JP2000111229A - Freezer-refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the operability for ice and maintain an appropriate icemaker temperature without being influenced by the temperature difference of a refrigerator compartment. SOLUTION: The freezer-refrigerator having at least a refrigerator compartment 3 and freezer compartments 7, 9 is provided with an icemaker 13 having an ice making function and an ice storing function inside the refrigerator compartment 3. Each compartment temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3, the icemaker 13, and the freezer compartments 7, 9 is independently maintained within a predetermined temperature range by a cooling means and an independent temperature control means. The temperature increase of the icemaker 13 is reduced by an icemaker temperature increase reduction means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a refrigerator-freezer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, refrigerators are generally divided into a refrigerator compartment, a freezing compartment, and a vegetable compartment, so that foodstuffs can be stored according to the purpose. ing.

[0003] On the other hand, ice is often used with foods and drinks, and the ice making room for making ice is installed in a freezing room having the lowest temperature in the refrigerator.

[0004]

From the viewpoint of usability, it is desirable that ice can be taken out from the place where everyone in the home uses it without bending the waist and knees. Tend to be placed between the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment in order to improve the usability.

That is, since the vegetable compartment is located in the middle, the refrigerator compartment is located above and the freezing compartment is located below, the freezing compartment in which the ice making compartment is located is located at the bottom, and the ice compartment has to be used for removing the ice. The knee had to be bent, and there was a problem that ice extraction and the convenience of the vegetable room were not compatible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerating refrigerator that solves the above-mentioned disadvantages, facilitates the removal of ice, and obtains an optimum ice-making room temperature.

[0007]

To achieve the above object, the present invention has at least a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment,
In the refrigeration room, an ice making function, an ice making room having an ice storage function is provided, and the refrigeration room, the ice making room, a cooling means and an independent temperature control means for keeping each room temperature of the freezing room in a predetermined temperature range independently, An ice making chamber temperature rise reducing means for reducing the temperature rise in the ice making chamber is provided.

Thus, since the ice making room is disposed in the refrigerator room, the ice can be easily taken out without bending the waist or the like. On the other hand, even if the refrigerating compartment is repeatedly opened and closed frequently, the temperature in the ice making compartment is maintained at the ice making compartment temperature by the independent temperature control means and the ice making compartment temperature rise reducing means, and the ice is not melted.

Further, the independent temperature control means of the present invention includes a door dedicated to the ice making room, an ice making room temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the ice making room, and a temperature zone for each of the refrigerator room, the ice making room and the freezing room. It consists of an upper limit and a lower limit.

Thus, for example, the refrigerator compartment (upper limit 4
℃, lower limit 2 ℃), ice making room (upper limit -14 ℃, lower limit -16
° C), the freezing room is set at a temperature range of (upper limit of -19 ° C, lower limit of -21 ° C), and the ice making room is an independent room with a dedicated door. Is also maintained at an appropriate temperature zone.

Further, the independent temperature control means of the present invention turns on the cooling means for cooling the respective rooms when the temperature of the ice making room or the freezing room reaches the upper limit value, and the temperatures of both the rooms reach the lower limit value. Then, the cooling means for cooling each room is turned off.

Thus, for example, when the temperature of the freezer reaches the upper limit, the cooling means is turned on and cooling starts. Thereafter, when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment reaches the lower limit, and subsequently the ice making compartment and the freezing compartment reach the lower limit in this order, the cooling means is turned off and the cooling is stopped. Hereinafter, when the temperature of the ice making room reaches the upper limit value, the operation of turning on the cooling means is repeated, whereby independent cooling of each room having a different temperature zone is performed.

Further, the independent temperature control means of the present invention includes a blower for sending cool air to each of the ice making chamber and the freezing chamber when the temperature of each of the chambers substantially reaches the upper limit value, by a predetermined time from the ON operation of the cooling means. On the other hand, when the temperature of each chamber almost reaches the lower limit value, the blower for blowing cool air into each chamber is turned off with a delay of a predetermined time from the turning-off operation of the cooling means.

Thus, by delaying the operation of the blower, it is possible to prevent the uncooled warm air from being reliably blown to each room, and to perform efficient cooling of each room.

Further, the door for exclusive use of the ice making room of the present invention comprises an inner door and an outer door provided at the opening / closing door of the refrigerator compartment. The inner door does not interlock with the opening / closing of the opening / closing door. Works only with the outside door.

[0016] Thus, the ice in the ice making room can be taken out independently without opening the opening / closing door of the refrigeration room, and the temperature at the time of taking out is not given to the refrigeration room.

Further, the ice making room of the present invention is capable of changing the upper limit and the lower limit for setting the temperature zone, and has a rapid ice making function.

Thus, for example, by further lowering the temperature of the lower limit, it is possible to prevent sticking of ice pieces made in the ice making room. In addition, even when ice is needed immediately, ice can be made quickly by using the rapid ice making mode.

Further, the independent temperature control means of the present invention comprises: a cooler serving as a refrigerator compartment and an ice making compartment; a cooler dedicated to a freezer compartment;
It consists of a blower path communicating between the ice making room and the refrigerator room, and a blower provided in each room.

Thus, since the cold air is sent into the refrigerator compartment, the ice making compartment, and the freezing compartment by the dedicated cooler and the blower, the efficiency can be improved even in the ice making compartment disposed in the refrigerator compartment having a large temperature difference. Can make ice well.

Further, in the ventilation path of the present invention, the flow of cool air from the cooler passing through the ice making chamber and returning to the cooler again, and the cool air from the cooler passing through the ice making chamber and the cold storage chamber and returning to the cooler again. It becomes a flow.

Thus, the cool air from the cooler must be
After cooling the ice-making chamber, it flows to the refrigerator compartment, so that it is possible to prevent the refrigerator compartment from being overcooled, which is set at a relatively high internal temperature compared to the ice-making compartment, and to reduce the temperature amplitude.

Further, the ice making chamber temperature rise reducing means of the present invention stops the operation of the blower for sending cool air to the ice making chamber and the blower for sending cool air to the refrigerator compartment when the door dedicated to the ice making chamber is opened.

Thus, when the door is opened, the cool air in the ice making chamber does not escape outside, and the rise in the temperature of the ice making chamber is suppressed.

Further, the ice making chamber temperature rise reduction means of the present invention turns on the blower for sending cool air to the refrigerator compartment when the ice making chamber is cooled to the reference temperature.

Thus, when cooling the ice making room, the cool air in the refrigerator room higher than the ice making room is not sent into the ice making room, and the temperature rise in the ice making room can be reduced.

The ice making chamber temperature rise reducing means of the present invention is provided with a cold weir for reducing the natural outflow of cold air at the cold air outlet of the ice making chamber.

Thus, when the supply of the cool air is stopped when the inside of the ice making chamber reaches the lower limit value, the natural flow of the cool air can be reduced, so that the ice making temperature zone can be maintained over a long period of time.

[0029]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a refrigerator. The refrigerator-freezer 1 has a refrigerator room 3, a vegetable room 5, a first freezer room 7, and a second freezer room 9 from above, and each room 3, 5, 7, 9
The food door and the like can be put in and taken out by an openable door 11.

An ice making room 13 having an ice making function and an ice storage function is arranged in the refrigeration room 3.

The ice making room 13 is formed as an independent room by a partition wall 15, and has an ice making machine 17 for making ice and an ice tray 19 which can be put in and taken out of the ice making machine 17 for storing the ice made by the ice making machine 17. Is provided. The ice tray 19 can be put in and out by opening the front inner door 21.

The inner door 21 cooperates with an outer door 23 provided on the opening / closing door 11 of the refrigerator compartment 3, and when the outer door 23 is opened, the inner door 21 is opened.
Also open together.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG.
The upper end pivots about the lower hinge 25 and is urged by an urging spring 27. One end of the biasing spring 27 is attached to the upper side wall of the inner door 21 and the other end is attached to the lower wall surface of the partition wall 15 that forms the ice making chamber 13. The urging spring 27 extends against the spring pressure, and the spring axis of the urging spring 27 moves to the lower hinge 25 of the inner door 21.
Until the hinge axis X is exceeded, an urging force for urging in the door closing direction is exerted by the spring pressure of the urging spring 27. The urging spring 27 has the maximum expansion at the hinge axis X position of the lower hinge 25, and contracts beyond the fulcrum beyond the hinge axis X of the lower hinge 25.
The urging force for urging the inner door 21 in the door opening direction is exerted by the spring pressure of.

On the other hand, the upper end of the outer door 23 is pivoted about the lower hinge 31 as a fulcrum by holding the upper handle 29 and pulling it forward.
3 are provided. When the outer door 23 rotates in the opening direction, the pressing lever 33 presses the inner door lever 35 provided on the inner door 21 in the clockwise direction as indicated by an arrow.
To rotate in the door opening direction.

Therefore, the inner door 21 in the opened state is rotated by turning the outer door 23 in the closing direction (arrow in FIG. 5).
Will be closed with.

It should be noted that the inner door 21 is an opening / closing door 11 for the refrigerator compartment 3.
When is open, it can be opened and closed manually by itself.

[0038] A first cooler 37 is arranged at the rear of the ice making chamber 13, and the first cooler 37 also serves as a cooler for the refrigerator compartment 3. Above the first cooler 37, a blower 39 for the ice making room and a blower 41 for the refrigerator room are respectively arranged.
The cool air that has undergone heat exchange in the cooler 37 is sent into the ice making chamber 13. In addition, the rotation of the refrigerating room blower 41 causes the cool air circulating in the ice making room 13 to be sent into the refrigerating room 3.

On the other hand, the first and second freezing compartments 7 and 9 are independent of the vegetable compartment 5 by a partition wall 43, and a second cooler 45 is disposed at the rear thereof. Above the second cooler 45, a freezer-room blower 47 is arranged, and by rotating the freezer-room blower 47, the cool air that has been heat-exchanged in the second cooler 45 is converted into first and second coolers. The two freezer compartments 7 and 9 are independently circulated.

FIG. 6 shows the first and second coolers 37 and 4.
FIG. 5 shows a circuit diagram including the refrigerant circuit 5. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 51 is controlled by the switching control of the switching valve 49 so that the condenser 53, the first capillary tube 55, and the first cooler 37 are indicated by solid lines. , A refrigeration cycle which passes through the second cooler 45 and returns to the compressor 51 again. Further, as indicated by the dotted line, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 51 passes through the condenser 53, the second capillary tube 57, and the second cooler 45, and
A refrigeration cycle is returned to the compressor 51 again. The refrigerating compartment 3, the ice making compartment 13, and the first and second freezing compartments 7, 9 are set to a predetermined temperature zone by independent temperature control means.

The independent temperature control means is provided in the ice making chamber 13 described above.
, An inner door 21, a temperature sensor S <b> 3 serving as an ice making room temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature in the ice making room 13, and a temperature zone of the refrigerator room 3, the ice making room 13, and the first and second freezing rooms 7 and 9 are set. It consists of an upper limit and a lower limit.

The refrigerating compartment 3 is provided with, for example, a refrigerating compartment temperature detecting sensor S1 for detecting the upper limit 4 ° C. and the lower limit 2 ° C. of the refrigerating compartment 3.
And an open / closed door detection sensor S2 for detecting the open / closed state.

The ice making room 13 is provided with, for example, an ice making room temperature detecting sensor S3 for detecting an upper limit value of −14 ° C. and a lower limit value of −16 ° C. of the ice making room 13, and an inner door opening / closing detecting sensor S4. When the inner door 21 is opened, the inner door opening / closing detection sensor S4 temporarily stops the operations of the fan 39 for the ice making room and the fan 41 for the refrigerator compartment, so that the cool air in the ice making room 13 escapes to the outside. And a means for reducing the rise in the temperature of the ice making chamber 13 for reducing the rise in the temperature of the ice making chamber 13.

The first and second freezer compartments 7, 9 are provided with a freezer compartment temperature sensor S5 for detecting, for example, an upper limit value of -19 ° C. and a lower limit value of −21 ° C. of the freezer compartments 7, 9.

According to the refrigerator-freezer constructed as described above, in order to take out ice, the handle 29 of the outer door 23 is pulled forward, and the inner door 21 rotates together with the outer door 23.
Ice can be easily taken out of the ice making chamber 13 without bending the hips and knees. Further, the temperature does not affect the inside of the refrigerator compartment 3 when the ice is taken out.

On the other hand, the refrigerator compartment 3, the ice making compartment 13, the first and second
As shown in FIG. 3, when the temperature of the freezing chambers 7 and 9 reaches the set upper limit, the cooling means such as the compressor 51, the second cooler 45, and the blower 47 are operated as shown in FIG. It turns on from the off state, and cooling in the first and second freezing chambers 7, 9 starts. When the temperature in the refrigerator reaches the lower limit value due to this cooling, the cooling means is turned off, and thereafter, the on and off operations are repeated in accordance with the upper limit value and the lower limit value, so that the first and second freezing chambers 7,
9 is controlled to a temperature zone of an upper limit (−19 ° C.) and a lower limit (−21 ° C.).

When the temperature in the ice making chamber 13 reaches the upper limit of the setting, the cooling means such as the compressor 51, the first cooler 37 and the blower 39 are turned on, and the cooling in the ice making chamber 13 starts. . When the temperature reaches the lower limit value by this cooling, the cooling means is turned off, and thereafter, the on / off operation is repeated in accordance with the upper limit value and the lower limit value, so that the ice making chamber 13 has the upper limit value (−14).
℃) and the lower limit (-16 ℃).

When the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 3 reaches the upper limit of the setting, the blower 41 for the refrigerator compartment is turned on, and cool air is sent into the refrigerator compartment 3 to start cooling. When the temperature reaches the lower limit value by this cooling, the blower 41 for the refrigerator compartment is turned off, and thereafter, the on / off operation is repeated according to the upper limit value and the lower limit value, so that the refrigerator compartment 3 reaches the upper limit value (4 ° C.). Lower limit (2
° C).

FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment in which each chamber can be efficiently cooled.

That is, the refrigeration room 3, the ice making room 13, the first and second
When the temperature of each of the freezing compartments 7 and 9 almost reaches the upper limit value, a blower 41 for the refrigerator compartment, a blower 39 for the ice making compartment, and a blower for the freezing compartment that send cool air to each compartment 3, 13, 7, 9 47
Are turned on with a delay of a predetermined time from the on operation of each cooling means, and when the temperature of each of the chambers 3, 13, 7, 9 almost reaches the lower limit value, each of the blowers 41, 39, 47 is turned off by the cooling means. Is an independent temperature control means configured to perform an off-operation with a predetermined time delay from the off-operation.

The other components are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore, are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

Therefore, according to the second embodiment, the operation of each of the blowers 41, 39, and 47 can be delayed from the on-operation of the compressor 51 and the like serving as cooling means. , The second coolers 37 and 45, warm air not sufficiently exchanged with heat is supplied to each of the chambers 3 and 1.
No longer blows to 3, 7, 9 and each room 3, 13,
Efficient cooling of 7, 9 can be performed.

FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment in which the temperature zone of the ice making chamber 13 can be variably controlled.

That is, in addition to the normal upper limit (−14 ° C.) and the lower limit (−16 ° C.), the normal upper limit and the lower limit (−16 ° C.) are set by the set temperature dial 59 provided in the refrigerator compartment 3. This allows the upper and lower limits to be set lower than the lower limit.

Since the other components are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and the detailed description is omitted.

Therefore, according to the third embodiment, by setting the normal upper limit and lower limit of the ice making chamber 13 to a lower setting mode, sticking due to melting of ice can be eliminated and ice can be removed. You can make it quickly when you need it.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a fourth embodiment in which the refrigerating compartment 3 is kept from being too cold.

That is, the first cooler 37 is provided in the ice making chamber 13.
And an independent temperature control means having a communication ventilation path 61 leading to the refrigerator compartment 3 and a fan 39 for the ice making chamber above the first cooler 37. Blower 39 for ice making room
Functions to rotate the cool air exchanged in the first cooler 37 by rotating in the ice making chamber 13 as shown by the solid line.

On the other hand, in the refrigeration room 3, a refrigeration room blower 41 is inserted into a chill air intake 63 facing the above-mentioned communication blast passage 61.
Is arranged. The refrigerating room blower 41 rotates to send out a part of the cool air circulated from the cool air inlet 63 into the ice making chamber 13 into the refrigerating room 3, and the circulation blowing path 6.
5 again serves to return to the first cooler 37.

The other components are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore, are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described in detail.

Therefore, according to the fourth embodiment, even in the refrigerator compartment 3 having a large temperature difference from the ice making compartment 13, the cold air exchanged by the first cooler 37 is
Since the inside of the ice making chamber 13 is always circulated and cooled, and a part of it is sent into the refrigeration chamber 3 through the communication ventilation passage 61, the inside of the refrigeration chamber 3 can be prevented from being overcooled. Further, the amplitude of the temperature can be reduced.

FIG. 11 shows a fifth embodiment in which the rise in the temperature of the ice making chamber 13 is reduced.

That is, when an operation command signal for operating the refrigerator 41 for the refrigerator compartment is input, the ice making chamber 13 is cooled to the reference temperature, and then the temperature of the ice making chamber 41 is turned on by turning on the fan 41 for the refrigerator compartment. It serves as a rise reduction means.

Since the other components are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and the detailed description is omitted.

Therefore, according to the fifth embodiment, even if an operation command signal is input to the refrigerator 41 for the refrigerator compartment, (b) as shown by the solid line, the cooling means causes the temperature of the ice making chamber 13 to reach the reference value. Until the ice making room 13 is cooled (pre-cool)
I do. At the same time, since the blower 41 is in the off standby state, the refrigerator compartment 3 having a large temperature difference compared to the ice making compartment 13 is provided.
The air inside the ice making chamber 13 is no longer sent into the ice making chamber 13 and the temperature rise exceeding the upper limit ((b) dotted line) in the ice making chamber 13 during cooling of the refrigerator compartment is suppressed, and the upper and lower temperature limits as shown by the solid line. Can be maintained within.

FIG. 12 shows a sixth embodiment in which the rise in the temperature of the ice making chamber 13 is reduced.

That is, an ice making chamber temperature rise reduction means is provided by providing a cold weir 67 for reducing the natural outflow of cold air at the cold air outlet 65 of the ice making chamber 13.

Since the other components are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and the detailed description is omitted.

Therefore, according to the sixth embodiment, even if the inside of the ice making chamber 13 reaches the lower limit and the cooling means stops, the cool air is blocked by the cool weir 67 and the natural outflow is prevented. In addition, the temperature rise in the ice making chamber 13 can be suppressed.

[0070]

As described above, according to the refrigerator of the present invention, the ice making room is provided in the refrigerating room, so that the ice can be easily taken out without waist, knees or bending. The usability of ice is improved.

Further, it is possible to maintain the optimum ice making room temperature without being affected by the temperature difference from the refrigerator room.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a refrigerator-freezer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the refrigerator-freezer according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory diagram in which upper and lower limits of a refrigerator compartment, an ice making compartment, and a freezing compartment are controlled by turning on / off a cooling means.

FIG. 4 is an operation diagram in a state where an inner door and an outer door of the ice making room are closed.

FIG. 5 is an operation diagram in a state where an inner door and an outer door of the ice making room are opened.

FIG. 6 is a refrigeration circuit diagram including first and second coolers.

FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory view in which a blower in each room is turned on / off by delaying a blower for an on / off operation of a cooling unit.

FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory diagram in which an upper limit value and a lower limit value of the ice making chamber are variable.

FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory view in which cold air in the ice making chamber is caused to flow into the refrigerator compartment through a communication ventilation path.

FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory view in which cool air is circulated in the ice making chamber.

FIG. 11 is an operation explanatory diagram in which when a temperature in the ice making room reaches a reference value, a blower for the refrigerator compartment is turned on.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view in which a cool air weir for preventing the natural outflow of cool air is provided at a cool air outlet of the ice making room.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 Refrigeration room 7, 9 First and second freezing room (freezing room) 13 Ice making room

Continuation of the front page F term (reference) 3L045 AA02 BA01 CA02 DA02 EA01 HA02 JA02 JA15 LA09 MA02 MA13 NA03 NA15 NA16 PA01 PA04 PA05

Claims (11)

[Claims] An ice-making room having an ice-making function and an ice-storage function is provided in at least a refrigerating room and a freezing room, and the temperatures of the refrigerating room, the ice-making room, and the freezing room are independently controlled. Cooling means and independent temperature control means for maintaining a predetermined temperature range,
A refrigerator comprising an ice making room temperature rise reducing means for reducing a temperature rise in the ice making room. 2. The independent temperature control means includes a door dedicated to the ice making room, an ice making room temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the ice making room, and an upper limit value for setting a temperature zone of each of the refrigerator room, the ice making room, and the freezing room. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the lower limit is satisfied. 3. The independent temperature control means turns on a cooling means for cooling each of the chambers when the temperature of the ice making chamber or the freezing chamber reaches the upper limit, and cools the cooling means when the temperatures of both chambers reach the lower limit. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the means is turned off. 4. An independent temperature control means for turning on a blower for blowing cool air into each of the ice making compartment and the freezing compartment when the temperature of each compartment has almost reached an upper limit, with a delay of a predetermined time from the on-operation of the cooling means. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein when the temperature of each of the chambers substantially reaches the lower limit value, the blower for sending cool air to each of the chambers is turned off with a predetermined time delay from the off operation of the cooling means. 5. A door dedicated to an ice making room includes an inner door and an outer door provided on an opening / closing door of a refrigerator compartment, wherein the inner door does not interlock with the opening / closing of the opening / closing door, and is connected to the outer door. 3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the refrigerator is linked only with the refrigerator. 6. The ice making room according to claim 1, wherein an upper limit value and a lower limit value for setting a temperature zone are variable, and the ice making room is provided with a rapid ice making function. The refrigerator-freezer according to any one of the above. 7. The independent temperature control means includes: a cooler serving also as a refrigerator compartment and an ice making compartment; a cooler dedicated to a freezing compartment; a ventilation path communicating the ice making compartment with the refrigerator compartment; and a blower provided in each compartment. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerator comprises: 8. The air flow path is such that cold air from the cooler passes through the ice making chamber and returns to the cooler again, and cool air from the cooler passes through the ice making chamber and the cold storage chamber and returns to the cooler again. The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein: 9. The ice making chamber temperature rise reducing means stops operation of a blower for sending cool air to the ice making chamber and a blower for sending cool air to the refrigerator compartment when a door dedicated to the ice making chamber is opened. Item 7. The refrigerator according to Item 1. 10. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the means for reducing the rise in temperature of the ice making chamber turns on a blower for blowing cool air into the refrigerator when the ice making chamber is cooled to a reference temperature. 11. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the means for reducing the rise in temperature of the ice making room is provided with a cold weir for reducing a natural outflow of the cold air at an outlet of the cold air in the ice making room.