JP2002022335A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform the cooling of food at a relatively high temperature favorably without exerting a bad influence upon other food. SOLUTION: In a switching chamber which enables a set temperature to be switched into a plurality of stages, the execution of the cooled cooking operation to compulsively cool the interior of the switching chamber is enabled in condition that food at relatively high temperature is stored. At this time, a plurality of operation modes can be selected. In quick cooling modes (a)-(c), the simultaneous cooling of the switching chamber and a refrigeration chamber is performed for ten minutes after performance of twenty minutes' compulsive cooling, and it is suitable to cool, for example, a can beer in a short time or to make custard pudding or the like in a short time. A rough heat radiation mode (d) where the time of compulsive heating is short is suitable to cool the food material in cooking process of the ingredients of a hamburger in a short time. In a refrigeration mode (e), twenty to forty minutes' natural cooling is performed, and then the supply of cold blast is performed for two and a half hours, and it is suitable to preserve, for example, curry in cold storage, etc. In a quick freezing mode (f), two hours' F-mode operation where the set temperature is shifted to a low temperature side is performed after performance of the same control as the quick cooling mode, and it is suitable to preserve rice in a frozen state, etc.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator having an independent switching room capable of switching to a plurality of set temperatures including a freezing temperature zone and a refrigeration temperature zone.

[0002]

In a conventional home refrigerator, it was necessary to avoid putting hot food into a refrigerator or the like as it is. This is because, when high-temperature foods are stored in, for example, a refrigerator, the temperature in the refrigerator may temporarily rise, which may adversely affect other foods in the refrigerator. Therefore, the user, for example, if you want to keep the remaining curry refrigerated until the next day, or if you want to keep the remaining rice frozen, leave these foods in a naturally cooled state,
After it was cooled down to room temperature, it was stored in a refrigerator or freezer compartment, which was troublesome. Also, when making pudding, jelly, or the like, the ingredients are cooled to about room temperature and then placed in a refrigerator to be hardened, which takes a long time to cook.

[0003] As described above, the conventional refrigerator is not suitable for storing relatively high-temperature foods. However, the conventional refrigerator can store relatively high-temperature foods without affecting other foods. If it is possible, the convenience for the user in preserving and cooking the food as described above can be greatly improved. In addition, some users, for example, want to quickly cool canned beer at about room temperature and put it in a freezer, but this can lead to failures such as forgetting to take it out and freezing it. There was also.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide the same without adversely affecting other foods.
An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator capable of satisfactorily cooling a relatively high-temperature food.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present applicant has conventionally
In addition to the refrigerator compartment, vegetable compartment, freezer compartment, etc., it is also possible to switch the internal set temperature in multiple stages and use it as a user's favorite compartment (freezer compartment, refrigerator compartment, partial compartment, chilled compartment, etc.) Manufactures and sells refrigerators equipped with The inventor has
In order to achieve the above object, the switching room exists independently of the other rooms, that is, it is difficult to thermally affect the other rooms, and the temperature of the switching room can be freely adjusted. The present invention has been accomplished by paying attention to the following point.

That is, the refrigerator of the present invention is capable of executing a cooling cooking operation in which cold air is supplied to the switching room and forced cooling is performed in a state where relatively high-temperature food is stored in the switching room. The cooling cooking operation is characterized in that a plurality of operation modes different in time or timing of forced cooling or in a set temperature zone after forced cooling can be selected (the invention of claim 1).

According to this, the switching room is forcibly cooled by allowing the user to store the relatively high-temperature food in the switching room and execute the cooling and cooking operation, so that the relatively high-temperature food is removed. Can be forcibly cooled. At this time,
Since the switching room is thermally independent from the other rooms, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the other room from increasing and adversely affecting the food contained in the room. Then, at this time, by selecting an appropriate mode from the plurality of operation modes, it becomes possible to execute appropriate cooling according to the type and state of the food.

[0008] More specifically, the evaporator for the refrigerator compartment for cooling the refrigerator compartment, the evaporator for the refrigerator compartment for cooling the freezer compartment and the switching compartment, and the evaporator for the freezer compartment are produced. Fan for the freezing room that blows cold air to the freezing room and the switching room, a damper for the switching room for adjusting the air blowing to the switching room, and an evaporator for the refrigerator at least for the refrigerant circulated by driving the compressor. A refrigerant flow switching means for switching between a cooling room cooling mode flowing to the refrigerator and a freezing room cooling mode flowing only to the freezer evaporator, and the operation of which is controlled to maintain each room at a set temperature zone. In this case, the forced cooling of the switching chamber is performed by driving the compressor and the blowing fan for the freezing chamber and opening the damper for the switching chamber in a state where the freezing chamber is cooled by the refrigerant flow switching means. Can be Invention of claim 2). According to this, it is possible to supply the cold air generated by the freezer evaporator to the switching room and cool the switching room with high capacity.

[0009] The plurality of operation modes of the cooling cooking operation include a rapid cooling mode for cooling food in a short time,
The present invention can be configured to include a refrigeration mode for storing food in a refrigerated temperature zone and a quick freezing mode for storing food in a frozen temperature zone (the invention of claim 3). According to this, the user, for example, to cool canned beer or salad at room temperature in a short time, or to make pudding or jelly in a short time, or to cool hamburger seeds in a short time, It is sufficient to select the rapid cooling mode.For example, if you want to keep cold curry still refrigerated, you can select the refrigerated mode.If you want to keep warm rice still frozen, select the rapid freezing mode. For example, it is possible to select an appropriate operation mode according to the type and state of the food.

At this time, after the cooling and cooking operation in the rapid cooling mode and the refrigeration mode, the switching room is automatically set to the refrigeration temperature zone.
If the switching room is configured to be automatically set to the freezing temperature zone (the invention of claim 4), after the cooling and cooking operation, the food can be stored at an appropriate temperature according to the type and condition thereof. Becomes

Here, in the rapid cooling mode and the rapid refrigeration mode, since it is desirable to forcibly cool the switching chamber with high capacity, the compressor and the freezing-room blower can be driven at a variable speed. In such a case, in the forced cooling in the rapid cooling mode and the rapid freezing mode, the compressor and the blower fan for the freezing room can be configured to be driven at the maximum permissible rotational speed (the invention of claim 5). As a result, it is possible to cool the switching chamber with even higher capacity, and it is possible to cool even a high-temperature food in a short time.

Further, in the rapid cooling mode, the time of the cooling cooking operation of the switching chamber may be selectable (the invention of claim 6). It is possible to select an appropriate time according to the type and state of the food, etc., so that more detailed operation control can be performed.

In the rapid cooling mode and the rapid freezing mode, since the switching room is forcibly cooled, the refrigerating room is not cooled at the time of the forcible cooling, so that the temperature of the refrigerating room tends to increase. Therefore, in the rapid cooling mode and the rapid freezing mode, after performing forced cooling for a predetermined time from the start of operation, simultaneous cooling of the switching room and the refrigeration room is performed for a certain period of time (the invention of claim 7), or During the forced cooling, when the temperature of the refrigerating room exceeds the set temperature zone, the switching room and the refrigerating room are simultaneously cooled (the invention according to claim 8). Can be prevented from becoming longer, and a rise in the temperature of the refrigerator compartment can be prevented.

Further, in the rapid cooling mode, it is not desirable to freeze the food, but for example, if the forced cooling is performed for a long time despite a light load, the food may freeze. is there. Therefore, in the rapid cooling mode, the temperature change in the switching room from the start of operation is monitored, and when the temperature in the switching room drops by a predetermined temperature from the maximum temperature, the forced cooling is stopped (claim 9).
Invention), it is possible to prevent a problem such as freezing of food from occurring.

In the refrigeration mode of the above-mentioned operation modes, it is not necessary to lower the temperature of the food in a short time. As long as the heat of the food does not adversely affect the room, the cold air (heat capacity) remaining in the switching room naturally cools the food, so to speak, if the food is cooled to some extent, it is enough to keep it refrigerated. . Therefore, in the refrigeration mode, at the beginning of the operation, natural cooling with the damper for the switching room closed is performed for a predetermined time, and then the forced cooling of the switching room may be started after that.
Thus, the load on the cooling mechanism can be reduced, and wasteful consumption of energy can be prevented.

When the switching room is forcibly cooled, the freezing room is also cooled at the same time, so that the temperature of the freezing room may be too low when the switching room is forcibly cooled. Therefore, if the forced cooling is stopped when the temperature of the freezing compartment falls below the predetermined temperature during the forced cooling of the switching compartment (the invention of claim 11), the forced cooling of the switching compartment is caused by the forced cooling. It is possible to prevent adverse effects caused by the temperature of the freezer compartment being too low.

A louver for guiding air flow toward the ceiling and the bottom of the switching chamber may be provided at the cool air outlet for supplying cool air to the switching chamber (the invention of claim 12). Even if high-temperature food is stored, it is possible to prevent dew from being generated on the ceiling surface due to the cool air blown toward the ceiling surface, and the food is effectively cooled by the cool air blown toward the bottom surface Can be cooled.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, FIG. 5 schematically shows a configuration of a main body 1 of a refrigerator of a bottom freezer type according to the present embodiment. Here, the refrigerator main body 1 is configured to include, in order from the top, a refrigeration room 3, a vegetable refrigeration room 4, a switching room 5, and a freezing room 6 in a vertically long rectangular box-shaped heat insulation box 2 having an open front surface. Have been. As shown only partially in FIG. 6, an ice making freezing room 7 is also provided on the left side of the switching room 5. On the front surface of the main body 1, a hinge-opening / closing type heat-insulating door 8 and a draw-out type heat-insulating door for opening and closing the refrigerator compartment 3, the vegetable refrigerator compartment 4, the switching compartment 5, and the freezer compartment 6, respectively, in order from the top. 9, 10, and 11 are provided. An operation panel 12 (see FIG. 2) described later is provided on the front surface of the heat insulating door 8.

The refrigeration compartment 3 and the refrigeration compartment 4 for vegetables (these two compartments are referred to as "refrigeration compartments" in the present invention) are each set to a temperature zone of, for example, 2 to 5 ° C. The refrigerating compartments 3 and 4 are vertically divided by a partition plate 13. Although not shown, an automatic ice making device 1 provided in the ice making freezing room 7 is provided on the bottom side in the refrigerator compartment 3.
A water supply tank and a water supply unit for supplying water to the ice tray 4 (shown only in FIG. 3) are provided. A vegetable storage container 15 is provided in the vegetable refrigeration compartment 4 so as to be connected to the back side of the heat insulating door 9 and can be taken in and out. The refrigerator compartment 3 is provided with a refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 16 (shown only in FIG. 3) for detecting the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 3.

On the other hand, the freezing room 6 and the freezing room 7 for ice making
(These two chambers are referred to as “freezing chambers” in the present invention.) Both are set to a temperature range of, for example, −18 to −21 ° C. It is provided in a state of communication inside. At this time, the refrigeration compartment 4 for vegetables, the switching compartment 5 and the freezing compartment 7 for ice making are vertically divided by a heat insulating partition wall 17 provided integrally with the heat insulating box 2. In the freezer compartment 6, a storage container 18 is connected to the back side of the heat insulating door 11 so as to be able to be taken in and out. This freezer compartment 6 has a freezer compartment temperature sensor 19 for detecting the temperature inside the freezer compartment 6.
(Shown only in FIG. 3).

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the switching chamber 5 is vertically divided by a heat insulating partition wall 20 with the freezing chamber 6, and the switching chamber 5 is separated from the freezing chamber 7 for ice making. It is partitioned on the left and right by the heat insulating partition wall 21 and is provided in a form that is spatially and thermally independent from other rooms. In the switching chamber 5, an aluminum plate 22a (FIG.
(Shown only in FIG. 2) is disposed in the heat insulating door 1.
0 is provided so as to be connected to the back side and to be able to be taken in and out. A switching room temperature sensor 23 serving as a temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature in the switching room 5 is provided at a lower portion of a back wall portion of the switching room 5.
(See FIGS. 3 and 6).

Further, a cool air outlet 24 for supplying cool air to the inside is provided at an upper portion of a back wall portion of the switching chamber 5, and as shown in FIG. A louver 24a that guides the air flow toward the ceiling surface and the bottom surface of the switching room 5 is provided. With this louver 24a,
Dew can be prevented from being generated on the ceiling surface of the switching room 5, and the food F can be effectively cooled by the cool air blown toward the bottom surface.

The switching chamber 5 is configured so that the set temperature can be switched in a plurality of stages. More specifically, the user operates the operation panel 12 (see FIG. 2) to operate the freezing room, the partial room, and the chilled room. The room can be selectively switched to any of the temperature zones that can be used as a room, a vegetable room, a soft freezer room, a refrigerator room, and a wine room. At this time, as described later, in the switching room 5, the user's operation panel 1
A cooling cooking operation (cool range) in which the switching room 5 is forcibly cooled in a state in which the relatively high-temperature food F (a pan containing curry as shown in FIG. 7) is stored based on the operation 2. Can be executed.

Further, a refrigeration cycle 25 described later is incorporated in the main body 1. At this time, a refrigerator-side evaporator chamber 26 is provided on the back side of the vegetable refrigerator-refrigerator room 4, and the refrigerating cycle 2 is provided in the refrigerator-room evaporator room 26.
5 and a refrigerator evaporator 27 (hereinafter abbreviated as "REVA 27"), which can be driven at a variable speed (for example, 1800 to 2400 rpm).
) Cooling room blower fan 28 (hereinafter "R fan 28")
Is abbreviated). With this, the R fan 2
8 is driven to supply cold air generated through the R evaporator 27 to the refrigerator compartment 3 and the vegetable refrigerator compartment 4, and to cool the stored items, and then again to cool the evaporator compartment 26 for the refrigerator compartment. A circulation of returning to the lower part of the inside is performed. In the evaporator chamber 26 for the refrigerating compartment, an evaporator defrost heater 29 for the refrigerating compartment (shown only in FIG. 5) is also provided.

On the other hand, a freezing room evaporator room 30 is provided on the rear side of the switching room 5 (ice making freezing room 7) and the freezing room 6 over the upper and lower sides. In the evaporator chamber 30, a freezer evaporator 31 (hereinafter, abbreviated as "FEA 31"), which constitutes a part of the refrigerating cycle 25, is provided. A possible (for example, 1800 to 2400 rpm) freezing room blower fan 32 (hereinafter abbreviated as "F fan 32") is provided. An evaporator defrost heater for freezer compartment (F eva defrost heater) 33 is provided below the F-eva 31 and a downstream side of the F fan 32 of the evaporator compartment 30 for freezer (for cooling air). The outlet side is branched into a cool air flow passage leading to the cool air outlet 24 and a cool air flow passage leading to the freezing compartment 6,
Among them, a switching room damper 34 is provided in a cool air flow passage connected to the cool air outlet 24. The switching room damper 34 is controlled to open and close (or to control the opening degree) by a control device 35 described later.

When the F fan 32 is driven with the switching room damper 34 closed, the F fan 32 is driven.
The circulation that the cool air generated through the evaporator 31 is supplied to the freezing room 6 and the freezing room 7 for ice making, used for cooling the stored material, and then returned to the lower part in the evaporator room 30 for the freezing room again. Is being done. When the F fan 32 is driven in a state where the switching room damper 34 is opened, in addition to this, cool air is also supplied from the cool air outlet 24 into the switching room 5 to store the food (food F). After being subjected to the cooling, the circulation is performed such that the cooling water is returned to the lower portion in the evaporator chamber 30 for the freezing room again.

A machine room 36 is provided at the lower rear portion of the lower end of the main body 1, and a compressor (compressor) 37 which constitutes a part of the refrigeration cycle 25 is provided in the machine room 36. As shown only in FIG.
Inside, a cooling fan 38 (hereinafter referred to as “C fan 38”) for cooling the compressor 37 and a condenser 39 described later.
) Is provided. The compressor 37 is driven at a variable speed by inverter control (for example, the operating frequency of the inverter is 30 to 70 Hz).
The C fan 38 is also driven at a variable speed (for example, 1800).
~ 2000 rpm).

FIG. 4 shows the structure of the refrigeration cycle 25. This refrigeration cycle 25 includes the compressor 37,
The condenser (condenser) 39, a switching valve (three-way valve) 40 as a refrigerant flow switching means, a first capillary tube 41 connected to a first outlet of the switching valve 40, the R-eva 2
7. The F-eva 31 is sequentially connected to a closed loop by a refrigerant pipe, and the second outlet of the switching valve 40 and the R
The second capillary tube 42 is connected between the connection point between the evaluation 27 and the fuel evaluation 31.

When the switching valve 40 is switched to the first outlet side, the refrigerant passes through the condenser 39 and the like by the driving of the compressor 37, and then passes through the first capillary tube 41 to the R evaporator. 27 and the F-eva 31 in order to return to the compressor 37 (refrigerator compartment cooling mode). On the other hand, when the switching valve 40 is switched to the second outlet side, the refrigerant is supplied to only the F-eva 31 through the second capillary tube 42 after the refrigerant passes through the condenser 39 and the like by the driving of the compressor 37. Thereafter, it is returned to the compressor 37 (freezer compartment cooling mode).

As shown in FIG. 3, the main body 1 is provided with a control device 35 mainly composed of a microcomputer. The controller 35 receives signals from the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 16, the freezer compartment temperature sensor 19, the switching compartment temperature sensor 23, and the like. The control device 35 also controls the compressor 3 based on the input signals.
7, the switching valve 40, the R fan 28, the F fan 32, the C fan 38, the switching room damper 34, the automatic ice making device 18, each defrost heater, and the like.

At this time, the control device 35 functions as an operation control means, and by controlling the switching of the switching valve 40, the refrigerant flows into the R-eva 27 to mainly cool the refrigerator compartments 3 and 4, and thus the refrigerator cooling mode (R) −F flow) and the cooling operation is performed while alternately switching the freezing room cooling mode (F flow) in which the refrigerant flows only through the F evaporator 31 to cool the freezing rooms 6 and 7 (and the switching room 5). Has become.

In this case, the control device 35 sets a temperature zone having a predetermined width with respect to the set temperature in each of the refrigerating rooms 3 and 4, the switching room 5, and the freezing rooms 6 and 7 by the software configuration. Based on the temperature detected by each of the temperature sensors 16, 23, and 19, the switching control of the switching valve 40 and the switching room damper 34 are performed so that each of the chambers 3 to 7 maintains the set temperature zone.
Opening and closing control, and further, each fan 28, 32,
The rotation speed of the compressor 38 and the compressor 37 are also controlled. As an example, the set temperature zone of the freezer compartments 6 and 7 is, for example, its upper limit (referred to as “ON temperature”).
Is set to −18 ° C., and its lower limit (referred to as “OFF temperature”) is set to −21 ° C. For example, the upper limit (ON temperature) of the set temperature zone of the refrigerator compartments 3 and 4 is 5 ° C., and the lower limit (OFF temperature) is 2 ° C.

In this embodiment, the control device 35
When the cooling cooking operation (cool range) of the switching room 5 is instructed (selected) by the operation of the operation panel 12 by the user, the cooling cooking operation for supplying the cool air into the switching room 5 and forcibly cooling the food F is executed. It is supposed to. The forced cooling is performed in a state where the freezing compartment is cooled by the switching valve 40 (F flow).
While the compressor 37 and the F fan 32 are driven,
This is performed by opening the switching room damper 34. Further, in the cooling cooking operation, a plurality of operation modes in which the time or timing of the forced cooling or the set temperature zone after the forced cooling is different can be selected.

Specifically, this operation mode includes a method for cooling food F in a short time, such as cooling canned beer or salad at room temperature in a short time, or making pudding or jelly in a short time. Rapid cooling mode, refrigerated (hot refrigeration) mode for storing food F in a refrigerated temperature zone, for example, refrigerated storage of still hot curry, and frozen temperature zone, such as freezing and storing still hot rice. And quick freezing (hot freezing) mode for storage. The rapid cooling mode also includes a rough heat removal mode in which hot ingredients in a cooking process such as hamburger seeds are cooled in a short time. In this case, the same control as that in the rapid cooling mode is performed, but the one in which the operation time is short is distinguished as the rough heat removal mode.

Further, in the rapid cooling mode, the time of the cooling cooking operation of the switching chamber 5 can be selected.
After the cooling and cooking operation in the rapid cooling mode and the refrigeration mode, the switching room 5 is automatically set to the refrigeration temperature zone (R mode). (F mode) is automatically set. Detailed control contents for each of these modes will be described later in the operation description.

At this time, the operation panel 12 is
As shown in the figure, a display unit 43 is provided at the center of the operation panel 12, and a plurality of operation switches (operation keys) 44 are provided at the left and right of the display unit 43.
To 51 are provided. As shown in FIG. 3, the operation signals of the operation switches 44 to 51 are transmitted to the control device 35.
And the control device 35 controls the display on the display unit 43.

The display unit 43 is provided with a refrigerator room set temperature display unit 43a and a state display unit 43b located on the left and right at an upper stage thereof, and is provided at a middle stage to indicate a current setting of the switching room 5. A room setting display section 43c is provided, and a freezer room setting temperature display section 43d and a time etc.
e are provided on the left and right.

On the left side of the display unit 43, in order from the top,
Refrigerator compartment temperature setting switch 44 for setting the temperature of refrigerating compartments 3 and 4, switching compartment setting switch 45 for selecting the temperature zone of switching compartment 5, and freezing for setting the temperature of freezing compartments 6 and 7. A room temperature setting switch 46 and a flash refrigeration switch 47 for instructing execution of flash refrigeration and flash ice making are provided. In this case, the switching room setting switch 4
5 is operated once, the display of the switching room setting display section 43c is switched in the order of freezing, partial, chilled, vegetable, soft frozen, refrigerated, wine, cool range, and set to the temperature zone (selection). It is supposed to be.

On the right side of the display section 43, when the above-mentioned cool range (cooling cooking operation of the switching room 5) is set,
A rough heat removal switch 48, a hot refrigeration switch 49, and a hot refrigeration switch 5 for selecting the operation mode.
0, a rapid cooling switch 51 is provided. With this,
When the user wants to execute the cooling cooking operation of the switching room 5, the cooling room is set by operating the switching room setting switch 45, and the appropriate operation is performed by operating any of the operation switches 48 to 51. The mode is selected.

In the rapid cooling mode (including the rough heat removal mode) of the operation modes, the user can select the execution time (cooling cooking operation time). In this case, when the heat removal mode is set,
When the rapid cooling mode is set to any of 5 minutes, 10 minutes, and 15 minutes, any of 20 minutes, 30 minutes, and 40 minutes can be selected. For example, the rough heat removal switch 48 is turned on once. Then, "5 minutes" is displayed on the time etc. display section 43e, and every time the heat removal switch 48 is further operated, 10 minutes is displayed.
The display is switched between minutes and 15 minutes, so that the time can be selected. The time can be similarly selected in the rapid cooling mode.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 8, and FIG. As described above, the user can execute the cooling and cooking operation in which the food F having a relatively high temperature (normal temperature or higher) is directly accommodated and cooled in the switching room 5. At this time, the user
When any one of the operation modes of the rapid cooling mode, the rough heat removal mode, the refrigeration mode, and the rapid freezing mode is selected according to the type and the state of the food F, and the rapid cooling mode and the rough heat removal mode are set. The operating time can be selected.

FIG. 1 is a time chart showing the contents of the basic control of the switching room 5 executed by the control device 35 in each operation mode of the cooling cooking operation.
(C) shows the rapid cooling mode and the operation time is 20
Minutes, 30 minutes, and 40 minutes. (D)
Shows the case of the rough heat removal mode in the rapid cooling mode. (E) shows the control contents in the refrigeration mode,
(F) shows the control contents in the rapid freezing mode, respectively.

That is, in the rapid cooling mode, (a)
As shown in (c), a predetermined time from the start of operation, for example, 20 minutes
The switching chamber 5 is forcibly cooled for a minute. This forced cooling is performed in the freezing room cooling mode (F flow) by the switching valve 40 while the compressor 37 and the F fan 32 (and C
This is performed by forcibly driving the fan 38) at the allowable maximum number of revolutions and opening the switching chamber damper 34. As a result, the inside of the switching chamber 5 is forcibly cooled with high capacity, and the stored relatively high-temperature food F can be forcibly cooled.

After the forced cooling is performed for a predetermined time, the switching chamber 5 and the refrigerating chambers 3 and 4 are simultaneously cooled for a predetermined time, for example, 10 minutes (see (b) and (c)). This simultaneous cooling is performed by the switching valve 40 while the compressor 37 and the F fan 32 are forcibly driven at the maximum allowable rotation speed and the switching chamber damper 34 is kept open. This is performed by rotating the R fan 28 at a low speed. Thereby, the refrigerating compartments 3 and 4 are cooled in a state where the cooling capacity of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 27 is reduced, and the refrigerant is also supplied to the freezing compartment evaporator 31 so that the switching room 5 (and the freezing compartment) 6, 7) are also cooled with a constant cooling capacity. After the simultaneous cooling is performed for a predetermined time, the cooling is returned to the forced cooling again (see (c)).

Thus, the selected time is 20 minutes (a)
In the case of (1), forced cooling is performed for 20 minutes, and the cooling cooking operation ends. In the case of (b) of 30 minutes, forced cooling is performed for 20 minutes.
Minutes, the simultaneous cooling is performed for 10 minutes, and the cooling cooking operation is completed. In the case of 40 minutes (c), the forced cooling is performed for 20 minutes, then the simultaneous cooling is performed for 10 minutes, and again. The forced cooling is performed for 10 minutes, and the cooling cooking operation ends. At this time, the user can select a desired operation time according to the type, amount, state, and the like of the food F. When the cooling cooking operation is completed, the switching room 5 is automatically set to the refrigeration temperature zone, and the inside of the switching room 5 is maintained at the refrigeration temperature zone (for example, 2 to 5 ° C.). At this time, the display of the switching room setting display section 43c of the display section 43 is also switched to “refrigerated”.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, even during the above-described forced cooling, the temperatures of the refrigerator compartments 3 and 4 detected by the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 16 are set to the set temperature zone. (For example, 5 ° C.), the switching room 5 and the refrigerating rooms 3 and 4 are simultaneously cooled even before 20 minutes have elapsed. At this time, when the temperatures of the refrigerating compartments 3 and 4 reach the lower limit value (for example, 2 ° C.) of the set temperature zone, the simultaneous cooling is terminated and the process returns to the forced cooling. FIG. 8 shows an example of the relationship between the refrigerator room temperature and the food temperature in the switching room 5 at this time.

Here, since the refrigerating compartments 3 and 4 are not cooled when the switching compartment 5 is forcibly cooled, if the forced cooling of the switching compartment 5 is continuously performed for a long time, the temperature of the refrigerating compartments 3 and 4 tends to increase. There is a possibility that it will end up. However, during the forced cooling of the switching room 5, when the temperatures of the refrigerating rooms 3 and 4 exceed the set temperature zone, simultaneous cooling is performed, and after performing forced cooling for a predetermined time from the start of operation, simultaneous cooling is performed. Is performed for a fixed time, so that the time during which the refrigerators 3 and 4 are not cooled can be prevented from becoming longer, and a temperature rise that exceeds the set temperature zone of the refrigerators 3 and 4 can be prevented. is there.

Further, although not shown, the temperature of the freezing compartments 6, 7 detected by the freezing compartment temperature sensor 19 during the forced cooling of the switching compartment 5 becomes a predetermined temperature (the lower limit of the set temperature zone, for example,-
When the temperature drops below 21 ° C), the forced cooling is stopped (interrupted)
It is configured to be. This prevents the temperatures of the freezing compartments 6, 7 simultaneously cooled at the time of the forced cooling of the switching chamber 5 from being excessively lowered.

Therefore, if this rapid cooling mode is adopted,
For example, frozen desserts such as pudding and jelly can be made (hardened) in a short time. At this time, even if the food F (material) is stored in the switching room 5 in a relatively high temperature state, it can be stored in another room (in the room) It is possible to cool the stored food without adversely affecting the heat, and it is not necessary to wait for the temperature of the material to reach room temperature. In addition, for example, canned beer or salad at room temperature can be cooled in a short time, and in this case, even if the food F is forgotten to be taken out, failure such as freezing the food F can be prevented. . At this time, by cooling the food in a short time, the effect of suppressing the decomposition (deterioration) and discoloration of the nutrition of the food can be obtained.

In the rough heat removal mode which is a part of the rapid cooling mode, as shown in FIG. 1D, forced cooling similar to the above-mentioned forced cooling in the rapid cooling mode is performed for a selected time (5 minutes). , 10 minutes or 15 minutes). When the selected cooling cooking operation is completed, the switching room 5 is automatically set to the refrigeration temperature zone. Similarly, when the temperatures of the refrigerating compartments 3 and 4 exceed the set temperature zone during the forced cooling of the switching compartment 5, simultaneous cooling is performed, and the temperatures of the freezing compartments 6 and 7 are lower than a predetermined temperature. , The forced cooling is interrupted.

By adopting the rough heat removal mode, it is possible to cool the hot ingredients in the cooking process, for example, to cool the dashi and hamburger seeds and to cool the boiled potatoes for peeling. It can be performed in a short time, and the labor of cooking can be saved. Similarly to the above, by cooling the food material in a short time, an effect of suppressing the deterioration and discoloration of the food material can be obtained.

In the refrigeration mode, as shown in FIG. 1 (e), the switching room damper 34 is forcibly closed for a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes within a range of 20 to 40 minutes) from the start of the cooling cooking operation. As a result, the food F is naturally cooled by the cool air (heat capacity) remaining in the switching chamber 5. Then, forcible cooling (supply of cool air into the switching chamber 5) by the normal R mode operation is performed, for example, for 2.5 hours. After the end of the cooling cooking operation, the switching room 5 is automatically set to the refrigeration temperature zone.

In this case, when the food F having a relatively high temperature is stored in a refrigerator, it is not necessary to lower the temperature of the food F in a short time, and the switching room 5 is not cooled with a high capacity immediately after the operation is started. In both cases, as long as the other rooms (freezing rooms 6, 7) are not adversely affected by the heat of the food F, the food F is naturally cooled (heat capacity cooling) by the cold air remaining in the switching room 5 at first.
Then, if the food F is cooled after cooling to some extent, it is enough to store the food F in a refrigerator. FIG. 9 shows the food temperature in the switching room 5 and the freezing rooms 6 and 7 over time according to the experiment of the present inventor.
3 shows the relationship with the temperature of the wall surfaces (heat insulating partition walls 20, 21) adjacent to the switching chamber 5 of FIG. In the figure, the portion indicated by the broken line is 4
This shows a case where natural cooling (heat capacity cooling) is continued for more than 0 minutes, and it has been confirmed that by setting the natural cooling time to 40 minutes or less, other rooms are not adversely affected.

Now, if this refrigeration mode is adopted,
For example, a still-curry can be stored refrigerated until the next day. At this time, the food F can be stored in the switching room 5 in a relatively high temperature state, and it is not necessary to wait for the temperature of the food F to drop to room temperature. By having the natural cooling time of 20 minutes or more, the load on the cooling mechanism (refrigeration cycle 25) can be reduced correspondingly, and wasteful consumption of energy can be prevented.

In the rapid freezing mode, as shown in FIG. 1F, forcible cooling of the switching chamber 5 is performed for a predetermined time, for example, 20 minutes from the start of the operation, in the same manner as in the rapid cooling mode. After that, for a predetermined time, for example, 10 minutes, the switching room 5
And the refrigerating compartments 3 and 4 are simultaneously cooled. Up to this point, the operation is the same as the rapid cooling mode. After the simultaneous cooling for 10 minutes is completed, forcible cooling is performed by, for example, an F mode operation for 2 hours in order to keep the inside of the switching chamber 5 in the freezing temperature range. Side (for example, 3 deg).

At this time, as in the rapid cooling mode, when the temperatures of the refrigerating chambers 3 and 4 exceed the set temperature zone during the forced cooling of the switching chamber 5, simultaneous cooling is performed, and the refrigerating chambers 3 and 4 are cooled. Of the freezing compartments 6 and 7 is prevented from falling excessively, and when the temperatures of the freezing compartments 6 and 7 become equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, the forced cooling is interrupted and the temperatures of the freezing compartments 6 and 7 are prevented from excessively decreasing. You. When the above cooling cooking operation is completed,
The switching room 5 is automatically set to the freezing temperature zone (normal F mode).

By adopting the quick freezing mode, the food F having a comparatively high temperature can be stored in the switching room 5 and stored in the freezing temperature zone, for example, by storing frozen still hot rice. . At this time, even if the food F (material) is stored in the switching room 5 in a relatively high temperature state, it can be cooled without adversely affecting the other rooms (food stored in the room). Thus, it is not necessary to wait for the temperature of the food F to drop to room temperature. Further, at this time, by cooling the food F in a short time, the effect of suppressing the decomposition (deterioration) and discoloration of the nutrition of the food material can be obtained.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the cooling cooking operation can be performed in the switching room 5, so that it is necessary to avoid accommodating high-temperature food as it is in the related art. The food F at a relatively high temperature can be favorably cooled without adversely affecting the food. In this case, since it is possible to select a plurality of operation modes having different time or timing of the forced cooling or a set temperature zone after the forced cooling, it is possible to execute appropriate cooling according to the type or state of the food. Become. As a result, an excellent effect that the convenience in preserving and cooking the food F for the user can be greatly improved can be achieved.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the present invention. Here, in the above-mentioned rapid cooling mode, it is not desirable to freeze the food F. However, for example, if the forced cooling is performed for a long time despite a light load, the food F may freeze. Occurs. Therefore, in this embodiment, in the rapid cooling mode, the switching room temperature sensor 2
3, a change in temperature in the switching chamber 5 from the start of operation is monitored, and when the temperature in the switching chamber 5 drops by a predetermined temperature (ΔT) from the maximum temperature, forced cooling is stopped. According to this, it is possible to prevent a problem that the food F freezes in the rapid cooling mode.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, two or more types of cooling cooking operation modes may be provided. The specific numerical values such as above are merely examples, and the present invention can be applied to a refrigerator in which a refrigerator, a freezer, and a switching room are cooled by one evaporator. The present invention can be implemented with appropriate modifications without departing from the gist.

[0061]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the switching room exists independently of the other rooms and is unlikely to thermally affect the other rooms. Focusing on the fact that it is possible to freely adjust the temperature of the room, and execute a cooling cooking operation in which cold air is supplied to the switching room and forced cooling is performed in a state where relatively high-temperature food is stored in the switching room. While it is possible, in the cooling cooking operation, the time or timing of the forced cooling, or a plurality of different operation modes of the set temperature zone after the forced cooling are configured to be selectable, without adversely affecting other foods, Cooling (cooling cooking) of relatively high-temperature food can be appropriately performed according to the type and condition of the food, and therefore, the convenience of the user in preserving and cooking the food is greatly improved. Excellent effect that can be It is intended to achieve the.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and is a time chart showing basic control contents in each mode of a cooling cooking operation of a switching room.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an operation panel.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration centering on a control device;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a refrigeration cycle.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional side view schematically showing a configuration of a refrigerator main body.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing the inside of a switching chamber.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional side view of a switching room.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a relationship between the temperature of the refrigerator compartment and the temperature of the food in the switching compartment in the rapid cooling mode.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between the food temperature in the switching room and the wall surface temperature in the freezing room over time in the refrigeration mode.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram showing a relationship between the switching room temperature and the switching room food temperature in the rapid cooling mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

In the drawing, 1 is a refrigerator body, 3 and 4 are refrigeration rooms, 5 is a switching room, 6 and 7 are freezing rooms, 12 is an operation panel, 16 is a refrigerator room temperature sensor, 19 is a freezer room temperature sensor, and 22 is a storage container. , 23 is a switching room temperature sensor, 24 is a cool air outlet, 24
a is a louver, 27 is a refrigerator evaporator, 31 is a freezer evaporator, 32 is a freezer ventilation fan, 34 is a switching room damper, 35 is a control device, 37 is a compressor, and 40 is a switching valve ( Refrigerant flow path switching means), 43 is a display unit, 43c is a switching room setting display unit, 43e is a time etc. display unit, and 44 to 51 are operation switches.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Katsushi Sumihiro 1-6 Ota Toshiba-cho, Ibaraki-shi, Osaka Prefecture Inside OAC Co., Ltd. (72) Keizo Tsukamoto 1-6 Ota Toshiba-cho, Ibaraki-shi, Osaka K. Mishima (72) Inventor Koji Mishima 1-6 Ota Toshiba-cho, Ibaraki-shi, Osaka F-term (reference) 3L045 AA02 AA03 AA04 BA01 BA04 CA09 DA02 EA01 LA10 LA11 MA12 NA03 NA07 PA01 PA02 PA04 PA05

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A refrigerator having an independent switching room capable of switching to a plurality of set temperatures including a freezing temperature zone and a refrigeration temperature zone in a main body, wherein a relatively high temperature food is stored in the switching room. In the cooling cooking operation, it is possible to execute the cooling cooking operation for supplying the cool air into the switching room and forcibly cooling the cooling room. A refrigerator characterized in that the operation mode can be selected. 2. A refrigerating room evaporator for cooling a refrigerating room, a freezing room evaporator for cooling a freezing room and a switching room, and a cool air generated by the freezing room evaporator is refrigerated. A blower fan for a freezing room that blows air into the room and the switching room, and a damper for a switching room for adjusting air blowing to the switching room,
A refrigerant flow switching means for switching between a refrigerator cooling mode in which the refrigerant circulated by driving the compressor flows at least to the refrigerator evaporator and a freezing chamber cooling mode in which the refrigerant flows only in the freezer evaporator; Then, the operation is controlled so as to maintain each of the chambers at a set temperature zone, and the forced cooling of the switching chamber is performed in the freezing room cooling mode by the refrigerant flow switching means. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the operation is performed by driving the air blower for the refrigerator and the freezing room and opening the damper for the switching room. 3. A plurality of operation modes of the cooling cooking operation include:
It includes a rapid cooling mode for cooling food in a short time, a refrigeration mode for storing food in a refrigerated temperature zone, and a rapid freezing mode for storing food in a frozen temperature zone. The refrigerator according to claim 1. 4. After the cooling and cooking operation in the rapid cooling mode and the refrigeration mode, the switching room is automatically set to the refrigeration temperature zone, and after the cooling and cooking operation in the rapid freezing mode, the switching room is automatically set to the freezing temperature zone. 4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the temperature is set to: 5. The compressor and the freezing room blower are capable of being driven at a variable speed, and in the forced cooling in the rapid cooling mode and the rapid freezing mode, the compressor and the freezing room blower fan 5. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the refrigerator is driven at an allowable maximum number of revolutions. 6. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein in the rapid cooling mode, the time of the cooling cooking operation of the switching room can be selected. 7. In the rapid cooling mode and the rapid freezing mode, after forced cooling for a predetermined time from the start of operation,
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the switching room and the refrigerating room are simultaneously cooled for a certain period of time. 8. When the temperature of the refrigerating compartment exceeds a set temperature zone during the forced cooling of the switching compartment in the rapid cooling mode or the rapid freezing mode, simultaneous cooling of the switching compartment and the refrigerating compartment is performed. A refrigerator according to any one of claims 3 to 7. 9. In the rapid cooling mode, a change in temperature in the switching room from the start of operation is monitored, and when the temperature in the switching room drops by a predetermined temperature from a maximum temperature, forced cooling is stopped. A refrigerator according to any one of claims 3 to 8. 10. In the refrigeration mode, natural cooling in which the switching room damper is closed is performed for a predetermined time within a range that does not adversely affect the heat of food in the freezing room, and then the switching room is forcibly cooled. 10. The method according to claim 3, wherein:
The refrigerator according to any one of the above. 11. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the forced cooling is stopped when the temperature of the freezing room falls below a predetermined temperature during the forced cooling of the switching room. 12. A cooling air outlet for supplying cool air to the switching chamber is provided with a louver for guiding air blowing toward a ceiling surface and a bottom surface of the switching chamber. A refrigerator according to any of the above.