooling operation or the second evaporator 23 performs the cooling operation, it is possible to prevent the liquid refrigerant from being sucked into the compressor 21 and to achieve efficient cooling. Therefore, the food or the like stored in the storage compartment is appropriately cooled.

2 is a cross-sectional view of the second evaporator 23 in the refrigerator 1, and gives an example in which the second evaporator 23 is disposed inside the heat insulating partition wall 7 between the refrigerating compartment 3 and the freezing compartment 4. As described above, the second evaporator 23 can employ various forms of heat exchangers, and the second evaporator 23 can be disposed inside the freezing compartment 4.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second evaporator 23 has a heat exchange tube 35 which is installed around the freezing chamber 4, in detail, mounted on a separator 7a made of synthetic resin for dividing the top surface, and mounted thereon. The position is on the opposite side of the freezer compartment 4. A flow path of the refrigerant is formed in the tube of the heat exchange tube 35. Further, the second evaporator 23 has a heat exchange plate 36 which is overlaid on the outside of the heat exchange tubes 35 and attached to the separator 7a. The heat exchanger plate 36 is a plate material made of a metal having a high thermal conductivity such as aluminum. Further, the inside of the heat insulating partition wall 7 is provided with a heat insulating material 7b made of, for example, urethane foam, polystyrene or the like.

With the second evaporator 23 having such a configuration, it is possible to ensure that the storage space of the freezing compartment 4 is large. Further, the second evaporator 23 is not exposed to the inside of the freezing compartment 4, and storage of food or the like and cleaning of the freezing compartment 4 are not hindered. Further, by providing the heat exchanger plate 36, the partition 7a around the freezing compartment 4 can be almost uniformly cooled, thereby achieving effective cooling of the inside of the freezing compartment 4. Further, it is possible to maintain good quality of foods and the like stored in the freezing compartment 4.

In addition, the inner box 2b (refer to FIG. 1) of the heat insulating box 2 (refer to FIG. 1) can be divided into two parts, that is, an upper portion divided into the refrigerating chamber 3 and a lower portion divided into the freezing chamber 4, and the refrigerating chamber 3 and The freezing compartment 4 can be divided by the inner box 2b and the heat insulating material 2c (refer to Fig. 1). In this configuration, the heat exchange tubes 35 are attached to the inner box 2b constituting the top surface of the freezing compartment 4, and the mounting position is located on the opposite side of the freezing compartment 4.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting a control system of the refrigerator 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the refrigerator 1 is provided with a control device 40 for controlling each component device. Control device 40, as a control unit, includes a microprocessor for performing the specified operations. And has a timer 41 for performing time operations.

The input side of the control device 40 is connected to: an R sensor 18 for detecting the temperature of the refrigerating chamber 3 (refer to FIG. 1); the F sensor 19, for detecting the temperature of the freezing compartment 4 (refer to FIG. 1); an operation panel 42 for the user to input various setting values; an outside temperature sensor 43; a door opening and closing sensor 44 and a cooler temperature sensor 45.

The R sensor 18, the F sensor 19, the outside temperature sensor 43, the door opening and closing sensor 44, and the cooler temperature sensor 45 are a type of load detecting unit of the control device 40 for detecting information necessary for calculating the cooling load. Further, as another load detecting means, the control device 30 also has a function of detecting the current and voltage of the compressor 21.

The output side of the control device 40 is connected: an R damper 11, an F damper 12, a compressor 21, a fan 13, a defrosting heater 14, and a three-way valve 25. In addition, sensors and controlled devices not shown in other drawings are connected to the control device 40.

The control device 40 performs a specified operation based on the inputs of the R sensor 18, the F sensor 19, the operation panel 42, the outside temperature sensor 43, the door opening and closing sensor 44, the cooler temperature sensor 45, and the like, thereby controlling the R damper 11 and the F damper. 12. Compressor 21, fan 13, defroster heater 14, and three-way valve 25, and the like.

Next, the cooling operation of the refrigerator 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3. In the refrigerator 1, by switching the three-way valve 25, the R damper 11 and the F damper 12 are respectively opened and closed, and between the forced circulation type cooling of the refrigerating compartment 3 and the forced circulation type refrigerating and the direct cooling type refrigerating of the freezing compartment 4 can be realized. Switching. The forced circulation type cooling is performed by the first evaporator 22, and the direct cooling type cooling is performed by the second evaporator 23.

Here, the control device 40 controls the operation of the refrigerator 1 in accordance with the cooling load of the refrigerator 1. That is, the compressor 21 and the blower 13 are operated and stopped, the three-way valve 25 is switched, the R damper 11 and the F damper 12 are opened and closed, and the like.

The refrigeration load value of the refrigerator 1 is based on: the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3 detected by the R sensor 18; the temperature of the freezer compartment 4 detected by the F sensor 19; the temperature outside the tank detected by the outside temperature sensor 43; The combination sensor 44 detects the opening and closing state of the obtained doors 5 and 6, the load of the compressor 21, and various calculation values input from the operation panel 42 and the like. Further, the timer 41 of the control device 40, the learning function, and the like can be used to store the change in the cooling load and calculate the predicted cooling load.

First, the forced circulation type cooling operation will be described. When it is judged that the refrigeration load of the refrigerator 1 is large and the storage compartment cooling is required, the control device 40 performs the forced circulation refrigeration operation. In the forced circulation type cooling operation, the control device 40 operates the compressor 21, switches the three-way valve 25, and causes the refrigerant to flow to the first refrigerant passage A.

In this way, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 21 into a high temperature and a high pressure is exothermicly condensed in the condenser 24, then decompressed by the first regulating unit 26, compressed and expanded, and flows into the first evaporator 22. In the first evaporator 22, the low-temperature liquid refrigerant evaporates and is cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant.

Then, the control device 40 operates the blower 13 to properly open and close the R damper 11 and the F damper 12. For example, the control device 40 can open and close the R damper 11 based on the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 3 detected by the R sensor 18, and open and close the F damper 12 based on the temperature of the freezing compartment 4 detected by the F sensor 19.

When the R damper 11 is opened, the air cooled in the first evaporator 22 is sent out by the fan 13, and sequentially supplied to the refrigerating compartment 3 through the supply duct 9 and the supply duct 10. In this way, the refrigerating compartment 3 is cooled.

On the other hand, when the F damper 12 is opened, the air cooled in the first evaporator 22 is sent out by the blower 13 and supplied to the freezing compartment 4 via the supply duct 9. In this way, the freezing compartment 4 is cooled.

When the storage compartment no longer needs to be cooled, for example, when both the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 3 and the temperature of the freezing compartment 4 fall below a specified standard temperature and below, the control device 40 stops the compressor 21 and the blower 13 and closes the three-way valve 25, The R damper 11 and the F damper 12 are closed. As a result, the forced circulation cooling operation will stop.

Alternatively, the R damper 11 and the F damper 12 may be simultaneously opened. In this way, the refrigeration of the refrigerating compartment 3 and the freezing compartment 4 can be simultaneously achieved. Further, it is also possible to select one of the R damper 11 and the F damper 12, that is, to alternately open. In this way, the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant in the first evaporator 22 can be respectively brought to a temperature suitable for the refrigeration of the refrigerating compartment 3 and the freezing compartment 4, thereby achieving efficient cooling.

Further, during the forced circulation type cooling operation, the control device 40 measures the cumulative time during which the R damper 11 is maintained in the open state, and if the accumulated time exceeds the specified upper limit value, the R damper 11 can be controlled to be closed. In addition, similarly, the control device 40 determines the cumulative time that the F-valve 12 remains open, and if the accumulated time exceeds the specified upper limit, the F-valve 12 can be controlled. Make it off.

Next, the direct cooling type cooling operation by the second evaporator 23 will be described. In the direct cooling type cooling operation, the control device 40 operates the compressor 21 to switch the three-way valve 25 to the second refrigerant passage B. Thus, the refrigerant from the condenser 24 is decompressed by the second regulator unit 27, and then flows into the second evaporator 23. Then, as the refrigerant flowing through the second evaporator 23 evaporates, the refrigeration of the freezing compartment 4 is performed.

As described above, the direct cooling operation is performed by the second evaporator 23, and the freezing compartment 4 is cooled, whereby excessive condensation on the first evaporator 22 and drying of the freezing compartment 4 can be prevented, and effective cooling can be achieved.

Here, the control device 40 performs appropriate switching between the forced circulation type cooling operation by the first evaporator 22 and the direct cooling type cooling operation by the second evaporator 23 in accordance with the refrigeration load of the refrigerator 1. Further, it is also possible to switch the cooling operation in accordance with the time elapsed during execution of each cooling operation. For example, the switching can be performed at a predetermined time, and the forced circulation type refrigerating by the refrigerating compartment 3 of the first evaporator 22 and the direct cooling type refrigerating by the freezing compartment 4 of the second evaporator 23 are alternately performed.

Further, in the cooling of the freezing compartment 4, the forced circulation type cooling operation by the first evaporator 22 and the direct cooling type cooling operation by the second evaporator 23 may be performed in combination. In the cooling of the freezing compartment 4, the air in the freezing compartment 4 can be circulated to the cooling chamber 8 by performing forced circulation refrigeration by the first evaporator 22, thereby causing the first evaporator 22 to be frosted.

In this way, the frosting on the second evaporator 23 can be reduced, so that the number of defrosting of the second evaporator 23 is reduced compared to the conventional direct cooling type refrigerator. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the freezing of the freezing compartment 4 while suppressing the temperature change of the freezing compartment 4, and to prevent deterioration of the quality of foods and the like stored in the freezing compartment 4.

Further, as described above, by performing the direct cooling type cooling operation by the second evaporator 23, the frosting on the first evaporator 22 can be reduced, so that the number of defrosting times of the first evaporator 22 is compared with the conventional art forced circulation type. The refrigerator has been reduced. Therefore, the quality of the food or the like can be maintained while suppressing the temperature change of the refrigerating compartment 3. Further, since the number of defrosting times is reduced, the amount of power consumption of the defrosting heater 14 due to defrosting and the amount of power consumption by re-cooling after defrosting can be reduced.

Further, in the above example, an example is given in which the compressor 21 is operated to cool the refrigerating compartment 3, but in a state where the compressor 21 is stopped, the fan 13 is operated to open the R damper 11, and the first evaporator 22 can be utilized. The moisture recovered in the form of frost is humidified in the refrigerator compartment 3. In this way, it is possible to prevent the food in the refrigerating compartment 3 from being dried and to maintain its quality. Further, it is also possible to realize the cooling of the refrigerating compartment 3 by utilizing the heat of melting of the condensation on the first evaporator 22. In this way, it is possible to reduce the amount of power consumption by cooling and the amount of power consumed by defrosting, and to achieve better energy saving.

Next, the defrosting operation of the refrigerator 1 will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 1, 3, and 4. 4 is a control time chart of the defrosting operation of the refrigerator 1 and a temperature change table in the storage compartment.

Continued cooling operation causes condensation on the surface of the first evaporator 22, hindering heat transfer and causing blockage of the air flow path. The control device 40 determines the degree of frosting on the first evaporator 22 based on information such as the decrease in the evaporation temperature detected by the cooler temperature sensor 45, or determines whether or not the defrosting is operated by the timer 41.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, when the defrosting is operated between time T1 and time T2, the control device 40 stops the fan 13, turns off the R damper 11 and the F damper 12, and energizes the defrosting heater 14. Then, the control device 40 operates the compressor 21 to switch the three-way valve 25 so that the refrigerant flows only to the second refrigerant passage B. That is, when the defrosting is performed, the refrigerant does not flow into the first evaporator 22, but only flows into the second evaporator 23.

The refrigerant does not flow to the first evaporator 22, and as the inside of the cooling chamber 8 is heated by the defrosting heater 14, the frost on the first evaporator 22 melts. At this time, since the fan 13 is in a stopped state and the R damper 11 and the F damper 12 are closed, it is possible to prevent the air in the cooling chamber 8 warmed by the defrosting heater 14 from flowing into the refrigerating compartment 3 and the freezing compartment 4. In this way, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the storage compartment from rising.

Further, when the first evaporator 22 is defrosted, the compressor 21 is in an operating state, and the refrigerant flows only to the second refrigerant passage B that connects the second evaporator 23, so that the second evaporator 23 can be used to the freezer compartment 4 Perform cooling. In this way, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the freezing compartment 4 from rising, and to prevent drying of foods and the like stored in the freezing compartment 4, and to prevent deterioration of quality of foods and the like.

The time T2 is the time at which the heating by the defrosting heater 14 is ended. The control device 40 detects that the temperature of the first evaporator 22 detected by the cooler temperature sensor 45 has risen to a specified value, thereby determining that the defrosting has been completed and ending the utilization. The defrosting heater 14 performs heating. Further, the control device 40 may determine the elapsed time by the timer 41, and if the elapsed time reaches the designated time, the energization to the defrosting heater 14 is cut off.

At the time T2, after the heating by the defrosting heater 14 is stopped, the freezing chamber 4 is continuously cooled by the second evaporator 23 within a predetermined period of time before the time T3. In this way, while the freezing compartment 4 can be cooled, the amount of frost remaining on the first evaporator 22 is reduced, and the defrosting water can be discharged to the outside of the cooling chamber 8 in time.

Thereafter, at time T3, the control device 40 switches the three-way valve 25 to cause the refrigerant to flow to the first refrigerant passage A. In this way, between the time T3 and the time T4, the inside of the cooling chamber 8 is cooled by the first evaporator 22. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the storage compartment from rising immediately after the cooling operation is restarted.

Further, between time T2 and time T4, the control device 40 maintains the R damper 11 and the F damper 12 closed while the fan 13 is stopped. In this way, it is possible to prevent the air in the cooling chamber 8 warmed by the defrosting heater 14 from flowing into the storage chamber at a high temperature state.

Then, at time T4, the refrigeration of the refrigerating compartment 3 is restarted. Specifically, the control device 40 detects that the temperature in the cooling chamber 8 detected by the temperature sensor or the like not shown in the drawing has dropped to the specified temperature, or has judged by the timer 41 that the specified time has elapsed. Thus, the fan 13 is operated to open the R damper 11. In this way, the refrigeration operation of the refrigerating compartment 3 using the first evaporator 22 will be restarted.

Thereafter, at time T5, the control device 40 closes the R damper 11, opens the F damper 12, and restarts the freezing of the freezing compartment 4. In this way, the freezing compartment 4 is cooled by forced circulation refrigeration using the first evaporator 22. Therefore, after the defrosting operation is completed, the R damper 11 is first opened, the refrigerating compartment 3 is cooled, and the F damper 12 is opened to cool the freezing compartment 4, thereby reducing the defrosting operation caused by the freezing compartment 4 of the low cooling temperature. The effect is to prevent the temperature of the freezing compartment 4 from rising.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the storage compartment from rising during the defrosting operation and immediately after the cooling operation is restarted. In particular, it is possible to cool the freezing compartment 4 by the second evaporator 23 during the defrosting operation, thereby suppressing the temperature rise of the freezing compartment 4, as shown by the elliptical dotted line Y portion in FIG. The degree of temperature rise of the refrigerator of the conventional art is shown by the elliptical dotted line X in Fig. 5. In this way, it is possible to prevent the food or the like stored in the freezing compartment 4 from being dried, and to maintain the freshness of the food or the like at a high level.

Next, the defrosting of the second evaporator 23 will be described. If the direct cooling of the second evaporator 23 is continued by the second evaporator 23, the second evaporator 23 is defrosted, and the defrosting of the second evaporator 23 is performed. Specifically, in order to defrost the second evaporator 23, the control device 40 operates the compressor 21 and the blower 13, switches the three-way valve 25, causes the refrigerant to flow into the first refrigerant passage A, and opens the F damper 12.

In this way, the temperature of the second evaporator 23 will rise accordingly, and the moisture of the frost condensed on the second evaporator 23 will be carried away by the circulating air under the action of the fan 13, and then at a higher temperature. The low first evaporator 22 is frosted. Therefore, the defrosting of the second evaporator 23 can be performed while suppressing the temperature rise of the freezing compartment 4.

Further, the control device 40 may also accumulate the number of defrosting times of the first evaporator 22, and when the specified number of defrosting times is exceeded, the cooling of the cooling chamber 4 is performed by performing the forced circulation type cooling operation by the first evaporator 22 until the next time. The defrosting operation of the first evaporator 22 is performed. In this way, the condensation on the second evaporator 23 can be recovered to the first evaporator 22 while suppressing the temperature rise of the freezing compartment 4.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various other appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (3)

A refrigerator characterized by having: a storage compartment, which is at least divided into a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment; a first evaporator disposed in the cooling chamber, the cooling chamber being connected to the storage chamber through a supply air passage; a fan for flowing cooled air in the first evaporator from the cooling chamber to the storage chamber; a first air duct opener inserted into the supply duct connected to the refrigerating compartment; a second air duct opener inserted into the supply air duct connected to the freezing chamber; a second evaporator disposed inside or around the freezing chamber and connected to a refrigerant passage juxtaposed to the first evaporator; And a switching unit configured to switch whether the refrigerant flows to the first evaporator or the second evaporator. The refrigerator according to claim 1, comprising: a first regulating unit disposed at an upstream refrigerant passage of the first evaporator; a first accumulator disposed at a downstream refrigerant passage of the first evaporator; a first internal heat exchanger disposed at a downstream refrigerant passage of the first accumulator to exchange heat with a refrigerant flowing through the first regulating unit; a second regulating unit disposed at an upstream refrigerant passage of the second evaporator; a second accumulator disposed downstream of the second evaporator; and a second internal heat exchanger disposed at a downstream refrigerant passage of the second accumulator for heat exchange with a refrigerant flowing through the second regulator unit. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: a compressor for compressing the refrigerant evaporated in the first evaporator or the second evaporator; a defrosting heater for melting the frost on the first evaporator, Wherein, when defrosting with the defrosting heater, operating the compressor, stopping the fan, closing the first air duct opener and the second air duct opener, switching the switching The unit causes the refrigerant to flow only to the refrigerant passage connecting the second evaporator.

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