JP2013032886A - Refrigeration apparatus and refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigeration apparatus that reduces a peak value of power consumption in a time zone where a power consumption rate is increased.SOLUTION: The refrigeration apparatus includes an inverter device, a control device, a compressor, and an outdoor air temperature sensor. The control device actuates the compressor at a low speed in a high-temperature time zone which is detected by the outdoor air temperature sensor, and controls so as not to generate a start-up current of the compressor or to reduce the number of start-ups in the high-temperature time zone.

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigeration apparatus and a refrigerator.

  An example of a refrigerator-freezer in which the output frequency is changed using an inverter device and the rotation speed of a compressor or the like can be varied is disclosed in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigerator in which the rotation speed of a compressor is frequency controlled by a three-phase alternating current generated by an inverter device and a control circuit, and the inverter device determines the rotation speed of a fan motor for circulating cold air in a refrigerator. And control using the output of the control circuit.

  Moreover, what is shown in Patent Document 2 is an example of a vending machine in which power consumption is maintained within a certain limit. This includes means for measuring the power consumption of the entire vending machine, means for setting the maximum allowable power consumption, power consumption measured by the measurement means, and allowable power set in the setting means. Means for determining magnitude and power control means for partially cutting the load in the vending machine in a predetermined order so that the measured power does not exceed the allowable power based on a signal from the determination means are provided. As a partial cut of the load, the set temperature of the cooling means is shifted, part of the operation is stopped, and part of the fluorescent lamp is turned off.

JP-A 63-207968 JP-A-6-348934

  Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 do not describe how to handle the startup power consumed when the compressor is started up.

  When starting up the compressor, a large starting power is required, for example, three times or more compared with that during normal operation. In this respect, further, oil supply to the bearing portion and the compression portion, which are the sliding portions of the compressor, is performed by pumping the lubricating oil by a centrifugal pump action through a helical oil supply groove provided on the rotating shaft. Is called.

  However, recent lubricating oils tend to reduce viscosity in order to increase efficiency. For this reason, if the rotation speed of the compressor is lowered by inverter control, the centrifugal force acting on the lubricating oil pumped up through the oil supply groove does not sufficiently act, and sufficient oil supply cannot be performed.

  Therefore, the existing compressor instantaneously increases the rotational speed of the compressor to a high speed in order to pump up the lubricating oil.

  For this reason, at the time of start-up, a large amount of power generation considering a large start-up power about three times or more is necessary. In addition, if the operation and stoppage of the refrigeration apparatus are frequently repeated during the daytime, particularly when the temperature is high, a peak in power consumption occurs. For this reason as well, a large power generation facility that matches the amount of power used in such a time zone is necessary.

  In addition, recently, all electrification has promoted the suppression of global warming and the reduction of exhaust gas, but the amount of power used tends to increase accordingly. Although the increase in power consumption due to all electrification is largely suppressed by the development of equipment with low power consumption, there is a risk that the amount of power generation will be insufficient due to the rapid increase in electrical appliances on a global scale.

  In addition, when a power generation facility fails, it is necessary to take measures that do not rely only on the increase in facilities in order to secure a margin. For example, in recent years, the introduction of the daylight saving time system has been considered to average the daily power consumption, or to regulate the total amount of power usage during peak power usage hours. It is desirable not to sacrifice comfort and maintaining the freshness of food.

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the freezing apparatus which reduced the peak value of the electric power consumption in the time slot | zone when a power usage rate increases.

  In order to solve the above problems, for example, the configuration described in the claims is adopted. The present application includes a plurality of means for solving the above-described problems. For example, in an refrigeration apparatus including an inverter device, a control device, a compressor, and an outside air temperature sensor, the outside air temperature sensor is the control device. Control is performed so that the compressor is operated at a low speed during the detected high temperature time period, and the starting current of the compressor is not generated or the number of times of starting is reduced during the high temperature time period.

  Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a refrigeration apparatus that reduces the peak value of power usage during a time period when the power usage rate increases.

It is the schematic which blocks and demonstrates the structure of the freezing apparatus for demonstrating this invention. It is a figure explaining the starting electric power of the compressor used in a freezing apparatus. It is a block diagram of the freezing apparatus provided with the inverter apparatus. It is a figure explaining the compressor driving | running state of the freezing apparatus controlled by the inverter apparatus. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the rotation speed of the compressor at the time of normal driving | operation, and the internal temperature. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the rotation speed of the compressor at the time of an energy saving operation, and internal temperature, and is the figure which made it operate | move by lowering | hanging the internal temperature setting value from the time of normal operation especially when external temperature is high.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the refrigeration apparatus for explaining the present invention in a block form, and FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the starting power of a compressor used in the refrigeration apparatus. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a refrigeration apparatus provided with an inverter device, and FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a compressor operating state of the refrigeration apparatus of the present invention controlled by the inverter device.

  First, in FIG. 1, 1 is a compressor, 2 is a condenser, 3 is a decompression device, and 4 is a cooler, which are connected in series and in a ring shape to constitute a known refrigeration cycle. A refrigerator-freezer, an air conditioner, or the like that is a target product of this embodiment is a refrigeration apparatus including a refrigeration cycle.

  5 shows the freezer compartment in the case of the refrigerator-freezer provided with the freezing apparatus. In addition to the cooler 4, a defrost heater 6 with a power consumption of 150 W for removing frost attached to the cooler 4, an automatic ice making device 7 and the like are installed in the freezer compartment 5.

  For example, if the various sensors 8 attached to the defrost heater 6 and the automatic ice making device 7 at the predetermined positions are, for example, the defrost heater 6, the detection signal is sent to the control device 9 when the defrost start and end timings are detected. It is sent, and the refrigerator-freezer performs a defrosting operation. Here, the various sensors 8 are known various temperature sensors, for example.

  The defrost heater 6 is a glass tube heater with power consumption of 150 W, etc., which melts and removes frost attached to the cooler 4 with radiant heat. Further, the automatic ice making device 7 reverses the ice tray with a drive motor having an input of 10 to 30 W to drop the ice formed in the ice tray. Like the defrost heater 6, this one is usually operated by various sensors 8.

  In addition, the control device 9 includes learning means. That is, the control device 9 includes various sensors (including an outside air temperature sensor) that detect the usage state of the refrigerator-freezer, and controls the temperature in the refrigerator-freezer. At the same time, the control device 9 has storage means and the like, and accumulates and learns the information input from the various sensors 8 for a certain period of time, thereby creating a certain operation program, and automatically based on this, the daily refrigerator-freezer Do the driving.

  Although not shown in the drawing, the control device 9 is configured to switch the compressor 1 at a high temperature period detected by an outside air temperature sensor (various sensors 8) attached to the upper surface of the refrigerator or the machine room, for example, from 12:00 to 15:00. It has a function of continuously operating at a low speed and suppressing the amount of power used in a time zone in which the power usage rate is highest in summer, for example.

  That is, as described above, the control device 9 has a program for performing power saving operation, a determination unit, and the like, and controls the internal temperature and the like based on input signals of various sensors 8.

  In other words, the rotation of the compressor 1 is determined by the control device 9, and the continuous operation of the compressor 1 is also determined.

  Further, a timer is provided in the control device 9. For example, if the total amount regulation date, regulation time zone, etc. are input in advance to this timer, the compressor is operated at a low speed in the pre-entered time zone, as well as the high temperature time zone detected by the outside air temperature sensor. It is comprised so that it can be made to drive continuously.

  Reference numeral 10 denotes input means. This input means 10 is a refrigerator-freezer or an air conditioner (for example, an instruction button for instructing rapid operation, power-saving operation if it is a refrigerator, humidification operation, power-saving operation, etc. if it is an air conditioner) according to the situation. An operation unit such as a push button that can be selected and designated by the user.

  Next, in FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is a measurement of the starting power generated when the refrigerator-freezer is switched from the OFF state to the ON state. The vertical axis indicates the power used by the compressor, and the horizontal axis indicates the elapsed time ( Second).

As can be seen from the figure, assuming that the input power when the compressor 1 is operated at a low speed operation (for example, 1500 min ⁻¹ or less) by an inverter device described later is 50 W, the moment of switching from the OFF state to the ON state is: Although it is a short time, it requires an input power of 160 W or more, which is three times or more that when stable.

  For example, when the regulation of the total amount of power is obligated at each home or area, or even at a company, a plan is made by integrating the input power when the device is stable. As described above, if the input power more than three times is required even in a short time (20 seconds in FIG. 2), the power consumption increases as a result.

In the case of medium speed operation (the rotational speed of the compressor 1 is 3100 min ⁻¹ ), the input power is 100 W, and when it is switched from the OFF state to the ON state, the starting power is approximately three times or more.

  Next, an example of a refrigerator-freezer will be described with reference to FIGS. This refrigerator-freezer incorporates an inverter device 11 in addition to the control device 9 and the input means 10 described above. In the inverter device 11, for example, when the room temperature in the freezer compartment 5 or the like becomes equal to or higher than the set temperature, various sensors detect it, send a signal to the inverter device 11, and output the inverter device 11 according to the temperature difference. Thus, the compressor 1 is operated with the rotational speed of the compressor 1 being varied.

  These series of operations are usually automatically controlled, for example, the output frequency of the inverter device 11 is changed according to the temperature difference between the room temperature and the set temperature to control the rotational speed of the compressor 1.

Here, as shown in FIG. 4, so that stepwise switching to 4300min ^-1 ~1200min ^-1 the rotation speed of the compressor 1.

As low-speed operation of the compressor 1, when the refrigerator, represent 1500min ^-1 or less, the high-speed operation refers to 3100min ^-1 ~4300min ^-1, the medium-speed operating point to the rotational speed therebetween.

Next, in FIG. 4, the compressor 1 is continuously operated at a low speed of 1500 to 1200 min ⁻¹ from 12:00 to 15:00 and from 19:00 to 21:00. From 12:00 to 15:00 is usually a time zone in which the outside air temperature is highest during one day. An outside temperature sensor (one of the various sensors 8) detects a time zone in which the outside temperature is high, and inputs this to the control device 9. In the control device 9, the inputted information is learned by a storage device or the like. In this time period, the compressor 1 is automatically continuously operated at a low speed. At this time, using a timer of the control device, a time zone for low speed operation may be input to the control device in advance, and the operation state of FIG. 4 may be created and controlled.

Also, the time between 19:00 and 21:00 is a time zone during which the person who worked outside the home returns home in the daytime. During this time, the use of the refrigerator / freezer increases, but the use of the air conditioner also increases. Therefore, it is necessary to cope with this time zone when regulating the total amount of power. Therefore, in this embodiment, the compressor 1 is rotated at a low speed of 1500 to 1200 min ^-1 during the time period from 19:00 to 21:00, and the compressor is continuously operated.

In addition, between 12:00 to 15:00, 19:00 to 21:00, the means for setting the rotational speed of the compressor ¹ to a low speed operation of 1500 to 1200 min ⁻¹ is learned in the control device as described above. It can be set in advance using a timer or the like, or can be changed by user selection.

  Further, when the rotation speed of the compressor is set to a low speed operation, the circulating temperature of the refrigerant decreases, so that the internal temperature temporarily rises due to opening and closing of the door or the like, but it is within a range that can be sufficiently cooled in a long time.

  Furthermore, when the compressor 1 is operated at a low speed between 12:00 and 15:00, and between 19:00 and 21:00, the automatic ice making and quick freezing operations of the refrigerator-freezer are stopped and the defrosting operation is not started. If this is done, this effect becomes even more prominent.

  Next, in FIG. 5, the relationship between the compressor speed and the internal temperature during normal operation will be described. The line graph at the top of FIG. 5 shows the internal temperature change when the refrigerator is operated based on the set temperature B based on the control device or the like.

The set temperature B is ensured by turning the compressor on (ON) / off (OFF). At this time, the rotation speed of the compressor changes in a range of, for example, 4300 to 1200 min ⁻¹ . For example, during hours other than 12:00 to 17:00 when electricity is most consumed during the day and total amount regulation may be a problem, the compressor turns off when the internal temperature falls below the set value. When the internal temperature rises and exceeds the set temperature, the compressor turns on.

At this stage, if the compressor is operated at a rotational speed of, for example, 2400 min ⁻¹ or more, the centrifugal force of the rotating shaft is sufficiently secured. Well done.

However, when entering the time zone from 12 o'clock to 17 o'clock, the rotational speed becomes 1200 min ^-1 as shown by the line A1. At this time, sufficient centrifugal force cannot be obtained, and lubrication of the sliding portion of the lubricating oil becomes insufficient.

Therefore, in this embodiment, before entering the time zone from 12:00 to 17:00, although it is instantaneous, the rotational speed is increased to 2400 min ⁻¹ as shown by line A2. This 2400 min ^-1 corresponds to the starting time shown in FIG.

More as in this embodiment, the target time period to be the total amount control, continues to operate the compressor at a low speed, for example 1200Min ^-1 or 1500min ^-1. Also, in this embodiment, before entering the time zone where the power usage rate increases and the power usage amount is to be suppressed, the compressor is started, and the low speed operation is continued during the time period when the power usage rate is increasing. It is a point to do. Further, it can be changed according to the load state, such as 1200 min ⁻¹ and 1500 min ⁻¹ .

  Next, in FIG. 6, the relationship between the rotation speed of the compressor and the internal temperature during energy saving operation will be described. In particular, the present invention relates to control for operating the internal temperature set value lower than that during normal operation when the outside air temperature is high.

  The line graph in the upper part of FIG. 6 shows a change in the internal temperature when the operation of the refrigerator is controlled based on the set temperature.

The set temperature is ensured by turning the compressor on (ON) / off (OFF). At this time, the rotation speed of the compressor changes in a range of, for example, 4300 to 1200 min ⁻¹ . In other words, during times other than 12:00 to 17:00, when the power is most consumed during the day and the total amount regulation may be a problem, the compressor is turned off when the internal temperature falls below the set value. When the internal temperature rises and exceeds the set temperature, the compressor turns on.

At this stage, when the compressor is operated at a rotational speed of, for example, 2400 min ⁻¹ or more, the centrifugal force is sufficiently ensured, and therefore the lubricating oil is sufficiently supplied to the sliding portion. However, when the total amount regulation may become a problem, such as from 12:00 to 17:00, the rotational speed is controlled to 1200 min ⁻¹ or 1500 min ⁻¹ as shown by lines A1 and A3. At this time, sufficient centrifugal force cannot be obtained, and lubrication of the sliding portion of the lubricating oil becomes insufficient.

Therefore, in this embodiment, although it is instantaneous, the rotational speed of the compressor is increased to 2400 min ⁻¹ as shown by the line A2 before the time zone from 12:00 to 17:00. This 2400 min ^-1 corresponds to the starting time shown in FIG.

More as in the present embodiment, the target time zone of total volume control, continues to operate the compressor at a low speed, for example 1200Min ^-1 or 1500min ^-1.

  Further, the difference from the embodiment of FIG. 5 is that, as shown in FIG. 6, the compressor off (OFF) temperature (C) is shifted so as to decrease to the temperature (D) on the way, and the compressor operates. It is a point that I tried to continue. Further, in this embodiment, the determination temperature (E) in the target time zone subject to power usage regulation is provided at a temperature lower than the set temperature (B).

  This determination temperature (E) is higher than the OFF temperature (C), and is compressed when the temperature of a sensor such as a control device approaches the OFF temperature (C) in the time zone subject to power usage regulation. The set temperature OFF (C) is temporarily lowered to (D) so as not to stop the operation of the machine, and the compressor is continuously operated without stopping the compressor during the time period subject to power usage regulations. It is what I did.

In the time zone subject to power usage regulations, for example, the compressor is continuously operated at a low speed of 1200 min ⁻¹ or 1500 min ⁻¹ . At this time, when the low-speed operation is continued for a long time, the OFF temperature (C) of the set temperature (B) may become lower than a predetermined temperature due to a load state or the like, and the compressor may be stopped. There is. In the present embodiment, in order to prevent this, the OFF temperature (C) of the target time zone subject to the power usage regulation is changed to a temperature (D) lower than this. In order to determine the temperature shift from (C) to (D), the determination temperature (E) is used.

  By configuring as described above, in the case of a refrigerator, the refrigerator compartment and the vegetable compartment, which are in the refrigerator temperature zone, may be frozen. Therefore, at this time, the air volume control damper or the like is controlled so as not to send cold air to the refrigeration room and the vegetable room which are in the refrigeration temperature zone.

  Also, the defrost heater or the like that removes frost attached to the cooler is prevented from generating heat during the time period subject to power usage regulations. For this reason, the defrosting operation is incorporated in the software in advance so as to be performed after the target time zone of the power usage regulation or before the target time zone of the power usage regulation.

In this description, the low-speed rotation speed of the compressor 1 is set to 1200 min ⁻¹ , but this is further reduced to a low speed such as 1000 min ⁻¹ or less, and the high temperature time zone detected by the outside air temperature sensor is, for example, minus 15 ° C. If it is made like (freezer compartment), an effect will increase further. Of course, at this time, the compressor 1 continues to operate continuously.

  Even if such an operation is performed, the load temperature in the freezer compartment is limited to the high-temperature time zone, so that it does not deteriorate further.

  Furthermore, if it controls not to perform a defrosting operation before the object time slot | zone of electric power usage regulation, many frost has grown in the cooler. And when it becomes the object time zone of electric power usage regulation, it is possible to cool a storage room using the frost of this cooler.

  Specifically, if the compressor stops due to a power outage during the time period subject to power usage regulations, the internal fan is driven by an external power source such as a battery, and the refrigeration temperature is generated by the latent heat of frost that has grown on the cooler. The belt chamber is cooled.

  In this case, since the electric power required for driving the internal fan is very small, and the time zone subject to the power use regulation is 2 to 3 hours, the internal air fan is driven by a battery or the like, so The chamber can be cooled sufficiently. In the freezer compartment, frozen foods are stored, and since frozen foods have a cold storage capacity from this place, there is no need to send cold air to the freezer compartment. Therefore, the internal blower fan may be driven in a state where the air volume control damper is driven by a battery or the like so that the cool air is not blown to the freezer compartment and the cool air is blown to the refrigerated temperature zone.

  Since the present invention is configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.

  First, in a refrigeration apparatus including an inverter device, a control device, a compressor, and an outside air temperature sensor, the control device operates the compressor at a low speed during a high temperature time zone detected by the outside air temperature sensor, and the high temperature time zone In addition, control is performed such that the starting current of the compressor is not generated or the number of starting times is reduced.

  Accordingly, it is possible to obtain a refrigeration apparatus capable of minimizing the amount of power used during a time zone in which the outside air temperature is high, for example, from 12:00 to 15:00 and complying with power usage regulations.

  Further, the control device is characterized in that there are two or more times during a day when the compressor operates the compressor at a low speed. As a result, it is possible to obtain a refrigeration apparatus that can suppress the amount of power used during the day when the temperature is highest during the day and during dinner (the time when the person on the way home from work uses the refrigeration apparatus) and that can comply with power usage regulations. Can do.

  Further, a timer is provided in the control device, and the compressor is operated at a low speed based on the timer. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain a refrigeration apparatus that can automatically suppress the amount of power used in a high temperature time zone in advance and add power to the power usage regulations without adding special parts.

  In addition, the rotation speed of the compressor is changed according to the load during a time period during which the compressor is operated at a low speed. As a result, even if the temperature inside the cabinet tends to rise due to the input of food or frequent door opening / closing, the number of rotations of the compressor can be temporarily increased to ensure cooling power, and the optimum temperature inside the cabinet can always be maintained. .

  Further, the temperature range in which the compressor is stopped is shifted to a lower temperature side than during normal operation during a time period during which the compressor is operated at a low speed. Thereby, even if the compressor is continuously operated for a long time, the internal temperature is excessively lowered, becomes lower than the set temperature of the temperature control device, and the compressor does not stop.

  In addition, when the refrigerator includes any one of the above refrigeration apparatuses, the defrosting operation is stopped during the low speed operation of the compressor, and the automatic ice making function and / or the quick freezing function are provided. Stop the automatic ice making function and / or the quick freezing function. Thereby, the refrigerator which can reduce the electric power consumption of a high temperature time slot | zone can be provided.

  Thus, the present invention provides a refrigeration apparatus in which the starting power is continuously operated at a low speed for a predetermined time period and a predetermined time so that the starting power at the time of starting is not required. As a result, each home and company can simply level the power consumption of the devices used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Compressor 2 Condenser 3 Pressure reducing device 4 Cooler 5 Freezer compartment 6 Defrost heater 7 Automatic ice making device 8 Various sensors 9 Control device 10 Input means 11 Inverter device

Claims (6)

  In the refrigeration apparatus including an inverter device, a control device, a compressor, and an outside air temperature sensor, the control device operates the compressor at a low speed during a high temperature time zone detected by the outside air temperature sensor, and A refrigeration apparatus controlled so as not to generate a starting current of a compressor or to reduce the number of times of starting.   2. The refrigeration apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there are two or more times during a day when the control device operates the compressor at a low speed.   The refrigerating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a timer is provided in the control device, and the compressor is operated at a low speed based on the timer.   The refrigeration apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotation speed of the compressor is changed according to a load during a time period during which the compressor is operated at a low speed.   2. The refrigeration apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a temperature range in which the compressor is stopped is shifted to a lower temperature side than in a normal operation during a time period during which the compressor is operated at a low speed. A refrigerator comprising the refrigeration apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
During the low-speed operation of the compressor, the defrosting operation is stopped, and when the automatic ice making function and / or the quick freezing function are provided, the automatic ice making function and / or the quick freezing function are stopped. Refrigerator.