JP2006317073A - Cooling storage - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To promptly inform a user or the like when a cooling fan abnormally stops. <P>SOLUTION: The operating time and stop time of a compressor 23 when put in control operation while the cooling fan 21 is left as it is abnormally stopped, are proved to be shorter compared with the case of being put in normal control operation. During cooling operation, the operating time and stop time of the compressor 23 are sequentially clocked by a clocking part 30. When the cooling fan 21 abnormally stops due to freezing or a failure, both the operating time and stop time of the compressor 23 become shorter than normal time, that is, the operating time and stop time of the compressor 23 in one cycle are detected to be respective lower limit times (2 minutes and 5 minutes) or less, and if this state continues in five cycles, an abnormality signal is sent from an abnormality determining part 31. Upon receiving the abnormality signal, an informing part 32 informs the user or the like that the cooling fan 21 is in the abnormal condition. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a cooling storage unit having a function of detecting an abnormal stop of a cooling fan.

As one type of refrigerator, one described in Patent Document 1 is known. When this is schematically shown in FIG. 7 (A), a heat-insulating cooler chamber 2 is provided on the ceiling surface of the refrigerator body 1, and the cooler chamber 2 is connected to a refrigeration apparatus including a compressor. The cooler 3 and the cooling fan 4 are accommodated, and when the compressor and the cooling fan 4 are driven, heat is exchanged while the internal air is sucked from the suction port 5 and passes through the cooler 3. The cool air is generated by this, and the cool air is blown out from the outlet 6 and circulated and supplied to the interior, whereby the interior is cooled. During this time, the internal temperature is detected by the internal thermistor 7 provided on the suction port 5 side, and depending on whether the detected temperature is higher or lower than a predetermined set temperature, the compressor and the cooling fan 4 are operated. The stop is repeated, and the inside of the cabinet is maintained at substantially the set temperature.
JP 2001-241834 A

  By the way, in the thing of the said structure, it cannot be said that the cooling fan 4 does not stop abnormally by freezing or a failure. In that case, since the compressor is driven and the cooler 3 is in a cooled state, the cool air is not actively sent into the store, so that the temperature in the store gradually increases. On the other hand, the internal thermistor 7 detects a temperature lower than the set temperature by being exposed to the cold air naturally descending from the cooler 3 as indicated by an arrow a in FIG. Stops. Then, as indicated by the arrow b in the figure, since the internal air rises to the position of the internal thermistor 7, the internal thermistor 7 detects the temperature exceeding the set temperature, so that the compressor The operation of being driven again is repeated.

That is, there is a problem that the inside of the refrigerator is not cooled while the control operation in which the operation and the stop of the compressor are repeated is continued. Even if a function for displaying the internal temperature is provided, the detected temperature of the internal thermistor 7 is displayed, and the temperature is close to the set temperature, so the user cannot determine that it is abnormal.
The present invention has been completed based on the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to promptly detect when an abnormal stop occurs in a cooling fan.

  As means for achieving the above-mentioned object, the invention of claim 1 is characterized in that a cooler chamber is provided with a cooler connected to a refrigeration apparatus including a compressor and cold air generated in the vicinity of the cooler. And a cooling fan that circulates and supplies the air to the cooler, and a temperature sensor that detects the internal temperature is provided in the flow path through which the internal air flows into the cooler. The temperature detected by the temperature sensor is higher than the set temperature. In a cooling storage where the interior of the refrigerator is maintained at substantially the set temperature by repeating the operation and stop of the compressor depending on whether it is low, time measuring means for timing the operation time or stop time of the compressor, The present invention is characterized in that it comprises an abnormality determination means for sending an abnormality signal when the measured operation time or stop time is out of a predetermined range.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the cooler chamber is provided with a cooler connected to a refrigeration apparatus including a compressor, and a cooling fan that circulates the cool air generated in the vicinity of the cooler into the refrigerator. In addition, a temperature sensor for detecting the internal temperature is provided in a flow path in which the internal air flows into the cooler, and the compressor is operated and stopped depending on whether the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is higher or lower than the set temperature. In a cooling storage where the interior is maintained at substantially the set temperature by repeating the above, the time measuring means for measuring the operation time and the stop time of the compressor, and the measured operation time and the stop time are Both are characterized by having an abnormality determining means for transmitting an abnormality signal when they are out of a predetermined range.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the time measuring means sequentially measures the operation time and the stop time of the compressor, and the abnormality determining means is 1 It is characterized in that the abnormal signal is transmitted when both the operation time and the stop time in the cycle are equal to or less than a lower limit time set according to each.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the abnormality determination means is in a state where the operation time and the stop time in one cycle are both equal to or less than a lower limit time set according to each. Thus, the present invention is characterized in that the abnormal signal is transmitted when a predetermined number of cycles are continued.
The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that in any one of claims 1 to 4, there is provided an informing means for notifying that an abnormal state is received upon receiving the abnormal signal.

<Invention of Claim 1>
As a result of considering the phenomenon when the cooling fan is in the control operation with abnormally stopped, it has been found that the operation time and the stop time of the compressor are shorter than those in the case of normal control operation.
This is because, in normal control operation, cold air is circulated in the cabinet and reaches the temperature sensor while the temperature rises due to heat exchange, so it takes time until the temperature sensor detects a temperature below the set temperature. Since the compressor is in operation during that time, the operation time is long. After the compressor stops, the air in the warehouse reaches the position of the temperature sensor, and the detected temperature increases as the temperature in the warehouse rises. It takes time for the internal temperature to rise, so it takes time for the temperature sensor to detect a temperature exceeding the set temperature, and the compressor is stopped during that time, so the stop time is long. It will be a thing.

  On the other hand, in the case where the control operation is performed with the cooling fan stopped abnormally, when the compressor is operated, the cool air is naturally lowered directly from the cooler toward the temperature sensor without being turned into the refrigerator. Therefore, the temperature sensor detects a temperature lower than the set temperature in a relatively early time and stops the compressor, and as a result, the operation time of the compressor becomes short. In addition, after the compressor stops, the air in the cabinet reaches the position of the temperature sensor, but the temperature sensor is set in a relatively early time because the temperature rises rather than the cool air in the cabinet. When the temperature exceeding the temperature is detected, the compressor is operated again, and the compressor stop time is short.

  That is, when the cooling storage has a predetermined refrigeration capacity and the environmental conditions such as the outside air temperature are predetermined, when the control operation is normally performed, the operation time and the stop time of the compressor are approximately predetermined. In contrast to the time spent, when the cooling fan is controlled and stopped abnormally, the compressor operation time and stop time are shorter than the predetermined time. Therefore, for example, when the operation time or stop time of the compressor is shorter than a predetermined time, it can be determined that the cooling fan has stopped abnormally.

However, in comparison with the above, when the difference between the outside air temperature is low and the set temperature in the refrigerator is small, or when the refrigeration capacity is large, the operation time of the compressor is shorter than the predetermined time, and conversely, the stop time tends to be longer. Become. Therefore, in this case, it is the compressor stop time that can be used to determine whether or not the cooling fan has stopped abnormally.
On the other hand, when the outside air temperature is high and the difference from the set temperature in the refrigerator is large, or when the refrigerating capacity is small, the compressor stop time is shorter than a predetermined value, and conversely, the operation time tends to be longer. In this case, it is the operating time of the compressor that can be used to determine whether or not the cooling fan has stopped abnormally.

The present invention has been made on the basis of the above knowledge, and when the cooling operation is performed, the time measuring means can determine the operation time or stop time of the compressor that can be used for determining whether or not the cooling fan has stopped abnormally. When the time is counted and the measured operation time or stop time is out of the predetermined range, an abnormality signal is sent from the abnormality determination means.
Based on the above abnormal signal, it is possible to know that the cooling fan has stopped abnormally, and as a result, it is possible to repair the cooling fan at an early stage and accordingly cool the inside of the cabinet properly. Become. In addition, if the cooling fan is frozen, it may adversely affect peripheral parts due to overheating of the motor, but it will prevent the motor from overheating early and avoid this adverse effect. it can. Further, since the operation time and the stop time of the compressor return to the regular long time, the number of switching operations between the operation and the stop is decreased, and the service life of the relay contact as a switching member can be extended. Further, as the operation time of the compressor becomes longer, the return of the refrigerating machine oil mixed in the refrigerant is improved, and it is possible to reliably prevent wear of the sliding portion in the compressor.

<Invention of Claim 2>
From the above consideration, when both the operation time and the stop time of the compressor are shorter than the predetermined time, it can be determined that the cooling fan has stopped abnormally.
In the invention of claim 2, when the cooling operation is being performed, the time measuring means measures the operation time and the stop time of the compressor, and both the measured operation time and the stop time are within a predetermined range. In the case of disconnection, an abnormality signal is sent from the abnormality determination means.
The same effect as in the first aspect can be obtained. In addition, depending on the cooling capacity and environmental conditions of the cooling storage, there is no need to select either the compressor operation time or the stop time as the target for determining whether the cooling fan has stopped abnormally. Easy to do.

<Invention of Claim 3>
When the cooling operation is being performed, the time measuring means sequentially measures the operation time and the stop time of the compressor, and the operation time and the stop time in one cycle are both provided in accordance with each. When it is detected that the time is less than the lower limit time shorter than the time, an abnormality signal is transmitted from the abnormality determination means.
<Invention of Claim 4>
When the abnormality determination means confirms that the operation time and the stop time in one cycle are both lower than the lower limit time shorter than the normal time provided in accordance with each, and that the same state is continued for a plurality of cycles, Send an abnormal signal. By detecting multiple cycles, erroneous detection can be reliably avoided.
<Invention of Claim 5>
Upon receiving the abnormality signal from the abnormality determination means, the notification means notifies that the cooling fan is in an abnormal state and can directly notify the user or service person. The cooling fan can be repaired at an early stage.

<Embodiment 1>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, a prefabricated refrigerator is illustrated.
In FIG. 1, the code | symbol 10 is a refrigerator main body formed by assembling a plurality of heat-insulating panels, and the inside is a storage room 11, and a heat insulating door (not shown) is provided at the entrance provided on the front surface. ) Can be opened and closed.
An opening 10A is formed on the top surface of the refrigerator body 10, and a cooler chamber 13 is provided so as to cover the opening 10A. The cooler chamber 13 is formed of a heat insulating material made of foamed resin such as polystyrene foam, and is divided into a base portion 14 and a cover 15 attached to the upper portion thereof.

  The base 14 is formed with a suction port 17 on one side of the bottom surface (the right side in the figure) and an air outlet 18 on the other side, each opening in the storage chamber 11, and a drain pan 19 receiving defrost water therebetween. Is installed. In the drain pan 19, a cooler 20 is installed at a front position close to the suction port 17, and a cooling fan 21 including a fan motor is installed on the rear surface side. The cooler 20 is circulated and connected by a refrigerant pipe and a refrigerating apparatus including a compressor 23 (FIG. 2), a condenser, and the like installed outside the cooler chamber 13 to constitute a refrigerating cycle.

  Further, guards 25 are provided on both the front and rear sides of the drain pan 19 so as to overhang the upper positions of the suction port 17 and the air outlet 18, respectively, and the inside temperature is detected on the upper surface of the guard 25 on the suction port 17 side. An internal thermistor 26 is attached. The reason why the internal thermistor 26 is provided on the suction port 17 side is that, for example, when the internal thermistor 26 is provided on the air outlet 18 side, the internal thermistor 26 is exposed to the cold air immediately after it is generated. 11 is not affected by the temperature of stored items or the outside air temperature associated with the opening and closing of the heat insulation door, and does not become the average inside temperature, so that a temperature close to the actual inside temperature can be detected stably. The same position is selected as the location.

The cooling operation is controlled by the operation control unit 28 shown in FIG. The cooling operation is basically performed by driving the compressor 23 and the cooling fan 21, while the internal air is sucked into the cooler chamber 13 from the suction port 17 and passes through the cooler 20. Then, the inside of the storage chamber 11 is cooled by circulating supply such that cold air is generated by heat exchange and the cold air is blown out from the outlet 18 to the storage chamber 11. During this time, the internal temperature is detected by the internal thermistor 26 provided in the guard 25 on the suction port 17 side, and the compressor 23 and the cooling fan 21 are determined depending on whether the detected temperature is higher or lower than a predetermined set temperature. The operation and stop of the storage are controlled so that the interior of the storage chamber 11 is maintained at substantially the set temperature.
More specifically, when the detected temperature reaches the upper limit set temperature (set temperature + 1 to 3K), the compressor 23 and the cooling fan 21 are turned on, and when the detected temperature reaches the lower limit set temperature (set temperature -1 to 3K). Control is performed so that the compressor 23 and the cooling fan 21 are turned off.

Now, in the refrigerator of this embodiment, when the above-described cooling fan 21 is abnormally stopped due to freezing or failure, it has a function of quickly detecting and notifying this. Specific means for realizing this function has been completed based on the following knowledge.
As described above, in the control operation, the operation and stop of the compressor 23 and the cooling fan 21 are controlled depending on whether the detected temperature of the internal thermistor 26 exceeds or falls below the set temperature in the internal storage. When there was no abnormality in 21 and the control operation was normally performed, as shown in FIG. 3, the operation time (on time) of the compressor 23 was 5 minutes and the stop time (off time) was 6 minutes. .
On the other hand, when the operation time and the stop time of the compressor 23 when the control operation is performed with the cooling fan 21 stopped, the operation time is 1.5 minutes as shown in FIG. Was 4.5 minutes.
That is, it has been found that the operation time and stop time of the compressor 23 when the control operation is performed while the cooling fan 21 is stopped are shorter than those when the control operation is normally performed.

  This is because when the control operation is normally performed, the cold air is circulated in the chamber and reaches the internal thermistor 26 while the temperature rises due to heat exchange, and therefore, the internal thermistor 26 detects a temperature lower than the set temperature. Since it takes time until the compressor 23 is in operation, the operation time becomes long. After the compressor 23 stops, the internal air rises to the position of the internal thermistor 26 and the detected temperature increases as the internal temperature rises. However, the internal temperature once falls below the set temperature and becomes low. Therefore, it takes time for the internal temperature to rise, so it takes time for the internal thermistor 26 to detect a temperature exceeding the set temperature, and the compressor 23 is stopped during that time. As a result, the downtime is long.

  On the other hand, in the case where the control operation is performed while the cooling fan 21 is stopped, when the compressor 23 is in the operating state, the cool air is not directly turned into the inside of the compartment but directly from the cooler 20 toward the inside thermistor 26. Therefore, the in-compartment thermistor 26 detects the temperature below the set temperature in a relatively early time and stops the compressor 23. As a result, the operation time of the compressor 23 becomes short. In addition, after the compressor 23 is stopped, the internal air rises to the position of the internal thermistor 26, but the internal temperature rises rather than the cool air turning around. The thermistor 26 detects the temperature exceeding the set temperature in a relatively early time and operates the compressor 23 again. As a result, the stop time of the compressor 23 is short.

In addition, when the difference between the outside air temperature is low and the set temperature in the refrigerator is small, or when the refrigerating capacity is large, the operation time of the compressor 23 may be as short as 2 minutes or less as shown in FIG. However, it was confirmed that the stop time was about 10 minutes.
Further, when the difference between the outside air temperature is high and the set temperature in the refrigerator is large, or when the refrigerating capacity is small, the stop time of the compressor 23 may be as short as 5 minutes or less as shown in FIG. However, it was confirmed that the operation time was about 10 minutes.
From the above consideration, when both the operation time and the stop time of the compressor 23 are shorter than the regular time, it is concluded that the cooling fan 21 can be determined to be stopped.

  As specific means, as shown in FIG. 2, a timer unit 30, an abnormality determination unit 31, and a notification unit 32 are provided. The time measuring unit 30 is connected to the output side of the operation control unit 28 described above, and sequentially measures the operation time and stop time of the compressor 23 during the control operation. In the abnormality determination unit 31, the operation time of the compressor 23 in one cycle is less than the lower limit time (2 minutes) and the stop time is less than the lower limit time (5 minutes) based on the signal from the timing unit 30, and the same state It functions to send an abnormal signal when 5 cycles are continued. The reason for looking at five cycles is to avoid false detection. Further, the lower limit times of the operation time and the stop time of the compressor 23 and the number of cycles to be confirmed are set by the setting unit 33. The notification unit 32 receives an abnormality signal from the abnormality determination unit 31 and notifies that the cooling fan 21 is in an abnormal state. For example, the notification unit 32 displays it on the operation panel of the refrigerator or sounds an alarm. Can be notified to the user.

  Therefore, when the cooling fan 21 is abnormally stopped due to icing or failure during operation of the refrigerator, both the operation time and the stop time of the compressor 23 become shorter than the normal time as described above, and the compressor 23 in one cycle becomes shorter. When it is detected that the operation time and the stop time are both equal to or less than the respective lower limit times (2 minutes and 5 minutes) and the same state continues for 5 cycles, an abnormality signal is sent from the abnormality determination unit 31. Upon receiving this abnormal signal, the notification unit 32 notifies the user that the cooling fan 21 is in an abnormal state and can notify the user. Thereby, the user can contact the service person or the like to repair the cooling fan 21.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the cooling fan 21 is abnormally stopped, this can be promptly notified to the user or the like. As a result, the cooling fan 21 can be repaired at an early stage, and accordingly, the inside of the refrigerator can be appropriately cooled. Further, when the cooling fan 21 is frozen, there is a risk of adversely affecting peripheral parts due to overheating of the motor, but it is possible to avoid the adverse effect due to suppression of overheating of the motor. . Further, since the operation time and the stop time of the compressor 23 return to a regular long time, the number of operation / stop switching operations can be reduced, and the service life of the relay contact as a switching member can be extended. In addition, as the operation time of the compressor 23 becomes longer, the return of the refrigerating machine oil mixed in the refrigerant is improved, and the sliding portion of the compressor 23 can be reliably prevented from being worn.

<Embodiment 2>
As described in the first embodiment, when the outside air temperature is low and the difference from the internal set temperature is small, or when the refrigerating capacity is large, the operation time of the compressor 23 is shorter than a predetermined time during the control operation. Conversely, the stop time tends to be longer (see FIG. 5). Therefore, in this case, even if the operation time of the compressor 23 is short, it cannot be determined whether the cooling fan 21 has stopped abnormally. However, if the stopping time becomes shorter than the lower limit time, the cooling fan 21 stops abnormally. It can be judged that In this case, briefly, the stop time of the compressor 23 can be used to determine whether or not the cooling fan 21 has stopped abnormally.

On the contrary, when the outside air temperature is high and the difference from the set temperature in the refrigerator is large, or when the refrigerating capacity is small, the stop time of the compressor 23 is shorter than the predetermined during the control operation, and conversely, the operation time is long. (See FIG. 6). In this case, even if the stop time of the compressor 23 is short, it cannot be determined whether or not the cooling fan 21 has stopped abnormally. However, if the operation time becomes shorter than the lower limit time, the cooling fan 21 stops abnormally. In short, the operation time of the compressor 23 can be used to determine whether or not the cooling fan 21 has stopped abnormally.
On the other hand, the outside air temperature can be directly detected by an outside air temperature sensor or can be read from a calendar showing the outside air temperature. Further, the refrigerating capacity can be detected by measuring the condensation temperature of the refrigerant.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, as described above, there is a means for detecting the level of the outside air temperature and the level of the refrigerating capacity, and based on the detection, it can be used for determining whether or not the cooling fan 21 is abnormally stopped. The compressor 23 has a function capable of selecting either the operation time or the stop time.
When the cooling operation is being performed, the time measuring unit 30 measures the operation time or stop time of the compressor 23 selected as being usable for determining whether or not the cooling fan 21 is abnormally stopped. When it is detected that the measured operation time or stop time is less than or equal to the respective lower limit time (2 minutes or 5 minutes) and this is continued, for example, five times, an abnormality signal is sent from the abnormality determination unit 31. . Upon receiving this abnormality signal, the notification unit 32 notifies the cooling fan 21 that it is in an abnormal state and notifies the user or the like.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention, and further, within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention other than the following. Various modifications can be made.
(1) The lower limit time and the number of continuous cycles of the compressor operation time and the stop time set to determine whether or not the cooling fan is abnormal are not limited to those exemplified in the above embodiment, and the refrigeration capacity and installation It can be set appropriately according to various conditions such as location.
(2) The operation time and the stop time of the compressor may be counted as a plurality of integrated values. In this case, for example, if the integrated value falls below a predetermined value, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the cooling fan.
(3) The notification unit may be provided with a function of directly contacting the service person separately from or simultaneously with notifying the user.

(4) In the above embodiment, the cooling fan is controlled to be operated and stopped in synchronization with the compressor during the control operation. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and while the compressor is stopped, Other control modes such as intermittent operation of the cooling fan for stirring the internal air may be adopted.
(5) The present invention can be similarly applied to a type in which the cooler chamber is provided on the side surface of the refrigerator body.
(6) Moreover, it is not limited to the prefabricated refrigerator exemplified in the above embodiment, but can be widely applied to other refrigerators and cooling storages in general such as a freezer.

Sectional drawing of the cooler chamber vicinity which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention Block diagram showing cooling fan abnormality detection / notification system Compressor operation timing chart in case of regular control operation Same timing chart when cooling fan stops abnormally Same timing chart when outside temperature is low Same timing chart when outside temperature is high (A) Cross-sectional view of a conventional example, (B) Cross-sectional view for explaining temperature detection in a state where the cooling fan has stopped abnormally

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Refrigerator main body 11 ... Storage room 13 ... Cooler room 17 ... Suction port 18 ... Outlet 20 ... Cooler 21 ... Cooling fan 23 ... Compressor 26 ... Inside thermistor (temperature sensor) 28 ... Operation control part 30 ... Timekeeping Section (time measuring means) 31 ... Abnormality determination section (abnormality determination means) 32 ... Notification section (notification means) 33 ... Setting section

Claims (5)

The cooler chamber is provided with a cooler connected to a refrigeration apparatus including a compressor, and a cooling fan that circulates and supplies cool air generated in the vicinity of the cooler into the refrigerator. A temperature sensor for detecting the internal temperature is provided in the flow path flowing into the container, and the compressor is repeatedly operated and stopped depending on whether the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is higher or lower than the set temperature. In the cooling storage where the inside is maintained at almost the set temperature,
Time measuring means for measuring the operation time or stop time of the compressor;
An abnormality determination means for transmitting an abnormality signal when the measured operation time or stop time is out of a predetermined range;
The cooling storage characterized by comprising. The cooler chamber is provided with a cooler connected to a refrigeration apparatus including a compressor, and a cooling fan that circulates and supplies cool air generated in the vicinity of the cooler into the refrigerator. A temperature sensor for detecting the internal temperature is provided in the flow path flowing into the container, and the compressor is repeatedly operated and stopped depending on whether the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is higher or lower than the set temperature. In the cooling storage where the inside is maintained at almost the set temperature,
Time measuring means for measuring the operation time and stop time of the compressor;
An abnormality determination means for transmitting an abnormality signal when both the measured operation time and stop time are out of a predetermined range;
The cooling storage characterized by comprising. The time measuring means sequentially measures the operation time and stop time of the compressor, and the abnormality determination means is provided with both an operation time and a stop time in one cycle. The cooling storage according to claim 2, wherein the abnormal signal is sent out when the time is less than or equal to the lower limit time. The abnormality determination means sends out the abnormality signal when the operation time and the stop time in one cycle are both equal to or less than a lower limit time set according to each of them continuously for a predetermined number of cycles. The cooling storage according to claim 3, wherein the cooling storage is. The cooling storage according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising notification means for receiving the abnormal signal and notifying that the abnormal state is present.

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