JP2003207249A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator having coolers capable of independently and delicately controlling the temperatures of respective temperature zone chambers in the refrigerator having a plurality of coolers. <P>SOLUTION: A cooler 10' is arranged in parallel to a first cooler 10 for a cold room 7 and a vegetable chamber 8. A cooler 11' is also arranged in parallel to a second cooler 11 for a refrigerating chamber 9. A parallel refrigerating cycle is constituted for returning a refrigerant delivered from a compressor 16 to the compressor 16 by passing through a condenser 15 → a first capillary tube 18 → the first cooler 10 and the cooler 10' opened and closed by a first opening-closing valve 25 → an accumulator 17 as indicated in a passage A or returning the refrigerant delivered from the compressor 16 to the compressor 16 by passing through the condenser 15 → a second capillary tube 19 → the second cooler 11 and the cooler 11' opened and closed by a second opening- closing valve 26 → the accumulator 17 as indicated in a circuit B. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly to a structure of a refrigerator for delicately controlling the temperature of each storage chamber in a refrigerator having a plurality of coolers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional refrigerator, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, a refrigerating chamber 7 is provided inside a heat insulating box 1 composed of an outer box 2, an inner box 3 and a foamed heat insulating material 4 by heat insulating partitions 5 and 6. , A vegetable compartment 8 and a freezing compartment 9, and the first refrigerator 10 and the first blower 20 for the refrigerating compartment 7 and the vegetable compartment 8 which are assembled to the rear of the vegetable compartment 8 are arranged. , A second cooler 1 assembled behind the freezer compartment 9
1 and the 2nd fan 21 were arrange | positioned, and the said both coolers 10 and 11 were connected by the connection pipe 12. As shown in FIG.

The coolers 10 and 11 each include a large number of fins 23 laterally stacked at a predetermined interval and a plurality of heat transfer tubes 24 orthogonal to the fins 23. The blowers 20 and 21 for forced circulation of the cool air are provided above the coolers 10 and 11, while the defrost heaters 13 and 14 are provided below the coolers 10 and 11 to melt the frost formed on the coolers 10 and 11. Was doing.

Further, the temperature inside each compartment is detected by a temperature sensor (not shown) attached to each compartment, and when the detected temperature becomes higher than a predetermined cooling temperature, the compressor 16 and each blower 20 are provided. , 21 were controlled to cool the inside of the refrigerator on the detected side.

FIG. 10 shows the refrigerating cycle, and FIG.
The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 16 passes through the condenser 15, the first capillary tube 18, the first cooler 10, the second cooler 11 and the accumulator 17, as shown in the A flow path 0 of the compressor 16. Or, as shown in circuit B,
The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 16 passes through the condenser 15, the second capillary tube 19, the second cooler 11 and the accumulator 17, and returns to the compressor 16 to form a refrigeration cycle. Here, the switching of the circuits of A and B is performed by a switching valve 22, and the switching valve 22 is alternately switched to cool the refrigerating compartment 7 and the vegetable compartment 8 by the first cooler 10, Only the freezer compartment 9 was cooled by the second cooler 11.

However, due to the recent expansion of the functions of the refrigerator (rapid freezing, new temperature zone chamber, temperature switching chamber, high humidity chamber, etc.), further independent and delicate temperature control is required. , The technology development was urgent. Further, when a flammable refrigerant such as hydrocarbon having a large specific volume is used, there is a risk that liquid refrigerant may easily flow into the compressor 16 and that the defrosting temperature is lowered due to the flammable refrigerant. .

[0007]

In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a refrigerator having a plurality of coolers, which cools each temperature zone chamber independently and enables delicate temperature control. The purpose is to provide a equipped refrigerator.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, the inside of a heat insulating box having a foam insulating material filled between an outer box and an inner box is vertically moved by a plurality of heat insulating partitions. A first cooler and a first blower are provided at the rear of the upper storage compartment, a second cooler and a second blower are provided at the rear of the lower storage compartment, and a connecting pipe connecting both coolers, and each of the above A defrosting heater is arranged in the lower part of the cooler, and a compressor, a condenser, a capillary tube, the first cooler and the second cooler are sequentially connected by a refrigerant pipe to form a refrigerant circuit. In a refrigerator in which the supply of the refrigerant to the cooler is switched and controlled by a switching valve, at least one cooler chamber has a plurality of coolers arranged in parallel.

The coolers arranged in parallel are arranged in a storage room set at a low temperature.

The coolers arranged in parallel are arranged in a storage chamber set to a high temperature.

The coolers arranged in parallel are respectively arranged in a storage room set to a low temperature and a storage room set to a high temperature, and are respectively set in the storage room set to a low temperature and the storage room set to a high temperature. The connection between the coolers arranged in parallel is a parallel circuit.

An on-off valve that opens and closes the flow of the refrigerant is provided in at least one of the branch passages for dividing the refrigerant in the coolers arranged in parallel.

An opening / closing valve for opening / closing the flow of the refrigerant is provided in at least one of the confluent passages in which the refrigerants of the coolers arranged in parallel merge.

A heat conducting means is provided between the coolers of the coolers arranged in parallel.

The coolers arranged in parallel are integrally formed into a single cooler.

A capacity difference is provided between the respective coolers of the coolers arranged in parallel.

The respective coolers of the coolers arranged in parallel are arranged in front and rear.

The coolers set to a large capacity of the coolers arranged in parallel are arranged inside the refrigerator.

The coolers arranged in parallel are integrally formed, the coolers set to a large capacity are arranged on both sides, and the coolers set to a small capacity are arranged in the center. .

The coolers arranged in parallel are respectively arranged in a storage room set to a low temperature and a storage room set to a high temperature, and are respectively set in the storage room set to a low temperature and the storage room set to a high temperature. The connection between the respective coolers arranged in parallel is a series circuit.

The refrigerant filling amount is preset so that the refrigerant is completely vaporized in the cooler located downstream of the coolers arranged in the respective storage chambers.

The frequency of the compressor is preset so that the refrigerant is completely vaporized in the cooler located downstream of the cooler arranged in each of the storage chambers.

Before the cooler located on the most downstream side of the cooler arranged in each of the storage chambers, the refrigerant charge amount or the frequency of the compressor is preset so that the refrigerant is completely vaporized. Has become.

The coolers arranged in parallel are dedicated to the storage chambers of the same temperature zone.

A blower is provided in each of the coolers arranged in parallel.

A defrosting means is provided in each of the coolers arranged in parallel.

When one of the coolers arranged in parallel is in a cooling operation and the other cooler is in a cooling operation, the other cooler is defrosted until a set time or set temperature is reached. Has become.

One of the coolers arranged in parallel is configured to also operate a blower dedicated to the cooler during the defrosting operation.

[0029]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below as examples based on the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view (A) of a refrigerator body according to the present invention and a front view (B) showing a structure of a cooler, and FIGS. 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 show respective embodiments of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the refrigeration cycle of a refrigerator, and FIG. 5 is a principal part expanded perspective view which shows the application example of the refrigerator of the refrigerator of each Example of this invention. In addition, the same parts as those in the related art are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, FIG. 1 shows a schematic structure of a refrigerator main body, in which 1 is an insulating box body made of a steel plate outer box 2, a synthetic resin inner box 3, a foamed heat insulating material 4 and the like. The inside thereof is divided into a refrigerating compartment 7, a vegetable compartment 8 and a freezing compartment 9 in this order from the top by two heat insulating partition bodies 5 and 6.

The first refrigerator 10 and the first blower 20 for the refrigerating compartment 7 and the vegetable compartment 8 which are assembled behind the vegetable compartment 8 are arranged, and the second refrigerator which is assembled behind the freezing compartment 9 is arranged. A cooler 11 and a second blower 21 are arranged, and a connecting pipe 1 is provided between the both coolers 10 and 11.
Connected with 2.

The both coolers 10 and 11 are composed of a large number of fins 23 laterally laminated at a predetermined interval and a plurality of heat transfer tubes 24 orthogonal to the fins 23. The blowers 20 and 21 for forced circulation of the cool air are provided above the coolers 10 and 11, while the defrost heaters 13 and 14 are provided below the coolers 10 and 11 to melt the frost formed on the coolers 10 and 11. I am trying.

Further, the temperature inside each compartment is detected by a temperature sensor (not shown) provided inside each compartment, and when the detected temperature becomes higher than a predetermined cooling temperature, the compressor 16 and each blower 20 are provided. , 21 are controlled to cool the inside of the refrigerator on the detected side.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, a cooler 10 'arranged in parallel is arranged in the first cooler 10 for the refrigerating compartment 7 and the vegetable compartment 8 and the freezing compartment 9 is provided.
The second cooler 11 for use also has a cooler 11 'arranged in parallel.
And the respective coolers 10, 1 arranged in parallel.
The connection between 0 ', 11 and 11' is a parallel circuit to perform delicate temperature control of the chambers 7, 8 and 9.

FIG. 2 shows the refrigerating cycle, in which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 16 is changed from the condenser 15 to the first capillary tube 18 as shown in the flow path A of FIG.
→ Cooler 10 'which is opened and closed by the first cooler 10 and the first on-off valve 25 → Returns to the compressor 16 through the accumulator 17, or as shown in the circuit B, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 16 is , Condenser 15 → second capillary tube 19 → second cooler 11 and second opening / closing valve 26
Cooler 11 'opened and closed by → Accumulator 17
A parallel refrigeration cycle of passing through and returning to the compressor 16 is configured. Here, the switching of the circuits A and B is performed by the switching valve 22, and the switching valve 22 is switched alternately to cool the refrigerating compartment 7 and the vegetable compartment 8 by the first coolers 10 and 10 '. Only the freezer compartment 9 is cooled by the second coolers 11 and 11 '.

Further, in either of the at least one cooler chambers, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, in parallel with the second cooler 11 behind the freezing chamber 9 set to a low temperature, as shown in FIG. Or a cooler 10 'in parallel with the first cooler 10 behind the vegetable compartment 8 set to a high temperature, as shown in FIG. May be provided.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3, one of the flow passages (11 'in the figure, 11' in the drawing) in which the refrigerant of the coolers 10, 10 'or 11, 11' arranged in parallel is branched.
Side), the on-off valves 25 and 26 (the second on-off valve 26 in the drawing) for opening and closing the flow of the refrigerant are provided, or, as shown in FIG. 4, the coolers 10 and 10 ′ arranged in parallel.
Alternatively, on-off valves 25 and 26 (first on-off valve 25 in the figure) for opening and closing the flow of the refrigerant are provided in one of the confluent channels where the 11 and 11 'refrigerants merge (10' side in the figure).

Behind the vegetable compartment 8 or the freezer compartment 9
Coolers 10, 10 'or 1 arranged in parallel behind
1, 11 'are arranged and the switching valve 22 and the opening / closing valves 25, 26 for controlling the flow of the refrigerant are switched and opened / closed respectively, so that the cooler 1 arranged in parallel is provided.
It enables delicate temperature control of the room where 0, 10 'or 11, 11' are arranged.

As shown in FIG. 5 (A), the coolers 10, 10 'or 11, 11' (10, 10 'in the figure) arranged in parallel are each cooler 10, 10' or 11, 11 '. By providing the heat conducting means such as the fins 23 between the two, it is possible to reduce the load at the time of startup and increase the evaporation area.

The coolers 10 and 1 arranged in parallel are also provided.
The number of parts can be reduced by integrally forming 0 ′ or 11, 11 ′ (10 and 10 ′ in the figure) to form a single cooler set 27.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the fourth embodiment, the coolers 10, 10 'or 11, 11' arranged in parallel are arranged.
By providing a capacity difference such as the density of fins or the number of heat transfer tube turns between the respective coolers 10, 10 'or 11, 11', it is possible to widen the range in which delicate temperature control is performed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the fifth embodiment is as follows.
The coolers 10, 10 'or 11, arranged in parallel,
11 'of the respective coolers 10, 10' or 11, 11 'are arranged front and back, and the cooler side (11 in the figure) set to a large capacity is arranged inside the refrigerator which is the direction of arrow a in FIG. Then
By arranging the cooler side (11 'in the figure) set to a small capacity on the heat insulating wall side, it becomes possible to prevent loss due to heat intrusion through the heat insulating wall.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the coolers 10, 10 'or 11, 11' arranged in parallel are integrally formed (10, 10 'in the figure) and set to a large capacity. The cooler (10 in the figure) is placed on both sides, and the cooler set to a small capacity (10 'in the figure) is placed in the center to cope with rapid temperature change of the cooler due to circuit switching. You may do it.

FIG. 8 shows the refrigerating cycle of the sixth embodiment. As shown in the flow path A in FIG. 8, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 16 passes through the condenser 15 → first capillary tube 18 → first cooler 10 → second cooler 11 → accumulator 17 and the compressor is 16, or as shown in circuit B, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 16 is condenser 15 → first capillary tube 18 ′ → first cooler 1
By configuring the refrigeration cycle of 0 ′ → second cooler 11 ′ → accumulator 17 and returning to the compressor 16, opening / closing by the opening / closing valves 25 and 26 can be eliminated, and simple control can be performed. It is aimed at the same effect. The present embodiment may be applied to each of the embodiments already described. (Not shown)

As shown in FIG. 2 or 6, the second coolers 11, 11 'located downstream of the coolers 10, 10' and 11, 11 'arranged in the chambers 7, 8 and 9, respectively.
In this, the structure can be simplified by presetting the filling amount of the refrigerant so that the refrigerant is completely vaporized, or by presetting the number of revolutions to be controlled by the frequency of the compressor 16. When a flammable refrigerant such as hydrocarbon having a large specific volume is used, the liquid refrigerant compressor 16 is used.
Inflow can be prevented.

Further, in front of the second coolers 11, 11 'located downstream of the coolers 10, 10' and 11, 11 'arranged in the respective chambers 7, 8 and 9, the refrigerant is completely removed. By setting the charging amount of the refrigerant in advance so as to vaporize, or by setting the rotation speed at the frequency of the compressor 16 in advance, the second cooler 11, even while the compressor 16 is operating, It becomes possible to defrost one of 11 ', and the cooling performance is improved.

The coolers 10 and 1 arranged in parallel are also described.
By making 0 ′ or 11, 11 ′ dedicated to each of the chambers 7, 8 or 9 in the same temperature zone, the conventional damper for switching is eliminated, and the coolers 10 and 10 arranged in parallel are provided. 'Or 11, 11', the switching valve 22 and the on-off valve 25 for controlling the flow of the refrigerant,
By switching and opening / closing 26, respectively, the chambers 7,
It is possible to perform temperature control independently of 8 or 9.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, the coolers 10, 10 'and 11, 11' arranged in parallel are
By providing the blowers 20, 20 'and 21, 21', respectively, it becomes possible to perform more delicate temperature control.

The coolers 10 and 1 arranged in parallel are also provided.
Defrost heater 13, 0 'and 11, 11' respectively
By providing defrosting means such as 13 ', 14 and 14', more delicate temperature control can be performed, and when using a flammable refrigerant such as a hydrocarbon-based material having a large specific volume, it is an essential issue. It is possible to lower a certain defrosting temperature.

Further, the coolers 10, 1 arranged in parallel are arranged.
When one of 0 ′ or 11, 11 ′ is in the cooling operation and the other cooler 11, 11 ′ or 10, 10 ′ is after the cooling operation, the other cooler 11, 11 ′ or 10, 1
By performing the defrosting operation until 0 ′ reaches the set time or the set temperature, the defrosting efficiency is increased.

Further, the coolers 10 and 1 arranged in parallel are provided.
When either 0'or 11, 11 'is in defrosting operation, the blowers 20, 20' or 21, 21 'dedicated to the cooler are also operated to humidify the chambers 7, 8 and 9 as needed. can do.

In the above embodiment, the refrigerator having the refrigerating compartment 7, the vegetable compartment 8 and the freezing compartment 9 is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in addition to the above, the user can use the refrigerator depending on the purpose. It is also possible to provide a switching chamber in which the room temperature (internal temperature) can be switched between freezing and temperature zones other than freezing. (Not shown) Although the first cooler 10 is arranged behind the vegetable compartment 8 in the above embodiment, the first cooler 10 may be arranged behind the refrigerating compartment 7. (Not shown)

In the above structure, a plurality of coolers 10, 10 'or 11, 11' arranged in parallel are arranged behind the vegetable compartment 8 or behind the freezer compartment 9 to control the flow of the refrigerant. Switching valve 22 and the on-off valve 25,
By switching and opening / closing 26 respectively, delicate temperature control of each of the chambers 7, 8 and 9 is possible due to the expansion of the function of the refrigerator (rapid freezing, new temperature zone chamber, temperature switching chamber, high humidity chamber, etc.). Become. Further, when a flammable refrigerant such as hydrocarbon having a large specific volume is used, it is possible to prevent the liquid refrigerant from flowing into the compressor 16 and lower the defrosting temperature.

[0054]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A refrigerator having a plurality of coolers is provided with a cooler which enables independent and delicate temperature control of each temperature zone chamber.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view (A) of a refrigerator body according to the present invention,
It is a front view (B) which shows the structure of a cooler.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a refrigeration cycle of a refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of an essential part showing an application example of the refrigerator of the refrigerator according to each embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a refrigeration cycle of a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a refrigeration cycle of a refrigerator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing a refrigeration cycle of a refrigerator according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view (A) of a refrigerator body according to a conventional example,
It is a front view (B) which shows the structure of a cooler.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a refrigeration cycle of a conventional refrigerator.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Insulation box 2 outer box 3 inner box 4 foam insulation 5, 6 Insulation partition 7 Refrigerator 8 vegetable room 9 Freezer 10, 10 '1st cooler 11, 11 'Second cooler 12 Connection pipe 13, 13 'First defrost heater 14, 14 'Second defrost heater 15 condenser 16 compressor 17 Accumulator 18, 18 '1st capillary tube 19 Second capillary tube 20, 20 '1st blower 21,21 'Second blower 22 Switching valve 23 Fine 24 heat transfer tube 25 First opening / closing valve 26 Second on-off valve 27 Cooler set

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. An inside of an insulating box body filled with a foam insulating material between an outer box and an inner box is divided into upper and lower parts by a plurality of heat insulating partition bodies, and a first cooler and a first cooler are provided behind an upper storage chamber. One blower, a second cooler and a second blower behind the lower storage chamber, a connecting pipe connecting both coolers, and a defrost heater under each cooler, and a compressor. , A condenser, a capillary tube, the first cooler and the second cooler are sequentially connected by a refrigerant pipe to form a refrigerant circuit, and the supply of the refrigerant to each of the coolers is controlled by switching with a switching valve. A refrigerator comprising: a plurality of coolers arranged in parallel in at least one cooler chamber. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the coolers arranged in parallel are arranged in a storage room set at a low temperature. 3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the coolers arranged in parallel are arranged in a storage chamber set to a high temperature. 4. The coolers arranged in parallel are respectively arranged in a storage room set to a low temperature and a storage room set to a high temperature, and a storage room set to a low temperature and a storage room set to a high temperature. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the connection between the respective coolers arranged in parallel with each other is a parallel circuit. 5. The opening / closing valve for opening / closing the flow of the refrigerant is provided in at least one of the branch passages for branching the refrigerant in the coolers arranged in parallel. Refrigerator. 6. The opening / closing valve for opening / closing the flow of the refrigerant is provided in at least one of the joint passages in which the refrigerant of the coolers arranged in parallel joins. Refrigerator. 7. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a heat conducting means is provided between the coolers of the coolers arranged in parallel. 8. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the coolers arranged in parallel are integrally formed as a single cooler. 9. The capacity difference is provided between the respective coolers of the coolers arranged in parallel.
A refrigerator according to claim 4. 10. The cooler of the coolers arranged in parallel is arranged in front of and behind each other.
Refrigerator described. 11. The refrigerator according to claim 10, wherein the coolers set to a large capacity of the coolers arranged in parallel are arranged inside the refrigerator. 12. The coolers arranged in parallel are integrally formed, and coolers set to a large capacity are arranged on both sides,
The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein a cooler set to a small capacity is arranged in the center. 13. The coolers arranged in parallel are respectively arranged in a storage room set to a low temperature and a storage room set to a high temperature, and a storage room set to a low temperature and a storage room set to a high temperature. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the connection between the respective coolers arranged in parallel with each other is a series circuit. 14. The refrigerant filling amount is set in advance so that the refrigerant is completely vaporized in the cooler located downstream of the coolers arranged in the respective storage chambers. The refrigerator according to Item 1. 15. The frequency of the compressor is preset so that the refrigerant is completely vaporized in a cooler located downstream of a cooler arranged in each of the storage chambers. The refrigerator according to claim 1. 16. The refrigerant charge amount or the frequency of the compressor is preset so that the refrigerant is completely vaporized in front of the cooler located at the most downstream side of the cooler arranged in each of the storage chambers. The refrigerator according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that: 17. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the coolers arranged in parallel are dedicated to the storage chambers of the same temperature zone. 18. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein each of the coolers arranged in parallel is provided with a blower. 19. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the coolers arranged in parallel are provided with defrosting means, respectively. 20. One of the coolers arranged in parallel,
20. The refrigerator according to claim 19, wherein during the cooling operation, when the other cooler is after the cooling operation, the other cooler is defrosted until a set time or a set temperature is reached. 21. One of the coolers arranged in parallel,
21. The refrigerator according to claim 18, wherein a blower dedicated to the cooler is also operated during the defrosting operation.