JP2001012837A - Refrigerator equipped with vacuum cooling device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a refrigerator to easily cool an object to be cooled without giving any puzzlement to ordinary consumers by providing a vacuum pump which discharges the gas in an evacuated storage chamber to the outside. SOLUTION: A refrigerator is provided with a vacuum pump 112 which discharges the gas in an evacuated storage chamber 110 to the outside. Consequently, when cooled stored goods are housed in the chamber 110 and the chamber is kept in a vacuum state by evacuating the gas in the chamber 110 with the pump 112, the boiling point of the moisture contained in the goods drops to a room temperature or lower and the moisture boils and vaporizes. Since the latent heat of vaporization is removed from the goods, the goods are quickly cooled. For such stored goods as the canned foods or drinks from which water is not able to be vaporized, the goods are dipped in water contained in a container, put in the storage chamber 110 together with the container, and kept in a vacuum state. When the goods are kept in this way, the water in the container starts to boil at the room temperature or lower and latent heat of vaporization is removed from the canned foods or drinks and the water itself contained in the container. Consequently, the canned foods or drinks are also cooled quickly.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator provided with a vacuum cooling device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a refrigerator equipped with a vacuum cooling device as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,717 has been used to store fresh foods and the like for a long period of time. The food is stored in a container maintained in a vacuum, and the inside of the container is evacuated by a vacuum pump to evaporate moisture from the food itself and take the latent heat of evaporation to cool the food. Food can be stored for a long time.

Hereinafter, the above-mentioned conventional refrigerator will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 shows a refrigerator provided with a conventional vacuum cooling device.

[0004] In Fig. 8, reference numeral 1 denotes a home refrigerator, which forcibly circulates cool air generated by a cooler and allows cool air to flow into each of the storage rooms to cool and store the items stored in the storage rooms.

[0005] The refrigerator 1 is provided with a refrigerator 2 at an upper stage and a freezer room 3 at a lower stage.
It has doors 4 and 5 on each side. Refrigerator room 2 and freezer room 3
Another refrigeration room 10 is arranged between the refrigeration compartments, and is opened and closed by a drawer type door 12.

[0006] Reference numeral 6 denotes a vacuum pump disposed in the bottom space 9 of the refrigerator 1, and the vacuum pump 6 is driven by an electric motor 7.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a vacuum evacuation pipe, and a vacuum pump 6
From the inside of the refrigerator compartment 10. Vacuum pipe 8
A flange 27 is fixed around a hole 28 at the end of the refrigerator compartment.

[0008] Cold air is introduced into the refrigerator compartment 10 through the duct 11 of the upper partition wall 40, and the temperature is maintained at about 0 ° C.

A vacuum container 17 is provided in the refrigerator compartment 10. The vacuum container 17 seals a container 18 fixed to a basket 14 moving along a guide 15 on a side wall 16 and an opening of the container 18. The cover 19 is formed. The basket 14 is fixed to the inside of the door 12 by a member 44, and the basket 14 moves along the guide 15 by opening and closing the door 12.

The cover 19 supports the container 18 at a hinge-shaped point 19A, and can rotate about the point 19A.

A pipe 24 projects from the inside of the container 18 of the vacuum container 17 toward the inside of the refrigerator compartment 10.
A suction cup 25 facing the flange 27 is fixed to the end.

The operation of the refrigerator 1 configured as described above will be described below.

First, the door 12 is pulled out toward the front 1A side of the refrigerator 1, and the cover 19 of the vacuum vessel 17 is opened,
The food is stored in the container 18. Then, by closing the door 12, the cover 19 closes the container 18 and the vacuum container 1 is closed.
7 moves into the refrigerator compartment 10. When the door 12 is completely closed, the vacuum container 17 also returns to the home position, and the suction cup 25 located at the rear of the container 18 contacts the flange 27 located inside the refrigerator compartment 10.

In this state, when the electric motor 7 is started and vacuum is drawn by the vacuum pump 6, the air in the vacuum vessel 17 is sucked through the vacuum pipe 8 and the cover 19 is in close contact with the vessel 18. And the suction cup 25 is also a flange 27
And the inside of the vacuum vessel 17 is decompressed to a vacuum state.

At this time, water evaporates from the food in the vacuum container 17 and latent heat of evaporation is taken from the food itself, so that the food is rapidly cooled. After a lapse of a predetermined time, the vacuum pump 6
When the food is stopped, the food is stored at a low temperature and under a vacuum, and the freshness is maintained for a long time.

When the food in the vacuum container 17 is taken out, the door 12 is pulled out toward the front 1A, so that the vacuum container 17 is also pulled out. At that time, sucker 25
The close contact between the and the flange 27 is released, and the atmosphere is introduced into the vacuum vessel 17. Further, the close contact between the container 18 and the cover 19 is thereby released, and the food can be taken out by opening the cover 19 easily.

[0017]

The ultimate temperature of the object to be cooled stored in the vacuum vessel after the vacuum cooling is determined by the time for maintaining the vacuum in the vacuum vessel. It depends on the weight and is not known to the general consumer.

However, the refrigerator provided with the above-mentioned conventional vacuum cooling device depends on the experience and learning of the general consumer for the treatment after storing the object to be cooled in the vacuum container. No control considerations have been made to make it easy to use without being confused.

An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator provided with a vacuum cooling device capable of easily cooling an object to be cooled without being confused by general consumers. .

[0020]

According to the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator according to the present invention, comprising: a reduced-pressure storage chamber disposed in a refrigerator; a vacuum pump for sucking gas in the reduced-pressure storage chamber and discharging the gas to the outside; Time input means for inputting a time to maintain the decompression storage chamber in a vacuum state, and the vacuum pump for maintaining the decompression storage chamber in a vacuum state for a predetermined time corresponding to an input value from the time input means And a control unit for controlling the driving of.

According to the present invention, as described above, the gas in the reduced-pressure storage chamber is sucked by the vacuum pump and discharged to the outside of the reduced-pressure storage chamber in a state where the storage object requiring cooling is stored in the reduced-pressure storage chamber. Then, the vacuum chamber becomes a vacuum state. The vacuum state of the reduced-pressure storage chamber is achieved by controlling the operation of the vacuum pump for a preset time according to the stored material.

Then, in the stored product placed in a vacuum state, the boiling point of the water contained in the stored product drops and the water starts to evaporate.
At this time, since the latent heat of evaporation necessary for evaporating the moisture is absorbed from the storage, the temperature of the storage rapidly decreases.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 is a vacuum storage chamber disposed in a refrigerator, a vacuum pump for sucking gas in the vacuum storage chamber and discharging the gas to the outside, and a vacuum in the vacuum storage chamber. Time input means for inputting a time to be maintained in a state, and a driving time of the vacuum pump for controlling the vacuum pump to maintain a vacuum state for a predetermined time in accordance with an input value from the time input means. And a control unit.

Thus, the storage object to be cooled is stored in the reduced-pressure storage chamber, and the gas in the reduced-pressure storage chamber is sucked by a vacuum pump and placed in a vacuum state. , Water boiling and evaporation occur. Since the latent heat of evaporation at this time is taken from the storage,
The stock cools rapidly.

[0025] In addition, storage items that cannot evaporate water, such as food and drinks sealed in cans, should be immersed in a container filled with water in advance, stored together with the container in a reduced-pressure storage room, and placed in a vacuum state. Then, the water in the container boils below the room temperature and starts to evaporate, and the latent heat of evaporation is taken away from the sealed contents in the container and the water itself, so that the sealed contents are also rapidly cooled.

The time during which the stored material is kept in a vacuum state can be set by previously determining a required time from the weight of the stored material and inputting the time to the control unit. Since the state can be controlled, the general consumer can easily handle it without being confused.

Furthermore, a salad comprising water-washed vegetables and fruits can be cooled in a few minutes, an ice confection made by sherbet can be made in a few minutes, and the cooking time can be reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure in the room and transmitting a detection signal to the control unit is installed in the decompression storage room, and the control unit receives an input from the time input unit. A timer for counting the time corresponding to the value, and a warning when a detection signal indicating that the decompression storage chamber is in a vacuum state is not obtained from the pressure sensor despite driving the vacuum pump for a predetermined time. And a notifying means for notifying the user.

In this way, if any abnormality that prevents the vacuum state in the decompression storage chamber occurs, the detection signal indicating the vacuum state is sent from the pressure sensor until the time measured by the timer reaches the time input from the time input means. Since it cannot be obtained, the control unit determines that an abnormality has occurred, and can warn the user of the occurrence of the abnormality via the notification means,
It is possible to urge the user to eliminate the cause of the abnormality and restart.
Therefore, the general consumer can handle it with confidence.

[0030]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the refrigerator 1, wherein the refrigerator 101 is composed of a refrigerator compartment 102, a freezer compartment 103 and a vegetable compartment 104, and each compartment is insulated from the outside by a heat insulating wall 105.

At the rear of the bottom of the refrigerator 101, a compressor 10
1a is installed, and the refrigerator 101 has a compressor 101a
, A compression and expansion of the refrigerant is generated, and a general cooling system for cooling by utilizing heat exchange of the refrigerant is employed.

A cool air passage 10 is provided between the heat insulating wall 105 and each chamber.
6 is provided, and the cool air generated by the cooler 107 arranged behind the freezing room 103 is turned into cool air by the rotation of the fan 108 arranged above the cooler 107 and flows into each room.

The temperature of each chamber is set to a predetermined temperature by adjusting the opening of the cool air inlet 109 provided at the rear of each chamber to limit the amount of cool air inflow. Generally, the refrigerator compartment 102 is at 5 ° C., the freezer compartment 103 is at −18 ° C., and the vegetable compartment 104 is at 10 ° C.
Set to about.

Reference numeral 110 denotes a decompression storage chamber disposed in the refrigerator compartment 102. The decompression storage compartment 110 has a box-shaped decompression chamber having an opening on the door side of the refrigerator compartment 102, and a hatch 110a for closing the opening of the decompression chamber. Is composed. The hatch 110a is provided with a seal portion 111 for keeping the airtight state in close contact with the opening of the decompression chamber when the opening is closed.

Reference numeral 112 denotes a vacuum pump,
Is connected to the interior of the decompression storage room 110 via a check valve 114, and the exhaust port 115 communicates with the outside of the decompression storage room 110. The check valve 114 is arranged to open only when the gas flows from the intake port 113 to the exhaust port 115.

Reference numeral 117 denotes an air introduction valve,
Can be forcibly opened / closed.

Reference numeral 119 denotes a switch, which is a hatch 110a.
Generates a signal when the opening of the decompression chamber 109 is closed. In this embodiment, an ON signal is output when the hatch 110 is closed.

Reference numeral 120 denotes a control unit, which is disposed on the upper rear surface of the refrigerator 101 and drives a vacuum pump 112 to control a vacuum state in the reduced-pressure storage chamber 110. Control unit 12
0 has a drive rotation 120b for driving the vacuum pump 112 and a controller 120a for controlling the drive rotation 120b.

Reference numeral 121 denotes a control panel, which
It is located in the upper front part of. As shown in FIG. 4, the control panel 121 includes a time input unit 122 as a time input unit for inputting a vacuum state maintenance time, and a storage selection unit 12.
5, storage weight input section 126, air introduction valve operation key 1
23 and a start key 124 are provided.

To select a storage object, a number is assigned in advance to the storage object to be selected by a table or the like, and the user refers to the number and selects the storage object selection unit 1.
Enter the number into 25.

Further, the control panel 121 includes a control unit 12.
A display unit 127 that displays a warning message is provided as a notification unit that notifies a warning from zero. The control unit 120 has time input means (122, 125, 12).
A timer 128 is provided for counting time according to the time input value input from 6).

Reference numeral 129 denotes a pressure sensor that measures the pressure in the reduced-pressure storage chamber 110 and transmits the measured pressure to the control unit 120.

The operation of the refrigerator 101 configured as described above will be described with reference to the drawings.

An object to be cooled is stored in the decompression chamber 109 of the decompression storage chamber 110, and the hatch 110a is closed. Next, the time input section 122 of the control panel 121 inputs the vacuum state maintaining time T.
, And start with the start key 124.

In the present embodiment, the vacuum maintenance time is set as a guide according to the type and weight of the storage items stored in the decompression storage room, and the user selects the storage type to be cooled. By inputting the weight of the stored product in the storage unit weight input unit 126 in the unit 125, an appropriate vacuum state maintaining time T is calculated by the controller 120a, and the calculated value is input to the control unit 120.

The operation will be described below with reference to the operation flowchart of FIG. The control unit 1 is operated by input of the start key 124.
Step 20 proceeds to step 2 if the vacuum maintenance time T is input in step 1.

In step 1, the vacuum maintenance time T
If there is no input, the process proceeds to step 14, and it is confirmed whether or not there is a storage selection input in step 14, and if so, the process proceeds to step 15 and there is a storage weight input in step 15. It is checked whether or not it is, and if there is, the process proceeds to step 16, where the vacuum maintenance time T is calculated, and the calculated value is input.

On the other hand, if there is no input of the selection of the storage in step 14, the process proceeds to step 17, and a warning requesting the input of the vacuum maintenance time or the selection of the storage is displayed on the display unit 127.

Further, if there is no input of the weight of the stored material in step 15, the process proceeds to step 18, and a warning requesting the input of the vacuum maintenance time or the input of the selection of the stored material is displayed on the display unit 127.

In step 2, the signal from the switch 119 is confirmed. If the signal is an ON signal, it is determined that the hatch 110a is closed, and the process proceeds to step 3. If the signal is not an ON signal, the hatch 110a is surely not closed. Since the switch 119 is either abnormal, the process proceeds to step 19 and the display unit 127 displays a message to surely close the hatch 110a or warns the user of the switch 119.

In step 3, the driving of the vacuum pump 112 is started, and in step 4, the driving time t
The timing of 1 is started, and the process proceeds to step 5.

In step 5, the signal from the pressure sensor 129 is confirmed. If the signal is an ON signal, it is determined that the inside of the reduced-pressure storage chamber 108 is in a vacuum state, and the process proceeds to step 6. If not, the process proceeds to step 20.

In step 20, if the drive time t1 of the vacuum pump 112 is equal to or longer than the vacuum maintenance time T, that is, if t1 ≧ T, it means that the inside of the reduced pressure storage chamber 108 will not be in a vacuum state. 110a
Since it is conceivable that an object is caught in the middle and the seal is loose, etc., it is determined that there is an abnormality, the process proceeds to step 21, a warning is displayed on the display unit 127, and the user is allowed to remove the obstacle.
Prompt to start again.

In step 20, if t1 <T, the process returns to step 5.

In step 6, the time measurement of t1 is canceled, and in step 7, the measurement of the driving time t2 of the vacuum pump is newly started, and the flow proceeds to step 8.

In step 8, the signal from the pressure sensor is confirmed. In this case, it is checked whether or not the signal once turned on continues the on state. If the signal is on, it is determined that there is no abnormality, and the process proceeds to step 9.

On the other hand, if it is not an ON signal in step 8, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, and the process proceeds to step 22.
A warning is displayed on the display unit 127 to cause the user to remove the obstacle and prompt the user to start again.

In step 9, it is confirmed whether or not the driving time t2 of the vacuum pump 112 has become equal to or longer than the vacuum maintaining time T. If t ≧ T, the process proceeds to step 10, and if t <T, the process returns to step 8.

If t ≧ T in step 9, the vacuum pump 112 is stopped in step 10, the process proceeds to step 11, and in step 11, the air introduction valve 117 is operated.
The air is introduced into the reduced-pressure storage chamber 108 to release the airtight state, and the hatch 110a can be opened and closed.

In step 12, it is determined whether or not the signal from the pressure sensor 129 is turned off. If the signal is off, it is determined that the pressure in the reduced-pressure storage chamber 108 has become atmospheric pressure, and the process proceeds to step 13.

On the other hand, in step 12, if the signal from the pressure sensor 129 remains on, the air introduction valve 11
7 indicates that the inside of the decompression storage chamber 108 is not at the atmospheric pressure despite the operation of 7, and the process proceeds to step 23, where a display for warning the abnormality of the air introduction valve 117 is displayed on the display unit 127 in step 23.

In step 13, the operation of the air introduction valve 117 is released, all operations are completed, and the user
By opening 10a, a cooled storage product can be taken out of the reduced-pressure storage chamber 108.

In the series of flows from step 1 to step 13, it is from step 5 to step 10 that the inside of the reduced-pressure storage chamber 110 is maintained in a vacuum state. Then, the moisture contained in the stored matter stored in the decompression chamber boils and starts to evaporate. Then, when the water evaporates, thermal energy corresponding to latent heat of evaporation is taken from the storage, so that the temperature of the storage decreases rapidly.

For example, when ice is needed, the water in the ice tray 201 is boiled and evaporated by storing the ice tray 201 containing water in a vacuum chamber as shown in FIG. Since the latent heat is removed from the water itself, the water boils and then freezes in about one minute to form ice.

When the water in the ice tray 201 boils,
It is desirable to attach the ice tray cover 202 to the ice tray 201 to prevent water from spilling out of the ice tray 201.

The ice tray cover 202 has a plurality of micro holes 20.
3 is opened, so that when water in the ice tray 201 boils, vapor can escape from the minute holes 203 while preventing spillage.

When it is desired to cool the food or drink enclosed in the can, for example, the canned beverage 204, as shown in FIG. When the container is housed in a vacuum state, the container 20
The water in 5 boils and starts to evaporate. Then, since the latent heat of evaporation is also taken from the canned beverage 204, the temperature of the canned beverage 204 decreases, and is cooled to about 5 ° C. in about 2 minutes.

It is desirable to attach a container cover 206 to the container 205 in order to prevent water from spilling out of the container 205 when the water in the container 205 boils.

The container cover 206 has a plurality of micro holes 207.
Is opened, and when the water in the container 206 boils,
The vapor can be released from the minute holes 207 while preventing the spill.

In this embodiment, the reduced pressure storage chamber 110 is
Although the vacuum pump 112 and the control unit 120 are installed in the refrigerator 101, as another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the reduced-pressure storage chamber 108, the vacuum pump 112, and the control unit 120 are unitized and are independent. It can also be used as a vacuum-cooled refrigerator.

Further, instead of inputting the weight of the stored product in step 15, a weight sensor can be installed in the reduced-pressure storage chamber 108 to automatically input the weight of the stored product.

As described above, the reduced-pressure storage chamber 110 arranged in the refrigerator 101, the vacuum pump 112 for sucking the gas in the reduced-pressure storage chamber 110 and discharging the gas to the outside, and the inside of the reduced-pressure storage chamber 110 being evacuated. A time input unit 122 for inputting a time to be maintained, and a driving time of the vacuum pump 112 for maintaining a vacuum in the decompression storage chamber 110 in accordance with an input value from the time input unit 122. By providing the control unit 120, it is possible to easily and quickly cool the stored items.

Further, the salad comprising water-washed vegetables and fruits can be cooled in a few minutes, ice confections made by sherbet can be prepared in a few minutes, and the cooking time can be shortened.

The pressure sensor 129 detects the pressure in the decompression storage chamber 110 and transmits a detection signal to the control unit 120.
And a timer 128 that counts the time in response to the time input from the time input unit 122, and that the pressure sensor 129 has turned the vacuum inside the decompression storage chamber 110 from the pressure sensor 129 despite driving the vacuum pump 112 for a predetermined time. And a display unit 127 for displaying a warning when a detection signal is not obtained, so that even if any abnormality that prevents the inside of the decompression storage chamber 110 from being in a vacuum state occurs, the display unit 127 is provided.
7, it is possible to warn the user of the occurrence of an abnormality,
It is possible to urge the user to eliminate the cause of the abnormality and restart.

[0075]

As described above, the present invention relates to a reduced-pressure storage chamber disposed in a refrigerator, a vacuum pump for sucking gas in the reduced-pressure storage chamber and discharging the gas to the outside, and a vacuum state in the reduced-pressure storage chamber. A time input means for inputting a time to be maintained, and a control unit for controlling a drive time of the vacuum pump for maintaining the vacuum chamber in a vacuum state for a predetermined time in accordance with an input value from the time input means. By providing the above, the user can easily cool the stock without being confused, and the cooking time can be shortened.

Further, a pressure sensor for detecting the atmospheric pressure in the room and transmitting a detection signal to the control unit is installed in the decompression storage room, and the control unit counts time according to an input value from the time input means. And a notifying unit for notifying a warning when a detection signal indicating that the vacuum in the decompression storage chamber has not been obtained from the pressure sensor even though the vacuum pump has been driven for a predetermined time is provided. Thereby, if any abnormality that prevents the vacuum state in the decompression storage chamber occurs, a detection signal indicating the vacuum state is obtained from the pressure sensor until the time measured by the timer reaches the time input from the time input means. Since there is no,
The control unit determines that an abnormality has occurred, and warns the user of the occurrence of the abnormality via a notification unit.

Therefore, it is possible to prompt the user to eliminate the cause of the abnormality and restart the operation, and the user can use the apparatus without feeling uneasy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a first embodiment of a refrigerator according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged sectional view of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged sectional view of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a control panel of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control unit of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a conventional refrigerator.

[Explanation of symbols]

 110 Decompression storage room 112 Vacuum pump 120 Control unit 121 Control panel 122 Time input unit (Time input unit) 127 Display unit (Notification unit) 128 Timer unit 129 Pressure sensor

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A reduced-pressure storage chamber disposed in a refrigerator, a vacuum pump for sucking gas in the reduced-pressure storage chamber and discharging the gas to the outside, and a time for inputting a time for maintaining the reduced-pressure storage chamber in a vacuum state. Vacuum means, provided with input means, and a control unit for controlling driving of the vacuum pump in order to maintain the vacuum chamber in a vacuum state for a predetermined time in accordance with an input value from the time input means. A refrigerator equipped with a cooling device. 2. A pressure sensor for detecting a pressure in a room and transmitting a detection signal to a control unit in the decompression storage room, wherein the control unit includes a timer for counting time according to an input value from time input means. And a notifying unit for notifying a warning when a detection signal indicating that the vacuum in the decompression storage chamber has become vacuum is not obtained from the pressure sensor even though the vacuum pump has been driven for a predetermined time. A refrigerator comprising the vacuum cooling device according to claim 1.