JP2002340462A - Electric refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric refrigerator which can prevent the fire catching of a refrigerant and the explosion by detecting the current value inputted into a compressor, and controlling the system of itself, as a gas leakage judging means in the case where a refrigerant has leaked at operation of the electric refrigerator using combustible gas as a refrigerant. SOLUTION: In the electric refrigerator which is equipped with a freezing cycle using combustible gas as a refrigerant, the gas leakage detection means for combustible gas detects a current value Ik inputted into the compressor 9, and a judging means judges that there is gas leakage from the difference between the detected current value Ik and a preset current value I, and in case that it is judged gas leakage by the above judging means, the controller compulsively operates both of a blower 7 for cooling and a blower 10 for heat radiation, and stops the operation of other systems by force.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric refrigerator, and more particularly, to an electric refrigerator provided with a refrigeration cycle using a flammable gas as a refrigerant, in which the system is safely stopped when a gas leak occurs. To an electric refrigerator that can be.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional refrigerators of this type include, for example, FIG.
There is something like that shown in In the figure, the refrigerator has a freezer compartment 2 and a plurality of storage compartments 3, each of which is constituted by a compartment for controlling the temperature in at least two different temperature zones by the heat insulating partition members 4 and 4 'inside the heat insulating box 1. Temperature sensors 15, 16, and 17 are provided inside the chambers 2 and 3 and outside the heat insulating box 1.
Is provided, and a cooler room 5 is provided on the back of the refrigerator.
Cooler 6 having a temperature sensor 18 for generating cool air therein
A compressor 9 that is provided with a cooling blower 7 that forcibly circulates the generated cool air, a machine room 8 is provided at the bottom of the heat-insulating box 1, and is driven by passing an electric current into the machine room 8; A radiating blower 10 for radiating heat generated from the compressor 9 is provided.

FIG. 2 shows a refrigeration cycle, in which a compressor 9, a condenser 11, a capillary tube 12, and the cooler 6 are sequentially connected by a refrigerant pipe 13 to form an annular closed circuit. Uses a neutral gas refrigerant.

In the above configuration, the refrigerant that has passed through the cooler 6 is compressed in the compressor 9 to become a high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant. The gaseous refrigerant radiates heat by the condenser 11 and becomes a medium-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant. Subsequently, the liquid refrigerant is decompressed by the capillary tube 12 and then evaporates while passing through the cooler 6 to become a low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant gas, which has a heat exchange function in each compartment. Thereafter, the refrigerant is returned to the compressor 9 in a gaseous state.
The refrigeration cycle is completed by being sucked into the refrigeration cycle.

However, in general, a refrigerator using a flammable gas refrigerant turns ON / OFF the compressor 9 by detecting the temperature in the refrigerator, various switches and electrical contacts, and a heater 14 for defrosting. Since there are many components that serve as ignition sources, it is necessary to install a plurality of gas detection sensors 20 in order to ensure sufficient safety, which increases costs. Therefore, for example, as shown in the control block diagram of FIG. 5A in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-146393, when the gas detection sensor 20 detects a gas leak, the operation of the compressor 9 is stopped and the cooling is performed. As shown in the control block diagram of FIG. 5 (B) in the method of forcibly operating both the blower 7 for heat radiation and the blower 10 for heat radiation, 9 is provided with a temperature sensor 21 in the discharge pipe, and when the temperature of the discharge pipe of the compressor 9 detected during the operation of the compressor 9 is abnormally low in view of the outside air temperature, it is determined as a gas leak, and the power supply of the refrigerator is determined. Some have reported that shutting down the system and shutting down the system. However, with this alone, the former has insufficient gas leak detection points, and the latter has a problem that it is difficult to follow load fluctuations such as outside temperature, door opening / closing frequency, and food temperature. Had.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, the present invention utilizes the characteristics of a refrigeration cycle as a gas leak judging means when a refrigerant leaks during operation of an electric refrigerator using flammable gas as a refrigerant. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric refrigerator capable of preventing ignition and explosion of a refrigerant by detecting a current value inputted to a compressor and controlling a system of the electric refrigerator.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has storage rooms each having a partition for controlling the temperature in at least two different temperature zones by a partition wall in a heat insulating box. A cooler room is provided on the back of the refrigerator, a cooler for generating cool air in the cooler room, a cooling blower for forcibly circulating the generated cool air are provided, and a machine room is provided at the bottom of the heat insulating box. An electric refrigerator equipped with a compressor driven by passing an electric current into the machine room and a radiator blower radiating heat generated from the compressor, and having a refrigeration cycle using flammable gas as a refrigerant. A means for determining a gas leak of the flammable gas, detecting the current value input to the compressor, and determining a gas leak based on a difference between the detected current value and a preset current value. Configuration To have.

The gas leakage judgment is performed when the power is turned on.

When the current value input to the compressor is smaller than the set current value, it is determined that a gas leak has occurred.

Temperature sensors are provided in each of the storage chambers and outside of the heat insulating box, and a load variation is sensed based on a difference between a temperature value detected by each of the temperature sensors and a preset temperature set value. When there is no load change and the current value input to the compressor is smaller than the set current value, the configuration is determined as gas leakage.

A temperature sensor is provided in the cooler, and a temperature rise of the temperature sensor is monitored together with a current value inputted to the compressor. If the temperature rise value is higher than a preset temperature rise value, a gas leak is detected. It is a configuration that has been determined.

When it is determined by the determining means that gas is leaking, both the cooling blower and the heat radiating blower are forcibly operated, and the other systems are forcibly stopped. Is performed.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The embodiments of the present invention will be described below as examples based on the attached drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic side sectional view (A) and a rear perspective view (B) of a refrigerator according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the refrigerator has a freezing compartment 2 and a plurality of storage compartments 3, each of which is constituted by a compartment for controlling the temperature in at least two different temperature zones by a heat insulating partition 4, 4 'in the heat insulating box 1. And a temperature sensor 1 in each of the chambers 2 and 3.
5 and 16, and a temperature sensor 1 is provided in a door hinge cover 1a provided on a top plate outside the refrigerator of the heat insulating box 1.
7 are arranged. A cooler room 5 is provided on the back surface of the refrigerator, and a cooler 6 provided with a temperature sensor 18 for generating cool air in the cooler room 5 and a cooling blower 7 for forcibly circulating the generated cool air are provided. A machine room 8 is provided at the bottom of the heat insulating box 1.
And a compressor 9 driven by passing an electric current into the machine room 8 and a radiator blower 10 for radiating heat generated from the compressor 9 are provided.

FIG. 2 shows the refrigeration cycle, in which a compressor 9, a condenser 11, a capillary tube 12, and the cooler 6 are sequentially connected by a refrigerant pipe 13 to form an annular closed circuit. Uses a neutral gas refrigerant.

In the above configuration, the refrigerant that has passed through the cooler 6 is compressed in the compressor 9 to become a high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant. The gaseous refrigerant radiates heat by the condenser 11 and becomes a medium-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant. Subsequently, the liquid refrigerant is decompressed by the capillary tube 12 and then evaporates while passing through the cooler 6 to become a low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant gas, which has a heat exchange function in each compartment. Thereafter, the refrigerant is returned to the compressor 9 in a gaseous state.
To complete the refrigeration cycle.

This refrigeration cycle is repeated as the compressor 9 is driven. Further, the cooling blower 7 is rotated together with the operation of the cooler 6, and cool air is forcibly blown to the freezing room 2 and the storage room 3, and heat is exchanged in the cooler 6.

The flammable gas leak determining means according to the present invention detects a current value Ik input to the compressor 9 and determines a gas value based on a difference between the detected current value Ik and a preset current value I. Has been determined to be leaking, the gas leak determination
It is performed when the power is turned on at the customer, and when the current value Ik input to the compressor 9 becomes smaller than the set current value I, it is determined that the gas leaks.

The outside air temperature sensor 17 for detecting the outside air temperature and the storage room temperature sensor 15 for detecting the inside temperature of the storage room 3 in response to load changes such as the outside air temperature, the door opening / closing frequency, and the food temperature. And a freezer compartment temperature sensor 16 for detecting the inside temperature of the freezer compartment 2 are provided, and a difference between each detected temperature value by each of the temperature sensors 15, 16, and 17 and a preset set temperature value is provided. When the load fluctuation is sensed and there is no load fluctuation, the input current value Ik of the compressor 9 is equal to the set current value Ik.
It is judged that the gas leaks when the gas leaks.

Further, the temperature rise of a cooler temperature sensor 18 for detecting the temperature of the cooler 6 is monitored together with the current value Ik input to the compressor 9, and the temperature rise value Tk of the cooler 6 is determined in advance. When the temperature is higher than the set temperature rise value T of the cooler 6, it is determined that the gas leaks.

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram according to the present invention. The control device 19 including a microcomputer and the like provided in the heat insulating box 1 (refrigerator body) includes the storage room temperature sensor 15, the freezing room temperature sensor 16, the outside air temperature sensor 17, and the cooler temperature sensor. 18. A signal of a current value Ik input to the compressor 9 is input, and based on these input signals, the cooling blower 7, the heat dissipation blower 10, the compressor 9 and the like are controlled. I have.

A current value Ik input to the compressor 9 is detected, and the detected current value Ik is determined to be a gas leak from a difference from a preset current value I, and is determined to be a gas leak by the determination means. In this case, both the cooling fan 7 and the heat radiating fan 10 are forcibly operated, and control for forcibly stopping the operation of the other systems is performed.

FIG. 4 shows these in a flowchart. When the power of the refrigerator main body 1 is turned on (ST1), a current flows and the compressor 9 operates. Next, a current value Ik input to the compressor 9 is detected, and it is determined whether or not the detected current value Ik has reached a preset current value I (ST2). (ST
3). If it has not reached, it is determined that a gas leak has occurred, and both the cooling fan 7 and the heat radiating fan 10 are forcibly operated, and the other systems are forcibly stopped (ST7).

During normal operation (ST3), load fluctuations (ST4) such as outside air temperature, door opening / closing frequency, food temperature, and the like are detected by the temperature values detected by the temperature sensors 15, 16, 17 and the preset temperature value. The normal operation (ST3) is continued if there is a load change. Load fluctuation (ST
4) If there is no current value, the current value Ik input to the compressor 9
Is detected, and the detected current value Ik is set to a preset current value I
Is determined (ST5). If the temperature has reached, it is determined whether the temperature rise value Tk of the cooler temperature sensor 18 is higher than a preset temperature rise value T (ST6). Return to (ST3).

In step ST5, if the current value Ik detected by the compressor 9 has not reached the preset current value I, it is determined that a gas leak has occurred. In step ST6, the temperature of the cooler temperature sensor 18 is increased. If the value Tk is higher than the preset temperature rise value T, it is determined that a gas leak has occurred, and both the cooling fan 7 and the heat radiating fan 10 are forcibly operated, and the other systems are forcibly operated. (ST7).

In the above configuration, the gas detection sensor detects the current value Ik input to the compressor 9 of the refrigerator using the flammable gas refrigerant, and employs a gas leak judging means based on the detected current value Ik. A control system that can secure sufficient safety without increasing the cost by installing a plurality of such devices and that can follow load fluctuations such as outside air temperature, door opening / closing frequency, and food temperature.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention,
As a means for determining gas leakage when a refrigerant leaks during operation of an electric refrigerator using flammable gas as a refrigerant, a current value input to the compressor is detected by utilizing characteristics of a refrigeration cycle, and an electric refrigerator system is used. By controlling the electric refrigerator, the electric refrigerator can prevent ignition and explosion of the refrigerant.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side sectional view (A) and a rear perspective view (B) of a refrigerator according to the present invention and a conventional example.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a refrigeration cycle according to the present invention and a conventional example.

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are control block diagrams showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Insulated box (refrigerator body) 1 a Hinge cover 2 Freezer compartment 3 Storage room 4 Insulated partition 4 ′ Insulated partition 5 Cooler room 6 Cooler 7 Cooling blower 8 Machine room 9 Compressor 10 Radiator 11 Condenser REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 12 Capillary tube 13 Refrigerant tube 14 Defrost heater 15 Storage room temperature sensor 16 Freezer room temperature sensor 17 Outside air temperature sensor 18 Cooler temperature sensor 19 Controller

Claims (6)

[Claims] An insulated box is provided with compartments each having a partition for controlling the temperature in at least two different temperature zones by a partition wall, a cooler room is provided on the back surface of the refrigerator, and the cooler room is provided in the cooler room. A cooler that generates cool air, a cooling blower that forcibly circulates the generated cool air is provided, a machine room is provided at the bottom of the heat insulating box, and a compressor that is driven by flowing an electric current into the machine room, An electric refrigerator provided with a radiating blower for radiating heat generated from the compressor and having a refrigeration cycle using a flammable gas as a refrigerant, further comprising: a gas leak determining unit for the flammable gas. An electric refrigerator which detects a current value input to the compressor and judges a gas leak from a difference between the detected current value and a preset current value. 2. The electric refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the determination of the gas leak is performed when the power is turned on. 3. The electric refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a gas leak is determined when a current value input to the compressor is lower than a set current value. 4. A temperature sensor is provided in each of said storage chambers and outside of said heat-insulating box, and a load variation is detected based on a difference between a temperature value detected by each of said temperature sensors and a preset temperature set value. 4. A gas leak is determined when a load value does not change and a current value input to the compressor falls below a set current value. An electric refrigerator according to any one of the above. 5. A temperature sensor is provided in the cooler, and a temperature rise of the temperature sensor is monitored together with a current value inputted to the compressor, and when the temperature rise value is higher than a preset temperature rise value. 3. The electric refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the electric refrigerator is determined to be a gas leak. 6. When a gas leak is determined by the determination means, both the cooling blower and the heat radiation blower are forcibly operated, and the other systems are forcibly stopped. 2. The electric refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the electric refrigerator is controlled to perform the control.