CN110268210B

CN110268210B - Refrigerator with a door

Info

Publication number: CN110268210B
Application number: CN201780085972.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 松野智彦; 岩本智晴; 清水和生
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2016-12-15
Filing date: 2017-11-28
Publication date: 2021-06-29
Anticipated expiration: 2037-11-28
Also published as: JP6803217B2; JP2018096646A; KR20180069678A; CN110268210A; KR102383607B1

Abstract

When the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber have different temperature ranges and are cooled by a single cooler, the influence of the first storage chamber on the second storage chamber is reduced. A refrigerator includes: a compressor for compressing and circulating a refrigerant; a cooler provided to generate cool air through circulation of a refrigerant; a first storage chamber having a temperature maintained within a first range; a second storage chamber having a temperature maintained in a second range different from the first range; a first air passage for guiding cold air generated in the cooler to the first storage chamber; a second air passage for guiding cold air generated in the cooler to the second storage chamber; and a switching unit for guiding the cool air generated in the cooler to selectively flow into any one of the first air passage and the second air passage.

Description

Refrigerator with a door

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator including a cooler.

Background

A refrigerator is known to have a structure in which cool air generated in a cooler is blown by blowing force of a fan into a space formed by a front plate of the cooler and a rear plate of a freezing chamber, is discharged from a hole provided in the rear plate of the freezing chamber to each part of the freezing chamber, and is blown into a temperature adjusting device through a cool air passage. The amount of cold air blown into the refrigerator is controlled by a thermostat, and a controlled amount of cold air is guided to a duct for distributing the cold air, divided into appropriate amounts in the duct for distribution, and guided directly from a discharge port to the rear of each portion of the refrigerating chamber (for example, refer to patent document 1).

A refrigerator is also known to have a structure in which cool air passages extending in a vertical direction of the refrigerator are provided at rear portions of the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber. An evaporator, a freezing chamber blower and a refrigerating chamber blower as a cooler are disposed inside the cool air passage. On the upstream side of the cold air flow direction of the freezing compartment blower, the air is cooled to become cold air while passing through the evaporator. The cool air passing through the cool air passage is discharged from the downstream side of the freezing chamber blower to the freezing chamber through the discharge port, and is discharged from the downstream side of the refrigerating chamber blower to the refrigerating chamber through the discharge port (for example, refer to patent document 2).

[ patent document 1] Japanese patent laid-open publication No. H4-36576

[ patent document 2] Japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2016-50678

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

In order to solve the above-mentioned disadvantages, it is a primary object to provide a structure in which, when a first storage chamber and a second storage chamber having different temperature ranges are cooled by a single cooler, only the first storage chamber is cooled when the first storage chamber is cooled and in which the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are cooled when the second storage chamber is cooled, an environment of the first storage chamber may affect the second storage chamber because cold air of the first storage chamber flows into the second storage chamber during cooling of the second storage chamber.

An object of the present disclosure is to reduce the possibility that the environment of a first storage compartment affects a second storage compartment when the first and second storage compartments have different temperature ranges and are cooled by a single cooler.

Technical scheme

Accordingly, an aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator, including: a compressor for compressing and circulating a refrigerant; a cooler provided to generate cold air by circulating a refrigerant by a compressor; a first storage chamber maintaining an internal temperature within a first temperature range; a second storage chamber maintaining an internal temperature within a second temperature range different from the first temperature range; a first cool air passage for guiding cool air generated in the cooler to the first storage chamber; a second cool air passage for guiding cool air generated in the cooler to the second storage chamber; and a switching unit for guiding the cool air generated in the cooler to selectively flow into any one of the first cool air passage and the second cool air passage.

Here, the first cool air passage and the second cool air passage may share at least one sidewall.

Further, the second cool air passage may be disposed at a position farther from the first storage chamber than the first cool air passage.

Further, the first temperature range may be lower than the second temperature range.

In this case, the refrigerator may further include an auxiliary switching unit that prevents cold air from flowing from a cooler chamber accommodating the cooler to the second storage chamber when the cold air generated in the cooler is guided to the first cold air passage by the switching unit, and guides cold air from the second storage chamber to the cooler chamber when the cold air generated in the cooler is guided to the second cold air passage by the switching unit.

Further, in this case, the refrigerator may further include a cooling fan for blowing the cool air generated in the cooler, and the switching unit may guide the cool air blown by the cooling fan to selectively flow into any one of the first cool air passage and the second cool air passage.

Further, the refrigerator may further include a processor controlling the switching unit such that the cool air blown by the cooling fan flows into the first cool air passage, stopping the compressor, operating the cooling fan, and then controlling the switching unit such that the cool air blown by the cooling fan flows into the second cool air passage.

In this case, the processor may control the switching unit such that the cool air blown by the cooling fan flows into the second cool air passage when the temperature of the cooler reaches a predetermined temperature or a predetermined amount of time has elapsed.

In this case, the processor may control the switching unit such that the cool air blown by the cooling fan flows into the second cool air passage, and then the compressor may be operated again when the temperature in the second storage chamber or the temperature of the cooler is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, or when the amount of time for cooling the second storage chamber exceeds a predetermined amount of time.

Further, the refrigerator further includes an expansion valve having two or more different diameters, and the processor may change the flow rate of the refrigerant by switching to the diameter of any one of the two or more different diameters while the compressor is operated.

Further, in this case, the processor may control the switching unit such that the cool air blown by the cooling fan flows into the second cool air passage, and then the cooling fan may be stopped when the temperature in the second storage compartment or the temperature of the cooler is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, or when the amount of time for cooling the second storage compartment exceeds a predetermined amount of time.

Further, the processor may stop the cooling fan and restart the cooling fan when the temperature of the cooler reaches a predetermined temperature or when a predetermined amount of time has elapsed.

Further, in this case, the processor may continue to operate the cooling fan even when the temperature in the second storage chamber reaches the target temperature.

In addition, the processor may open a bypass path for directly guiding the refrigerant having a high temperature compressed by the compressor to the cooler when the cooling fan is operated.

Further, the processor may close the bypass path when the temperature in the second storage compartment or the temperature of the cooler reaches a predetermined temperature.

Further, the refrigerator may include a processor for operating the cooling fan during a defrosting operation of the cooler, and controlling the switching unit such that the cool air blown by the cooling fan flows into the second cool air passage.

In this case, the processor may stop the cooling fan when the temperature in the second storage compartment or the temperature of the cooler reaches a predetermined temperature or when a predetermined amount of time has elapsed.

Further, the switching unit may include: a first opening communicating with the first cool air passage; a second opening communicating with the second cool air passage; and at least one switch board for selectively opening and closing any one of the first opening and the second opening.

Here, the at least one switch board may include a first switch board for opening and closing the first opening and a second switch board for opening and closing the second opening.

Further, the switching unit may further include a driving unit for driving the first and second switching plates.

Advantageous effects

The refrigerator according to the present disclosure reduces the possibility that the environment of the first storage chamber affects the second storage chamber when the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber have different temperature ranges and are cooled by a single cooler.

Drawings

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers represent like parts:

fig. 1 is an overall view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 2 is an overall view of a freezing chamber according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, in which a freezing chamber duct cover and a cooler cover have been removed;

fig. 3a, 3b and 3c are views illustrating the structure of a freezing chamber duct according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 4a and 4b are views showing the structure of a damper (damper) used in the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 5a and 5b are views illustrating the flow of cool air during cooling of the freezing chamber in the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 6a and 6b are views illustrating the flow of cool air during cooling of the refrigerating compartment in the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 7 is a time chart of an operation for controlling humidity so that the inside of the refrigerating compartment has high humidity in the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 8 is a view illustrating a cooling cycle suitable for an operation in the first embodiment of the present disclosure for controlling humidity so that the inside of the refrigerating compartment has high humidity.

Fig. 9a and 9b are views of a duct wall of a freezing chamber according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from the front side; and

fig. 10a and 10b are views of a duct wall of a freezing chamber according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from the front side.

Detailed Description

It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms "include" and "comprise," as well as derivatives thereof, mean including but not limited to; the term "or" is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases "associated with … …" and "associated therewith" and derivatives thereof may mean including, included within, interconnected with, containing, contained within, connected to or with, coupled to or with, in communication with, fitted with, staggered, juxtaposed, proximate to, joined to or joined with, having the property of … …, or the like; and the term "controller" means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one operation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware or software, or some combination of at least two of the same. It should be noted that the functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely.

Further, the various functions described below may be implemented or supported by one or more computer programs, each formed from computer-readable program code, embodied in a computer-readable medium. The terms "application" and "program" refer to one or more computer programs, software components, sets of instructions, procedures, functions, objects, classes, instances, related data, or a portion thereof adapted for implementation in suitable computer readable program code. The phrase "computer readable program code" includes any type of computer code, including source code, object code, and executable code. The phrase "computer readable medium" includes any type of medium capable of being accessed by a computer, such as Read Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc (CD), a Digital Video Disc (DVD), or any other type of memory. A "non-transitory" computer-readable medium does not include a wired, wireless, optical, or other communication link that transmits transitory electrical or other signals. Non-transitory computer-readable media include media that can permanently store data and media in which data can be stored and subsequently rewritten, such as rewritable optical disks or erasable memory devices.

Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

Figures 1 through 10b, discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged system or device.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in a refrigerator in which a first storage chamber and a second storage chamber having different temperature ranges are cooled by a single cooler, an environment of the first storage chamber is prevented from affecting the second storage chamber by cold air of the first storage chamber flowing into the second storage chamber. For example, when the first storage chamber is a freezer compartment and the second storage chamber is a refrigerator compartment, the humidity in the refrigerator compartment is prevented from being reduced by cold air flowing into the freezer compartment of the refrigerator compartment, and the humidity of the refrigerator compartment is maintained at equal to or higher than the humidity in the refrigerator compartment of a refrigerator having two or more coolers at low cost.

Specifically, the refrigerator has a duct structure for achieving cooling at an evaporation temperature suitable for each of the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber. That is, the cool air passage for cooling only the freezing chamber and the cool air passage for cooling only the refrigerating chamber are provided in a single duct, respectively, and switching between these cool air passages for cooling is controlled by a single damper provided in the duct. Furthermore, the cooling fan and damper are controlled to optimize the switching between cooling the freezer compartment and cooling the refrigerator compartment.

Furthermore, the evaporation temperature is controlled by an expansion valve and a capillary tube. That is, the humidity in the refrigerating compartment is controlled by optimizing the evaporating temperature during cooling of the refrigerating compartment.

First embodiment

Fig. 1 is an overall view of a refrigerator 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the drawing, the refrigerator 1 includes a freezing chamber 10 as an example of a first storage chamber and a refrigerating chamber 20 as an example of a second storage chamber. Further, a partition 30, an upper cool air passage 40, a lower cool air passage 50, and a compressor 60 are provided.

Fig. 1 is a view of a refrigerator 1 viewed from a front side, showing a freezing compartment duct cover 11 and a cooler cover 12 in a freezing compartment 10, and showing a refrigerating compartment duct cover 21 in a refrigerating compartment 20.

The barrier 30 separates the freezing chamber 10 and the refrigerating chamber 20. The upper cool air passage 40 is a cool air passage provided at an upper portion of the partition 30, and the lower cool air passage 50 is a cool air passage provided at a lower portion of the partition 30, which will be described in detail below. The compressor 60 compresses a refrigerant and circulates the refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle.

Fig. 2 is an overall view of a freezing chamber 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, in which a freezing chamber duct cover 11 and a cooler cover 12 have been removed. As shown, the freezing chamber 10 includes a freezing chamber duct wall 13, a damper 14, a cooling fan 15, and a cooler 16.

The freezing chamber duct wall 13 is a wall installed in the freezing chamber duct. The damper 14 is an example of a switching device, which is provided in the freezing chamber duct, and switches a flow path of cool air blown by the cooling fan 15, the details of which will be described below. The cooling fan 15 is a fan for blowing cold air generated by the cooler 16 into the refrigerator 1. The cooler 16 generates cool air by evaporating refrigerant to cool the inside of the refrigerator 1.

Further, although not shown, when the refrigerating compartment duct cover 21 of fig. 1 is removed, there is a refrigerating compartment duct. On the other hand, the refrigerator compartment 20 has no cooler therein. That is, the refrigerator 1 shown in fig. 1 cools the freezing chamber 10 and the refrigerating chamber 20 with a single cooler 16.

Fig. 3a to 3c are views illustrating the structure of a freezing chamber duct in the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3a shows a duct cover 11 for a freezing chamber. As shown, the

openings

111, 112 and 113 are installed in the freezing chamber duct cover 11. Further, although three

openings

111, 112, and 113 are installed here, the number of openings is not limited thereto.

Fig. 3b is a view of the freezing chamber duct wall 13 as viewed from the front, and fig. 3c is a view of the freezing chamber duct wall 13 as viewed from the side. As shown by an arrow 101 in fig. 3b, a channel 131 for cooling the freezing chamber is formed on the front surface of the freezing chamber duct wall 13 as an example of a first cooling air channel for cooling the freezing chamber 10.

Further, as shown by an arrow 102 in fig. 3c and an arrow 103 in fig. 3b, a channel 132 for cooling the refrigerating chamber is formed on a rear surface of the freezing chamber duct wall 13 as an example of a second cool air channel for cooling the refrigerating chamber 20. Here, the channel 131 for cooling the freezing chamber and the channel 132 for cooling the refrigerating chamber, which are channels of the two systems, together form a single channel.

Further, one sidewall forming the channel 131 for cooling the freezing chamber and one sidewall forming the channel 132 for cooling the refrigerating chamber are provided as a common sidewall 133.

In addition, a channel 131 for cooling the freezing chamber and a channel 132 for cooling the refrigerating chamber are separately formed by a partition 134.

Further, the freezing chamber duct wall 13 is provided with a damper 14 for switching between a passage 131 for cooling the freezing chamber and a passage 132 for cooling the refrigerating chamber, and has a cooling fan 15 for blowing cool air.

With this channel structure, a reduction in space can be achieved as compared with the case where the channels of the two systems are completely separated. Further, since the side wall is shared, leakage of cool air can be suppressed and material cost can be reduced.

Further, as described above, the channel 132 for cooling the refrigerating chamber is installed outside the channel 131 for cooling the freezing chamber (the side opposite to the freezing chamber duct cover 11). That is, a passage 131 for cooling the freezing chamber is provided near the freezing chamber 10, and a passage 132 for cooling the refrigerating chamber is provided on a side away from the freezing chamber 10.

Fig. 4a and 4b are views showing the structure of the damper 14. As shown in the drawing, the damper 14 includes an opening 141 for a passage for cooling the freezing chamber in a direction toward the passage 131 for cooling the freezing chamber, an opening 142 for a passage for cooling the refrigerating chamber in a direction toward the passage 132 for cooling the refrigerating chamber, and a switch plate 143.

For example, as shown in fig. 4a, when the switching plate 143 is oriented in the vertical direction, the opening 141 for the passage for cooling the freezing compartment is opened, and the opening 142 for the passage for cooling the refrigerating compartment is closed. Further, as shown in fig. 4b, when the switching plate 143 is oriented in the horizontal direction, the opening 141 for the passage for cooling the freezing compartment is closed, and the opening 142 for the passage for cooling the refrigerating compartment is opened.

Although not shown, by allowing any one of the opening 141 for the passage for cooling the freezing chamber and the opening 142 for the passage for cooling the refrigerating chamber to be half-opened, the cool air may be blown to both the passage 131 for cooling the freezing chamber and the passage 132 for cooling the refrigerating chamber.

Next, the flow of cool air during cooling the freezing chamber 10 and during cooling the refrigerating chamber 20 will be described.

Fig. 5a and 5b illustrate the flow of cool air during cooling of the freezing chamber 10.

In fig. 5b, the cool air having passed through the cooler 16 is sucked by the cooling fan 15 from the fan suction port on the rear surface of the freezing chamber duct wall 13 as indicated by an arrow 181, and is discharged in a direction toward the damper 14 as indicated by an arrow 182.

In fig. 5b, since the damper 14 fully opens the opening 141 for the passage for cooling the freezing chamber (fully closes the opening 142 for the passage for cooling the refrigerating chamber), the cool air passes through only the passage 131 for cooling the freezing chamber as indicated by an arrow 183.

Thereafter, in fig. 5a, as indicated by

arrows

184, 185, and 186, the cool air is discharged from the

openings

111, 112, and 113 formed in the freezing chamber duct cover 11 only into the freezing chamber 10, so that only the freezing chamber 10 is cooled. That is, the cool air is not discharged into the refrigerating compartment 20.

Further, since one side wall of the channel 131 for cooling the freezing chamber and one side wall of the channel 132 for cooling the refrigerating chamber are provided as the common side wall 133 (see fig. 3b), it is possible to reduce the air temperature by transferring heat into the channel 132 for cooling the refrigerating chamber via the common side wall 133 during cooling of the freezing chamber 10, it is possible to increase the cooling rate when the refrigerating chamber 20 is cooled, and in addition, it is possible to save energy.

Fig. 6a and 6b show the flow of cool air during cooling of the refrigerating compartment 20.

In fig. 6a, the cool air having passed through the cooler 16 is sucked by the cooling fan 15 from the fan suction port on the rear surface of the freezer duct cover 11 as indicated by an arrow 191, and is discharged in the direction of the damper 14 as indicated by an arrow 192.

In fig. 6a and 6b, since the damper 14 fully opens the opening 142 for the passage for cooling the refrigerating chamber (fully closes the opening 141 for the passage for cooling the freezing chamber), the cool air passes only through the passage 132 for cooling the refrigerating chamber, as indicated by

arrows

193 and 194.

Thereafter, as indicated by an arrow 195 in fig. 6a, the cool air is guided to the refrigerating compartment duct via the upper cool air passage 40 and is discharged only into the refrigerating compartment 20 from several openings provided in the refrigerating compartment duct cover 21, so that only the refrigerating compartment 20 is cooled. That is, the cool air is not discharged into the freezing chamber 10.

During cooling of the refrigerating compartment 20, there is no inflow of cold air in a cooling temperature range of the freezing compartment 10, which is relatively lower in temperature and lower in humidity than the refrigerating compartment 20, and thus it is possible to prevent the humidity in the refrigerating compartment 20 from being lowered.

Further, since the channel 132 for cooling the refrigerating chamber is installed at the outer side (the side opposite to the freezing chamber duct cover 11) of the channel 131 for cooling the freezing chamber, it is possible to prevent cold air in a temperature range higher than the cooling temperature of the freezing chamber 10, which passes through the channel 132 for cooling the refrigerating chamber during cooling the refrigerating chamber 20, from being directly transferred to the freezing chamber duct cover 11, so that a temperature increase in the freezing chamber 10 can be suppressed, and energy can be saved.

Referring to fig. 1, the upper and lower

cool air passages

40 and 50 will be described.

As described above, the upper cool air passage 40 serves as a passage for guiding cool air passing through the cooler 16 to the refrigerating compartment duct.

On the other hand, the lower cool air passage 50 is a passage serving as a return passage for returning cool air used for cooling in the refrigerating chamber 20 to the cooler 16 installed in the freezing chamber 10.

A damper (not shown) is provided in the lower cool air passage 50 as an example of the second switching means, and the damper is opened during cooling of the refrigerating compartment 20 to form a return passage. On the other hand, during cooling of the freezing chamber 10, the damper is closed to prevent the cold air from flowing between the freezing chamber 10 and the refrigerating chamber 20, and to prevent the cold air having a low temperature and a low humidity in the freezing chamber 10 from flowing into the refrigerating chamber 20, so that the humidity decrease in the refrigerating chamber 20 can be suppressed.

The refrigerator 1 further includes a damper 14, a cooling fan 15, a compressor 60, and a processor (not shown) for controlling opening and closing of the valve.

Hereinafter, an operation for controlling humidity so that the inside of the refrigerating compartment 20 has high humidity will be described.

Fig. 7 is a time chart of the above operation.

As shown in the timing chart 71 and the timing chart 72, since the humidity in the refrigerating compartment 20 is reduced when the refrigerating compartment 20 is cooled (that is, when the damper 14 allows the opening 142 for the passage for cooling the refrigerating compartment to be opened toward the refrigerating compartment 20 side), it is necessary to suppress the reduction in the humidity when the refrigerating compartment 20 is cooled.

The humidity reduction when the refrigerating compartment 20 is cooled is mainly due to dehumidification caused by a low temperature of the cooler 16, and thus it is necessary to raise the temperature of the cooler 16 when cooling the refrigerating compartment 20.

Time t1 of the time chart 73, time t11 of the time chart 74, and time t1 of the time chart 75 represent the humidity control operation when the cooling of the refrigerating compartment 20 starts. That is, before the flow path is switched at time t11 by the damper 14 shown in fig. 4a and 4b, the compressor 60 is stopped and the cooling fan 15 is operated at time t1, thereby raising the temperature of the cooler 16 in advance before the cool air is sent into the refrigerating compartment 20. Here, the time t11 may be determined by the temperature of the cooler 16, or may be determined by the amount of time that has elapsed after the compressor 60 is stopped. For example, when it is determined that the temperature of the cooler 16 has become equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, or when it is determined that a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the compressor 60 was stopped, cooling is started by allowing cool air to be sent into the refrigerating compartment 20 through the damper 14.

During cooling of the refrigerating compartment 20, air inside the refrigerating compartment 20 circulates, so the temperature of the cooler 16 rises, and the temperature inside the refrigerating compartment 20 may reach a temperature at which the refrigerating compartment 20 cannot be cooled. Therefore, when the temperature inside the refrigerating compartment 20 or the temperature of the cooler 16 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, that is, when the falling gradient of the temperature in the refrigerating compartment 20 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined gradient, the compressor 60 is restarted to prevent uncooled (uncooled). Alternatively, when the amount of time required for cooling the inside of the refrigerating chamber 20 is a predetermined amount of time or more, the compressor 60 may be restarted to prevent uncooled. In the time graph 73, the restart time of the compressor 60 is represented by time t 12.

Further, in the same case, the cooling fan 15 may be stopped to prevent uncooled. In the time chart 75, the stop time of the cooling fan 15 is represented by time t 13. Further, in this case, the cooling fan 15 is operated again to raise the temperature of the cooler 16 at time t 14. Here, the time t14 may be determined by the temperature of the cooler 16, or may be determined by the amount of time elapsed after the cooling fan 15 is stopped. For example, when it is determined that the temperature of the cooler 16 has become equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, or when it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed since the stop of the cooling fan 15, the cooling fan 15 is operated again.

Thereafter, when the temperature in the refrigerating compartment 20 reaches the target temperature at time t2, the cooling of the refrigerating compartment 20 is terminated, and the cooling mode is changed to the stop mode. In the stop mode, the cooling fan 15 is continuously operated to raise the temperature of the cooler 16 as shown in the time chart 75. Therefore, the temperature of the cooler 16 may be higher than 0 ℃, the humidity in the refrigerating compartment 20 may be increased, and the frost on the cooler 16 may be removed.

Further, although not shown in the time chart of fig. 7, the refrigerator 1 periodically performs a defrosting operation for removing frost on the cooler 16, and thus the damper 14 may be opened toward the refrigerating compartment 20, and the cooling fan 15 may be operated during the defrosting operation. Therefore, moisture generated by defrosting can be sent to the inside of the refrigerating compartment 20, and the humidity inside the refrigerating compartment 20 can be raised by a process other than the cycle shown in fig. 7.

Further, when the value of the temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the cooler 16 or the refrigerating compartment 20 reaches a predetermined value, or when a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the start of the operation of the cooling fan 15, it is possible to prevent the temperature in the refrigerating compartment 20 from exceeding a predetermined temperature by stopping the cooling fan 15.

Fig. 8 is a view showing a cooling cycle suitable for an operation for controlling humidity so that the inside of the refrigerating compartment 20 has high humidity. As shown in the drawing, the cooling cycle is formed by connecting the cooler 16, the compressor 60, the three-way switching valve 61, the condenser 62, the variable expansion valve 63, the capillary tube 64, and the like using pipes. In addition, the cooling cycle further includes a bypass path 65.

That is, in this cooling cycle, the expansion mechanism having two or more different diameters is realized by the variable expansion valve 63. As described above, when the compressor 60 is restarted during cooling of the refrigerating compartment 20, the temperature of the cooler 16 is lowered, which results in lowering of the humidity in the refrigerating compartment 20. Therefore, only when the refrigerating compartment 20 is cooled, the flow rate of the refrigerant is changed by the variable expansion valve 63, so that cooling is performed while maintaining the cooler 16 at a high temperature, thereby suppressing a decrease in humidity in the refrigerating compartment 20.

Further, in this cooling cycle, as described above, the bypass path 65 is provided for sending the high-temperature refrigerant compressed by the compressor 60 directly to the cooler 16. Here, switching the flow path of the refrigerant to the bypass path 65 is performed by the three-way switching valve 61. When the cooling of the freezing chamber 10 and the refrigerating chamber 20 is completed, the high temperature refrigerant flows to the bypass path 65 through the three-way switching valve 61 and the cooling fan 15 is operated, so that the temperature of the cooler 16 may be higher than 0 ℃, the humidity in the refrigerating chamber 20 may be increased, and the frost on the cooler 16 may be removed.

Further, when the temperature value of the temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the cooler 16 or the refrigerating compartment 20 reaches a predetermined value, the bypass path 65 is closed to prevent the temperature in the refrigerating compartment 20 from being equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature.

According to the present embodiment, in a refrigerator in which a first storage chamber and a second storage chamber having different temperature ranges are cooled by one cooler, the environment of the first storage chamber is prevented from affecting the second storage chamber at low cost.

Second embodiment

The refrigerator 1 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure is the same as the refrigerator described in the first embodiment except for the inside of the freezing chamber duct, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

Fig. 9a and 9b are views of a freezing chamber duct wall 83 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from the front side.

As shown by

arrows

801, 802, and 803 in fig. 9a, a passage 831 for cooling the freezing chamber is formed at the left front side of the freezing chamber duct wall 83 as an example of a first cool air passage for cooling the freezing chamber 10. Further, as shown by

arrows

804, 805, and 806 in fig. 9b, a channel 832 for cooling the refrigerating chamber is formed at the right front side of the freezing chamber duct wall 83 as an example of a second cool air channel for cooling the refrigerating chamber 20.

Further, as shown in fig. 9a and 9b, a passage 831 for cooling the freezing chamber and a passage 832 for cooling the refrigerating chamber are formed by partitions 834, respectively.

Further, the freezing chamber duct wall 83 is provided with a damper 84 as an example of a switching device for switching between the passage 831 for cooling the freezing chamber and the passage 832 for cooling the refrigerating chamber, and with a cooling fan 15 for blowing cool air.

Here, the damper 84 includes a driving unit 840, an opening 841 for a passage for cooling the freezing chamber, an opening 842 for a passage for cooling the refrigerating chamber, and switch

plates

843 and 844, and is configured such that the opening 841 for the passage for cooling the freezing chamber and the opening 842 for the passage for cooling the refrigerating chamber can be independently opened and closed.

For example, as shown in fig. 9a, when the switch plate 843 is lowered and the switch plate 844 is erected, the opening 841 for the passage for cooling the freezing chamber is opened and the opening 842 for the passage for cooling the refrigerating chamber is closed. Further, as shown in fig. 9b, when the switch plate 843 is erected and the switch plate 844 is lowered, the opening 841 for the passage for cooling the freezing chamber is closed, and the opening 842 for the passage for cooling the refrigerating chamber is opened.

In addition, the passage 831 for cooling the freezing chamber and the passage 832 for cooling the refrigerating chamber are formed to be included in a single passage on the same plane by using the damper 84. As a result, the thickness of the entire freezing chamber duct in the second embodiment can be reduced.

Further, even in such a structure, since the passage 831 for cooling the freezing chamber and the passage 832 for cooling the refrigerating chamber are reliably separated by the partition 834, the same high humidity effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

Further, as described with reference to fig. 7 and 8 in the first embodiment, the operation for controlling the humidity so that the inside of the refrigerating compartment 20 has a high humidity is also applicable to the second embodiment.

Third embodiment

The refrigerator 1 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure is the same as the refrigerator described in the first embodiment except for the inside of the freezing chamber duct, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown by

arrows

901, 902, and 903 in fig. 10a, a passage 931 for cooling the freezing chamber is formed at the left front side of the freezing chamber duct wall 93 as an example of a first cool air passage for cooling the freezing chamber 10. Further, as shown by

arrows

904, 905 and 906 in fig. 10b, a passage 932 for cooling the refrigerating chamber is formed at the right front side of the freezing chamber duct wall 93 as an example of a second cool air passage for cooling the refrigerating chamber 20.

Further, as shown in fig. 10a and 10b, a passage 931 for cooling the freezing chamber and a passage 932 for cooling the refrigerating chamber are formed by partitions 934, respectively.

Further, the freezing chamber duct wall 93 is provided with a damper 94 as an example of a switching means for switching between the passage 931 for cooling the freezing chamber and the passage 932 for cooling the refrigerating chamber, and with a cooling fan 15 for blowing cool air.

Here, the damper 94 includes a driving unit 940, an opening 941 for a passage for cooling the freezing chamber, an opening 942 for a passage for cooling the refrigerating chamber, and a switch plate 943, and the switch plate 943 is installed to rotate around the driving unit 940 within a sector of about 90 °.

For example, as shown in fig. 10a, when the switch plate 943 is rotated to the rightmost side of the fan shape, an opening 941 for a passage for cooling the freezing chamber is opened, and an opening 942 for a passage for cooling the refrigerating chamber is closed. Further, as shown in fig. 10b, when the switch plate 943 is rotated to the leftmost side of the sector, an opening 941 for a passage for cooling the freezing chamber is closed, and an opening 942 for a passage for cooling the refrigerating chamber is opened.

Further, the same effect as that of the second embodiment can be obtained, and the same high humidity effect as that of the first embodiment can also be obtained by using the damper 94.

Further, the operation for controlling the humidity so that the inside of the refrigerating compartment 20 has a high humidity as described with reference to fig. 7 and 8 in the first embodiment is also applicable to the third embodiment.

Fourth embodiment

In the first to third embodiments, any one of the two systems for blowing cool air to each of the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber is selected by the switching control of the damper, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. When any one of the two systems can be selected, for example, a single-way valve or a solenoid-type switching valve having a switching mechanism may be provided for each channel, and the same effects as those of the first to third embodiments can be obtained using this structure.

Alternatively, in the first to third embodiments, one cooling fan 15 is provided, and the cool air blown by the cooling fan 15 is sent to any one of the passages of the two systems toward the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber by the switching control of the damper, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Two cooling fans may be provided, and cool air may be supplied to any one of the passages of the two systems toward the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber by on/off control of the cooling fans. Specifically, a fan for the freezing chamber corresponding to a passage toward the freezing chamber and a fan for the refrigerating chamber corresponding to a passage toward the refrigerating chamber may be provided, and when cool air is sent only to the passage toward the freezing chamber, the fan for the freezing chamber is turned on while the fan for the refrigerating chamber is turned off, and when cool air is sent only to the passage toward the refrigerating chamber, the fan for the freezing chamber is turned off while the fan for the refrigerating chamber is turned on. Further, a fan for the freezing chamber and a fan for the refrigerating chamber are examples of the switching device in this case.

Particular embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described above. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific exemplary embodiments described above, and those skilled in the art may variously modify the present disclosure without departing from the gist of the present disclosure claimed by the scope of the appended claims.

Although the present disclosure has been described with an exemplary embodiment, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. The disclosure is intended to embrace such alterations and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, comprising:

a compressor configured to compress and circulate a refrigerant;

a cooler configured to generate cool air;

a first storage chamber having an internal temperature maintained within a first temperature range;

a second storage chamber having an internal temperature maintained within a second temperature range different from the first temperature range;

a first cool air passage configured to guide cool air generated in the cooler to the first storage chamber;

a second cool air passage configured to guide cool air generated in the cooler to the second storage chamber;

a partition configured to separate the first cold air channel from the second cold air channel, wherein the first cold air channel is partially defined by a first surface of the partition and the second cold air channel is partially defined by a second surface of the partition, the first surface being opposite the second surface on the partition; and

a damper, comprising:

a first opening configured to communicate with the first cool air passage,

a second opening configured to communicate with the second cool air passage, an

A plate configured to selectively open one of the first and second openings and close the other of the first and second openings,

wherein the damper is configured to move the plate to direct the cold air generated in the cooler to selectively flow into one of the first cold air passage through the first opening and the second cold air passage through the second opening.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the first cool air duct and the second cool air duct share at least one side wall.

3. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the second cool air passage is disposed at a position farther from the first storage chamber than the first cool air passage.

4. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the first temperature range is lower than the second temperature range.

5. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary damper provided in a lower cool air passage serving as a return passage for returning cool air used to cool the second storage chamber to the cooler,

wherein the auxiliary damper is configured to:

when the cold air generated in the cooler is guided to the first cold air passage by the damper, the cold air is prevented from flowing from a cooler chamber accommodating the cooler to the second storage chamber, and

when the cold air generated in the cooler is guided to the second cold air passage by the damper, the cold air is guided to flow from the second storage chamber to the cooler chamber.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising a cooling fan configured to blow cool air generated in the cooler,

wherein the damper is further configured to guide the cool air blown by the cooling fan to selectively flow into one of the first cool air passage and the second cool air passage.

7. The refrigerator of claim 6, further comprising: a processor configured to:

controlling the damper such that the cool air blown by the cooling fan flows into the first cool air passage,

the compressor is stopped and the compressor is stopped,

operating the cooling fan, and

and then controls the damper such that the cool air blown by the cooling fan flows into the second cool air passage.

8. The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to control the damper such that the cool air blown by the cooling fan flows into the second cool air passage when the temperature of the cooler reaches a predetermined temperature or a predetermined amount of time has elapsed.

9. The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to:

controlling the damper such that the cool air blown by the cooling fan flows into the second cool air passage, an

Then, when the temperature in the second storage chamber or the temperature of the cooler is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, or when the amount of time for cooling the second storage chamber is a predetermined amount of time, the compressor is operated again.

10. The refrigerator of claim 9, further comprising a variable expansion valve having at least two different diameters,

wherein the processor is further configured to change the flow rate of the refrigerant by switching to a diameter of any one of the at least two different diameters when the compressor is operating.

11. The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to:

Then, when the temperature in the second storage chamber or the temperature of the cooler is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, or when the amount of time for cooling the second storage chamber is a predetermined amount of time, the cooling fan is stopped.

12. The refrigerator of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to stop the cooling fan and restart the cooling fan when the temperature of the cooler reaches the predetermined temperature or when the predetermined amount of time has elapsed.

13. The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to continue operating the cooling fan even when the temperature within the second storage compartment reaches a target temperature.

14. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to open a bypass path for directing the refrigerant compressed by the compressor directly to the cooler while the cooling fan is running.

15. The refrigerator of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to close the bypass path when the temperature within the second storage compartment or the temperature of the cooler reaches a predetermined temperature.