JP2006317077A - Freezer-refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a freezer-refrigerator capable of making ice (preferably transparent ice) in a short time besides being compact. <P>SOLUTION: The freezer-refrigerator 59 is provided with a refrigerating cycle unit 19 for circulating a refrigerant by connecting a compressor 11 for compressing the refrigerant, a condenser 13 for condensing and liquefying the compressed refrigerant, and a main evaporator 15 for vaporizing the liquefied refrigerant, by a refrigerant pipe 16, wherein air is cooled with heat of vaporization of the main evaporator 15, and an auxiliary evaporator 1 performing a function of an ice making container 1 to which water sticks is integrated into the refrigerating cycle unit 19. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator-freezer, for example, a household refrigerator-freezer used at home.

  Conventionally, various refrigerators called indirect cooling (indirect cooling system) have been developed as disclosed in Patent Document 1. Such an indirect cooling type refrigerator-freezer includes a refrigeration cycle unit that generates cold air.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a general refrigeration cycle unit 119 includes a compressor 111, an auxiliary condenser 112, a condenser (fin tube type evaporator) 113, a capillary tube 114, and an evaporator 115 via a refrigerant pipe 116. The refrigeration cycle is connected in a ring shape. And the refrigerator-freezer performs refrigeration and freezing by circulating the cold air (about -25 degreeC) by the evaporator 115 of this refrigeration cycle unit 119 in the store | warehouse | chamber by the ventilation fan 133. FIG.

  By the way, when water freezes and becomes ice, impurities dissolved in water are discharged to the boundary between ice and water (ice-water interface) in the process of freezing, and this ice-water interface (freeze interface). In FIG. When the rate of diffusion of the supersaturated impurities into the water (diffusion rate) is slower than the rate of ice growth (freezing rate), the ice grows while taking in impurities. As a result, cloudy ice is generated.

  Then, in order to generate ice with high transparency, it is only necessary to maintain the state that “the freezing rate is slower than the diffusion rate” or “the diffusion rate is faster than the freezing rate”. .

  However, an indirect cooling type refrigerator-freezer usually blows cold air of about −25 ° C. onto a stationary (immobilized) ice making container. Then, since the ice container does not move, the diffusion speed does not increase. For this reason, the diffusion rate becomes slower than the freezing rate, and the ice in the ice making container often becomes cloudy.

  Then, in order to avoid such a situation, there exists an idea of incorporating the ice making apparatus like patent document 2 * 3 in a refrigerator-freezer. FIG. 8 shows an ice making device 169 of Patent Document 2. In the ice making device 169 of Patent Document 2, a heating plate 161 is provided above the ice making container 101. Then, the heating plate 161 warms the water in the upper part of the ice making container 101, so that the freezing rate is slower than the diffusion rate (that is, the dissolved gas does not freeze part of the water so that the impurities as dissolved gas are in the water). Can diffuse). Therefore, this ice making device 169 can generate ice with high transparency.

On the other hand, FIG. 9 shows an ice making device 169 of Patent Document 3. The ice making device 169 of Patent Document 3 causes the water stored in the ice making water storage tank 141 to flow down on the ice making plate 162, thereby diffusing impurities in the ice making water, and the diffusion speed is higher than the freezing speed. It is Therefore, the ice making device 169 can generate highly transparent ice on the ice making plate 162.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 64-23081 (see FIG. 1 etc.) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-123968 (refer to claim 1, FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-142033 (see FIG. 3)

  However, the ice making device 169 of Patent Document 2 raises the water temperature of the water in the ice making container 101. For this reason, the freezing rate is extremely reduced (for example, the freezing rate is about a fraction of that of a freezing rate not accompanied by an increase in water temperature). Then, when such an ice making device 169 tries to produce about 100 g of ice produced in a general-purpose refrigerator-freezer, it takes about 8 hours. Therefore, when such an ice making device 169 is incorporated in a refrigerator-freezer, the time required for ice making is about four times the normal ice making time (about 2 hours), and transparent ice cannot be obtained in a short time. Arise.

  Further, as disclosed in Patent Document 3, an ice making device 169 that flows (sprays) ice making water on an ice making plate 162 is transparent in a shorter time (about 1 hour) than the ice making device 169 disclosed in Patent Document 2. Ice can be made. However, a dedicated refrigeration cycle unit for ice making is required. That is, when such an ice making device 169 is incorporated in a refrigerator-freezer, two refrigeration cycle units, that is, a refrigeration cycle unit for cooling inside the cabinet and a refrigeration cycle unit for ice making are required. Then, compared with the conventional refrigerator-freezer, the volume (space) which provides a 2 times refrigeration cycle unit is needed, and the problem that the volumetric efficiency in a refrigerator-freezer will deteriorate arises.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator-freezer that is compact and can produce ice (preferably transparent ice) in a short time.

  The present invention includes a compressor that compresses refrigerant gas, a condenser that condenses and liquefies the compressed refrigerant gas, a first decompressor that decompresses the condensed refrigerant liquid, and an evaporator that evaporates the decompressed refrigerant liquid. Is a refrigerator provided with a refrigeration cycle unit that is formed by annularly connecting the two by a refrigerant pipe. An ice making evaporator dedicated to ice making is incorporated in the refrigeration cycle unit, for example, in parallel with the evaporator.

  For example, a refrigerant pipe branches off at a position downstream of the first decompressor, and an evaporator is located on one of the branched refrigerant pipes, and an ice making evaporator dedicated to ice making is provided on the other.

  Normally, when ice is generated (in the case of indirect cooling) by blowing air (cold air) cooled by an evaporator onto water, cold air with air interposed cools the water. However, the thermal conductivity of air is relatively low. Therefore, when ice is generated by such cooling, the heat (cold heat) of cold air is not efficiently transmitted to water.

  In the refrigerator-freezer of the present invention, an ice-making ice evaporator capable of vaporizing the refrigerant is incorporated in the refrigeration cycle unit. Therefore, the heat of vaporization of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle unit is transmitted to water via the ice making evaporator. That is, the refrigerator-freezer of the present invention cools water without interposing air having a relatively low thermal conductivity. Therefore, it can be said that this invention is a refrigerator-freezer which can cool water efficiently compared with indirect cooling.

  Moreover, the refrigerator-freezer of this invention has produced | generated ice with the assistance of the refrigerating cycle unit used for indirect cooling. Therefore, a separate refrigeration cycle unit or the like is not necessary. Therefore, enlargement of the refrigerator-freezer itself is suppressed.

  The material for the ice making evaporator and the cooling unit described later is not particularly limited, but a material having a relatively high thermal conductivity is preferable. For example, metals, such as copper and aluminum, are mentioned.

  Further, the refrigerator-freezer of the present invention is provided with a water supply unit including a water storage container, a water supply pump, and a water supply pipe, and this water supply unit sucks water stored in the water storage container with a pump and through the water supply pipe, Water is supplied (for example, sprayed or flowed) to a cooling unit provided in the ice making evaporator. In addition, the shape of the cooling unit may be a plate shape (flat plate shape) or a container shape (box shape body).

  In general, when ice is generated, it is first frozen from the pure water portion, and impurities in the water are driven out to the unfreezed portion. Therefore, by utilizing this property, the water supply unit sprays ice-making water onto the cooling unit fixed to the ice-making evaporator (or causes ice-making water to flow over the cooling unit). Solidify (freeze) pure water preferentially. On the other hand, the water supply unit is configured to include impurities in water that could not adhere to the cooling unit. Therefore, the refrigerator-freezer of this invention can produce | generate the transparent ice (transparent ice) resulting from a pure water in a cooling part.

  In the refrigerator-freezer of the present invention, the refrigerant pipe branches off at the downstream position of the first decompressor, the evaporator is located on one of the branched refrigerant pipes, and the ice making evaporator is provided on the other refrigerant pipe. You may do it. For example, a refrigerant pipe that is branched from the downstream position of the first pressure reducer at the upstream position of the evaporator and that is downstream of the evaporator and connected to the upstream position of the compressor (the other branched pipe) The refrigerant pipe) may be provided with an ice making evaporator, and the evaporator and the ice making evaporator may be arranged in parallel.

  Thus, when the ice making evaporator and the evaporator are arranged in parallel, the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle unit is divided into the ice making evaporator and the evaporator. For this reason, the refrigerator-freezer of the present invention can generate ice in the cooling unit fixed to the ice making evaporator and can be refrigerated by the evaporator. That is, the present invention provides a refrigerator-freezer that can simultaneously perform ice making and refrigeration.

  Moreover, the refrigerator-freezer of this invention wants to adjust suitably the cooling capacity (ice-making ability and refrigeration capacity) with ice-making and refrigeration. Therefore, in the refrigerator-freezer of the present invention, the other branched branch where the ice making evaporator is provided at the upstream position of the ice making evaporator in the branched refrigerant pipe (that is, at the upstream position of the ice making evaporator). A first refrigerant adjustment valve that adjusts the amount of refrigerant may be provided in the refrigerant pipe.

  If a refrigerant adjustment magnetic valve (first refrigerant adjustment valve) is provided in the refrigerant pipe branched in this way, the amount of refrigerant flowing in the ice making evaporator according to the degree of opening / closing (adjustment degree) of the refrigerant adjustment valve The amount of refrigerant flowing to the evaporator will be different. Then, according to the amount of refrigerant | coolant, it becomes a refrigerator-freezer which can change ice-making capability and refrigeration capability suitably.

  By the way, generally, the refrigerant (refrigerant liquid) condensed and liquefied by the condenser is reduced in temperature by being decompressed. Therefore, in the refrigerator-freezer of the present invention, the first pressure reducer is provided at the upstream position of the evaporator and at the downstream position of the condenser, and the ice making evaporator is further provided from the first pressure reducer. In the meantime, a second pressure reducer is provided.

  In this way, the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the evaporator can be reliably lowered. In addition, the ice making evaporator is intended to produce ice. Therefore, it is preferable that a further low-temperature refrigerant flows. Therefore, in the refrigerator-freezer of the present invention, a second decompressor is provided at a position downstream of the first decompressor (between the first decompressor and the ice making evaporator). In this way, the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the ice making evaporator can be further lowered. It should be noted that the refrigerant pipe is provided with a second refrigerant adjustment valve that adjusts the refrigerant amount (for example, at least a part of the refrigerant amount) from the first decompressor so as to guide the refrigerant amount to the second decompressor. preferable.

  And the following examples are mentioned as an example in which the 1st decompressor and the 2nd decompressor are provided.

  For example, one end of the second decompressor is connected to a refrigerant pipe (the other branched refrigerant pipe) that is downstream of the first refrigerant regulating valve and upstream of the ice making evaporator, The other end of the second pressure reducer is connected to a refrigerant pipe located downstream of the first pressure reducer and upstream of the evaporator, and in addition to the second pressure reducer. A second refrigerant adjustment valve is provided in the refrigerant pipe located downstream from the end toward the evaporator and upstream of the first refrigerant adjustment valve.

  Thus, when the second pressure reducing device is provided and the second refrigerant adjustment valve is provided, for example, the second refrigerant adjustment valve at the upstream position from the first refrigerant adjustment valve is closed, When the first refrigerant regulating valve is also closed (closed), the flow path toward the evaporator is cut off. Therefore, the refrigerant having passed through the first pressure reducer flows from the refrigerant pipe located at the downstream position of the first pressure reducer toward the second pressure reducer. Then, the refrigerant that has passed through the second pressure reducer reaches the ice making evaporator.

  Then, the refrigerant that has reached the ice making evaporator becomes a refrigerant that has passed through both the first and second decompressors. Therefore, this refrigerant becomes extremely low temperature (approximately −50 ° C.). Therefore, the ice making capacity of the ice making evaporator is dramatically increased, and ice can be generated in an extremely short time. Moreover, since water (ice-making water) is supplied from the water supply unit, the refrigerator / freezer can generate transparent ice (transparent ice) in an extremely short time.

  In addition, the adjustment degree in said 1st refrigerant | coolant adjustment valve or 2nd refrigerant | coolant adjustment valve is controlled by the control part provided in the refrigerator-freezer. Therefore, a refrigerator-freezer in which the degree of adjustment can be set precisely has been realized.

  By the way, usually, when the outside air temperature or the inside temperature is high, the amount of energy required to cool the air in the refrigeration cycle unit (evaporator) increases relatively. Thus, when energy consumption is increasing, if the refrigerant is supplied to the ice making evaporator, it is difficult to perform refrigeration or the like with only the amount of refrigerant supplied to the evaporator. That is, in the case of a normal temperature (about 25 ° C.), even if the amount of refrigerant is sufficient, the cooling performance of the air by the evaporator is lowered at the high temperature as described above.

  Therefore, in the refrigerator-freezer of the present invention, the control unit controls the degree of adjustment in the first refrigerant adjustment valve or the second refrigerant adjustment valve based on the outside air temperature or the internal temperature, and adjusts the refrigerant amount appropriately. Yes.

  Specifically, the control unit defines the threshold temperature (threshold outside air temperature / threshold chamber temperature), and the threshold temperature and the measurement result of the temperature measuring unit (outside temperature measuring unit / inside chamber temperature measuring unit). In comparison, when the measurement result is higher than the threshold temperature, the adjustment degree in the first refrigerant adjustment valve or the second refrigerant adjustment valve is controlled, and the amount of refrigerant supplied to the ice making evaporator is supplied to the evaporator. The amount of refrigerant used is less.

  If it controls in this way, the fall of the cooling function of an evaporator (refrigeration refrigerator) will be prevented. Therefore, even if the outside air temperature or the inside temperature is relatively high, the inside temperature of the refrigerator-freezer is maintained below a certain temperature.

  Moreover, the air-cooling refrigerator of this invention is provided with the ventilation part which sends out the air (cold air) cooled with the evaporator inside the refrigerator-freezer. And by adjusting the air volume in this ventilation part, the temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the ice making room in a refrigerator-freezer can be changed, for example.

  Therefore, in the refrigerator-freezer of the present invention, the control unit may blow the air cooled by the ice making evaporator by controlling the air blowing unit, and set the ambient temperature of the ice making evaporator to the refrigeration temperature zone.

  Thus, when the ambient temperature (container ambient temperature) of the ice making evaporator is in the refrigeration temperature zone (approximately 0 to 5 ° C.), for example, the side wall portion of the cooling unit located away from the refrigerant pipe is refrigerated. Difficult to drop below freezing point due to temperature range. On the other hand, the bottom of the cooling part near the refrigerant pipe becomes below the freezing point due to the influence of the refrigerant. Therefore, the water adhering to the cooling unit is solidified so as to be stacked from the bottom or the like that is most cooled by the cooling unit.

  In particular, since it has the property of being easily frozen from pure water, the pure water portion of water is preferentially laminated and solidified. As a result, a refrigerator-freezer capable of reliably producing transparent ice is realized.

  Moreover, in the refrigerator-freezer of this invention, a control part may ventilate the air cooled by the evaporator by controlling a ventilation part, and may set the ambient temperature of a water supply unit to a refrigerator temperature zone.

  According to this, it is impossible for ice making water stored in the water storage container or ice making water flowing through the water supply pipe to freeze. Therefore, the circulation of ice making ice in the water supply unit is reliably maintained. Therefore, the present invention can be said to be a refrigerator-freezer that can reliably supply ice making ice to the cooling unit.

  By the way, as above-mentioned, the 1st refrigerant | coolant adjustment valve and the 2nd refrigerant | coolant adjustment valve are controlled by the control part. And the control part is controlling the adjustment degree of a 1st refrigerant | coolant adjustment valve or a 2nd refrigerant | coolant adjustment valve, for example according to the outside temperature or the internal temperature. However, a user etc. may want ice quickly.

  Therefore, in the refrigerator-freezer of the present invention, an input unit for inputting a command to the control unit is provided, and when the command is given by the input unit, the control unit can control the first refrigerant adjustment valve or the second refrigerant. The degree of adjustment in the adjustment valve is controlled so that the refrigerant is supplied only to the ice making evaporator. If such an input unit is provided, ice making by the ice making evaporator can be performed preferentially by a user or the like.

  Further, in the refrigerator-freezer of the present invention, a third branch that branches from the downstream position of the compressor and from the upstream position of the condenser and adjusts the refrigerant amount to the refrigerant pipe connected to the upstream position immediately before the ice making evaporator. A refrigerant adjustment valve is provided.

  In such a case, since it is branched from the downstream position of the compressor, the refrigerant pipe through which the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant (hot gas) immediately after being discharged from the compressor flows is connected to the upstream position of the ice making evaporator. . Then, the ice in contact with the bottom of the cooling part will melt. Therefore, the ice can be easily removed from the cooling unit. Therefore, the refrigerator-freezer of the present invention can suppress labor required for deicing.

  In the refrigerator-freezer of the present invention, an ice-making evaporator that has a vaporizing function and is capable of adhering water is incorporated into a refrigeration cycle unit provided for indirect cooling. Therefore, it is a refrigerator-freezer that can generate ice (especially transparent ice) in a short time while being compact.

[Embodiment 1]
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[About the structure of the refrigerator / freezer]
As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator-freezer 59 of this invention is comprised so that the refrigerator compartment 21, the ice making room 22, the vegetable compartment 23, the freezer compartment 24 grade | etc., May be included. Each of these chambers (21 to 24) is cooled by receiving cold air from the refrigeration cycle unit 19 (indirect cooling system). Specifically, cold air from the refrigeration cycle unit 19 flows through an opening op provided in each chamber (for convenience, member symbols op are partially shown in the drawings).

  Each of these chambers is formed by partitioning an inner box 26 disposed inside the outer box 25 constituting the exterior body of the refrigerator-freezer 59 with a heat insulating partition plate 27. In addition, a heat insulating material is filled between the outer box 25 and the inner box 26 so that the temperature of each chamber is not affected by the outside air.

<Various temperature sensors>
Each chamber (21 to 24) is provided with a chamber temperature sensor 30 (30a to 30e) for measuring each room temperature (chamber temperature). That is, the refrigerator compartment 21 has a temperature sensor 30a in the refrigerator compartment, an ice making chamber 22 (specifically, an ice making storage chamber 22b to be described later), an ice making compartment temperature sensor 30b, and the vegetable compartment 23 has an inside of the vegetable compartment. The temperature sensor 30c and the freezer compartment 24 are provided with a freezer compartment temperature sensor 30d. The ice making chamber 22 is also provided with an ice making ice chamber temperature sensor 30e for measuring the inside of an ice making and freezing chamber 22a described later.

  Furthermore, the refrigerator-freezer 59 is provided with an outside air temperature sensor 31 for measuring outside air (outside the warehouse). And the result of the measurement temperature (temperature in a measurement cabinet / measured outside air temperature) of these various temperature sensors (30, 31) is output to the control unit 32 provided in the refrigerator-freezer 59.

  Note that the control unit 32 is a central part that performs operation control and the like of the entire refrigerating refrigerator 59, and organically controls the driving of each member of the refrigeration cycle unit 19 and the like, and performs overall control of the operation. .

<Refrigeration cycle unit>
Here, the refrigeration cycle unit 19 serving as a cooling device in the refrigerator 59 will be described in detail.

  The refrigeration cycle unit 19 is a unit constituting a refrigeration cycle, and includes a compressor 11, an auxiliary condenser 12, a condenser 13, a cold gas capillary tube (C capillary tube; decompressor) 14, a main evaporator (evaporator). ) 15 and a refrigerant pipe (refrigerant pipe) 16.

  The compressor 11 compresses and vaporizes a refrigerant, which is a working medium of the refrigeration cycle, at a high temperature and a high pressure. That is, the compressor 11 is a device having a compression function. The compressor 11 is accommodated in a highly sealed space in order to generate operating heat.

  The auxiliary condenser 12 evaporates water (defrost water) generated when the main evaporator 15 defrosts (defrosts). The auxiliary condenser 12 also has a function of cooling and condensing a part of the refrigerant vaporized at a high temperature from the compressor 11 with defrost water.

  The condenser 13 further condenses and liquefies the refrigerant cooled and condensed by the auxiliary condenser 12. That is, the condenser 13 is a device having a liquefaction function. Such a condenser 13 condenses and liquefies the refrigerant by releasing heat to the outside air using natural convection. .

  The C capillary tube (first C capillary tube) 14 is a pressure reducing device that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant (specifically, the liquefied refrigerant) flowing into the main evaporator 15.

  The main evaporator 15 evaporates the refrigerant (refrigerant liquid) liquefied at low temperature and low pressure through the auxiliary condenser 12, the condenser 13 and the capillary tube 14 for C. That is, the main evaporator 15 is a device having a vaporization function. The main evaporator 15 takes heat inside the refrigerator / freezer 59 to evaporate (gasify) the refrigerant liquid. For example, a fin tube type heat exchanger is mentioned as an example.

  A blower fan 33 is provided in the vicinity of the main evaporator 15. The blower fan 33 sends out the air (air cooled by heat exchange) cooled by the main evaporator 15 to each room (the room such as the refrigerator room 21).

  The refrigerant pipe 16 is a pipe (tube) for connecting the compressor 11, auxiliary condenser 12, condenser 13, C capillary tube 14, and main evaporator 15. That is, the refrigerant pipe 16 is connected to each member (the compressor 11, the auxiliary condenser 12, the condenser 13, the C capillary tube 14, and the main evaporator 15) so as to circulate the refrigerant.

  A cycle in which the refrigerant flows from the compressor 11 to the auxiliary condenser 12 to the condenser 13 to the C capillary tube 14 to the main evaporator 15 to the compressor 11 is expressed as a cold gas cycle.

<Sub-evaporator incorporated in refrigeration cycle unit>
In the refrigerator-freezer 59 of the present invention, a sub-evaporator (ice-making evaporator) 1 is incorporated in the refrigeration cycle unit 19. Specifically, the sub-evaporator unit 9 including the sub-evaporator 1, the connecting refrigerant pipe 16 a, and the refrigerant branching solenoid valve (refrigerant adjustment valve) 2 is incorporated in the refrigeration cycle unit 19. .

  The sub-evaporator 1 evaporates the refrigerant (refrigerant liquid) liquefied at low temperature and low pressure by passing through the auxiliary condenser 12, the condenser 13 and the capillary tube 14 for C similarly to the main evaporator 15. Yes, it is provided in the connecting refrigerant pipe 16a.

  The sub-evaporator 1 is made of a metal having high thermal conductivity (for example, copper or aluminum), and its shape is a box-like body having an open surface so that ice can be generated. Yes. Specifically, it is a box-like body partitioned so as to have a plurality of four-sided depressions (ice making blocks) inside. Thus, from the point provided with an ice making block, the sub-evaporator 1 can be said to be a heat exchanger that functions as an ice making container. Therefore, for convenience of explanation, the ice making container may be assigned the same member number as the sub-evaporator 1 in some cases.

  Further, the shape of the sub-evaporator 1 may be a flat cooling plate (plate type ice making plate). In the case of such a shape, ice is made by flowing water down the cooling plate. That is, the shape of the sub-evaporator 1 itself of the present invention may be a box or a flat plate.

  In addition, the sub-evaporator 1 may be configured such that a cooling unit (a cooling container or a cooling plate) made of a box-like body or a flat plate-like material (copper or aluminum) is attached. In the present invention, the sub-evaporator 1 itself may have a shape capable of making ice, or the sub-evaporator 1 may be provided with a cooling unit having a shape capable of making ice. Therefore, the sub-evaporator 1 itself may serve as a cooling unit. Then, the sub-evaporator 1 and the cooling unit may be understood as synonymous.

  The connecting refrigerant pipe 16 a guides the refrigerant (refrigerant liquid) flowing from the C capillary tube 14 of the refrigeration cycle unit 19 to the sub-evaporator 1, and the refrigerant (refrigerant gas) vaporized in the sub-evaporator 1. It is a pipe leading to the compressor 11. That is, the connecting refrigerant pipe 16a can be said to be a branch pipe (a branched refrigerant pipe) for diverting the refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration cycle unit 19.

  Accordingly, one end of the connection refrigerant pipe 16a is connected to the refrigerant pipe 16 disposed between the C capillary tube 14 and the main evaporator 15, while the other end of the connection refrigerant pipe 16a is connected to the main refrigerant pipe 16a. A refrigerant pipe 16 disposed between the evaporator 15 and the compressor 11 is connected. That is, the sub-evaporator 1 provided in the connection refrigerant pipe 16a acquires and vaporizes the refrigerant (refrigerant liquid) diverted from one end of the connection refrigerant pipe 16a, while vaporizing (gasified) refrigerant. (Refrigerant gas) is sent out to the compressor 11.

  The connection refrigerant pipe 16a that guides the refrigerant (refrigerant liquid) to the sub-evaporator 1 may be expressed as an input connection refrigerant pipe 16aa, and the connection refrigerant that guides the refrigerant vaporized in the sub-evaporator 1 to the compressor 11. The pipe 16a may be expressed as an output connection refrigerant pipe 16ab. Further, since the connecting refrigerant pipe 16a circulates the refrigerant similarly to the refrigerant pipe 16, it may be expressed as a refrigerant pipe.

  This is because the connecting refrigerant pipe 16 a is upstream of the main evaporator 15, branches from the downstream position of the condenser 13 (specifically, the C capillary tube 14), and is downstream of the main evaporator 15. This is because it can be said that the refrigerant pipe is connected to the upstream position of the compressor 11.

  Conversely, the refrigerant pipe 16 can be said to be a refrigerant pipe branched to branch the refrigerant together with the connecting refrigerant pipe 16a. Therefore, the refrigerant pipe 16 may be expressed as a diversion pipe.

  The refrigerant branching solenoid valve (first refrigerant branching solenoid valve) 2 is a valve that adjusts the amount of refrigerant that has passed through the C capillary tube 14 that flows to the main evaporator 15 and the sub-evaporator 1. Therefore, the refrigerant branching solenoid valve 2 is provided, for example, in a connection refrigerant pipe 16a (specifically, an input connection refrigerant pipe 16aa) located between the C capillary tube 14 and the sub-evaporator 1. .

  In addition, this refrigerant | coolant shunt solenoid valve 2 can supply a refrigerant | coolant only to the main evaporator 15 according to adjustment amount (valve opening degree), and can also supply only to the sub-evaporator 1. FIG. And adjustment of this valve opening degree (adjustment degree) is performed based on the command (instruction) of the control part 32 provided in the refrigerator-freezer 59. FIG. Specifically, a valve drive motor (not shown) is attached, and the control unit 32 issues a command to the valve drive motor, so that the valve opening degree of the refrigerant shunt electromagnetic valve 2 is variously adjusted. ing.

  Moreover, the refrigerant | coolant shunt solenoid valve 2 is not limited to a solenoid valve, A motorized valve may be sufficient. In short, any valve that can adjust the flow rate of refrigerant to the main evaporator 15 and the sub-evaporator 1 may be used.

[Examples of various features of the present invention]
As described above, the refrigerator-freezer 59 of the present invention includes at least the compressor 11 that compresses the refrigerant, the condenser 13 that condenses and liquefies the compressed refrigerant, and the main evaporator 15 that vaporizes the liquefied refrigerant. By connecting with the pipe 16, a refrigeration cycle unit 19 for circulating the refrigerant is provided, and the air is cooled by the heat of vaporization of the main evaporator 15.

  In addition, the refrigerator-freezer 59 of the present invention is provided with a sub-evaporator 1 that functions as an ice making container 1 to which water is allowed to adhere, and this sub-evaporator 1 is incorporated in the refrigeration cycle unit 19 and vaporized. It is designed to generate heat.

  As described above, the sub-evaporator 1 is an ice making container 1 made of a metal having high thermal conductivity. Therefore, the water (ice making water) stored in the ice making container 1 is frozen by the evaporation of the refrigerant (refrigerant liquid) in the refrigeration cycle unit 19.

  Thus, when ice-making water is cooled and solidified by heat exchange when the refrigerant liquid is vaporized (when cooled and solidified at about −20 ° C. to −30 ° C.), conventional cooled air (cold air) ) Is better than the case where ice is produced by spraying, the heat conduction efficiency (cooling efficiency) for ice-making water is better. Therefore, the refrigerator-freezer 59 of the present invention can generate ice in a short time.

  In addition, the refrigerator-freezer 59 of the present invention does not require a separate refrigeration cycle unit because it can generate ice by using the refrigeration cycle unit 19 used in the indirect cooling system. Therefore, enlargement of the refrigerator-freezer 59 itself is suppressed. For this reason, the refrigerator-freezer 59 of the present invention can expand a space in the cabinet (for example, an indoor space such as the refrigerator compartment 21), and thus can be said to be a refrigerator-freezer having a wide indoor space, although it is compact.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator-freezer 59 of the present invention connects the input connection refrigerant pipe 16aa to the refrigerant pipe 16 disposed between the C capillary tube 14 and the main evaporator 15, while providing an output. The connecting refrigerant pipe 16ab is connected to the refrigerant pipe 16 disposed between the main evaporator 15 and the compressor 11.

  That is, the connection refrigerant pipe 16a (input connection refrigerant pipe 16aa / output connection refrigerant pipe 16ab) is connected to the upstream position side and the downstream position side of the main evaporator 15 in the refrigeration cycle. Therefore, it can be said that the sub-evaporator 1 provided in the connection refrigerant pipe 16 a is arranged in parallel with the main evaporator 15 in the refrigeration cycle unit 19.

  When the sub-evaporator 1 and the main evaporator 15 are thus arranged in parallel in the refrigeration cycle unit 19 (refrigeration cycle), the refrigerant (refrigerant liquid) flowing from the C capillary tube 14 is divided. be able to.

  And especially in the refrigerator-freezer 59 of this invention, the refrigerant | coolant shunt solenoid valve 2 is provided in the input connection refrigerant | coolant pipe 16aa. Therefore, the refrigerator-freezer 59 of the present invention changes the amount of refrigerant supplied to the main evaporator 15 and the sub-evaporator 1 by appropriately adjusting the degree of opening and closing (valve opening) of the refrigerant branching electromagnetic valve 2. be able to.

  As a result, the refrigerator-freezer 59 of the present invention can divert the refrigerant to the sub-evaporator 1 with the refrigerant diverting solenoid valve 2 only when ice is required, for example, but does not require ice. Alternatively, the refrigerant can be flowed only to the main evaporator 15. Moreover, the refrigerator-freezer 59 of the present invention can supply refrigerant to both evaporators (the main evaporator 15 and the sub-evaporator 1). Therefore, it can be said that the refrigerator-freezer 59 of the present invention includes the refrigeration cycle unit 19 that enables diversion of various refrigerants.

[Embodiment 2]
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the member which has the same function as the member used in Embodiment 1, the same code | symbol is attached and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the first embodiment, the point that the sub-evaporator 1 (sub-evaporator unit 9) serving as the ice making container 1 is incorporated in the refrigeration cycle unit 19 has been described mainly. Next, an example of the water supply unit 49 that can spray water on the ice making container 1 including the sub-evaporator 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[About the structure of the water supply unit]
As shown in FIG. 2, the water supply unit 49 includes an ice making water storage tank (water storage container) 41, an ice making water supply pipe (water supply pipe) 42, and a circulation pump (water supply pump) 43. 2 is a detailed view of the vicinity of the ice making container (sub-evaporator) 1 in FIG.

  The ice making water storage tank 41 stores water (ice making water) that is a source of ice. In the ice making water storage tank 41, it is necessary to maintain a liquid state, that is, a water state. Therefore, even if a heat insulating partition is provided so as to cover the ice making water storage tank 41 so that the surroundings including the ice making water storage tank 41 can be maintained at a temperature exceeding the freezing point (0 ° C.). Good.

  The ice making water supply pipe 42 is a pipe for supplying ice making water stored in the ice making water storage tank 41 to the ice making container 1. Specifically, one end of the ice making water supply pipe 42 is disposed so as to pierce from the outside to the inside of the ice making water storage tank 41, and the other end of the ice making water supply pipe 42 is partitioned of the ice making container 1. It is arranged in the vicinity of the open surface (open surface of the ice making block). The ice making water supply pipe 42 in the vicinity of the ice making container 1 is provided with an ejection hole 42a for blowing ice making water.

  A plurality of ice making blocks are two-dimensionally arranged on the open surface of the ice making container 1. Accordingly, the ejection holes 42a are preferably provided in the ice making water supply pipe 42 so as to correspond to the respective ice making blocks. Therefore, the ice making water supply pipe 42 facing the open surface of the ice making container 1 may be branched into a plurality and arranged two-dimensionally. This is because if the two-dimensional ice-making water supply pipe 42 is arranged in such a manner as to be branched, the ejection holes 42a are easily provided so as to correspond to each ice-making block.

  The circulation pump 43 is a pump for blowing the ice making water in the ice making water storage tank 41 to the ice making container 1 through the ice making water supply pipe 42. That is, by the discharge force of the circulation pump 43, the ice making water is blown out from the ejection hole 42 a through the ice making water storage tank 41 and the ice making water supply pipe 42. Therefore, the circulation pump 43 is arranged between one end and the other end of the ice making water supply pipe 42 arranged inside the ice making water storage tank 41. The circulation pump 43 is appropriately controlled by the control unit 32.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 2, the ice making container 1 is a box-shaped body having an open surface, and is partitioned so as to have a plurality of depressions (ice-making blocks) in a quadrilateral shape inside the box-shaped body. Is. The ice making container 1 is disposed with the open surface facing the open surface of the ice making water storage tank 41 via the hinge portion 44, and the non-open surface (that is, the bottom portion of the ice making container 1) is a refrigerant. It is arranged so as to be in close contact with the pipe 16. Therefore, the ice making container 1 is directly cooled by the refrigerant from the refrigeration cycle unit 19.

  Therefore, the ice making water blown to the ice making container 1 by the circulation pump 43 is solidified (stacked and solidified) so as to be laminated from the bottom of the ice making container 1 toward the open surface. In particular, since water has a property of being easily frozen from pure water, transparent pure water is sequentially laminated and solidified (freezing). On the other hand, ice-making water containing impurities falls in the ice-making container 1 without freezing (unfreezing water and moves away from the ice-making container 1). Then, the unfrozen water that has fallen down further falls into the ice-making water storage tank 41 through, for example, a gap between the ice-making water supply pipes 42 that are arranged in a branched manner (two-dimensionally arranged).

  Then, the unfrozen water that falls into the ice-making water storage tank 41 is blown again to the ice-making container 1 by the circulation pump 43. That is, it can be said that the water supply unit 49 in the refrigerator-freezer 59 of the present invention circulates ice making water.

[Examples of various features of the present invention]
As described above, the refrigerator-freezer 59 of the present invention includes the water supply unit 49 that can spray ice-making water onto the ice-making container 1. The water supply unit sucks the ice making water stored in the ice making water storage tank 41 using the circulation pump 43 and blows the sucked ice making water onto the ice making container 1 via the ice making water supply pipe 42. It has become.

  In general, when ice is generated, it is first frozen from the pure water portion, and the impurities in the water are expelled to the unfrozen portion. Therefore, by utilizing this property, the water supply unit 49 preferentially solidifies (freezes) pure water in the ice making water by blowing the ice making water to the ice making container 1, while impurities are not frozen (free ice making). The water is dropped so as to be included in the water that could not adhere to the container. Therefore, the refrigerator-freezer 59 of the present invention can generate transparent ice (transparent ice) caused by pure water in the ice making container.

  The water supply unit 49 is not limited to the type in which the ice making water is ejected and attached to the ice making container 1 as described above. For example, a water supply unit of a type that obtains ice by flowing ice-making water down into a plate-shaped ice-making container may be used. The point is that impurities including dissolved gas etc. are not trapped in ice making water [the rate of diffusion of impurities into the water (diffusion rate) is faster than the rate of ice growth (freezing rate) It is sufficient that the state can be maintained.

[Embodiment 3]
Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the member which has the same function as the member used in Embodiment 1 * 2, the same code | symbol is attached and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

The refrigerator-freezer 59 in Embodiments 1 and 2 is a refrigerant diverting solenoid valve 2 that adjusts the amount of refrigerant (refrigerant liquid amount, etc.) supplied to the main evaporator 15 and the sub-evaporator 1 to provide various cooling. The type is realized. As such a cooling type, for example, the following three types can be listed.
A cooling type (main evaporator cooling type) in which the refrigerant is supplied only to the main evaporator 15 to cool the refrigerator compartment 21 and the like without ice making.
A cooling type (main evaporator / sub-evaporator cooling type) that can cool the refrigerator compartment 21 and the like and also make ice by supplying refrigerant to both the main evaporator 15 and the sub-evaporator 1.
A cooling type (sub-evaporator cooling type) in which only ice making is performed by supplying refrigerant only to the sub-evaporator 1.

  Any of these types is a cooling type realized by adjusting the amount of refrigerant supplied to the evaporator (the main evaporator 15 and the sub-evaporator 1). However, the refrigerator-freezer 59 of the present invention can dramatically increase the ice making function by further reducing the pressure of the refrigerant itself. For example, when the sub-evaporator cooling type is performed, the refrigerator-freezer 59 having a mode capable of generating ice rapidly (ultra-rapid ice making mode) can be realized. Hereinafter, such a refrigerator-freezer 59 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the refrigerator-freezer 59 capable of such ultra-rapid ice making. As shown in FIG. 3, a second C capillary tube (second C capillary tube) 4 and a second refrigerant branch solenoid valve (second refrigerant branch solenoid valve) 5 are provided. .

  Specifically, one end of the 2C capillary tube 4 has an input connection refrigerant pipe 16aa (specifically, an input position downstream of the first refrigerant branch solenoid valve 2 and upstream position of the ice making container 1). The refrigerant pipe 16 (specifically, the first refrigerant tube 16aa) is connected between the first C capillary tube 14 and the main evaporator 15, while the second C capillary tube 4 is connected to the connection refrigerant pipe 16aa). This is connected to the refrigerant pipe 16) downstream of the C capillary tube 14 and upstream of the main evaporator 15.

  On the other hand, the second refrigerant diverting solenoid valve 5 is connected to the refrigerant pipe 16 (specifically, from the other end of the second C capillary tube 4 to the main evaporator) located between the first C capillary tube 14 and the main evaporator 15. The refrigerant pipe 16) is located downstream from the first refrigerant branching solenoid valve 2 and is located upstream from the first refrigerant branching solenoid valve 2.

  When the 2C capillary tube 4 and the second refrigerant branching solenoid valve 5 are provided, the above three types (main evaporator cooling type, main evaporator / sub evaporator cooling type, sub evaporator cooling type) are provided. Then, the refrigerant flows as described below.

  In the case of the main evaporator cooling type, first, the control unit 32 opens the second refrigerant branching electromagnetic valve 5 and closes the first refrigerant branching electromagnetic valve 2 (first refrigerant branching electromagnetic valve 2). Then, a flow path for establishing the refrigerant flowing from the first C capillary tube (first C capillary tube 14) to the main evaporator 15 is established. Therefore, the refrigerant flows through the flow path and reaches (supplies) the main evaporator 15. As a result, cooling due to the heat of vaporization of the main evaporator 15 (for example, cooling of the refrigerator compartment 21 or the like) becomes possible.

  As described above, when the control unit 32 opens and closes the first refrigerant branch solenoid valve 2 and the second refrigerant branch solenoid valve 5, the flow path flows from the first C capillary tube 14 to the second C capillary tube 4. Is not closed. However, the resistance of the second C capillary tube 4 is larger than the resistance in the flow path connected to the main evaporator 15. Therefore, the refrigerant is easy to flow through the flow path connected to the main evaporator 15.

  On the other hand, in the case of the main evaporator / sub-evaporator cooling type, the control unit 32 opens (opens) the second refrigerant branching solenoid valve 5 and also opens the first refrigerant branching solenoid valve 2. Then, a flow path for guiding the refrigerant flowing from the first C capillary tube 14 to the main evaporator 15 is established, and a flow path for guiding the refrigerant to the input connection refrigerant pipe 16aa is also established.

  Therefore, the refrigerant flows through these flow paths and reaches the main evaporator 15 and the sub-evaporator 1. As a result, cooling due to the heat of vaporization of the main evaporator 15 (for example, cooling of the refrigerating chamber 21 and the like) becomes possible, and ice making by the sub-evaporator 1 becomes possible. That is, as described in the above embodiment, ice making and refrigeration can be performed in parallel.

  In the case of the sub-evaporator cooling type, the control unit 32 closes (closes) both the first refrigerant diverting electromagnetic valve 2 and the second refrigerant diverting electromagnetic valve 5. Then, a flow path for guiding the refrigerant flowing from the first C capillary tube 14 to the sub-evaporator 1 through the second C capillary tube 4 is established.

  When the refrigerant passes through such a flow path, the refrigerant is subjected to two-stage depressurization by the first C capillary tube 14 and the second C capillary tube 4 (subject to a two-stage throttle action). Then, the temperature of the refrigerant that has been reduced to about −25 ° C. due to the pressure reduction by the first C capillary tube 14 is lowered to about −50 ° C. by the pressure reduction by the second C capillary tube 4.

  Therefore, the refrigerator-freezer 59 of the present invention provided with the 2C capillary tube 4 and the second refrigerant branching solenoid valve 5 in this way is more rapid in the ice making container 1 than in the case of making ice by only the refrigerant branching. The ice making water can be cooled. For example, about 100 g of ice can be generated in a few minutes.

[Embodiment 4]
Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the member which has the same function as the member used in Embodiment 1-3, the same code | symbol is attached and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The refrigerator-freezer 59 in the first to third embodiments is provided with a refrigerant branch solenoid valve (first refrigerant branch solenoid valve 2 and second refrigerant branch solenoid valve 5). The opening degree of the refrigerant branching solenoid valve (2.5) is controlled by the control unit 32. Therefore, control of the valve opening degree of the refrigerant branching solenoid valve (2 · 5) by the control unit 32 will be described below.

<Control of the valve opening of the refrigerant shunt solenoid valve based on the outside air temperature>
The valve opening degree of the refrigerant branching solenoid valve (2.5) by the control unit 32 is controlled so as not to place an excessive burden on the performance of the refrigeration cycle unit 19. Specifically, the cooling performance of the air by the main evaporator 15 is prevented from deteriorating due to the ice making by the sub-evaporator 1.

  Normally, when the outside air temperature is high (about 30 ° C.), the amount of energy required for cooling the air in the refrigeration cycle unit 19 is relatively increased. In this way, when the energy consumption is increased, if the refrigerant is supplied to the sub-evaporator 1, it is difficult to sufficiently cool the refrigerator compartment 21 and the like with only the amount of the refrigerant supplied to the main evaporator 15. Become. That is, in the case of the normal temperature (about 25 ° C.), even if the amount of refrigerant is sufficient, the cooling performance of the air by the main evaporator 15 is lowered at the high temperature as described above.

  For this purpose, the control unit 32 determines the first refrigerant flow solenoid valve based on the temperature of the outside air (specifically, based on the temperature measured by the outside air temperature sensor 31 provided in the refrigerator-freezer 59 (measured outside air temperature)). The valve opening degree in the second or second refrigerant flow solenoid valve 5 is controlled so that the refrigerant amount supplied to the sub-evaporator 1 is smaller than the refrigerant amount supplied to the main evaporator 15.

  By controlling in this way, the internal temperature of the refrigerator-freezer 59 (for example, the internal temperature of the refrigerator compartment 21) can be maintained below a certain temperature even when the outside air temperature is relatively high. Therefore, the refrigerating refrigerator 59 that prevents the cooling performance of the refrigerating cycle unit 19 (and thus the refrigerating refrigerator 59) from being lowered is realized.

  In addition, as an example of adjustment of the refrigerant quantity based on the outside air temperature, the control unit 32 prescribes an outside air temperature (threshold outside air temperature) that is a threshold value in advance, and when the measured outside air temperature is higher than the threshold outside air temperature, The amount of refrigerant supplied to the sub-evaporator 1 is made smaller than the amount of refrigerant supplied to the main evaporator 15 by controlling the valve opening degree of the first refrigerant diverting solenoid valve 2 or the second refrigerant diverting solenoid valve 5. There are cases.

<Control of opening degree of refrigerant shunt solenoid valve based on internal temperature>
Moreover, in the refrigerator-freezer 59 of this invention, even if the control part 32 controls the valve opening degree in the 1st refrigerant | coolant shunt electromagnetic valve 2 or the 2nd refrigerant | coolant shunt electromagnetic valve 5 based on the internal temperature. Good.

  For example, the freezer compartment 24 is set by the control unit 32 so as to maintain a temperature within a predetermined range (for example, −18 ° C. to −20 ° C.). Therefore, when the measurement temperature (temperature in the measurement chamber) of the freezer compartment temperature sensor 30d exceeds the upper limit value (for example, −18 ° C.) of the temperature within a predetermined range, the control unit 32 uses the refrigeration cycle unit 19. Control to cool the air further. On the other hand, when the measured temperature of the temperature sensor 30d in the freezer compartment exceeds the lower limit value (for example, −20 ° C.) of the temperature within the predetermined range, the control unit 32 temporarily stops the operation of the refrigeration cycle unit 19 and excessively increases. Control to prevent cool air.

  In the case of such control, in particular, the control unit 32 uses the refrigeration cycle unit 19 to further cool the air in order to exceed the upper limit value of the temperature within a certain range within the freezer compartment 24 and the like. When controlling, it is necessary to supply a relatively large amount of refrigerant to the main evaporator 15. Then, in spite of such a necessity, when a large amount of refrigerant is supplied to the sub-evaporator 1, the cooling performance of the refrigeration cycle unit 19 (refrigeration refrigerator 59) is lowered.

  Then, the control part 32 is based on the temperature (measurement chamber temperature) measured by the chamber temperature sensor 30 provided in each chamber (21-24) of the refrigerator-freezer 59 based on the temperature in the chamber. Based on the amount of refrigerant supplied to the main evaporator 15 by controlling the valve opening degree of the first refrigerant diverting solenoid valve 2 or the second refrigerant diverting solenoid valve 5. It is also less.

  By controlling in this way, even if the internal temperature is relatively high, the internal temperature of the freezer refrigerator 59 (for example, the internal temperature of the freezer compartment 24) can be maintained below a certain temperature. Therefore, the refrigerating refrigerator 59 that prevents the cooling performance of the refrigerating cycle unit 19 (refrigeration refrigerator 59) from being lowered is realized.

  In addition, as an example of adjustment of the refrigerant | coolant amount based on chamber temperature, the control part 32 prescribes | regulates the chamber temperature (threshold chamber temperature) used as a threshold value beforehand, and this chamber interior is measured from this threshold chamber temperature. When the temperature is high, the valve opening degree of the first refrigerant diverting solenoid valve 2 or the second refrigerant diverting solenoid valve 5 is controlled, and the refrigerant amount supplied to the sub-evaporator 1 is changed to the refrigerant supplied to the main evaporator 15. The case where it makes less than quantity is mentioned.

<Example of valve opening control of first refrigerant branch solenoid valve or second refrigerant branch solenoid valve>
Here, the amount of refrigerant supplied to the sub-evaporator 1 is controlled by controlling the valve opening degree of the first refrigerant diverting electromagnetic valve 2 or the second refrigerant diverting electromagnetic valve 5 described above, and the refrigerant supplied to the main evaporator 15 An example in which the amount is less than the amount will be described.

  For example, in the refrigerator-freezer 59 shown in FIG. 1, the main evaporator 15 and the sub-evaporator 1 are arranged in parallel, and the first refrigerant branching solenoid valve that branches the refrigerant flowing from the first C capillary tube 14. 2 is provided.

  And if it is such a refrigerator-freezer 59, the control part 32 will open partly, without fully opening the 1st refrigerant | coolant shunt electromagnetic valve 2, when outside temperature or internal temperature is comparatively high temperature. Specifically, the first refrigerant branching solenoid valve 2 is controlled to be partially opened so that the refrigerant amount supplied to the sub-evaporator 1 is smaller than the refrigerant amount supplied to the main evaporator 15.

  Thus, if the control part 32 controls the 1st refrigerant | coolant shunt solenoid valve 2, although a refrigerant | coolant will be supplied to both the main evaporator 15 and the subevaporator 1, a large amount of refrigerant | coolant will be sent to the main evaporator 15. An amount (a larger amount of refrigerant than the amount of refrigerant supplied to the sub-evaporator 1) is supplied. Therefore, ice making by the sub-evaporator 1 becomes possible while maintaining the cooling capacity due to the main evaporator 15. Therefore, the refrigerator-freezer 59 of the present invention has various cooling patterns.

  3 includes a refrigeration cycle unit 19 that can depressurize the refrigerant reaching the sub-evaporator 1 in two stages. And as mentioned above, such a refrigerator-freezer 59 can perform three types of cooling of the main evaporator cooling type, the main evaporator / sub-evaporator cooling type, and the sub-evaporator cooling type.

  Then, when the outside air temperature or the inside temperature is relatively high, the control unit 32 preferentially performs the main evaporator cooling type. Specifically, the control unit 32 completely opens the second refrigerant branching electromagnetic valve 5 while completely closing the first refrigerant branching electromagnetic valve 2. Then, a flow path for guiding the refrigerant flowing from the first C capillary tube 14 to the main evaporator 15 is established, and the refrigerant flows through this flow path and reaches only the main evaporator 15. As a result, cooling due to the heat of vaporization of the main evaporator 15 (for example, cooling of the refrigerator compartment 21 etc.) is mainly performed.

  Although not until the main evaporator cooling type is executed, the control unit 32 performs the main evaporator / sub-evaporator cooling type when the outside air temperature or the inside temperature is relatively high. It has become. Specifically, the control unit 32 opens the second refrigerant branching electromagnetic valve 5 and also opens the first refrigerant branching electromagnetic valve 2. Then, a flow path for guiding the refrigerant flowing from the first C capillary tube 14 to the main evaporator 15 is established, and a flow path for guiding the refrigerant to the input connection refrigerant pipe 16aa is also established. Then, the refrigerant flows through these flow paths and reaches the main evaporator 15 and the sub-evaporator 1.

  When opening the first refrigerant branch solenoid valve 2 and the second refrigerant branch solenoid valve 5 as described above, the control unit 32 partially opens the first refrigerant branch solenoid valve 2 without fully opening it. Specifically, the control unit 32 controls the first refrigerant diverting electromagnetic valve 2 to be partially opened without fully opening, and supplies the refrigerant amount supplied to the sub-evaporator 1 to the main evaporator 15. The amount of refrigerant is reduced.

  As a result, cooling due to the heat of vaporization of the main evaporator 15 (for example, cooling of the refrigerator compartment 21 etc.) is mainly performed, while ice making by the sub-evaporator 1 is also possible. That is, according to the present invention, ice making and refrigeration can be performed in parallel, and freezing refrigerator 59 that can mainly perform either ice making (cooling by sub-evaporator 1) or refrigeration (cooling by main evaporator 15). It has become. Therefore, it can be said that the refrigerator-freezer 59 of the present invention has various cooling patterns.

  The sub-evaporator cooling type is a cooling type that places importance on ice making as described above. Therefore, it can be said that the necessity of executing this cooling type is low when the outside air temperature or the inside temperature is relatively high.

[Embodiment 5]
Embodiment 5 of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the member which has the same function as the member used in Embodiment 1-4, the same code | symbol is attached and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the refrigerator-freezer 59 in the first to fourth embodiments, the sub-evaporator 1 is incorporated in the refrigeration cycle unit 19. The ice making chamber 22 in which the sub-evaporator (ice making container) 1 is disposed will be described.

  The ice making chamber 22 is divided by a heat insulating partition plate 27 as shown in FIGS. Specifically, the ice making chamber 22 is divided into an ice making and freezing chamber 22a and an ice making storage chamber 22b.

  The ice making and freezing chamber 22 a is a space for accommodating the sub-evaporator (ice making container) 1 and the water supply unit 49. The ice making and freezing chamber 22a is maintained at a temperature of approximately 0 ° C. to 5 ° C. (0 ° C. or more and 5 ° C. or less; refrigeration temperature zone) by adjusting the air volume by the blower fan 33.

  On the other hand, the ice making storage chamber 22b is a space for storing ice generated in the ice making container 1. Therefore, the ice making storage chamber 22b accommodates the ice storage BOX 34 for storing ice, and is maintained at a temperature below about 0 ° C. (below the freezing point; for example, about −20 ° C.) by adjusting the air volume by the blower fan 33. ing. That is, in order to maintain the ice in a solidified state, the ice making storage chamber 22b is maintained at a temperature (freezing temperature range) below the freezing point.

  As described above, in the refrigerator-freezer 59 of the present invention, the control unit 32 controls the blower fan 33 so that the room temperatures of the ice making and freezing chamber 22a and the ice making storage chamber 22b are made different. In particular, the internal temperature (indoor temperature) of the ice making and freezing chamber 22a is in the refrigeration temperature zone (chilled zone). Therefore, the ambient temperature of the ice making container 1 is also in the refrigeration temperature zone.

  Thus, when the ambient temperature (container ambient temperature) of the ice making container 1 is in the refrigeration temperature zone, the side wall portion in the ice making block is less likely to be below the freezing point due to the influence of the refrigeration temperature zone. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the bottom of the ice making container 1 (ice making block) directly attached to the refrigerant pipe 26 is below the freezing point due to the influence of the refrigerant.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the ice making water adhering to the ice making container 1 is solidified so as to be surely stacked from the bottom part that is most cooled in the ice making block toward the open surface. In particular, the pure water portion of the ice making water is preferentially laminated and solidified due to the property of being easily frozen from pure water. As a result, a refrigerator-freezer 59 that can reliably generate transparent ice is realized.

  Further, as described above, since it is easy to freeze from pure water, transparent pure water is sequentially laminated and solidified (freezing), while ice-making water containing impurities falls from the ice-making vessel 1. However, not all of the ice-making water containing impurities may fall, and some ice-making water may adhere to the side wall of the ice-making container 1 (ice-making block).

  However, in the refrigerator-freezer 59 of the present invention, the side wall portion of the ice making block is difficult to be below the freezing point due to the refrigeration temperature zone. Therefore, a situation in which some ice-making water containing impurities freezes on the side wall portion cannot occur. Therefore, the present invention can be said to be a refrigerator-freezer 59 that can generate transparent ice more reliably.

  Further, in the refrigerator-freezer 59 of the present invention, a water supply unit 49 for supplying ice making water to the ice making container 1 is also accommodated in the ice making and ice forming chamber 22a. That is, the ambient temperature of the water supply unit 49 (water supply unit ambient temperature) is also in the refrigeration temperature zone. For this reason, the ice making water stored in the ice making water storage tank 41 in the water supply unit 49 and the ice making water flowing through the ice making water supply pipe 42 cannot freeze. Therefore, the circulation of ice making ice in the water supply unit 49 is reliably maintained. Therefore, the present invention can be said to be a freezer refrigerator 59 that can reliably supply ice making ice to the ice making container 1.

  Even if the ice making container 1 and the water supply unit 49 are disposed in the refrigerator compartment 21, the ambient temperature of both (the ice making container 1 and the water supply unit 49) is in the refrigerator temperature zone. Therefore, even if such arrangement is performed, it can be said that the refrigerator / freezer 59 can reliably supply ice making ice to the ice making container 1 as described above.

[Other embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the number of evaporators (main evaporator / sub-evaporator) incorporated in the refrigeration cycle is not limited. Moreover, the following various modifications are mentioned.

[About refrigerator-freezers using hot gas]
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, using hot gas in the refrigeration cycle unit 19 (refrigerant sent out from the compressor 11 immediately before flowing into the auxiliary condenser 12; refrigerant gas at approximately 60 to 80 ° C.) It may be a refrigerator-freezer 59 that makes it easy to de-ice ice. For example, a hot gas capillary tube 35 which is a decompression device for reducing the pressure of the refrigerant from the compressor 11 may be provided.

  For example, the refrigerator-freezer 59 of the present invention connects one end of a hot gas capillary tube (H capillary tube) 35 to a refrigerant pipe 16 disposed between the compressor 11 and the auxiliary condenser 12. On the other hand, the other end of the H capillary tube 35 is connected to a refrigerant pipe 16 (input connection refrigerant pipe 16aa) disposed between the sub-evaporator (ice-making container) 1 and the first refrigerant branching solenoid valve 2. It has become.

  Further, on one end side of the H capillary tube 35, a third refrigerant branching solenoid valve 36 (third refrigerant branching solenoid valve 36) that allows the refrigerant from the compressor 11 to be supplied also to the H capillary tube 35 is provided. It is supposed to be.

  That is, in the refrigerator-freezer 59 of the present invention, it branches from the downstream position of the compressor 11 and from the upstream position of the condenser 13 (specifically, the auxiliary condenser 12) and leads to the upstream position immediately before the ice making container 1. A third refrigerant adjustment valve 36 for adjusting the amount of refrigerant is provided in the hot gas flow path (for example, the capillary tube for H 35 as shown in FIG. 4 or a refrigerant pipe). The valve opening degree of the third refrigerant branching electromagnetic valve 36 is variously adjusted by the control unit 32 in the same manner as the first refrigerant branching electromagnetic valve 2 and the second refrigerant branching electromagnetic valve 5 described above.

  As described above, if the H capillary tube 35 is configured to be incorporated in the refrigeration cycle unit 19, a part of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant (refrigerant gas) immediately after being discharged from the compressor 11 is separated from the third refrigerant. It flows to the capillary tube for H 35 through the electromagnetic valve 36 and further flows to the ice making container 1.

  With such a configuration, for example, the control unit 32 completely generates ice in the ice making container 1 based on a detection result of an ice making detection sensor (not shown) (a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the ice making container 1). If it is determined that the first refrigerant branching solenoid valve 2 is closed, the third refrigerant branching solenoid valve 36 is opened. Then, a part of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant (hot gas) from the compressor 11 flows through the third refrigerant branching solenoid valve 36 to the H capillary tube 35 and further to the ice making container 1. .

  However, due to the resistance of the H capillary tube 35, only a small amount of hot gas (partial hot gas) reaches the ice making container 1. However, the ice making container 1 is heated even under the influence of a small amount of hot gas. Then, after several minutes, the temperature of the ice making container 1 becomes about 10 ° C. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the ice in contact with the bottom of the ice making container 1 starts to melt and further falls (ice-off) due to gravity.

  In particular, when such ice falls, the refrigerator-freezer 59 of the present invention rotates the hinge portion 44 with a drive motor (not shown) to separate the water supply unit from the ice making container 1 as shown in FIG. I am doing so. When the water supply unit 49 is separated from the ice making container 1 in this way, the falling ice passes through the ice making water supply pipe 42 (two-dimensional surface partition) arranged two-dimensionally (as a guide), This is because the ice is stored in the ice storage BOX 34 (see FIG. 1 and the like).

  The reason why only a part of the hot gas flows into the H capillary tube 35 is to prevent an excessive increase in the temperature of the ice making container 1. Further, even when the refrigerant is supplied to the H capillary tube 35, the refrigerant can be supplied (cold gas cycle) to the auxiliary condenser 12, the condenser 13, the C capillary tube 14, and the main evaporator 15. In order to prevent deterioration of the cooling function.

  Further, in the refrigerator-freezer 59 of the present invention, when the sub-evaporator cooling type cooling is continued for a long time, the cooling capacity of the main evaporator 15 is significantly reduced. Therefore, in the refrigerator-freezer 59 of the present invention, this sub-evaporator cooling type cooling cannot be continued for a long time or repeated. For example, a control program for allowing only sub-evaporator cooling type cooling set for a short time or sub-evaporator cooling type cooling limited in line is incorporated in the control unit 32.

[About refrigerators and refrigerators with an input unit]
In addition, the refrigerator-freezer 59 of the present invention can perform various cooling types (main evaporator cooling type, main evaporator / sub-evaporator cooling type, sub-evaporator cooling type, etc.) according to instructions from the control unit 32. ing. Therefore, the refrigerator-freezer 59 of the present invention may include an input unit (not shown) that can specify a cooling type for the control unit 32. This is because, if such an input unit (switch) is provided, various cooling types can be arbitrarily designated.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 3, if it is a refrigerator-freezer 59 that realizes two-stage decompression of the refrigerant,
In the case of the sub-evaporator cooling type, a mode capable of generating ice rapidly (ultra-rapid ice making mode) is provided. Therefore, if there is an input unit, the super quick ice making mode can be executed when the user needs ice quickly. However, such a super rapid ice making mode reduces the cooling function of the main evaporator 15. Therefore, when the outside air temperature or the inside temperature is relatively high, a control program that prevents execution of the super rapid ice making mode may be incorporated in the control unit 32.

[Refrigerator with direct-cooled evaporator]
Moreover, in the refrigeration cycle unit 19 provided in the refrigerator / freezer 59 of the present invention, various circulation cycles can be assumed. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a direct-cooling evaporator 37 for a refrigerating chamber that directly cools the refrigerating chamber 21 (direct cooling type) may be provided at a downstream position of the main evaporator 15. Further, such a direct cooling type evaporator may be provided in each chamber.

[Another expression of the present invention]
In addition, the refrigerator-freezer of this invention mentioned above can also be expressed as follows.

  A refrigerant pipe connects a compressor having a compression function for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser having a liquefaction function for condensing and liquefying the compressed refrigerant, and an evaporator having a vaporization function for vaporizing the liquefied refrigerant. Thus, in the refrigerator / freezer comprising a refrigeration cycle unit for circulating the refrigerant and cooling the air with the heat of vaporization of the evaporator, an ice making container having the vaporization function and having water attached thereto is incorporated in the refrigeration cycle unit. It is characterized by that. In other words, an evaporator having a vaporizing function (for example, an evaporator for refrigeration and an evaporator for ice making (ice making container)) may be incorporated in a refrigeration cycle including a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator.

  Further, in the refrigerator-freezer of the present invention, a water supply unit including a water storage container, a water supply pump, and a water supply pipe is provided, and the water supply unit sucks the water stored in the water storage container with the pump and passes the water supply pipe through the water supply pipe. You may supply to an ice-making container.

  Moreover, the refrigerator-freezer of this invention branches the refrigerant | coolant pipe | tube, and is providing an evaporator and an ice-making container in this branched refrigerant | coolant pipe | tube, respectively. That is, the refrigeration cycle unit is characterized in that the evaporator and the ice making container (ice making evaporator) are arranged in parallel.

  Further, in the refrigerator-freezer of the present invention, it is located upstream of the evaporator and branches from the downstream position of the condenser, and is downstream of the evaporator and connected to the upstream position of the compressor (so as to merge). An ice making container may be provided in the refrigerant pipe.

  And the 1st refrigerant | coolant adjustment valve which adjusts the refrigerant | coolant amount may be provided in the upstream position of the ice-making container in said branched refrigerant | coolant pipe | tube.

  Further, a first pressure reducer is provided at an upstream position of the evaporator and at a downstream position of the condenser. Between the first pressure reducer and the ice making container, the second pressure reducer is provided. A decompressor may be provided.

  A first pressure reducer is provided upstream of the evaporator and downstream of the condenser, while a second pressure reducer is provided downstream of the first pressure reducer. One end of the second pressure reducer is connected to a refrigerant pipe downstream of the first refrigerant regulating valve and upstream of the ice making container, while the other end of the second pressure reducer is And connected to a refrigerant pipe downstream of the first decompressor and upstream of the evaporator, and further downstream from the other end of the second decompressor toward the evaporator. In addition, a second refrigerant adjustment valve that adjusts the amount of refrigerant may be provided in the refrigerant pipe that is upstream of the first refrigerant adjustment valve.

  Further, the present invention is a refrigerator-freezer having a compression refrigeration cycle in which a compressor, a condensing device, a decompressor, and an evaporator are connected in an annular shape, and is dedicated to ice making in addition to the indirect cooling main evaporator. A direct cooling type evaporator (sub-evaporator) is provided.

  In addition, the refrigerator-freezer of the present invention may be provided with a refrigerant distribution pipe that divides the refrigerant in parallel immediately before the main evaporator and supplies the ice-cooled direct-cooled evaporator only when ice making is necessary.

  Further, the refrigerator-freezer of the present invention may be configured to control a refrigerant diversion state by an electromagnetic valve or an electric valve provided in a refrigerant diversion pipe to the ice-cooling direct cooling evaporator.

  Moreover, the refrigerator-freezer of this invention may control the refrigerant | coolant partial flow rate to the direct-cooling type | formula evaporator for ice making based on the outside temperature or the internal temperature in a refrigerator-freezer.

  In addition, the refrigerator-freezer of the present invention is configured such that the refrigerant inflow state to the ice-making direct-cooling evaporator is passed through the second decompressor only when a specific input unit (switch) provided is pressed. You may make it concentrate on the direct-cooling type | formula evaporator for the ice making.

  Moreover, the refrigerator-freezer of this invention may be made to be able to flow in a part of refrigerant | coolant gas immediately after compression into the direct-cooling evaporator for ice making via a 3rd solenoid valve.

  In the refrigerator-freezer of the present invention, the ice-cooled direct-cooling evaporator may be provided in the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator-freezer or the temperature range (refrigeration temperature zone) of the refrigerator compartment.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION This invention is useful to the refrigerator-freezer provided with the refrigerating cycle unit which circulates a refrigerant | coolant by connecting a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator with a refrigerant pipe.

It is a schematic block diagram of the refrigerator-freezer of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the ice making container and the water supply unit provided in the refrigerator-freezer of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the refrigerator-freezer provided with the 2nd C capillary tube, which shows another example of the refrigerator-freezer of FIG. 4 shows another example of the refrigerator-freezer of FIGS. 1 and 3, and is a schematic configuration diagram of the refrigerator-freezer provided with a capillary tube for H. FIG. It is explanatory drawing explaining the state which the ice is deicing from the ice making container. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a refrigerator-freezer provided with a direct-cooling evaporator, showing another example of FIGS. 1, 3, and 4. It is a schematic block diagram of the conventional refrigeration cycle. It is a schematic block diagram of the conventional ice making apparatus. It is a schematic block diagram of the conventional ice making apparatus which is another example.

Explanation of symbols

1 Sub-evaporator (evaporator for ice making)
2 1st refrigerant | coolant shunt solenoid valve (1st refrigerant | coolant adjustment valve)
4 Second capillary tube for cold (second decompressor)
5 Second refrigerant shunt solenoid valve (second refrigerant regulating valve)
9 Sub-evaporator unit 11 Compressor 12 Auxiliary condenser (condenser)
13 Condenser 14 First cold capillary tube (first decompressor)
15 Main evaporator (evaporator)
16 Refrigerant pipe (refrigerant pipe)
16a Connection refrigerant pipe (refrigerant pipe)
19 Refrigeration cycle unit 21 Refrigeration room 22 Ice making room 22a Ice making room (ice making room)
22b Ice making room (ice making room)
30 Internal temperature sensor (Internal temperature measurement part)
31 Outside temperature sensor (outside temperature measuring unit)
32 Control unit 33 Blower fan (Blower unit)
35 Hot capillary tube 36 Third refrigerant branching solenoid valve (third refrigerant regulating valve)
41 Ice making water storage tank (water storage container)
42 Ice making water supply pipe (water supply pipe)
43 Circulation pump (water supply pump)
49 Water supply unit 59 Refrigerated refrigerator

Claims (16)

A refrigerant pipe includes: a compressor that compresses the refrigerant gas; a condenser that condenses the compressed refrigerant gas; a first decompressor that decompresses the condensed refrigerant liquid; and an evaporator that evaporates the decompressed refrigerant liquid. In the refrigerator-freezer provided with a refrigeration cycle unit that is connected in a ring shape by
A refrigerator-freezer characterized in that an ice-making evaporator dedicated to ice making is incorporated in a refrigeration cycle unit so as to be in parallel with the evaporator.   The refrigerant pipe branches at a downstream position of the first pressure reducer, the evaporator is located on one of the branched refrigerant pipes, and the ice making evaporator is provided on the other. The refrigerator-freezer according to claim 1. A cooling unit is provided in the ice making evaporator,
A water supply unit including a water storage container, a water supply pump, and a water supply pipe is provided,
3. The refrigerator-freezer according to claim 1, wherein the water supply unit sucks water stored in the water storage container with a pump and supplies the water to the cooling unit through a water supply pipe.   A first refrigerant adjustment valve for adjusting the amount of refrigerant is provided at the upstream position of the ice making evaporator and the other branched refrigerant pipe provided with the ice making evaporator. The refrigerator-freezer according to claim 2 or 3.   5. The refrigerant tube between the first pressure reducer and the ice making evaporator is provided with a second pressure reducer. 6. Freezer refrigerator.   6. The refrigerant pipe according to claim 5, wherein a second refrigerant adjustment valve that adjusts an amount of refrigerant from the first pressure reducer so as to be guided to the second pressure reducer is provided in the refrigerant pipe. Freezer refrigerator. One end of the second pressure reducer is connected to the other branched refrigerant pipe at the downstream position of the first refrigerant regulating valve and at the upstream position of the ice making evaporator,
The other end of the second pressure reducer is connected to the refrigerant pipe at a downstream position of the first pressure reducer and an upstream position of the evaporator,
Furthermore, the second refrigerant adjustment is provided in the refrigerant pipe that is downstream from the other end of the second decompressor toward the evaporator and upstream from the first refrigerant adjustment valve. The refrigerator-freezer according to claim 6, wherein a valve is provided. A control unit is provided,
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the control unit controls an adjustment degree in the first refrigerant adjustment valve or the second refrigerant adjustment valve. An outside temperature measuring unit for measuring outside temperature is provided,
The control unit controls an adjustment degree in the first refrigerant adjustment valve or the second refrigerant adjustment valve based on the outside air temperature measured by the outside air temperature measurement unit. The refrigerator-freezer as described. The control unit
When a predetermined threshold outside temperature is specified and the measured outside temperature is higher than the threshold outside temperature,
By controlling the degree of adjustment in the first refrigerant adjustment valve or the second refrigerant adjustment valve, the amount of refrigerant supplied to the ice making evaporator is made smaller than the amount of refrigerant supplied to the evaporator. The refrigerator-freezer of Claim 9 characterized by the above-mentioned. An internal temperature measuring unit for measuring the internal temperature in the freezer is provided,
The said control part is controlling the adjustment degree in said 1st refrigerant | coolant adjustment valve or said 2nd refrigerant | coolant adjustment valve based on the internal temperature measured by this internal temperature measurement part. 8. The refrigerator-freezer according to 8. The control unit
If the threshold temperature is set in advance, and the temperature in the measurement chamber is higher than the threshold temperature,
By controlling the degree of adjustment in the first refrigerant adjustment valve or the second refrigerant adjustment valve, the amount of refrigerant supplied to the ice making evaporator is made smaller than the amount of refrigerant supplied to the evaporator. The refrigerator-freezer of Claim 11 characterized by the above-mentioned. A blower unit for sending out the air cooled by the evaporator is provided,
The said control part blows the air cooled by the said ice making evaporator by controlling this ventilation part, The ambient temperature of the ice making evaporator is made into the refrigeration temperature range, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. The refrigerator-freezer of any one of -12.   The said control part blows the air cooled by the said evaporator by controlling the said ventilation part, The ambient temperature of the said water supply unit is made into the refrigerating temperature zone, The Claim 13 characterized by the above-mentioned. Freezer refrigerator. An input unit for inputting a command to the control unit is provided,
When commanded by this input,
The said control part controls the adjustment degree in said 1st refrigerant | coolant adjustment valve or a 2nd refrigerant | coolant adjustment valve, The refrigerant | coolant is supplied only to the said ice-making evaporator, The above-mentioned is characterized by the above-mentioned. The refrigerator-freezer of any one of 14.   A third refrigerant adjustment valve that adjusts the refrigerant amount is provided in a refrigerant pipe that is branched from the upstream position of the condenser at a downstream position of the compressor and that is connected to an upstream position immediately before the ice making evaporator. The refrigerator-freezer of any one of Claims 1-15 characterized by the above-mentioned.

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