JP2001082852A - Refrigerator with thawing chamber - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an energy saving refrigerator with a thawing chamber which can efficiently thaw frozen food. SOLUTION: When frozen food is mounted on a tray 23 in a thawing chamber 3 and a thawing switch 35a is turned on, heat generated in a heat radiating part 8b by driving a Stirling refrigerating machine 8 is transferred to a heat pipe 31 and guided to the thawing chamber 3 under thermal conduction to heat air in the thawing chamber 3. Heated air is circulated in the thawing chamber 3 by a circulating fan 18 to efficiently heat and thaw food in a short time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator with a thawing room using a Stirling refrigerating cycle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a method of thawing frozen food using heat generated when a refrigerant in a refrigerator is compressed. For example, an example disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-98885 is described below, and will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 10 is a schematic explanatory view of this conventional refrigerator. A refrigerator 102 having a freezing room 101 is provided with a radiating pipe 104 connected to a compressor 103 for compressing the refrigerant and forming a closed circuit. I have. A part of the heat radiating pipe 104 is disposed in a thawing chamber 105, and a partition plate 107 is in contact with the heat radiating pipe 104 via a Peltier element 106, and frozen food (not shown) is attached to the partition plate 107. And thaw by heating. Further, the partition plate 107 is provided with a temperature sensor 108, and the temperature sensor 108
9. Connected to the power supply 111 via the switch 110.

FIG. 11 is a detailed explanatory view of the thawing box in FIG. The thawing cabinet 105 includes an outer wall 112, an inner wall 113 made of a material having excellent heat conductivity, and a door 114, and the radiating pipe 104 is disposed along the inner wall 113 and includes a peltier element 106 attached to the inner wall 113. In contact. The partition plate 107 is made of an aluminum plate, and is connected to the Peltier device 1 by a flexible heat pipe 115.
06. Reference numeral 110 denotes a switch mounted on the outer wall 112 with its operation unit facing the external space.

When the switch 110 of the thawing chamber 105 having such a configuration is turned on, a part of the heat generated when the refrigerant in the heat radiating pipe 104 is compressed by the compressor 103 is transferred from the heat absorbing (cooling) side of the Peltier element 106. Heat generation (heat dissipation)
The inner wall 113 and the partition plate 107 are heated to the side.

On the other hand, the temperature of the frozen food placed on the partition plate 107 is detected by the temperature sensor 108 and
09, a comparison operation is performed with a predetermined thawing temperature, and a current is supplied from the power supply 111 to the Peltier element 106 in accordance with the difference, and Joule heat is transferred to the inner wall 113 and the partition plate 107 to be transmitted from the radiating pipe 104 described above. Thaw foods with heat. Then, when the temperature of the food reaches the thawing temperature, the power supply to the Peltier element 106 is stopped.

[0007]

However, in the refrigerator using the above-mentioned conventional vapor compression refrigeration cycle,
In order to promote the heat radiation of the refrigerant, it is necessary to lengthen the heat radiation pipe meandering around the outer wall of the refrigerator body. Therefore, the cost is increased accordingly, and not only the aesthetic appearance of the refrigerator is spoiled, but also careful handling has to be taken to prevent breakage and deformation of the heat radiating pipe.

Further, the temperature of the discharged refrigerant could not be made too high due to restrictions such as the thickness of the heat radiating pipe and the oil used by the compressor. In addition, since the amount of heat that can be transferred to the thawing cabinet is small due to the length of the heat radiating pipe and the heat resistance of the heat radiating pipe, there is a problem that the heat radiating pipe alone has insufficient thawing capacity. In other words, although the amount of heat generated during the compression of the refrigerant is used for defrosting the food, a means for externally applying a current to the Peltier element is required separately in order to quickly defrost the food, thereby increasing power consumption. There was a problem that running costs soared.

Further, since the partition plate on which the food is placed does not vibrate, the food to be thawed is a large number of small solids (eg, green peas, granular cones, etc.) which are stored in a container or the like. When thawing on the partition plate, even if thawing progresses, the individual position does not change, the thawing heat is hardly transmitted to the solid near the center, the thawing in that part is delayed, and the thawing unevenness increases. There was a problem.

[0010] By the way, it has been pointed out that a vapor compression type refrigeration cycle device uses chlorofluorocarbon as a refrigerant as a working medium, so that when chlorofluorocarbon is released into the atmosphere, it reaches the stratosphere and destroys the ozone layer. is there. Therefore, in recent years, use and production of specific CFCs have been regulated. Therefore, a Stirling engine has attracted attention as a next-generation refrigeration technology replacing the vapor compression refrigeration cycle. A Stirling engine employs a gas such as helium, which has a very small adverse effect on the global environment, as a working medium, and extracts cold heat through a thermodynamic cycle known as a reverse Stirling cycle. Therefore, a refrigeration cycle device that is environmentally friendly and has an ozone depletion potential of zero can be realized.

According to the present invention, a relatively large amount of heat generated by driving a Stirling refrigerator is effectively utilized and guided to a thawing chamber, whereby an energy-saving and earth-friendly thawing chamber capable of efficiently thawing frozen stored food can be provided. It is intended to provide a refrigerator. In addition, the present invention, when trying to thaw frozen food with good freshness that has been rapidly frozen by cryogenic heat obtained by the Stirling refrigeration cycle,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator with a thawing room that can uniformly and uniformly thaw regardless of the type of frozen food. Furthermore, when the present invention does not use the thawing room for thawing frozen food,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a convenient refrigerator with a thawing room that can be used by switching the thawing room to a storage room.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To achieve the above object, a refrigerator with a thawing chamber according to the present invention has a thawing chamber for thawing frozen food, and a Stirling engine that generates cold heat by a reverse Stirling cycle. Is driven to transmit the heat generated when the working medium is compressed to the defrosting chamber to defrost the food contained in the defrosting chamber. According to this configuration, the frozen food stored in the thawing chamber can be thawed using the heat generated by driving the Stirling engine.

[0013] More specifically, the refrigerator with a thawing chamber according to the present invention comprises a thawing chamber for containing and thawing frozen food;
It is characterized in that a Stirling refrigerator that generates cold heat by a reverse Stirling cycle and heat transfer means that transfers heat generated when the working medium is compressed by driving the Stirling refrigerator to the thawing chamber are provided. According to this configuration, heat generated by driving the Stirling refrigerator is transmitted to the thawing chamber via the heat transfer means, and the frozen food stored in the thawing chamber can be thawed using this heat.

If a blowing means for circulating the air in the thawing chamber is provided in the thawing chamber, the heated air circulates in the thawing chamber to promote the thawing of the food to be thawed.

The heat transfer means includes a heat pipe having one end connected to the heat radiating portion of the Stirling refrigerator and the other end guided to the thawing chamber, and a communication from the heat radiating portion of the Stirling refrigerator to the thawing chamber. A duct for sending air heated by the heat generated in the heat radiating section to the thawing chamber or a closed circuit between the heat radiating section of the Stirling refrigerator and the thawing chamber is formed, and a fluid is filled therein to release the heat. This can be easily realized by using a circulation pipe for circulating the fluid heated by the heat generated in the section in the closed circuit.

[0016] If a structure is provided with a vibration transmitting mechanism for transmitting the vibration accompanying the driving of the Stirling refrigerator to the food to be thawed, a uniform and uniform thawing effect can be obtained by the vibration transmitted to the food being thawed. The thawing quality is improved.

Further, a far-infrared lamp may be provided in the thawing chamber. In this case, far-infrared rays are irradiated to the food to be thawed to promote thawing.

When the thawing chamber is not used for the purpose of thawing the food, the transfer of heat to the thawing chamber by the heat transfer means is cut off, and the thawing is performed by introducing cool air into the thawing chamber. With a configuration in which the set temperature in the room can be changed, the thawing room can be used for other purposes (for example, a wine cellar or the like).

Further, it is possible to provide a temperature detecting means for detecting the surface temperature of the food, and to control thawing based on an output result of the temperature detecting means. In this case, a more detailed thawing effect can be obtained.

It is to be noted that a display means for informing the use state of the thawing room or an informing means for informing the end of the thawing of the food may be provided on the exterior of the refrigerator body. According to this, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a person other than the user accidentally opens the door of the thawing chamber, and if cooking preparations etc. are completed during thawing, cooking of food that has finished thawing at the same time as thawing is completed. Will be taken.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing an example of a refrigerator with a thawing room according to a first embodiment of the present invention. First,
The configuration of the refrigerator will be described with reference to FIG. In the refrigerator main body 1, a refrigerating room 2, a thawing room 3 and a freezing room 4 are formed in this order from the top. Reference numeral 5 denotes a vegetable compartment partitioned and formed at the lower part on the back of the refrigerator compartment 2. 6 and 7 are refrigerator rooms 2 respectively
And the thawing room 3, the thawing room 3 and the freezing room 4 are excellent in heat insulation.
Is formed integrally with the back wall of the vehicle. Reference numeral 8 denotes a free piston type in which a cold head portion 8a projects through the back surface of the main body 1 from the external space into the freezing chamber 4 (the piston and the displacer maintain a predetermined phase difference in the same direction in the same cylinder). Reciprocating type) Stirling refrigerator. Note that the operation is conventionally known and will not be described in detail here.

A cooler 9 fixed to the cold head 8a of the Stirling refrigerator 8 is provided in the air flow path at the back of the freezing chamber 4. The cooler 9 is a hollow member whose upper and lower end faces are open. In order to increase a heat exchange area with air passing through the hollow portion, a large number of fins are provided in the hollow portion so as to extend in the vertical direction. I have. Also,
Behind the pressure chamber 11 downstream of the cooling chamber 9, a rotatable blower fan 10a and a fan motor 10 for driving the blower fan 10a are provided.

An openable / closable damper 12 is provided at the bottom of the pressure chamber 11, and in the open state, cool air is blown into the freezing chamber 4 from the cool air outlet 13 by wind generated by driving the fan 10a. It has become so. A damper 14 is also provided above the pressure chamber 11, and the opening and closing of the damper 14 can adjust the amount of cool air introduced into the cool air distribution passage 15.

Further, on the inner wall of the thawing chamber 3 integrated with the partition member 7, a cool air outlet 17 communicating with the cool air distribution passage 15 is formed.
An openable and closable damper 16 is provided at an opening facing the cold air distribution passage 15. Therefore, by controlling the opening and closing of the damper 16, the flow rate of the cool air sent from the cool air outlet 17 to the thawing chamber 3 can be adjusted.
Reference numeral 18 denotes a circulation fan for circulating the air in the thawing chamber 3. The cool air distribution passage 15 communicates with the cool air introduction passage 19 above the damper 16, and
The cool air that has risen along 9 is blown into the cool room 2 from a cool air outlet 20 at the upper part in the back of the cool room 2. In addition, 21 and 22, 23, and 24 are trays installed in the refrigerating room 2, the thawing room 3, and the freezing room 4, respectively.

In the refrigerator configured as described above, when a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined value is detected by a temperature sensor (not shown) provided in the freezer compartment 4, the Stirling refrigerator 8
Is driven. As a result, cold is generated in the cold head portion 8a, and the cooler 9 is cooled to a low temperature. At the same time as the start of operation of the Stirling refrigerator 8, the fan motor 10 is also driven to rotate the blower fan 10 a, and the air circulated in the freezing room 4 is sucked from the cool air return port 25 by the blast. This air is cooled when passing through the cooler 9, becomes cold air, and is sent into the pressure chamber 11. At this time, the damper 12 is in an open state, and the cool air sent to the pressure chamber 11 is blown into the freezing chamber 4 from the outlet 13. The cool air sent into the freezing room 4 circulates through the freezing room 4 to cool the stored material, and then is sucked from the cool air return port 25 and returns to the upstream side of the cooler 9 again.

A temperature sensor (not shown) in the refrigerator compartment 2 indicates that the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 2 has become higher than a predetermined temperature.
Is detected, the damper 14 opens and the cool air sent to the pressure chamber 11 passes through the cool air distribution passage 15 and passes through the cool air introduction passage 1.
Flows into 9. This cool air rises along the cool air introduction passage 19 and is blown into the refrigerator compartment 2 from the cool air outlet 20. The cool air sent into the refrigerator compartment 2 cools the food inside, and then returns to the upstream side of the cooler 9 through a cool air return port 26 through a duct (not shown).

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of a main part of the refrigerator shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 1 at the back of the freezing room 4
A through hole for inserting the cold head portion 8a of the Stirling refrigerator 8 is formed on the back surface of the stirling refrigerator 8. Then, the cold head portion 8a is inserted into the freezing compartment 4 from the through hole.
After the insertion, the Stirling refrigerator 8 is fixed to the main body 1 by bolt and nut fitting with a refrigerator mounting member 32 made of an elastic material having excellent heat resistance (for example, an elastic body mainly composed of heat resistant rubber). I have. The gap between the through-hole and the Stirling refrigerator 8 inserted into the through-hole is closed with a sealing material (for example, a silicon-based sealing material). Is planned.

Cold head 8 protruding into freezer compartment 4
The above-described cooler 9 is attached to a by a screw or the like. The cold head 8 of the Stirling refrigerator 8
a radiating portion 8b
Are connected to each other, and heat-transfer members 2 that communicate with each other and accommodate a fluid (eg, oil) having good heat conductivity
7a and 27b are provided. These heat transfer members 27
a and 27b are in communication with each other via a pump (not shown) and are pumped from one side to the other by said pump such that the total volume of the fluid remains unchanged from zero to full and reciprocally increases and decreases. Of the fluid is controlled.

A heat receiving portion 29 and a heat radiating fin 30 are provided adjacent to the rear of the heat transfer member 27b. The heat received from the heat radiating portion 8b when the Stirling refrigerator 8 is driven is received by the heat receiving portion 29. Efficient escape from the fins 30 to the external space. At this time, if a fan for blowing air toward the radiating fins 30 is separately provided, and the radiating fins 30 are forcibly cooled by the blowing, heat can be more efficiently radiated.

On the other hand, the heat receiving portion 2 is also provided in front of the heat transfer member 27a.
The heat receiving portion 28 is connected to a heat absorbing portion 31 a at one end of a heat pipe 31. The other end of the heat pipe 31, on the side of the heat radiating portion 31 b, is bent forward halfway, penetrates the heat insulation layer from the back of the refrigerator body 1, and is guided into the thawing chamber 3. Reference numeral 34 denotes a chuck member attached to the heat radiating portion 31b of the heat pipe 31, and the upper surface thereof is in contact with the bottom surface of the tray 23 which is removably installed in the thawing chamber 3.

Next, the procedure for attaching the heat pipe 31 will be described. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view partially cut away along line XX in FIG. An oval hole 38 penetrating the heat insulating layer from the back side of the main body 1 and an oval hole 39 penetrating the partition member 7 from the inside of the refrigerator are formed at positions facing the oval hole 38 so as to communicate with each other. The pipe 31 is inserted into these oval holes 38 and 39.
After the heat radiating portion 31b is inserted, a heat insulating material 40 having an appropriate size is pushed in and fixed so as to avoid the portion of the oval holes 38 and 39 where the heat pipe 31 is inserted.

Then, the heat pipe 31 is fixed from the outside of the main body 1 to the back with a screw or the like with a cap 33 previously inserted into the heat pipe 31, and a heat-resistant elastic foam (for example, neoprene rubber foam The openings of the partition member 7 into which the heat pipes 31 are inserted are completely sealed by the seal members 41 and 41 made of the body. Further, the heat pipe 31 is reinforced by reinforcing members 42 and 43 that sandwich a portion extending vertically along the back surface of the main body 1. Finally, the heat absorbing portion 31a at the lower end of the heat pipe 31 is connected to the heat receiving portion 28. When the Stirling refrigerator 8 is driven in this state, the vibration is transmitted to the heat pipe 31 and the heat radiating portion 31b vibrates in the front-back direction. However, the vibration is not hindered by the reinforcing members 42 and 43.

Next, a procedure for actually thawing a storage such as food in the thawing chamber 3 will be described. When a frozen storage (not shown) is placed on the tray 23 in the thawing chamber 3 and the thawing switch 35a of the operation panel 35 electrically connected to the control device (not shown) of the refrigerator is turned on,
The damper 16 closes to prevent cold air from entering the thawing chamber 3, and a pump (not shown) is driven to move the fluid toward the heat transfer member 27a. As a result, heat released by driving the Stirling refrigerator 8 is transmitted from the radiator 8b adjacent to the worm head of the Stirling refrigerator 8 to the heat receiving unit 28 via the fluid.

Then, the heat transmitted from the heat absorbing portion 31a at the lower end of the heat pipe 31 connected to the heat receiving portion 28 to the heat receiving portion 28 rises along the heat pipe 31 by heat conduction, and the heat radiation located in the thawing chamber 3 When reaching the part 31b,
The heat in the thawing chamber 3 is heated by being radiated from the radiator 31b. At this time, the circulation fan 18 provided in the thawing chamber 3 is also operated, and the air in the thawing chamber 3 is circulated by the blast. The circulating wind is warmed by the heat radiation from the heat radiation part 31b, and promotes the thawing of the frozen storage. still,
In order to improve the heat radiation efficiency from the heat radiation part 31b, a plurality of fins may be provided on the heat radiation part 31b.

An example of a thawing control method in the thawing chamber 3 will be described. A temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting the temperature of the circulating air is provided in the thawing chamber 3.
The temperature of the circulating air is measured at predetermined intervals, and the detected temperature is each time the temperature in the thawing chamber 3 (hereinafter, referred to as “room temperature”).
In a storage means (not shown). This storage means is connected to the input side of the comparison means in the control device of the main body 1. The stored room temperature is compared with a predetermined thawing room upper limit temperature (hereinafter, referred to as “upper limit temperature”; for example, 25 ° C.) preset by the comparing means. Of the other heat transfer member 27b
And the heat radiation from the heat radiating portion 31b disappears, and the rise of the room temperature of the thawing chamber 3 due to the circulating wind is stopped.

When this state continues for a while, the cold heat is gradually released from the stored material on the tray 23, and the room temperature is reduced by the circulating air containing the cold heat.
At this time as well, the room temperature detected by the temperature sensor is stored in the storage means at predetermined intervals in the same manner as described above, and further, a predetermined thawing room lower limit temperature (hereinafter, referred to as “lower limit temperature”) preset by the comparison means.
That. For example, 5 ° C.) and room temperature are compared. When the room temperature becomes lower than the lower limit temperature, the fluid on the heat transfer member 27b side is returned to the other heat transfer member 27a by a predetermined amount again,
The circulating wind is heated by the heat radiation from the heat radiation part 31, and the room temperature starts to rise again. As a result, the temperature in the thawing chamber 3 is maintained within a predetermined temperature range, and the Stirling refrigerator 8 is not degraded by excessive temperature rise of the stored material.
Thawing can be performed efficiently and quickly by utilizing heat radiation from

When the above-described thawing control is performed,
Relatively high-temperature circulating air does not flow out of the cool air return port 36 in the thawing chamber 3 that communicates with a duct (not shown) communicating with the upstream side of the cooler 9.
In this case, the load of the operation can be reduced, and warm air is not blown into the refrigerator compartment 2 or the freezer compartment 4, which is another storage compartment, so that there is no possibility that the stored articles will be adversely affected. At this time, in order to more completely prevent leakage of warm air from the inside of the thawing chamber 3, a damper that can be opened and closed may be provided on the cool air passage side including the cool air return port 36. Reference numeral 37 denotes an auxiliary thawing heater, which is energized when the Stirling refrigerator 8 stops,
It becomes a heat source that generates heat and contributes to thawing.

The upper limit temperature and the lower limit temperature are set at 25 ° C. and 15 ° C. in the initial stage of thawing, and 1 ° in the middle stage.
By changing the temperature stepwise to 5 ° C. and 5 ° C., and the final step to 5 ° C. and 0 ° C., the adverse effect on the stock during thawing can be further reduced. Furthermore, processed food is 50 ℃
-25 ℃, beef 30 ℃ -20 ℃, fish meat 20 ℃ -10
If the thawing temperature is selected and switched by key operation according to the type of food such as 5 ° C. to 0 ° C. for sashimi, finer thawing becomes possible.

When the stepwise thawing control as described above is performed, the upper limit temperature is newly set lower as the thawing of the storage proceeds, so that the amount of heat radiated from the heat radiating portion 31b of the heat pipe 31 is reduced. Unless it changes, the time to reach this upper limit temperature will be shorter. On the other hand, the time required to reach the lower limit temperature becomes longer. Therefore, by comparing these arrival times with a predetermined arrival time set in advance, if the control device recognizes that at least one arrival time has approached the predetermined arrival time, it is considered that the thawing is completed. The fluid on the heat transfer member 27a side is transferred to the other heat transfer member 27b,
1b while eliminating heat radiation from the
Then, the energization to the circulation fan 18 is stopped to terminate the thawing operation.

Thereafter, if the thawing switch 35a is not turned on after a certain period of time, the damper 12 on the freezer compartment 4 side is closed, the damper 14 communicating with the cold air distribution passage 15 is opened, and the damper 16 is fully opened. By preventing the cool air from flowing into the cool air introduction passage 19 above the cool air, the cool air is concentrated and fed into the thawing chamber 3 by the blowing of the blower fan 10a. At the same time, the circulating fan 18 is operated to cool the inside of the thawing chamber 3 to a suitable temperature (for example, -2
(3 ° C. to 3 ° C.) to preserve the thawed stock in the thawing chamber 3. In this case, when at least one of the arrival times approaches the predetermined arrival time, the operation of the Stirling refrigerator 8 causes the refrigerator compartment 2 and the freezer compartment 4 to operate.
The inside is cooled, and both chambers are set to a predetermined temperature set in advance. This suppresses the temperature rise in the refrigeration compartment 2 and the freezing compartment 4 during the centralized cooling of the thawing compartment 3, and eliminates the possibility that the stored items are adversely affected.

After the inside of the thawing chamber 3 is sufficiently cooled by the centralized cooling, the damper 12 is opened and the damper 1 is opened.
6. Make 6 half open. As a result, the cool air is sent into the freezing room 4, the cool air flows into the refrigerator room 2 via the cool air introduction passage 19, and the inside of the thawing room 3 also has an appropriate temperature (for example, −2 ° C. to 3 ° C.). ), The thawing room 3 as well as the refrigerating room 2 and the freezing room 4 can be used as a normal storage room.

The worm head of the Stirling refrigerating machine 8 has, due to its characteristics, the temperature of heat (for example, the ambient temperature of 30 ° C.) radiated from the heat radiating portion of a conventional vapor compression refrigeration cycle.
Since the temperature becomes much higher than 55 ° C. (for example, 130 ° C. at an ambient temperature of 30 ° C.), the heat radiation portion 8b of the Stirling refrigerator 8 also rises to the same temperature.
Therefore, a large temperature gradient is generated between the heat radiating portion 8b and the heat receiving portions 28 and 29, and the heat conduction efficiency is improved as compared with the conventional method. Further, since the heat radiating portion 8b can be provided in the vicinity of the Stirling refrigerator 8, high heat can be taken out and used for thawing in a narrower area than the conventional vapor compression refrigeration cycle, and the space can be saved accordingly. . In addition, since the released heat is locally concentrated on the heat radiating portion 8b,
Since high-temperature heat is easily extracted and most of the heat can be efficiently used for thawing via the heat pipe 31, a refrigerator having a thawing chamber 3 having a large thawing capacity can be realized.

Further, heat generated in the heat radiating portion 8b by driving the Stirling refrigerator 8 is transmitted to the heat pipe 31 via the heat receiving portion 28 by a fluid flowing from the heat transfer member 27b to the other heat transfer member 27a. Therefore, by adjusting the moving amount of the fluid, the amount of heat taken out by the heat radiating portion 8b can be finely adjusted. Further, if the heat transfer member 27a covers most of the periphery of the heat radiating portion 8b and the heat receiving portion 28 covers the heat transfer member 27a,
The efficiency of heat conduction to the heat pipe 31 is improved, and a refrigerator having a wider thawing capacity can be obtained. The heat transfer member 2
A storage unit for storing the fluid may be provided between 7a and 27b, and a necessary amount of the fluid may be supplied to one or both of the heat transfer members 27a and 27b by a pump as needed.

As described above, the Stirling refrigerator 8 is fixed to the main body 1 by the refrigerator mounting member 32 made of a heat-resistant elastic body, and a specific vibration accompanying the driving of the Stirling refrigerator 8 (to the main body 1). On the other hand, the vibration in the front-rear direction is absorbed and attenuated by the refrigerator attachment member 32 and is hardly transmitted to the main body 1. On the other hand, the tray 23 in the thawing chamber 3 is fixed to the heat radiating portion 31b of the heat pipe 31 by chucking using the chuck member 34, and the vibration of the Stirling refrigerator 8 is applied to the tray 23 through the heat pipe 31. And vibrates the stock on the tray 23. This allows the storage to be thawed to contain many small solids (eg green peas or granular corn)
However, even when these are stored in a container and placed on the tray 23 for thawing, as the thawing progresses, the individual particles can be moved by the vibration transmitted from the tray 23 and agitated in the container, and their positions and orientations are changed. Is changed, and alternately exposed to the warm air at or near the relatively high temperature of the container wall, thereby facilitating thawing and thawing the whole stored product uniformly and uniformly.

<Second Embodiment> A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a main part of an example of the refrigerator according to the present embodiment. 4, the same members as those of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a hollow duct 44 through which air can pass instead of the heat pipe 31 as a means for transmitting heat released by driving the Stirling refrigerator 8 to the thawing chamber 3. That is, As shown in FIG. 4, the lower end of the duct 44 is connected to the air heating portion 44a, and the opposite side is bent forward on the way and penetrates the heat insulating layer from the back of the refrigerator main body 1 to pass through the heat insulating layer. Guided inside. And
The tip is an open air outlet 44b.

The air heating section 44a has at least the heat receiving section 28
Covers a part of the periphery of the Stirling refrigerator 8 so as to be located therein. The air heating section 44a is completely sealed by a sealing member or the like to prevent air from leaking to an external space. Also, the air heating unit 44
A blower fan 45 is provided in a, and the air in the air heating unit is rotated by energization and is sent to the duct 44.

Next, a procedure for actually thawing a stored product such as food in the thawing room 3 of the refrigerator having the above-described configuration will be described. When a frozen storage (not shown) is placed on the tray 23 in the thawing chamber 3 and the thawing switch 35a of the operation panel 35 electrically connected to the control device (not shown) of the refrigerator is turned on, The damper 16 closes to prevent cold air from entering the thawing chamber 3, and a pump (not shown) is driven to move the fluid toward the heat transfer member 27a. As a result, heat released by driving the Stirling refrigerator 8 is transmitted from the radiator 8b adjacent to the worm head of the Stirling refrigerator 8 to the heat receiving unit 28 via the fluid.

The heat transmitted to the heat receiving section 28 is radiated in the air heating section 44a to heat the air in the air heating section 44a. The blower fan 45 is also operated at the same time as the defrosting switch 35a is turned on, and the hot air in the air heater 44a is blown to the duct 44 by the blast. This warm air rises along the duct 44 as shown by the arrow, is guided into the thawing chamber 3, and is blown out from the air blowout port 44b. At this time, the circulation fan 18 provided in the thawing chamber 3
Is also operated, and the air in the thawing chamber 3 is circulated by the wind. The circulating air is heated by the warm air blown out from the air outlet 44b, and promotes the thawing of the frozen stock. In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the air heated by the air heating unit 44 is sent out into the defrosting chamber 3 via the duct 44 by the blower fan 45, but the blower fan 45 is not provided. The warm air may be sent by natural convection utilizing the property of increasing the warm air. In addition, the decompression control method and the processing after decompression conform to the above-described first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

<Third Embodiment> A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of a main part of an example of the refrigerator according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 5, members common to those of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a circulation pipe 46 for circulating a fluid instead of the heat pipe 31 as a means for transmitting heat released by driving the Stirling refrigerator 8 to the thawing chamber 3. That is, The lower end of the circulation pipe 46 is connected to the fluid heating section 46a, and the other side is bent forward on the way, penetrates the heat insulating layer and is guided into the thawing chamber 3, and at the end thereof. It has a meandering shape that has been turned multiple times in the horizontal direction. And the circulation pipe 46
Is the fluid heating part 46a and the thawing chamber 3 as indicated by the arrow in FIG.
A closed circuit is formed so that the fluid circulates between the inside and the inside, and a predetermined amount of a fluid (for example, water) that is not easily volatilized is sealed in the closed circuit. Reference numeral 47 denotes a circulation pump provided in the middle of the circulation pipe 46 for circulating the fluid in the closed circuit.

The fluid heating section 46a is provided with the Stirling refrigerator 8 so that at least the heat receiving section 28 is located inside thereof.
Covers part of the surrounding area. The fluid heating unit 46
“a” is completely sealed by a seal member or the like to prevent leakage of the fluid into the external space.

Next, a procedure for actually thawing a stored product such as food in the thawing room 3 of the refrigerator having the above-described configuration will be described. When a frozen storage (not shown) is placed on the tray 23 in the thawing chamber 3 and the thawing switch 35a of the operation panel 35 electrically connected to the control device (not shown) of the refrigerator is turned on, The damper 16 closes to prevent cold air from entering the thawing chamber 3, and a pump (not shown) is driven to move the fluid toward the heat transfer member 27a. As a result, heat released by driving the Stirling refrigerator 8 is transmitted from the radiator 8b adjacent to the worm head of the Stirling refrigerator 8 to the heat receiving unit 28 via the fluid.

The heat transmitted to the heat receiving section 28 is radiated in the fluid heating section 46a to heat the fluid in the fluid heating section 46a. Also, the defrosting switch 35a is turned on.
Simultaneously with the operation, the circulation pump 47 is also operated, and the heated fluid in the fluid heating unit 46a is fed into the circulation pipe 46 by the power. This fluid rises along the circulation pipe 46 as shown by the arrow, and flows through the circulation pipe 46 which is guided into the thawing chamber 3 and meanders. At this time, thawing room 3
The circulating fan 18 provided therein is also operated, and the air in the thawing chamber 3 is circulated by the blast. The circulating air is heated by heat radiation from the fluid flowing in the circulating pipe 46, and promotes thawing of the frozen stock. Thereafter, the fluid is guided to the outside of the thawing chamber 3, descends along the circulation pipe 46, and is returned to the fluid heating unit 46a again. In addition, the decompression control method and the processing after decompression conform to the above-described first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

<Fourth Embodiment> A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of a main part of an example of the refrigerator according to the present embodiment. 6, the same reference numerals are given to members common to the refrigerator according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and the detailed description thereof is omitted. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a plurality of far-infrared lamps 48, 48, 48... (Three in FIG. It is provided within.

A procedure for thawing a stored product such as food in the thawing room 3 of the refrigerator having such a configuration will be described. The frozen stock (not shown) is placed on the tray 23 in the thawing chamber 3, and the thawing switch 35a of the operation panel 35 electrically connected to the control device (not shown) of the refrigerator is turned on.
Then, similar to the first embodiment, the heat pipe 31
The air in the thawing chamber 3 heated via the
Cycled by At the same time, far-infrared lamps 48, 4
8, 48... Are turned on to irradiate far-infrared rays to the storage object. Thereby, thawing is promoted by a synergistic effect with the heating effect of the circulating warm air, and the stored matter is efficiently thawed in a short time. In addition, the decompression control method and the processing after decompression conform to the above-described first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. In the present embodiment, the case where a plurality of far-infrared lamps are provided in the defrosting chamber has been described. However, it is not always necessary to provide a plurality of far-infrared lamps. Can of course be obtained. Further, the far-infrared lamp according to the present embodiment may be applied mutatis mutandis to the case of the second or third embodiment.

<Fifth Embodiment> A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of a main part of an example of the refrigerator according to the present embodiment. 7, the same members as those of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a thermistor 49 for detecting the surface temperature of the stored material during thawing is provided. This thermistor 4
Numeral 9 is buried in the chuck member 34, and a part thereof penetrates the tray 23 and protrudes upward.

The thermistor 49 is connected to a control device (not shown) of the refrigerator, and feeds back the detected surface temperature of the stored product to the control device. Then, the control device controls defrosting based on the detection result. An example of the decompression control will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, two modes in which the state of the stored material after thawing is half thawing or full thawing can be selected. These modes can be selected, for example, by providing a mode switching key (not shown) on the thawing operation panel 35 so that one of them can be selected by operating the key.

First, FIG. 8 shows a case where half-decompression is selected.
This will be described with reference to FIG. For simplicity, it is assumed that before using the thawing chamber 3 for the purpose of thawing the stored material, the thawing chamber 3 was used as a normal storage room. That is, it is assumed that the temperature in the thawing chamber 3 (hereinafter, referred to as “room temperature”) is kept low until just before the thawing starts, and the room temperature rises with the start of the thawing. Then, the rising room temperature is monitored by a temperature sensor (not shown) provided in the thawing chamber 3, and it is determined that the room temperature has reached a preset predetermined thawing temperature (for example, 20 ° C.). When the temperature sensor detects, the inside of the thawing chamber 3 is maintained at that temperature.

When the storage object is placed on the tray 23 and the thawing switch 35a is turned on to start thawing, first, the set temperature (for example, 20 ° C.) of the thawing chamber 3 is output and registered in the control device (step #). 5). Subsequently, the heat pipe 31 is heated by the heat generated by driving the Stirling refrigerator 8, the air in the thawing chamber 3 is heated, and the room temperature rises (step # 10). At this time, the room temperature is detected at predetermined intervals by the temperature sensor in step # 15, and the result is output to the control device as needed. The control device compares the room temperature with the set temperature (for example, 20 ° C.) in step # 20, and when the room temperature approaches the set temperature, stops or weakens the heating by the heat pipe 31 and maintains the room temperature near the set temperature ( Step # 25). Thereafter, detection of the surface temperature of the stored material by the thermistor 49 starts (step # 30), and step # 3.
Compare the surface temperature of the storage object detected in step 5 with the temperature of 1/2 of the room temperature (10 ° C. if the set temperature is 20 ° C.), and keep the room temperature constant until the former becomes equal to or higher than the latter. Repeat the comparison between the two. And when that condition is met,
In step # 40, the heating by the heat pipe 31 is completely stopped, and the damper 16 is opened to introduce the cool air into the thawing chamber 3, thereby shifting to the storage mode of the thawed storage and ending the thawing.

Next, in the case of full thawing, FIG.
Since the control method is the same as in the case of the half-thaw method described above except that the comparison is repeated until the two become substantially equal in the stage of comparing the surface temperature of the storage material and the room temperature (step # 35), the description is omitted. I do.

<Sixth Embodiment> A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a schematic external perspective view of an example of the refrigerator according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, when the thawing room 3 is used for the purpose of thawing the stored matter, the LED lamp 50 is turned on or blinked, and the identification lamp 51 whose lighting color can be changed is lit in red, for example. Then, when the thawing is completed, the LED lamp 50 is turned off and the color of the identification lamp 51 is changed to green to be turned on, thereby notifying the user of the end of the thawing. As a result, the usage status of the thawing room 3 can be easily checked visually, and the thawing room 3
Can prevent accidental opening of the door.

As means for notifying the end of thawing, means for visually appealing by lighting such as the identification lamp 51 or means for notifying by sounding such as a buzzer may be used. Also, in the second, third, fourth, fifth, and fifth embodiments, similarly to the first embodiment, a vibration transmitting unit (for example, a vibration transmitting unit that transmits a specific vibration accompanying the driving of the Stirling refrigerator 8 to the tray 23) , Shaft, etc.) may be separately provided.

[0062]

As described above, according to the present invention, the defrosted food stored in the defrosting chamber by utilizing a part of the heat generated by driving the Stirling engine or the Stirling refrigerating machine which has been released to the external space. Can be thawed. Means for transferring the heat generated by the Stirling refrigerator to the thawing chamber include a heat pipe with excellent heat conductivity, a duct for blowing heated air, or a circulation pipe for circulating the stored fluid in a closed circuit. Compared to the conventional structure that can be easily realized by using the heater and energize the heater to compensate for the insufficient heat required for defrosting, only the heat generated from the Stirling refrigerator is used effectively, eliminating the need for a new heat source. Energy savings can be realized accordingly.

In addition, if a structure having a vibration transmission mechanism for transmitting a specific vibration accompanying the driving of the Stirling refrigerator to the food to be thawed is provided, the food to be thawed is made up of a large number of small solids (for example,
Even in the case of green peas or granular cones), their positions and directions are changed and agitated by the vibration, so that uniform thawing without temperature unevenness becomes possible.

Further, a blowing means for circulating air can be provided in the thawing chamber. In this case, the heated air hits the food to be thawed from all directions, so that uniform and even thawing can be performed in a short time. In addition, a far-infrared lamp is provided in the thawing chamber, so that the food to be thawed is irradiated with far-infrared rays, and combined with the thawing effect of the heat from the Stirling refrigerator, the refrigerator with the thawing chamber has a greater thawing capacity. Can be realized.

If the set temperature of the thawing chamber can be changed as desired, the thawing chamber can be used for other purposes (for example,
Wine cellar, etc.), and can effectively use the space in the refrigerator. By the way, if the thawing control is performed by providing a temperature detecting means for detecting the surface temperature of the food to be thawed, for example, by changing the heating amount little by little according to the progress of the thawing, a more detailed thawing effect can be obtained. Obtainable.

By providing a display means on the exterior of the refrigerator main body to indicate the use status of the thawing room, it is easy for anyone other than the user to visually check the purpose of the thawing room. Can be confirmed. Furthermore, if the thawing is completed, by providing a notification means that informs it, if you prepare cooking etc. according to the end of thawing,
The defrosted food can be taken out of the defrosting chamber and cooked immediately, so that time can be effectively used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of a main part of the refrigerator.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line XX in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a main part of an example of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of a main part of an example of a refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of a main part of an example of a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of a main part of an example of a refrigerator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 (a) is a flowchart of an example of thawing control in a case where a stored product is half-thawed in the thawing room of the refrigerator. (B) It is a flowchart of an example of the thawing control in the case of thawing all the stored items in the thawing room of the refrigerator.

FIG. 9 is a schematic external perspective view of an example of a refrigerator according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an example of a conventional refrigerator with a thawing cabinet.

FIG. 11 is a detailed explanatory view of the thawing box.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator main body 2 Refrigeration room 3 Thawing room 4 Freezing room 5 Vegetable room 6,7 Partition member 8 Stirling refrigerator 9 Cooler 10 Fan motor 11 Pressure chamber 12,14,16 Damper 13,17,20 Cold air outlet 15 Cold air distribution Passage 18 Circulation fan 19 Cold air introduction passage 21, 22, 23, 24 Tray 25, 26, 36 Cold air return port 27a, 27b Heat transfer member 29, 30 Heat receiving unit 31 Heat pipe 32 Refrigerator mounting member 33 Cap 34 Chuck member 35 Display Panel 35a Defrosting switch 37 Defrosting auxiliary heater 38,39 Oval hole 40 Insulation material 41 Sealing member 42,43 Reinforcement member 44 Duct 44a Air heating unit 44b Air outlet 45 Blower fan 46 Circulation pipe 46a Fluid heating unit 47 Circulation pump 48 Far Infrared lamp 49 Thermistor 50 L ED lamp 51 Identification lamp

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) F25D 23/00 301 F25D 23/00 301G

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A thawing chamber for thawing frozen food, wherein a heat generated when a working medium is compressed by driving a Stirling engine that generates cold heat by a reverse Stirling cycle is transmitted to the thawing chamber to thaw the frozen food. A refrigerator with a thawing room characterized by thawing food stored in the room. 2. A thawing chamber for containing and thawing frozen food, a Stirling refrigerator that generates cold heat by a reverse Stirling cycle, and a heat generated when the working medium is compressed by driving the Stirling refrigerator. A refrigerator with a thawing room, comprising: a heat transfer means for transmitting the heat to the room. 3. The refrigerator with a thawing chamber according to claim 1, wherein a blowing means for circulating the air in the thawing chamber is provided in the thawing chamber. 4. The heat transfer means according to claim 2, wherein one end of the heat transfer means comprises a heat pipe connected to a heat radiating portion of the Stirling refrigerator and the other end guided to the thawing chamber. Refrigerator with thawing room as described. 5. The heat transfer means comprises a duct which communicates from the heat radiating portion of the Stirling refrigerator to the thawing chamber and sends air heated by the heat generated in the heat radiating portion to the thawing chamber. The refrigerator with a thawing room according to claim 2 or 3. 6. The heat transfer means forms a closed circuit between a radiator of the Stirling refrigerator and the thawing chamber, and is filled with a fluid therein and heated by heat generated in the radiator. The refrigerator with a thawing compartment according to claim 2 or 3, comprising a circulation pipe for circulating the fluid in the closed circuit. 7. The refrigerator with a thawing chamber according to claim 2, further comprising a vibration transmission mechanism for transmitting vibration accompanying the driving of the Stirling refrigerator to the food. 8. The refrigerator with a thawing room according to claim 2, wherein a far-infrared lamp is further provided in the thawing room. 9. When the thawing chamber is not used for the purpose of thawing the food, the transfer of heat to the thawing chamber by the heat transfer means is cut off, and the thawing is performed by introducing cool air into the thawing chamber. The refrigerator with a thawing room according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein a set temperature in the room can be changed. 10. The thawing device according to claim 2, further comprising a temperature detecting means for detecting a surface temperature of the food, and controlling thawing based on an output result of the temperature detecting means. Refrigerator with thawing room. 11. The refrigerator with a thawing room according to claim 2, wherein a display means for indicating the use state of the thawing room is provided on an external portion of the refrigerator main body. 12. The refrigerator with a thawing chamber according to claim 2, further comprising a notifying means for notifying the end of the thawing of the food.