JP2001099560A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator in which temperature setting is facilitated even for a weak-sighted person. SOLUTION: The refrigerator has a storage compartment formed in a heat insulation box and cooled to a set temperature. The refrigerator comprises means for setting the temperature of the storage compartment and the temperature setting means comprises a temperature setting switch 92B and an electronic sound generator 97. The set temperature is varied depending on the operation of the temperature setting switch and the electronic sound generator is sounded every time the switch is operated. Sounding state of the electronic sound generator is altered at the upper and lower limits of set temperature.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator having a temperature setting means in a storage room.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this kind of refrigerator has a freezing room, a refrigerator room, a vegetable room and the like in addition to a refrigerator room and a refrigerator room in an insulated box as shown in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-12301 (F25D23 / 00). A method of installing a cooler and a blower in a cooling room defined at the back of the freezing room, supplying cool air cooled by the cooler to each of the above-mentioned rooms by a blower, and circulating and cooling. I was

In this case, the temperatures in the freezing room and the refrigerator compartment are set by temperature setting switches, respectively, and the control device controls the operation of the compressor and the operation of the damper to maintain the temperature of each room at the set temperature. Was to do.

[0004]

The set temperature is usually displayed so that the user can determine it. However, in the case of a visually impaired user, the temperature set by the user is set. There was a problem that it was difficult to determine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional technical problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator which makes it easy for a visually-impaired user to determine a temperature setting. Aim.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A refrigerator according to the present invention is provided by cooling a storage room formed in a heat insulating box to a set temperature, and has a temperature setting means for setting a set temperature of the storage room. The temperature setting means has a temperature setting switch and a sounding means, changes the set temperature in accordance with the operation of the temperature setting switch, and sounds the sounding means each time the temperature setting switch is operated. In the value and the lower limit, the sounding state of the sounding means is changed.

In the refrigerator according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the set temperature reaches the upper limit or the lower limit, the number of sounds of the sounding means is changed, and the number of sounds different between the upper limit and the lower limit is determined. It is characterized by having done.

According to the present invention, a refrigerator configured to cool a storage room formed in a heat insulating box to a set temperature is provided with temperature setting means for setting a set temperature of the storage room. It has a setting switch and a sounding means, and changes the set temperature according to the operation of the temperature setting switch, and sounds the sounding means each time the operation is performed, so that the temperature setting switch is operated and the set temperature is changed. It is possible to reliably inform the user of the fact.

In particular, the sounding state of the sounding means is changed at the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the set temperature. Therefore, even if a user who is blind is operated, the currently set temperature may be the upper limit value or the lower limit value. It is possible to reliably notify that the lower limit value has been reached, thereby making it possible to significantly improve the settability even when the user operates.

In particular, when the set temperature reaches the upper limit value or the lower limit value, the number of sounds of the sounding means is changed, and if the number of sounds differs between the upper limit value and the lower limit value, the present Can be easily determined whether the value is the upper limit value or the lower limit value, and the operability and reliability are further improved.

[0011]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator 1 to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal side view of the refrigerator 1, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a back plate 49 and a back heat insulating material 50 of the refrigerator compartment 11 of the refrigerator 1, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a sectional plan view of the refrigerator compartment 11 of the refrigerator 1.
Is a cross-sectional plan view of the partition wall 7 of the refrigerator 1, and FIG.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control device C of the refrigerator 1.

The refrigerator 1 has a front-opening heat-insulating box 6 formed by filling a heat-insulating material 4 such as foamed polyurethane between an outer box 2 made of a steel plate and an inner box 3 made of a hard resin such as ABS by an in-situ foaming method. It is composed of The interior of the heat-insulating box 6 is vertically divided by a partition wall 7 formed of a heat-insulating wall integrally formed with the heat-insulating box 6, and the inside of the heat-insulating box 6 above the partition 7 is upper-partitioned. It is vertically divided by a member 8.

A refrigerator compartment 11 is provided above the upper partition member 8, and a vegetable compartment 12 is provided between the upper partition member 8 and the partition wall 7. Further, an opening edge of the heat insulating box 6 below the partition wall 7 is vertically divided by a lower partition member 9, and a lower side of the lower partition member 9 is a freezing room 13 (both are storage rooms). The space between the partition wall 7 and the lower partition member 9 is further divided into left and right by a heat insulating wall 30 (FIG. 5), and the left side is an ice making room 10 and the right side is a select room 15 (FIG. 5). In FIG. 5, hatching of the partition wall 7 is omitted for explanation.

The front opening of the refrigerating compartment 11 is closed by a rotatable heat-insulating door 14 so as to be openable and closable, and the freezing compartment 13 and the vegetable compartment 12 are containers 16A, 17A having upper openings.
Are respectively opened and closed by drawer-type heat-insulating doors 16 and 17 each having a. The ice making chamber 10 is also openably closed by a drawer-type heat-insulating door 18 provided with a container 18A having an upper surface opening, and the select chamber 15 is also openably closed by a similar drawer-type heat-insulating door 19 (FIG. 1). Have been. Reference numeral 20 denotes a control panel provided at the lower part of the front of the door 14.

An automatic ice maker 2 is provided above the ice making chamber 10.
1 is installed. Further, the back of the vegetable compartment 12 is partitioned forward and backward by a partition plate 22 and a cooler front plate 23, and a cooling chamber 24 is defined behind the cooler front plate 23, and refrigerated in the cooling chamber 24. A room cooler 26 is provided vertically.
Above the refrigerator cooler 26, a refrigerator blower 27 is provided.
Is provided, and a defrost heater 28 is provided below the refrigerator cooler 26. Also, this defrost heater 2
A drain receiver 29 is formed below 8.

The back of the freezer compartment 13 from the back of the ice making compartment 10 and the select compartment 15 is partitioned back and forth by a partition plate 32 and a cooler front plate 33. Is formed, and a freezer compartment cooler 36 is vertically provided in the cooling chamber 34. Above the freezer compartment cooler 36, a freezer compartment blower 37 is provided, and below the freezer compartment cooler 36, a defrost heater 38 as a defrost device is provided. A drain receiver 39 is formed below the defrost heater 38.

The upper part of the partition plate 32 is formed with an outlet for an ice making chamber and the outlet of a select chamber, and the center is formed with a discharge port 13A for a freezer compartment. An inlet 13B is formed. A motor damper 76 (FIG. 7) for opening and closing the cool air flow path based on the temperature of the select chamber 15 is attached to a select chamber discharge port (not shown).

On the other hand, a vegetable compartment suction port 12A is formed below the partition plate 22 at the back of the vegetable compartment 12, and
The upper end of the space between the chiller and the cooler front plate 23 communicates with a refrigerator compartment rear duct 47 described later. Further, a vegetable compartment discharge port 12B for blowing out cool air is formed below the upper partition member 8 at an upper portion of the partition plate 22.

On the other hand, a back plate 49 and a back heat insulating material 50 are attached to the back of the refrigerator compartment 11 at a distance from the back of the inner box 3 at a distance from the back of the inner box 3. The refrigerator compartment rear duct 47 extending vertically is formed. The refrigerator compartment discharge ports 11 </ b> A are formed on the left and right sides of the rear plate 49, and penetrate the rear heat insulating material 50 and communicate with the refrigerator compartment rear duct 47. In the refrigerating room 11, a plurality of shelves 51 are provided.

Also, on the left and right sides of the back plate 49, a back insulation material 5 is provided.
The recesses 31, 31 are formed on both sides of the vertical axis 0 and extend vertically.
Is attached. Then, the front surfaces of the recesses 31, 31 are closed by a light-transmitting shade (not shown) (in FIG. 2, the left illumination lamp 59 is seen through).

Further, an upper partition member 8 is provided below the refrigerator compartment 11.
A partition plate 42 is attached at a predetermined interval above the partition plate 42. An openable and closable lid 43 is rotatably hung on the front side of the partition plate 42, and a built-in chamber is formed in a space surrounded by these. 44 are formed. This built-in chamber 44 is set to an ice temperature / temperature zone. In this built-in chamber 44, a container 48 that can be pulled out is stored. Reference numeral 44A denotes a discharge port of the built-in chamber formed in the back plate 49,
It communicates with the lower part.

The upper partition member 8 has a refrigerator compartment suction port 51.
The refrigerator compartment suction port 51 is connected to the vegetable compartment 12.
Communicates within. Further, the built-in chamber 44 houses a water supply tank (not shown) for supplying water to the automatic ice making machine 21.

The container 17A housed in the vegetable compartment 12
The upper surface of the container 1 is closed by a lid 53, and the cool air returning from the refrigerator compartment 11 passes through the refrigerator compartment suction port 51 and this container 1
After being circulated around 7A, it is returned to the cooling room 24 from the vegetable room suction port 12A. In addition, the ice making room 10 and the freezing room 13
Is returned to the cooling chamber 34 from the freezing chamber suction port 13B. The return from the select chamber 15 is returned to the cooling chamber 34 from a select chamber suction port (not shown).

Here, a concave portion 54 is formed in the center of the front surface of the rear heat insulating material 50 so as to be vertically depressed, and the rear plate 49 at a position corresponding to the lower portion of the concave portion 54 has a suction port 56. Is attached. A rear duct 57 for an air curtain is formed in the concave portion 54 closed by the rear plate 49, and the electric heater H for temperature compensation is formed therein.
Is attached. Reference numeral 55 denotes a cover attached to the suction port 56.

An air curtain blower 68 having a turbo fan 67 for sucking cool air from the axial direction (front) and blowing it out in the radial direction is provided in the air curtain rear duct 57 located behind the suction port 56. ing. A top plate 63 is attached to the top surface of the refrigerator compartment 11, and inside the top plate 63, a top duct 64 for an air curtain is formed extending back and forth.

The rear end of the air curtain top duct 64 communicates with the upper end of the air curtain rear duct 57, and the front end of the air curtain top duct 64 is located near the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 11. A plurality of outlets 66 are arranged side by side on the left and right (in FIG. 2, the blower 68 is seen through).

On the other hand, a machine room 41 is formed at the lower part of the heat insulating box 6, and in the rear part of the machine room 41, the refrigerating cycle of FIG. A compressor 69 and the like and a machine room blower 94 (FIG. 7) constituting the refrigerant circuit of FIG.

In the refrigerant circuit diagram of FIG. 6, reference numeral 71 denotes a condenser, 72 denotes a motor-driven three-way valve (flow path switching valve) for switching the refrigerant flow path, and 73 and 74 denote a first and a first flow path, respectively. 2 is a capillary tube as a decompression device. The compressor 69 is a reciprocating compressor. The capillary tubes 73 and 74 are soldered so as to have a heat exchange relationship with a refrigerant suction pipe 69S described later.

The refrigerant discharge pipe 69D of the compressor 69
Is connected to a condenser 71, and an outlet 71A of the condenser 71 is connected to a three-way valve 72 via a dryer 70. Three-way valve 7
One of the two outlets is connected to the inlet of the refrigerator cooler 26 via the capillary tube 73, and the outlet of the refrigerator cooler 26 is connected to the inlet of the freezer cooler 36.

The other outlet of the three-way valve 72 is connected via a capillary tube 74 to the inlet of the freezer cooler 36, and the outlet of the freezer cooler 36 is connected to the compressor 69.
Is connected to the refrigerant suction pipe 69S. That is, the three-way valve 72 is connected to the high pressure side (compressor 69 to condenser 71) and the low pressure side (capillary tubes 73 and 74 to each cooler 2) of the refrigerant circuit.
6, 36, which are connected between headers 40 described later.

The three-way valve 72 has a function of opening and closing an outlet so that the liquid refrigerant from the condenser 71 flows through the capillary tube 73 or the capillary tube 74 alternatively.
It has a function of closing both outlets to completely close the flow path and a function of opening both outlets. 40 is an outlet side of the freezer compartment cooler 36 (the freezer compartment cooler 36 and the compressor 69).
2) is a header connected as a refrigerant liquid reservoir.

Here, FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective views of the cooler 26 for the refrigerator compartment or the cooler 36 for the freezer compartment.
Both coolers are so-called fin tube type heat exchangers,
Since the basic structure is the same even if there is a difference in dimensions and the like, the following description will be made as the refrigerator cooler 26. That is, the refrigerator cooler 26 includes a refrigerant pipe 77 bent in a meandering shape, and a plurality of aluminum heat exchange fins 78 fitted to the refrigerant pipe 77.

In the embodiment, the refrigerant pipes 77 are constituted by three rows in the front and rear (the refrigerant pipes in the rightmost row in each figure are 77A, the central refrigerant pipe is 77B, and the leftmost refrigerant pipe is 77C). The refrigerant pipes 77 </ b> A to 77 </ b> C in the row are bent back and forth three times in the horizontal direction across the vertical direction.

On the other hand, each of the fins 78 has the same shape, and a circular shape having an inner diameter substantially similar to the outer diameter of the refrigerant pipe 77 so that the refrigerant pipe 77 is inserted and fitted on one side. Are formed at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. Further, an oval notch 81 cut inward is formed on the other edge of the fin 78, which is also formed in the fitting hole 7.
A plurality is formed above and below at the same interval as 9.

The inner part of each notch 81 is formed into a semicircle having an inner diameter substantially similar to the outer diameter of the refrigerant pipe 77, and extends horizontally from the semicircle to the edge. The distance from the edge on the other side to the center of the circular portion at the back of the notch 81 is equal to the distance from the edge on one side to the fitting hole 79.
Is the same as the distance to the center.

With the above configuration, the refrigerant pipe 77A is connected to the fin 7
8 are inserted and fitted into the fitting hole 79 of the cooling pipe 8 so as to insert and fix the plurality of fins 78... Also, the refrigerant pipe 77C is inserted and fitted into the fitting hole 79 of the fin 78, so that a plurality of fins 78 are provided at predetermined intervals.
... is inserted and fixed in the refrigerant pipe 77C. At this time, the positions of the fins 78... Of the refrigerant pipe 77C are attached so as to be shifted from the positions of the fins 78.

Next, the notches 81... Of the respective fins 78... Of both refrigerant pipes 77A and 77C are opposed to each other, and first the refrigerant pipe 77B is connected to the respective fins 78. Insert from the edge into the notch 81... And fit to the innermost part. Next, the refrigerant pipe 77B is inserted from the edge into the notch 81 ... of each fin 78 ... of the refrigerant pipe 77C, and fitted to the innermost part.

With this fitting, via the refrigerant pipe 77B,
Since the refrigerant pipes 77A and the fins 78 and the refrigerant pipes 77C and the fins 78 are firmly integrated, the reinforcing side plates and the like conventionally used can be eliminated. Also, in the central portion 82 (the portion of the refrigerant pipe 77B) of the refrigerator 26, the fins 78 of the refrigerant pipes 77A and 77C overlap each other, so that the central portion 82 is dense and both sides are sparse. Can be realized.

Thus, the heat exchange performance can be improved in the dense part, and the blockage due to frost can be delayed in the sparse part. Furthermore, since the shapes of all the fins can be made the same, the cost for mold investment can be reduced, and a low-cost heat exchanger can be realized.

Next, in FIG. 7, the control device C is constituted by a general-purpose microcomputer M (constituting a temperature setting means), and its input is a freezing room temperature for detecting the temperature of the freezing room 13. A sensor 83; a refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 84 for detecting the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11;
5, a select room temperature sensor 86 for detecting the temperature of the refrigerator 5, an outside air temperature sensor 87 for detecting the outside air temperature around the refrigerator 1 installed, an optical sensor 88 for detecting the illuminance (brightness) around the refrigerator 1 installed, Refrigerator compartment cooler temperature sensor 89 for detecting the temperature of the refrigerator compartment cooler 26, freezer compartment cooler 3
6, a freezer compartment cooler temperature sensor 91 for detecting the temperature, a setting switch 92 (constituting temperature setting means), an energy saving switch 93, and the like are connected. The setting switch 92 and the energy saving switch 93 are connected to the control panel 2.
0.

The compressor 69, the machine room blower 94, the freezer room blower 37 and the refrigerator room blower 27 are connected to the output of the microcomputer M via inverter circuits 98, 99, 101 and 102, respectively. The air curtain blower 68, the three-way valve (motor) 7
2, defrost heaters 38, 28, electric heater H for temperature compensation,
The motor damper 76 and the ice making machine 21 are connected. Further, an output of the microcomputer M is connected to a display 96 comprising an LED and an electronic sound generator 97 (both constituting a temperature setting means), and these are also arranged on the control panel 20.

Next, the operation of the refrigerator 1 of the present invention having the above configuration will be described. First, the operation of setting the temperature of each room will be described. FIG. 10 is a front view of a display 96 arranged on the control panel 20. The display 96 includes a digital display unit 104 composed of a three-digit 7-segment LED for displaying the current temperature, a bar display unit 106 composed of a row of five LEDs, and a room currently being set, the freezing room 13 or the refrigerator room. 1
Switching display section 107 for displaying whether the number is 1 or the selection room 15
109 (the selected room is lit).

The control panel 20 further includes:
While switching the lighting of the switching display units 107 to 109,
Changeover switch 92A for changing the room to be set or displayed
And a temperature setting switch 92B for changing the set temperature
Are arranged, and both constitute a part of the setting switch 92.

The microcomputer M displays the temperature of the freezer compartment 13 (or the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11) on the digital display unit 104 of the display 96 based on the outputs of the temperature sensors 83 and 84. The display is switched by pressing the switch 92A. When the temperature of the freezing room 13 is displayed on the digital display unit 104 (the switching display unit 107 is lit), the microcomputer M operates the freezing room 13 based on the pressing operation of the temperature setting switch 92B.
Is set, for example, to -20 ° C (upper limit) to -28 ° C.
(Lower limit), and the set temperature is set to 5 based on the number of LEDs of the bar display unit 106 on the display 96.
Display in stages.

In this case, the microcomputer M causes the electronic sound generator 97 to generate one beep every time the temperature setting switch 92B is pressed. Further, by the pressing operation, the set temperature is changed from −20 ° C. to −28 ° C.
Then, the circulation is changed from −28 ° C. to −20 ° C. At this time, when the temperature reaches −20 ° C., the microcomputer M
Causes the electronic sound generator 97 to generate an electronic sound twice (three times in total when pressed). When the temperature reaches −28 ° C., an electronic sound is generated once (two times in total when pressed).

As a result, even if the area of the bar display section 106 is small and it is difficult to see when the blind person operates, the set temperature reaches the upper limit value or the lower limit value without looking at the bar display section 106. Can be determined.
In the embodiment, the upper limit or the lower limit is notified based on the number of generations of the electronic sound. However, the scale and sound quality of the electronic sound may be changed.
When the temperature setting switch 92B is pressed and released momentarily, the microcomputer M sets the set temperature to, for example, two.
° C (that is, it changes in five steps, and the number of the bar display changes accordingly), but when pressed continuously, for example, in steps of 0.4 ° C (ie, 5 ° C within 2 ° C). Change step by step).

Therefore, for example, if the temperature setting switch 92B is pressed twice instantaneously from the state where the upper limit has been reached and three electronic sounds have been generated, the set temperature becomes the intermediate value of -24 ° C. The temperature can be set reliably even by a simple user.

In order to set the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11, the refrigerator compartment 11 is selected by the changeover switch 92A (the switching display unit 108 is lit), and the set temperature is set to + 1 ° C. (lower limit value) in the same manner. ) To + 5 ° C (upper limit). The same applies to the case of the select room 10, but the temperature setting of the select room 15 can be changed in the range from the refrigeration temperature to the freezing temperature.

Then, the microcomputer M sets the temperature above and below the set temperature of each room by a differential of, for example, 3 ° C.
Set N point-OFF point. At this time, based on the output of the outside air temperature sensor 87, for example, when the outside air temperature is equal to or lower than + 20 ° C., the differential of the refrigerator compartment 11 is set to 2 ° C.
Stabilize temperature control.

On the other hand, when the energy saving switch 93 is pressed, the microcomputer M enters an energy saving mode,
For example, the set temperature of each chamber is uniformly increased by 1 ° C., for example.
In this case, the microcomputer M is an optical sensor 88
If the illuminance is determined to be low at night based on the output of (2), the temperature rise is set to, for example, 2 ° C. As a result, the power required for the cooling operation described below is reduced, so that energy can be saved and the electricity charge can be reduced.

Thus, the configuration is such that the power consumption of the refrigerator 1 can be reduced in a situation where the load in the refrigerator is expected to be light, particularly in a situation where food is not taken in and out. During this energy saving mode, any one of the doors 14, 1
When 6, 18, and 19 are opened, the microcomputer M cancels the energy saving mode.

Basically, the microcomputer M changes the operating frequency of the compressor 69, including the stop, for example, to 37HZ, 48HZ, 58H by the inverter circuit 98.
Z, 64HZ, 68HZ 5 steps (outside air temperature is +27
When the temperature is below ℃, usually 37HZ, when it is above 48H
Z) can be changed.

Note that the microcomputer M controls each phase (R) of the compressor 69 by an inverter circuit 98 (PWM control).
(Phase, S-phase, T-phase). As a result, operation vibration and noise can be reduced as compared with the case where a rectangular wave is applied, and energy can be saved.

Further, the blower 37 for the freezer compartment and the blower 27 for the refrigerating compartment are controlled by the inverter circuits 101 and 102, for example, from 700 rpm to 1500 rpm including the stop (the blower 37 for the freezer compartment is usually 1300 rpm, and the blower 27 for the refrigerating compartment is usually It can be changed within the range of 1000 rpm). Furthermore, the machine room blower 94 includes, for example, 1200 rpm (when the compressor 69 operates at 37 HZ and 48 HZ) and 1400 rpm including the stop by the inverter circuit 99.
(When the compressor 69 is operating at 58HZ, 64HZ, 68HZ)
Can be changed.

Further, the machine room blower 94 is basically operated in synchronization with the compressor 69, but is stopped based on the output of the outside air temperature sensor 87 when, for example, the outside air temperature is + 10 ° C. or less.

When the cooling operation is started and the compressor M is operated by the microcomputer M, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the refrigerant discharge pipe 69D of the compressor 69 flows into the condenser 71 and radiates heat. And is condensed and liquefied. Then, the refrigerant that has exited the condenser 71 enters the three-way valve 72 via the dryer 70.

When the temperatures of the freezing compartment 13 and the refrigerating compartment 11 detected by the temperature sensors 83 and 84 are both high (not reaching the OFF point), the microcomputer M opens the three-way valve 72 to the capillary tube 73 side. Then, the capillary tube 74 side is closed (both chamber cooling mode). As a result, the refrigerant condensed and liquefied in the condenser 71 is decompressed in the capillary tube 73, then flows into the refrigerator cooler 26 and the refrigerator cooler 36 in order, and evaporates.
The cooling capacity is exhibited at 6, 36.

When the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 reaches the OFF point based on the output of the temperature sensor 84 from this state, the microcomputer M switches the three-way valve 72 to the capillary tube 74.
Side, and the capillary tube 73 side is closed (freezer compartment cooling mode). As a result, the refrigerant condensed and liquefied in the condenser 71 is decompressed in the capillary tube 74, and then flows into the freezer compartment cooler 36 to evaporate therefrom.
6 demonstrates the cooling capacity. When the temperature of the freezing room 13 reaches the OFF point, the microcomputer M stops the compressor 69, closes both outlets of the three-way valve 72, and completely closes the flow path.

By closing the three-way valve 72, the inside of the refrigerant circuit is completely isolated between the high-pressure side and the low-pressure side, so that the inconvenience that the high-temperature refrigerant naturally flows from the high-pressure side to the low-pressure side is prevented. As a result, unnecessary rises in temperature and pressure in the coolers 26 and 36 are avoided, operation efficiency is improved, and energy is saved.

Further, since the compressor 69 is constituted by a reciprocating compressor, it is more difficult to obtain a pressure difference (differential pressure) on the low pressure side during the operation and during the stop of the compressor than the rotary compressor. However, since the flow path is closed by the motor-driven three-way valve 72, the high-low pressure difference in the refrigerant circuit can be reliably maintained.

When the temperature of the freezing room 13 rises to the ON point, the microcomputer M operates the compressor 69 again to open the three-way valve 72 to the capillary tube 74 side. The microcomputer M controls the operation / stop of the compressor 69 based on the temperature of the freezing room 13, opens the three-way valve 72 toward the capillary tube 74, and controls the three-way valve 72 toward the capillary tube 73 depending on the temperature of the refrigerator 11. I do.

When the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 rises to the ON point while the refrigerant is flowing through the capillary tube 74, the microcomputer M opens the three-way valve 72 again to the capillary tube 73 side, and The tube 74 side is closed. If the temperature of the freezing compartment 13 detected by the temperature sensor 83 is, for example, -5 ° C. or higher, the operating frequency of the compressor 69 is increased by one step until the OFF point is reached.

The temperatures of the chambers 11 and 13 are turned on from the OFF point.
While ascending to the point, each of the blowers 27 and 37 is basically stopped and operated from the ON point to the OFF point. In each case, operation control is performed independently. When the freezing room blower 37 is operated, the cool air in the cooling room 34 cooled by the freezing room cooler 36 is discharged from the ice making room discharge port and the select room discharge port to the ice making room 10 and the select room 15. At the same time, the liquid is discharged from the freezing compartment discharge port 13A to the freezing compartment 13.

Then, after being circulated and cooled in each room, the cool air returns to the inside of the cooling room 34 from the freezing room suction port 13B (solid arrow in FIG. 2). Thereby, the inside of the freezing room 13 is maintained at the set temperature.

The temperature inside the ice making chamber 10 is also set to the freezing temperature, and ice is made by the automatic ice making machine 21. Further, the microcomputer M controls the motor damper 76 based on the output of the temperature sensor 86 to control the amount of cool air supplied from the outlet of the select chamber, and makes the select chamber 15 a selected refrigerator or freezer.

On the other hand, when the refrigerator air blower 27 is operated, the cool air in the cooling room 24 cooled by the refrigerator cooler 26 flows into the refrigerator room rear duct 47, and the cold room discharge port 1 is discharged.
1A, etc., are blown out into the refrigerator compartment 11 and the built-in chamber 44 from the built-in chamber discharge port 44A, circulate through the inside and cool, and then flow into the refrigerator compartment suction port 51.

The cool air flowing into the refrigerator compartment suction port 51 passes through the upper partition member 8 and cool air blown out from the vegetable compartment discharge port 12B (part of the cool air immediately after heat exchange with the refrigerator compartment cooler 26). After mixing and entering the vegetable room 12, circulating around the container 17A and indirectly cooling the inside of the container 17A, it is sucked through the vegetable room suction port 12A and returned to the cooling room 24. Thereby, the inside of the refrigerator compartment 11 is maintained at the set temperature, and the vegetables in the container 17A are kept cool while drying is prevented (solid arrows in FIG. 2).

The freezing room 1 where the freezing temperature is required as described above
3, the ice making room 10, and the selection room 15 are provided with a refrigerator 36
The refrigerator compartment 11 and the vegetable compartment 1 which are cooled at a relatively high temperature
2 is cooled by the refrigerator cooler 26, respectively.
The cooling operation efficiency is remarkably improved as compared with the conventional case where each chamber is cooled by one cooler.

In the refrigerator compartment 11 and the vegetable compartment 12, the cool air that has passed through the refrigerator compartment 11 and the built-in compartment 44 flows into the vegetable compartment 12, and the cool air directly from the refrigerator compartment blower 27 is mixed therein. Therefore, insufficient cooling of the vegetable compartment 12 is also eliminated.

The microcomputer M is a three-way valve 72.
Is switched from the state of opening to the capillary tube 74 side to the state of opening to the capillary tube 73 side, the start (start) of the operation of the refrigerator air blower 27 is delayed by, for example, 3 minutes.

Here, both coolers 26, 3
In the state in which the three-way valve 72 is open to the capillary tube 74 side, the refrigerant does not flow through the refrigerator compartment cooler 26, so that the refrigerant is excessive. The cooled refrigerant is stored in the header 40. Further, the temperature of the refrigerator cooler 26 is relatively high, and the internal pressure is also high.

Therefore, when the three-way valve 72 opens to the capillary tube 73 side, the pressure in the refrigerator cooler 26 moves to the refrigerator cooler 36, and the liquid refrigerant in the header 40 moves toward the compressor 69. However, if the operation start of the refrigerator air blower 27 is delayed as described above, the cool air in the refrigerator room 11 (relatively high temperature) is supplied to the refrigerator cooler 26. Is no longer blown, so that the temperature of the refrigerator cooler 26 can be reduced in temperature, whereby the occurrence of the liquid bag can be effectively prevented or suppressed.

When the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 becomes higher than the ON point by, for example, 6 ° C., or when the three-way valve 72 is opened to the capillary tube 73 side, for example, the temperature becomes 60 ° C.
When the number of minutes has elapsed (when the refrigerator compartment 11 is under a high load), the microcomputer M increases the rotation speed of the refrigerator compartment blower 27 to 1300.
rpm. Further, when the compressor 69 is operated continuously for, for example, 60 minutes, the operating frequency of the compressor 69 is increased by one step until the refrigerator compartment 11 reaches the OFF point.

Further, when one of the doors 14 and 17 is opened, the microcomputer M operates the refrigerator air blower 2.
7 is stopped, and when any of the doors 16, 18, 19 is opened, the freezer-room blower 37 is stopped. This suppresses cold air leakage from each room.

The microcomputer M is connected to the refrigerator compartment 1
When the first door 14 is closed and the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 is lower than a predetermined high temperature, for example, + 6 ° C., the air curtain blower 68 is stopped. When the door 14 is opened, the microcomputer M operates the air curtain blower 68 (the lighting lamp 5).
9 is also lit).

When the air curtain blower 68 is operated, the cool air in the refrigerator compartment 11 is sucked from the suction port 56 through the cover 55 because the cool air is sucked from the axial direction and blows out in the radial direction. Air curtain blower 6
Sucked in 8. Then, the air is blown out to the rear curtain 57 for the air curtain, rises there, enters the top surface duct 64 for the air curtain, flows therethrough, and flows therethrough.
6 is blown out to the opening of the refrigerator compartment 11 below.

As a result, a cool air curtain is formed in the entire opening of the refrigerator compartment 11 as shown by the dashed arrow in FIG. 2, so that when the door 14 is opened, the refrigerator compartment 1 is opened.
The air curtain can prevent as much as possible the outside air trying to enter the inside 1 and the cool air trying to leak from inside the refrigerator compartment 11.

Here, the microcomputer M is the door 14
When the door 14 is closed, the operation of the air curtain blower 68 is continued for the same time as the integrated time, and then the operation is stopped. Thereby, the temperature rise and the temperature unevenness in the refrigerating room 11 generated during the opening of the door 14 can be quickly reduced and made uniform after the door 14 is closed.

Further, when the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 rises to a high temperature such as + 6 ° C., for example, by inputting a large amount of heat load, the microcomputer 14 closes the door 14. Further, even after the lapse of the integration time, the air curtain blower 68 is operated until the OFF point is reached. Further, even after the compressor 69 stops, the air curtain blower 68 is operated for, for example, three minutes.

As a result, the cool air in the refrigerator compartment 11 is stirred, so that the temperature recovery (reduction) in the refrigerator compartment 11 is accelerated. In addition, the operation of the air curtain blower 68 as described above stirs the cool air in the refrigerator compartment 11, so that the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 also becomes uniform. Further, since the cool air curtain is formed when the door 14 is opened, it is possible to contribute to energy saving.

Further, even when the door 14 is closed, if the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 rises to a predetermined value or more, the air curtain blower 68 is operated. Can be stirred by the operation of the air curtain blower 68, and the temperature recovery (reduction, especially the pocket inside the door 14 and the like) in the refrigerator compartment 11 can be accelerated.

Here, when the outside air temperature outputted by the outside air temperature sensor 87 is, for example, + 10 ° C. or less, the microcomputer M energizes the electric heater H for temperature compensation to generate heat. The cool air in the air curtain rear duct 57 heated by the heat generated by the electric heater H is circulated in the refrigerator compartment 11 by the operation of the air curtain blower 68 as described above. It is heated and the temperature compensation function is significantly improved.

As a result, it is possible to automatically and effectively eliminate the disadvantage that the inside of the refrigerator compartment 11 is supercooled at a low outside air temperature such as in winter, thereby improving the usability.
Since unnecessary heat generation can be prevented, the power consumption of the electric heater H can also be reduced. Also, as described above, the air curtain blower 68 is operated for three minutes after the compressor 69 is stopped,
It is possible to effectively eliminate supercooling due to temperature inertia after the compressor 69 is stopped.

Next, the microcomputer M is connected to the compressor 6
When the total operating time reaches a predetermined time, the compressor 69 is stopped to cause the defrost heater 38 to generate heat, and the freezer compartment cooler 36 starts to be defrosted. Thereby, the refrigerator coolers 36 are heated, and the frost attached to them is melted. Drain water generated by melting of frost
It is received in a drain receptacle 39 arranged below the cooler. Then, when the temperature of the freezer compartment cooler 36 detected by the freezer compartment cooler temperature sensor 91 reaches a predetermined defrost end temperature, the heat generation of the defrost heater 38 is stopped and the freezer compartment cooler 36 is stopped. End the defrost.

Here, when starting the defrosting of the freezer cooler 36 in a state where the three-way valve 72 is open to the capillary tube 74 side, the microcomputer M sets the three-way valve 72 to 3 before starting the defrosting. The refrigerant is opened to the side of the capillary tube 73 for a minute and the refrigerant flows from the refrigerator 26 to the refrigerator 36. At this time, the refrigerating room blower 27 is stopped. Thereby, the refrigerant is also stored in the refrigerator cooler 26, so that the amount of the refrigerant in the refrigerator cooler 36 is reduced, and the temperature rise of the refrigerator cooler 36 at the time of the subsequent defrost is accelerated. Will be able to do it. Therefore, defrosting can be ended early and the temperature rise in the freezing room 13 and other rooms can be suppressed to a minimum. Further, since a low-temperature refrigerant is stored in the refrigerator cooler 26, the temperature rise of the refrigerator room 11 during the defrosting of the refrigerator cooler 36 can be suppressed.

On the other hand, the three-way valve 72 is
For example, when the state in which the compressor 69 is operated while being opened to the third side is integrated for 320 minutes (when the refrigerator compartment 11 is under a high load,
Or, when the state in which the three-way valve 72 is open to the capillary tube 73 side continues for, for example, 40 minutes, or
In the case where the compressor 69 is stopped before the refrigerator compartment 11 reaches the OFF point, in any case, the integration becomes 120 minutes), after switching the three-way valve 72 to the capillary tube 74 side, or after stopping the compressor 69 Then, the refrigerating room blower 27 is operated.

That is, since the air in the refrigerator compartment 11 is circulated in a state in which the refrigerant is not supplied to the refrigerator compartment cooler 26, the temperature of the refrigerator compartment cooler 26 rises.
This removes frost from the refrigerator compartment cooler 26 (this is called cycle defrost). Then, when the temperature of the refrigerator compartment cooler 26 detected by the refrigerator compartment cooler temperature sensor 91 rises to, for example, + 3 ° C., the microcomputer M stops the refrigerator compartment blower 27.

In addition to the control by the time integration, for example, before the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 reaches the OFF point, the compressor 6
If 9 stops, it is conceivable that the frost of the refrigerator compartment cooler 26 increases and the heat exchange efficiency decreases, so that in such a case, the cycle defrost may be started immediately.

When the cycle defrost is executed twice consecutively, the microcomputer M determines that the refrigerator-cooler cooler 26 has considerable frost, and
After the three-way valve 72 is opened to the capillary tube 74 side, or after the compressor 69 is stopped, the electric heater 28 of the refrigerator cooler 26 is energized and heated to perform defrosting by forced heating. Thereby, the frost blockage of the cooler 26 is reliably prevented. Similarly, when the temperature of the refrigerator cooler 26 rises to, for example, + 3 ° C., the power supply to the electric heater 28 is stopped, and the defrosting of the refrigerator cooler 26 ends.

In the embodiment, the three-way valve 72 is a motor-driven type. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the three-way valve 72 may be driven by an electromagnetic solenoid or the like. Further, the present invention is not limited to a refrigerator provided with two coolers as in the embodiment, and a refrigerator further provided with a plurality of coolers (for example, in addition to the above, another select room cooler or the like may be provided in series with a refrigerator room cooler. Connection, etc.), the present invention is also effective.

[0091]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, a refrigerator configured to cool a storage room formed in a heat insulating box to a predetermined temperature is provided with temperature setting means for setting the storage room set temperature, The temperature setting means has a temperature setting switch and a sounding means, and changes the set temperature in accordance with the operation of the temperature setting switch, and sounds the sounding means each time the temperature setting switch is operated. Thus, it is possible to reliably notify the user that the set temperature has been changed.

In particular, the sounding state of the sounding means is changed at the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the set temperature. It is possible to reliably notify that the lower limit has been reached, and thereby it is possible to significantly improve the setability even when the user operates.

In particular, when the set temperature reaches the upper limit value or the lower limit value, the number of sounds of the sounding means is changed, and if the number of sounds differs between the upper limit value and the lower limit value, the present Can be easily determined whether is the upper limit value or the lower limit value, and the operability and reliability are further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view of the refrigerator of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a back plate and a back heat insulating material of the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan sectional view of a refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan sectional view of a partition wall portion of the refrigerator of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of a refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control device of the refrigerator of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a refrigerator of the refrigerator of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the cooler.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a display device of the refrigerator of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator 6 Heat insulation box 7 Partition wall 8 Upper partition member 10 Ice making room 11 Refrigeration room 11A Refrigeration room discharge port 12 Vegetable room 12B Vegetable room discharge port 13 Refrigeration room 13A Refrigeration room discharge port 14, 16, 17, 18, 19 Door 15 Select room 26 Refrigerator cooler 27 Refrigerator blower 28 Defrost heater 36 Freezer cooler 37 Freezer blower 38 Defrost heater 40 Header 41 Machine room 69 Compressor 71 Condenser 72 Three-way valve 73, 74 Capillary tube 83 Freezer compartment temperature sensor 84 Refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 96 Display unit 97 Electronic sound generator C Controller M Microcomputer

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A refrigerator configured to cool a storage room formed in a heat insulating box to a set temperature, comprising: temperature setting means for setting a set temperature of the storage room.
The temperature setting means has a temperature setting switch and a sounding means, changes a set temperature in accordance with the operation of the temperature setting switch, and sounds the sounding means each time the temperature setting switch is operated. The sound state of the sound means is changed at the upper limit value and the lower limit value. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the set temperature reaches an upper limit or a lower limit, the number of sounds of the sounding means is changed, and the number of sounds is different between the upper limit and the lower limit. Refrigerator.