JP2003329353A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To rapidly cool a changeover chamber wherein a set temperature is changeable from a freeze temperature to a temperature of a refrigerating chamber to remove heat of a high-temperature load. <P>SOLUTION: This refrigerator has: a refrigeration cycle comprising a compressor 6, a cooler 11 or the like; the changeover chamber 3 wherein the set temperature is changeable from the freeze temperature to the temperature of the refrigerating chamber 1, in addition to the refrigerating chamber 1, a freezing chamber 4 or the like; and a blower 18 or the like forcibly blowing cold air generated by the cooler 11 into the changeover chamber 3 or the like. An opening/closing damper 20 is provided in a cold air passage to the changeover chamber 3. When set to a temperature from the freeze temperature to the temperature of the refrigerating chamber 1 after completion of the heat removal, the opening/closing damper 20 is set to 'open', and the compressor 6 is operated for a prescribed time at an operation frequency selected according to a difference of a peripheral temperature of the refrigerator different in a season or the like. <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 switching chamber in which a set temperature can be switched from a freezing temperature to a temperature zone similar to a refrigerating room.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Refrigerators having a freezing room, a refrigerating room, a vegetable room, and the like, and a switching room capable of switching the internal temperature from a freezing temperature to a temperature corresponding to the refrigerating room or the vegetable room in a plurality of temperature zones There is. In such a refrigerator, when the set temperature of the switching chamber is switched from the temperature equivalent to the refrigerating chamber to the freezing temperature, for example, the opening / closing damper provided in the cold air passage for introducing the cold air into the switching chamber is opened, and the compressor is If it is stopped, it is operated, and the blower that sends cold air is operated at a higher speed than usual, so that the switching chamber is quickly cooled to the set temperature zone.

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned conventional switching chamber cannot cope with the cooling of a high temperature load,
For example, freshly cooked high-heat food had to be cooled in the atmosphere and then placed in the refrigerator (switching room) to lighten the burden on the refrigerator, but this takes a long time to heat the load. It was inconvenient. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator having a switching chamber capable of removing heat at a high temperature.

[0004]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a refrigeration cycle including a compressor, a cooler, etc., a freezing room, a refrigerating room, etc., and a freezing temperature to a temperature of the refrigerating room. With a switching chamber that can switch the set temperature, a plurality of temperature sensors that detect the respective room temperature and ambient temperature, and a blower that forcedly ventilates the cool air generated by the cooler into the switching chamber, etc., In the refrigerator provided with an opening / closing damper in the cold air passage to the switching chamber, heat of the load in the switching chamber is removed, and after the heat removal is finished, the temperature is changed to any temperature from the freezing temperature to the temperature of the refrigerating chamber. When set, the open / close damper is opened, the blower is operated at a predetermined rotation speed, and the compressor is operated for a predetermined time at an operating frequency selected depending on the difference in ambient temperature to heat the load. Ri has become the configuration to perform.

Further, if the heat removal is not released even after the operation according to claim 1 is finished and the setting is frozen, the compressor is put into a normal operating state and the switching chamber is A configuration in which the blower is continuously operated at a rotation speed selected according to a difference in ambient temperature while keeping the opening / closing damper “open” until a predetermined temperature or lower or a predetermined time elapses. Has become.

Further, if the heat removal is not released even after the operation according to claim 1 is completed and the setting is any temperature from the freezing temperature to the temperature of the refrigerating compartment, the compressor In a normal operating state, the switching chamber is below a predetermined temperature corresponding to the setting, or until the predetermined time has elapsed, while controlling the opening and closing of the opening and closing damper under the conditions corresponding to the setting, The blower is continuously operated at a rotation speed selected according to a difference in ambient temperature.

Further, the defrosting function is activated after a lapse of a predetermined time from the end of heat removal.

Further, during defrosting and during pre-cooling in which the inside of the refrigerator is cooled before defrosting, heat is not absorbed and the system is activated after defrosting is completed.

When the heat removal function is activated during the operation of the rapid cooling function for rapidly cooling the switching chamber, the heat removal cooling is prioritized, and when the heat removal cooling is completed within the set time of the rapid cooling function, the remaining time is left. It is configured to continue the rapid cooling function operation only within.

Further, even if the rapid cooling start conditions of the refrigerating room, the freezing room, and the switching room are met, the heat collecting function is prioritized during the heat collecting function.

When the power supply is stopped during the heat collection function, the heat collection is terminated, and when the power supply is restored, if the preset temperature is any temperature from the freezing temperature to the temperature of the refrigerating room. The temperature is set to that temperature.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
~ It demonstrates based on FIG. FIG. 1 shows an example of the appearance of a refrigerator according to the present invention. In this refrigerator, a refrigerating compartment 1 is provided on the uppermost stage, and an ice making chamber 2 is provided on the left side of the lower stage.
On the right side, there is provided a switching chamber 3 capable of switching the freezer temperature from the freezing temperature to the temperature zone of the refrigerating room, a freezing room 4 at the next stage, and a vegetable room 5 at the bottom stage.

FIG. 2 shows the structure of the refrigerating cycle of the refrigerator and a cold air passage for supplying cold air to the switching chamber 3 and the like. The refrigeration cycle includes a compressor 6, a condenser 7, a pressure reducing device 8, a three-way valve 9 for switching the flow of refrigerant, a first cooler 10 for generating cold air to the refrigerating compartment, an ice making compartment 2, a switching compartment 3,
Second cooler 11 for generating cold air to freezer compartment 4 and vegetable compartment 5
Are sequentially connected to each other, and a bypass pipe 12 is provided between one end of the three-way valve 9 and the inlet side of the second cooler 11.

The first cooler 10 is arranged in a cold air producing chamber 13 provided behind the refrigerating compartment 1, and the produced cool air is sent to a cold air feeding duct 15 by a blower 14 to enter the refrigerating compartment 1 and return. The cold air is returned to the lower part of the cold air generation chamber 13 via the cold air return duct 16. Also, the second
The cooler 13 is a cold air generating chamber 1 provided behind the freezing chamber 4.
7, the cool air generated is sent to the cool air feed duct 19 by the blower 18, and the cold air to the ice making chamber 2 and the freezing chamber 4 is directly supplied from the cold air feed duct 19, but the switching chamber 3 and the vegetables The cold air to the chamber 5 is supplied when the opening / closing dampers 20 and 21 provided in the respective cold air passages are opened, and the cold air returning from each chamber (2, 3, 4, 5) is generated through the cold air return duct 22. It returns to the bottom of the chamber 17.

FIG. 3 shows a control system according to the present invention. A control device (microcomputer) 23 includes a refrigerating compartment temperature sensor 24 provided on the refrigerating compartment 1 side and a switching compartment 3
Based on temperature information and the like obtained from the switching chamber temperature sensor 25 provided on the side, a temperature sensor (not shown) that detects the ambient temperature of the refrigerator, and the like, the compressor 6, the blower 14, the blower 18, the opening / closing damper 20, When the switching chamber 3 is switched from the set temperature corresponding to the refrigerating chamber 1 to the freezing temperature or when rapid cooling for heat removal is performed, the switching chamber 3 is opened and closed. The damper 20 is opened and the compressor 6 and the blower 18 are operated at high speed.

In particular, in the present invention, heat is removed from the load in the switching chamber 3, and means for freezing the load after the heat removal, soft freezing means, chilling means, and refrigerating means are provided. When any one of these four means is selected and set, the opening / closing damper 20 provided in the cold air passage to the switching chamber 3 is opened, the blower 18 is operated at a predetermined rotation speed, and the ambient temperature of the refrigerator is By operating the compressor 6 for a predetermined period of time at an operating frequency selected depending on the difference, it is possible to take heat of a high temperature load.

If the heat removal is not released even after the heat removal operation is completed and the setting remains frozen, the compressor 6 is brought into a normal operation state and the switching chamber 3 is set to a predetermined state. Until the temperature becomes lower than the temperature or a predetermined time elapses, the open / close damper 20 is kept "open", and the blower 18 is continuously operated at a rotation speed selected according to a difference in ambient temperature.

Also, as in the previous section, the heat removal is not canceled even after the heat removal operation is completed, and the setting is soft refrigeration,
Or, if it remains chilled or refrigerated, the compressor 6 is put into a normal operating state and the switching chamber 3 becomes a predetermined temperature or lower corresponding to the above setting (soft freezing, chilled or refrigeration), or The opening / closing damper 20 is controlled to be opened / closed under a condition corresponding to the above setting and the blower 18 is continuously operated at a rotation speed selected according to a difference in ambient temperature until a predetermined time has elapsed. Hereinafter, these control operations will be described.

FIG. 4 to FIG. 8 show a heat removal control operation corresponding to a high temperature load (high temperature food which is not cooled in the atmosphere, etc.) in the switching chamber 3. Steps ST1 to S
T34 is the first for quick heat removal of high temperature load.
Control operation for heat removal and cooling of step ST35 to step ST78 is a control operation for second heat removal and cooling subsequent to the first heat removal and cooling, and steps ST80 to ST
Reference numeral 81 is a control operation when heat removal is set during defrosting before the start of defrosting, and also in steps ST83 to ST9.
Reference numeral 3 is a control operation when a power failure (power supply stop to the refrigerator) occurs during heat removal.

First, the first heat removal cooling control operation will be described. With the start of the heat removal function, step ST
In 1, the timer starts, and in the following step ST2, it is determined whether or not the heat removal function has been released. If it is released, the heat removal function will end in step ST3, but if not released, it will be opened and closed in step ST4. The damper 20 is forcibly opened, and the blower (F fan motor) 18 rotates at the rotational speed R ₁ (for example, 2000 at step ST5).
rpm), and in the next step ST6, it is determined whether the ambient temperature of the refrigerator is A ° C. (for example, 34 ° C.) or higher. If the ambient temperature rises to A ° C. or higher, step ST7.
Then, the operating frequency of the compressor 6 is set to f ₁ (for example 72) and the process proceeds to step ST17. When the ambient temperature of the refrigerator determined at step ST6 is lower than A ° C., the process proceeds to step ST8.

In step ST8, B lower than A ° C.
If the temperature is above B ° C., the operating frequency of the compressor 6 is set to f _{2 ( 1)} lower than f _{1 (1) in} step ST 9 and the process proceeds to step ST 17 where the ambient temperature of the refrigerator determined in step ST 8 is B 2. When the temperature is lower than ° C, the process proceeds to step ST10. In step ST10, the judgment is made at C ° C. lower than the above B ° C., and if it is C ° C. or higher, step ST1
1, the operating frequency of the compressor 6 is f ₃ lower than f ₂
Then, the process proceeds to step ST17, but step S
When the ambient temperature of the refrigerator determined in T10 is lower than C ° C., the process proceeds to step ST12.

At step ST12, the judgment is made at D ° C. lower than the above C ° C. If it is D ° C. or more, at step ST13 the operating frequency of the compressor 6 is set to f _{4 ( 3)} lower than f _{3 (3)} and proceed to step ST17. When the ambient temperature of the refrigerator determined in step ST12 is lower than D ° C., the process proceeds to step ST14 and the operating frequency of the compressor 6 is changed to f
Set to f _{5 ( 4)} lower than _{4 (1)} and proceed to step ST15.

In step ST15, it is determined whether a predetermined heat removal time t ₂ (for example, 20 minutes) has elapsed,
Continue working from step ST2 until the predetermined time t ₂ has passed to step ST14, whether the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 1 in step ST16 the predetermined time t ₂ has elapsed T _S ° C. (e.g., -3 ° C.) or higher determines, to step ST27 shown in FIG. 5 if T _S ° C. or higher, if less than T _S ° C. 5
The process proceeds to step ST35 shown in.

On the other hand, step ST1 in which the explanation was suspended
In step 7, it is determined whether a predetermined heat removal time t ₁ (for example, 40 minutes) has elapsed, and step S is performed until the predetermined time t ₁ elapses.
The work of step ST13 is continued from T2, and the predetermined time t
_{When 1} has elapsed, the temperature of the refrigerating room 1 is T in step ST18.
It is judged whether it is more than _S ℃ (eg -3 ℃), and T
If it is higher than _S ° C, proceed to step ST19, and if it is lower than T _S ° C, proceed to step ST35 shown in FIG. Step ST19
It is determined whether or not the setting of the switching chamber 3 is "heat removal refrigeration", and if it is "heat removal refrigeration", step ST20.
Switch to "freezing", and the predetermined heat removal function end temperature T
It is determined whether the temperature is lower than D ₁ ° C (for example, -27 ° C).

When the "heat removal refrigeration" is not set, it is determined in step ST21 whether the "heat removal soft refrigeration" is set. If it is "heat removal soft refrigeration", it is set in "soft freezing" in step ST22. After switching, it is determined whether or not the temperature is lower than a predetermined heat removal function end temperature TD ₂ ° C (for example, -18 ° C).

When the "heat removal soft freezing" is not set, it is determined in step ST23 whether the "heat removal chilled" is set, and if it is "heat removal chilled", it is switched to "chilled" in step ST24, It is determined whether the temperature is lower than a predetermined heat removal function end temperature TD ₃ ° C (for example, -8 ° C).

When it is not in the "heat removal chilled", it is switched to "refrigerator" in step ST25, and it is determined whether the temperature is below a predetermined heat removal function end temperature TD ₄ ° C (eg -5 ° C). It

Then, ST20, ST22, ST24,
If YES is determined in each step of ST25 proceeds to step ST35 shown in FIG. 5, the heat-up time t ₃ at step ST26 shown in FIG. 4, if set to NO (eg 60
Min) has elapsed, and heat removal time t ₃
After the heat has been taken up to, the process proceeds to step ST35 shown in FIG. 5 to become the second heat taking and cooling.

FIG. 5 shows the continuation from FIG. 4, and since the operation from step ST27 to step ST34 is the same as the operation from step ST19 to step ST26 described above, the description thereof will be omitted.

When the work of the first heat removal cooling described above is completed, the process proceeds to the second heat removal cooling, the compressor 6 becomes the normal control in step ST35, and the timer is started in step ST36. In step ST37, it is determined whether or not the heat removal function is released. If it is released, the heat removal function operation ends in step ST38, and if not released, it is determined in step ST39 whether or not the heat removal freezing setting is made and set. If so, the opening / closing damper 20 is forcibly opened in step ST40, but if not set, it is determined in step ST41 whether the heat removal soft freezing setting is set, and if it is set, the process proceeds to step ST51 shown in FIG. 6 and set. If not set, it is determined in step ST42 whether the heat removal chilled setting is set. If set, the process proceeds to step ST60 shown in FIG. 6, and if not set, the process proceeds to step ST70 shown in FIG.

By the way, as described above, the heat removal refrigeration setting is made, and the opening / closing damper 2 is set in step ST40.
When 0 is forcibly opened, in the next step ST43, it is determined whether or not the refrigerating compartment temperature detected by the refrigerating compartment temperature sensor 24 is T _S ° C (for example, -1, 5 ° C) or more. The heat removal function ends, but if it is above, the ambient temperature of the refrigerator is, for example, 20 ° C. in step ST44.
Whether or not it is determined, and if it is, step ST45
After setting the rotation speed R ₂ of the blower 18 to, for example, 2000 rotations, it is determined in step ST46 whether or not the heat removal cooling end temperature TD ₁ is reached. If this condition is satisfied, the heat removal cooling is ended and satisfied. If not, the predetermined time t
Step ST37 until ₅ (for example, 120 minutes) has elapsed
~ After the work of step ST47 is continued, heat removal cooling is ended.

Further, the judgment result in step ST44 is 2
If the temperature is 0 ° C or less, in step ST48, the rotation speed R of the blower 18
After setting _3, for example, to 1800 revolutions, in step ST49, it is determined whether or not the heat removal cooling end temperature TD ₁ is reached. If this condition is satisfied, the heat removal cooling is ended, and if not satisfied, a predetermined time t ₆ The work of steps ST37 to ST50 is continued until (for example, 60 minutes) elapses, and then the heat removal cooling is ended.

FIG. 6 shows the control operation after step ST41 and step ST42 described above. Steps ST51 to ST59 are for "soft freezing", and steps ST60 to ST68 are for "chilled". Steps ST70 to ST78 show the case of "refrigerating", but since all of them are similar to the work contents in the case of the "freezing" setting described above, description thereof will be omitted.

In addition to the heat removal function described above,
This refrigerator is configured to start after defrosting without deactivating heat during defrosting and during pre-cooling in which the interior of the refrigerator is cooled before defrosting. As shown in FIG. Then, in step ST80, it is determined whether precooling and defrosting are in progress. If precooling and defrosting are in progress, the heat removal function is started after defrosting is completed (step ST8).
1) If the precooling or defrosting is not in progress, the heat removal function is started immediately (step ST82).

FIG. 8 shows the heat removal function (step ST83).
It shows the outline of the control operation when there is a power outage in
If there is no power failure, the heat removal is terminated when the heat removal termination condition as described above is satisfied (step ST85),
If there is a power failure (step ST84), when the power is turned on (step ST86), it is "freezing" if it is "heat removal refrigeration", "soft refrigeration" if it is "heat removal soft refrigeration", and if it is "heat removal chilled" If it is "chilled", and if it is "heat storage refrigeration", it is set as "refrigeration" (step ST87-
Step ST93).

[0036]

As described above, in the case of a refrigerator having the structure and control function as described above, even if food that has just been cooked is put in the switching chamber without being cooled in the atmosphere, "heat-freezing", It is convenient because quick heat removal and cooling to the desired temperature are possible by simply selecting and setting "heat removal soft freezing", "heat removal chilled", and "heat removal refrigeration".

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a form of a refrigerator according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a refrigeration cycle and a circulation path of cold air according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a control system diagram according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control operation according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control operation according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control operation according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control operation according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control operation according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

3 switching room 6 compressor 11 Cooler 17 Cold air generation chamber 18 blower 19 Cold air duct 20 Open / close damper 22 Cold air return duct 23 Control device (microcomputer) 24 Cold room temperature sensor 25 Switching room temperature sensor

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A refrigeration cycle comprising a compressor, a cooler, etc., a freezing room, a refrigerating room, etc., and a switching room capable of switching a set temperature from a freezing temperature to a temperature of the refrigerating room; A plurality of temperature sensors to detect the temperature, and a refrigerator provided with a blower for forcedly ventilating the cool air generated by the cooler into the switching chamber or the like, and a refrigerator provided with an opening / closing damper in the cold air passage to the switching chamber, While performing heat removal of the load in the switching chamber, and after finishing the heat removal, when the temperature is set to any of the temperatures from the freezing temperature to the temperature of the refrigerating chamber, the open / close damper is opened, and the blower is turned on. A refrigerator characterized in that it is operated at a predetermined rotation speed, and at the same time, the compressor is operated for a predetermined time at an operating frequency selected depending on a difference in ambient temperature, to heat the load. 2. If the heat removal is not released even after the operation according to claim 1 is completed and the setting is frozen,
With the compressor in a normal operating state, the switching chamber is kept open or closed until the temperature of the switching chamber falls below a predetermined temperature or a predetermined time elapses. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the blower is continuously operated at a certain rotation speed. 3. If the heat removal is not released even after the operation according to claim 1 is terminated and the setting remains at any temperature from the freezing temperature to the temperature of the refrigerating compartment, the compressor In a normal operating state, the switching chamber is below a predetermined temperature corresponding to the setting, or until the predetermined time has elapsed, while controlling the opening and closing of the opening and closing damper under the conditions corresponding to the setting, The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the blower is continuously operated at a rotation speed selected according to a difference in ambient temperature. 4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the defrosting function is activated after a predetermined time has elapsed from the end of heat removal. 5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein during defrosting and during precooling in which the inside of the refrigerator is cooled before defrosting, heat is not drawn and the refrigerator is started after defrosting is completed. 6. The heat removal cooling is prioritized when the heat removal function is activated during operation of the rapid cooling function for rapidly cooling the switching chamber, and when the heat removal cooling ends within the set time of the rapid cooling function, the remaining time is reached. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the rapid cooling function operation is continued only within the refrigerator. 7. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the heat removal is prioritized during the heat removal function even when the rapid cooling start conditions of the refrigerating room, the freezing room and the switching room are met. 8. When the power supply is stopped during the heat collection function, the heat collection is terminated, and when the power supply is restored, if the preset temperature is any temperature from the freezing temperature to the temperature of the refrigerating compartment. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerator is set to the temperature.