JP2004003867A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten time required for refrigeration in a freezer in a refrigerator in which two evaporators for a refrigerating compartment and the freezer are provided and a refrigerating compartment cooling mode and a freezer cooling mode are alternatively executed. <P>SOLUTION: A cooling cycle is so designed that the refrigerating compartment cooling mode for returning a refrigerant from a condenser to a compressor by flowing to an R evaporator and an F evaporator in order and the freezer cooling mode for returning the refrigerant from the condenser to the compressor by flowing to the F evaporator are alternatively changed over. Even when the refrigerating compartment cooling mode is executed, an F fan is driven and cold air is supplied to stores in the freezer. When a quick-freezing switch is turned on, quick-freezing operation is executed, however also at this time, the refrigerating compartment cooling mode and freezer cooling mode are alternatively changed over. In this case, rotational speed of the compressor, F fan, or the like is set higher in comparison with a normal condition. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

The present invention relates to a refrigerator having two evaporators, that is, an evaporator for a refrigerator and an evaporator for a freezer.

Conventionally, in a home refrigerator, one evaporator is provided in an evaporator room provided on the back side of the refrigerator body, and cool air generated by the evaporator is supplied to the freezer room by a fan, In general, a part of the cool air is supplied to a refrigerator compartment (and a vegetable compartment) as needed by opening and closing the damper. However, in this configuration, since air containing sufficient moisture from the vegetable room or the like is circulated in the evaporator room, frost formation in the evaporator becomes relatively large.

Therefore, in recent years, the present inventors have considered a refrigerator in which two evaporators, one for the refrigerator compartment and the other for the freezer compartment, are provided. In this refrigerator, a refrigerator compartment evaporator and a refrigerator compartment evaporator compartment having a refrigerator compartment fan are provided on the rear side of the refrigerator compartment (vegetable compartment) on the upper side of the refrigerator body, and the refrigerator compartment on the lower side is provided. On the back side, a freezer evaporator room having a freezer evaporator and a freezer fan is provided.

Then, in this case, the refrigeration cycle includes a refrigerator compartment cooling mode in which the refrigerant from the condenser flows through the first capillary tube to the refrigerator compartment evaporator and the refrigerator compartment evaporator compartment and returns to the compressor. And a freezing room cooling mode in which the refrigerant is passed through the second capillary tube to the freezing room evaporator room and returned to the compressor. In addition, in the refrigerator compartment cooling mode, the refrigerator compartment fan is driven, and in the freezer compartment cooling mode, the freezer compartment fan is driven.

As a result, cold air having a relatively high temperature (for example, + 3 ° C.) in the refrigerator compartment flows through the refrigerator compartment evaporator compartment, so that even if frost forms on the refrigerator compartment evaporator, it will melt quickly. On the other hand, since the humid air such as the vegetable room does not circulate in the evaporator room for the freezer, only the dried air flows, the frost itself of the evaporator for the freezer decreases, and each evaporation It is possible to improve the cooling capacity by minimizing frost formation on the vessel.

By the way, in this type of refrigerator, in the above-described refrigerator compartment cooling mode, most of the refrigerant from the condenser is vaporized in the refrigerator compartment evaporator, and is already in a gaseous state. Since it is sent, the heat exchange of the refrigerant in the freezer evaporator is hardly performed. For this reason, when the refrigerator compartment cooling mode is executed, the supply of cold air to the freezer compartment is stopped, and the time required for freezing or ice-making food, for example, is taken accordingly, leaving room for improvement. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has two evaporators, one for a refrigerator compartment and one for a freezer compartment, and alternately executes a refrigerator compartment cooling mode and a freezer compartment cooling mode. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator that can reduce the time required for freezing in a freezing room.

The refrigerator of the present invention includes a refrigerator compartment evaporator for cooling the refrigerator compartment, a freezer compartment evaporator for cooling the freezer compartment, and cool air generated by the freezer compartment evaporator being introduced into the freezer compartment. Refrigerant flow path switching for switching between a refrigerating room fan mode and a refrigerating room cooling mode in which a refrigerant circulated by driving a compressor is passed through the refrigerating room evaporator and a freezing room cooling mode in which the refrigerant is passed through the freezing room evaporator. And a means capable of executing a rapid freezing operation for rapidly freezing the freezing room. Even during the execution of the quick freezing operation, the freezing room cooling mode and the refrigerating room are controlled by the refrigerant flow switching means. The cooling mode is alternately switched, and the compressor is driven at a higher rotation speed during the rapid refrigeration operation than in the normal operation even in the refrigerator compartment cooling mode. 1 Invention).

According to this, when the refrigerator compartment cooling mode is executed, the refrigerant exchanges heat with the refrigerator compartment evaporator, and the refrigerator compartment is cooled. Performs heat exchange in the freezer evaporator, and the freezer is cooled. The refrigerating compartment cooling mode and the freezing compartment cooling mode are alternately switched by the cooling mode switching means, so that both the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment are cooled.

(4) Here, since the quick freezing operation for rapidly cooling the freezing compartment can be executed, it is effective when the user wants to quickly freeze the stored material or quickly obtain a large amount of ice. However, if only the freezer compartment cooling mode is executed during the rapid freezing operation, the temperature of the refrigerator compartment may increase significantly. Therefore, even when the rapid refrigeration operation is performed, the low temperature of the refrigerator compartment can be maintained by employing a configuration in which the freezer compartment cooling mode and the refrigerator compartment cooling mode are alternately switched by the refrigerant flow switching means. Moreover, when the rapid refrigeration operation is performed, the compressor is driven at a higher rotational speed than in the normal operation, so that the amount of refrigerant supplied to the evaporator can be increased and the cooling capacity can be improved.

Further, the refrigerator of the present invention includes a refrigerator evaporator for cooling a refrigerator, a freezer evaporator for cooling a freezer, and cold air generated by the freezer evaporator. A freezing room fan to be sent indoors and a refrigerant flow for switching between a freezing room cooling mode in which the refrigerant circulated by driving the compressor flows in the freezing room evaporator and a freezing room cooling mode in which the freezing room evaporator flows through the freezing room evaporator. And a path switching means, capable of executing a rapid freezing operation for rapidly freezing the freezing room, and also at the time of performing the quick freezing operation, the refrigerant flow path switching means sets a freezing room cooling mode. The refrigerating compartment cooling mode is alternately switched with the refrigerating compartment cooling mode, and at the time of performing the rapid freezing operation, the refrigerating compartment fan is driven at a higher rotational speed than in the normal operation even in the refrigerating compartment cooling mode. Yes That (the invention of claim 2).

According to this, when the refrigerator compartment cooling mode is executed, the refrigerant exchanges heat with the refrigerator compartment evaporator, and the refrigerator compartment is cooled. Performs heat exchange in the freezer evaporator, and the freezer is cooled. The refrigerating compartment cooling mode and the freezing compartment cooling mode are alternately switched by the cooling mode switching means, so that both the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment are cooled.

(4) Here, since the quick freezing operation for rapidly cooling the freezing compartment can be executed, it is effective when the user wants to quickly freeze the stored material or quickly obtain a large amount of ice. However, if only the freezer compartment cooling mode is executed during the rapid freezing operation, the temperature of the refrigerator compartment may increase significantly. Therefore, even when the rapid refrigeration operation is performed, the low temperature of the refrigerator compartment can be maintained by employing a configuration in which the freezer compartment cooling mode and the refrigerator compartment cooling mode are alternately switched by the refrigerant flow switching means. In addition, when the quick freezing operation is performed, the freezing room fan is driven at a higher rotation speed than in the normal operation, so that the supply of the cold air to the frozen stock or the ice tray by the freezing room fan is further promoted. Therefore, the refrigeration capacity can be improved.

At this time, when the rapid refrigeration operation is performed, the set temperature of the freezing room may be shifted to a lower temperature side (the invention of claim 3), so that the temperature of the freezing room is further lowered. In the freezer compartment cooling mode, the rate of cooling the freezer compartment side can be increased.
By the way, if the compressor and the freezing room fan are driven at a higher rotational speed than during normal operation, the cooling capacity can be increased, but on the other hand, noise may increase and dew may be caused due to excessive cooling of the freezing room. become. Therefore, driving the compressor or the freezing room fan at a high rotational speed is performed for a certain period of time at the beginning of the execution of the rapid refrigeration operation (the invention according to claim 4), or the automatic ice making device at the beginning of the execution of the rapid refrigeration operation. (The invention of claim 5). In any case, the number of rotations of the compressor or the fan for the freezing room is increased more than necessary while fulfilling the purpose of the rapid refrigeration operation. Can be prevented.

Alternatively, the compressor may be driven at the maximum permissible number of revolutions for a certain period of time at the beginning of the execution of the rapid refrigeration operation (the invention according to claim 6), or the automatic ice making device at the beginning of the execution of the rapid refrigeration operation may perform the predetermined number of times. During the period before the ice making is performed, the compressor may be driven at the maximum allowable rotation speed (the invention of claim 7), and in any case, the cooling capacity in the rapid freezing operation is further increased. However, it is possible to prevent the rotational speed of the compressor from being increased more than necessary.

Here, when the refrigerator compartment cooling mode is executed, there is a situation in which heat exchange of the refrigerant in the freezer compartment evaporator is not performed. At this time, the temperature of the surface of the freezer compartment evaporator may be a frozen storage product or ice making. Since the temperature is sufficiently lower than that of the dishes, the freezer compartment fan is driven even during execution of the refrigerator compartment cooling mode (the invention of claim 8) so that cold air is supplied to the frozen stocks or the ice tray. Become. This supply of cold air contributes to constant cooling of the frozen stock or the ice tray.

Further, the speed of the compressor during the execution of the rapid refrigeration operation may be varied in accordance with the outside air temperature (invention of claim 9), thereby also achieving the purpose of the rapid refrigeration operation. In addition, it is possible to prevent the rotational speed of the compressor from being increased more than necessary according to the room temperature.
And in the pre-cooling operation for forcibly cooling the refrigerator compartment and the freezing room before the defrosting operation, when the execution of the rapid refrigeration operation is instructed during the pre-cooling operation, the pre-cooling operation is temporarily stopped. It is desirable to execute the quick refrigeration operation (invention of claim 10), so that it is possible to respond to a user's request such as a quick ice demand.

Further, when the execution of the quick refrigeration operation is instructed during the defrosting operation, it is desirable to execute the defrosting operation with priority rather than the quick refrigeration operation (the invention of claim 11). This allows subsequent cooling to be performed in a state where the cooling performance of the evaporator has been restored, and the efficiency is further improved.

According to the refrigerator of the present invention, two evaporators, one for the refrigerator compartment and one for the freezer compartment, are provided, and both the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment are executed by alternately executing the refrigerator compartment cooling mode and the freezer compartment cooling mode. In addition to the cooling, it is possible to execute a quick freezing operation for rapidly cooling the freezing room, and also at the time of executing the quick freezing operation, the refrigerant flow switching means switches the freezing room cooling mode and the refrigerator room cooling mode. And the compressor or freezer compartment fan is driven at a higher rotational speed than during normal operation, so that the temperature of the refrigerator compartment during the rapid freezing operation is maintained, It has an excellent effect that the refrigerating capacity can be improved.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a configuration of a main body 1 of a refrigerator of a bottom freezer type according to the present embodiment. Here, the refrigerator main body 1 has a refrigerator room 3, a vegetable refrigerator room 4, an ice making freezer room 5, and a freezer room 6 in a vertically long rectangular box-like heat insulating box body 2 having an open front surface. It is configured. In addition, on the front surface of the main body 1, a hinge-opening / closing heat insulating door 7 and draw-out heat insulating doors 8, 9, and 10 for opening and closing the storage rooms 3 to 6 respectively are provided in order from the top. .

The refrigeration compartment 3 and the vegetable refrigeration compartment 4 (these two compartments are referred to as “refrigeration compartments” in the present invention) are both set to a temperature zone of, for example, 2 to 5 ° C. Partitions 3 and 4 are vertically divided by a partition plate 11. Further, the inside of the refrigerator compartment 3 is vertically divided into a plurality of stages by a shelf plate 12, and a chilled partial room 13 is provided at a lowermost portion thereof.

は Although not shown, a water supply tank and a water supply unit for supplying water to an ice tray of an automatic ice maker described later are provided on the side of the chilled partial room 13. A storage container 14 with a lid 14 a is provided in the vegetable refrigeration compartment 4 so as to be connected to the back side of the heat-insulating door 8 so as to be able to be taken in and out. The refrigerator compartment 3 is provided with an R room temperature sensor 15 (shown only in FIG. 2) for detecting the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 3.

On the other hand, the freezing room 5 for ice making and the freezing room 6 (these two rooms are referred to as “freezing room” in the present invention) are both in a temperature range of −18 to −21 ° C., for example. The two freezer compartments 5 and 6 are provided with a partition body 16 only at the front opening portion, and are provided in a state of communicating with each other inside the main body 1. The vegetable refrigeration room 4 and the ice making freezer room 5 are partitioned by a heat insulating partition wall 17 provided integrally with the heat insulating box 2. An automatic ice making device 18 is provided in the upper part of the freezing room 5 for ice making, and an ice receiver 19 is provided in a lower part thereof so as to be connected to the back surface of the heat insulating door 9 so as to be able to be taken in and out. Have been.

As is well known, the automatic ice making device 18 includes an ice tray 20, which is supplied with water from the water supply unit, an ice making completion detecting sensor 21 for detecting the completion of ice making based on the temperature of the ice tray 20, (shown only in FIG. 2), and ice making. The ice tray 20 is provided with an ice removing motor 22 (shown only in FIG. 2) for inverting the completed ice making tray 20 to perform ice removal. In the freezer compartment 6, a storage container 23 is connected to the back side of the heat insulating door 10 and provided so as to be able to be taken in and out. The freezer compartment 6 is provided with an F room temperature sensor 24 (shown only in FIG. 2) for detecting the temperature in the freezer compartment 6.

冷凍 The main body 1 incorporates a refrigeration cycle 25 described later. At this time, a refrigerator evaporator chamber 26 is provided on the back side of the vegetable refrigerator compartment 4, and a part of the refrigeration cycle 25 is configured in the refrigerator compartment evaporator chamber 26. A refrigerating room evaporator 27 (hereinafter abbreviated as “R-eva 27”) is provided, and a refrigerating room fan 28 (hereinafter abbreviated as “R fan 28”) is provided above the evaporator 27. The R fan 28 (fan motor) is driven at a variable speed.

With this, by driving the R fan 28, the cool air generated through the R evaporator 27 is supplied to the refrigerator compartment 3 and the vegetable refrigerator compartment 4 to be used for cooling the stored items. Circulation is performed such that the refrigerant is returned to the lower part in the evaporator chamber 26 for the refrigerator. Further, as shown only in FIG. 2, inside the refrigerator compartment evaporator chamber 26, a refrigerator compartment evaporator defrost heater (R-eva defrost heater) 29 is provided, and the R-eva 27 is removed. An R-eva defrost sensor 30 for detecting completion of frost is provided.

On the other hand, a freezing room evaporator room 31 is provided on a back side portion of the freezing room 5 and the freezing room 6 that straddles the freezing room 5. And a freezer evaporator 32 (hereinafter abbreviated as “F-Eva 32”), which constitutes a part of the refrigeration cycle 25, is located above the freezer-room fan 33 (hereinafter “F-fan 33”). "). An evaporator defrost heater for freezer compartment (F eva defrost heater) 34 is provided below the F eva 32, and an F eva defrost sensor for detecting the completion of defrost of the F eva 32 is provided. 35 (only shown in FIG. 2) are provided.

By driving the F fan 33, the cool air generated through the F fan 32 is supplied to the ice making freezing chamber 5 and the freezing chamber 6, and is used for cooling the stored items. The circulation is performed such that the refrigerant is returned to the lower part in the freezer evaporator chamber 31. The F fan 33 (fan motor) is also driven at a variable speed.

Further, a machine room 36 is provided at the lower rear portion of the lower end of the main body 1, and a compressor (compressor) 37 constituting a part of the refrigeration cycle 25 is provided in the machine room 36. 2, a cooling fan 38 (hereinafter, referred to as a "C fan 38") is provided in the machine room 36 for cooling the compressor 37 and a condenser described later. The compressor 37 is driven at a variable speed by inverter control, and the C fan 38 is also driven at a variable speed.

Although not shown, defrost water generated in the evaporator chamber 26 for the refrigerator compartment and the evaporator chamber 31 for the freezer compartment is guided into the machine compartment 36 and is located above the compressor 37. It is designed to be stored in a provided defrosting water evaporating dish. Then, the defrost water stored in the defrost water evaporating dish is evaporated by the heat of the compressor 37 and the heat of the evaporating pipe 39 and discharged to the outside.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the refrigeration cycle 25. The refrigeration cycle 25 is connected to the compressor 37, the evaporation pipe 39, a condenser (condenser) 40, a clean pipe 41, a dryer 42, a three-way valve 43 serving as a refrigerant flow switching means, and a first outlet of the three-way valve 43. The first capillary tube 44, the R-eva 27, the F-eva 32, and the accumulator 45 are sequentially connected to a closed loop by a refrigerant pipe, and the second outlet of the three-way valve 43, the R-eva 27 and the F-eva 32 The second capillary tube 46 is connected between the connection point and the connection point.

Thus, when the three-way valve 43 is switched to the first outlet side, the refrigerant flows through the condenser 40 and the like by the driving of the compressor 37, and then passes through the first capillary tube 44, and then the R-evavers 27 and F The air flows through the evaporator 32 in order and is returned to the compressor 37 (refrigerator compartment cooling mode). On the other hand, when the three-way valve 43 is switched to the second outlet side, the refrigerant is supplied only to the F-eva 32 through the second capillary tube 46 after the refrigerant passes through the condenser 40 and the like by driving the compressor 37. Thereafter, it is returned to the compressor 37 (freezer compartment cooling mode).

Now, as shown in FIG. 2, the main body 1 is provided with a control device 47 including a microcomputer and the like. Signals from the R room temperature sensor 15, the F room temperature sensor 24, the ice making completion detection sensor 21, the R eva defrost sensor 30, and the F eva defrost sensor 35 are input to the control device 47. , And a signal from a quick refrigeration switch 49 operated by a user when the quick refrigeration operation is to be performed.

Further, based on the input signals, the control device 47 controls the compressor 37, the three-way valve 43, the C fan 38, the R fan 28, the F fan 33, the R eva defrost heater 29, the F eva defrost heater 34, The water supply unit of the ice making device 18 and the ice release motor 22 are controlled. At this time, the controller 47 drives the compressor 37 at a variable speed (for example, the operating frequency of the inverter is 30 to 70 Hz) and drives the R fan 28 and the F fan 33 at a variable speed (for example, 1800 to 2400 rpm). It has become. The C fan 38 is turned on when the compressor 37 is turned on, is driven at, for example, 2000 rpm when the compressor 37 is driven at the maximum allowable rotational speed (frequency 70 Hz), and in other cases, For example, it is driven at 1800 rpm.

As will be described later in the description of the operation, the control device 47 switches the three-way valve 43 to flow the refrigerant to the R-eva 27 to cool the refrigerator compartments 3 and 4 mainly (refrigerator compartment cooling mode (RF flow)). The cooling operation (normal operation) is performed while alternately switching between a freezing room cooling mode (flowing only F) in which the refrigerant flows only in the F evaporator to cool the freezing rooms 5 and 6. In this case, the control device 47 sets the ON temperature and the OFF temperature of a predetermined width with respect to the set temperature for each of the refrigerator compartments 3 and 4 and the freezer compartments 5 and 6, and sets the R room temperature sensor 15 and the F room temperature sensor 24. Is configured to switch the three-way valve 43 based on the detected temperature.

The control device 47 controls the ON / OFF of the compressor 37 and the rotation speed (operating frequency) based on the temperature detected by the R room temperature sensor 15 and the F room temperature sensor 24, and the like. The on / off control of the C fan 38 is performed in accordance with the on / off control of the 37. Then, the control device 47 turns on the R fan 28 when the refrigerator compartment cooling mode is executed, and turns on the F fan 33 when the refrigerator compartment cooling mode is executed. It is configured to drive the fan 33.

Then, in this embodiment, when the quick refrigeration switch 49 is turned on, the control device 47 executes a rapid refrigeration operation for rapidly cooling the freezing chambers 5 and 6. In this rapid refrigeration operation, the compressor 37 is operated at a higher speed (higher frequency) than in the normal operation, and the set temperatures of the freezing compartments 5 and 6 are shifted to a lower temperature side. The quick freezing operation is terminated when, for example, the ice receiver 19 is full of ice, or when, for example, ten ice-removing operations are completed.

At this time, particularly in the present embodiment, the compressor 37 is driven at the maximum allowable rotation speed (for example, 70 Hz in frequency) at the beginning of the execution of the rapid refrigeration operation. Also during the rapid freezing operation, the freezing room cooling mode and the refrigerator room cooling mode are alternately executed based on the detected temperatures of the R room temperature sensor 15 and the F room temperature sensor 24 and the like. Further, during the rapid refrigeration operation, the rotational speed of the F fan 33 is set to be higher than normal.

Further, the control device 47 executes the precool operation and then executes the defrosting operation every time the accumulated cooling time of the freezing compartments 5 and 6 reaches a predetermined time (for example, 10 hours). In the pre-cool operation, first, the compressor 37 is continuously driven at a high rotation speed while the set temperatures of the freezer compartments 5 and 6 are shifted, for example, to 3 deg. This is performed by forcibly cooling the chambers 5 and 6 and then forcibly cooling the refrigerator chambers 3 and 4 by switching to the refrigerator cooling mode.

The defrosting operation is executed by turning on the R-eva defrost heater 29 and the F-eva defrost heater 34 while the compressor 37 and the fans 28, 33, and 38 are stopped. The process is terminated based on the detection by the sensor 30 and the F-eva defrost sensor 35. At this time, in the present embodiment, when the quick refrigeration switch 49 is turned on during the precool operation, the quick refrigeration operation is executed until, for example, one ice making is completed, and then the precool operation is executed again. ing. When the quick refrigeration switch 49 is turned on during the defrosting operation, priority is given to the defrosting operation, and the quick refrigeration operation is executed after the defrosting operation is completed.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. The timing chart of FIG. 1 shows that the control device 47 performs the normal operation, and the compressor 37, the R fan 28, the F fan 33, the three-way The state of control of the valve 43 is shown. Further, the timing chart of FIG. 5 shows the state of control during the precool operation and the defrost operation. In FIGS. 1 and 5, the state in which the three-way valve 43 is switched to the first capillary tube 44 side is “RF flow”, and the state in which the three-way valve 43 is switched to the second capillary tube 46 side is “RF flow”. Only F "is written.

<Control during normal operation>
First, control during normal operation will be described. During the normal operation, as described above, by switching the three-way valve 43 based on the detected temperatures of the R room temperature sensor 15 and the F room temperature sensor 24, the refrigerating room cooling mode (RF flow) for mainly cooling the refrigerating rooms 3 and 4 is provided. And the freezer compartment cooling mode for cooling the freezer compartments 5 and 6 (only F is flown) is alternately switched. Thus, while the refrigerating compartments 3 and 4 and the freezing compartments 5 and 6 are alternately cooled, the temperatures in all the storage compartments 3 to 6 are maintained near the set temperature.

In this case, for the refrigerating compartments 3 and 4, for example, the ON temperature is set to 5 ° C. and the OFF temperature is set to 2 ° C. For the freezing compartments 5 and 6, for example, the ON temperature is set to −18 ° C., and the OFF temperature is set to −21 ° C. Is set. The conditions for switching the modes are as follows: (1) when the detected temperature of the room being cooled reaches the OFF temperature, (2) when 10 minutes or more have elapsed since the mode switching and the detection of the room not being cooled One of the cases is when the temperature reaches the ON temperature, and (3) when 60 minutes have elapsed since the previous mode switching. Although not shown, the compressor 37 is turned off when the detected temperatures of both chambers are both OFF temperatures.

At this time, although a detailed description is omitted, the compressor 37 is driven at a variable speed (for example, the frequency is 30 to 48 Hz), and the load (the difference between the detected temperature of the sensors 15 and 24 and the set temperature). ), When the load is small, the motor is driven at a low rotation speed (low frequency), thereby increasing the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle to save energy. Further, the R fan 28 is driven at, for example, 1800 to 2000 rpm in the refrigerator compartment cooling mode, and when switched to the freezer compartment cooling mode, a predetermined short time (for example, 5 minutes) for defrosting the R evaporator 27. After being driven only continuously, it is stopped.

The F fan 33 is driven at, for example, 1800 to 2000 rpm in the freezer compartment cooling mode, and is also driven in the refrigerator compartment cooling mode. Although not shown, when the compressor 37 is stopped, the R fan 28 and the F fan 33 are stopped.
As a result, when the refrigerator compartment cooling mode is executed, the heat exchange of the refrigerant in the F-eva 32 is not performed. At this time, the temperature of the surface of the F-eva 32 is higher than that of the frozen stock or the ice tray 20. Since it is at a sufficiently low temperature (for example, −22 ° C.), when the F fan 33 is driven, cold air is supplied to the frozen stock or the ice tray 20. Therefore, the supply of the cold air can contribute to a constant cooling of the frozen stock or the ice tray 20.

Further, by providing the two evaporators 27 and 32 in this manner, the relatively humid air of the refrigerating chambers 3 and 4 flows through the evaporator chamber 26 for the refrigerating chamber, but the cooling chamber cooling Even when the mode is switched to the mode, the R fan 28 is driven for a predetermined time so that air having a relatively high temperature (for example, + 3 ° C.) is made to flow through the R evaporator 27, so that frost forms on the R evaporator 27. Even if you try, it will melt quickly. On the other hand, in the evaporator room 31 for the freezing room, since the humid air such as the refrigerator room 4 for vegetables does not flow and only the dried air flows, the frost formation of the Feva 32 is reduced. High cooling capacity can be obtained.

<Control during rapid refrigeration operation>
Next, control during the rapid freezing operation will be described. The user turns on the quick freezing switch 49 when the user wants to quickly freeze the stored material or quickly obtain a large amount of ice. Then, the control device 47 performs control as shown in FIG. That is, during the rapid refrigeration operation, the set temperatures of the freezing compartments 5 and 6 are shifted to a lower temperature side, and the compressor 37 is continuously operated at a higher rotation speed (frequency) than during the normal operation. Here, for example, the ON temperature in the freezer compartments 5 and 6 is shifted to −26 ° C., and the OFF temperature is shifted to −30 ° C.

At this time, in FIG. 1, the freezer compartment cooling mode is first executed, but when the temperatures of the refrigerator compartments 3 and 4 reach the ON temperature, the three-way valve 43 is set so as to enter the refrigerator compartment cooling mode. The cooling mode is switched alternately, for example, when the temperature of the refrigerator compartments 3 and 4 reaches the ON temperature, the refrigerator compartment mode is switched again. At the start of the rapid refrigeration operation, which cooling mode is to be executed may be selected so as to cool the room having the larger difference between the set temperature and the detected temperature first. The cooling mode is started preferentially.

Then, as described above, during the execution of the rapid refrigeration operation, the compressor 37 is driven at a higher rotational speed than during the normal operation, but here, as shown in FIG. The motor is driven at the maximum allowable rotation speed (maximum frequency 70 Hz) for a certain period of time, and thereafter the rotation speed is gradually reduced (in this case, 62 Hz and 53 Hz). The R fan 28 is also turned on when the refrigerator compartment cooling mode is executed. At this time, the rotation speed is set to be higher than the normal operation (for example, 2400 rpm).

(4) The F fan 33 is also driven during execution of the refrigerator compartment cooling mode (continuously driven during execution of the rapid freezing operation). When the rapid refrigeration operation is performed, the F fan 33 is also driven at a higher rotation speed than during the normal operation. At this time, during the period when the compressor 37 is driven at the maximum allowable rotation speed, the F fan 33 is also set to the maximum rotation speed (for example, 2400 rpm), and after the rotation speed of the compressor 37 is lowered by one step, The rotation speed is set to be slightly lower (for example, 2000 rpm).

As a result, when the quick refrigeration operation is performed, the set temperature of the freezing compartments 5 and 6 is shifted to a lower temperature side. Can be increased, and the compressor 37 is driven at a higher rotational speed than in the normal operation, so that the amount of refrigerant supplied to the FEB 32 can be increased to improve the cooling capacity. Thereby, the freezing compartments 5 and 6 can be rapidly cooled in a short time.

Also during the rapid freezing operation, the freezing room cooling mode and the refrigerator room cooling mode are alternately switched, so that the temperature of the refrigerator rooms 3 and 4 can be prevented from rising, and the low temperature of the refrigerator rooms 3 and 4 can be reduced. Can be maintained. When the rapid refrigeration operation is performed, the freezing room F fan 33 is driven at a higher rotation speed than during the normal operation, so that the supply of the cold air to the frozen stock or the ice tray 20 by driving the F fan is performed. Is further promoted and a high cooling capacity can be obtained. In the refrigerator compartment cooling mode, the cooling capacity of the freezer compartments 5 and 6 can also be improved.

Further, since the driving of the compressor 37 at the maximum permissible rotational speed is stopped for a certain period of time at the beginning of the execution of the rapid refrigeration operation, the rotational speed of the compressor 37 is reduced while the purpose of the rapid refrigeration operation is achieved. It is not necessary to raise the pressure more than necessary, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of noise and other problems as much as possible.

<Control related to defrosting operation>
Finally, control related to the defrosting operation will be described. As described above, the control device 47 executes the precool operation and then executes the defrosting operation every time the integrated cooling time of the freezing compartments 5 and 6 reaches a predetermined time (for example, 10 hours). Here, as shown in FIG. 5, first, the set temperature of the freezer compartments 5 and 6 is shifted to a lower temperature side, and the freezer compartment cooling mode is executed, whereby the freezer compartments 5 and 6 are forcibly cooled. At this time, the compressor 37 is driven at the maximum allowable rotation speed (70 Hz) and the F fan 33 is driven to rotate at a high rotation speed (2400 rpm). This freezer compartment cooling mode is executed until the temperatures of the freezer compartments 5 and 6 reach the OFF temperature or until 10 minutes have elapsed.

Next, the three-way valve 43 is switched to execute the refrigerator compartment cooling mode, and the refrigerator compartments 3 and 4 are forcibly cooled. Also in this case, the compressor 37 is driven at the maximum allowable rotation speed (70 Hz), and the R fan 28 and the F fan 33 are driven to rotate at a high rotation speed (2400 rpm). This refrigerator compartment cooling mode is executed until the temperature of the refrigerator compartments 3 and 4 reaches the OFF temperature or until 10 minutes have elapsed.

The defrosting operation is performed. In the defrosting operation, the R-eva defrost heater 29 and the F-eva defrost heater 34 are energized while the compressor 37 and the fans 28, 33, and 38 are stopped. And the process is terminated based on the detections of the R-eva defrost sensor 30 and the F-eva defrost sensor 35.

After the defrosting operation is completed, the operation is the normal operation. Here, since the temperatures of the freezing compartments 5 and 6 are greatly increased and the difference from the set temperature is large, the freezing compartment cooling mode is started. You. Since the load (difference between the detected temperature and the set temperature) at that time is very large, the rotation speed of the compressor 37 is maximized, and the F fan 33 is also driven at a high rotation speed. Thus, the temperatures of the freezer compartments 5 and 6 can be quickly reduced. Thereafter, the normal control similar to that described above is repeated such that the refrigerator compartments 3 and 4 become the ON temperature and are switched to the refrigerator compartment cooling mode.

By the way, the user may turn on the quick refrigerating switch 49 during the precool operation or the defrosting operation. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control device 47 performs control as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, during the precool operation, the quick refrigerating switch 49 is constantly monitored (step S1), and the quick refrigerating switch 49 is not turned on (No in step SS1), and the precool operation ends. If it has been performed (Yes in step S2), the process proceeds to the defrosting operation (step S3).

On the other hand, when the quick refrigeration switch 49 is turned on during the precool operation (Yes in step S1), the precool operation is stopped (step S4), and the quick refrigeration operation is executed (step S5). In this case, the rapid refrigeration operation is performed until one ice making (ice removal) by the automatic ice making device 18 is completed (step S6), and when the rapid refrigeration operation ends (step S7), the precool operation is executed again. (Step S8). As a result, the quick refrigeration operation can be completed in a short period of time, and the precool operation and the defrosting operation can be performed immediately thereafter, while promptly responding to the user's request for ice or the like.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7, even during the defrosting operation, the quick refrigerating switch 49 is monitored (step S11). When the quick refrigerating switch 49 is turned on (Yes in step S11), the flag F is set to 1 (Step S12). Then, the defrosting operation is continued as it is. When the defrosting operation is completed (Yes in step S13), it is determined whether or not the flag F is 1 (step S14). In step S14, a quick refrigeration operation is performed (step S15).

That is, even if the quick refrigeration switch 49 is turned on during the defrosting operation, the defrosting operation is executed with priority and the quick refrigeration operation is executed after the defrosting operation is completed. As a result, while the cooling performance of the R-eva 27 and the F-eva 32 has been recovered, subsequent cooling can be performed, which is more efficient. Although not shown, when it is time to execute the defrosting operation during the quick freezing operation, when the remaining time until the end of the quick freezing operation is short (for example, the ice making at 30 minutes or at that time is not performed). When the temperature is approaching the ice-free temperature), the quick refrigeration operation is terminated and then the operation shifts to the defrosting operation.

According to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. That is, since two evaporators, the R-eva 27 and the F-eva 32, are provided to alternately switch between the refrigerator compartment cooling mode and the freezing compartment cooling mode, frost formation on the R-eva 27 and the F-eva 32 is prevented. As a result, the cooling capacity of the R-eva 27 and the F-eva 32 can be improved, so that the R-eva 27 and the F-eva 32 can be reduced in size, and the efficiency can be improved by reducing the frequency of the defrosting operation. Can be planned.

In the refrigerator in which the refrigerator compartment cooling mode and the freezer compartment cooling mode are alternately executed as described above, the F fan 33 is driven even when the refrigerator compartment cooling mode is executed. Thus, the cool air can be supplied to the frozen stock or the ice tray 20 to contribute to constant cooling, and as a result, the time required for freezing in the freezing compartments 5 and 6 can be reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, even during the rapid freezing operation, the freezing room cooling mode and the refrigerator room cooling mode are alternately switched, so that the temperature rise of the refrigerator rooms 3 and 4 can be suppressed, and the refrigerator room can be suppressed. A low temperature of 3 or 4 can be maintained. Further, when the rapid refrigeration operation is performed, the compressor 37 is driven at a high rotation speed and the F fan 33 is driven at a high rotation speed. It is also possible to obtain advantages such as improvement of the quality.

FIGS. 8 to 10 show the control of the rotation speed (operating frequency) of the compressor 37 during the rapid refrigeration operation according to the second to fourth embodiments of the present invention, respectively. In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the rotation speed (operating frequency) of the compressor 37 during the rapid freezing operation is varied according to the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 48.

That is, when the outside air temperature is high (for example, 25 ° C. or more), the operation frequency is set to, for example, 70 Hz. When the outside air temperature is medium (for example, 15 ° C. to less than 25 ° C.), the operation frequency is set to, for example, 62 Hz. When the air temperature is low (for example, less than 15 ° C.), the operation frequency is set to, for example, 53 Hz. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the rotational speed of the compressor 37 from being increased more than necessary in accordance with the outside air temperature while fulfilling the purpose of the rapid refrigeration operation. Dew can be suppressed.

In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the rotation speed (operating frequency) of the compressor 37 is set to an allowable maximum rotation speed (for example, 70 Hz) for a certain period of time T (for example, 120 minutes) at the beginning of the execution of the rapid refrigeration operation. The rotation speed of the compressor 37 during the subsequent rapid refrigeration operation is changed according to the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 48. In this case, the outside air temperature is also divided into three stages, and the operating frequency at that time is, for example, 62 Hz, 53 Hz, and 48 Hz, respectively.

Further, in the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 10, in the initial stage of the execution start of the rapid freezing operation, the automatic ice making device 18 performs the ice making a predetermined number of times (for example, two times) (the ice releasing operation is performed). Sets the rotation speed (operating frequency) of the compressor 37 to the maximum allowable rotation speed (for example, 70 Hz), and sets the rotation speed of the compressor 37 during the rapid refrigeration operation to the outside air temperature in the same manner as in the third embodiment. The temperature is varied depending on the outside air temperature detected by the sensor 48.

According to these third and fourth embodiments, the compressor 37 is driven at the maximum permissible number of revolutions only in a certain period of time at the beginning of the execution of the rapid refrigeration operation. However, it is possible to prevent the rotational speed of the compressor 37 from being increased more than necessary (to increase the cooling capacity too much), and it is possible to minimize problems such as noise and dew.

In the above-described embodiment, the refrigeration cycle 25 is configured to use the three-way valve 43 as the refrigerant flow switching means. However, the R-eva 27 and the F-eva 32 are provided in parallel, and an on-off valve is provided in one of the flow paths. Various modifications can be made to the configuration of the refrigeration cycle, such as a configuration in which a refrigerant flow path (cooling mode) is provided to change the configuration. When the freezing room 6 and the ice making room 5 can be controlled separately, a configuration may be adopted in which a quick freezing instruction can be issued for each.

In the above embodiment, the cooling mode is switched based on the detected temperatures of the R room temperature sensor 15 and the F room temperature sensor 24. However, the cooling mode is switched by time control, for example, the freezing room cooling mode is executed for 44 minutes. The present invention can be carried out with appropriate modifications without departing from the gist, such as a configuration in which the execution of the refrigerator compartment cooling mode is alternately repeated for 16 minutes.

4 is a time chart showing the first embodiment of the present invention and showing a state of control on a three-way valve, a compressor, and an F fan. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration centered on a control device. It is a block diagram of a refrigeration cycle. It is a vertical side view which shows schematically the whole structure of a refrigerator. It is a time chart which shows a mode of control at the time of a defrost operation. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure when the quick refrigeration switch is turned on during the precool operation. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure when the quick freezing switch is turned on during the defrosting operation. FIG. 6 illustrates the second embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram illustrating a relationship between an outside air temperature and a rotation speed of a compressor during execution of a rapid freezing operation. FIG. 9 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 8 showing a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 8 showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of reference numerals

In the drawing, 1 is a refrigerator main body, 3 and 4 are refrigerator compartments, 5 and 6 are freezer compartments, 15 is an R room temperature sensor, 18 is an automatic ice making device, 24 is an F room temperature sensor, 25 is a refrigeration cycle, and 26 is a refrigerator room. Evaporator room, 27 is a refrigerator evaporator, 28 is a refrigerator fan, 29 and 34 are defrost heaters, 31 is a freezer evaporator room, 32 is a freezer evaporator, and 33 is a freezer fan. , 37 is a compressor, 38 is a cooling fan, 43 is a three-way valve (refrigerant flow path switching means), 47 is a control device, 48 is an outside air temperature sensor, and 49 is a quick refrigerating switch.

Claims (11)

A refrigerator evaporator for cooling the refrigerator,
A freezer evaporator for cooling the freezer,
A freezer compartment fan that sends cool air generated by the freezer compartment evaporator into the freezer compartment;
The refrigerant circulated by the drive of the compressor, a refrigerant flow path switching means for switching between a refrigerator cooling mode in which the refrigerator evaporator is flowed and a refrigerator cooling mode in which the freezer evaporator is flowed,
A refrigerator capable of performing a rapid freezing operation for rapidly freezing the freezer,
Even during the rapid refrigeration operation, the refrigerant flow switching means alternately switches between the freezer compartment cooling mode and the refrigerator compartment cooling mode,
A refrigerator characterized in that the compressor is driven at a higher rotation speed during the rapid freezing operation than in the normal operation even in the refrigerator compartment cooling mode. A refrigerator evaporator for cooling the refrigerator,
A freezer evaporator for cooling the freezer,
A freezer compartment fan that sends cool air generated by the freezer compartment evaporator into the freezer compartment;
The refrigerant circulating by the drive of the compressor, and a refrigerant channel switching means for switching between a refrigerator compartment cooling mode for flowing the refrigerator compartment evaporator and a freezer compartment cooling mode for flowing the refrigerator compartment evaporator,
A refrigerator capable of performing a rapid freezing operation for rapidly freezing the freezer,
Even during the rapid refrigeration operation, the refrigerant flow switching means alternately switches between the freezer compartment cooling mode and the refrigerator compartment cooling mode,
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein, when the rapid freezing operation is performed, the freezer compartment fan is driven at a higher rotation speed than in the normal operation, even in the refrigerator compartment cooling mode. 3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the set temperature of the freezing compartment is shifted to a lower temperature side during the execution of the rapid freezing operation. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the compressor or the freezing room fan is driven at a high rotational speed during a predetermined period of time at the beginning of execution of the rapid freezing operation. It is provided with an automatic ice making device, and drives the compressor or the freezing room fan at a high rotation speed from the start of the execution of the rapid freezing operation until a predetermined number of ice making operations by the automatic ice making device are performed. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the compressor is driven at the maximum permissible number of revolutions for a certain period of time at the beginning of the execution of the rapid refrigeration operation. 6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the compressor is driven at an allowable maximum number of revolutions until a predetermined number of ice making operations are performed by the automatic ice making device. 8. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the freezer compartment fan is driven even during execution of the refrigerator compartment cooling mode. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the number of revolutions of the compressor during the rapid refrigeration operation is varied in accordance with the outside air temperature. A pre-cool operation for forcibly cooling the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment before the defrosting operation is performed, and during the pre-cool operation, when the execution of the rapid freezing operation is instructed, the pre-cool operation is temporarily interrupted. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a quick refrigeration operation is performed. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein when the execution of the quick freezing operation is instructed during the defrosting operation, the defrosting operation is executed with priority.

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