JP2003156276A - Electric refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator capable of preventing inflammation and explosion to a refrigerant by immediately controlling a system of the refrigerator in the case when more than constant vibration due to an earthquake, etc., takes place at the time of operating the refrigerator to use combustible gas as the refrigerant. SOLUTION: This refrigerator using the combustible gas as the refrigerant operates when a vibration detection sensor 21 detects vibration due to the earthquake, etc., and detects that a detected vibrational value Sk is higher than a previously set vibrational value S, a control device 19 receiving its signal controls to automatically stop operation of a part having an electric contact point, gas leakage detection is carried out by a gas detection sensor 20 after specified time (t) passes, when it can confirm there is no gas leakage, the control device 19 automatically controls to re-input the electric power source of the part having the electric contact point so as to return to the normal operation by the signal of the control device 19 receiving a gas leakage signal and continues a driving stop state of the part having the electric contact point in the case when there is the gas leakage in the refrigerator to use the combustible gas as the refrigerant.

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 combustible gas as a refrigerant when vibrations of a certain level or more due to an earthquake or the like occur. , An electric refrigerator capable of automatically stopping the operation of a component having an electrical contact safely.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional refrigerator of this type has, for example, FIG.
There is something like. In the figure, a refrigerator has a freezing compartment 2 and a plurality of storage compartments 3 each having a compartment in which a temperature is controlled in at least two different temperature zones by a heat insulating partition body 4 or 4 ′ inside a 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.
And the cooler chamber 5 is provided on the back side of the inside of the refrigerator.
Cooler 6 with a temperature sensor 18 for generating cool air inside
A cooling blower 7 for forcibly circulating the generated cool air is provided, a machine room 8 is provided at the bottom of the heat insulating box 1, and a compressor 9 and a compressor 9 are generated in the machine room 8. A heat-dissipating blower 10 that dissipates heat and a gas detection sensor 20 that detects a gas leak are provided, and when there is a gas leak, control is performed to stop the power supply.

FIG. 2 shows the refrigerating 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, which is combustible as a refrigerant. Uses a gas refrigerant.

In the above structure, the refrigerant that has passed through the cooler 6 is compressed in the compressor 9 to become a high temperature, high pressure gaseous refrigerant. This 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 evaporated while passing through the cooler 6 to become a low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant gas, which has a heat exchange function in each compartment. After this, the refrigerant is again in a gas state and the compressor 9
The refrigeration cycle was completed by being inhaled.

Generally, a refrigerator using a flammable gas refrigerant turns on / off the compressor 9 by detecting the temperature inside the refrigerator.
It has various parts such as various switches, electrical contacts, and an ignition source such as the defrosting heater 14 as shown in FIG.
As shown in the control block diagram of FIG.
When 0 detects a gas leak, the operation of the compressor 9 is stopped by the signal of the control device 19 receiving the gas leak signal, and both the cooling blower 7 and the heat radiation blower 10 are forcibly operated. There was a control method, etc.

However, when a certain amount of vibration occurs due to an earthquake or the like and a malfunction occurs and a gas leak occurs, the gas detection sensor 20 detects the gas leak, and a signal from the control device 19 that receives the gas leak signal. Therefore, there is a problem in that the flammable gas refrigerant may be ignited by a gas leak before the operation of the component having the electric contact is stopped.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a system for an electric refrigerator immediately when an electric refrigerator using a combustible gas as a refrigerant is in operation and a certain amount of vibration occurs due to an earthquake or the like. An object of the present invention is to provide an electric refrigerator that can prevent ignition and explosion of a refrigerant by controlling the electric refrigerator.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has a storage chamber having a compartment for controlling the temperature in at least two different temperature zones by a partition wall in the heat insulating box. , A cooler room is provided on the back of the inside of the refrigerator, a cooler for generating cool air and 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. , A compressor, a heat-dissipating blower for radiating heat generated from the compressor, and a gas detection sensor are arranged in the machine room, and a control means for controlling an electric system by the output of the gas detection sensor is provided, In an electric refrigerator equipped with a refrigeration cycle that uses a flammable gas as a refrigerant, a vibration detection sensor that detects when vibration occurs in the machine room is provided, and when the vibration detection sensor detects a vibration of a certain level or more and operates, the electrical contact is opened. Automatically stop the operation of the parts, detect the gas leak with the gas detection sensor after a certain period of time, confirm that there is no gas leak, and turn on the power of the parts with electrical contacts again to return to normal operation. If there is a gas leak, the stopped state is maintained.

The power supply of the component having the electric contact is automatically turned on again.

After the operation is stopped, a contact means for transmitting information to the user by voice or display is provided.

After the operation is stopped, the gas leakage is being detected, and the operation is stopped due to vibration during a certain time.
In order to wait until the gas leak confirmation is completed and the normal operation is resumed, a contact means is provided for transmitting to the user by voice or display.

After the operation is stopped, it is confirmed that there is no gas leakage, and a communication means is provided for transmitting the information about the automatic recovery, the stop time and the re-input time to the user by voice or display. Has become.

When there is a gas leak after the operation is stopped, there is provided a contact means for transmitting the notice of the gas leak and the caution information to the user by voice or display.

After transmitting the caution information to the user, a contact means is provided for transmitting to the user by voice or display so as to contact the service center.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below as examples based on the accompanying drawings. 1 is a schematic side sectional view (A) and a rear perspective view (B) of a refrigerator according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the present invention. Yes, FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the present invention. The same parts as those in the conventional example have the same reference numerals.

In the figure, the refrigerator has a freezer compartment 2 and a plurality of storage compartments 3 each having a compartment for controlling the temperature in at least two different temperature zones by the heat insulation partition bodies 4 and 4'in the heat insulation box body 1. Temperature sensor 1 in each of the chambers 2 and 3.
5 and 16 are arranged, and the temperature sensor 1 is installed in the door hinge cover 1a provided on the top plate of the heat insulating box 1 outside the refrigerator.
7 are arranged.

Further, a cooler chamber 5 is provided on the back side of the inside of the refrigerator, and a cooler 6 provided with a temperature sensor 18 for generating cool air in the cooler chamber 5 and a cooling fan 7 for forcibly circulating the generated cool air. A machine room 8 is provided at the bottom of the heat-insulating box 1, a compressor 9 is provided in the machine room 8, a fan 10 for radiating heat generated by the compressor 9, and a gas leak is detected. A gas detection sensor 20 and a vibration detection sensor 21 for detecting vibration are provided.

FIG. 2 shows the refrigerating 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, which is combustible as a refrigerant. Uses a gas refrigerant.

In the above structure, the refrigerant that has passed through the cooler 6 is compressed in the compressor 9 to become a high temperature, high pressure gaseous refrigerant. This 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 evaporated while passing through the cooler 6 to become a low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant gas, which has a heat exchange function in each compartment. After this, the refrigerant is again in a gas state and the compressor 9
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 the cool air is forcedly blown to the freezer compartment 2 and the storage compartment 3, and heat is exchanged in the cooler 6.

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram according to the present invention. The storage device temperature sensor 15, the freezer chamber temperature sensor 16, the outside air temperature sensor 17, the cooler temperature sensor are included in the control device 19 including a microcomputer provided in the heat insulating box 1 (refrigerator main body). 18, signals from the gas detection sensor 20 and the vibration detection sensor 21 are input, and based on these input signals, the cooling blower 7 and the heat radiation blower 10, the compressor 9, and other parts having electrical contacts Etc. are controlled.

The present invention operates when the vibration detection sensor 21 detects a vibration due to an earthquake or the like, and the detected vibration value Sk is a preset vibration value S or more, and the vibration detection sensor 21 controls the vibration. A signal is sent to device 19,
The control device 19 that receives the signal automatically controls the operation of the component having the electrical contact to prevent the flammable gas refrigerant from being ignited if a gas leak occurs. .

Then, after a lapse of a certain time t, the gas detection sensor 20 detects gas leakage and confirms whether or not there is a gas leakage. If it can be confirmed that there is no gas leakage, the gas detection sensor 20 is detected. From the control device 1
A signal is sent to the controller 9, and the control device 19 that has received the signal automatically controls the parts having the electrical contacts to be turned on again to return to normal operation.

When a gas leak is detected by the gas detection sensor 20, a signal is sent from the gas detection sensor 20 to the control device 19, and the control device 19 receiving the signal operates a part having an electrical contact. It is controlled to continue the stop state.

Further, after stopping the operation of the parts having the electric contacts, a contact means for transmitting information to the user by voice or display is provided to provide information on the state of the heat insulating box 1 (refrigerator main body) at any time. Control to do so.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing these. When the power of the refrigerator body 1 is turned on (ST1) and the normal operation (ST2) is performed, the vibration detection sensor 21 detects a vibration due to an earthquake or the like (ST3), and the detected vibration value Sk is set to a preset vibration value S. When the above value is detected, it operates, and the vibration detection sensor 21 causes the control device 19 to operate.
A signal is sent to the control device 19 and the control device 19 that has received the signal performs control to automatically stop (ST4) the operation of the component having the electrical contact. When the detected vibration value Sk is equal to or less than the preset vibration value S, the normal operation (ST2) is continued.

Further, after the operation is stopped, within a certain time t during which a gas leak is being detected, the operation is stopped due to vibration, and further, it waits until the gas leak confirmation is completed and the normal operation is restored. A contact means (ST5) is provided for transmitting to the user by voice or display.

Next, after a lapse of a certain time t (ST6), the gas detection sensor 20 detects gas leak (ST).
7) It is confirmed whether or not there is a gas leak, and if it is confirmed that there is no gas leak, a signal is sent from the gas detection sensor 20 to the control device 19, and the control device 19 that has received the signal To automatically return to normal operation (ST2), turn on the power to the parts that have electrical contacts again (S
T8) is controlled.

Further, if it is confirmed that there is no gas leakage after the operation is stopped, the information on the automatic recovery and the stop time t
1 and the re-closing time t2 are transmitted to the user by voice or display (ST9).

If a gas leak is detected by the gas detection sensor 20, a signal is sent from the gas detection sensor 20 to the control device 19, and the control device 19 receiving the signal has a component having an electrical contact. The operation is controlled so that the operation is stopped (ST10), and the fact that the gas leak has occurred and the caution information thereof are transmitted to the user by voice or display (ST11).

After transmitting the caution information to the user, a contact means (ST12) is provided for transmitting the information to the user by voice or display so as to promptly contact the service center for the repair request. .

In the above structure, the vibration detection sensor 21 detects vibrations of a refrigerator using a combustible gas refrigerant due to an earthquake or the like.
Is detected, and the detected vibration value Sk is activated when a value equal to or larger than a preset vibration value S is detected, and the control device 19 which receives the signal automatically stops the operation of the component having the electrical contacts. When a vibration of a set vibration value S or more due to an earthquake or the like occurs due to the occurrence of a trouble and a gas leak occurs, the gas detection sensor 20 detects the gas leak and receives the gas leak signal. Before stopping the operation of the component having the electrical contact by the signal of the device 19,
The control method can eliminate the problem that the flammable gas refrigerant may ignite due to gas leakage.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When an electric refrigerator that uses flammable gas as a refrigerant is in operation and vibrations above a certain level due to transportation or an earthquake occur, the electric refrigerator system can be immediately controlled to prevent ignition and explosion of the refrigerant. It becomes an electric refrigerator.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

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.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side sectional view (A) of a conventional refrigerator.
It is a rear perspective view (B).

FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Insulation box (refrigerator body) 1a hinge cover 2 Freezer 3 storage room 4 Insulation partition 4'adiabatic partition 5 Cooler room 6 cooler 7 Blower for cooling 8 machine room 9 compressor 10 Heat dissipation fan 11 condenser 12 capillary tubes 13 Refrigerant tube 14 Defrosting heater 15 Storage room temperature sensor 16 Freezer temperature sensor 17 Outside air temperature sensor 18 Cooler temperature sensor 19 Control device 20 Gas detection sensor 21 Vibration detection sensor

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A heat insulating box has a storage chamber composed of compartments for controlling temperature in at least two different temperature zones by a partition wall, and a cooler chamber is provided on the back surface of the storage chamber. A cooler that generates cold air and a cooling blower that forcedly circulates the generated cool air are provided, a machine room is provided at the bottom of the heat insulating box, and a compressor and heat generated from the compressor are provided in the machine room. A heat-dissipating blower that dissipates heat, a gas detection sensor is provided, and a control unit that controls the electric system by the output of the gas detection sensor is provided, and in an electric refrigerator equipped with a refrigeration cycle that uses a flammable gas as a refrigerant, A vibration detection sensor for detecting the occurrence of vibration in the machine room is provided, and when the vibration detection sensor detects and operates more than a certain amount of vibration, the operation of the component having the electrical contact is automatically stopped, and after a certain time, the operation is stopped. Gas leak detection is performed by the detection sensor, it is confirmed that there is no gas leak, the parts with electrical contacts are turned on again to return to normal operation, and if there is a gas leak, the stopped state is continued. An electric refrigerator characterized in that 2. The electric refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the power of the component having the electrical contact is automatically turned on again. 3. The electric refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising contact means for transmitting information to the user by voice or display after the operation is stopped. 4. After the operation is stopped, during a certain period of time during which a gas leak is being detected, the operation is stopped due to vibration, and a voice message is displayed to wait until the gas leak confirmation is completed and the normal operation is resumed. 4. The electric refrigerator according to claim 3, further comprising a communication means for transmitting the information to the user by displaying. 5. After the operation is stopped, it is confirmed that there is no gas leakage, and a contact means is provided for transmitting the information of the automatic recovery, the stop time and the re-input time to the user by voice or display. The electric refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein: 6. If a gas leak occurs after the operation is stopped, a communication means is provided for transmitting the gas leak and the caution information to the user by voice or display. The electric refrigerator according to claim 3. 7. The contact means for communicating to the user by voice or display so as to contact the service center after transmitting the caution information to the user. Electric refrigerator.