JP2000088427A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator capable of sensing a valve leakage and removing refuse adhered to a valve mechanism. SOLUTION: In the refrigerator for switching via a three-way valve 68 in the case of supplying a refrigerant to an R evaporator 34 (evaporator for a deep freezing chamber) and an F evaporator 24 (evaporator for a cold storage chamber), a condenser 46 is connected to a compressor 20, and the valve 68 is connected to the condenser 26. One of two refrigerant channels branched from the valve 68 is connected to a capillary tube 50 for a cold storage chamber, and connected to the R evaporator 34. The other channel branched from the valve 68 is connected to the F evaporator 24 via a capillary tube 52 for a deep freezing chamber. The channels of the evaporators 24, 34 are converged to one and circulated to the compressor 20. In the case of sensing a valve leakage of the valve 68 the valve 68 is forcibly operated to remove refuse thereby releasing the leakage.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator having two evaporators.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a refrigerator having a refrigerating evaporator and a refrigerating evaporator has been proposed in order to efficiently cool a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment, respectively.

In order to efficiently cool these two evaporators with the refrigerant sent from one compressor, a three-way valve is arranged in the middle of the refrigerant flow path, and the refrigerant is refrigerated by switching the three-way valve. It is determined whether it is sent to the evaporator or the refrigeration evaporator.

[0004]

However, dust may be mixed in the refrigerant flow path during manufacturing or the like, and the dust is clogged in the three-way valve, and the three-way valve does not operate normally. Leaks may occur.

[0005] Valve leakage means that, despite the fact that the three-way valve is switched to the refrigeration evaporator, the refrigerant not only flows to the refrigeration evaporator but also leaks and flows to the refrigeration evaporator.
Conversely, despite the switching to the refrigeration evaporator, the phenomenon is such that the refrigerant not only flows to the refrigeration evaporator but also leaks and flows to the refrigeration evaporator. And the conventional refrigerator could not detect such a valve leakage phenomenon.

Further, when such a valve leakage phenomenon occurs, there is no structure in a conventional refrigerator for removing dust adhering to the three-way valve.

In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a refrigerator capable of detecting valve leakage and removing dust adhering to the valve mechanism.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator comprising a compressor, a condenser, a refrigerating throttle mechanism, a refrigerating evaporator corresponding to a refrigerating chamber, a refrigerating throttle mechanism, A refrigeration mode in which a refrigerant flow path is formed by connecting a refrigeration evaporator corresponding to a freezing room, a refrigerant flow path is switched by a valve mechanism, and refrigerant flows to the refrigeration evaporator side via a refrigeration throttle mechanism. In a refrigerator that can realize a refrigerating mode in which a refrigerant flows only to a refrigerating evaporator through a refrigerating throttle mechanism, a valve leaks to a refrigerating evaporator of a valve mechanism, or a refrigerant leaks to a refrigerating evaporator. And a valve leakage determining means for determining valve leakage.

A refrigerator according to a second aspect of the present invention is the refrigerator according to the first aspect, wherein the refrigerator has refrigeration evaporator temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the refrigeration evaporator, and the valve leak determination means is provided in the freezing mode. When the temperature detected by the refrigeration evaporator temperature detecting means becomes equal to or lower than the set temperature, it is determined that the refrigerant is leaking to the refrigeration evaporator of the valve mechanism.

A refrigerator according to a third aspect of the present invention is the refrigerator according to the first aspect, wherein the refrigerator has a refrigerator evaporator temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of the refrigerator evaporator, and the valve leak judging means is in a freezing mode. When the temperature detected by the refrigerating evaporator temperature detecting means is equal to or lower than the set temperature and the operating frequency of the compressor is higher than the set frequency, it is determined that the refrigerant leaks to the refrigerating evaporator of the valve mechanism. It is.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the refrigerator according to the first aspect, the refrigerator has a refrigerator evaporator temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of the refrigerator evaporator, and the valve leak judging means is provided in the freezing mode. When the difference between the temperature detected by the refrigerating evaporator temperature detecting means and the temperature in the refrigerating mode of the refrigerating evaporator temperature detecting means falls within a set temperature range, the refrigerant is supplied to the refrigerating evaporator of the valve mechanism. It is determined that the valve is leaking.

A refrigerator according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the refrigerator according to the first aspect, wherein the refrigerator has a refrigerating evaporator temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of the refrigerating evaporator, and the valve leak judging means is provided in a refrigerating mode. When the difference between the temperature detected by the refrigerating evaporator temperature detecting means and the temperature in the refrigerating mode of the refrigerating evaporator temperature detecting means falls within a set temperature range, the refrigerant is supplied to the refrigerating evaporator of the valve mechanism. It is determined that the valve is leaking.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the refrigerator according to the first aspect, wherein the refrigerator has a refrigerating evaporator temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of the refrigerating evaporator, and the valve leak judging means is provided in a refrigerating mode. When the difference between the temperature detected by the refrigerating evaporator temperature detecting means and the temperature in the refrigerating mode of the refrigerating evaporator temperature detecting means falls within a set temperature range, the refrigerant is supplied to the refrigerating evaporator of the valve mechanism. It is determined that the valve is leaking.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator according to the first aspect, wherein when the valve leak determining means determines that the valve is leaking, the valve mechanism is forcibly operated to remove dust from the valve mechanism. It has.

In a refrigerator according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the dust removing means forcibly activates the valve mechanism while increasing the operating frequency of the compressor when the valve leak determining means determines that the valve is leaking. It is intended to operate in a typical manner.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the refrigerator according to the seventh aspect, when the valve leak determining means determines that the valve is leaking, the dust removing means increases the operating frequency of the compressor and changes the valve mechanism to the refrigerant. The flow path is stopped during the switching.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the refrigerator of the seventh aspect, the dust removing means forcibly shortens the valve mechanism from a normal operation time when the valve leak determining means determines that the valve is leaking. To make it work.

The refrigerator according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the refrigerator according to the tenth aspect, wherein after the dust removing means removes the dust, when the valve leak judging means judges again that the valve is leaking, the refrigerating evaporator and the refrigeration unit are removed. There is a defrost control unit for performing a valve leak defrosting operation with the evaporator.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the refrigerator according to the eleventh aspect, the defrosting control means makes the interval of the defrosting operation of the refrigerating evaporator shorter than the interval of the defrosting operation of the refrigerating evaporator in a normal state. After performing the valve defrosting operation for valve leakage, when the valve leakage determining means determines that the valve is leaking three times,
The interval between the defrosting operations of the refrigerating evaporator and the refrigerating evaporator is defined as the defrosting interval of the refrigerating evaporator.

According to the refrigerator of the first aspect, the valve leak determining means can determine the valve leak of the valve mechanism.

In the refrigerator according to the second aspect, the valve leak judging means, in the freezing mode, when the temperature detected by the refrigeration evaporator temperature detecting means falls below the set temperature, the refrigerant flowing to the refrigeration evaporator of the valve mechanism. It is determined that valve leakage has occurred.

In the refrigerator according to the third aspect, the valve leak determining means is configured such that, in the refrigerating mode, the temperature detected by the refrigeration evaporator temperature detecting means becomes equal to or lower than the set temperature, and the operating frequency of the compressor is set to the set frequency. When it is higher, it is determined that the valve leakage of the refrigerant to the refrigerating evaporator of the valve mechanism has occurred.

In the refrigerator according to the fourth aspect, the valve leak judging means sets the difference between the temperature detected by the refrigerating evaporator temperature detecting means in the refrigerating mode and the temperature in the refrigerating mode within a set temperature range. Then, it is determined that the refrigerant has leaked to the refrigeration evaporator of the valve mechanism.

In the refrigerator according to the fifth aspect, the valve leak judging means sets the difference between the temperature detected by the refrigerating evaporator temperature detecting means in the refrigerating mode and the temperature in the refrigerating mode within a set temperature range. Then, it is determined that the refrigerant has leaked to the refrigeration evaporator of the valve mechanism.

In the refrigerator according to the sixth aspect, the valve leak judging means sets the difference between the temperature detected by the refrigerating evaporator temperature detecting means in the refrigeration mode and the temperature in the refrigeration mode within a set temperature range. Then, it is determined that the valve leakage of the refrigerant to the refrigeration evaporator of the valve mechanism has occurred.

In the refrigerator according to the seventh aspect, when the valve leak judging means judges that the valve is leaking, dust is clogged in the valve mechanism. Therefore, the dust removing means forcibly operates the valve mechanism. Remove the trash.

In the refrigerator according to the eighth aspect, when the valve leak determining means determines that the valve is leaking, the dust removing means forcibly operates the valve mechanism while increasing the operating frequency of the compressor. Blow away garbage.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, when the valve leak determining means determines that the valve is leaking, the dust removing means switches the valve mechanism between the refrigerant flow paths while increasing the operating frequency of the compressor. Stop halfway and remove the trash.

In the refrigerator according to the tenth aspect, when the valve leak determining means determines that the valve is leaking, the dust removing means forcibly operates the valve mechanism by shortening the valve mechanism from the normal operation time to remove the dust. Remove.

In the refrigerator according to the eleventh aspect, after the dust removing means forcibly operates the valve mechanism and the valve leak judging means judges again that the valve is leaking, the refrigerating evaporator and the refrigerating evaporator may be used. Perform a valve defrosting defrosting operation to prevent frost formation on the vessel.

In the refrigerator according to the twelfth aspect, the defrosting control means includes means for controlling the refrigerating evaporator and the refrigerating evaporator when the valve leak judging means judges the valve leak three times after performing the defrosting operation. The interval between the defrosting operations is set as the defrosting interval of the refrigerating evaporator, and the defrosting operation is performed shorter than before.

[0032]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A refrigerator 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a simplified vertical sectional view of the refrigerator 10 and also serves as an explanation of the electric system. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator 10.

First, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

In the cabinet 12 of the refrigerator 10, a refrigerator compartment 14, a vegetable compartment 16 and a freezing compartment 18 are provided from the top. The freezing compartment 18 is provided with an ice making device (not shown).

A machine room 22 in which a compressor 20 is arranged is provided at the bottom of the rear surface of the freezing room 18. In addition, freezer 1
At the back of 8, there is a freezer evaporator (hereinafter referred to as F-eva)
A freezing room fan (hereinafter, referred to as an F fan) 26 that blows cool air generated by the F eva 24 to the freezing room 18 is provided above the F eva 24. Feva 2
A defrost heater (hereinafter, referred to as an F defrost heater) 28 for performing defrosting of the fuel cell 24 is provided below the nozzle 4. An F-eva sensor 30 for detecting the temperature of the F-eva 24 is provided near the upper portion of the F-eva 24.

Inside the freezer compartment 18, a freezer compartment temperature sensor (hereinafter referred to as an F sensor) 3 for measuring the temperature inside the refrigerator is provided.
2 are provided.

A refrigerator evaporator (hereinafter referred to as R-eva) is provided on the back of the vegetable compartment 16, and a refrigerator-fan (hereinafter referred to as R-fan) 36 above the R evaporator 34.
Are provided, and an R-eva sensor 38 for detecting the temperature of the R-eva 34 is provided. A defrost heater (hereinafter, referred to as an R defrost heater) 40 for defrosting the R evaporator 34 is provided below the R evaporator 34.

Inside the refrigerating compartment 14, a refrigerating compartment temperature sensor (hereinafter referred to as an R sensor) for measuring the temperature in the refrigerator.
42 are provided.

The F fan 26, the F defrost heater 28, the F evaluation sensor 30, the F sensor 32, and the R fan 3
6. The R evaluation sensor 38, the R defrost heater 40, and the R sensor 42 are connected to a control device 44 including a microcomputer. The control device 40 is formed of a single board and is provided on the upper rear surface of the cabinet 12. Further, the motor of the compressor 20 is also connected to the control device 44.

Next, the flow of cool air will be described with reference to FIG.

The cool air cooled by the Feva 24 is
The air is blown by the fan 26 and circulates through the freezer 18. The cool air cooled by the R evaporator 34 is supplied to the R fan 3.
The air is sent to the vegetable compartment 16 and the refrigeration compartment 14 and circulated.

Next, the structure of these refrigeration cycles will be described with reference to FIG.

A condenser 46 is connected to the compressor 20, and a three-way valve 68 is connected to the condenser 46. Three-way valve 68
One of the refrigerant passages branched into two branches is a capillary tube for a refrigerator (hereinafter referred to as an R capillary tube) 5.
0 and connected to the R-Eva 34. The other refrigerant flow path divided from the three-way valve 68 is a capillary tube for a freezing room (hereinafter, referred to as an F capillary tube) 5.
2 and connected to the Fever 24. The refrigerant passages of the F-eva 24 and the R-eva 34 become one, and the compressor 2
Cycle to zero.

Next, the three-way valve 68 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the three-way valve 68, which has a so-called solenoid structure including a coil 102, a magnet 104, a plunger 106 and the like. Plunger 1
06, a pin 108 is provided below the coil 10.
By exemplifying 2, the pin 108 is driven downward, and the valve body 110 is driven downward against the spring 112. In this state, the refrigerant flows from the condenser 46 into the R-eva 34
It is flowing to. Also, the plunger 106
Is returned, the valve body 110 returns upward, and the refrigerant flows from the condenser 46 to the F-eva 24. In the drawing, reference numeral 116 is a refrigeration valve seat, and reference numeral 118 is a refrigeration valve seat.

A. Valve Leakage Detection Method A method of detecting a valve leak of the three-way valve 68 in the refrigerator 10 having the above structure will be described.

That is, because of the structure of the three-way valve 68, minute dust in the refrigeration cycle is contaminated with the valve element 110 and the toilet seat 116,
Since there is a case in which the valve is caught between the valves 118, slight valve leakage may occur. Therefore, five detection methods when this valve leakage occurs will be described.

1. First Valve Leak Detection Method A first valve leak detection method will be described with reference to FIG.

(Normal case) When the three-way valve 68 is normal without any valve leakage, when the freezing room 18 is cooled (hereinafter, referred to as a freezing mode), the R-eva defrost sensor detects the refrigerator room temperature (0). C. to 3 C.). That is, in the normal refrigeration mode, all the refrigerant flows to the F eva 24 and does not flow to the R eva 34, so that the R eva 34 is not cooled and has the same temperature as the refrigerator compartment 14.

(Abnormal condition) However, in the freezing mode,
When the refrigerant starts leaking to the R-eva 34 due to the valve leakage, the R-eva 34 is cooled by the leaked refrigerant, and the detection temperature of the R-eva sensor 38 decreases and does not increase to the refrigerator compartment temperature.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the set value is set to a temperature slightly lower than the freezing room temperature, and the value is set as a threshold value. Judge that it has occurred.

(Modification) In this judgment, if the temperature of the F-eva sensor 38 immediately before the end of the refrigerating mode has not reached the set value, a malfunction may occur if it is immediately judged that there is a valve leak. is there.

Therefore, in order to prevent this malfunction, the temperature of the R-eva sensor 38 immediately before the end of the next refrigerating mode is equal to or lower than the set value, and the temperature of the R-eva sensor 38 immediately before the end of the third refrigerating mode is set to the set value. At the following time, it may be determined that the three-way valve 68 has leaked.

Note that the number of times is not limited to three, but two,
It may be four times. 2. Second Valve Leak Detection Method A second valve leak detection method will be described with reference to FIG.

(Normal) When the three-way valve 68 is normal without any valve leakage, the F-evaporation sensor 30 operates in the refrigerating mode and when the refrigerating compartment 14 is cooled (hereinafter referred to as the refrigerating mode).
There is a temperature difference of about 10-15 ° C. That is, Fever 2
When the refrigerant flows into 4, the F-eva 24 is cooled and its temperature is lowered. On the other hand, if the refrigerant does not flow through the F-eva 24, the temperature rises, and the temperature difference is about 10 ° C to 15 ° C.

(At the time of abnormality)
When the refrigerant starts to leak to the fourth side, the temperature of the F eva 24 decreases, the detection temperature of the F eva sensor 30 decreases, and the temperature difference between the freezing mode and the refrigeration mode decreases. Therefore, when this temperature difference becomes equal to or less than the set temperature difference, the F
It is determined that the refrigerant is leaking to No. 4.

(Modification) In this valve leak detection, similarly to the first detection method, the valve leak may be determined only when the above phenomenon occurs three times.

3. Third Valve Leak Detection Method Next, a third valve leak detection method will be described with reference to FIG.

(Normal) When the three-way valve 68 is normal without any leakage, the R-eva sensor 38 rises to the refrigerator compartment temperature (0 ° C. to 3 ° C.) in the freezing mode. That is, in the refrigerating mode, the refrigerant does not flow through the R-eva 34 at all, so that the refrigerant is not cooled and becomes equal to the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 14.

(At the time of abnormality) However, in the freezing mode,
When the cool air starts to leak to the R-eva 34, the cool air lowers the temperature of the R-eva 34, lowers the temperature of the R-eva sensor 38, and does not increase the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 14. And, when the set value is determined at a temperature slightly lower than the refrigerator compartment temperature,
The temperature of the R evaluation sensor 38 becomes lower than the set value.

Further, the operating frequency of the compressor 20 becomes insufficient due to valve leakage of the R-eva 34, and the operating frequency is increased to compensate for the insufficient performance. Therefore, when the temperature detected by the R-eva sensor 38 is equal to or lower than the set value and the operating frequency of the compressor 20 is higher than the set frequency, it is determined that the cool air is leaking to the R-eva 34. Thus, valve leakage can be determined more reliably than in the first valve leakage detection method.

(Modification) In this valve leak detection, it is also possible to determine that a valve leak has occurred only when three consecutive occurrences have occurred, as in the first valve leak detection method.

4. Fourth Valve Leak Detection Method A fourth valve leak detection method will be described with reference to FIG.

(Normal) If the three-way valve 68 is normal without any valve leakage, the R
The detected temperature of 8 rises to the refrigerator room temperature (0 ° C. to 3 ° C.).
This is because no refrigerant flows into the R-eva 34 and the temperature of the R-eva 34 rises.

(At the time of abnormality) In the refrigeration mode, the R
When the cool air starts to leak into the chamber 4, the temperature of the R-eva 34 decreases, so that the detection temperature of the R-eva sensor 38 decreases and does not increase to the refrigerator compartment temperature. Therefore, the temperature difference between the temperature detected by the R-eva sensor 38 in the refrigeration mode and the temperature detected in the refrigeration mode, which is the current state, is reduced. Therefore, when the temperature difference becomes equal to or less than the set temperature difference, it is determined that refrigerant leakage has occurred in the R-eva 34 in the freezing mode.

(Modification) In this valve leakage detecting method, it may be determined that valve leakage has occurred only when three consecutive occurrences have occurred, similarly to the above-described detection method.

5. Fifth Valve Leak Detection Method A fifth valve leak detection method will be described with reference to FIG.

(Normal state) When the three-way valve 68 is normal without any valve leakage, the F-
The detected temperature of 0 drops to about -30 ° C. That is, R
No refrigerant flows at all in the evaporator 34, and only refrigerant flows in the F evaporator 24, so that the temperature drops.

(At the time of abnormality) In the refrigeration mode, the R
When the refrigerant starts leaking, the F-eva 24 is not completely cooled, the detection temperature of the F-eva sensor 30 increases, and the temperature difference between the detection temperature of the F-eva sensor 30 in the refrigeration mode and the detection temperature in the freezing mode decreases. Therefore, when the temperature difference becomes equal to or smaller than the set temperature difference, it is detected that the refrigerant is leaking to the R-eva 34 in the freezing mode.

(Modification) In this detection method, similarly to the above detection method, it may be determined that valve leakage has occurred only when three consecutive occurrences have occurred.

By using the above-described valve leak detection method, it is possible to reliably detect whether or not the three-way valve 68 has leaked.

B. Next, a description will be given of a control method for removing dust which is a cause of the valve leakage when it is determined that valve leakage has occurred in the three-way valve 68.

1. First Removal Method In the event that valve leakage occurs in the three-way valve 68, a first method for removing dust is to forcibly operate the valve body 110 by forcibly operating the plunger 106 with a solenoid. Then, the garbage around it is removed.

2. Second Removal Method As a second removal method, in addition to the first removal method, the operating frequency of the compressor 20 is increased, the pressure of the refrigerant flowing inside the three-way valve 68 is increased, and the circulation amount is increased. Is increased to increase the flow velocity of the refrigerant in the vicinity of the dust adhering portion of the valve element 110, thereby blowing off dust. Thus, in addition to simply forcibly operating the valve body 110, dust is blown away by the refrigerant, so that dust can be reliably removed.

3. Third Dust Removal Method As a third removal method, when it is detected that a valve leak has occurred, the valve element 110 is stopped at an intermediate point so that the refrigerant flows through both. In this state, the operating frequency of the compressor 20 is increased to increase the pressure, and the amount of circulation is increased to increase the flow velocity of the refrigerant near the dust-attached portion of the valve body 110, thereby blowing off dust.

4. Fourth Dust Removal Method In the first and second dust removal methods, the valve element 110
The operation of the (plunger 106) was performed in about 4 seconds, but in order to speed up the operation, the voltage is increased to operate in about 1 second. As a result, the valve element 110 operates rapidly, and the valve operation impact is strengthened to facilitate the removal of dust.

C. Control method of valve leak defrost Next, valve leak detection is performed, and although the dust removal control as described above is performed, the valve leak defrost control method in a case where the removal cannot be performed is described in FIG. 8 will be described.

In step 1, it is detected whether or not valve leakage has occurred, as described above. Then, if valve leakage has occurred, the process proceeds to step 2.
If no valve leakage has occurred, the operation returns to normal operation.

In step 2, the above-described dust removal control method is performed, dust is removed, and the process proceeds to step 3.

In step 3, it is determined whether or not valve leakage is detected again. If valve leakage is not detected, normal operation is resumed. If valve leakage is detected (ie,
The detection of valve leakage is performed twice in total), and the process proceeds to step 4.

In step 4, since the valve leak is detected twice, the F-eva 24 and the R-eva 34 are cooled more than necessary, and frost may be generated. The defrosting of the R-eva 34 is performed, and the process proceeds to step 5.

In step 5, if the valve leak is detected again after the completion of the defrosting (that is, the valve leak is detected three times in total), the process proceeds to step 6, and if not detected, the normal operation is performed. Return to.

In step 6, since the valve leak is detected three times, the defrosting control interval of the R-eva 34 is switched to the defrost interval of the F-eva 24. This is because in normal operation R
Since the interval of the defrosting operation of the evaporator 34 is larger than the interval of the defrosting operation of the F evaporator 24, frost formation may occur if the operation is performed at the interval of the defrosting operation of the R evaporator 34. is there.

On the other hand, when the defrost control method is viewed from a different viewpoint, the R-eva 34 is frosted more than necessary due to valve leakage. If the frost due to the valve leakage is determined to be frost during normal operation and the same defrost control is performed as in normal operation, the defrost operation will be performed more than necessary. Therefore, when such a valve leak is detected three times, the interval between the defrosting operations of the R-eva 34 is set as the defrosting operation interval, and the valve leak detection and the frost formation detection are distinguished, and the useless defrost control is performed. It also has the effect of preventing it.

Although the refrigerator 10 according to the above embodiment has been described based on the refrigeration cycle shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerator 10 may be replaced with a refrigeration cycle having a different position of the Feva 24 as shown in FIG. It can be implemented similarly.

[0087]

As described above, according to the refrigerator of the present invention, valve leakage can be reliably detected, and when valve leakage occurs, dust causing the leakage can be easily removed. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a refrigerator according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a refrigeration cycle.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a three-way valve.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the first and fifth valve leak detection methods.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a second valve leak detection method.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a third valve leak detection method.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a fourth valve leak detection method.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control state of a defrosting operation when a valve leak is detected.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a modified example of the refrigeration cycle.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Refrigerator 20 Compressor 24 Feva 30 Fevasensor 34 Reva 38 Revasensor 44 Control device 68 Three-way valve

Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Norifumi Iimura 1-6 Ota Toshiba-cho, Ibaraki-shi, Osaka Toshiba Abu E Co., Ltd. Osaka office F term (reference) 3L045 AA02 AA03 AA04 BA01 CA02 DA02 EA01 HA02 HA07 JA15 LA07 LA14 LA17 MA04 MA12 NA01 NA16 PA01 PA02 PA03 PA04 PA05

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A compressor, a condenser, a refrigeration throttle mechanism,
A refrigerant flow path is formed by connecting a refrigerating evaporator corresponding to a refrigerating room, a refrigerating throttle mechanism, and a refrigerating evaporator corresponding to a refrigerating room to form a refrigerant flow path. In a refrigerator capable of realizing a refrigeration mode in which the refrigerant flows through the expansion mechanism to the refrigeration evaporator side and a refrigeration mode in which the refrigerant flows only through the refrigeration evaporator through the refrigeration expansion mechanism, the refrigeration evaporator of the valve mechanism A valve leak determining means for determining a valve leak of the refrigerant to the refrigerator or a valve leak of the refrigerant to the refrigerating evaporator. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising: a refrigerator evaporator temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of the refrigerator evaporator; and a valve leak judging means in the freezing mode, the temperature detected by the refrigerator evaporator temperature detecting means. Is below the set temperature,
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that the valve leaks from the refrigerant to the evaporator for refrigeration of the valve mechanism. 3. The refrigerator has a refrigerator evaporator temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of the refrigerator evaporator, and the valve leak determining means has a temperature detected by the refrigerator evaporator temperature detecting means in the freezing mode. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein when the temperature is equal to or lower than the set temperature and the operating frequency of the compressor is higher than the set frequency, it is determined that the refrigerant is leaking to the refrigeration evaporator of the valve mechanism. 4. The refrigerator has a refrigerator evaporator temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of the refrigerator evaporator, and the valve leak determining means has a temperature detected by the refrigerator evaporator temperature detecting means in the freezing mode. When the difference between the temperature in the refrigeration mode of the refrigeration evaporator temperature detecting means and the temperature in the refrigeration mode falls within a set temperature range, it is determined that the valve mechanism leaks refrigerant to the refrigeration evaporator. The refrigerator according to 1. 5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising a refrigerating evaporator temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of the refrigerating evaporator, wherein the valve leak determining means detects a temperature detected by the refrigerating evaporator temperature detecting means in the refrigerating mode. When the difference between the temperature of the refrigerating evaporator and the temperature of the refrigerating evaporator in the refrigerating mode falls within a set temperature range, it is determined that the refrigerant leaks into the refrigerating evaporator of the valve mechanism. The refrigerator according to 1. 6. The refrigerator has a refrigerating evaporator temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of the refrigerating evaporator, and the valve leak judging means detects a temperature detected by the refrigerating evaporator temperature detecting means in a refrigerating mode. When the difference between the temperature of the refrigerating evaporator temperature detecting means and the temperature in the refrigerating mode is within a set temperature range, it is determined that the refrigerant leaks to the refrigerating evaporator of the valve mechanism. The refrigerator according to 1. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising dust removing means for forcibly operating the valve mechanism to remove dust from the valve mechanism when the valve leak determining means determines that the valve is leaking. refrigerator. 8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the dust removing means forcibly operates the valve mechanism while increasing the operating frequency of the compressor when the valve leak determining means determines that the valve is leaking. The refrigerator as described. 9. The dust removing means, when the valve leak determining means determines that the valve is leaking, stops the valve mechanism while switching the refrigerant flow path while increasing the operating frequency of the compressor. The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein 10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the dust removing means forcibly operates the valve mechanism by shortening the normal operation time when the valve leak determining means determines that the valve is leaking. refrigerator. 11. After the dust removing means removes the dust,
8. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising defrost control means for performing a valve leak defrosting operation of the refrigerating evaporator and the refrigerating evaporator when the valve leak judging means judges again that the valve is leaking. 10. The refrigerator according to 10. 12. The defrosting control means for controlling the defrosting operation interval of the refrigerating evaporator to be shorter than the defrosting operation interval of the refrigerating evaporator in a normal state. After performing the above, when the valve leak determining means further determines that the valve is leaking, the interval between the defrosting operations of the refrigerating evaporator and the refrigerating evaporator is set to the defrosting interval of the refrigerating evaporator. The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein