JP3098889B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a regenerative refrigerator in which the interior of a refrigerator is kept cool by using a heat storage material.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a regenerative refrigerator that cools the inside of a refrigerator using a regenerative material has been proposed from the viewpoint of effective use of late-night power or leveling by peak-cutting power demand.
As shown in Japanese Patent No. 247577, this is considered.

An example of the above-described conventional regenerative refrigerator will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 6 shows a configuration of a refrigeration cycle.
Compressor 4, condenser 5, first capillary 7 and second
The capillary 7a and the cooler 4 are sequentially connected to form a basic refrigeration cycle of a normal refrigerator-freezer. 19 is a cooling fan of the cooler 8.

[0005] In parallel with the second capillary 7a and the cooler 8, a series circuit of the first on-off valve 6a, the third capillary 7C and the regenerator 16 for the refrigerator, and the regenerator 16a for the condenser are provided.
And the series circuit of the second on-off valve 6B. The regenerator 16 has a latent heat type heat storage material 21 inside.
, And a refrigerant tube 22 for cooling and freezing the heat storage material 21 is disposed in a heat exchange manner, and a fin 15 is provided outside. 2
Reference numeral 0 denotes a cooling fan for a regenerator for a refrigerator.

The outlet of the condenser 5 and the condenser regenerator 1
Third on-off valve 6 that connects between 6a and second on-off valve 6B
Is provided to form a refrigeration cycle. Reference numeral 23 denotes a control circuit for controlling the compressor 4, the first on-off valve 6a, the second on-off valve 6B, the third on-off valve 6, the cooling fan 19, and the regenerative cooling fan 20 as indicated by dotted arrows. is there.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of the refrigerator-freezer, and portions corresponding to those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The cooler 8 is disposed in the freezer compartment 21, the regenerator 16 for the refrigerating compartment is disposed in the refrigerating compartment 22, and the regenerator 16 a for the condenser is disposed in the heat insulating wall 23 of the refrigerating compartment 21.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a part for discharging a part of the cool air cooled by the cooler 8 to the refrigerating room 22 by a damper thermostat, and controlling the cooling of the refrigerating room 22 to an arbitrary temperature.

In this configuration, during the normal cooling operation, the first
, The second on-off valve 6B, the third on-off valve 6B and the third on-off valve 6 are all closed, and the compressor 4 to the condenser 5 to the first capillary 7 to the second capillary 7a to the cooler 8 to the compressor 4 A refrigeration cycle consisting of a path is formed, and a freezing room 21 and a refrigeration room 22 are
Is cooled to a predetermined temperature.

During the heat storage operation at midnight, the first open / close valve 6a and the second open / close valve 6B are opened intermittently, and the refrigerant pipes 12 and 22 of the regenerator 16 for the refrigerating compartment and the regenerator 16a for the condenser are respectively connected to the refrigerant. Flows, the heat storage materials 11 and 21 are frozen, and the cold heat source is stored.

At the time of a predetermined heat storage operation in the daytime,
The first opening / closing valve 6a and the second opening / closing valve 6B are closed, the third opening / closing valve 6 is opened, and the compressor 4 to the condenser 5 to the condenser regenerator 16a to the second capillary 7a to the cooler 8 to the compressor A refrigeration cycle consisting of four routes is formed.

Then, the freezing chamber 21 is cooled by a refrigeration cycle having a small compression ratio using the cold heat source of the condenser regenerator 16a as the cooling heat source of the condenser 5. Further, since the refrigerating compartment 22 operates the regenerator cooling fan 20 to cool the refrigerating compartment with the cold source of the refrigerating compartment regenerator 16, the power consumption can be reduced as compared with the normal cooling operation.

[0013]

However, in the above-described structure, the condenser 5 embedded in the refrigerator cabinet is not provided.
Since a refrigeration cycle is formed in the refrigerator, there is a load amount of heat entering from the condenser 5 into the refrigerator, and in a heat storage operation, the time required for the heat storage is insufficient at a high room temperature in summer or the like, and the necessary heat storage amount is reduced in the heat storage operation time zone. There was a problem that heat could not be stored.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problem. During the heat storage operation, heat is stored using only the outer condenser arranged in the machine room, so that the amount of load heat entering the refrigerator can be reduced, and the heat storage operation can be performed in the summer. Even at a high room temperature, the time required for heat storage in the heat storage operation can be sufficiently ensured. Furthermore, since the heat storage device is installed in the refrigerator compartment, the heat radiation from the heat storage device can be used for cooling the refrigerator room, so that a refrigerator that can effectively use electric power is provided.

[0015]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a refrigerator according to the present invention is connected in parallel or in series with a cooler connected in parallel or in series and a regenerator having a heat storage material disposed inside a refrigerator compartment. An inner condenser buried in a refrigerator cabinet and an outer condenser disposed in a machine room, a regenerator fan for sending cool air in the regenerator, and a heat storage operation for storing heat in the regenerator at an arbitrary time zone. And a time control means for performing time control of a heat storage cooling operation for cooling the inside of the refrigerator by the stored heat, wherein only the outer capacitor is used during the heat storage operation, and the inner capacitor and the outer capacitor are used during other operations. It uses both capacitors.

[0016]

According to the present invention, the amount of load heat entering the refrigerator can be reduced by the above-described configuration, and the time required for heat storage in the heat storage operation can be sufficiently secured even at a high room temperature in summer or the like. Further, since the heat storage device is installed in the refrigerator compartment, the heat radiation from the heat storage device can be used for cooling the refrigerator compartment, so that the electric power can be effectively used.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a refrigerator in one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram of a refrigeration system in one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an electric circuit diagram, FIG. 4 is a flowchart in one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a one-day operation state diagram according to room temperature in one embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, reference numeral 30 denotes a cool box main body including a cabinet 2 having a built-in heat insulating material, a door 3, and a gasket 14 for sealing the door 3 and the cabinet 2. The interior is partitioned into two compartments, an upper freezer compartment 17 and a lower refrigerating compartment 18, by a horizontally disposed heat insulating partition wall 33.
5 are formed.

Numeral 62 denotes a cooling chamber provided in the freezing chamber 17, in which the cooler 8, the cooling fan 19 and a heater 58 for defrosting the cooler are provided. Mouth.

Reference numeral 26 denotes a damper for controlling the amount of cold air blown into the refrigerator compartment duct 25 by the cooling fan 19 to the refrigerator compartment 18 to control the refrigerator compartment 18 to a set temperature.

Reference numeral 31 denotes a heat storage unit, and a heat storage container 34 in which a heat storage material 32 is filled and a heat storage material 3 in the heat storage container 34.
2, a heat storage fan 39 for blowing cool air in the heat storage 31, and a heat storage material temperature sensor 57.
Has been arranged.

Numeral 37 denotes a heat storage unit suction port formed in the heat storage unit 31, reference numeral 56 denotes a heat storage temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the heat storage material 32 by a heat storage material temperature sensor 57 mounted in the heat storage unit 31, and 55. Is a ventilation duct which connects the heat storage unit 31 and the cooling chamber 62 provided on the back of the refrigerator compartment.

Reference numeral 63 denotes a defrosting start judging means for judging the defrosting start time of the cooler 8 in accordance with a signal from the room temperature detecting means 40.

Only the portions of the electric circuit diagram relevant to the gist of the present invention are shown, and reference numeral 46 denotes C as time control means.
The PU operates according to a program stored in a storage circuit (not shown) as is well known, and includes a clock circuit 45 that outputs the current time, a room temperature detection unit 40, a freezer temperature detection unit 44, and a refrigerator temperature detection unit 75. Relays 47, 49, 51, 53, 59, 66, 8
The energization control of 1, 83 is performed. That is, each relay 47, 4
9, 51, 53, 59, 66, 81, 83, transistors 48, 50, 52, 54, 60, 67,
By applying a high level signal to the bases 82 and 84, each of the relays 47, 49, 51, 53, 59, 66, 8
1, 83 are energized.

When the relay 47 is energized, the compressor 4
Drives. When the relay 49 is energized, the solenoid valve 64 is operated to communicate the inner condenser 77 or the outer condenser 78 with the cooler 8. When the relay 51 is energized, the solenoid valve 65 is operated to activate the inner condenser. 77 or the outer condenser 78 communicates with the heat accumulator 31. When the relay 53 is energized, the cooling fan 19 operates. When the relay 59 is energized, the cooler 8 is defrosted by the heater 58, and when the relay 66 is energized, the regenerator fan 39 operates. When the relay 81 is energized, the solenoid valve 79 operates and the inner condenser 77 and the compressor 4 communicate with each other.
When the relay 83 is energized, the solenoid valve 80 operates and the outer condenser 78 communicates with the compressor 4.

The freezer temperature detecting means 44 outputs a signal to the time control means 46 when the value detected by the freezer compartment temperature sensor 43 is higher than the set temperature. The refrigerator temperature detecting means 75 outputs a signal to the time control means 46 when the value detected by the refrigerator temperature sensor 74 is equal to or higher than the set temperature. Further, the room temperature detecting means 40 digitizes an output voltage of the signal from the room temperature sensor 41 by the A / D converter 42 and outputs a signal to the time control means 46 for the room temperature around the refrigerator. Further, the heat storage temperature detecting means 56 outputs a signal to the time control means 46 when the value detected by the heat storage material temperature sensor 57 is equal to or higher than the set temperature.

Referring to FIG. 2, reference numeral 4 denotes a compressor, which is a solenoid valve 64 and a solenoid valve 65 from a solenoid valve 79 and a solenoid valve 80 via an inner capacitor 77 and an outer capacitor 80.
Connected to. Further, the solenoid valve 64 is connected to the compressor 4 via the capillary 7, the cooler 8 and the accumulator 13 in this order. The solenoid valve 65 is connected to the accumulator 13 via a regenerator capillary 9 and a regenerator cooling pipe 38 arranged in the regenerator 31 in order.

FIG. 1 shows a refrigerator constructed as described above.
The operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5.

In the normal cooling operation, the inside of the refrigerator is cooled by using the cooler 8 and kept at a set temperature. That is, CPU4
By turning relays 49, 83 and 81 ON and turning relay 66 OFF by means of 6, the refrigerant flow path becomes the inner condenser 7
The regenerator fan 39 is stopped (step S2) on the side that communicates with the cooler 8 (step S1) via both the outer condenser 7 and the outer condenser 78 (step S14). In response to a signal from the internal temperature detecting means 44, the CPU 46 turns on the relays 47 and 53 to operate the compressor 4 and the cooling fan 19 (step S3). By circulating from the outlet 20 through the freezer compartment 17 through the freezer compartment suction port 36 and circulating through the refrigerator compartment duct 25, the damper 26, and the refrigerator compartment 18, the refrigerator compartment 18 is circulated through the refrigerator compartment suction port 35. Cool the inside to below the set temperature.

When the temperature in the refrigerator falls below the set value, the signal of the temperature detector 44 in the refrigerator becomes OFF and the CPU 4
6 turns off the relays 47 and 53 and stops the circulation of the refrigerant and the cool air (step S4). By repeating the above operation, the inside of the refrigerator is kept cool to the set temperature.

In the heat storage operation, during a predetermined time period during which nighttime power demand is low (from 23:00 to 7:00 of the next day) (step S5), the heat storage material 32 filled in the heat storage device 31 is stored in the heat storage material 32 during the night. The electric power in the time zone is stored instead of heat. That is, when the temperature in the freezer is equal to or higher than the set value, the signal from the freezer temperature detecting means 44 causes the CPU 46 to execute the relay-4
7 and 53 are turned on, the compressor 4 and the cooling fan 1
9 (step S6), and when the temperature in the refrigerator becomes equal to or lower than the set value, the CPU 46 turns on the relays 51, 47, and 83 from the signal of the temperature detector 44 in the freezer, thereby turning on the refrigerant flow path. To the outer condenser 78
(Step S13), the refrigerant is held on the side to which the regenerator 31 communicates, and the compressor 4 is operated to evaporate the refrigerant in the regenerator cooling pipe 38 in the regenerator 31, and the heat storage material 32
Is frozen (step S7).

Since only the outer condenser 78 is used as the condenser, there is no heat entering the refrigerator from the condenser, and a sufficient time for freezing the heat storage material 32 can be secured even at a high room temperature such as in summer.

The weight of the heat storage material 32 is as follows:
The weight is set based on the room in the refrigerated temperature zone at the time of low room temperature (15 ° C.) such as in autumn. That is, the weight is such that all the heat amount equivalent to the total load heat amount of the refrigerating compartment in a predetermined time zone (from 7:00 to 23:00) when the power demand in the daytime is high at the low room temperature can be stored.

In the heat storage cooling operation, the air stored in the heat storage unit 31 is used to cool the return air in a room other than the freezing room by utilizing the heat stored by the heat storage unit 31 during the peak time of daytime power demand. That is, when the freezing room temperature is equal to or higher than the set value, the CPU 46 turns on the relays 47 and 53 according to the signal from the freezer temperature detecting means 44 and operates the compressor 4 and the cooling fan 19 to lower the freezing room to the set temperature. Cool.

The temperature of the refrigerating compartment 18 is controlled to a set temperature by controlling the operation of the regenerator fan 39. When the temperature in the refrigerator compartment is equal to or higher than the set temperature, the CPU 46 sets the relay 66 to O by a signal from the refrigerator temperature detecting means 75.
N (step S8), and by operating the regenerator fan 39, the cool air discharged from the refrigerating room duct 25 into the refrigerating room 18 is sucked into the regenerator 31 from the regenerator suction port 37, and is cooled before being ventilated. It returns to the cooler 8 via the duct 55. Thus, the amount of heat to be cooled by the cooler 8 is only the amount of heat applied to the freezing compartment.

When the internal temperature of the refrigerator falls below the set value, the signal of the freezer internal temperature detecting means 44 is turned off and the CPU 4
6 turns off the relays 47, 53 and 66 and stops the circulation of the compressor and the cool air. By repeating the above operation, the inside of each refrigerator is kept at the set temperature.

Next, a method for controlling the defrosting start time of the cooler 8 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The time of the heat storage operation varies depending on the room temperature. This is because the amount of heat entering from the cabinet 2 and the refrigeration capacity of the system change depending on the room temperature. In summer, when the heat storage operation time is long and the room temperature is high, a signal from the room temperature detecting means 40 that the temperature is arbitrarily set or higher is received. The defrosting start determining means 63 starts defrosting of the cooler 8 during the daytime except for the peak time period in order to secure sufficient heat storage operation time.

In a season in which the heat storage operation time is short and the room temperature is low, the defrosting start determining means 63 starts defrosting the cooler 8 in a predetermined time zone at night when power demand is small.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the room temperature is higher than the set temperature, 7:00 and 21:00, and when the room temperature is lower than the set temperature, 2 hours.
At 3 o'clock, start defrosting.

Next, a control method for each operation will be described. The time control means 46 performs the alternate operation of the normal cooling operation and the heat storage operation from 23:00 in a predetermined time period during which nighttime power demand is low (from 23:00 to 7:00 the next day). That is, when the inside temperature is equal to or higher than the set value, the inside is cooled by the normal cooling operation, and when the inside temperature is equal to or less than the set value, the heat is stored in the heat storage operation instead of heat (step S5). , Heat storage temperature detecting means 56
Detects the end of freezing of the heat storage material 32, and ends the heat storage operation (step S10).

The daytime load amount is estimated by the time control means 46 from the average daytime room temperature of the day before detected by the room temperature detection means 40.

Based on this estimated value, the time control means 46 determines that at least the daytime power demand is in the peak time zone (13:00 from 13:00).
6:00) is started (step S11). Then, the heat storage temperature detecting means 56
Is sent to the time control means 46, indicating that the cooling capacity of the heat accumulator 31 has been lost due to the temperature exceeding the set temperature.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the time of the heat storage cooling operation is 7 hours when the room temperature is 30 ° C., and 16 hours when the room temperature is 15 ° C.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, a cooler connected in parallel or in series and a heat accumulator having a heat storage material disposed inside the refrigerator compartment and a refrigerator built in parallel or in series are embedded. An inner condenser and an outer condenser arranged in a machine room, a regenerator fan for sending out cool air in the regenerator, and a heat storage operation for storing heat in the regenerator at an arbitrary time and heat stored in the refrigerator. And time control means for controlling the time of the heat storage cooling operation for cooling the heat storage operation.In the heat storage operation, only the outer capacitor is used, and in other operations, both the inner capacitor and the outer capacitor are used. In addition, the amount of load heat entering the refrigerator can be reduced, and the time required for heat storage in the heat storage operation can be sufficiently ensured even at a high room temperature such as in summer.

Further, since the heat storage device is installed in the refrigerator compartment, the heat radiated from the heat storage device can be used for cooling the refrigerator compartment, so that the electric power can be effectively used.

Further, since the defrosting start time is determined according to the room temperature, sufficient heat storage operation time at night can be ensured in summer when the room temperature is high, and defrosting can be started at night when power demand is low in the season when the room temperature is low. Power can be used effectively throughout the year.

[0049]

As described above, the present invention relates to a refrigerator connected in parallel or in series and a heat storage having a heat storage material disposed inside the refrigerator compartment, and an inner buried in a refrigerator cabinet connected in parallel or in series. A condenser and an outer condenser arranged in the machine room, a regenerator fan for sending out cool air in the regenerator, and a heat storage operation for storing heat in the regenerator at an arbitrary time zone, and the heat stored in the refrigerator. Time control means for performing time control of a heat storage cooling operation for cooling, wherein only the outer capacitor is used during the heat storage operation, and the inner capacitor and the outer capacitor are used during other operations.
Since both of the condensers are used, the amount of load heat entering the refrigerator can be reduced, and the time required for heat storage in the heat storage operation can be sufficiently ensured even at a high room temperature in summer or the like.

Further, since the regenerator is installed in the refrigerator compartment, the heat radiated from the regenerator can be used for cooling the refrigerator compartment, so that the refrigerator can effectively use electric power.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a refrigeration system diagram of the refrigerator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an electric circuit diagram of a main part of the refrigerator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an operation state of the day according to the room temperature in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a refrigeration system diagram of a conventional refrigerator.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of the refrigerator in FIG. 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 8 cooler 31 regenerator 32 regenerator material 39 regenerator fan 46 time control means 77 inner condenser 78 outer condenser

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F25D 16/00 F25B 5/00 F25D 19/00 530

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A refrigerator connected in parallel or in series with a regenerator having a heat storage material disposed in a refrigerator and an inner condenser embedded in a refrigerator cabinet connected in parallel or in series, and disposed in a machine room. An outer condenser, and a regenerator fan for delivering cool air in the regenerator;
A heat storage operation for storing heat in the heat storage device in an arbitrary time zone and time control means for performing time control of a heat storage cooling operation for cooling the refrigerator with the stored heat, wherein only the outer capacitor is used during the heat storage operation. A refrigerator using both the inner condenser and the outer condenser during other operations.