JP2003287330A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve problems that the humidification time of a refrigerating chamber is short, and insufficient for foods not to be dried by suppressing the drying of foods in the refrigerating chamber by the melting of frost deposited on a cooler. <P>SOLUTION: A refrigerator comprises a first temperature zone chamber to be refrigerated at the refrigerating temperature suitable for the storage of refrigerated foods, and a second temperature zone chamber to be refrigerated at the refrigerating temperature suitable for the storage of refrigerated foods. When the frost deposited on a cooler for the second temperature zone becomes a predetermined value, and when the temperature of the second temperature zone chamber is dropped to a predetermined value, a refrigerant flow passage to the cooler for the second temperature zone chamber is closed, the frost deposited on the cooler for the second temperature zone chamber is melted by operating a cold air circulation fan for the second temperature zone chamber to realize a humidification mode to humidify the second temperature chamber. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a first temperature zone chamber cooled to a freezing temperature suitable for storing frozen foods, and a second temperature zone chamber cooled to a refrigeration temperature suitable for storing refrigerated foods. ,
Dedicated coolers and cool air circulation blowers are provided for the first temperature zone chamber and the second temperature zone chamber, respectively, and the refrigerant compressed by the compressor and flowing through the condenser to the both coolers is changed by the refrigerant flow path switching device. The present invention relates to a refrigerator that is switch-controlled.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A refrigerating compartment cooler and a refrigerating compartment cool air circulating blower having a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment, respectively, and a refrigerating compartment cooler and a refrigerating compartment In a refrigerator in which a circulating blower is provided and the refrigerant that is compressed by a compressor and flows through the condenser to both of the coolers is switched and controlled by a refrigerant flow path switching device, as a prior art, the temperature of the refrigerating chamber drops to a predetermined lower limit temperature. At this time, the refrigerant flow path switching device stops the flow of the refrigerant to the refrigerating compartment cooler and allows it to flow only to the freezing compartment cooler, and the refrigerating compartment cool air circulation blower is operated for 3 minutes to operate the refrigerating compartment cooler. There is a method of humidifying a refrigerating room by melting frost.

[0003]

In this prior art, since the humidifying operation time of the refrigerating compartment is short, it is in an insufficient state in the case of foods which do not like to be dried. The present invention solves such a problem by a specific technique by improving a method capable of suppressing drying of food in a refrigerating compartment by melting frost adhering to a cooler.

[0004]

As one specific means of the present invention, a first temperature zone chamber cooled to a freezing temperature suitable for storing frozen food and a refrigerating temperature suitable for storing refrigerated food are provided. A second temperature zone chamber to be cooled, the first temperature zone chamber and a second temperature zone chamber
In the refrigerator in which a dedicated cooler and a cool air circulation blower are provided for the temperature zone chambers respectively, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor and flowing through the condenser to the both coolers is switched and controlled by the refrigerant flow path switching device, When the amount of frost in the cooler for the two temperature zone chambers reaches a predetermined value, the refrigerant flow path switching device closes the coolant flow channel to the cooler for the second temperature zone chambers and for the second temperature zone chambers. When the cold air circulation blower is operated, the frost adhering to the cooler for the second temperature zone chamber is melted so that the second temperature zone chamber is put into a humidification operation mode.

As a result, the second temperature zone chamber is humidified by the melting of the frost adhering to the second temperature zone chamber cooler, so that the drying of the stored material is suppressed and the freshness maintenance period is extended. Further, since the frost of the cooler for the second temperature zone chamber melts during the humidification period of the second temperature zone chamber, it is possible to omit the conventional electric heater for defrosting and achieve the power saving of the refrigerator. it can.

As one specific means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the present invention comprises the refrigerating room and the vegetable room as the second temperature zone chamber, and the cooler for the second temperature zone chamber When the amount of frost reaches a predetermined value, the refrigerant flow path switching device closes the refrigerant flow path to the second temperature zone chamber cooler and the operation of the second temperature zone chamber cold air circulation blower It is characterized in that the frost adhering to the cooler for the second temperature zone chamber is melted so that the refrigerating chamber and the vegetable chamber are put into a humidifying operation mode.

As a result, the stored food in the refrigerating compartment and the vegetable compartment is prevented from being dried, and the freshness maintaining period is extended. And
Since the frost of the cooler for the second temperature zone chamber melts during the humidification period of the refrigerating room and the vegetable room, the conventional electric heater for defrosting can be omitted, and the power saving of the refrigerator can be achieved.

Further, according to the present invention, a second temperature zone room temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the second temperature zone chamber and a second cooler temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the second temperature zone chamber cooler are provided. By the method, the temperature of the second temperature zone chamber is maintained within a predetermined temperature range,
Moreover, the second temperature zone chamber can be humidified by melting the frost attached to the second temperature zone chamber cooler.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, an embodiment of the refrigerator of the present invention will be described. 1 and 2 show one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a vertical side view of a refrigerator, FIG. 2 is a refrigerant circuit diagram, and FIG. 3 is a control configuration diagram.

According to the present invention, a first temperature zone chamber cooled to a freezing temperature suitable for storing frozen foods, a second temperature zone chamber cooled to a refrigerating temperature suitable for storing refrigerated foods, and the first Dedicated coolers and cool air circulation blowers are provided for the temperature zone chamber and the second temperature zone chamber, respectively, and the refrigerant compressed by the compressor and flowing through the condenser to the both coolers is switched and controlled by the refrigerant flow path switching device. In the refrigerator, the humidification operation mode is performed in which the second temperature zone chamber is humidified by melting the frost adhering to the second temperature zone chamber cooler by operating the second temperature zone chamber cool air circulation blower. To do.

One form thereof will be described. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a refrigerator body, which has a heat insulating structure in which a foam heat insulating material 4 is filled between an outer box (outer wall plate) 3 and an inner box (inner wall plate) 2. Inside the refrigerator body 1, a refrigerating compartment 5, a vegetable compartment 6 and a freezing compartment 7 are partitioned and provided from the top. At the bottom of the refrigerating compartment 5, there are a refrigerating compartment 5 and a partition plate (partition wall) 8 above it. A specific low temperature room 9 is provided, and the freezing room 7 is divided into an upper freezing room 10 and a lower freezing room 11. The freezing compartment 7 constitutes the first temperature zone chamber of the present invention, and the refrigerating compartment 5, the vegetable compartment 6 and the specific low temperature chamber 9 constitute the second temperature zone chamber of the present invention.

The front opening of the refrigerating compartment 5 is closed at one side of the refrigerator body 1 by a pivotable door 12 which is pivoted laterally by a hinge device to be opened and closed. The front opening of the vegetable compartment 6 is closed by a pull-out door 14 that is pulled forward together with a vegetable container 13 that is supported by left and right rails or roller devices provided in the vegetable compartment 6 so as to be able to be pulled out in the front-rear direction. Similar to the vegetable compartment 6, the upper freezer compartment 10 and the lower freezer compartment 11 are drawer doors that are pulled out forward together with the containers 15 and 16 that are supported by the left and right rails provided in the freezer compartment so that they can be pulled out in the front-rear direction. It is closed at 17, 18.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a refrigerant compressor of the refrigeration system, and 21
Is a condenser of the refrigerant of the refrigeration system, and 22 is an evaporation tray for evaporating defrost water of a cooler described later by the heat of the condenser 21.
Reference numerals 23 and 24 are coolers (evaporators) for the refrigerant of the refrigeration system, 23 is a first temperature zone chamber cooler, and 24 is a second temperature zone chamber cooler. Reference numeral 25 is a cold air circulating blower for the first temperature zone chamber, and 26 is a cold air circulating blower for the second temperature zone chamber. First
The cool air cooled by the cooler 23 for the temperature zone chamber is blown by the blower 25 through the upper freezing chamber 10 and the lower freezing chamber 11 and then the cooler 23.
Cycle to return to. In addition, the second temperature zone room cooler 24
The cool air cooled in step 2 is circulated by the blower 26 to be returned to the cooler 24 through the refrigerating room 5, the specific low temperature room 9 and the vegetable room 6. The specific low temperature chamber 9 is provided with a container 27 that is supported so that it can be pulled out in the front-rear direction, and is cooled to a low temperature at which food does not freeze at around 0 ° C.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a capillary tube as a pressure reducing device for the refrigerant flowing into the first temperature zone chamber cooler 23, and 31 denotes a capillary tube as a pressure reducing device for the refrigerant flowing into the second temperature zone chamber cooler 24. . Reference numeral 32 designates the flow of the refrigerant as the first temperature zone chamber cooler 23 and the second temperature zone chamber cooler 24.
It is a refrigerant flow path switching device as a refrigerant flow path switching means for switching to the side, and the valve member is actuated by energization so that the refrigerant passage has a first temperature zone chamber cooler 23 and a second temperature zone chamber cooler 2.
It is a three-way valve that operates to switch to the 4 side. The form of this switching valve may be either an electromagnetic valve type or an electric valve type operated by an electric motor.

Reference numeral 40 denotes a first temperature zone chamber sensor which is provided for controlling the temperature of the first temperature zone chamber, and it suffices to substantially detect the temperature of the freezing chamber 7, and the temperature of the freezing chamber 7 or the cooler 23.
It is provided to sense the temperature of. Reference numeral 41 denotes a second temperature zone chamber sensor provided for controlling the temperature of the second temperature zone chamber, which substantially senses the temperature of the refrigerating chamber 5. Reference numeral 42 denotes a defrosting end sensor for detecting the defrosting end temperature of the cooler 23, 4
3 is a frost formation amount detection sensor for detecting the frost formation amount of the cooler 24,
Reference numeral 44 denotes an electric heater for defrosting the cooler 23. Reference numeral 45 denotes a microcomputer type control device, which uses a signal from the first temperature zone chamber sensor 40, the second temperature zone chamber sensor 41, the defrosting end sensor 42, the frost formation amount detection sensor 43, etc. to compress the compressor 20, Blowers 25 and 26, electric heater 4 for defrosting
4 and the refrigerant flow path switching device 32 and the like are controlled.

First, a normal cooling operation cycle will be described. In the state where the freezer compartment 7 and the refrigerating compartment 5 are not cooled to a predetermined lower limit temperature, the compressor 20, the blower 25, and the blower 26 are operated (ON), and the refrigerant passage 34 is closed by the refrigerant passage switching device 32. When 33 is opened, the refrigerant flows from the cooler 24 to the cooler 23 and returns to the compressor 20. When the refrigerating chamber 5 is lowered to a predetermined lower limit temperature by this operation, the refrigerant flow path switching device 32 operates based on the temperature detection of the second temperature zone chamber sensor 41 to close the refrigerant passage 33, and to the cooler 24. The supply of the refrigerant is stopped and the refrigerant is cooled by the cooler 2.
4 is bypassed to flow from the refrigerant passage 34 to the cooler 23 and returned to the compressor 20. However, the blower 26
Continues the operation and performs moist operation with humidified air described below. Then, when the freezer compartment 7 or the cooler 23 reaches a predetermined lower limit temperature, the refrigerant passage switching device 32 operates based on the temperature detection of the first temperature zone chamber sensor 40, and the refrigerant passage 34.
Is closed, and the compressor 20 and the blower 25 are stopped (OFF).

The compressor 20 and the blower 25 are operated again (O
N) is performed when either or both of the first temperature zone chamber sensor 40 and the second temperature zone chamber sensor 41 detect a predetermined upper limit temperature. When the first temperature zone chamber sensor 40 first senses the predetermined upper limit temperature, the refrigerant flow path switching device 32 operates to open the refrigerant passage 34 to flow the refrigerant to the cooler 23 to promote cooling of the freezing chamber 7. To be done. When the second temperature zone chamber sensor 41 first senses the predetermined upper limit temperature, the refrigerant passage switching device 32 operates to open the refrigerant passage 33 to open the cooler 24.
The cooling medium is caused to flow into the cooler 23 to accelerate the cooling of the freezing compartment 7 and the refrigerating compartment 5. By such control, the temperature range of the freezer compartment 7 is controlled to a range of, for example, −18 ° C. to −20 ° C., and the refrigerating compartment 5 is, for example, a lower limit temperature of 1.8 ° C. to an average temperature of 3 ° C. The upper limit temperature is controlled to 4.2 ° C.

In the above operation, the vegetable compartment 6 is the refrigerating compartment 5
Is cooled to a range of 4 ° C to 6 ° C by the cold air flowing from the refrigerating chamber 5 through the cold air passage 27 formed in the partition wall 35 between The temperatures of the refrigerator compartment 5, the vegetable compartment 6, the freezer compartment 7 and the specific low temperature compartment 9 are cooled to a predetermined temperature range by the amount of cold air distributed and supplied to each.

Next, the humidifying operation (or moisturizing operation) of the refrigerating compartment 5, the vegetable compartment 6 and the specific low temperature compartment 9 will be described. The humidifying operation (or moisturizing operation) is performed by the refrigerant flow path switching device 32 based on the detection by the second temperature zone chamber sensor 41 when the refrigerating chamber 5 or the refrigerating chamber cooler 29 is cooled to a predetermined temperature. The refrigerant channel 33 to the second temperature zone chamber cooler 24 is closed and the air in the refrigerating room 5, the vegetable chamber 6 and the specific low temperature chamber 9 is circulated to the second temperature zone chamber cooler 24 by the operation of the blower 26. , The air humidified by the melting of the frost adhering to the second temperature zone cooler 24 is circulated again to the second temperature zone chamber to humidify the refrigerating room 5, the vegetable room 6 and the specific low temperature room 9 (or The humidifying operation (or moisturizing operation) mode is set. In the humidifying operation (or moisturizing operation) mode, when the freezer compartment sensor 40 does not detect a predetermined lower limit temperature, the compressor 20 and the blower 25 are operated (ON) to promote cooling of the freezer compartment 7.

In order to effectively perform the humidifying operation (or the moisturizing operation), it is necessary to keep the second temperature zone cooler 24 in a sufficiently frosted state. For this reason, the frost formation amount detection sensor 43 for detecting the frost formation amount of the second temperature zone chamber cooler 24 is provided, whereby the second temperature zone chamber cooler 24 is provided.
However, it is preferable that a sufficient amount of frost is maintained for humidifying the air necessary for the humidifying operation, though it is sufficiently smaller than the maximum frost formation amount (this is a preset value). Therefore, as a method of controlling the frosting amount of the second temperature zone cooler 24, the operation of the electric compressor 20 and the refrigerant flow so that the frosting amount of approximately 50% or less of the maximum frosting amount is secured. There is a method of controlling the road switching device 32.

Instead of providing the frost formation amount detection sensor 43 as a method for controlling the frost formation amount of the second temperature zone chamber cooler 24, the operation time of the compressor 20 and the second temperature zone chamber cooler 24 are replaced.
The control device 45 is provided with a means for predicting the amount of frost formed on the second temperature zone chamber cooler 24 from the refrigerant circulation time to the second temperature zone chamber, and when the predicted value reaches a predetermined value, A method may be used in which it is determined that the cooler 24 has sufficiently less frost formation than the maximum frost formation amount (this is a preset value), but a sufficient amount of frost formation is retained for humidifying the air required for the humidification operation. The predicted value should be approximately 50% or less of the maximum frost formation amount,
For example, there is a method of controlling the refrigerant flow path switching device 32 and the second temperature zone cold air circulation blower 26 when the predicted value reaches 50% of the maximum frost formation amount.

Therefore, when the refrigerant flows from the second temperature zone chamber cooler 24 to the first temperature zone chamber cooler 23 through the refrigerant flow path switching device 32, the second temperature zone chamber cooler 23 24
When the frost formation amount reaches a predetermined value, that is, the frost formation detection sensor 43 detects the frost formation amount of a predetermined thickness, for example, 50% of the maximum frost formation amount.
When the amount of frost formation on the second temperature zone chamber is detected, or when the amount of frost formation reaches 50% of the maximum amount of frost formation by means for predicting the amount of frost formation, the refrigerant is switched by the refrigerant flow switching device 32 to cool the second temperature zone chamber. The air conditioner 24 is bypassed to switch to the first temperature zone chamber cooler 23 so that the air humidified by the frost adhering to the second temperature zone chamber cooler 24 is cooled to the second temperature zone chamber cooler. The humidifying operation (or moisturizing operation) mode is set in which the circulation fan 26 circulates to the second temperature zone chamber to bring the second temperature zone chamber into the humidified state (or moistened state). Also in this case, the compressor 20 is controlled by the temperature detection of the first temperature zone chamber sensor 41 as described above.

There are several methods for controlling the humidification operation (or moisture operation) mode. One of them, as mentioned above,
When the amount of frost in the second temperature zone chamber cooler increases and reaches a predetermined value or when the second temperature zone chamber cools to a predetermined temperature, the second temperature zone chamber cooler 24 The humidifying operation (or moisturizing operation) mode is performed in which the supply of the refrigerant is stopped and the frost adhering to the cooler 24 for the second temperature zone chamber is melted to bring the second temperature zone chamber into the humidified state (or the moistened state). is there.

As another method, the humidifying operation (or moisturizing operation) mode is set while the operation of the compressor 20 is stopped. Therefore, when the freezer compartment 7 or the first temperature zone room cooler 23 is cooled to a predetermined temperature, the operation of the compressor 20 is stopped and the first temperature zone room cooler 23 and the second temperature zone cooler 23 are stopped. The cooling in the room cooler 24 is stopped, and the air humidified by the melting of the frost adhering to the second temperature zone room cooler 24 is cooled by the second temperature zone room cool air circulation blower 2
6 is set in a humidifying operation (or moisturizing operation) mode in which the second temperature-zone chamber is circulated to the second temperature-zone chamber and the second temperature-zone chamber is humidified (or moistened).

As another control method of the humidifying operation (or moisturizing operation) mode, when the frost amount of the second temperature zone chamber cooler reaches a predetermined value or the second temperature zone chamber is cooled to a predetermined temperature. At any time when the temperature drops, the flow of the refrigerant for cooling the second temperature zone chamber cooler 24 is stopped, and the second temperature zone chamber cool air circulation blower is controlled by the timer device included in the control device 45. 26 for a predetermined time to circulate the air humidified by the melting of the frost adhering to the cooler 24 for the second temperature zone chamber to the second temperature zone chamber and to humidify (or moisturize) the second temperature zone chamber. The humidifying operation (or moisture operation) mode is set.

As another control method of the humidifying operation (or moisturizing operation) mode, when the frost amount of the cooler for the second temperature zone chamber reaches a predetermined value or the second temperature zone chamber is cooled to a predetermined temperature. When the temperature falls to the second temperature zone chamber cooler 24, the air humidified by the melting of frost adhering to the second temperature zone chamber cooler 24 is circulated to the second temperature zone chamber by the second temperature zone chamber cool air circulation blower 26, A humidifying operation (or moisturizing operation) mode for bringing the temperature zone chamber into a humidified state (or a moistened state) is started, and the first temperature zone chamber cooler 23 or the freezing chamber 7 is operated by operating the compressor 20.
There is a method of terminating when the temperature reaches a predetermined lower limit temperature.

As another method of controlling the humidifying operation (or moisturizing operation) mode, when the second temperature zone chamber is cooled to a predetermined temperature, the frost formation amount of the second temperature zone chamber cooler is set to a predetermined level. When the frost thickness is within a predetermined range (when the frost thickness is a predetermined thickness), the air humidified by the melting of the frost adhering to the second temperature zone chamber cooler 24 circulates the second temperature zone chamber cold air. Blower 2
6 starts the humidifying operation (or moisturizing operation) mode in which the second temperature-zone chamber is circulated to the second temperature-zone chamber to bring the second temperature-zone chamber into a humidified state (or a moisturized state), and the compressor 20 is operated for the first temperature-zone chamber. There is a method of ending when the cooler 23 or the freezer compartment 7 is lowered to a predetermined lower limit temperature.

Humidified state (or moistened state) of the second temperature zone chamber
In order to make the temperature more effective, the second temperature zone chamber can be placed in the ice chamber state. In the refrigerator of FIG. 1, since the temperature control of the second temperature zone chamber is performed by the detection of the second temperature zone chamber sensor 41, it is easy to make the refrigerating chamber 5 an ice chamber. Therefore, the temperature setting of the refrigerating chamber 5 is set to 0 ° C. by the setting switch 46, and in this state, the refrigerant flow channel switching device 32 is controlled based on the detection of the second temperature zone chamber sensor 41, and as described above. , The air humidified by the melting of the frost attached to the second temperature zone chamber cooler 24 is circulated to the second temperature zone chamber by the second temperature zone chamber cool air circulation blower 26 to humidify the second temperature zone chamber. Perform the humidifying operation (or moisturizing operation) mode to set the state (or the moist state). As a result, the refrigerating compartment 5 is kept at an average temperature of 0 ° C., and a good humidified state can be obtained. The degree of humidification is 70% RH, that is, the relative humidity is 7
The operation of the cold air circulating fan 26 for the second temperature zone chamber may be controlled so that it becomes 0%.

In order to accurately perform the control for obtaining sufficient humidification to about 70% RH, a humidity sensor is provided in the second temperature zone chamber which is a humidification symmetric chamber, that is, the refrigerating chamber 5 in this case. Thus, for example, the humidifying operation by the second temperature zone cold air circulation blower 26 can be controlled so as to be 70% RH.

In the present invention, each of the above-mentioned various methods is independently used.
Alternatively, a good humidifying refrigerator can be obtained by using them in combination. Further, as described above, since the frost adhered to the second temperature zone chamber cooler 24 is humidified, the second temperature zone chamber cooler 24 is provided with defrosting for defrosting as in the conventional case. No electric heater is required, and the power consumption by this heater can be omitted.

Normally, in the defrosting mode of the cooler 23, when the integrated value of the operating time of the compressor 20 reaches a predetermined value, the compressor 20 and the blower 25 are stopped (OFF) and the electric heater 44.
Is energized to defrost the cooler 23. The defrosting of the cooler 23 ends when the defrosting end sensor 42 senses the increased defrosting end temperature of the cooler 23 (for example, 8 ° C.) and stops (OFF) the power supply to the electric heater 44. is there. When the temperature of the refrigerating room 5 and the freezing room 7 has risen above a predetermined upper limit temperature at the end of defrosting, the compressor 20 and the blower 25
And 26 are operated (ON), and the refrigerant flow path switching device 32 causes the refrigerant to flow from the second temperature zone chamber cooler 24 to the first temperature zone chamber cooler 23 so that the first temperature zone chamber 7 and the second temperature zone Obi 5,
Cooling of 6 and 9 is promoted, and normal cooling operation is performed.

Further, according to the present invention, even in the defrosting mode of the cooler 23, by performing the humidifying operation (or the moistening operation) of the second temperature zone chamber as described above, the regular defrosting period of the cooler 23 can be achieved. Can be effectively used to obtain humidification (or moisturization) in the second temperature zone chamber.

As another control method of the humidifying operation (or moisturizing operation) mode, instead of the second temperature zone chamber sensor 41, a second temperature zone room temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the second temperature zone chamber, and a second temperature zone room temperature sensor Second for detecting the temperature of the cooler 24 for the two-temperature zone chamber
A cooler temperature sensor is provided to operate the second temperature zone chamber cool air circulation blower 26 when the refrigerant flow path switching means 32 is not supplying the refrigerant to the second temperature zone chamber cooler 24. When the temperature detected by the 2 room temperature sensor and the temperature detected by the second cooler temperature sensor both become 0 ° C. or higher, the cold air circulation blower 26 for the second temperature zone chamber is stopped.

Thus, the temperature of the second temperature zone chamber can be maintained within the predetermined temperature range, and the second temperature zone chamber can be humidified by melting the frost adhering to the second temperature zone chamber cooler.

In the above embodiment, the second temperature zone chamber is composed of the refrigerating compartment 5, the vegetable compartment 6 and the specific low temperature compartment 9. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the refrigerator compartment 5, the vegetable compartment 6 and the specific compartment in the refrigerator body 1 are not limited thereto. The low greenhouse 9 is formed independently, temperature control is independently performed by the temperature sensor of each room, and cold air circulation to each room is also performed by an independent cool air circulation blower. The vegetable compartment 6 and the specific low temperature compartment 9 are controlled to have independent temperature and humidity. In this case, the second
The cooler for the temperature zone chamber can be a single cooler common to each of these rooms, and the air cooled by this cooler can be distributed by the distribution path with the amount of air adapted to each room, but it can be cooled for each room. It is also possible to adopt a system provided with a container.

The refrigerator may be provided with a humidifying operation start switch operated by the user so that the above humidifying operation is performed when a humidifying command is input from the switch.

The invention is characterized by what is stated in the claims. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes various embodiments in a portion that does not depart from the scope thereof.

[0038]

According to the present invention, since the second temperature zone chamber is humidified by the melting of the frost adhering to the second temperature zone chamber cooler, the storage is prevented from drying and the freshness maintenance period is extended. To be done. Further, since the frost of the cooler for the second temperature zone chamber melts during the humidification period of the second temperature zone chamber, the electric heater for defrosting as in the past can be omitted, and the power saving of the refrigerator is achieved. it can.

Further, according to the second aspect of the invention, drying of the stored food in the refrigerating compartment and the vegetable compartment is suppressed, and the freshness maintaining period is extended. Then, since the frost of the cooler for the second temperature zone chamber melts during the humidification period of the refrigerating room and the vegetable room, the electric heater for defrosting as in the past can be omitted, and the power saving of the refrigerator is achieved. it can.

Further, in the invention of claim 3, a second temperature zone room temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the second temperature zone chamber, and a second cooler temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the second temperature zone chamber cooler. With the method of providing the second temperature zone chamber, the temperature of the second temperature zone chamber can be maintained within a predetermined temperature range, and the second temperature zone chamber can be humidified by melting the frost adhering to the second temperature zone chamber cooler.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal side view of a refrigerator according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the refrigerator according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a control configuration diagram of the refrigerator according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Refrigerator body 5 ... Refrigerator 6 ... Vegetable room 7 ... Freezer 8: Compartment wall 9: Specific low temperature room 12 ... Refrigerator door 13 ... Vegetable container 14 ... Vegetable room door 17 ... Upper freezer door 18 ... Lower freezer door 20 ... Compressor 23 ... Cooler for first temperature zone chamber 24 ... Cooler for second temperature zone chamber 25 ... Cold air circulation blower for first temperature zone chamber 26 ... Cold air circulation blower for second temperature zone chamber 32 ... Refrigerant flow path switching device 40 ... Sensor for first temperature zone chamber 41 ... Sensor for second temperature zone chamber 43 ... Frost amount detection sensor 45 ... Control device

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A first temperature zone chamber cooled to a freezing temperature suitable for storing frozen foods, a second temperature zone chamber cooled to a refrigeration temperature suitable for storing refrigerated foods, and the first temperature zone. Refrigerator in which a dedicated cooler and a cool air circulation blower are provided for the chamber and the second temperature zone chamber, respectively, and the refrigerant compressed by the compressor and flowing through the condenser to the both coolers is switched and controlled by the refrigerant flow path switching device. In the above, when the frost formation amount of the second temperature zone chamber cooler reaches a predetermined value, the refrigerant flow channel switching device closes the refrigerant flow channel to the second temperature zone chamber cooler and the second When the cold air circulation blower for the temperature zone chamber is operated, the second
A refrigerator characterized in that a humidifying operation mode for bringing the second temperature zone chamber into a humidification state by melting frost attached to the temperature zone chamber cooler is provided. 2. The second temperature zone chamber is composed of a refrigerating room and a vegetable room, and when the frosting amount of the second temperature zone chamber cooler reaches a predetermined value, the refrigerant flow path switching device is used to The refrigerating chamber is formed by closing the refrigerant flow path to the second temperature zone chamber cooler and melting the frost adhering to the second temperature zone chamber cooler by operating the second temperature zone chamber cool air circulation blower. The humidifying operation mode for humidifying the vegetable compartment and the vegetable compartment is set.
Refrigerator described. 3. A first temperature zone chamber cooled to a freezing temperature suitable for storing frozen foods, a second temperature zone chamber cooled to a refrigeration temperature suitable for storing refrigerated foods, and the first temperature zone. A first temperature zone chamber cooler and a first temperature zone chamber cool air circulating blower provided for the chamber; and a second temperature zone chamber cooler and a second temperature zone chamber cooler provided for the second temperature zone chamber. A cool air circulating blower for the temperature zone chamber, a refrigerant flow path switching means for selectively supplying the refrigerant from the compressor to the second temperature zone cooler, and a second for detecting the temperature of the second temperature zone chamber In a refrigerator including a room temperature sensor and a second cooler temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the second temperature zone chamber cooler, the refrigerant is supplied to the second temperature zone chamber cooler by the refrigerant flow path switching means. When not in operation, the cold air circulating blower for the second temperature zone chamber is operated, and the second room temperature sensor and the A refrigerator characterized in that when both of the temperatures detected by the second cooler temperature sensor are 0 ° C. or higher, the cold air circulating blower for the second temperature zone chamber is stopped.