JP2003207259A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator superior in safety by operating an announcing means when a refrigerant leaks, and rousing user operation for opening a door in the refrigerator using the combustible refrigerant. <P>SOLUTION: This refrigerator has a refrigerating cycle for sealing the combustible refrigerant by successively connecting a compressor 11, a condenser 14, and orifice mechanism 15, an evaporator 16, and an accumulator 17, a detecting means 29 for detecting the refrigerant leaked or previously detecting the refrigerant to be leaked, and the announcing means 27 for announcing a user that the refrigerant has leaked or the refrigerant may leak when this detecting means detects the refrigerant leaked or previously detects the refrigerant to be leaked. When the announcing means 27 operates, the announcing means 27 is stopped by opening the door. <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 using a refrigerating cycle in which a flammable refrigerant is sealed and having a notification means for notifying a user of refrigerant leakage or refrigerant leakage by a refrigerant leakage detection means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, interest in ozone layer protection and global warming has been increasing worldwide, and improvement of refrigerants used in refrigeration cycles such as refrigerators and air conditioners has been demanded. The majority of refrigerators currently on the market are HF
Although C (hydrofluorocarbon) is used as a refrigerant, HFC refrigerant still has a high global warming potential, and therefore, as a future refrigerant, there is no ozone depletion and HC (hydrocarbon) refrigerant with a low global warming potential is used. Considered for use.

HC refrigerant has flammability as a characteristic, and if refrigerant leaks, it is possible that it may ignite and develop into a fire. Therefore, in a refrigerator that uses HC refrigerant, various explosion-proof measures are considered because there is a possibility of ignition due to heat generation of contacts of electric parts such as relays and defrosting heaters. Also, even if there is a refrigerant leak on the high pressure side of the refrigeration cycle outside the refrigerator, since the refrigerant gas diffuses into the air within a few minutes and falls below the ignition concentration,
It is known that the risk of ignition is low, and the safety of the refrigerator structure is high.

[0004]

However, although the ignition inside the refrigerator is reduced by the explosion-proof measures, the ignition source outside the refrigerator has not been solved yet. If a refrigerant leak occurs on the low pressure side of the refrigeration cycle, especially around the evaporator,
The leaked refrigerant gas fills up and reaches the ignition concentration in the storage chamber. Then, when the user opens the door of the filled storage room, the refrigerant gas leaks to the outside of the refrigerator. At this time, if an ignition source such as a lighter exists in the vicinity, the refrigerant gas may ignite the ignition source.

As a method for solving this problem, when a refrigerant leak occurs in the refrigerator, if the door is opened, it does not fill the ignition concentration and is not diffused into the air and ignited. A method of instructing to open the door by an alarm such as a buzzer or a display from an operation panel has been considered.

However, the leakage of the refrigerant is sudden and the user may not be able to deal calmly. For example, the buzzer and display are uncomfortable for the user, so operate the operation panel etc. to simply release the alarm and do not open the door, or the buzzer is annoying and the power is pulled out. There was a problem that upset the user and unable to take appropriate measures.

This problem can be solved by providing an automatic opening device or the like that automatically opens the door when a refrigerant leak is detected, but in recent large refrigerators, five doors have become the mainstream. It was not practical to equip all of these doors with an automatic opening device because the cost would increase significantly.

[0008]

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 combusts a compressor, a condenser, a throttle mechanism, an evaporator, and an accumulator in order. Refrigeration cycle in which a water-soluble refrigerant is sealed, detection means for detecting that the refrigerant has leaked or that the refrigerant has leaked in advance, and detection that the refrigerant has leaked or has been leaked by the detection means in advance. And a notification unit for notifying the user that the refrigerant has leaked or that the refrigerant has leaked when the detection is performed, and when the notification unit operates, the notification unit is stopped by opening the door. It is what

With this configuration, refrigerant leakage occurs,
Even if the user feels uncomfortable when the notification is given from the operation panel or the like by a buzzer, a voice instruction or a display means, the notification does not stop unless the door is opened. The door will be opened. Therefore, since the door is always opened, the refrigerant gas is diffused into the air without filling the inside of the refrigerator, and even if there is an ignition source outside the refrigerator, the diffused refrigerant gas is below the ignition concentration, It is possible to obtain a highly safe refrigerator that does not ignite.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that, when the notifying means operates, the notifying means is stopped by opening all doors.

Generally, since the HC refrigerant has a higher specific gravity than air, the refrigerant gas in the storage chamber is likely to fill the lowermost portion, but the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber each have their own coolers so that the flow of cold air is independent. In the case of a refrigerator that cools or the location or amount of stored food, the location filled with the refrigerant gas may change sequentially. However, with this configuration, even if any storage chamber is easily filled with the refrigerant gas, all the doors are opened, so it is possible to reliably prevent the refrigerant gas from filling the inside of the storage, and to quickly diffuse it into the air. Therefore, the safety can be improved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a compressor, a condenser, a throttle mechanism, an evaporator, and an accumulator are sequentially connected to each other, and a refrigerating cycle in which a flammable refrigerant is sealed is provided, and the refrigeration cycle is generated by the evaporator. A duct for blowing cool air through a fan to at least the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment, a damper arranged in the duct for adjusting the amount of cool air to be blown, and detection of leakage of the refrigerant or leakage of the refrigerant. And a notification for notifying the user that the refrigerant has leaked or that the refrigerant has leaked when the refrigerant is leaked or the refrigerant has been leaked has been previously detected by the detection means. And a means for stopping the notification means by opening the door of the storage chamber in which the damper is opened and cool air is ventilated when the notification means operates. That.

When a refrigerant leak occurs, there is a storage room in which cold air is not ventilated into the room due to the closed state of the damper, and this storage room is not filled with the refrigerant gas. Therefore, according to the present configuration, by opening the doors other than the storage room in which the cold air is not ventilated, it is only necessary to open the minimum necessary door for the user, and to quickly and accurately diffuse the refrigerant gas. It can be carried out. In this case, it can be more effectively performed by displaying which door should be opened on the operation panel or the like.

The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the detection means detects in advance whether or not the refrigerant has leaked inside the refrigerator.

With this configuration, it is possible to reliably prevent the inside of the refrigerator from being filled with the refrigerant gas, thereby improving the safety.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the storage space in the refrigerator main body is divided into a refrigerating space and a freezing space by a partition wall, a flammable refrigerant is sealed, and the refrigerator is provided in the refrigerator main body. A refrigeration cycle in which a condenser, each throttle mechanism for the refrigerating and freezing spaces, each evaporator, and an accumulator are connected so that the refrigerating space and the refrigerating space independently perform cooling control, and the refrigerant is each space. When detecting in advance detecting that the refrigerant has leaked or detecting that the refrigerant leaks in advance, respectively, when detecting that the refrigerant has leaked or the refrigerant leaks in advance by the detecting means,
It is provided with an informing means for informing a user that the refrigerant has leaked or that the refrigerant has leaked, and when the informing means operates, it is detected that the refrigerant has leaked or that the refrigerant has leaked is detected in advance. The alarm means is stopped by opening the door of the storage room in the space.

With this configuration, when a refrigerant leak occurs in one of the spaces, it is not necessary to open the door of the other space in which the cool air is not ventilated and the refrigerant gas is not filled. It suffices to open the limit door, and it is possible to diffuse the refrigerant gas quickly and accurately. In this case, it can be more effectively performed by displaying which door should be opened on the operation panel or the like.

The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that when the notification means is operated, the notification means is stopped by opening the door for a predetermined time or more.

When a refrigerant leak occurs and a notification means such as a buzzer or voice instruction or display is given from the operation panel or the like, the user opens the door, releases the notification means, and closes the door again. It is possible to lose it. In this case, if the opening time of the door is short and the refrigerant gas is closed again before being diffused into the air, the inside of the refrigerator will be filled with the refrigerant gas. Therefore, according to this configuration, since the user opens the door for a predetermined time or longer, the refrigerant gas does not fill the inside of the refrigerator and the like, the refrigerant gas is diffused in the air, and the ignition source is outside the refrigerator. Even so, since the diffused refrigerant gas has an ignition concentration or less, it is possible to provide a highly safe refrigerator that does not ignite.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, when the notification means operates, the notification means is stopped while the door is open, and if the opening time at this time is a predetermined time or less, the notification means is operated again at the same time as the door is closed. When the opening time is a predetermined time or more, the notification means is continuously stopped even if the door is closed.

Since the notification means is stopped during the opening of the door, the user can actively open the door. Also, if the opening time of the door is short, the refrigerant gas filled in the refrigerator is not sufficiently diffused to the outside of the refrigerator, but if the door opening time is less than the predetermined time, the notification means will notify again, so It is possible to prompt the user to open the door for a predetermined time or longer, and it is possible to improve safety.

The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that, when the notifying means is operating, the notifying means continues to operate even if the power is cut off. With this configuration,
Even if the user is shaken and shuts off the power due to the notification of the refrigerant leakage, the notification means continues, so the user can be sure to diffuse it to the outside by urging the user to open the door. Therefore, safety can be improved.

The invention of claim 9 is characterized in that, when the informing means is operating, the operation of the informing means is restarted after the power is cut off and the power is turned on again. With this configuration, even if the user is shaken and shuts off the power due to the notification that the refrigerant has leaked, if the power is turned on again, the notification will be performed again, so by prompting the user to open the door, the user can move out of the refrigerator. Can be reliably diffused, and thus safety can be improved.

[0024]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, the configuration of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view of a refrigerator showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator.

(1) shows the refrigerator body, which is an insulating box
Formed by (2) and inner box (3), the inside is divided into refrigerating room (4), vegetable room (5) and freezing room (6), and each has an independent door (7),
It has (8) and (9). On the back of the vegetable compartment (5) is an evaporator (1
6) and the blower fan (10) are arranged and operate in synchronization with the compressor (11). And, on the back of the refrigerating compartment (4), there is a cold air circulation duct (3
0), and a damper (12) for adjusting the amount of cold air is provided.

In the machine room (13) located under the back wall of the refrigerator body (1), a compressor (11), a condenser (14) and a throttle device which constitute the refrigeration cycle shown in FIG. 10 are constituted. Capillary
(15) is arranged, an accumulator (17) is arranged at the outlet side of the evaporator (16), and a flammable HC refrigerant such as isobutane is sealed as a refrigerant in this refrigeration cycle.

Then, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (11) passes through the condenser (14), the capillary (15), the evaporator (16) and the accumulator (17) and then returns to the compressor (11). It is configured to return, and by supplying the cool air cooled by the evaporator (16) by the operation of the blower fan (10), the refrigerator compartment
(4) Cool the vegetable compartment (5) and freezer compartment (6).

In the refrigerating room (4) and the freezing room (6), as shown in FIG. 11 which is a control block diagram, a freezing room sensor (hereinafter referred to as F sensor) (18) for detecting the temperature in each room. , And sensors for cold rooms and vegetable rooms (hereinafter referred to as R sensors) (19)
Are provided respectively. The cooling of the refrigerator compartment (4) and the vegetable compartment (5) is based on the output value from the R sensor (19) and the control device (20).
If it is judged that the temperature is higher than the preset temperature, the compressor
Drive (11).

A part of the cold air is sent to the freezer compartment (6) by the blower fan (10), and the damper (12) is fed to the refrigerating compartment (4) and the vegetable compartment (5).
Is supplied from the duct (30). Also, the refrigerator room
When the internal temperature of (4) and the vegetable compartment (5) becomes lower than the set temperature,
The damper (12) is closed to stop the supply of cold air to the inside of the refrigerator to control the temperature inside the refrigerator. Then, the freezer compartment (6) stops the compressor (11) when the output value from the F sensor (18) becomes lower than a preset set temperature, and thereafter, when the output value becomes higher than the set temperature due to temperature rise, the compressor ( Control to start 11). It is preferable that the set temperature can be adjusted by the output value of the outside air temperature sensor (21) and the temperature adjustment of the operation panel (22).

In this way, the compressor (11) is repeatedly operated and stopped based on the output value of each sensor and the set temperature, and the internal temperature is adjusted to perform the normal operation.

Further, the evaporator (16) is opened / closed when the accumulated operating time of the compressor (11) reaches a predetermined time or when the doors (7), (8), (9) are opened / closed. If reached, the evaporator (16)
The defrosting heater (25) provided below is energized to start the defrosting operation. During the defrosting operation, the compressor (11) and the blower fan (10) are stopped, and the output value of the defrosting sensor (hereinafter referred to as D sensor) (23) provided near the accumulator (17) is controlled by the control device.
Send to (20). To finish the defrosting operation, when the output value becomes higher than a predetermined set temperature, for example, 3 ° C, it is judged that the frost formation on the evaporator (16) is completely melted, and the defrosting heater (25) is turned on. Shut off and finish defrosting operation.

As the detection means (29), when the refrigerant gas concentration reaches a predetermined value in each of the refrigerating room (4), the vegetable room (5), the freezing room (6) and the machine room (13) A refrigerant leakage sensor (26) for detecting that the refrigerant has leaked is arranged to output the refrigerant leakage to the control device (20) when the refrigerant gas reaches a predetermined concentration. In this case, the low-pressure side of the refrigeration cycle, for example, refrigerant leakage in the connection pipe of the evaporator (16), etc.
The vegetable compartment (5), detected by the refrigerant leak sensor (26) arranged in the freezer compartment (6), the high pressure side, for example, the compressor (11), the condenser (14)
For example, a refrigerant leak in the connecting pipe exposed mainly in the machine room (13) is detected by a refrigerant leak sensor (26) arranged in the machine room (13).

Further, the detection means (29) may detect the leakage of the refrigerant in advance without providing the refrigerant leakage sensor (26). For example, a temperature sensor may be provided at each of the inlet and outlet of the evaporator (16) to detect that the refrigerant leaks in advance due to the temperature difference of the evaporator (16).
It may be possible to detect the pressure, duty, voltage change, or the like in (11).

In particular, when a leak hole is formed on the low pressure side of the refrigeration cycle, air is first sucked in through the leak hole.
Refrigerant does not leak to the outside, but in the evaporator (16) the refrigerant gas in the pipe is diluted, so a temperature difference occurs between the inlet and outlet, and the compressor (11) is overloaded by suction and causes pressure, duty, etc. Change occurs. Then, when the compressor (11) stops, the refrigerant gradually leaks from the leak hole.
Therefore, leakage of the refrigerant can be detected in advance by detecting an abnormal change in temperature or pressure.

The notification means (27) outputs a predetermined time (for example, 90 seconds) when the detection means outputs a refrigerant leak to the control device (20).
After a lapse of (minutes), the user is informed by buzzer, announcement and display from the operation panel (22). In this case, even if the predetermined time has not elapsed, the state of the refrigerator, a coping method, or the like may be notified by an announcement or a display, or may be output to a home terminal or the like and notified to a mobile phone or the like.

Next, the operation from when the refrigerant starts to leak into the refrigerator to when the notification means (27) is stopped will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the detection means (29) is operated (S10) to detect the leakage of the refrigerant or the leakage of the refrigerant in advance (S11), after a predetermined time has elapsed, the notification means (27) Is operated (S12). At this time, when it is detected that the refrigerant is leaking on the low pressure side (for example, the vicinity of the evaporator, the vegetable compartment, the freezer compartment), the stop valve (on the outlet side of the condenser (14) in the refrigeration cycle ( After closing 24) etc., the compressor (11) is rotated for a certain period of time, for example, for 90 seconds to collect the refrigerant on the low pressure side of the refrigeration cycle and further rotate the blower fan (10). It is preferable to circulate the refrigerant gas so that it does not fill the bottom of the refrigerator. On the high pressure side, for example, when it is detected that the refrigerant is leaking in the machine room, a cooling fan or the like for cooling the compressor (11) is provided in the machine room (13), and this cooling fan is used. Rotate to diffuse leaked gas to the outside.

Then, whether or not any of the doors (7), (8) and (9) is opened is detected by a door switch or the like (S13),
When it detects that it is opened, it stops the notification means (27)
(S14).

With this configuration, even if the user operates the operation panel by feeling uncomfortable due to the buzzer sound or voice caused by the notification, the notification operation does not stop unless the door is opened. Since the refrigerant gas is released, the refrigerant gas does not fill the inside of the refrigerator and is diffused into the air, and even if there is an ignition source outside the refrigerator, the diffused refrigerant gas is below the ignition concentration and may ignite. Therefore, a refrigerator with high safety can be provided.

In this case, not only the opening of the door but also the combination of the opening of the door and the operation of the operation panel may be combined as the stop condition of the notifying means, and the notifying means prompts the user to open the door by an announcement or display. Preferably.

Further, the notifying means may be stopped by opening all the doors (7), (8), (9). In this case, since the HC refrigerant has a higher specific gravity than air, the refrigerant gas is likely to fill the lowermost part of the storage chamber, but the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber each have their own coolers to cool the flow of cool air independently. In the case of a refrigerator or the location or amount of stored food, the location filled with refrigerant gas may change sequentially. However, with this configuration, all the doors are opened regardless of which storage chamber is easily filled, so that the refrigerant gas does not fill the inside of the storage reliably, and diffusion into the air can be performed quickly. Therefore, safety can be improved.

Further, the alarm means (27) may be stopped by opening all the doors in the refrigerator where the damper (12) is open when the refrigerant leak is detected by the detection means (29). For example, in the case of the present embodiment, when the damper (12) is open, the refrigeration cycle and the refrigerator compartment (4) and the vegetable compartment (5) are in communication with each other, so when the refrigerant leaks, the refrigerator compartment Since there is a possibility that the refrigerant gas is circulated in (4) and the vegetable compartment (5), the refrigerant gas is surely diffused by opening the doors (7), (8).

On the contrary, if the damper (12) is closed, the refrigerator compartment
Since the refrigerant gas is not circulated in (4) and the vegetable compartment (5), it is not necessary to open the doors (7) and (8), and doors other than the storage room where such cold air is not ventilated By opening the door, it is sufficient for the user to open the minimum necessary door, and quick and accurate diffusion of the refrigerant gas can be performed. In this case, it can be more effectively performed by displaying which door should be opened on the operation panel or the like.

Next, a refrigerator as an example of the embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 12, the refrigerator body (1 ') is provided with a refrigerating space (40) and a freezing space (60), and in the refrigerating space (40), a refrigerating room (4') and vegetables. Room (5 '), frozen space
A switching chamber (61) and a freezing chamber (6 ′) are provided in the (60) in order from the top. An ice making chamber (not shown) is arranged next to the switching chamber (61) so as to be laterally aligned.

Further, a hinge opening / closing type heat-insulating door (7 ') is provided on the front surface of the refrigerating room (4'), and the vegetable room (5 '), the switching room (61),
A drawer-type heat insulating door (8 '), (62), (9') is provided on the front surface of each freezing compartment (6 '). Cold room (4 '), vegetable room
Between (5 ') is partitioned by a plastic partition plate (41), between the vegetable compartment (5') and the switching chamber (61) and the ice-making compartment is partitioned by an insulating partition wall (42), The switching chamber (61) and the ice making chamber are also partitioned by a heat insulating partition wall (64).

At the back of the vegetable compartment (5 '), a refrigerator (4
3), an R fan (44) that constitutes a cold air circulation fan for refrigeration, and an R defrosting heater (46) that defrosts the frost formed on the refrigeration evaporator (43) are provided. When the R fan (44) is driven, the cold air cooled by the refrigerating evaporator (43) is supplied into the refrigerating compartment (4 ') through the duct (45), and then the vegetable compartment (5'). The refrigerating compartment (4 ') and the vegetable compartment (5') are cooled by circulating through.

At the back of the freezing compartment (6 '), an F fan (66) constituting a freezing cold air circulation fan and a freezing evaporator are arranged in this order from the top.
(65), and a freezing evaporator (65) is provided with an F defrosting heater (67) for defrosting frost that has formed. In this case, when the F fan (66) is driven, the cold air cooled by the freezing evaporator (65) is supplied and circulated in the ice making chamber and the freezing chamber (6 ′), so that the ice making chamber and It is configured to cool the freezing room (6 '). The R defrost heater (46) and the F defrost heater (67) are composed of a pipe heater and a gutter heater,
The energization is controlled below the ignition temperature of the flammable refrigerant, and the heater may be a defrosting means such as an explosion-proof glass tube heater.

The internal temperature of the switching chamber (61) can be switched and set in a plurality of stages by an operation panel (22 ') provided on the front surface of the door (62). Specifically, switching room (61)
A damper (12 ') is provided on the back to automatically adjust the opening of the cool air outlet according to the set temperature. By controlling the opening and closing of the damper (12'), the refrigerator (room temperature is about 2 ° C), vegetables Room (room temperature is about 3 ℃), chilled room (room temperature is about 0 ℃), partial room (room temperature is about -3 ℃), freezing room (room temperature is about -18 ℃), wine room (room temperature is about 8 ℃) It is configured so that it can be selectively used as one of the following.

On the other hand, at the bottom of the refrigerator body (1 '), the machine room (1
3 '). In this machine room (13 '), the compressor (1
1 '), condenser consisting of wire condenser (14'), compressor (1
A machine room fan (68) that constitutes a heat dissipation fan for cooling the 1 ') and the condenser (14') is provided.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the refrigerating cycle of the refrigerator of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, in the refrigeration cycle, a compressor (11 '), a condenser (14'), and a switching valve (70) constituting a switching means are connected in series, and an R capillary tube (4
9), a connection pipe connecting the refrigerating evaporator (43), an F capillary tube (69), a freezing evaporator (65), an accumulator (17 '), and a check valve (72). The pipes are connected in parallel.

In the case of the above construction, the switching valve (70) is provided with a refrigerant in a connecting pipe connecting the F capillary tube (69), the freezing evaporator (65), the accumulator (17 ') and the check valve (72). Has a function of switching between a first cooling operation for supplying the refrigerant and a second cooling operation for supplying the refrigerant to the connecting pipe connecting the R capillary tube (49) and the refrigerating evaporator (43). A flammable refrigerant (for example, an HC refrigerant) is used as the refrigerant.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14, an R sensor (19 ') for detecting the temperature in the refrigerator compartment (4'), an F sensor (18 ') for detecting the temperature in the freezer compartment (6'), S sensor (61 ') for detecting the temperature in the switching chamber (61), outside air temperature sensor (21') for detecting the temperature outside the refrigerator, refrigerating evaporator temperature for detecting the temperature of the refrigerating evaporator (43) Temperatures from the sensor (34), the freezing evaporator inlet temperature sensor (35) that detects the inlet side temperature of the freezing evaporator (65), and the freezing evaporator outlet temperature sensor (39) that detects the outlet side temperature It is configured to receive the detection signal.

Then, the control unit (20 ') has an operation panel (2
2 ') display, compressor (11'), switching valve (70), R fan (44), F fan (66), machine room fan (68), damper
(12 ') and the defrost heaters (46) and (67) are configured to be driven. Of these, the compressor (11 '), R fan (44),
In the refrigerator described above, the F fan (66) and the machine room fan (68) are each configured to be driven at a variable speed by an inverter circuit built in the control device (20 '). When performing the refrigerating cooling operation for cooling the (i.e., the second cooling operation), the control device (20 ') includes the switching valve (7
0) is switched to the second cooling operation described above, and the R fan (44) and the machine room fan (68) are driven. As a result, the high-temperature and high-pressure gasified refrigerant compressed by the compressor (11 ') is sent to the condenser (14'), where it radiates heat and liquefies, and the switching valve (70) and the R capillary tube ( It is sent to the refrigeration evaporator (43) via 49). Then, the liquid refrigerant evaporates in the refrigerating evaporator (43), and at that time, the ambient heat is taken away. Along with this, the air around the refrigerating evaporator (43) is cooled, and the cooled cool air is supplied to the refrigerating room (5 ′) by the blowing action of the R fan (44) to cool each room. . In addition, R fan (4
4) is also driven during the refrigerating and cooling operation (that is, the first cooling operation) to promote defrosting of the frost adhering to the refrigerating evaporator (43), and this defrost vaporizes or liquefies the frost, Since this cold air is circulated in the refrigerating compartment (5 '), the humidity in the refrigerating compartment (5') is improved.

On the other hand, when the freezing / cooling operation for cooling the freezing room (6 ') is executed, the control device (20') switches the switching valve (70) to the above-mentioned freezing / cooling operation and also the F fan ( 6
6) Drive the machine room fan (68). This allows
The high-temperature and high-pressure gasified refrigerant that has been compressed by the compressor (11 ') is sent to the condenser (14'), where it radiates heat and liquefies while freezing through the switching valve (70) and the F-capillary tube (25). Sent to the evaporator (65). Then, the liquid refrigerant is a refrigerating evaporator (6
5) Evaporates in the inside, the air around the freezing evaporator (65) is cooled, and this cooled cold air is supplied to the freezing room (6 ') by the blowing action of the freezing fan (14'), Cool the chamber. In addition, the switching chamber (61) has a damper (1
2 ') is configured to adjust the supply amount of cold air.

In the defrosting operation of the freezing evaporator (65),
When the preset operation accumulated time of the compressor (11 ') is reached and the freezing / cooling operation is completed, the switching valve (70) is switched to the refrigerating evaporator (43) and the freezing evaporator (65). The refrigerant flow is shut off, the compressor (11 ′) is rotated for a predetermined time, and the refrigerant on the low pressure side including the evaporator is recovered. And F defrost heater (6
Energize 7) to start defrosting the freezing evaporator (65). When the freezing evaporator outlet temperature sensor (39) reaches a predetermined temperature, F
The defrosting heater (67) is de-energized, the switching valve (70) is switched so that the refrigerant flows to the freezing evaporator (65), and the defrosting operation is terminated. Even in the defrosting operation of the refrigerating evaporator (43), the R defrosting heater (46) is energized for defrosting similarly to the defrosting operation of the freezing evaporator (65).

Next, the control when the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle leaks to the outside will be described. When the detection means (29) for detecting a refrigerant leak described later detects a refrigerant leak on the high pressure side or the low pressure side of the refrigeration cycle, the following control is performed.

When the leakage of the refrigerant is detected on the high pressure side, the machine room fan (68) is rotated for a predetermined time (for example, 90 minutes), and then the refrigerant is notified to the user by a notification means (27) such as a buzzer, an announcement and a display. Informs that the leak has occurred.

The high-pressure side means a compressor in the refrigeration cycle
From the discharge side of (11 ') to the inlet of the capillary,
Most of the components on the high pressure side are arranged in the machine room (13 ').

According to the experiment, when the refrigerant leak is caused on the high pressure side and the machine room is filled with the refrigerant gas, it is diffused into the air from the machine room (13 ') in about 45 minutes due to natural convection and combustible. It has been observed that the ignition concentration becomes lower than the ignition concentration of the organic refrigerant, and it is effective to quickly diffuse the refrigerant when the refrigerant leaks on the high pressure side. Therefore, the safety is improved by rotating the machine room fan (68) for a predetermined time to diffuse the refrigerant gas.

However, immediately after detecting the leakage of the refrigerant, if the notification of the leakage of the refrigerant is given by an announcement or a display, the user is shaken and the power is pulled out, and the diffusion due to the rotation of the fan cannot be performed. Therefore, a certain amount of time has passed since the refrigerant leaked (45 minutes here)
Notify the user after the elapse. In this case, the machine room fan (68) is provided with a detection device for detecting an abnormality such as a failure, and when the machine room fan (68) is out of order, it takes time to diffuse the leaked refrigerant gas. Therefore, it is desirable to set a long time (for example, 1 hour) from the occurrence of the refrigerant leakage to the notification.

When a refrigerant leak is detected on the low pressure side, the switching valve (70) is operated to shut off the refrigerant flow to the refrigerating evaporator (43) and the freezing evaporator (65), and the compressor is closed. (11 ') is rotated for a predetermined time to collect the low pressure side refrigerant including the evaporator, and at the same time, the R fan (44) and the F fan (66) are continuously operated to diffuse the inside of the refrigerator. After collecting the refrigerant, the user is notified.

The low-pressure side means the pipes including the evaporator arranged inside the refrigerator, and these pipes communicate with the respective cooling spaces via the duct (45) and the like. When a refrigerant leak occurs on the low pressure side, the refrigerant gas has a low pressure and the amount of the refrigerant leak is small. However, since the interior space of the refrigerator is sealed by the door, the refrigerant gas gradually fills. According to the experiment, when a refrigerant leak occurred in the peripheral pipe of the evaporator,
It has been observed that it takes several hours to reach the ignition concentration of the flammable refrigerant. From this, when refrigerant leakage occurs on the low pressure side, there is no diffusion due to natural convection, so it is effective to quickly recover the refrigerant in the low pressure side, and the switching valve (7
0) to operate the refrigerating evaporator (43) and the freezing evaporator (65)
The flow of the refrigerant to the compressor is shut off, the compressor (11 ') is rotated for a predetermined time, and the refrigerant on the low pressure side including the evaporator is recovered.

Further, since the flammable refrigerant is heavier than the air and collects in the vicinity of the bottom of the inside of the refrigerator, and the concentration is high at this portion, the fans (44) (65) are rotated to circulate the inside air. Spreading inside the warehouse.

Therefore, if the notification is made immediately after the refrigerant leakage occurs as in the case of the high pressure side, the user may be shaken and the power may be cut off. Therefore, since the above control is performed, after the refrigerant recovery is completed, It is configured to notify.

Here, the detecting means (29) will be described. The detection means (29) is a temperature difference between the inlet and outlet of the refrigerating evaporator (65), that is, the temperature difference between the refrigerating evaporator inlet temperature sensor (35) and the freezing evaporator outlet temperature sensor (39), or the compression. It is detected by the duty fluctuation of the machine (11 ').

When a crack or a leak hole is formed in the high-pressure side pipe connection portion or the like, the refrigerant leaks from the inside of the pipe because of high pressure. Then, the load on the compressor (11 ') is reduced, and the duty tends to decrease. In other words, the refrigerant leak detection on the high pressure side is configured to be detected by reducing the duty of the compressor (11 ').

On the other hand, on the low pressure side, even if a crack or a leak hole is formed in the pipe connection portion or the like, since the refrigerant has a low pressure during the cooling operation, air is sucked into the pipe. For this reason, the cooling performance of the evaporator is deteriorated and a temperature difference occurs between the inlet and the outlet of the evaporator. Also, because it is sucking in air, the compressor (11 ')
The load tends to increase and the duty tends to increase. That is, on the low pressure side, the refrigerant leakage is detected in advance by detecting the temperature difference between the inlet and the outlet of the evaporator or the increase in the duty before the refrigerant leakage occurs.

The detecting means (29) may detect an abnormal pressure in the refrigeration cycle or an abnormal voltage applied to the compressor (11 '), and a refrigerant leak sensor may be provided in each cooling chamber or machine room. May be installed.

Next, the notification means stopping mechanism when a refrigerant leak occurs on the low pressure side will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, when the detection means (29) is operated (S20) to detect a refrigerant leak or a refrigerant leak in advance (S21), the refrigerating / cooling space (40) or the freezing / cooling space (60) is detected. It is determined which one is leaking (S22). In this case, the vegetable compartment (5 ') of the refrigerated cooling space (40)
Also, it is desirable to dispose the refrigerant leak sensor (26 ') in the lower part of the rear surface of the freezing room (6') of the freezing / cooling space (60) for detection, and it may be provided in each room.

When it is judged in step 22 that the refrigerant is leaking in the refrigerating / cooling space (40), the refrigerant is recovered and the R fan is used.
(44) and the F fan (66) are operated, and the user is notified by the notification means after a predetermined time has elapsed (S2
Four). Then, when one of the doors (7 ') and (8') of the refrigerating and cooling space (40) is opened, the notification means (27) is stopped. At this time, the notification means may be stopped by opening both doors or the lowermost door (8 ').

On the other hand, in step 22, the freezing / cooling space (60)
If it is determined that there is a refrigerant leak in the
The fan (44) and the F fan (66) are operated, and after a lapse of a predetermined time, the notification means (27) notifies the user (S27). And the doors (61), (9 ') of the freezing and cooling space (60)
When either one of the above is opened, the notification means (27) is stopped.
At this time, the notification means (27) may be stopped by opening the door of each room or the lowermost door (9 ′).

With this configuration, when a refrigerant leak occurs in one of the spaces, it is not necessary to open the door of the other space in which the cool air is not ventilated and the refrigerant gas is not filled. It suffices to open the limit door, and it is possible to diffuse the refrigerant gas quickly and accurately. In this case, it can be more effectively performed by calling out an announcement or display as to which door should be opened as the notification means (27) or by making a difference in the alarm sound.

<Example 1> Next, a notifying means stopping mechanism of another embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, when the refrigerant leak is detected by the detecting means (29) (S30) and the refrigerant leak is detected (S31), the notification means (27) gives an alarm after a predetermined time has elapsed (S32).

At this time, when the opening of the door is detected (S33), the notification means is stopped (S34). However, the user is
If (27) stops, the door will be closed immediately and it will not be possible to diffuse it into the air. Therefore, it is judged whether the door is continuously opened for a set time or longer (for example, 1 hour) (S35), and if it is not opened, the alarm is continuously notified. It can be recognized that the diffusion into the inside is completed, and the notification means is stopped (S36).

As shown in FIG. 4, which is a time chart of the above-mentioned structure, after the notification means (27) is operated, the notification means is temporarily stopped by opening the door, but the opening time is again set time or less and again. When the door is closed, the notification means (27) operates again, and the notification means (27) cannot be stopped unless the door is kept open for a set time or longer.

With this configuration, the user can be sure to open the door for a predetermined period of time or more, so that a refrigerant leak occurs, and the user opens the door by means of a buzzer from the operation panel or the like, or an informing means such as voice instruction or display. Even if it is opened, if the opening time of the door is short and if the refrigerant gas is closed again before the refrigerant gas is diffused into the air to release the notification means, the inside of the refrigerator will be filled with the refrigerant gas. Since it is always opened for a predetermined time, the refrigerant gas does not fill the inside of the refrigerator, etc., diffused into the air, and even if there is an ignition source outside the refrigerator, the diffused refrigerant gas is below the ignition concentration, It is possible to provide a highly safe refrigerator without the risk of ignition.

The cumulative time of opening the doors may be counted without continuously opening the doors for the predetermined time or more.

<Embodiment 2> Furthermore, an alarm means stopping mechanism of another embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, when the refrigerant leak is detected by the detecting means (29) (S40) and the refrigerant leak is detected (S41), the notification means (2
It is notified by 7) (S42).

At this time, the notification means (27) detects whether the door has been opened for a predetermined time (for example, one hour) or more (S
43). Even if the door is opened within the predetermined time, there is a possibility that the refrigerant gas has not diffused in the refrigerator, so the alarm means (27) is continuously operated (S42), and when the predetermined time elapses, the refrigerant gas Judges that the concentration of the refrigerant gas diffused outside the refrigerator is below the ignition concentration and stops the notification means (27) (S45).

As shown in FIG. 6 which is a time chart of the above-mentioned structure, the alarm means (27) is stopped when the door is opened for a predetermined time or longer after the alarm means (27) is operated. .

With this configuration, since the user is informed that the door is in a dangerous state even when the door is open, it is possible to more securely diffuse the refrigerant gas filling the inside of the refrigerator to the outside of the refrigerator. it can.

<Third Embodiment> When the notifying means (27) is operating, the notifying means is continued by the auxiliary power source (for example, a battery such as a battery) arranged on the substrate even if the power is cut off. And it is working.

When the notification means (27) is suddenly emitted, the user is shaken and the power is cut off to stop the notification means (27) even if the user gives an instruction or a countermeasure to the notification means. It is possible that In this case, diffusion by the fan, refrigerant recovery by the compressor (11), and door opening cannot be invoked.

However, with this configuration, since the notification means (27) continues to operate even when the power is cut off, the user can open the door, and the diffusion to the outside of the storage can be ensured. You can do it. At this time, the notification method when the power is cut off may be to prompt the user to turn on the power again or change the tone color such as a buzzer.

<Embodiment 4> Further, another embodiment when the power is cut off will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, the detection means (29) detects the refrigerant leakage (S5
0), when refrigerant leakage is detected (S51), the EEPROM provided in the control device (20) stores information such as refrigerant leakage and where leakage is detected and whether processing operation is performed (S53). . Then, the notification means (27) operates after a predetermined time has elapsed (S54), detects whether the door has been opened for a predetermined time or more (S55), and if the door has been opened for the predetermined time, The notification means (27) is stopped. At this time, the information may be recorded in the EEPROM so that the notification means (27) does not operate when the power is turned off and then turned on again.

Further, FIG. 8 which is a flowchart of this configuration
As shown in, when the refrigerant leak is detected and the notification means (27) is operating, the power is shut off, and when the power is turned on again, the refrigerant gas diffusion process is not completed. Regardless, it is possible that the refrigerant leakage cannot be detected. At this time, when the refrigerant leakage is detected, it is stored in the EEPROM (S53). Therefore, even if the refrigerant leakage cannot be detected by starting the refrigerant leakage detection at the same time when the power is turned off and the power is turned on again (S50). S51), if there is already a leak record in the EEPROM, the notification means (27) is operated (S54). At this time, if there is no leak record, the refrigerant leak is continuously detected.

Therefore, according to this configuration, even if the user is shaken and shuts off the power supply due to the notification due to the leakage of the refrigerant, if the power is turned on again, the notification is made, and the user opens the door. As a result, diffusion to the outside of the refrigerator can be reliably performed, and thus safety can be improved.

When there is a leak record in the EEPROM, not only the notifying means (27) is operated, but, for example,
Diffusion processing such as diffusion by a fan and recovery of a refrigerant may be continuously performed.

The above-described configuration is a description of one embodiment of the present invention, and the operation timing of the notification means, the condition of the method of stopping the notification means, the notification means, etc. can be changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say, depending on the refrigerator type, the refrigerant leakage detection means, the refrigerant diffusion means, the setting of the predetermined time, and the like are most suitable for the refrigerator type.

[0090]

According to the present invention, when a refrigerant leak occurs, the user can effectively open the door. Therefore, the refrigerator is not filled with the refrigerant gas and a highly safe refrigerator is provided. Can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a first embodiment of a notification means stop mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a first embodiment of a notification means stopping mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the notification means stopping mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a time chart showing a second embodiment of the notification means stopping mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a third embodiment of the notification means stop mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a time chart showing a third embodiment of the notification means stopping mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a fourth embodiment of the notification means stopping mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a time chart showing a fourth embodiment of the notification means stopping mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a refrigerator body showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a refrigeration cycle showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a refrigerator body showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a refrigeration cycle showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator showing another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Refrigerator main body, 4 ... Refrigerator room, 5 ... Vegetable room, 6 ... Freezer room, 7, 8, 9 ... Door, 1
0 ... Blower fan, 11 ... Compressor, 12 ... Damper, 13 ... Machine room, 14 ... Condenser, 15 ...
Capillary, 16 ... Evaporator, 17 ... Accumulator, 20 ... Control device, 22 ... Operation panel, 26 ... Refrigerant leak sensor, 27 ... Notification means, 2
8 ... Display unit, 29 ... Detecting means,

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Munehiro Horie             No. 6 Ota-Toshiba-cho, Ibaraki City, Osaka Prefecture Stock Association             Company Toshiba Osaka factory

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A refrigeration cycle in which a compressor, a condenser, a throttle mechanism, an evaporator, and an accumulator are sequentially connected to each other and a flammable refrigerant is sealed therein, and the leakage of the refrigerant is detected or the refrigerant leaks. And a notification for notifying the user that the refrigerant has leaked or that the refrigerant has leaked when the refrigerant is leaked or the refrigerant has been leaked has been previously detected by the detection means. And a means for stopping the notification means by opening the door when the notification means operates. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein when the notification means operates, the notification means is stopped by opening all doors. 3. A refrigeration cycle in which a compressor, a condenser, a throttle mechanism, an evaporator, and an accumulator are sequentially connected and a flammable refrigerant is enclosed, and cold air generated by the evaporator is passed through a fan. A duct for blowing air to at least the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment, a damper arranged in the duct for adjusting the amount of cool air to be blown, and a detection means for detecting the leakage of the refrigerant or detecting the leakage of the refrigerant in advance. And a detection means for notifying the user that the refrigerant has leaked or that the refrigerant has leaked when the detection means detects that the refrigerant has leaked or that the refrigerant has leaked in advance. A refrigerator characterized in that, when the notification means is operated, the notification means is stopped by opening the door of the storage room in which the damper is opened and cool air is ventilated. 4. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the detection means detects in advance whether or not the refrigerant has leaked inside the refrigerator. 5. A storage space in the refrigerator body is partitioned by a partition wall into a refrigerating space and a freezing space, and a combustible refrigerant is sealed therein. The storage space is arranged in the refrigerator body, and includes a compressor, a condenser, and
Each squeezing mechanism for the refrigerating and freezing spaces, each evaporator,
A refrigeration cycle in which the refrigerating space and the freezing space are independently controlled to cool the refrigerating space and the accumulator, and a detecting means for detecting that the refrigerant has leaked into each space or for detecting the leakage of the refrigerant in advance. And, when detecting in advance that the refrigerant is leaked or the refrigerant is leaked by the detection means, it is provided with an informing means for informing the user that the refrigerant has leaked or the refrigerant has leaked,
A refrigerator characterized in that, when the notification means operates, the notification means is stopped by opening the door of the storage chamber in the space in which the leakage of the refrigerant is detected or the leakage of the refrigerant is detected in advance. . 6. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein when the notification means operates, the notification means is stopped by opening the door for a predetermined time or longer. 7. When the notification means is operated, the notification means is stopped during the opening of the door, and when the opening time at this time is a predetermined time or less, the notification means is operated again at the same time as the door is closed, and the opening time is changed. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the alarm means is continuously stopped even when the door is closed for a predetermined time or longer. 8. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein when the notification means is operating, the notification means continues to operate even when the power is cut off. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the notification means is operating, the operation of the notification means is restarted after the power is turned off and the power is turned on again. Refrigerator according to any one.