JP2007192446A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator capable of improving convenience while saving electric power. <P>SOLUTION: This refrigerator 1 comprising a temperature switching compartment 3 wherein a cold air circuit is formed in parallel with a refrigerant compartment 2 and a vegetable compartment 5 while heat-insulated and separated therefrom, further comprises a temperature switching compartment discharge damper 13 for opening and closing a cold air inflow passage of the temperature switching compartment 3 (as shown in Fig.1), and a temperature switching compartment return damper 20 for opening and closing a cold air outflow passage of the temperature switching compartment 3. The refrigerator is provided with a cooling mode for cooling and storing a stored object by keeping the temperature switching compartment 3 at a prescribed indoor temperature by opening and closing the temperature switching compartment discharge damper 13 and the temperature switching compartment return damper 20 according to the indoor temperature of the temperature switching compartment 3, and a storing mode for storing the stored object at a temperature near the outside air temperature by keeping a closed state of the temperature switching compartment discharge damper 13 and the temperature switching compartment return damper 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator having first and second storage chambers in which cold air paths are arranged in parallel.

A conventional refrigerator is disclosed in Patent Document 1. This refrigerator has a temperature switching chamber that switches the room temperature to a low temperature range such as refrigeration, refrigeration, partial, chilled, etc. according to the user's application. The temperature switching chamber is insulated and insulated from the refrigerator compartment, and a cold air path connected to a cooler that generates cold air is in parallel with the refrigerator compartment. The cold air generated in the cooler by driving the compressor is sent to the temperature switching chamber and the refrigerator compartment by the operation of the blower. Thereby, the temperature switching chamber and the refrigerator compartment are cooled.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-22335 (pages 4-9, FIG. 1)

  Stored items such as root vegetables can be stored for a long period of time when stored at room temperature, and need not be stored cold. For this reason, according to the refrigerator disclosed by the said patent document, there existed a problem of wasting electric power in order to preserve | save the stored goods which do not need cooling, such as root vegetables, in a temperature switching room or a refrigerator compartment. In addition, the storage period of stored items such as root vegetables has been shortened, and there has been a problem that the convenience of the refrigerator is poor.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that can save power and improve convenience.

  In order to achieve the above object, the refrigerator of the present invention has first and second storage chambers that are insulated from each other, and the cold air generated by the cooler branches into the first and second storage chambers arranged in parallel. In the refrigerator in which the cold air flowing in and flowing out from the first and second storage chambers merges and returns to the cooler, the first damper that opens and closes the cold air inflow path of the first storage chamber, and the cold air outflow of the first storage chamber A second damper that opens and closes the path, and opens and closes the first and second dampers according to the room temperature of the first storage room, thereby maintaining the first storage room at a predetermined room temperature and storing the stored items in a cooled state. The cooling mode is provided, and when the room temperature of the first storage chamber becomes higher than the temperature in the cooling mode, the first and second dampers are kept closed, and the stored items are stored near the outside temperature. It is characterized by a storage mode for storing.

  According to this configuration, the cold air generated by the cooler flows through the first and second storage chambers to cool the first and second storage chambers. In the cooling mode, the first storage chamber is maintained at a predetermined temperature by repeatedly opening and closing the first and second dampers according to the room temperature. When the storage mode is selected by the user, the cooling of the second storage chamber is continued by the cooler, the first and second dampers are closed, and the cool air path between the first storage chamber and the cooler is blocked. And even if the room temperature of a 1st storage chamber rises rather than the time of cooling mode, the 1st, 2nd damper will be maintained in the closed state, and it will become the temperature close | similar to external temperature gradually.

  According to the present invention, in the refrigerator configured as described above, an outside air introduction damper that opens and closes an opening provided in the first storage chamber facing the outside air, and is driven when the outside air introduction damper is opened to open the outside air to the first storage chamber. And an outside air introduction fan for taking in the outside air. The outside air is introduced into the first storage chamber during the storage mode. According to this configuration, when the first storage chamber is switched to the storage mode, the outside air introduction damper is opened, the outside air introduction fan is driven, and the air in the living room is introduced into the first storage chamber.

  Moreover, the present invention is characterized in that in the refrigerator configured as described above, outside air is introduced into the first storage chamber in the storage mode according to a user's instruction. According to this configuration, when switching to the storage mode, the first and second dampers are closed, and when the user instructs the introduction of outside air, the outside air introduction damper is opened and the outside air introduction fan is driven. The closing of the first and second dampers, the opening of the outside air introduction damper, and the driving of the outside air introduction fan may be simultaneously instructed by one operation.

  Further, the present invention is a refrigerator having the above-described configuration, and includes a heater that raises the temperature of the first storage chamber, and the first storage chamber can be switched between a low temperature side for storing and storing stored items and a high temperature side for maintaining heated food items. It comprises a chamber and is characterized in that outside air is introduced into the first storage chamber when the first storage chamber is switched from the high temperature side to the low temperature side.

  According to this configuration, when the first storage chamber is switched to the high temperature side, the first and second dampers are closed and the heater is driven, so that the heated food can be kept warm and cooked. When the first storage chamber is switched to the low temperature side cooling mode, the outside air introduction damper is opened and the outside air introduction fan is driven. Thereby, the air in a living room is introduce | transduced into a 1st storage room, and a 1st storage room is cooled to external temperature vicinity. Thereafter, the outside air introduction damper is closed, the first and second dampers are opened, and the cool air of the cooler is introduced into the first storage chamber, so that the stored item can be stored in a cold state.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, outside air is introduced into the first storage chamber when the first storage chamber is switched from the low temperature side to the high temperature side. According to this configuration, when the first storage chamber is switched to the high temperature side, the first and second dampers are closed, the outside air introduction damper is opened, and the outside air introduction fan is driven. Thereby, the air in a living room is introduce | transduced into a 1st storage room, and a 1st storage room is heated up to the external temperature vicinity. Thereafter, the outside air introduction damper is closed, the heater is driven, and the first storage chamber is maintained at a high temperature.

  According to the present invention, even when the room temperature of the first storage chamber becomes higher than the temperature in the cooling mode, the storage mode stores the stored items near the outside temperature while maintaining the first and second dampers closed. Therefore, stored items that do not require cooling, such as root vegetables, can be stored in the storage mode for a long time, and the convenience of the refrigerator is improved. Moreover, since the volume to be cooled is reduced, the cooling capacity of the cooler can be lowered, and the power saving of the refrigerator can be achieved.

  According to the present invention, since the outside air is introduced into the first storage room during the storage mode, the temperature of the first storage room is prevented from being lowered by the cold heat of the low temperature second storage room, and the first storage room is brought closer to the outside air temperature. The first storage chamber can be quickly maintained at the temperature in the living room.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the outside air is introduced into the first storage chamber in the storage mode according to the user's instruction, the user stores the stored item at the temperature in the room, and a temperature slightly lower than the temperature in the room. The case of storing without consuming electric power can be selected, and the convenience of the refrigerator is improved.

  According to the present invention, since the outside air is introduced into the first storage chamber when the first storage chamber is switched from the high temperature side to the low temperature side, the first storage chamber can be quickly switched to the high temperature side.

  According to the present invention, since the outside air is introduced into the first storage chamber when the first storage chamber is switched from the low temperature side to the high temperature side, the first storage chamber can be quickly switched to the low temperature side.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 are a front view and a right side sectional view showing a refrigerator according to an embodiment. The refrigerator 1 is provided with a refrigerator compartment 2 in the upper stage, and a temperature switching room 3 and an ice making room 4 in the middle stage. A vegetable room 5 and a freezer room 6 are arranged in the lower stage of the refrigerator 1.

  The refrigerating room 2 has a double door and stores stored items in a refrigerator. The temperature switching chamber 3 is provided on the left side of the middle stage, and the room temperature can be switched by the user. The ice making chamber 4 is provided on the right side of the middle stage and performs ice making. The vegetable room 5 is provided on the lower left side and is maintained at a temperature suitable for vegetable storage (about 8 ° C.). The freezer compartment 6 is provided on the lower right side and communicates with the ice making compartment 4 to store the stored items in a frozen state.

  The freezing room 6 and the ice making room 4 are provided with a storage case 11 for storing stored items. A similar storage case 11 is also provided in the vegetable room 5 and the temperature switching room 3. The refrigerator compartment 2 is provided with a plurality of storage shelves 41 on which stored items are placed. A storage pocket 42 is provided on the door of the refrigerator compartment 2. Thereby, the usability of the refrigerator 1 is improved. A chilled chamber 23 maintained at a chilled temperature zone (about 0 ° C.) is provided in the lower part of the refrigerator compartment 2.

  A compressor 35 is disposed at the bottom of the refrigerator 1. A cool air passage 31 through which cool air flows is provided behind the freezer compartment 6, and a cooler 17 connected to the compressor 35 is disposed in the cool air passage 31. A defrost heater 44 that defrosts the cooler 17 is provided below the cooler 17. A cold air passage 32 communicating with the cold air passage 31 is provided behind the refrigerator compartment 2.

  A refrigerant such as isobutane is circulated by driving a compressor 35 connected to a condenser and an expander (both not shown) to operate a refrigeration cycle. Thereby, the air flowing through the cold air passage 31 exchanges heat with the cooler 17 on the low temperature side of the refrigeration cycle, and cold air is generated. Therefore, the compressor 35 and the cooler 17 constitute a cooling device that generates cold air together with the condenser and the expander.

  Moreover, the freezer compartment fan 18 and the refrigerator compartment fan 28 are each arrange | positioned in the cold air | gas channel | paths 31 and 32. As shown in FIG. As will be described in detail later, the cold air generated by the cooler 17 is supplied to the freezer compartment 6, the ice making chamber 4, the chilled chamber 23, and the temperature switching chamber 3 through the cold air passage 31 by driving the freezer compartment fan 18. Further, the cold air is supplied to the refrigerator compartment 2 and the vegetable compartment 5 through the cold passage 32 by driving the refrigerator compartment fan 28.

  The cold air passage 31 behind the freezer compartment 6 is provided with an opening (not shown) in the upper front portion of the freezer compartment fan 18, and cool air is sent to the ice making room 4 by the freezer compartment blower 18. The freezer compartment 6 communicates with the ice making chamber 4, and a freezer compartment damper 22 is provided below the freezer compartment 6. In addition, a return ventilation path 21 for returning cold air to the cold air passage 31 via the freezer damper 22 is provided at the lower part of the freezer compartment 6. The amount of air flowing out of the freezer compartment 6 is adjusted by opening and closing the freezer compartment damper 22.

  The upper part of the cold air passage 31 communicates with the cold air passage 32 via the refrigerator compartment damper 27. The cold air flowing through the cold air passage 32 is discharged from the discharge port (not shown) to the refrigerator compartment 2. Further, the cold air passage 31 is branched and communicated with the chilled chamber 23 via the chilled chamber damper 25 and also communicated with an introduction ventilation path 12 (see FIG. 3) described later via the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13.

  A refrigerator outlet (not shown) is opened at the lower back of the refrigerator compartment 2 and a vegetable compartment inlet (not shown) is provided in the vegetable compartment 5. The refrigerator compartment outlet and the vegetable compartment inlet are connected by a passage (not shown) passing through the back surface of the temperature switching chamber 3 so that the refrigerator compartment 2 and the vegetable compartment 5 communicate with each other. A vegetable room outlet (not shown) is provided below the vegetable room 5 and communicates with the return ventilation path 19 (see FIG. 3) and the return ventilation path 21.

  FIG. 3 shows a left side sectional view of the refrigerator 1. A return ventilation path 19 is provided behind the vegetable compartment 5. The return ventilation path 19 communicates with the return ventilation path 21 (see FIG. 2), and guides the cool air flowing out from the vegetable room 5 and the temperature switching room 3 to the cooler 17. The upper and lower surfaces of the temperature switching chamber 3 are insulated from the refrigerator compartment 2 and the vegetable compartment 5 by heat insulation walls 7 and 8. Further, the side surface of the temperature switching chamber 3 is insulated from the ice making chamber 4 and the freezing chamber 6 by a heat insulating wall 45 (see FIG. 1). The front surface of the temperature switching chamber 3 can be opened and closed by a rotating door 9. The door 9 is provided with an operation panel 46 for switching the temperature zone of the temperature switching chamber 3.

  The back surface of the temperature switching chamber 3 is covered with a back plate 33. An inlet 33a through which air flows into the temperature switching chamber 3 is provided at the upper part of the back plate 33, and an outlet 33b through which air flows out from the temperature switching chamber 3 is provided at the lower part. Further, temperature sensors 24 and 16 for detecting the temperature in the temperature switching chamber 3 are provided in the vicinity of the inlet 33a and the outlet 33b.

  An introduction ventilation path 12 is provided behind the back plate 33 and the heat insulating wall 10 that forms the outer wall. The introduction ventilation path 12 is provided with a temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 (first damper). Due to the opening of the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13, the introduction ventilation path 12 communicates with the cold air passage 31, and the cold air generated in the cooler 17 (see FIG. 3) is guided to the temperature switching chamber 3. Further, the amount of cold air flowing from the introduction ventilation path 12 into the temperature switching chamber 3 is adjusted by the opening / closing amount of the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13.

  In the introduction ventilation path 12, a temperature switching chamber blower 14 is provided between the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 and the inflow port 33a. The cold air in the cold air passage 31 can be easily guided to the temperature switching chamber 3 by driving the temperature switching chamber blower 14.

  A temperature switching chamber return damper 20 (second damper) is provided below the outlet 33b. The temperature switching chamber return damper 20 has an opening (not shown) that is selectively opened by the baffle 20 c, and when one opening is opened, the air flowing out from the temperature switching chamber 3 is returned to the cooler via the return ventilation path 19. 17 (hereinafter, this state is referred to as a state in which the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 is opened).

  When the other opening is opened, the cool air path between the outflow side of the temperature switching chamber 3 and the cooler 17 is closed, and the air flowing out of the temperature switching chamber 3 is guided to the intake side of the temperature switching chamber blower 14 (hereinafter referred to as “air flow”). This state is referred to as a state in which the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 is closed). Therefore, the air in the temperature switching chamber 3 can be circulated by driving the temperature switching chamber blower 14 and closing the temperature switching chamber return damper 20. Note that the temperature switching chamber blower 14 may be provided in the temperature switching chamber 3.

  A heater 15 is provided behind the inlet 33 a of the temperature switching chamber 3. The heater 15 is formed of a heat radiation type glass tube heater, and raises the temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 by radiant heat released through the back plate 33. The temperature switching chamber blower 14 is arranged so as to blow toward the surface of the heater 15. Thereby, the surface temperature of the heater 15 can be lowered and safety can be improved.

  The outlet 33b is provided with a temperature fuse (not shown) that cuts off the energization of the heater 15 when the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature. In addition, a temperature sensor 56 that detects the temperature of air in the living room, which is outside air, is provided at the upper rear side of the refrigerator 1.

  FIG. 4 is a cold air circuit diagram showing the flow of cold air in the refrigerator 1. The freezing room 6, the refrigerating room 2, and the temperature switching room 3 are each provided with a cold air circuit in parallel. Further, the ice making room 4 is arranged in series with the freezing room 6, and the vegetable room 5 is arranged in series with the refrigerating room 2. The cold air generated by the cooler 17 rises through the cold air passage 31 by the driving of the freezer blower 18 and is sent to the ice making chamber 4. The cold air sent to the ice making room 4 flows through the ice making room 4 and the freezing room 6 and flows out from the freezing room damper 22. And it returns to the cooler 17 via the return ventilation path 21. As a result, the ice making chamber 4 and the freezing chamber 6 are cooled.

  The cold air branched at the upper portion of the cold air passage 31 by the driving of the cold room blower 28 circulates through the cold air passage 32 via the cold room damper 27 and is sent to the cold room 2. Further, it is sent to the chilled chamber 23 via the chilled chamber damper 25. These cold air flows through the refrigerator compartment 2 and the chilled compartment 23, and then merges and flows into the vegetable compartment 5. The cold air flowing into the vegetable compartment 5 flows through the vegetable compartment 5 and returns to the cooler 17 through the return ventilation paths 19 and 21. Thereby, the inside of the refrigerator compartment 2 and the vegetable compartment 5 is cooled, and when it reaches preset temperature, the refrigerator compartment damper 27 and the chilled compartment damper 25 are closed.

  Further, the cold air branched at the upper portion of the cold air passage 31 by driving the temperature switching chamber blower 14 flows through the introduction ventilation path 12 via the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 and is sent to the temperature switching chamber 3. The cold air that has flowed into the temperature switching chamber 3 flows through the temperature switching chamber 3 and flows out of the temperature switching chamber return damper 20. And it returns to the cooler 17 via the return ventilation path 19 and 21. FIG. Thereby, the inside of the temperature switching chamber 3 is cooled.

  FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. The heat insulating wall 10 behind the temperature switching chamber 3 is provided with an opening 51 facing the outside air, and the temperature switching chamber 3 communicates with the outside living room through the opening 51. An outside air introduction damper 52 is provided in the opening 51, and an outside air introduction fan 54 is provided on the temperature switching chamber 3 side of the opening 51. By opening the outside air introduction damper 52 and driving the outside air introduction fan 54, the outside air can be introduced into the temperature switching chamber 3. A filter 53 that collects dust from outside air is provided on the suction side of the outside air introduction fan 54.

  As described above, the temperature switching chamber 3 can switch the room temperature by operating the operation panel 46 by the user. For example, the cooling mode of each temperature zone such as freezing (−15 ° C.), partial (−8 ° C.), chilled (−3 ° C.), refrigerated (3 ° C.), vegetables (8 ° C.), etc., by a predetermined operation by the user You can choose.

  Thereby, the user can preserve | save the stored item at the desired temperature. The room temperature can be switched by changing the amount of opening of the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13. For example, the heater 15 may be energized to switch the temperature from the freezing room temperature to the refrigerated room temperature. Thereby, it can switch to desired room temperature rapidly.

  Further, by energizing the heater 15, the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 is changed from the low temperature side cooling mode in which stored items are cooled and stored to the high temperature side heat insulating mode in which the cooked heated food is temporarily kept warm or cooked. You can switch to Since the growth temperature of the main food poisoning bacteria is 30 ° C. to 45 ° C., the indoor temperature on the high temperature side is preferably set to 50 ° C. or more in consideration of the tolerance of the heater capacity, the temperature distribution in the temperature switching chamber 3, and the like. Thereby, propagation of miscellaneous bacteria can be prevented. Moreover, since the heat-resistant temperature of the general resin parts used for a refrigerator is 80 degreeC, when the room temperature of a high temperature side shall be 80 degrees C or less, it can implement | achieve cheaply.

  In order to sterilize food poisoning bacteria, for example, in the case of enterohemorrhagic E. coli (pathogenic E. coli O157), heating at 75 ° C. for 1 minute is required. Therefore, it is more desirable to set the indoor temperature on the high temperature side to 75 to 80 ° C.

The following are the test results on the sterilization of food poisoning bacteria at 55 ° C. In the initial state, E. coli 2.4 × 10 ³ CFU / mL, Staphylococcus aureus 2.0 × 10 ³ CFU / mL, Salmonella 2.1 × 10 ³ CFU / mL, Vibrio parahaemolyticus 1.5 × 10 ³ CFU / ML, Cereus 4.0 × 10 ³ CFU / mL. This test sample was heated from 3 ° C. to 55 ° C. over 40 minutes, kept at 55 ° C. for 3.5 hours, then returned from 55 ° C. to 3 ° C. over 80 minutes, and the amount of each bacterium was examined again. As a result, all the bacteria were reduced to a level of 10 CFU / mL or less (not detected). Therefore, even if the set temperature on the high temperature side of the temperature switching chamber 3 is 55 ° C., there is a sufficient sterilization effect.

  The operation panel 46 is provided with a switch for switching the temperature switching chamber 3 to the storage mode. At this time, it is possible to select whether or not the outside air is introduced into the temperature switching chamber 3. In the storage mode, the stored item can be stored near the outside air temperature without cooling and heating.

  6 to 8 are flowcharts showing the operation when the operation mode of the temperature switching chamber 3 is switched by the operation panel 46. FIG. 6 shows the operation of the temperature switching chamber 3 in the cooling mode on the low temperature side. Immediately before switching to the cooling mode, the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 and the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 are closed because they are in the high temperature side heat retention mode or the storage mode. When the temperature zone of the cooling mode is switched, control is performed by changing the set temperature based on detection by the temperature sensor 16.

  When switching to the cooling mode, the heater 15 is stopped in step # 11, and the temperature switching chamber blower 14 is stopped in step # 12. In step # 13, the outside air introduction damper 52 is opened, and in step # 14, the outside air introduction fan 54 is driven. Thereby, the air in the living room is introduced into the temperature switching chamber 3. If the storage mode is immediately before switching to the cooling mode, steps # 11 to # 13 are already executed.

  In step # 15, the process waits until the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 detected by the temperature sensor 16 reaches a predetermined temperature close to the outside air temperature detected by the temperature sensor 56. When the temperature in the temperature switching chamber 3 reaches a predetermined temperature, the process proceeds to step # 16. In step # 16, the outside air introduction fan 54 is stopped, and in step # 17, the outside air introduction damper 52 is closed.

  In step # 18, the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 and the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 are opened. Thereby, the cool air generated by the cooler 17 flows into the temperature switching chamber 3 and the inside of the temperature switching chamber 3 is cooled.

  In step # 19, it is determined whether the temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 detected by the temperature sensor 16 has reached the lower limit temperature of the set temperature. When the temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 has not reached the lower limit temperature of the set temperature, the process proceeds to step # 21. When the temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 reaches the lower limit temperature of the set temperature, the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 and the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 are closed in step # 20, and the process proceeds to step # 21.

  In step # 21, it is determined whether or not the temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 detected by the temperature sensor 16 has reached the upper limit temperature of the set temperature. If the temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 has not reached the upper limit temperature of the set temperature, the process proceeds to step # 23. When the temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 has reached the upper limit temperature of the set temperature, the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 and the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 are opened in step # 22, and the process proceeds to step # 23.

  In step # 23, it is determined whether or not an operation mode switching operation has been performed by the operation panel 46. When the operation mode switching operation is not performed, the process returns to step # 19, and steps # 19 to # 23 are repeatedly performed. Through steps # 19 to # 22, the temperature switching chamber 3 is maintained near the set temperature. When the operation mode switching operation is performed, the operation in the heat retention mode or the storage mode shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is called in step # 24.

  FIG. 7 shows the operation of the temperature switching chamber 3 in the heat retention mode on the high temperature side. In step # 31, the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 and the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 are closed. In step # 32, the outside air introduction damper 52 is opened, and in step # 33, the outside air introduction fan 54 is driven. Thereby, the air in the living room is introduced into the temperature switching chamber 3. If the storage mode is immediately before switching to the heat retention mode, steps # 31 to # 33 have already been executed.

  In step # 34, the process waits until the temperature in the temperature switching chamber 3 detected by the temperature sensor 16 reaches a predetermined temperature close to the outside air temperature detected by the temperature sensor 56. When the temperature in the temperature switching chamber 3 reaches a predetermined temperature, the process proceeds to step # 35. In step # 35, the outside air introduction fan 54 is stopped, and in step # 36, the outside air introduction damper 52 is closed.

  In step # 37, the temperature switching chamber blower 14 is driven, and in step # 38, the heater 15 is driven. Thereby, the air heated by the heater 15 circulates in the temperature switching chamber 3 and the temperature switching chamber 3 is heated.

  In step # 39, it is determined whether or not the temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 detected by the temperature sensor 16 has reached the upper limit temperature of the set temperature. When the temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 has not reached the upper limit temperature of the set temperature, the process proceeds to step # 41. When the temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 has reached the upper limit temperature of the set temperature, the heater 15 is stopped in step # 40, and the process proceeds to step # 41.

  In step # 41, it is determined whether or not the temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 detected by the temperature sensor 16 has reached the lower limit temperature of the set temperature. When the temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 has not reached the lower limit temperature of the set temperature, the process proceeds to step # 43. When the temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 reaches the lower limit temperature of the set temperature, the heater 15 is driven in step # 42, and the process proceeds to step # 43.

  In step # 43, it is determined whether or not an operation mode switching operation has been performed by the operation panel 46. When the operation mode switching operation is not performed, the process returns to step # 39, and steps # 39 to # 43 are repeatedly performed. By the steps # 39 to # 42, the temperature switching chamber 3 is maintained near the set temperature. Note that the capacity of the heater 15 may be varied and maintained at the set temperature. When the operation mode switching operation is performed, the operation in the cooling mode or the storage mode shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 is called in step # 44.

  FIG. 8 shows the operation of the temperature switching chamber 3 in the storage mode. In step # 51, it is determined whether or not the temperature switching chamber 3 is on the low temperature side immediately before switching to the storage mode. When the temperature switching chamber 3 is on the low temperature side, the process proceeds to step # 52, and the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 and the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 are closed. If the temperature switching chamber 3 is on the high temperature side, the heater 15 is stopped in step # 53, and the temperature switching chamber blower 14 is stopped in step # 54.

  In step # 55, it is determined whether or not an instruction to introduce outside air into the temperature switching chamber 3 has been made by operating the operation panel 46. If there is no instruction to introduce outside air, the process proceeds to step # 61. If there is an instruction to introduce outside air, the outside air introduction damper 52 is opened at step # 56, and the outside air introduction fan 54 is driven at step # 57. Thereby, the outside air in the living room is introduced into the temperature switching chamber 3. It should be noted that outside air may be always introduced in the storage mode without providing means for instructing outside air introduction.

  In step # 58, the process waits until the temperature in the temperature switching chamber 3 detected by the temperature sensor 16 reaches a predetermined temperature close to the outside air temperature detected by the temperature sensor 56. When the temperature in the temperature switching chamber 3 reaches a predetermined temperature, the process proceeds to step # 59 where the outside air introduction fan 54 is stopped. The outside air introduction fan 54 may be continuously driven without stopping during the storage mode.

  In step # 61, the operation panel 46 is on standby until an operation mode switching operation is performed, and the state where the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 and the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 are closed is maintained regardless of the detection result of the temperature sensor 16. . When the operation mode switching operation is performed, the process proceeds to step # 62, and the operation of the cooling mode or the heat retention mode shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is called.

  According to this embodiment, the temperature switching chamber 3 (first storage chamber) is insulated from the refrigeration chamber 2, the freezing chamber 6, the ice making chamber 4, and the vegetable chamber 5 (all of which are the second storage chamber), and the cold air circuit is arranged in parallel. Since it comprises, the temperature switching chamber 3 can be interrupted | blocked from the distribution path | route of cold air, cooling another storage chamber. For this reason, the state where the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 (first damper) and the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 (second damper) are closed by the storage mode can be maintained.

  Thereby, the temperature switching chamber 3 can be maintained near the outside air temperature depending on the storage mode, root vegetables and the like can be stored for a long time, and ripening of fruits and the like can be promoted. Therefore, the convenience of the refrigerator 1 is improved. In addition, the heater 15 and the temperature switching chamber blower 14 are stopped, and the cooling capacity of the cooler 17 can be reduced by reducing the volume to be cooled. Therefore, power saving of the refrigerator 1 can be achieved.

  Moreover, according to this embodiment, since the outside air was introduced into the temperature switching chamber 3 during the storage mode, it is possible to prevent the temperature switching chamber 3 from being lowered due to the cold heat of the adjacent low-temperature refrigeration chamber 2 or vegetable chamber 5 or the like. Therefore, the temperature switching chamber 3 can be brought closer to the outside air temperature and can be maintained at a temperature suitable for root vegetables and fruits. In addition, the temperature switching chamber 3 can be quickly maintained at the temperature in the living room.

  Note that outside air introduction instruction means for the temperature switching chamber 3 may not be provided, and the outside air may be introduced without fail in the storage mode. However, if the user can instruct the introduction of outside air, the user can store the stored item at the temperature in the living room and the case where the stored item is stored at a temperature slightly lower than the temperature in the living room without consuming power. And the convenience of the refrigerator 1 is improved.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the temperature switching chamber 3 is switched from the high temperature side to the low temperature side or when the temperature switching chamber 3 is switched from the low temperature side to the high temperature side, outside air is introduced into the temperature switching chamber 3, so that the temperature zone of the temperature switching chamber 3 can be quickly set. You can switch to

  In addition, you may provide the thawing | decompression mode which drives the heater 15 and the temperature switching chamber air blower 14, and thaw | stores the stored matter. In the thawing mode, the set temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 can be set to the thawing temperature, and thawing can be performed by the same operation as in the heat retention mode. At this time, similarly to the above, outside air may be introduced into the temperature switching chamber 3 when switching between the thawing mode on the high temperature side and the cooling mode on the low temperature side.

  In the present embodiment, the temperature detection of the temperature sensor 16 may be stopped during the storage mode. Even in the storage mode, when the temperature switching chamber 3 becomes abnormally hot, the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 and the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 may be opened and cooled.

  Further, the storage room that can execute the storage mode may not be able to switch the temperature. That is, if the cold air circuit is a storage room insulated in parallel with the refrigerating room 2 or the like, the inflow of cold air can be blocked by the damper and the root vegetables and fruits can be stored at a temperature close to the room temperature. .

  A damper may be provided at the outlet of the vegetable compartment 5. Thereby, when the temperature switching chamber 3 is switched from the high temperature side to the low temperature side, it is possible to prevent the hot air from the temperature switching chamber 3 from flowing backward into the vegetable chamber 5 by closing the damper. Further, when the freezer compartment fan 18 is stopped when the temperature switching chamber 3 is switched from the high temperature side to the low temperature side, the freezer compartment damper 22 is closed. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the hot air from flowing backward from the freezer damper 22 into the freezer compartment 6 by driving the temperature switching chamber blower 14.

  According to this invention, it can utilize for the refrigerator which has the 1st, 2nd storage chamber by which a cold air circuit is distribute | arranged in parallel.

The front view which shows the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention Sectional drawing of right side which shows the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention Left side sectional view showing a refrigerator of an embodiment of the present invention Cold air circuit diagram showing the flow of cold air in the refrigerator of the embodiment of the present invention AA sectional view of FIG. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the cooling mode of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the heat retention mode of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the storage mode of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator 2 Refrigeration room 3 Temperature switching room 4 Ice making room 5 Vegetable room 6 Freezing room 7, 8, 45 Insulation wall 9 Door 12 Introduction ventilation path 13 Temperature switching room discharge damper 14 Temperature switching room blower 15 Heater 16, 24, 56 Temperature Sensor 17 Cooler 18 Freezer compartment blower 19, 21 Return ventilation passage 20 Temperature switching compartment return damper 22 Freezer compartment damper 23 Chilled compartment 25 Chilled compartment damper 28 Refrigeration compartment blower 31, 32 Cold air passage 33 Back plate 35 Compressor 46 Operation panel 51 Opening 52 Outside air introduction damper 53 Filter 54 Outside air introduction fan

Claims (5)

  The first and second storage chambers are insulated and isolated, and the cool air generated by the cooler branches into the first and second storage chambers arranged in parallel and flows out from the first and second storage chambers. In the refrigerator in which the cool air merges and returns to the cooler, a first damper that opens and closes the cool air inflow path of the first storage chamber and a second damper that opens and closes the cool air outflow path of the first storage chamber are provided, A cooling mode is provided in which the first storage chamber is maintained at a predetermined indoor temperature by opening and closing the first and second dampers according to the indoor temperature of the storage chamber, and the stored items are cooled and stored. A refrigerator provided with a storage mode for storing stored items in the vicinity of the outside temperature while keeping the first and second dampers closed when the temperature becomes higher than the temperature in the cooling mode. .   An outside air introduction damper that opens and closes an opening provided in the first storage chamber facing the outside air, and an outside air introduction fan that is driven when the outside air introduction damper is opened and takes the outside air into the first storage chamber, The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein outside air is introduced into the first storage room during the storage mode.   The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein outside air is introduced into the first storage chamber in the storage mode according to a user instruction.   A heater for raising the temperature of the first storage chamber is provided, and the first storage chamber is composed of a temperature switching chamber that can be switched between a low temperature side for storing and storing stored items and a high temperature side for keeping the heated food warm. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein outside air is introduced into the first storage chamber when switching from the side to the low temperature side.   The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein outside air is introduced into the first storage chamber when the first storage chamber is switched from the low temperature side to the high temperature side.

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