JP2019011948A - refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator which can reduce power consumption by reducing the number of defrosting times by suppressing dryness in a storage chamber, and which has excellent energy saving properties.SOLUTION: A refrigerator includes: a storage chamber partitioned at least into a refrigeration chamber 3 and a freezing chamber 4; a first evaporator 22 disposed in a cooling chamber 8 connected to the storage chambers 3, 4 via supply air passages 9, 10; a second evaporator 23 disposed inside the freezing chamber 4; a switching valve 25 for switching whether or not to flow a refrigerant to a refrigerant path B connected to the second evaporator 23; a blower 13 for blowing air cooled in the first evaporator 22 to the storage chambers 3, 4 from the cooling chamber 8; a first air passage switch 11 interposed in the supply air passage 10 connected to the refrigeration chamber 3; a second air passage switch 12 interposed in the supply air passage 9 connected to the freezing chamber 4. Thereby, dryness in the storage chambers 3, 4 is suppressed, the number of defrosting times is reduced, and power consumption can be reduced.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator that cools and stores food or the like in a storage chamber, and more particularly to a refrigerator that includes a forced circulation evaporator and a direct cooling evaporator.

  Conventionally, there is a refrigerator that forcibly circulates air cooled by an evaporator to a storage room (for example, Patent Document 1). In this type of refrigerator, an evaporator is disposed inside a cooling chamber partitioned from a storage chamber, air cooled by the evaporator is sent out by a blower, and supplied to the storage chamber via a supply air passage. The storage room is often partitioned into a plurality of storage rooms such as a refrigerator room and a freezer room, and the amount of cold air supplied to each storage room is controlled by opening and closing a damper or the like provided in the supply air passage. . Moreover, in order to melt the frost adhering to the evaporator, heating by an electric heater or the like, off-cycle defrosting, hot gas defrosting, or the like is performed.

  There is also known a direct-cooling type refrigerator that does not have a blower for forcibly circulating cold air and cools the storage chamber by natural convection of cold air that exchanges heat with the evaporator (for example, Patent Document 2). In this type of refrigerator, the evaporator that cools the storage chamber is disposed inside the heat insulating box constituting the wall surface of the storage chamber or inside the storage chamber.

JP 2011-58689 A (page 6-7, FIG. 2) JP 2009-198079 A (3rd page, FIG. 1)

  However, the above-described conventional refrigerators have room for improvement from the viewpoint of reducing energy consumption and further energy saving and maintaining the quality of food.

  Specifically, the forced circulation refrigerator as in the prior art described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the amount of frost adhering to the evaporator is large and the number of times of defrosting is large. In the defrosting operation for melting the frost attached to the evaporator, electric power is consumed by using an electric heater or the like. Furthermore, the cooling load increases due to the temperature rise in the storage chamber due to defrosting, and the amount of power consumption for cooling the storage chamber increases. Therefore, in order to save energy, it is desired to suppress frost formation on the evaporator and reduce the number of defrosting operations.

  Further, in the forced circulation refrigerator, there is a lot of frost formation on the evaporator, so that a large amount of moisture is taken from the storage room and the storage room is excessively dried. Excessive drying in the storage chamber is not preferable because it causes drying of food stored in the storage chamber, causes so-called freeze-burning, and deteriorates the quality of the food.

  Moreover, the direct cooling type refrigerator like the prior art described in patent document 2 has less frost formation to an evaporator compared with a forced circulation type, and its dryness in a storage chamber is also low. However, there is a problem that it is difficult to defrost the evaporator.

  That is, in the direct cooling system in which the evaporator is disposed on the peripheral wall or inside of the storage chamber, if the temperature of the evaporator is increased in order to melt frost, the temperature in the storage chamber is likely to increase. Therefore, the cooling load after defrosting increases and the amount of power consumption increases.

  Also, if the temperature change in the freezer compartment increases due to the temperature rise in the freezer compartment, the temperature difference between the frozen food and the surrounding air increases, and the food is dried by water sublimation due to the water vapor pressure difference, so-called freezing and burning. Will occur. In addition, when the food is thawed and re-frozen due to a large temperature change, there is a so-called drip problem that the ice crystals inside the food become large and the cells of the food are destroyed.

  Furthermore, in the direct cooling type refrigerator, in addition to the defrosting electric heater for heating the evaporator, an electric heater for preventing the water generated by the defrosting from refreezing in the storage chamber is also required. Become. Since electric power is consumed by these electric heaters for preventing freezing and the cooling load increases, the power consumption for cooling increases.

  This invention is made | formed in view of said situation, The place made into the objective is energy-saving property which can suppress the drying frequency of a storage chamber, can reduce the frequency | count of defrosting, and can reduce power consumption. It is to provide an excellent refrigerator.

  The refrigerator of the present invention includes at least a storage compartment partitioned into a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment, a first evaporator disposed in a cooling compartment connected to the storage compartment via a supply air passage, and the freezer compartment. A second evaporator disposed therein, a switching valve for switching whether or not to flow the refrigerant through a refrigerant path connected to the second evaporator, and cooling the air cooled by the first evaporator A blower that flows from a room to the storage room, a first air path switch that is interposed in the supply air path connected to the refrigerator compartment, and a second that is interposed in the supply air path connected to the freezer room An air path switch and a load detection means for detecting a cooling load of the storage chamber, and the switching valve is switched when the cooling load detected by the load detection means is lower than a predetermined value. A freezer compartment direct cooling operation in which a refrigerant flows through the second evaporator, In rolling, the blower is stopped, when the second time to close the air passage switching device in a predetermined elapsed operating the blower, characterized in that opening the second air passage switch.

  Further, the refrigerator of the present invention includes the switching valve, the first throttle means, the first refrigerant path sequentially connected to the first evaporator, the switching valve, the second throttle means, and the second evaporator. And a second refrigerant path sequentially connected to the first evaporator, and the switching valve is configured so that the refrigerant path at the outlet of the condenser is one of the first refrigerant path and the second refrigerant path. It is connected to one side.

  According to the refrigerator of the present invention, the forced circulation type first evaporator disposed in the cooling chamber, the direct cooling type second evaporator disposed in the freezing chamber, and the refrigerant path are switched. A switching valve, a first air path switch interposed in the supply air path connected to the refrigerator compartment, and a second air path switch interposed in the supply air path connected to the freezer compartment.

  Thereby, by switching the switching valve and opening and closing the first air path switch and the second air path switch, respectively, forced circulation type cooling is performed for the refrigerator compartment, and forced circulation type is performed for the freezing room. It is possible to execute switching between the cooling and the direct cooling. As a result, energy can be saved by reducing the number of defrosting times.

  Specifically, by switching the switching valve so that the refrigerant flows to the second evaporator, closing the second air passage switch connected to the freezer compartment and operating the compressor, without operating the blower, The inside of the freezer compartment can be cooled by the second evaporator.

  Thereby, the frost formation to a 1st evaporator can be reduced, the excessive drying of a freezer can be suppressed, and the frequency of a defrost operation can be lowered | hung compared with the forced circulation type refrigerator of a prior art. As a result, power consumption for defrosting can be reduced, and drying of food in the freezer compartment can be suppressed. In addition, the power consumption of the blower can be reduced.

  In addition, the switching valve is switched so that the refrigerant flows to the first evaporator, the second air passage switch connected to the freezer compartment is opened, and the compressor and the blower are operated. Can be cooled.

  Thereby, frost is made to adhere to the 1st evaporator, frost formation to the 2nd evaporator is reduced, and the defrosting frequency of the 2nd evaporator is reduced compared with the direct cooling type refrigerator of the prior art. Can do. As a result, the power consumption for defrosting can be reduced, the temperature rise in the freezer compartment can be suppressed, and the quality of food stored in the freezer compartment can be maintained well over a long period of time.

  In addition, by operating the blower and opening the first air path switch, the refrigeration chamber can be cooled using the melting heat of the frost attached to the first evaporator, and refrigerated by the moisture of the frost. The room can be humidified. As a result, energy-saving and highly efficient cooling can be achieved, and drying of food in the refrigerator can be suppressed to maintain its quality.

  According to the refrigerator of the present invention, the switching valve, the first throttle means, the first refrigerant path sequentially connected to the first evaporator, the switching valve, the second throttle means, the second, And a second refrigerant path sequentially connected to the first evaporator, and the refrigerant path at the outlet of the condenser is set to one of the first refrigerant path and the second refrigerant path by a switching valve. Switch to connect to.

  By switching to the first refrigerant path using the switching valve, it is possible to cool the storage chamber by flowing the refrigerant only to the first evaporator. That is, the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment can each be suitably cooled while preventing frost formation on the second evaporator.

  On the other hand, by switching to the second refrigerant path by the switching valve, the first evaporator and the second evaporator are connected in series, and the inside of the freezer compartment is directly cooled by the second evaporator, The circulated air can be cooled and dehumidified by the first evaporator. As a result, the freezer compartment can be efficiently cooled using both the first evaporator and the second evaporator while suppressing frost formation on the second evaporator.

  Further, when the second refrigerant path is used, the refrigerant that has exited the second evaporator flows to the first evaporator, so that excess liquid refrigerant can be stored in the first evaporator. Thereby, since return of the liquid refrigerant to a compressor can be prevented, internal volumes, such as an accumulator, can be made small.

  Further, according to the refrigerator of the present invention, the load detection means for detecting the cooling load of the storage room is provided, and when the cooling load detected by the load detection means is lower than the predetermined value, the switching valve is switched to the second. The freezer compartment direct cooling operation is performed to flow the refrigerant through the evaporator. Thereby, it is possible to cool the freezer compartment with high efficiency by the second evaporator while suppressing drying of the freezer compartment. In addition, frost formation on the second evaporator can be suppressed to a low level.

  Further, according to the refrigerator of the present invention, in the freezing room direct cooling operation, the forced air circulation is stopped by stopping the blower and closing the second air path switch, and the freezing room is only by the second evaporator. Can be cooled. As a result, more efficient cooling is possible while suppressing drying of the freezer compartment.

  Further, according to the refrigerator of the present invention, in the direct cooling operation of the freezer, when the predetermined time has elapsed after the blower is stopped and the second air passage switch is closed, the blower is operated and the second air passage is operated. Open the switch. Thereby, during the freezing room direct cooling operation, air can be forcedly circulated between the freezing room and the cooling room, and frost can be attached to the first evaporator. As a result, frost formation on the second evaporator can be suppressed. Moreover, the water | moisture content collect | recovered with the 1st evaporator can be utilized for the humidification operation to a refrigerator compartment.

It is a lineblock diagram showing the outline of the refrigerator concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of the refrigerator which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation control of the refrigerator which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation control of the refrigerator which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation control of the refrigerator which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation control of the refrigerator which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation control of the refrigerator which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, the refrigerator which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated in detail based on drawing.

  Drawing 1 is a lineblock diagram showing an outline of refrigerator 1 concerning this embodiment. In FIG. 1, a schematic diagram illustrating a side cross-section of the refrigerator 1 and a schematic diagram illustrating a refrigeration cycle circuit 20 are overlapped. As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator 1 includes a heat insulating box 2 as a main body, and forms a storage room for storing food and the like inside the heat insulating box 2.

  The interior of the storage room is divided into two storage rooms having different storage temperatures, that is, a refrigerating room 3 in a refrigerating temperature range and a freezing room 4 in a freezing temperature range. The refrigerator compartment 3 and the freezer compartment 4 located in the lower stage are partitioned by a heat insulating partition wall 7. Inside the refrigerator compartment 3 and the freezer compartment 4, shelves (not shown) for storing food and the like, storage containers (not shown), and the like are arranged.

  The heat insulating box 2 that is the main body of the refrigerator 1 includes a steel plate outer box 2a having an opening on the front surface, and a synthetic resin inner box 2b disposed with a gap in the outer box 2a. A heat insulating material 2c made of polyurethane foam that is filled and foamed in a gap between the outer box 2a and the inner box 2b.

  The front surface of the heat insulating box 2 is open, and heat insulating doors 5 and 6 are respectively provided in the openings corresponding to the refrigerator compartment 3 and the freezer compartment 4 so as to be opened and closed. A storage pocket or the like may be provided inside the doors 5 and 6. The refrigerator 1 also includes a door opening / closing sensor 34 that detects opening / closing of the doors 5 and 6.

  In addition, the storage room can be divided more finely to form other storage rooms such as an ice making room and a vegetable room, and a plurality of doors corresponding to each storage room can be provided. Each storage chamber may be provided with a storage container or the like that can be pulled out integrally with each door.

  A supply air passage 10 that guides air cooled by a first evaporator 22 described later to the inside of the refrigerator compartment 3 is formed on the back surface and the top surface of the refrigerator compartment 3. The supply air passage 10 is a space sandwiched between a synthetic resin partition constituting the inner surface of the refrigerator compartment 3 and the inner box 2 b of the heat insulating box 2. The partition is formed with an air outlet for supplying the cold air flowing through the supply air passage 10 to the inside of the refrigerator compartment 3.

  A supply air passage 9 connected to the freezer compartment 4 and the supply air passage 10 is formed in the inner surface of the freezer compartment 4. The supply air passage 9 is partitioned from the freezer compartment 4 by a synthetic resin partition. The partition is formed with a blowout port for flowing cold air to the freezer compartment 4, and a freezing damper 12 (hereinafter referred to as “F damper 12”) as a second air path switch is formed in the blowout port. Is arranged).

  The supply air passage 10 connected to the refrigerator compartment 3 is provided with a refrigeration damper 11 (hereinafter referred to as “R damper 11”) as a first air passage switch. That is, the supply air passage 9 and the supply air passage 10 communicate with each other via the R damper 11.

  The R damper 11 and the F damper 12 are motor dampers composed of a plate-like body serving as an opening / closing lid that is pivotally supported on one side and a drive motor. The first air path switch or the second air path switch is not limited to this, and other types of opening / closing devices such as those using a slide type opening / closing plate are employed. It is also possible.

  By opening and closing the R damper 11, it is possible to adjust whether or not air flows from the supply air passage 9 to the supply air passage 10. Moreover, the flow rate of the cold air supplied to the refrigerator compartment 3 can be adjusted by performing an appropriate opening / closing operation of the R damper 11.

  In addition, by opening and closing the F damper 12, it is possible to adjust whether or not air flows from the supply air passage 9 to the freezer compartment 4. By performing an appropriate opening / closing operation of the F damper 12, the flow rate of the cool air supplied to the freezer compartment 4 can be adjusted.

  A cooling chamber 8 is formed inside the heat insulating box 2 on the back side of the supply air passage 9 by being partitioned from the supply air passage 9 by a synthetic resin partition. Inside the cooling chamber 8, a first evaporator 22 for cooling the air circulating therethrough is disposed. Details of the first evaporator 22 will be described later.

  A defrost heater (not shown) is provided below the first evaporator 22 inside the cooling chamber 8 as a defrosting means for melting and removing frost attached to the first evaporator 22. Yes. In addition, a return port for returning air from the freezing chamber 4 to the cooling chamber 8 is provided in the lower portion of the cooling chamber 8.

  In the upper part of the cooling chamber 8, a feed opening which is an opening connected to the supply air passage 9 is formed, and a blower 13 for circulating cold air is attached to the feed opening. That is, the blower 13 causes the air cooled by the first evaporator 22 to flow from the cooling chamber 8 to the storage chamber. The blower 13 is an axial blower having a rotary propeller fan, a fan motor (not shown), and a casing (not shown) in which a wind tunnel is formed. In addition, as a blower 13, you may employ | adopt other types of blowers, such as a combination of the propeller fan and motor of a type which is not provided with a casing, a sirocco fan, etc., for example.

  Inside the refrigerator compartment 3, a refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 18 (hereinafter referred to as “R sensor 18”) that detects the temperature inside the refrigerator compartment 3 is provided. In the freezer compartment 4, a freezer compartment temperature sensor 19 (hereinafter referred to as “F sensor 19”) that detects the temperature inside the freezer compartment 4 is provided. The position where the R sensor 18 and the F sensor 19 are attached is not limited to the position shown in FIG. Moreover, the refrigerator 1 is provided with the outside temperature sensor 33 which detects the temperature outside a warehouse.

  The refrigerator 1 includes a vapor compression refrigeration cycle circuit 20 as a cooling means. The refrigeration cycle circuit 20 includes a compressor 21 that compresses the refrigerant, and a condenser 24 that performs heat exchange between the compressed high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant and the outside air to condense the refrigerant. A compressor 21, a part of the condenser 24, a heat dissipating fan (not shown) that blows air to the condenser 24, and the like are disposed in a machine room provided on the lower back side of the refrigerator 1. In the refrigerator 1, isobutane (R600a) is used as the refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle circuit 20.

  The refrigeration cycle circuit 20 is disposed in the cooling chamber 8 to perform forced circulation cooling, and is disposed in the freezing chamber 4 to perform direct cooling. A second evaporator 23. The first evaporator 22 is, for example, a fin tube type heat exchanger that uses the inside of the heat transfer tube as a refrigerant flow path. The refrigerant flowing through the first evaporator 22 is evaporated by exchanging heat with the air flowing through the cooling chamber 8. Thereby, the air flowing through the cooling chamber 8 is cooled, and the cooled air is supplied to the refrigerator compartment 3 and the freezer compartment 4. As the first evaporator 22, other types of heat exchangers such as a heat exchanger using a flat porous tube or a deformed tube may be employed.

  As the second evaporator 23, for example, various heat exchangers including a heat transfer tube and a heat transfer promoting wire, fins, or the like on the outer surface of the heat transfer tube can be adopted using the inside of the heat transfer tube as a refrigerant flow path. The second evaporator 23 may be a so-called roll bond type heat exchanger in which a pair of steel plates are overlapped and joined to form a refrigerant flow path between the steel plates. The refrigerant flowing through the second evaporator 23 evaporates by exchanging heat with the air in the freezer compartment 4. Thereby, the freezer compartment 4 is cooled.

  The first evaporator 22 and the second evaporator 23 are respectively connected with a first throttle means 26 and a second throttle means 27 that squeeze and expand the high-pressure liquid refrigerant. On the upstream side of the first throttling means 26 and the second throttling means 27, as a switching valve for switching whether or not to flow the refrigerant to the refrigerant path (second refrigerant path B) connected to the second evaporator 23 A three-way valve 25 is provided.

  That is, the refrigeration cycle circuit 20 includes a first refrigerant path A sequentially connected to the three-way valve 25, the first throttle means 26, and the first evaporator 22, the three-way valve 25, the second throttle means 27, and the second And an evaporator 23 and a second refrigerant path B sequentially connected to the first evaporator 22. Then, by switching the three-way valve 25, the refrigerant path on the outlet side of the condenser 24 is connected to one of the first refrigerant path A and the second refrigerant path B. The three-way valve 25 can also close both the first refrigerant path A and the second refrigerant path B.

  Here, as the first throttling means 26 and the second throttling means 27, for example, a capillary tube or an electronic expansion valve can be adopted. When an electronic expansion valve that can be fully closed is employed for each of the first throttling means 26 and the second throttling means 27, the first throttling means 26 and the second throttling means 27 are alternatively opened. Thus, the three-way valve 25 can be omitted. That is, the electronic expansion valve as the first throttle means 26 and the second throttle means 27 can be used as a switching valve for switching the refrigerant path. Further, as a switching valve in place of the three-way valve 25, an electromagnetic on-off valve or the like may be provided in each of the first refrigerant path A and the second refrigerant path B.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the refrigerator 1. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the refrigerator 1 includes a control device 30 that controls each component device. The control device 30 is a control unit including a microprocessor that executes a predetermined calculation, and includes a timer 31 that executes a time calculation.

  For the input of the control device 30, an F sensor 19 that detects the temperature of the freezer compartment 4 (see FIG. 1), an R sensor 18 that detects the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3 (see FIG. 1), and a user inputs various set values. The operation panel 32, the outside temperature sensor 33, and the door opening / closing sensor 34 are connected.

  The F sensor 19, the R sensor 18, the outside temperature sensor 33, and the door opening / closing sensor 34 are load detection means for the controller 30 to detect information necessary for calculating the cooling load. Moreover, the control apparatus 30 is provided with the function to detect the load (electric current, voltage) of the compressor 21 as another load detection means.

  An F damper 12, an R damper 11, a compressor 21, a blower 13, and a three-way valve 25 are connected to the output of the control device 30. The control device 30 is connected to other sensors (not shown) and devices to be controlled.

  The control device 30 performs predetermined calculations based on inputs from the F sensor 19, the R sensor 18, the operation panel 32, the outside temperature sensor 33, the door opening / closing sensor 34, and the like, and the F damper 12, the R damper 11, and the compressor 21. The blower 13 and the three-way valve 25 are controlled.

  Next, the control operation of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing operation control of the refrigerator 1, and shows a control flow related to selection of an operation mode.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 30 (see FIG. 2) selects one of the normal / high load mode M1, the energy saving mode M2, and the hybrid cooling mode M3. Specifically, first, the control device 30 determines whether or not the requirement for the normal / high load mode M1 is satisfied (S1), and if the requirement is satisfied (YES in S1), the normal / high load mode M1 is executed. To do. If the requirement for the normal / high load mode M1 is not satisfied (NO in S1), the control device 30 determines whether or not to execute the energy saving mode M2 (S2), and if the requirement for the energy saving mode M2 is satisfied (S2). YES), the energy saving mode M2 is executed. On the other hand, if the requirements for the energy saving mode M2 are not satisfied (NO in S2), the control device 30 determines the hybrid cooling mode M3 (S3). If the requirement is satisfied (YES in S3), control device 30 selects hybrid cooling mode M3. If the requirement is not satisfied (NO in S3), control device 30 returns to step S1 and continues to select the operation mode.

  Here, as a reference for selecting the operation mode, for example, the cooling load of the refrigerator 1 is used. That is, the control device 30 executes the normal / high load mode M1 if the cooling load is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value (first reference value) (YES in S1). When the cooling load is smaller than the first reference value and equal to or larger than a predetermined reference value (second reference value) smaller than the first reference value (YES in S2), the control device 30 Select the energy saving mode M2. On the other hand, if the cooling load is smaller than the second reference value (YES in S3), control device 30 selects hybrid cooling mode M3.

  The value of the cooling load used for selecting the operation mode is as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. The temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3 detected by the R sensor 18, the temperature of the freezer compartment 4 detected by the F sensor 19, and the outside of the refrigerator Predetermined calculation based on the outside temperature detected by the temperature sensor 33, the opening / closing status of the doors 5 and 6 detected by the door opening / closing sensor 34, the load of the compressor 21, various set values input from the operation panel 32, etc. It is calculated by executing. In addition, by using the timer 31 and the learning function of the control device 30, a change state of the cooling load may be stored, and a calculation for predicting the cooling load may be executed.

  Next, the control operation in the normal / high load mode M1 will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing operation control of the refrigerator 1, and shows a control flow related to the normal / high load mode M1.

  In the normal / high load mode M1, the air cooled by the first evaporator 22 shown in FIG. 1 is forcibly circulated to cool the refrigerator compartment 3 and the freezer compartment 4. When the cooling is performed, the F damper 12 is always opened, and the R damper 11 is controlled to open and close based on the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, first, the control device 30 (see FIG. 2) compares the temperature in the freezer compartment 4 detected by the F sensor 19 with a predetermined set temperature TF to perform a cooling operation. Is determined (S10).

  Here, the set temperature TF is a reference temperature for starting or ending cooling of the freezer compartment 4. Specifically, as the set temperature TF, a predetermined set value Fon serving as a reference for starting the cooling of the freezer compartment 4 or a predetermined set value Foff serving as a reference for terminating the cooling of the freezer compartment 4 is input. The setting value Fon and the setting value Foff are reference temperatures determined based on the state of the cooling load, various setting values input from the operation panel 32 (see FIG. 2), and the setting value Fon is more than the setting value Foff. High value. By using the set value Fon and the set value Foff as the set temperature TF, frequent switching between start and stop of cooling is suppressed, and stable control is possible.

  If the temperature of the freezer compartment 4 is higher than the set temperature TF in step S10 (YES in S10), the control device 30 inputs the set value Foff to the set temperature TF, operates the compressor 21 and the blower 13, and The valve 25 is switched to the first refrigerant path A, and the F damper 12 is opened (S11).

  As a result, the refrigerant that has been compressed by the compressor 21 to a high temperature and a high pressure releases heat in the condenser 24 (see FIG. 1) and condenses, and is decompressed by the first throttling means 26 (see FIG. 1) and expanded by throttling. And flows to the first evaporator 22. In the first evaporator 22, the low-temperature liquid refrigerant evaporates, and the air in the cooling chamber 8 is cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant. Then, the cooled air is sent out by the blower 13 and supplied to the freezer compartment 4. Note that, by inputting the set value Foff to the set temperature TF in step S11, the cooling operation is prevented from ending immediately after the compressor 21 and the blower 13 are activated.

  Next, the control device 30 compares the temperature in the refrigerating chamber 3 detected by the R sensor 18 with a predetermined set temperature TR to determine whether or not the refrigerating chamber 3 needs to be cooled (S12).

  Here, the set temperature TR is a reference temperature for starting or ending cooling of the refrigerator compartment 3. Specifically, as the set temperature TR, a predetermined set value Ron serving as a reference for starting cooling of the refrigerator compartment 3 or a predetermined set value Roff serving as a reference for ending cooling of the refrigerator compartment 3 is input. The set value Ron and the set value Roff are reference temperatures determined based on the state of the cooling load, various set values input from the operation panel 32, and the like, and the set value Ron is higher than the set value Roff. The reason why the set value Ron and the set value Roff are used as the set temperature TR is to provide a difference between the reference values for the start and end of cooling to suppress frequent repetition of start and stop.

  In step S12, if the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3 is higher than the set temperature TR (YES in S12), the control device 30 opens the R damper 11 and inputs the set value Roff to the set temperature TR (S13). By opening the R damper 11, the air cooled by the first evaporator 22 flows to the refrigerator compartment 3, and the refrigerator compartment 3 is cooled. Note that by inputting the set value Roff to the set temperature TR, it is possible to suppress the cooling of the refrigerator compartment 3 from being completed immediately after the R damper 11 is opened, and thus the opening and closing operation of the R damper 11 is frequently repeated. It is suppressed.

  On the other hand, if the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3 is equal to or lower than the set temperature TR in step S12 (NO in S12), the control device 30 closes the R damper 11 and inputs the set value Ron to the set temperature TR (S15). Thereby, supply of the cold air to the refrigerator compartment 3 is interrupted. The set temperature TR is set to a set value Ron that is a reference temperature for starting cooling of the refrigerator compartment 3.

  In step S10, if the temperature of the freezer compartment 4 is equal to or lower than the set temperature TF (NO in S10), the control device 30 inputs the set value Fon to the set temperature TF, and stops the compressor 21 and the blower 13. The three-way valve 25 is closed and the F damper 12 is closed (S14). Thereby, the cooling operation is stopped.

  Next, the control operation in the energy saving mode M2 will be described in detail. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation control of the refrigerator 1, and shows a control flow related to the energy saving mode M2.

  In the energy saving mode M2, the air cooled by the first evaporator 22 shown in FIG. 1 is forcibly circulated to cool the refrigerator compartment 3 and the freezer compartment 4, and the R damper 11 and the F damper 12 are respectively in the refrigerator compartment 3. The opening / closing control is performed based on the temperature of the freezer compartment 4.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, first, the control device 30 (see FIG. 2) operates the compressor 21 and the blower 13, and switches the three-way valve 25 to the first refrigerant path A (S20). As a result, forced circulation type cooling by the first evaporator 22 is performed.

  Then, the control device 30 compares the temperature in the freezer compartment 4 detected by the F sensor 19 with the set temperature TF to determine whether or not the freezer compartment 4 needs to be cooled (S21). If temperature of freezer compartment 4 is higher than preset temperature TF (YES of S21), control device 30 will open F damper 12, and will input preset value Foff to preset temperature TF. Thereby, the air cooled by the first evaporator 22 is supplied to the freezer compartment 4.

  On the other hand, if the temperature of the freezer compartment 4 is equal to or lower than the set temperature TF in step S21 (NO in S21), the control device 30 closes the F damper 12 and inputs the set value Fon to the set temperature TF (S25). By closing the F damper 12, the cooling of the freezer compartment 4 is stopped.

  Further, in the case where the temperature of the freezer compartment 4 is higher than the set temperature TF (YES in S21) and the freezer compartment 4 is cooled (S22), the control device 30 performs the accumulated time in a state where the F damper 12 is opened. Is measured (S23). Then, the control device 30 sets the F cooling maximum time (hereinafter referred to as “time Fmax”), which is a predetermined upper limit value for maintaining the open state of the F damper 12 in the state in which the F damper 12 is open. It is judged whether or not (S24).

  When the accumulated time in the state in which the F damper 12 is opened exceeds the time Fmax (YES in S24), the control device 30 closes the F damper 12 and inputs the set value Fon to the set temperature TF ( S25). By closing the F damper 12, the supply of cold air to the freezer compartment 4 is stopped. That is, when the accumulated time during which the F damper 12 is opened reaches the time Fmax, the cooling of the freezer compartment 4 is stopped regardless of the temperature of the freezer compartment 4, and the next cooling operation is switched.

  On the other hand, when the accumulated time in the state in which the F damper 12 is open is within the time Fmax (NO in S24), the control device 30 returns to step S1 (see FIG. 3) and repeats the above-described control operation. That is, if the cooling loads are equal (FIG. 3, S2 YES) and the temperature of the freezer compartment 4 is higher than the set temperature TF (S21 YES), cooling of the freezer compartment 4 by forced circulation is continued.

  Next, after the cooling of the freezer compartment 4 is stopped (S25), the control device 30 compares the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 3 detected by the R sensor 18 with the set temperature TR and the cooling chamber 3 is required to be cooled. Judgment is made (S26). If the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3 is higher than the set temperature TR (YES in S26), the control device 30 opens the R damper 11 and inputs the set value Roff to the set temperature TR (S27). By opening the R damper 11, the air cooled by the first evaporator 22 flows to the refrigerator compartment 3, and the refrigerator compartment 3 is cooled.

  Then, the control device 30 measures the accumulated time in a state where the R damper 11 is opened (S28), and the accumulated cooling time is a predetermined upper limit value for maintaining the R damper 11 in the opened state (maximum R cooling time) ( Hereinafter, it is determined whether or not (time Rmax) is exceeded (S29).

  When the accumulated time in the state in which the R damper 11 is opened exceeds the time Rmax (YES in S29), the control device 30 closes the R damper 11 (S30), and the R damper 11 is opened. After resetting the accumulated time of the state and the accumulated time of the state in which the F damper 12 is opened (S31), the process returns to step S22, and the F damper 12 is opened.

  That is, when the accumulated time during which the R damper 11 is opened reaches the time Rmax, the control device 30 stops the cooling of the refrigerator compartment 3 regardless of the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3, and switches to the cooling of the freezer compartment 4. Thereby, the air cooled by the 1st evaporator 22 is switched by predetermined time (time Fmax, time Rmax), and is supplied to the refrigerator compartment 3 and the freezer compartment 4 by turns.

  On the other hand, in step S29, when the accumulated time in the state in which the R damper 11 is open is within the time Rmax (NO in S29), the control device 30 returns to step S1 and repeats the above-described control operation to force Cooling of the refrigerator compartment 3 is continued by circulation.

  In step S26, if the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3 is equal to or lower than the set temperature TR (NO in S26), the control device 30 closes the R damper 11 and inputs the set value Ron to the set temperature TR (S32). Thereby, supply of the cold air to the refrigerator compartment 3 is interrupted.

  Then, the control device 30 compares the temperature in the freezer compartment 4 detected by the F sensor 19 with the set temperature TF (S33), and if the temperature of the freezer compartment 4 is higher than the set temperature TF (YES in S33). ), The process returns to step S1, and the above-described control operation is repeated.

  On the other hand, if the temperature of the freezer compartment 4 is equal to or lower than the set temperature TF (NO in S33), the control device 30 stops the compressor 21 and the blower 13 and closes the three-way valve 25. Thereby, the cooling operation is stopped. Then, the control device 30 returns to the operation of step S1.

  Next, the control operation in the hybrid cooling mode M3 will be described in detail. 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing operation control of the refrigerator 1, and show a control flow related to the hybrid cooling mode M3.

  In the hybrid cooling mode M3, forced circulation cooling by the first evaporator 22 and direct cooling by the second evaporator 23 (freezer compartment direct cooling operation) shown in FIG. 1 are performed. That is, the refrigerator 3 and the freezer compartment 4 are cooled by the first evaporator 22, and the freezer compartment 4 is cooled by the second evaporator 23.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the control device 30 (see FIG. 2) first operates the compressor 21 (S40), and the temperature in the freezer compartment 4 detected by the F sensor 19 and the set temperature. It is determined whether or not the freezer compartment 4 needs to be cooled by comparing with TF (S41).

If the temperature of the freezer compartment 4 is higher than the set temperature TF (YES in S41), the control device 30
The three-way valve 25 is switched to the second refrigerant path B, and the set value Foff is input to the set temperature TF (S42). By switching the three-way valve 25 to the second refrigerant path B, the refrigerant exiting the condenser 24 (see FIG. 1) is decompressed by the second throttling means 27 (see FIG. 1), and the second evaporator. It flows to 23. Thereby, cooling of the freezer compartment 4 by the 2nd evaporator 23 is performed.

  In addition, when using the 2nd refrigerant | coolant path | route B, since the refrigerant | coolant which came out of the 2nd evaporator 23 flows into the 1st evaporator 22, excess liquid refrigerant | coolant can be stored in the 1st evaporator 22. FIG. it can. Thereby, the return of the liquid refrigerant to the compressor 21 can be prevented.

  Next, the control device 30 measures the elapsed time after switching the F damper 12 (S43), and the elapsed time after switching the F damper 12 is an F damper switching interval (hereinafter referred to as “a predetermined reference value”). It is determined whether or not the time t is exceeded (S44).

  If the elapsed time since switching the F damper 12 has passed the reference time t (YES in S44), the control device 30 determines the open / closed state of the F damper 12 (S45), and the F damper 12 If closed (YES in S45), the elapsed time after switching the F damper 12 is reset, the blower 13 is operated at a low rotational speed, and the F damper 12 is opened (S46).

  Thereby, the air in the freezer compartment 4 can be circulated to the cooling chamber 8 (see FIG. 1) and cooled by the first evaporator 22. As a result, frost can be attached to the first evaporator 22 and frost formation on the second evaporator 23 can be reduced. Moreover, the water | moisture content collect | recovered with the 1st evaporator 22 can be utilized for the humidification driving | operation to the refrigerator compartment 3. FIG.

  On the other hand, when the F damper 12 is open in step S45 (NO in S45), the control device 30 resets the elapsed time after switching the F damper 12, stops the blower 13, and the F damper 12 Is closed (S49). Thereby, the cooling of the freezer compartment 4 by the first evaporator 22 is stopped, and the freezer compartment 4 is cooled only by the direct cooling of the second evaporator 23. Thereby, excessive frost formation to the 1st evaporator 22 and drying of the freezer compartment 4 are suppressed, and efficient cooling is attained.

  In step S44, if the elapsed time since switching the F damper 12 has not passed the reference time t (NO in S44), the control device 30 opens and closes the F damper 12 and operates the blower 13. Maintain state.

  In this way, in the freezer compartment direct cooling operation using the second evaporator 23, the opening and closing of the F damper 12 and the start and stop of the blower 13 are repeated at a predetermined time t to suppress drying of the freezer compartment 4. However, frost formation on the first evaporator 22 and the second evaporator 23 can be reduced, and energy saving can be achieved.

  Next, the control device 30 proceeds to step S47, measures the accumulated time in a state where the F damper 12 is opened, and determines whether the accumulated time exceeds the time Fmax (S48). When the accumulated time in the state in which the F damper 12 is open is within the time Fmax (NO in S48), the control device 30 returns to Step S1 (see FIG. 3) and repeats the above-described control operation. That is, if the cooling loads are equal (FIG. 3, S3 YES) and the temperature of the freezer compartment 4 is higher than the set temperature TF (S41 YES), the freezer compartment direct cooling operation by the second evaporator 23 is continued. The

  On the other hand, if the accumulated time during which the F damper 12 is opened exceeds the time Fmax in step S48 (YES in S48), or if the temperature of the freezer compartment 4 is equal to or lower than the set temperature TF in step S41 (S41). The control device 30 closes the F damper 12 and switches the three-way valve 25 to the first refrigerant path A as shown in FIG. Thereby, supply of the cold air to the freezer compartment 4 is stopped, and the freezer compartment direct cooling operation by the second evaporator 23 is stopped.

  Next, the control device 30 inputs the set value Fon to the set temperature TF (S51), compares the temperature in the refrigerating chamber 3 detected by the R sensor 18 with the set temperature TR, and needs to cool the refrigerating chamber 3. Judgment is made (S52).

  If the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3 is higher than the set temperature TR (YES in S52), the control device 30 opens the R damper 11, activates the blower 13, and inputs the set value Roff to the set temperature TR (S53). Thereby, the air cooled by the 1st evaporator 22 flows into the refrigerator compartment 3, and the refrigerator compartment 3 is cooled.

  Then, the control device 30 measures the accumulated time when the R damper 11 is opened (S54), and determines whether or not the accumulated time exceeds the time Rmax (S55). If the accumulated time in the open state of the R damper 11 exceeds the time Rmax (YES in S55), the control device 30 closes the R damper 11 (S56), and accumulates in a state in which the R damper 11 is opened. After resetting the time, the accumulated time when the F damper 12 is opened, and the elapsed time since switching the F damper 12 (S57), the process returns to step 42 shown in FIG. Switch to refrigerant path B.

  Thus, the forced circulation type cooling of the refrigerator compartment 3 by the first evaporator 22 and the direct cooling type cooling of the freezer compartment 4 by the second evaporator 23 are performed for a predetermined time (time Fmax, time Rmax). ) And are executed alternately.

  On the other hand, in step S55 shown in FIG. 7, when the accumulated time of the state in which the R damper 11 is opened is within the time Rmax (NO in S55), the control device 30 proceeds to step S1 (see FIG. 3). Returning, the control operation described above is repeated, and cooling of the refrigerator compartment 3 by forced circulation is continued.

  In step S52, if the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3 is equal to or lower than the set temperature TR (NO in S52), the control device 30 closes the R damper 11, stops the blower 13, and sets the set temperature Ron to the set temperature TR. Input (S58). Thereby, supply of the cold air to the refrigerator compartment 3 is interrupted.

  Then, the control device 30 compares the temperature in the freezer compartment 4 detected by the F sensor 19 with the set temperature TF (S59), and if the temperature of the freezer compartment 4 is higher than the set temperature TF (YES in S59). ), The process returns to step S1, and the above-described control operation is repeated.

  On the other hand, if the temperature of the freezer compartment 4 is equal to or lower than the set temperature TF (NO in S59), the control device 30 stops the compressor 21 and closes the three-way valve 25. Thereby, the cooling operation is stopped. Then, the control device 30 returns to the operation of step S1.

  As described above, according to the refrigerator 1, the forced circulation type cooling by the first evaporator 22 and the direct cooling type cooling by the second evaporator 23 are combined to reduce the number of times of defrosting and consumption. The amount of power can be reduced. Moreover, while drying of the refrigerator compartment 3 and the freezer compartment 4 can be suppressed, a temperature change can be suppressed small and quality deterioration of the food etc. which are preserve | saved at a storage chamber can be suppressed.

  In the above example, the compressor 21 is operated and the refrigerator compartment 3 is cooled. However, when the compressor 21 is stopped, the blower 13 is operated and the R bumper 11 is opened. It is also possible to cool the refrigerator compartment 3 by using the melting heat of the frost attached to the one evaporator 22. Thereby, the power consumption for cooling and the power consumption for defrosting can be reduced, and further energy saving can be aimed at. Moreover, since the inside of the refrigerator compartment 3 can be humidified with the water | moisture content of frost, drying of the foodstuff in the refrigerator compartment 3 can be suppressed, and the quality can be maintained.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator 2 Heat insulation box 3 Refrigeration room 4 Freezing room 8 Cooling room 9 Supply air path 10 Supply air path 11 R damper 12 F damper 13 Blower 18 R sensor 19 F sensor 20 Refrigeration cycle circuit 21 Compressor 22 1st evaporator 23 Second evaporator 24 Condenser 25 Three-way valve 26 First throttling means 27 Second throttling means 33 Outside temperature sensor 34 Door open / close sensor A First refrigerant path B Second refrigerant path

Claims (2)

A storage room partitioned into at least a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment,
A first evaporator disposed in a cooling chamber connected to the storage chamber via a supply air passage;
A second evaporator disposed inside the freezer compartment;
A switching valve for switching whether or not to flow the refrigerant through the refrigerant path connected to the second evaporator;
A blower for flowing air cooled by the first evaporator from the cooling chamber to the storage chamber;
A first air path switch interposed in the supply air path connected to the refrigerator compartment;
A second air path switch interposed in the supply air path connected to the freezer compartment;
Load detecting means for detecting the cooling load of the storage room,
When the cooling load detected by the load detecting means is lower than a predetermined value, the freezer compartment direct cooling operation is performed in which the switching valve is switched to flow the refrigerant to the second evaporator,
In the freezer compartment direct cooling operation, when the predetermined time has elapsed after the blower is stopped and the second air path switch is closed, the blower is operated and the second air path switch is opened. A refrigerator characterized by. A first refrigerant path sequentially connected to the switching valve, first throttling means, and the first evaporator;
The switching valve, the second throttle means, the second evaporator, and a second refrigerant path sequentially connected to the first evaporator,
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the switching valve connects the refrigerant path at the outlet of the condenser to one of the first refrigerant path and the second refrigerant path.

Images