JP2003322448A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve cooling capability in the refrigerator equipped with a three-way valve in a refrigerant circuit by solving the problem that since a refrigerant movement which the warm refrigerant at a high-pressure side naturally flows into a low-pressure side occurs if a compressor stops, the temperature of a cooler rises and the cooling capacity drops. <P>SOLUTION: The refrigerator is connected between the high-temperature side and the low-temperature side of the refrigerant circuit consisting of a compressor 69, a condenser 71, capillary tubes 73, 74 and coolers 26, 36 and it is equipped with the three-way valve 72 for switching a refrigerant flow path and the control device which switches and controls the three-way valve. The control device closes the both outlets of the three-way valve when the compressor stops. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator having a three-way valve in a refrigerant circuit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of refrigerator has a freezer compartment, a refrigerating compartment, and a vegetable compartment in addition to an insulating box as shown in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-12301 (F25D23 / 00). A cooler and an air blower are installed in a cooling room defined in the deep part of the freezing room, and the cool air cooled by this cooler is supplied to each room by the air blower and is circulated for cooling. Was there.

In this case, by supplying cold air to the refrigerating compartment via a damper, the temperature in the refrigerating compartment is set to a predetermined refrigerating temperature, and in the vegetable compartment, the cold air after circulating in the refrigerating compartment is introduced into the periphery of the container. By doing so, the method of indirectly cooling the vegetables in the container has been adopted.

[0004]

As described above, in the prior art, since the freezer compartment, the refrigerator compartment, and the vegetable compartment are all cooled by one cooler, the cooling performance of each compartment is inevitably lowered.
And it becomes unstable and wins. Therefore, for example, it is conceivable to provide a freezer compartment cooler or a refrigerator compartment cooler to cool the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment, respectively, and distribute and supply the refrigerant to them from one compressor. Will use a three-way valve.

On the other hand, in the refrigerant circuit of this type of refrigerator, when the compressor is stopped, warm refrigerant on the high pressure side naturally flows into the low pressure side, so that the temperature of the cooler rises and the cooling efficiency decreases. There was a problem that caused it.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional technical problems, and an object thereof is to improve the cooling performance in a refrigerator having a three-way valve in the refrigerant circuit.

[0007]

A refrigerator according to the present invention is connected between a high pressure side and a low pressure side of a refrigerant circuit composed of a compressor, a condenser, a pressure reducing device, a cooler, etc., and switches a refrigerant flow path. And a control device for switching and controlling the three-way valve. The control device is characterized by closing both outlets of the three-way valve when the compressor stops.

The refrigerator according to the second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the three-way valve is driven by a motor.

According to the present invention, the three-way valve for switching the refrigerant flow paths is provided between the high pressure side and the low pressure side of the refrigerant circuit composed of the compressor, the condenser, the pressure reducing device, the cooler and the like. In the refrigerator, a control device for switching and controlling the three-way valve is provided, and when the compressor is stopped, this control device closes both outlets of the three-way valve. Refrigerant movement is prevented, cooling operation efficiency is significantly improved, and energy can be saved.

In particular, if a motor-driven three-way valve is used,
Even when a reciprocating compressor or the like is used, the high pressure side and the low pressure side can be reliably shut off when the compressor is stopped.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator 1 to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a vertical side view of the refrigerator 1, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a back plate 49 and a back heat insulating material 50 of a refrigerator compartment 11 of the refrigerator 1, and FIG. Fig. 5 is a plan sectional view of the refrigerating compartment 11 of the refrigerator 1.
Is a plan sectional view of the partition wall 7 of the refrigerator 1, and FIG.
Fig. 7 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the refrigeration cycle of Fig. 7, and Fig. 7 is a block diagram of the control device C of the refrigerator 1.

The refrigerator 1 comprises an outer box 2 made of steel plate and an inner box 3 made of hard resin such as ABS, and a heat insulating material 4 such as polyurethane foam filled by an in-situ foaming method. It consists of The inside of the heat insulating box 6 is divided into upper and lower parts by a partition wall 7 composed of a heat insulating wall integrally formed with the heat insulating box 6, and the inside of the heat insulating box 6 above the partition wall 7 is an upper partition. It is divided into upper and lower parts by the member 8.

A refrigerating compartment 11 is provided above the upper partition member 8 and a vegetable compartment 12 is provided between the upper partition member 8 and the partition wall 7. Further, the opening edge of the heat insulating box body 6 below the partition wall 7 is vertically divided by the lower partition member 9, and the lower side of the lower partition member 9 is the freezing chamber 13. Further, the space between the partition wall 7 and the lower partition member 9 is further divided into left and right by a heat insulating wall 30 (FIG. 5), with the left side facing the ice making chamber 10 and the right side facing the select chamber 15.
(Fig. 5). In FIG. 5, the partition wall 7 is shown for the sake of explanation.
Hatching is omitted.

The front opening of the refrigerating compartment 11 is openably and closably closed by a rotatable heat insulating door 14, and the freezing compartment 13 and the vegetable compartment 12 have top opening containers 16A and 17A.
Each of the drawer-type heat-insulating doors 16 and 17 is openably and closably closed. Further, the ice making chamber 10 is also openably and closably closed by a drawer type heat insulating door 18 having a container 18A having an upper surface opening, and the select chamber 15 is also openably and closably closed by a similar drawer type heat insulating door 19 (FIG. 1). Has been done. Reference numeral 20 is a control panel provided on the lower part of the front surface of the door 14.

Further, at the top of the ice making chamber 10, an automatic ice making machine 2 is provided.
1 is installed. Further, the interior of the vegetable compartment 12 is divided into front and rear by a partition plate 22 and a cooler front plate 23, and a cooling chamber 24 is formed on the rear side of the cooler front plate 23. The room cooler 26 is provided vertically.
A fan 27 for the refrigerating compartment is provided above the refrigerator 26 for the refrigerating compartment.
Is provided, and a defrost heater 28 is provided below the refrigerating compartment cooler 26. Also, this defrost heater 2
A drain receiver 29 is formed on the lower side of 8.

The interior of the ice making chamber 10 and the select chamber 15 to the upper interior of the freezing chamber 13 are divided into front and rear by a partition plate 32 and a cooler front plate 33, and a cooling chamber 34 is provided behind the cooler front plate 33. Are formed into compartments, and a freezer cooler 36 is vertically installed in the cooling chamber 34. A freezer air blower 37 is provided above the freezer compartment cooler 36, and a defrost heater 38 is provided below the freezer compartment cooler 36. A drain receiver 39 is formed below the defrosting heater 38.

An ice making chamber discharge port, a select chamber discharge port, etc. are formed in the upper part of the partition plate 32, a freezing chamber discharge port 13A is formed in the central part, and a freezing chamber is formed in the lower part of the partition plate 32. The suction port 13B is formed. A motor damper 76 (FIG. 7) that opens and closes the cold air flow path based on the temperature of the select chamber 15 is attached to the select chamber discharge port (not shown).

On the other hand, a vegetable compartment suction port 12A is formed below the partition board 22 at the back of the vegetable compartment 12, and the partition board 22 is provided.
The upper end of the space between the front plate of the cooler and the front plate of the cooler communicates with the rear duct 47 of the refrigerating compartment, which will be described later. Further, a vegetable compartment discharge port 12B for blowing cold air to the lower side of the upper partition member 8 is formed on the upper portion of the partition plate 22.

On the other hand, in the deep part of the refrigerating chamber 11, there is a back plate 49 and a back heat insulating material 50 attached to the back side of the back side of the inner box 3 with a space therebetween. The refrigerating room rear duct 47 extending vertically is formed. Refrigerating chamber discharge ports 11A are formed on the left and right sides of the back plate 49 and penetrate the back heat insulating material 50 to communicate with the refrigerating chamber back duct 47. Further, a plurality of shelves 51 ... Are erected in the refrigerator compartment 11.

Further, on the left and right sides of the back plate 49, the back heat insulating material 5 is provided.
Recesses 31 and 31 are formed on both sides of 0 and extend vertically, and an illumination lamp 59 is provided in each of the recesses 31 and 31.
Is attached. Then, the front surfaces of the recesses 31 and 31 are closed by a light-transmitting shade (not shown) (in FIG. 2, the left side illumination lamp 59 is seen through).

Further, an upper partition member 8 is provided in the lower part of the refrigerating compartment 11.
A partition plate 42 is attached above the partition plate at a predetermined interval, and an openable / closable lid 43 is rotatably hung on the front side of the partition plate 42 so as to be surrounded by the internal chamber. 44 are formed. This built-in chamber 44 is in the ice temperature range. A container 48 that can be pulled out is stored in the built-in chamber 44. In addition, 44A is an internal chamber discharge port formed in the back plate 49,
It communicates with the bottom.

The upper partition member 8 has a refrigerating chamber suction port 51.
The refrigerator compartment suction port 51 is formed in the vegetable compartment 12
It communicates with the inside. Further, a water supply tank (not shown) for supplying water to the automatic ice making machine 21 is housed in the built-in chamber 44.

A container 17A stored in the vegetable compartment 12
The upper surface of the container is closed by a lid 53, and the cold air returning from the refrigerating compartment 11 passes through the refrigerating compartment suction port 51 and the container 1
After being distributed around 7A, it is returned to the cooling room 24 from the vegetable room suction port 12A. In addition, the ice making chamber 10 and the freezing chamber 13
The return cool air from the is returned to the cooling chamber 34 from the freezing chamber suction port 13B. It should be noted that the select chamber 15 is returned to the cooling chamber 34 from a select chamber suction port (not shown).

Here, a recess 54 which is recessed vertically is formed in the center of the front surface of the rear heat insulating material 50, and the suction port 56 is formed in the rear plate 49 at a position corresponding to the lower portion of the recess 54. Is attached. A back duct 57 for the air curtain is formed in the recess 54 closed by the back plate 49, and an electric heater H for temperature compensation is formed in the back duct 57.
Is attached. Reference numeral 55 is a cover attached to the suction port 56.

An air curtain blower 68 having a turbo fan 67 for sucking cool air from the axial direction (front side) and blowing it out in the radial direction is disposed in the air duct rear duct 57 located behind the suction port 56. ing. A top plate 63 is attached to the top surface of the refrigerating compartment 11, and an air curtain top duct 64 is formed in the front and back of the top plate 63.

The rear end of the ceiling duct 64 for the air curtain communicates with the upper end of the rear duct 57 for the air curtain, and the front end of the ceiling duct 64 for the air curtain is near the front opening of the refrigerating compartment 11. .. and a plurality of outlets 66 are arranged side by side (note that the blower 68 is seen through in FIG. 2).

On the other hand, a machine room 41 is formed in the lower part of the heat insulating box body 6, and a refrigerating cycle shown in FIG. The compressor 69 and the like forming the refrigerant circuit and the machine room blower 94 (FIG. 7) are installed.

In the refrigerant circuit diagram of FIG. 6, reference numeral 71 is a condenser, 72 is a motor-driven three-way valve for switching the refrigerant flow paths, and 73 and 74 are first and second pressure reducing devices, respectively. It is a capillary tube. The compressor 69 is a reciprocating compressor. The capillary tubes 73, 74 are provided with a refrigerant suction pipe 69S described later.
It is soldered so that it has a heat exchange relationship with.

The refrigerant discharge pipe 69D of the compressor 69
Is connected to the condenser 71, and the outlet 71A of the condenser 71 is connected to the three-way valve 72 via the dryer 70. Three-way valve 7
One of the two outlets is connected to the inlet of the refrigerator compartment cooler 26 via the capillary tube 73, and the outlet of the refrigerator compartment cooler 26 is connected to the inlet of the freezer compartment cooler 36.

The other outlet of the three-way valve 72 is connected to the inlet of the freezer compartment cooler 36 via the capillary tube 74, and the outlet of the freezer compartment cooler 36 is connected to the compressor 69.
Is connected to the refrigerant suction pipe 69S. That is, the three-way valve 72 includes a high pressure side (compressor 69 to condenser 71) and a low pressure side (capillary tubes 73 and 74) to each cooler 2 of the refrigerant circuit.
6, 36 and a header 40) which will be described later.

The three-way valve 72 has a function of opening and closing the outlet so that the liquid refrigerant from the condenser 71 is selectively flown into the capillary tube 73 or the capillary tube 74.
It also has a function of closing both outlets to completely close the flow path and a function of opening both outlets. Further, 40 is a header as a refrigerant reservoir connected between the freezer cooler 36 and the compressor 69.

Here, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show perspective views of the refrigerator 26 for the refrigerating compartment or the cooler 36 for the freezing compartment.
Both coolers are so-called fin-tube heat exchangers,
Since the basic structure is the same even though there are differences in size and the like, the following description will be made of the refrigerator compartment cooler 26. That is, the refrigerator compartment cooler 26 includes a refrigerant pipe 77 bent in a meandering shape, and a plurality of aluminum heat exchange fins 78 ...

In the embodiment, the refrigerant pipes 77 are arranged in three rows in the front and rear (refrigerant pipes in the rightmost row in the drawings are 77A, the central refrigerant pipe is 77B, and the leftmost refrigerant pipe is 77C). The refrigerant pipes 77A to 77C in the row are bent in three horizontal reciprocations vertically.

On the other hand, each of the fins 78 has the same shape, and has a circular shape having an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the refrigerant pipe 77 so that the refrigerant pipe 77 can be inserted and fitted on one side. A plurality of fitting holes 79 are provided at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. Further, on the other edge of the fin 78, there is an inwardly cut oval notch 81, which is also formed in the fitting hole 7.
A plurality of upper and lower portions are formed at the same intervals as 9.

The depth of each notch 81 is a semicircle having an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the refrigerant pipe 77, and extends horizontally from there to the edge. In addition, the distance from the edge on the other side to the center of the circular portion at the back of the notch 81 is the distance from the edge on the one side to the fitting hole 79.
It is the same as the distance to the center of.

With the above construction, the refrigerant pipe 77A is connected to the fin 7
By inserting and fitting into the fitting holes 79 of No. 8, the plurality of fins 78 ... Are inserted and fixed in the refrigerant pipe 77A at predetermined intervals. Further, the refrigerant pipe 77C is also inserted and fitted into the fitting hole 79 of the fin 78, so that the plurality of fins 78 are arranged at predetermined intervals.
... are fixed by being inserted into the refrigerant pipe 77C. At this time, the fins 78 ... Of the refrigerant pipe 77C are attached so as to be displaced from the positions of the fins 78 ...

Next, the notches 81 of the fins 78 of the refrigerant pipes 77A and 77C face each other so as to face each other, and first, the refrigerant pipe 77B is connected to the fins 78 of the refrigerant pipe 77A. Insert it from the edge into the notch 81 ... And fit it in the innermost part. Next, the refrigerant pipe 77B is inserted from the edge into the notches 81 ... Of the fins 78 ... of the refrigerant pipe 77C and fitted into the innermost portion.

By such fitting, through the refrigerant pipe 77B,
Since the refrigerant pipes 77A and fins 78 ... and the refrigerant pipes 77C and fins 78 ... Are firmly integrated, the side plates for reinforcement which have been conventionally used can be eliminated. Further, in the central portion 82 (the portion of the refrigerant pipe 77B) of the refrigerator compartment cooler 26, the fins 78 of both refrigerant pipes 77A and 77C overlap each other, so that the central portion 82 is dense and both sides are sparse. The fin arrangement can be realized.

As a result, it is possible to delay the blockage due to frost in the sparse portion while improving the heat exchange performance in the dense portion. Furthermore, since the shapes of all the fins can be made the same, the mold investment cost can be reduced, and a low-cost heat exchanger can be realized.

Next, referring to FIG. 7, the control device C is composed of a general-purpose microcomputer M, and inputs to the control device C include a freezer compartment temperature sensor 83 for detecting the temperature of the freezer compartment 13 and the refrigerating compartment 11. Refrigerating room temperature sensor 84 for detecting the temperature, select room temperature sensor 86 for detecting the temperature of the select room 15, outside air temperature sensor 87 for detecting the outside air temperature around the refrigerator 1, and surrounding area for the refrigerator 1 Sensor 88 for detecting the illuminance (brightness), a refrigerator temperature sensor 89 for detecting the temperature of the refrigerator cooler 26, and a refrigerator temperature for the freezer compartment for detecting the temperature of the refrigerator 36. A sensor 91, a setting switch 92, an energy saving switch 93, etc. are connected. This setting switch 9
2 and the energy saving switch 93 are the control panel 20
Is located in.

Further, the output of the microcomputer M is connected to the compressor 69, the machine room blower 94, the freezing room blower 37 and the refrigerating room blower 27 via inverter circuits 98, 99, 101 and 102, respectively. In addition, the air curtain blower 68, the three-way valve (motor) 7
2, defrost heaters 38, 28, temperature-compensating electric heater H,
The motor damper 76 and the ice making machine 21 are connected. Further, an output of the microcomputer M is connected to a display 96 composed of an LED and an electronic sound generator 97, which are also arranged on the control panel 20.

Next, the operation of the refrigerator 1 of the present invention having the above configuration will be described. First, the temperature setting operation of each room will be described. The microcomputer M uses the temperature sensors 83, 84.
The temperature of the freezing compartment 13 (and the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 11) is digitally displayed on the display 96 based on the output of Further, based on the pressing operation of the freezing room temperature setting switch of the setting switch 92, the set temperature of the freezing room 13 is set in the range of, for example, −18 ° C. (upper limit value) to −28 ° C. (lower limit value), and an indicator is provided. A bar display is displayed at 96 (displayed by the number of lights of a plurality of LED rows).

In this case, the microcomputer M causes the electronic sound generator 97 to generate an electronic sound "p" once each time the freezer compartment temperature setting switch is pressed. Further, the pressing operation circulates and changes the set temperature from -18 ° C to -28 ° C and from -28 ° C to -18 ° C. At this time, if the temperature reaches -18 ° C, the microcomputer M
Causes the electronic sound generator 97 to generate an electronic sound twice (a total of three times when pressed). Further, when the temperature reaches −28 ° C., the electronic sound is generated once (a total of twice when pressed).

As a result, even when a visually handicapped person operates, it is possible to determine that the set temperature has reached the upper limit value or the lower limit value. In the embodiment, the upper limit value or the lower limit value is notified by the number of times the electronic sound is generated, but the scale and sound quality of the electronic sound may be changed. Further, when the freezer compartment temperature setting switch is momentarily pressed and released, the microcomputer M changes the set temperature by, for example, 2 ° C., but when continuously pressed, the microcomputer M finely changes by every 0.4 ° C., for example. .

The setting switch 92 is also provided with a refrigerating room temperature setting switch, and, for example, the set temperature is set to + by the same method.
It can be set in the range of 1 ° C (lower limit value) to + 5 ° C (upper limit value). The setting switch 92 is also provided with a select room setting switch, which allows the select room 15 to be selected.
The temperature setting of can be changed to the refrigerating temperature or the freezing temperature.

Then, the microcomputer M operates above and below the set temperature of each room with a differential of, for example, 3 ° C.
Set N point-OFF point. At this time, based on the output of the outside air temperature sensor 87, for example, when the outside air temperature is + 20 ° C. or less, the differential of the refrigerator compartment 11 is set to 2 ° C.,
Stabilize temperature control.

On the other hand, when the energy saving switch 93 is pressed, the microcomputer M enters the energy saving mode,
For example, the set temperature of each chamber is uniformly increased by 1 ° C.
In this case, the microcomputer M uses the optical sensor 88.
When it is determined that the illuminance is low based on the output of, the temperature rise width is set to 2 ° C., for example. As a result, the electric power required for the cooling operation described later is reduced, so that it is possible to save energy and reduce the electricity bill.

Thus, the power consumption of the refrigerator 1 can be reduced in a situation where the load inside the refrigerator is expected to be lightened, especially when food is not taken in and out. During the energy saving mode, either of the doors 14, 1
When 6, 18, and 19 are opened, the microcomputer M releases the energy saving mode.

Further, basically, the microcomputer M uses the inverter circuit 98 to change the operating frequency of the compressor 69, including stop, for example, 37HZ, 48HZ, 58H.
5 steps of Z, 64HZ, 68HZ (outside temperature is +27
When the temperature is below ℃, it is usually 37HZ, and above that, it is 48H.
Z) can be changed.

The microcomputer M uses the inverter circuit 98 (PWM control) to control each phase (R) of the compressor 69.
Phase, S phase, T phase), three-phase sinusoidal power is applied. As a result, operating vibration and noise can be reduced and energy can be saved as compared with the case where a rectangular wave is applied.

Further, the freezer compartment blower 37 and the refrigerating compartment blower 27 are, for example, 700 rpm to 1500 rpm including the stop by the respective inverter circuits 101 and 102 (the freezing compartment blower 37 is usually 1300 rpm, the refrigerating compartment blower 27 is usually It can be changed within the range of 1000 rpm. Furthermore, the machine room blower 94 includes, for example, 1200 rpm (when the compressor 69 is operating at 37HZ and 48HZ) and 1400 rpm including stoppage by the inverter circuit 99.
(When the compressor 69 is operating at 58HZ, 64HZ, 68HZ)
It can be changed in.

Further, the machine room blower 94 is basically operated in synchronization with the compressor 69, but is stopped based on the output of the outside air temperature sensor 87, for example, when the outside air temperature is + 10 ° C. or less.

When the cooling operation is started and the compressor M is operated by the microcomputer M, the high temperature and high pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the refrigerant discharge pipe 69D of the compressor 69 flows into the condenser 71 and radiates heat. And is condensed and liquefied. Then, the refrigerant discharged from the condenser 71 enters the three-way valve 72 via the dryer 70.

When the temperatures of the freezing compartment 13 and the refrigerating compartment 11 detected by the temperature sensors 83 and 84 are both high (when the temperature has not reached the OFF point), the microcomputer M opens the three-way valve 72 to the capillary tube 73 side. Then, the capillary tube 74 side is closed (both chamber cooling mode). As a result, the refrigerant condensed and liquefied in the condenser 71 is decompressed by the capillary tube 73, and then sequentially flows into the refrigerating compartment cooler 26 and the freezing compartment cooler 36 to evaporate, and both coolers 2 are cooled.
6 and 36 show cooling ability.

When the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 11 reaches the OFF point based on the output of the temperature sensor 84 from this state, the microcomputer M causes the three-way valve 72 to move to the capillary tube 74.
Side, and the capillary tube 73 side is closed (freezer compartment cooling mode). As a result, the refrigerant condensed and liquefied in the condenser 71 is decompressed by the capillary tube 74, then flows into the freezer compartment cooler 36 and evaporates, and the freezer compartment cooler 3
6 shows the cooling capacity. When the temperature of the freezer compartment 13 reaches the OFF point, the microcomputer M stops the compressor 69, closes both outlets of the three-way valve 72, and completely closes the flow path.

By closing the three-way valve 72, the inside of the refrigerant circuit is completely separated between the high pressure side and the low pressure side, so that the inconvenience of the high temperature refrigerant naturally flowing from the high pressure side to the low pressure side is prevented. As a result, unnecessary temperature rises and pressure rises of the respective coolers 26, 36 are avoided, the operating efficiency is improved, and energy is saved.

Further, since the compressor 69 is composed of a reciprocating compressor, it is more difficult to obtain a pressure difference (differential pressure) on the low pressure side between when the compressor is operating and when it is stopped, as compared with the rotary compressor. However, since the flow path is closed by the motor-driven three-way valve 72, it is possible to reliably maintain the high / low pressure difference in the refrigerant circuit.

When the temperature of the freezer compartment 13 rises to the ON point, the microcomputer M operates the compressor 69 again and opens the three-way valve 72 to the capillary tube 74 side. The microcomputer M controls the operation / stop of the compressor 69 at the temperature of the freezer compartment 13, opens the three-way valve 72 to the side of the capillary tube 74, and controls the three-way valve 72 to open to the side of the capillary tube 73 depending on the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11. I do.

When the temperature of the refrigerating chamber 11 rises to the ON point while the refrigerant is flowing through the capillary tube 74, the microcomputer M opens the three-way valve 72 to the capillary tube 73 side again, and the capillary tube 73 is closed. Close the tube 74 side. When the temperature of the freezer compartment 13 detected by the temperature sensor 83 is, for example, −5 ° C. or higher, the operating frequency of the compressor 69 is increased step by step until it reaches the OFF point.

The temperature of each chamber 11, 13 is turned on from the OFF point.
While ascending to the point, the blowers 27 and 37 are basically stopped and operated from the ON point to the OFF point. In addition, operation control is independently performed in each case. When the blower 37 for the freezer compartment is operated, the cool air in the cooling chamber 34 cooled by the cooler 36 for the freezer compartment is discharged to the ice making compartment 10 or the select compartment 15 from the ice making compartment discharge opening or the select compartment discharge opening. At the same time, it is discharged to the freezing chamber 13 from the freezing chamber discharge port 13A.

Then, after circulating and cooling in each chamber, the cool air returns from the freezing chamber suction port 13B into the cooling chamber 34 (solid line arrow in FIG. 2). As a result, the inside of the freezer compartment 13 is maintained at the set temperature.

The temperature in the ice making chamber 10 is also set to the freezing temperature, and the automatic ice making machine 21 makes ice. In addition, the microcomputer M controls the motor damper 76 based on the output of the temperature sensor 86 to control the amount of cold air supplied from the select chamber discharge port to make the select chamber 15 the selected refrigerating chamber or freezing chamber.

On the other hand, when the refrigerating compartment blower 27 is operated, the cool air in the cooling compartment 24 cooled by the refrigerating compartment cooler 26 flows into the refrigerating compartment rear duct 47, and the refrigerating compartment discharge port 1
1A ... Or the built-in chamber discharge port 44A is blown into the refrigerating chamber 11 and the built-in chamber 44, circulates inside to cool, and then flows into the refrigerating chamber suction port 51.

The cold air flowing into the refrigerating compartment inlet 51 passes through the upper partition member 8 and is blown out from the vegetable compartment outlet 12B (a part of the cold air immediately after exchanging heat with the refrigerating compartment cooler 26). After mixing and entering the vegetable compartment 12, it circulates around the container 17A to indirectly cool the interior of the container 17A, and then is sucked from the vegetable compartment suction port 12A and returned to the cooling chamber 24. As a result, the inside of the refrigerating chamber 11 is maintained at the set temperature, and the vegetables in the container 17A are kept cold while being prevented from being dried (solid line arrow in FIG. 2).

The freezer compartment 1 in which the freezing temperature is required in this way
3, the ice making room 10, and the select room 15 are coolers 36 for the freezing room.
The refrigerator compartment 11 and the vegetable compartment 1 which are cooled in
2 is cooled by the refrigerator cooling device 26,
The cooling operation efficiency is remarkably improved as compared with the conventional case where each chamber is cooled by one cooler.

In the refrigerating compartment 11 and the vegetable compartment 12, the cold air that has passed through the refrigerating compartment 11 and the built-in compartment 44 flows into the vegetable compartment 12 and is mixed with the direct cool air from the refrigerating compartment blower 27. Therefore, insufficient cooling of the vegetable compartment 12 is also solved.

The microcomputer M is a three-way valve 72.
Is switched from the state of being opened to the side of the capillary tube 74 to the side of the capillary tube 73, the start of the operation of the refrigerator compartment blower 27 is delayed by, for example, 3 minutes. Here, the three-way valve 72 is the capillary tube 7
In the state where the refrigerant is open to the 4th side, the refrigerant does not flow to the refrigerator compartment cooler 26, and therefore the excess refrigerant is removed from the header 4
It is stored at 0. Further, the temperature of the refrigerator compartment cooler 26 is relatively high, and the internal pressure is also high.

Therefore, when the three-way valve 72 is opened to the capillary tube 73 side, the pressure in the refrigerating compartment cooler 26 moves to the freezing compartment cooler 36, and the liquid refrigerant in the header 40 goes to the compressor 69 side. However, if the operation start of the refrigerating room blower 27 is delayed as described above, the temperature decrease of the refrigerating room cooler 26 can be promoted. The occurrence can be prevented or suppressed.

When the temperature in the refrigerating chamber 11 is higher than the ON point by, for example, 6 ° C., or when the three-way valve 72 is open to the capillary tube 73 side, the temperature is, for example, 60 ° C.
When the minutes have passed (when the refrigerating compartment 11 has a high load), the microcomputer M changes the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment blower 27 to 1300.
Increase to rpm. Furthermore, when the compressor 69 is continuously operated for 60 minutes, for example, the operating frequency of the compressor 69 is increased by one step until the refrigerating compartment 11 reaches the OFF point.

Further, when either of the doors 14 and 17 is opened, the microcomputer M causes the refrigerator 2 blower 2 to operate.
7 is stopped, and when any of the doors 16, 18, and 19 is opened, the freezer compartment blower 37 is stopped. As a result, leakage of cold air from each room is suppressed.

Further, the microcomputer M is the refrigerating room 1
When the door 14 of No. 1 is closed and the temperature inside the refrigerator compartment 11 is lower than a predetermined high temperature such as + 6 ° C., the air curtain blower 68 is stopped. When the door 14 is opened, the microcomputer M operates the air curtain blower 68 (illumination lamp 5
9 is also lit).

When the air curtain blower 68 is operated, cold air is sucked in from the axial direction and blown out in the radial direction. Therefore, the cold air in the refrigerating chamber 11 is sucked from the suction port 56 through the cover 55, Blower 6 for air curtain
Sucked in 8. Then, it is blown out to the rear duct 57 for the air curtain, rises there, enters the ceiling duct 64 for the air curtain, flows there forward, and blows out 6
It is blown out from 6 to the opening of the refrigerating chamber 11 below.

As a result, a cold air curtain is formed over the entire area of the refrigerating compartment 11 as indicated by the broken line arrow in FIG. 2, so that the refrigerating compartment 1 is opened when the door 14 is opened.
It becomes possible to prevent the outside air which is going to enter the inside of 1 and the cold air which is going to leak from the inside of the refrigerating chamber 11 by the air curtain as much as possible.

Here, the microcomputer M has a door 14
Is accumulated, and when the door 14 is closed, the air curtain blower 68 is continuously operated for the same time as the accumulated time and then stopped. Thereby, the temperature rise and temperature unevenness in the refrigerating compartment 11 that occur during the opening of the door 14 can be rapidly reduced and made uniform after the door 14 is closed.

Further, when the temperature in the refrigerating compartment 11 rises above a high temperature such as + 6 ° C. due to, for example, a large heat load, the microcomputer M closes the door 14. Further, the air curtain blower 68 is operated until the OFF point is reached even after the integrated time has elapsed. Further, the air curtain blower 68 is operated, for example, for 3 minutes even after the compressor 69 is stopped.

As a result, the cold air in the refrigerating compartment 11 is agitated, so that the temperature recovery (decrease) in the refrigerating compartment 11 is accelerated. In addition, the operation of the air curtain blower 68 as described above causes the cold air in the refrigerating compartment 11 to be agitated, so that the temperature in the refrigerating compartment 11 is made uniform. Further, since the cold air curtain is formed when the door 14 is opened, it is possible to contribute to energy saving.

Further, even when the door 14 is closed, when the temperature in the refrigerating compartment 11 rises above a predetermined value, the air curtain blower 68 is operated, so that the cool air in the refrigerating compartment 11 is cooled. Can be agitated by the operation of the air curtain blower 68, and the temperature in the refrigerating chamber 11 can be recovered (decreased, especially the pocket inside the door 14).

When the outside air temperature output from the outside air temperature sensor 87 is, for example, + 10 ° C. or less, the microcomputer M energizes the temperature compensating electric heater H to generate heat. The cold air in the back duct 57 for the air curtain heated by the heat generated by the electric heater H is circulated in the refrigerating compartment 11 by the operation of the air curtain blower 68 as described above. It is heated and the temperature compensation function is significantly improved.

As a result, it is possible to automatically and effectively eliminate the inconvenience that the inside of the refrigerating compartment 11 is overcooled at low outside temperatures such as in winter, improving the usability and
Since unnecessary heat generation can be prevented, the power consumption of the electric heater H can be reduced. Further, as described above, since the air curtain blower 68 is operated for 3 minutes after the compressor 69 is stopped,
It is possible to effectively eliminate supercooling due to temperature inertia after the compressor 69 is stopped.

Next, the microcomputer M uses the compressor 6
When the total operating time reaches a predetermined time, the compressor 69 is stopped, the defrost heater 38 is caused to generate heat, and the freezing compartment cooler 36 starts defrosting. As a result, the freezer compartment cooler 36 is heated, and the frost attached to them is melted. Drain water generated by the melting of frost,
It is received in the drain receiver 39 arranged on the lower side of the cooler. Then, when the temperature of the freezer compartment cooler 36 detected by the freezer compartment cooler temperature sensor 91 reaches a predetermined defrosting end temperature, the defrosting heater 38 is stopped from generating heat and the freezer compartment cooler 36 is cooled. Finish defrosting.

Here, when the microcomputer M starts defrosting the freezer compartment cooler 36 with the three-way valve 72 open to the side of the capillary tube 74, the three-way valve 72 is set to 3 before starting defrosting. The refrigerant is flown from the refrigerating compartment cooler 26 to the freezing compartment cooler 36 by opening it to the side of the capillary tube 73 for a minute. As a result, the refrigerant is also stored in the refrigerator compartment cooler 26, so that the temperature rise of the freezer compartment cooler 36 at the time of subsequent defrosting can be accelerated. Further, since the low temperature refrigerant is stored in the refrigerator compartment cooler 26, the refrigerator compartment 1 during defrosting of the freezer compartment cooler 36
The temperature rise of 1 can be suppressed.

On the other hand, the three-way valve 72 is the capillary tube 7
When the state in which the compressor 69 is operating by opening to the 3 side is integrated for, for example, 320 minutes (when the refrigerating compartment 11 has a high load,
Alternatively, when the state in which the three-way valve 72 is open on the side of the capillary tube 73 continues for, for example, 40 minutes, or
After the compressor 69 is stopped before the refrigerating chamber 11 reaches the OFF point, it is integrated for 120 minutes), after switching the three-way valve 72 to the capillary tube 74 side, or after stopping the compressor 69. , The refrigerator compartment blower 27 is operated.

That is, since the air in the refrigerating compartment 11 is circulated while the refrigerant is not supplied to the refrigerating compartment cooler 26, the temperature of the refrigerating compartment cooler 26 rises.
As a result, frost on the refrigerator compartment cooler 26 is removed (this is called cycle defrost). When the temperature of the refrigerating compartment cooler 26 detected by the refrigerating compartment cooler temperature sensor 91 rises to, for example, + 3 ° C., the microcomputer M stops the refrigerating compartment blower 27.

In addition to the control by the time integration, the compressor 6 may be operated before the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 reaches the OFF point, for example.
When 9 is stopped, there is a possibility that the frost on the refrigerator compartment cooler 26 is increased and the heat exchange efficiency is lowered. Therefore, in such a case, the cycle defrosting may be started immediately.

When the cycle defrost is continuously executed twice, the microcomputer M judges that the refrigerator compartment cooler 26 has a considerable amount of frost,
The three-way valve 72 is opened to the side of the capillary tube 74, or after the compressor 69 is stopped, the electric heater 28 of the refrigerating compartment cooler 26 is energized for heating to perform defrosting by forced heating. This surely prevents the frost blockage of the cooler 26. Similarly, when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment cooler 26 rises to, for example, + 3 ° C., the electric heater 28 is de-energized to complete the defrosting of the refrigerating compartment cooler 26.

Although the three-way valve 72 is of the motor drive type in the embodiment, it is not limited thereto and may be driven by an electromagnetic solenoid or the like.

Further, in the embodiment, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 69 is branched by the three-way valve 72 after passing through the condenser 71, and one of them is transferred from the capillary tube 73 to the refrigerator compartment cooler 26 and the freezer compartment cooler 36. The present invention is applied to a refrigerant circuit in which the flow is sequentially flowed from the capillary tube 74 to the freezer cooler 36 on the other side, but the invention is not limited to this.
The refrigerator compartment cooler 26 is connected to one of the two outlets via the capillary tube 73, and the freezer compartment cooler 36 is connected to the other outlet via the capillary tube 74. Combine the outlets with the compressor 69
The present invention is also effective for the refrigerant circuit connected to the.

However, in that case, the freezer compartment 13 and the refrigerator compartment 1
Based on the temperature of 1, the three-way valve 72 controls whether the refrigerant flows through the capillary tube 73 or the capillary tube 74, or both, or both do not flow.

Further, the present invention is not limited to a refrigerator provided with two coolers as in the embodiment, but a refrigerator provided with a plurality of coolers (for example, in addition to the above, a refrigerator for a refrigerating compartment is connected in series with another refrigerator for a select room). The present invention is also effective in the case of connecting a device or the like).

[0090]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the refrigerant flow path is connected between the high pressure side and the low pressure side of the refrigerant circuit composed of the compressor, the condenser, the pressure reducing device, the cooler and the like, and In a refrigerator equipped with a three-way valve for switching, a control device for switching and controlling the three-way valve is provided, and when the compressor is stopped, this controller closes both outlets of the three-way valve. The movement of the refrigerant between the high pressure side and the low pressure side is prevented, the cooling operation efficiency is remarkably improved, and it is possible to contribute to energy saving.

In particular, if a motor-driven three-way valve is used,
Even when a reciprocating compressor or the like is used, the high pressure side and the low pressure side can be reliably shut off when the compressor is stopped.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a vertical side view of the refrigerator of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a back plate and a back heat insulating material of the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan sectional view of a refrigerating compartment portion of the refrigerator of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan sectional view of a partition wall portion of the refrigerator of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control device for a refrigerator according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a refrigerator of the refrigerator of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the same cooler.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 refrigerator 6 Insulation box 7 partition walls 8 Upper partition member 10 ice making room 11 Refrigerator 11A Cold room discharge port 12 vegetable room 12B Vegetable room outlet 13 Freezer 13A freezer outlet 14, 16, 17, 18, 19 Doors 15 Select Room 26 Refrigerator for refrigerator compartment 27 Blower for cold room 36 Freezer Cooler 37 Blower for freezer 40 header 41 Machine room 69 compressor 71 condenser 72 three-way valve 73,74 Capillary tube 83 Freezer temperature sensor 84 Refrigerator temperature sensor C control device M microcomputer

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Hideki Oyu             2-5-3 Keihan Hondori, Moriguchi City, Osaka Prefecture             Within Yo Denki Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor: Kobayashi             2-5-3 Keihan Hondori, Moriguchi City, Osaka Prefecture             Within Yo Denki Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 3L045 AA03 BA01 CA02 CA03 DA02                       EA01 HA02 JA15 PA05

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A refrigerator provided with a three-way valve for switching a refrigerant flow path, which is connected between a high pressure side and a low pressure side of a refrigerant circuit composed of a compressor, a condenser, a pressure reducing device, a cooler and the like, A refrigerator comprising a control device for switching and controlling the three-way valve, the control device closing both outlets of the three-way valve when the compressor stops. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the three-way valve is driven by a motor.