JP2008138956A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve convenience of a refrigerator by forcibly operating a compressor until an internal temperature drops to a predetermined temperature when changing a temperature change-over compartment from a high temperature side to a low temperature side, quickly changing to an internal temperature of the low temperature side, and storing objects to be stored at a desired temperature at an early stage. <P>SOLUTION: The refrigerator 1 is provided with the temperature change-over compartment 3 capable of changing the internal temperature to the low temperature side carrying out cold preservation of objects to be stored and the high temperature side higher than the ordinary temperature, by cooling by a cooler 17 connected to the compressor 35 operating the refrigerating cycle, and heating by a heater 15. When changing the temperature change-over compartment 3 from the high temperature side to the low temperature side, the compressor 35 is forcibly operated until the internal temperature drops to the predetermined temperature. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator including a temperature switching chamber that can be switched to a desired room temperature by a user.

  In recent years, where the living environment has changed significantly, more and more families have different times for their families to eat. For this reason, in order to keep the heated food warm, a heat insulation box or a heat storage container is used. Thereby, the effort which cooks many times can be saved.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigerator provided with a temperature switching chamber in addition to a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment. This refrigerator includes a damper device that opens and closes a passage of cool air sent to the temperature switching chamber, and a heater that raises the temperature of the temperature switching chamber. Thereby, it has a plurality of operation modes in which the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber can be switched to a desired temperature range on the low temperature side such as freezing, refrigeration, partial, chilled, etc. according to the user's application.

  In addition, a refrigerator is known in which a temperature switching chamber can be switched to a high temperature side higher than normal temperature by driving a heater. Thereby, heat insulation of a heating thing, warm cooking, etc. can be performed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-288440

  However, according to the conventional refrigerator, when the temperature switching chamber is switched from the high temperature side to the low temperature side or when the operation mode on the low temperature side is switched, it takes time until the room temperature reaches the set temperature. For this reason, there was a problem that the stored items could not be stored immediately and the convenience of the refrigerator was poor.

  An object of this invention is to provide the refrigerator which can improve the convenience.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides a low-temperature side for performing cold preservation of stored items and a high-temperature side higher than normal temperature by cooling by a cooler connected to a compressor operating a refrigeration cycle and heating by a heater. When the temperature switching chamber is switched from the high temperature side to the low temperature side, the compressor is forcibly operated until the room temperature drops to a predetermined temperature. It is characterized by that.

  According to this configuration, the compressor is repeatedly turned ON / OFF based on the room temperature of the freezer compartment, etc., and cold air is generated by heat exchange with the cooler that is cooled by the operation of the refrigeration cycle. The cold air is led to a freezer compartment or the like to cool the room. When the temperature switching chamber is switched to the high temperature side, the intrusion of cold air is blocked and the heater is driven to maintain the temperature higher than normal temperature. When the temperature switching chamber is switched to the low temperature side, the compressor is forcibly operated regardless of the temperature of the freezing chamber, and cold air flows into the temperature switching chamber. When the indoor temperature of the temperature switching chamber reaches a predetermined temperature, the compressor is released from the forced operation, and is repeatedly turned on / off based on the indoor temperature of the freezer compartment.

  In the refrigerator configured as described above, the temperature switching chamber has a plurality of operation modes having different indoor temperatures on the low temperature side, and is changed from an operation mode having a high indoor temperature on the low temperature side to an operation mode having a low indoor temperature on the low temperature side. When the switching is performed, the compressor is forcibly operated until the room temperature falls to a predetermined temperature.

  According to this configuration, the temperature switching chamber has a plurality of operation modes on the low temperature side, and can be switched to a desired temperature zone such as freezing, refrigeration, partial, chilled or the like. When the temperature switching chamber is switched from the operation mode in which the low-temperature room temperature is high to the operation mode in which the low-temperature room temperature is low, the compressor is forcibly operated regardless of the temperature of the freezer room and the cold air flows into the temperature switching chamber. When the indoor temperature of the temperature switching chamber reaches a predetermined temperature, the compressor is released from the forced operation, and is repeatedly turned on / off based on the indoor temperature of the freezer compartment.

  In the refrigerator configured as described above, when the operation mode is switched from the low-temperature side indoor temperature operation mode to the low-temperature indoor temperature high operation mode, the heater is turned on until the room temperature rises to a predetermined temperature. It is characterized by driving. According to this configuration, the heater is driven when the temperature switching chamber is switched from the operation mode having a low indoor temperature on the low temperature side to the operation mode having a high indoor temperature on the low temperature side, and the heater is stopped when the indoor temperature of the temperature switching chamber reaches a predetermined temperature. Is done.

  According to the present invention, in the refrigerator configured as described above, the heater is configured to vary an energization rate in accordance with the set temperature of the switched indoor temperature.

  In the refrigerator configured as described above, the temperature switching is performed until the room temperature rises to a predetermined temperature when the operation mode is switched from the operation mode having a low indoor temperature on the low temperature side to the operation mode having a high indoor temperature on the low temperature side. A cool air path communicating between the chamber and the cooler is shut off, and air is circulated in the temperature switching chamber.

  According to this configuration, when the temperature switching chamber is switched from the operation mode having a low indoor temperature on the low temperature side to the operation mode having a high indoor temperature on the low temperature side, the intrusion of cold air into the temperature switching chamber is blocked and arranged in the temperature switching chamber. The air in the temperature switching chamber is circulated by driving the temperature switching chamber blower or the like.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the refrigerator having the above-described configuration includes a refrigerator compartment for storing stored items in a refrigerator, and forcibly shuts off the ventilation to the refrigerator compartment during the forced operation of the compressor. According to this configuration, the compressor is forcibly operated when the temperature switching chamber is switched from the high temperature side to the low temperature side, or when switching from the operation mode having a high indoor temperature on the low temperature side to the operation mode having a low room temperature, and the refrigerator compartment is The flow of cold air into the is blocked.

  The present invention also provides a temperature at which the room temperature can be switched between a low temperature side where the stored items are cooled and stored by cooling with a cooler connected to a compressor operating the refrigeration cycle and heating with a heater, and a high temperature side higher than normal temperature. In the refrigerator provided with the switching chamber, the temperature switching chamber has a plurality of operation modes having different indoor temperatures on the low temperature side, and switched from an operation mode having a high indoor temperature on the low temperature side to an operation mode having a low indoor temperature on the low temperature side. In this case, the compressor is forcibly operated until the room temperature falls to a predetermined temperature.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the refrigerator having the above-described configuration includes a refrigerator compartment for storing stored items in a refrigerator, and forcibly shuts off the ventilation to the refrigerator compartment during the forced operation of the compressor.

  Further, the present invention provides a refrigerator including a temperature switching chamber capable of switching a room temperature between a low temperature side for performing cold preservation of stored items by cooling with a cooler and heating with a heater and a high temperature side higher than normal temperature, and the temperature The switching room has multiple operation modes with different room temperatures on the low temperature side. When switching from an operation mode with a low room temperature on the low temperature side to an operation mode with a high room temperature on the low temperature side, the room temperature rises to the specified temperature. In the meantime, the heater is driven, and the energization rate of the heater is variable according to the set temperature of the switched room temperature.

  Further, the present invention provides a refrigerator including a temperature switching chamber capable of switching a room temperature between a low temperature side for performing cold preservation of stored items by cooling with a cooler and heating with a heater and a high temperature side higher than normal temperature, and the temperature The switching room has multiple operation modes with different room temperatures on the low temperature side. When switching from an operation mode with a low room temperature on the low temperature side to an operation mode with a high room temperature on the low temperature side, the room temperature rises to the specified temperature. In the meantime, the cool air path communicating the temperature switching chamber and the cooler is shut off, and air is circulated in the temperature switching chamber.

  Moreover, in the refrigerator having each configuration described above, the present invention includes a temperature display unit that displays a temperature state of the temperature switching chamber, and when the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber is switched, until the room temperature reaches a predetermined temperature. The temperature display section is blinked. According to this configuration, when the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber is switched, the temperature display unit blinks, and when the predetermined temperature near the set temperature is reached, for example, the temperature display unit is lit. The temperature display unit may display a numerical value of temperature or a character display of a temperature range, or may emit light emitters such as LEDs provided for each temperature range.

  In the refrigerator of each of the above-described configurations, the temperature display unit blinks when the temperature setting operation is performed in the temperature switching chamber, and blinks until the predetermined temperature is reached by switching between the blinking during the temperature setting operation and the room temperature. It is characterized by a different flashing period. According to this configuration, the temperature setting for each operation mode is performed while visually recognizing the temperature display section that is blinked and displayed at a different period from when the room temperature of the temperature switching room is switched.

  According to the present invention, when the temperature switching chamber is switched from the high temperature side to the low temperature side, the compressor is forcibly operated until the room temperature falls to a predetermined temperature, so that the temperature can be quickly switched to the room temperature on the low temperature side. it can. Therefore, the stored item can be stored at a desired temperature at an early stage, and the convenience of the refrigerator can be improved.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the operation mode is switched from the low-temperature side indoor temperature high operation mode to the low-temperature side indoor temperature low operation mode, the compressor is forcibly operated until the indoor temperature falls to a predetermined temperature. It is possible to quickly switch to the room temperature in the operation mode with a low set temperature. Therefore, the convenience of the refrigerator is improved.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the operation mode is switched from the operation mode having a low indoor temperature on the low temperature side to the operation mode having a high indoor temperature on the low temperature side, the heater is driven until the indoor temperature rises to a predetermined temperature. It is possible to quickly switch to the room temperature in the high operation mode. Therefore, the convenience of the refrigerator is improved.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the heater varies the energization rate according to the set temperature of the switched indoor temperature, when the operation mode is switched to a large temperature difference, the energization rate can be increased and the temperature can be quickly raised. In addition, when switching to an operation mode with a small temperature difference, the power supply rate can be reduced to save power.

  Further, according to the present invention, when switching from the operation mode having a low indoor temperature on the low temperature side to the operation mode having a high indoor temperature on the low temperature side, the temperature switching chamber and the cooler are provided until the indoor temperature rises to a predetermined temperature. Since the communicating cold air path is shut off and the air is circulated in the temperature switching chamber, it is possible to prevent the inflow of cold air and quickly switch to the indoor temperature in the operation mode having a high set temperature. Therefore, the convenience of the refrigerator is improved.

  Further, according to the present invention, during forced operation of the compressor, the ventilation to the refrigerator compartment is forcibly blocked, so that the cold air flowing into the temperature switching chamber increases and the temperature switching chamber can be cooled more quickly. .

  Further, according to the present invention, when the room temperature of the temperature switching room is switched, the temperature display section blinks until the room temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, so that it is easy to visually recognize that the set temperature has not been reached. Can do. Therefore, the convenience of the refrigerator is further improved.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the temperature display unit can easily recognize the state of the temperature display unit because the flashing cycle between the flashing at the time of the temperature setting operation and the flashing until the indoor temperature is switched to the predetermined temperature is different. Can do. Therefore, the convenience of the refrigerator is further improved.

  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 view showing a refrigerator according to one 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. An operation panel 3 a having operation keys 3 b and a temperature display portion 3 c is provided on the door of the temperature switching chamber 3. The temperature switching chamber 3 has a plurality of operation modes having different room temperatures, and each operation mode can be selected and switched by operating the operation key 3b.

  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.

  FIG. 3 is a right side sectional view of the refrigerator 1. The freezing compartment 6 and the ice making compartment 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 cold air passage 31 is provided behind the freezer compartment 6, and a cooler 17 connected to the compressor 35 is disposed in the cold air passage 31. 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 cooler 17 on the low temperature side of the refrigeration cycle and the air flowing through the cold air passage 31 exchange heat to generate cold air.

  In the cold air passages 31 and 32, a freezer compartment fan 18 and a refrigerator compartment fan 28 are arranged, respectively. 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. 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 freezer compartment 6 is provided with a freezer compartment temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting the indoor temperature of the freezer compartment 6. The compressor 35 is operated based on the detection result of the freezer temperature sensor, and the freezer compartment fan 18 is driven in synchronization with the operation of the compressor 35.

  FIG. 4 is a right side sectional view showing the temperature switching chamber 3. 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. 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 (not shown). The front surface of the temperature switching chamber 3 can be opened and closed by a rotating door 9. 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 (see FIG. 5), and communicates with the cold air passage 31 to guide the cold air generated in the cooler 17 (see FIG. 3) to the temperature switching chamber 3. Further, the opening and closing of the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 opens and closes the cool air path between the cooler 17 and the inflow side of the temperature switching chamber 3, and flows into the temperature switching chamber 3 from the introduction ventilation path 12 depending on the opening / closing amount or opening / closing time. The air volume is adjusted.

  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 is easily guided to the temperature switching chamber 3 by driving the temperature switching chamber blower 14.

  A temperature switching chamber return damper 20 is provided behind the outlet 33b. The temperature switching chamber return damper 20 has openings 20a and 20b, and has a baffle 20c that opens and closes the other by rotation. When the opening 20b is opened, the air flowing out of the temperature switching chamber 3 is guided to the cooler 17 through the return ventilation path 19 (see FIG. 5).

  When the opening 20a is opened, the air flowing out from the temperature switching chamber 3 is guided to the intake side of the temperature switching chamber blower 14, and the cool air path between the outflow side of the temperature switching chamber 3 and the cooler 17 is closed. Therefore, the air in the temperature switching chamber 3 can be circulated as shown by the arrow F by driving the temperature switching chamber blower 14, closing the opening 20 b and closing the temperature switching chamber return damper 20. The temperature switching chamber blower 14 may be provided in the temperature switching chamber 3.

  In the following description, the case where the opening 20b is closed by the baffle 20c is referred to as a state where the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 is closed, and the case where the opening 20a is closed is referred to as a state where the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 is open. .

  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. Further, the outlet 33b is provided with a temperature fuse 30 that cuts off the energization of the heater 15 when the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature.

  In the temperature switching chamber 3, a drawer-type storage case 11 on which stored items are placed is arranged. A temperature sensor 34 is provided on the bottom surface of the storage case 11. Thereby, the temperature of the stored item placed on the storage case 11 can be accurately detected.

  FIG. 5 is a front sectional view of the vicinity of the middle stage of the refrigerator 1. The cold air passage 31 behind the freezer compartment 6 opens at the upper front of the freezer compartment fan 18, and air is sent out to the ice making chamber 4 by the freezer compartment fan 18. A freezer compartment damper 22 is provided below the freezer compartment 6 that communicates with the ice making compartment 4. A return ventilation path 21 (see FIG. 3) is provided in the lower rear part of the freezer compartment 6 to guide air to the cooler 17 via the freezer damper 22 and return it to the cool air passage 31. 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. Further, the cold air passage 31 is branched and communicates with the chilled chamber 23 via the chilled chamber damper 25 and also communicates with the introduction ventilation path 12 (see FIG. 4) as described above.

  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.

  The temperature switching chamber return damper 20 is provided in the lower left part of the temperature switching chamber 3. Behind the temperature switching chamber 3 and the vegetable chamber 5 is provided a return ventilation path 19 that extends downward from the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 and communicates with the return ventilation path 21 (see FIG. 3). As described above, the air in the temperature switching chamber 3 is guided to the cooler 17 through the return ventilation paths 19 and 21 by opening the opening 20b (see FIG. 4) of the temperature switching chamber return damper 20. A vegetable room outlet (not shown) communicating with the return ventilation path 19 is provided on the back of the vegetable room 5.

  FIG. 6 is a cold air circuit diagram showing the flow of cold air in the refrigerator 1. The freezer compartment 6, the refrigerator compartment 2, and the temperature switching chamber 3 are each arranged 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 is sent up to the ice making chamber 4 by raising the cold air passage 31 as shown by an arrow A (see FIG. 5) by driving the freezer compartment fan 18. 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 part of the cold air passage 31 on the exhaust side of the freezer compartment fan 18 by the driving of the cold compartment blower 28 circulates through the cold air passage 32 through the cold compartment damper 27 as shown by an arrow B (see FIG. 5). And sent to the refrigerator compartment 2. Moreover, it is sent to the chilled chamber 23 as shown by an arrow C (see FIG. 5).

  These cold air flows through the refrigerator compartment 2 and the chilled compartment 23 and then 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 part of the cold air passage 31 on the exhaust side of the freezer compartment fan 18 by the drive of the temperature switching chamber blower 14 circulates through the introduction ventilation path 12 as shown by an arrow D (see FIG. 5), and the temperature It flows into the temperature switching chamber 3 through the switching chamber discharge damper 13. 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 as shown to the arrow E (refer FIG. 5), 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.

  As described above, the temperature switching chamber 3 can switch the room temperature by selecting an operation mode by a user's operation. The operation modes of the temperature switching chamber 3 are wine (8 ° C.), refrigeration (3 ° C.), chilled (0 ° C.), soft freezing (−8 ° C.), and freezing (−15 ° C.) depending on the temperature zone. Provided.

  Thus, the user can store the refrigerated product at a desired temperature by refrigeration or refrigeration. The indoor temperature is switched by opening and closing the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 in accordance with the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 16 and the set temperature of each operation mode. As will be described in detail later, when the operation mode is switched to a higher set temperature, the heater 15 is also heated by energization.

  Further, by energizing the heater 15, the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 can be switched from a low temperature side where the stored items are cooled and stored to a high temperature side higher than normal temperature. By switching to the high temperature side, the cooked heated food can be temporarily kept warm or cooked. 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 addition, 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 ° C. 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.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation when the temperature switching chamber 3 is switched from the low temperature side to the high temperature side. When the temperature switching chamber 3 is switched to the high temperature side, the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 is closed in step # 11. In step # 12, the opening 20b is closed by the baffle 20c of the temperature switching chamber return damper 20, and the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 is closed.

  In step # 13, the heater 15 is turned on. In step # 14, the temperature switching chamber blower 14 is turned on. As a result, the air sent from the temperature switching chamber blower 14 passes through the opening 20a of the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 through the outlet 33b as shown by an arrow F (see FIG. 4). As a result, the air in the temperature switching chamber 3 is guided to the temperature switching chamber blower 14 via the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 and circulates as indicated by the broken line S in FIG.

  In step # 15, it is detected by the temperature sensor 16 whether or not the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 has risen to a predetermined upper limit temperature. If the temperature switching chamber 3 has not been heated to the upper limit temperature, the process proceeds to step # 17. When the temperature switching chamber 3 is heated to the upper limit temperature, the heater 15 is stopped at step # 16.

  In step # 17, it is detected by the temperature sensor 16 whether or not the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 has dropped to a predetermined lower limit temperature. When the temperature switching chamber 3 is not lowered to the lower limit temperature, the process proceeds to step # 19. When the temperature switching chamber 3 is lowered to the lower limit temperature, the heater 15 is turned on in step # 18. Accordingly, the temperature switching chamber 3 is maintained at a predetermined temperature by repeatedly turning the heater 15 on and off. The capacity of the heater 15 may be varied to maintain a predetermined temperature.

  Therefore, the temperature switching chamber 3 can be sealed to prevent warm air from flowing out, and the temperature switching chamber blower 14 can be driven to make the temperature distribution in the temperature switching chamber 3 on the high temperature side uniform. Can be prevented from being deformed, ignited and smoked.

  In step # 19, it is determined whether or not the temperature switching chamber 3 has been switched to the low temperature side. When the temperature switching chamber 3 is not switched to the low temperature side, the process proceeds to step # 15, and steps # 15 to # 19 are repeatedly performed. When the temperature switching chamber 3 is switched to the low temperature side, the process at the time of switching to the low temperature side is called.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation when the temperature switching chamber 3 is switched from the high temperature side to the low temperature side. When switching to the low temperature side, the heater 15 is turned off in step # 31. In step # 32, the forced operation of the compressor 35 is started. That is, the compressor 35 is repeatedly turned on and off based on the room temperature of the freezer compartment 6, but is always turned on by step # 32 regardless of the room temperature of the freezer compartment 6.

  In step # 33, the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 is opened, the opening 20b is opened by the baffle 20c, and the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 is opened. As a result, cold air from the cooler 17 is introduced into the temperature switching chamber 3 via the temperature switching chamber blower 14.

  In step # 34, both the refrigerator compartment damper 22 and the chilled compartment damper 25 are forcibly closed. That is, the refrigerator compartment damper 22 and the chilled compartment damper 25 are opened and closed based on the room temperatures of the refrigerator compartment 2 and the chilled compartment 23, but are always closed by step # 34 regardless of the room temperature of the refrigerator compartment 2 or the chilled compartment 23. become. Thereby, the cool air generated by the cooler 17 is introduced only into the temperature switching chamber 3.

  In step # 35, the temperature setting display section 3c (see FIG. 1) provided on the door 9 of the temperature switching chamber 3 blinks a display (for example, “refrigeration”) indicating the switched temperature zone. This blinking cycle is, for example, a slow cycle in which the ON state is 1 second and the OFF state is 1 second. Thereby, the user can easily visually recognize that the temperature switching chamber 3 has not reached the temperature zone of the selected operation mode. The temperature display unit 3c may display characters in a temperature range such as “refrigeration” or may display a numerical value of temperature. Moreover, you may light-emit light emitters, such as LED provided for each temperature range.

  The temperature setting display section 3c is also blinked when various settings are changed using the operation keys 3b. The blinking cycle at this time is, for example, 0.5 seconds for the ON state and 0.5 seconds for the OFF state. Therefore, the state of the temperature display part 3c can be easily recognized without misidentification, and the convenience of the refrigerator 1 is improved.

  In step # 36, the temperature sensor 16 waits until the temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 is lowered to a predetermined upper limit temperature corresponding to the set temperature. You may wait until it falls not only to upper limit temperature but to predetermined temperature near preset temperature. When the temperature switching chamber 3 is lowered to the upper limit temperature, the compressor 35 forced operation is canceled in step # 37. That is, the compressor 35 is turned on and off based on the room temperature of the freezer compartment 6.

  In step # 38, the forcedly closed state of the refrigerator compartment damper 22 and the chilled compartment damper 25 is released. That is, the refrigerator compartment damper 22 and the chilled compartment damper 25 are opened and closed based on the room temperatures of the refrigerator compartment 2 and the chilled compartment 23. In step # 39, the temperature setting display portion 3c provided on the door 9 of the temperature switching chamber 3 changes from a blinking state to a lighting state. Thereby, the user can easily recognize that the temperature switching chamber 3 has reached the temperature zone of the operation mode selected.

  In step # 40, it is detected by the temperature sensor 16 whether or not the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 has dropped to a predetermined lower limit temperature. When the temperature switching chamber 3 is not lowered to the lower limit temperature, the process proceeds to step # 40. When the temperature switching chamber 3 is lowered to the lower limit temperature, the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 is closed in step # 41. At this time, the opening 20b of the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 may be closed.

  In step # 42, it is detected by the temperature sensor 16 whether or not the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 has risen to a predetermined upper limit temperature. If the temperature switching chamber 3 has not been heated to the upper limit temperature, the process proceeds to step # 44. When the temperature switching chamber 3 is heated to the upper limit temperature, the opening 20b of the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 and the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 is opened in step # 43. Accordingly, the temperature switching chamber 3 is maintained at a predetermined temperature by repeatedly opening and closing the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13.

  In step # 44, it is determined whether or not the operation mode of the temperature switching chamber 3 has been switched. The operation mode on the low temperature side of the temperature switching chamber 3 is wine (8 ° C.), refrigeration (3 ° C.), chilled (0 ° C.), soft freezing (−8 ° C.), and freezing (−15 ° C.). It consists of a cooling mode. When the operation mode on the low temperature side of the temperature switching chamber 3 is switched, the process proceeds to step # 45, and the operation mode switching process shown in FIG. 9 is called.

  If the operation mode of the temperature switching chamber 3 has not been switched, the process proceeds to step # 45 to determine whether or not the temperature switching chamber 3 has been switched to the high temperature side. When the temperature switching chamber 3 is not switched to the high temperature side, the process proceeds to step # 40, and steps # 40 to # 45 are repeatedly performed. When the temperature switching chamber 3 is switched to the high temperature side, the process at the time of the high temperature side switching shown in FIG. 7 is called.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation mode switching operation. In step # 51, a temperature setting display section 3c (see FIG. 1) provided on the door 9 of the temperature switching chamber 3 blinks a display indicating the switched temperature zone (for example, “wine”, “chill”). In step # 52, it is determined whether or not the selected operation mode has a lower set temperature.

  If the set temperature increases, the process proceeds to step # 61, and if the set temperature decreases, the process proceeds to step # 53. The case where the set temperature increases is, for example, a case where the operation mode of the temperature switching chamber 3 is changed from freezing (−15 ° C.) to refrigeration (3 ° C.). The case where the set temperature falls is, for example, a case where the operation mode of the temperature switching chamber 3 is changed from wine (8 ° C.) to soft freezing (−8 ° C.).

  In step # 53, the forced operation of the compressor 35 is started. That is, the compressor 35 is always on regardless of the room temperature of the freezer compartment 6. In step # 54, the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 is opened, the opening 20b is opened by the baffle 20c, and the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 is opened. As a result, cold air from the cooler 17 is introduced into the temperature switching chamber 3 via the temperature switching chamber blower 14.

  In step # 55, both the refrigerator compartment damper 22 and the chilled compartment damper 25 are forcibly closed. That is, the refrigerator compartment damper 22 and the chilled compartment damper 25 are always closed regardless of the room temperature of the refrigerator compartment 2 or the chilled compartment 23. Thereby, the cold air produced | generated by the cooler 17 is introduce | transduced only into the temperature switching chamber 3, the cool air which flows into the temperature switching chamber 3 increases, and the temperature switching chamber 3 can be temperature-fallen rapidly.

  In step # 56, the temperature sensor 16 waits until the temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 is lowered to a predetermined upper limit temperature corresponding to the set temperature. You may wait until it falls not only to upper limit temperature but to predetermined temperature near preset temperature. When the temperature switching chamber 3 is lowered to the upper limit temperature, the compressor 35 forced operation is canceled in step # 57. That is, the compressor 35 is turned on and off based on the room temperature of the freezer compartment 6.

  In step # 58, the forcedly closed state of the refrigerator compartment damper 22 and the chilled compartment damper 25 is released. That is, the refrigerator compartment damper 22 and the chilled compartment damper 25 are opened and closed based on the room temperatures of the refrigerator compartment 2 and the chilled compartment 23. In step # 59, the temperature setting display portion 3c provided on the door 9 of the temperature switching chamber 3 changes from a blinking state to a lighting state. And it returns to above-mentioned step # 40 of FIG.

  If the set temperature rises in step # 52, the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 is closed in step # 61. At this time, the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 may be closed simultaneously. In step # 62, the heater 15 is turned on, and the energization rate is varied according to the switched indoor temperature setting temperature.

  That is, the energization rate is increased when switching to an operation mode with a large temperature difference of the set temperature, and the energization rate is decreased when switching to an operation mode with a small temperature difference of the set temperature. As a result, when the temperature difference is large, the energization rate can be increased and the temperature can be increased quickly, and when the temperature difference is small, the energization rate can be decreased to save power.

  In step # 63, the process waits until the temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 rises to the lower limit temperature as detected by the temperature sensor 16. If the temperature switching chamber 3 has been heated to the lower limit temperature, the heater 15 is stopped in step # 64. Then, the process proceeds to step # 59, where the temperature setting display section 3c changes from the blinking state to the lighting state, and returns to the above-described step # 40 in FIG.

  In addition, you may drive the temperature switching chamber air blower 14 in the period which has turned on the heater 15 of step # 62- # 64. Further, when the heater 15 is stopped in Step # 64, the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 and the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 may be opened.

  According to this embodiment, when the temperature switching chamber 3 is switched from the high temperature side to the low temperature side, the compressor 35 is forcibly operated until the room temperature falls to a predetermined temperature (steps # 32 and # 37). Thereby, it is possible to quickly switch to the room temperature on the low temperature side. Therefore, stored items can be stored at a desired temperature at an early stage, and the convenience of the refrigerator 1 can be improved.

  Further, when the operation mode is switched from the operation mode having a high indoor temperature on the low temperature side to the operation mode having a low indoor temperature on the low temperature side, the compressor 35 is forcibly operated until the indoor temperature falls to a predetermined temperature (step # 53, # 57). Thereby, it is possible to quickly switch to the room temperature in the operation mode having a low set temperature. Therefore, the convenience of the refrigerator 1 is improved.

  In addition, when switching from the operation mode having a low room temperature on the low temperature side to the operation mode having a high room temperature on the low temperature side, the heater 15 is driven until the room temperature rises to a predetermined temperature (steps # 62 and # 64). ). Thereby, it is possible to quickly switch to the room temperature in the operation mode having a high set temperature. Therefore, the convenience of the refrigerator 1 is improved.

  Further, when switching from the operation mode having a low indoor temperature on the low temperature side to the operation mode having a high indoor temperature on the low temperature side, the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 is closed until the room temperature rises to a predetermined temperature (step #). 61). Thereby, the cool air path which connects the temperature switching chamber 3 and the cooler 17 is interrupted. At this time, since the temperature switching chamber blower 14 is driven and air is circulated in the temperature switching chamber 3, the inflow of cold air can be prevented and the room temperature can be quickly switched to the room temperature in the operation mode having a high set temperature. Therefore, the convenience of the refrigerator 1 is improved.

  According to the present invention, it can be used for a refrigerator having a temperature switching chamber.

The front view which shows the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention The right view which shows the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention Sectional drawing of right side which shows the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention Cross section of the right side showing the temperature switching chamber of the refrigerator of the embodiment of the present invention Front sectional drawing which shows the middle step part of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention Cold air circuit diagram showing the flow of cold air in the refrigerator of the embodiment of the present invention The flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the high temperature side switching of the temperature switching chamber of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the low temperature side switching of the temperature switching chamber of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the operation mode switching of the temperature switching chamber of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator 2 Refrigeration room 3 Temperature switching room 3a Operation panel 3c Temperature display part 4 Ice making room 5 Vegetable room 6 Freezing room 9 Door 12 Introduction ventilation path 13 Temperature switching room discharge damper 14 Temperature switching room blower 15 Heater 17 Cooler 16, 24 , 34 Temperature sensor 18 Freezer room blower 19, 21 Return ventilation path 20 Temperature switching room return damper 22 Freezer room damper 25 Chilled room damper 27 Cold room damper 28 Cold room fan 30 Thermal fuse 31, 32 Cold air passage 33 Back plate 35 Compressor

Claims (12)

  Equipped with a temperature switching chamber that can switch the room temperature between the low temperature side where the stored items are cooled and the high temperature side higher than normal temperature by cooling with a cooler connected to the compressor operating the refrigeration cycle and heating with a heater In the refrigerator, when the temperature switching chamber is switched from the high temperature side to the low temperature side, the compressor is forcibly operated until the room temperature falls to a predetermined temperature.   The temperature switching chamber has a plurality of operation modes having different indoor temperatures on the low temperature side, and the indoor temperature is set to a predetermined temperature when switching from an operation mode having a high indoor temperature on the low temperature side to an operation mode having a low indoor temperature on the low temperature side. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the compressor is forcibly operated until it is lowered.   3. The heater is driven until the room temperature rises to a predetermined temperature when switching from an operation mode having a low room temperature on the low temperature side to an operation mode having a high room temperature on the low temperature side. Refrigerator.   The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the heater varies an energization rate according to a set temperature of the switched indoor temperature.   When switching from an operation mode having a low indoor temperature on the low temperature side to an operation mode having a high indoor temperature on the low temperature side, the cool air that communicates the temperature switching chamber and the cooler until the indoor temperature rises to a predetermined temperature. The refrigerator according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the route is interrupted and air is circulated in the temperature switching chamber.   The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a refrigerator compartment for storing stored items in a refrigerator, and forcibly shutting off ventilation to the refrigerator compartment during the forced operation of the compressor. refrigerator.   Equipped with a temperature switching room that can switch the room temperature between a low temperature side that cools and preserves stored items by cooling with a cooler connected to a compressor that operates the refrigeration cycle and heating by a heater, and a high temperature side that is higher than normal temperature In the refrigerator, the temperature switching chamber has a plurality of operation modes having different room temperatures on the low temperature side, and the room temperature is changed when the operation mode is switched from the operation mode having a high room temperature on the low temperature side to the operation mode having a low room temperature on the low temperature side. The refrigerator is forcibly operated until the temperature drops to a predetermined temperature.   The refrigerator according to claim 7, further comprising a refrigerator compartment for storing stored items in a refrigerator, and forcibly shutting off ventilation to the refrigerator compartment during forced operation of the compressor.   In the refrigerator having a temperature switching chamber capable of switching a room temperature between a low temperature side for storing and storing stored items by cooling with a cooler and heating by a heater and a high temperature side higher than normal temperature, the temperature switching chamber is on the low temperature side In the case of having a plurality of operation modes having different indoor temperatures, and switching from an operation mode having a low indoor temperature on the low temperature side to an operation mode having a high indoor temperature on the low temperature side, until the indoor temperature rises to a predetermined temperature, The refrigerator is characterized in that, while driving the heater, the heater is variable in energization rate according to the set temperature of the switched indoor temperature.   In the refrigerator having a temperature switching chamber capable of switching a room temperature between a low temperature side for storing and storing stored items by cooling with a cooler and heating by a heater and a high temperature side higher than normal temperature, the temperature switching chamber is on the low temperature side In the case of having a plurality of operation modes having different indoor temperatures, and switching from an operation mode having a low indoor temperature on the low temperature side to an operation mode having a high indoor temperature on the low temperature side, until the indoor temperature rises to a predetermined temperature, A refrigerator characterized in that a cold air path communicating between the temperature switching chamber and the cooler is cut off, and air is circulated in the temperature switching chamber.   A temperature display unit that displays a temperature state of the temperature switching chamber is provided, and when the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber is switched, the temperature display unit blinks until the room temperature reaches a predetermined temperature. The refrigerator according to claim 1.   The temperature display unit is blinked during temperature setting operation of the temperature switching room, and the blinking cycle between blinking during temperature setting operation and blinking until the room temperature is switched to a predetermined temperature is different. The refrigerator according to claim 11.

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