JP2019138495A

JP2019138495A - refrigerator

Info

Publication number: JP2019138495A
Application number: JP2018019716A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 境　寿和; Toshikazu Sakai; 寿和境; 克則堀井; Katsunori Horii
Original assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-02-07
Filing date: 2018-02-07
Publication date: 2019-08-22
Anticipated expiration: 2038-02-07
Also published as: JP6998509B2

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator suppressing generation of noise a user feels discomfort while utilizing heat of a compressor for defrosting.SOLUTION: A freezing cycle a refrigerator has is branched to a cooling route supplying refrigerant to an evaporator 106 for generating cool air and a defrosting route performing defrost by heating the refrigerant and supplying the heated refrigerant to the evaporator 106, on the downstream side of a first condenser 107. The refrigerant flowing through the defrosting route is heated by heat exchange with a route through which the refrigerant is supplied to the first condenser 107 from the compressor 105. Also, a cold storage 116 composed of a cold storage agent and an evaporation mechanism is mounted in the vicinity of a freezing chamber 102 and on the downstream side of the evaporator 106 in the defrosting route. The refrigerant discharged from the evaporator 106 in the defrosting route returns to the compressor 105 after evaporating in the cold storage 116.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

本発明は冷蔵庫に関する。 The present invention relates to a refrigerator.

蒸発器に付着した霜を融解する除霜機能を備える冷蔵庫が知られている。除霜機能は、蒸発器の下方に除霜ヒータを設け、この除霜ヒータに通電することで実現することが一般的である。一方、特許文献１には、圧縮機の出口と、蒸発器に配設される除霜パイプとを接続する経路を設け、圧縮機から吐出される高温の冷媒を除霜パイプに供給して除霜を行う冷蔵庫が開示されている。特許文献１の冷蔵庫は、圧縮機の熱を除霜に利用できる。 A refrigerator having a defrosting function for melting frost attached to an evaporator is known. The defrosting function is generally realized by providing a defrosting heater below the evaporator and energizing the defrosting heater. On the other hand, Patent Document 1 provides a path that connects the outlet of the compressor and a defrost pipe disposed in the evaporator, and supplies the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the defrost pipe for removal. A refrigerator for frosting is disclosed. The refrigerator of patent document 1 can utilize the heat of a compressor for defrosting.

特開昭５８−０２４７７４号公報Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-024774

特許文献１の構成では、除霜時に三方弁を用いて冷媒の流路を除霜パイプに切り換えるが、三方弁を流れる冷媒の流速が速いため、三方弁において音が発生する。冷蔵庫の近くのユーザは、この音を不快に感じる。 In the configuration of Patent Document 1, the flow path of the refrigerant is switched to the defrost pipe using a three-way valve at the time of defrosting. However, since the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the three-way valve is high, sound is generated in the three-way valve. Users near the refrigerator feel this sound uncomfortable.

そこで本発明は、圧縮機の熱を除霜に利用しつつ、ユーザが不快に感じる音の発生を抑制する冷蔵庫を提供することを目的とする。 Then, an object of this invention is to provide the refrigerator which suppresses generation | occurrence | production of the sound which a user feels unpleasant, utilizing the heat of a compressor for a defrost.

上述した課題を解決するために、本発明が提供する冷蔵庫は、圧縮機、第１の凝縮器、第２の凝縮器、蒸発器とを少なくとも備え、前記圧縮機から前記第１の凝縮器に冷媒が供給される冷凍サイクルを有する冷蔵庫であって、前記冷凍サイクルは、前記第１の凝縮器の下流側で、冷気を生成するために冷媒を前記蒸発器に供給する冷却経路と、冷媒を加熱し、加熱した冷媒を前記蒸発器に供給することで除霜を行う除霜経路とに分岐し、前記冷却経路において、冷媒は、前記第２の凝縮器を通過したうえで前記蒸発器に供給され、前記除霜経路を流れる冷媒は、前記圧縮機から前記第１の凝縮器に冷媒が供給される経路と熱交換することで加熱され、前記除霜経路において、蓄冷剤と蒸発機構とで構成される蓄冷器が、前記冷蔵庫の貯蔵室の近傍、かつ、前記蒸発器の下流側に設けられ、前記除霜経路において前記蒸発器から吐出した冷媒は、前記蓄冷器において蒸発したうえで前記圧縮機に戻ることを特徴とする。 In order to solve the above-described problems, a refrigerator provided by the present invention includes at least a compressor, a first condenser, a second condenser, and an evaporator, and the compressor to the first condenser. A refrigerator having a refrigeration cycle to which a refrigerant is supplied, the refrigeration cycle having a cooling path for supplying the refrigerant to the evaporator to generate cold air downstream of the first condenser, and a refrigerant The refrigerant is heated and branched to a defrosting path for defrosting by supplying the heated refrigerant to the evaporator. In the cooling path, the refrigerant passes through the second condenser and then enters the evaporator. The supplied refrigerant flowing through the defrosting path is heated by exchanging heat with the path through which the refrigerant is supplied from the compressor to the first condenser. In the defrosting path, the regenerator and the evaporation mechanism are heated. A regenerator comprised of the refrigerator storage room Near and, provided downstream of the evaporator, the refrigerant discharged from the evaporator in the defrosting path, characterized in that return to the compressor after having evaporated in the regenerator.

本発明によれば、圧縮機の熱を除霜に利用しつつ、ユーザが不快に感じる音の発生を抑制できる。 ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, generation | occurrence | production of the sound which a user feels unpleasant can be suppressed, utilizing the heat of a compressor for a defrost.

冷蔵庫１００の縦断面を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the longitudinal cross-section of the refrigerator 100. FIG. 冷蔵庫１００の冷凍サイクルを示す図である。It is a figure which shows the refrigerating cycle of the refrigerator. 除霜モードにおける冷蔵庫１００の動作を示す図である。It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the refrigerator 100 in a defrost mode. 冷蔵庫１００が実行する処理を示すフローチャートである。It is a flowchart which shows the process which the refrigerator 100 performs.

以下、本発明の実施形態について、図面を用いて説明する。なお、以下の実施形態は特許請求の範囲に係る発明を限定するものでなく、また実施形態で説明されている特徴の組み合わせの全てが発明の解決手段に必須のものとは限らない。
（実施形態）
図１は、冷蔵庫１００の縦断面を示す図である。冷蔵庫１００は、冷蔵室１０１、冷蔵室１０１の下部に設けられた冷凍室１０２、冷蔵庫１００の上部に設けられた第１の機械室１０３、冷蔵庫１００の下部に設けられた第２の機械室１０４とを有する。また、冷蔵庫１００は、冷凍サイクルを構成する部品として、第１の機械室１０３に収容されている圧縮機１０５、冷凍室１０２の背面に収容されている蒸発器１０６、第２の機械室１０４に収容されている第１の凝縮器１０７を有する。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the invention.
(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a view showing a longitudinal section of the refrigerator 100. The refrigerator 100 includes a refrigerator room 101, a freezer room 102 provided in the lower part of the refrigerator room 101, a first machine room 103 provided in the upper part of the refrigerator 100, and a second machine room 104 provided in the lower part of the refrigerator 100. And have. The refrigerator 100 includes a compressor 105 housed in the first machine room 103, an evaporator 106 housed in the back of the freezer room 102, and a second machine room 104 as components constituting the refrigeration cycle. A first condenser 107 is housed.

第２の機械室１０４は、隔壁１０８によって２つの区画に分割されている。隔壁１０８には、第１の凝縮器１０７を空冷するファン１０９が設けられている。ファン１０９の風上側に第１の凝縮器１０７が収容されていて、ファン１０９の風下側に蒸発皿１１０が収容されている。 The second machine room 104 is divided into two sections by a partition wall 108. The partition wall 108 is provided with a fan 109 for air-cooling the first condenser 107. The first condenser 107 is accommodated on the windward side of the fan 109, and the evaporating dish 110 is accommodated on the leeward side of the fan 109.

冷凍室１０２には、蒸発器１０６が生成する冷気を冷蔵室１０１と冷凍室１０２に供給する冷却ファン１１１、冷凍室１０２に供給される冷気を遮断するための冷凍室ダンパー１１２が収容されている。また、冷蔵室１０１には、冷蔵室１０１に冷気を供給するダクト１１３、冷蔵室１０１に供給される冷気を遮断するための冷蔵室ダンパー１１４が収容されている。また、冷凍室１０２には、蒸発器１０６の温度を検出するための温度センサ１１５が収容されている。 The freezer compartment 102 houses a cooling fan 111 that supplies cold air generated by the evaporator 106 to the refrigerator compartment 101 and the freezer compartment 102, and a freezer compartment damper 112 that blocks the cold air supplied to the freezer compartment 102. . Further, the refrigerator compartment 101 accommodates a duct 113 for supplying cold air to the refrigerator compartment 101 and a refrigerator compartment damper 114 for blocking the cold air supplied to the refrigerator compartment 101. The freezer compartment 102 also houses a temperature sensor 115 for detecting the temperature of the evaporator 106.

また、冷凍室１０２の上部の壁（冷凍室１０２と冷蔵室１０１の仕切り壁）には、蓄冷器１１６が埋設されている。蓄冷器１１６は、融点が−２１℃〜−３１℃の蓄冷剤と蒸発機構とで構成される。蓄冷器１１６は、後述の除霜経路において、凝縮した冷媒を気化し、更に冷媒が気化した際の冷却エネルギーを貯留する。 A regenerator 116 is embedded in the upper wall of the freezer compartment 102 (the partition wall between the freezer compartment 102 and the refrigerator compartment 101). The regenerator 116 includes a regenerator having a melting point of −21 ° C. to −31 ° C. and an evaporation mechanism. The regenerator 116 vaporizes the condensed refrigerant in a defrosting path described later, and further stores cooling energy when the refrigerant is vaporized.

なお、図１で説明した構成の他に、冷蔵庫１００は、除霜ヒータ２００や図２で説明する冷凍サイクルを構成する部品を収容している。 In addition to the configuration described with reference to FIG. 1, the refrigerator 100 houses a defrosting heater 200 and components that constitute the refrigeration cycle described with reference to FIG. 2.

次に図２を用いて、冷蔵庫１００の冷凍サイクルを説明する。圧縮機１０５から吐出された冷媒は、第１の凝縮器１０７で外気と熱交換を行い、一部の気体を残して凝縮する。第１の凝縮器１０７を通過した冷媒は、ドライバ２０１によって水分が除去され、流路切り換えバルブ２０２に流入する。流路切り換えバルブ２０２に流入する冷媒は、液相冷媒と気相冷媒が混在する状態である。流路切り換えバルブ２０２によって、冷媒の流路は、冷却経路と除霜経路とに分岐する。冷却経路は、冷気を生成するために冷媒を蒸発器１０６に供給する経路である。一方、除霜経路は、冷媒を加熱し、加熱した冷媒を蒸発器１０６に供給することで除霜を行う経路である。 Next, the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 105 exchanges heat with the outside air in the first condenser 107, and condenses leaving some gas. The refrigerant that has passed through the first condenser 107 is dehydrated by the driver 201 and flows into the flow path switching valve 202. The refrigerant flowing into the flow path switching valve 202 is in a state where liquid phase refrigerant and gas phase refrigerant are mixed. The flow path switching valve 202 branches the refrigerant flow path into a cooling path and a defrost path. The cooling path is a path for supplying the refrigerant to the evaporator 106 in order to generate cold air. On the other hand, the defrosting path is a path for performing defrosting by heating the refrigerant and supplying the heated refrigerant to the evaporator 106.

まず、冷却経路について説明する。冷却経路は、流路切り換えバルブ２０２から第２の凝縮器２０３に冷媒が流れる経路である。第２の凝縮器２０３は、冷蔵庫１００の扉（冷蔵室１０１の扉と冷凍室１０２の扉のいずれか、又は、両方）に這わされている。第２の凝縮器２０３を通過する冷媒は、外部に放熱することで冷蔵庫１００の扉を温め、冷蔵庫１００の扉で結露が発生することを防止する。第２の凝縮器２０３を通過して液化した冷媒は、第１の絞り２０４によって減圧され、蒸発器１０６で蒸発する。冷媒が蒸発器１０６で蒸発することで冷気が生成され、この冷気が冷蔵室１０１と冷凍室１０２の冷却に利用される。なお、第２の凝縮器２０３と第１の絞り２０４との間には、二方弁２０５が設けられている。蒸発器１０６を通過した冷媒は、第１の吸入管２０６を介して圧縮機１０５に戻る。 First, the cooling path will be described. The cooling path is a path through which the refrigerant flows from the flow path switching valve 202 to the second condenser 203. The second condenser 203 is passed to the door of the refrigerator 100 (either the door of the refrigerator compartment 101 or the door of the freezer compartment 102, or both). The refrigerant passing through the second condenser 203 heats the outside of the refrigerator 100 by radiating heat to the outside, and prevents condensation from occurring at the door of the refrigerator 100. The refrigerant liquefied after passing through the second condenser 203 is decompressed by the first throttle 204 and evaporated by the evaporator 106. Cold air is generated by evaporating the refrigerant in the evaporator 106, and this cold air is used for cooling the refrigerator compartment 101 and the freezer compartment 102. A two-way valve 205 is provided between the second condenser 203 and the first throttle 204. The refrigerant that has passed through the evaporator 106 returns to the compressor 105 via the first suction pipe 206.

次に、除霜経路について説明する。除霜経路は、流路切り換えバルブ２０２から第２の絞り２０７に冷媒が流れる経路である。冷媒は第２の絞り２０７によって減圧され、第２の絞り２０７を通過した冷媒は、第１の熱交換部２０８において、圧縮機１０５から第１の凝縮器１０７に冷媒が供給される経路と熱交換することで加熱され、気化する。そして、蒸発器１０６に供給された冷媒が蒸発器１０６を加熱することで、蒸発器１０６の除霜が実現される。 Next, the defrosting path will be described. The defrosting path is a path through which the refrigerant flows from the flow path switching valve 202 to the second throttle 207. The refrigerant is depressurized by the second throttle 207, and the refrigerant that has passed through the second throttle 207 passes through the path through which the refrigerant is supplied from the compressor 105 to the first condenser 107 in the first heat exchanging unit 208 and heat. It is heated and vaporized by exchange. And the refrigerant | coolant supplied to the evaporator 106 heats the evaporator 106, and the defrost of the evaporator 106 is implement | achieved.

なお、第２の絞り２０７から吐出された冷媒が流れる配管を、圧縮機１０５から第１の凝縮器１０７に冷媒が供給される配管の一部と例えば１ｍ〜２ｍ程度はんだ付けすることで、第１の熱交換部２０８が形成される。また、第１の熱交換部２０８を冷蔵庫１００の筐体の外壁面に形成することで、筐体の顕熱を、除霜経路における冷媒の加熱に利用できる。 The pipe through which the refrigerant discharged from the second throttle 207 flows is soldered to a part of the pipe through which the refrigerant is supplied from the compressor 105 to the first condenser 107, for example, about 1 m to 2 m. 1 heat exchange section 208 is formed. Further, by forming the first heat exchange unit 208 on the outer wall surface of the casing of the refrigerator 100, the sensible heat of the casing can be used for heating the refrigerant in the defrosting path.

また、冷媒が第１の凝縮器１０７を通過することで、冷媒の一部が液化して冷媒の体積が減少し、流路切り換えバルブ２０２を流れる冷媒の流速が遅くなる。圧縮機１０５から吐出された、流速が速い気相冷媒がそのまま流路切り換えバルブ２０２を流れる訳ではないため、ユーザが不快に感じる音が流路切り換えバルブ２０２から発生することを抑制できる。 Further, when the refrigerant passes through the first condenser 107, a part of the refrigerant is liquefied, the volume of the refrigerant is reduced, and the flow velocity of the refrigerant flowing through the flow path switching valve 202 is slowed down. Since the gas phase refrigerant discharged from the compressor 105 and having a high flow velocity does not flow through the flow path switching valve 202 as it is, it is possible to suppress generation of a sound that the user feels uncomfortable from the flow path switching valve 202.

除霜経路について引き続き説明する。蒸発器１０６を加熱しながら凝縮した冷媒は、第３の絞り２０９によって再度減圧され、蓄冷器１１６の蒸発機構によって蒸発する。蓄冷器１１６を通過した冷媒は、第２の吸入管２１０を介して圧縮機１０５に戻る。第２の吸入管２１０を流れる冷媒は、第２の熱交換部２１１において、第１の熱交換部２０８の下流側、かつ、蒸発器１０６の上流側にあたる蒸発経路の一部と熱交換することで加熱される。第２の吸入管２１０を流れる気相冷媒を第２の熱交換部２１１において加熱することで、外気に曝される圧縮機１０５の近傍で第２の吸入管２１０が結露することを抑制できる。なお、冷媒が蓄冷器１１６の蒸発機構によって蒸発する際に発生する冷却エネルギーは蓄冷剤に貯留され、除霜完了後に冷凍室１０２の冷却に利用される。 Next, the defrosting path will be described. The refrigerant condensed while heating the evaporator 106 is decompressed again by the third throttle 209 and evaporated by the evaporation mechanism of the regenerator 116. The refrigerant that has passed through the regenerator 116 returns to the compressor 105 via the second suction pipe 210. The refrigerant flowing through the second suction pipe 210 exchanges heat with a part of the evaporation path corresponding to the downstream side of the first heat exchange unit 208 and the upstream side of the evaporator 106 in the second heat exchange unit 211. Is heated. By heating the gas-phase refrigerant flowing through the second suction pipe 210 in the second heat exchanging section 211, it is possible to prevent the second suction pipe 210 from condensing in the vicinity of the compressor 105 exposed to the outside air. The cooling energy generated when the refrigerant evaporates by the evaporation mechanism of the regenerator 116 is stored in the regenerator, and is used for cooling the freezer compartment 102 after the defrosting is completed.

本実施形態では、蓄冷器１１６を冷凍室１０２の上部の壁に埋設すると説明したが、これは、蓄冷器１１６の蓄冷剤が凝固しないようにするためである。一般的に冷凍室１０２の温度設定をより低温に設定すると、冷凍室１０２は−２２℃〜−２５℃になる。一方、冷凍室１０２の上部の壁は冷凍室１０２の中心の温度よりも５℃〜１０℃程度高い。従って、蓄冷器１１６を冷凍室１０２の上部の壁に埋設することで、冷凍室１０２の温度設定をより低温に設定した場合であっても、蓄冷器１１６の蓄冷剤が凝固することを防止できる。なお、蓄冷器１１６の蓄冷剤が凝固することを防止できれば、蓄冷器１１６を埋設する場所は冷凍室１０２の上部の壁に限らず、冷凍室１０２の近傍の他の場所であっても良い。また、蓄冷器１１６は、冷凍室１０２とは異なる他の貯蔵室、例えば冷蔵室１０１の近傍に埋設しても良い。 In the present embodiment, it has been described that the regenerator 116 is embedded in the upper wall of the freezer compartment 102, but this is to prevent the regenerator of the regenerator 116 from solidifying. Generally, when the temperature setting of the freezer compartment 102 is set to a lower temperature, the freezer compartment 102 becomes −22 ° C. to −25 ° C. On the other hand, the upper wall of the freezer compartment 102 is about 5 ° C. to 10 ° C. higher than the temperature at the center of the freezer compartment 102. Therefore, by embedding the regenerator 116 in the upper wall of the freezer compartment 102, the regenerator of the regenerator 116 can be prevented from solidifying even when the temperature setting of the freezer compartment 102 is set to a lower temperature. . As long as the regenerator of the regenerator 116 can be prevented from solidifying, the place where the regenerator 116 is embedded is not limited to the upper wall of the freezer compartment 102 but may be another place near the freezer compartment 102. The regenerator 116 may be embedded in another storage room different from the freezing room 102, for example, in the vicinity of the refrigerating room 101.

次に図３を用いて、蒸発器１０６の除霜を行う除霜モードにおける、冷蔵庫１００の動作を説明する。図３は、左から右に進むにつれて時間の経過が進むことを示す。 Next, operation | movement of the refrigerator 100 in the defrost mode which defrosts the evaporator 106 is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 3 shows that the passage of time progresses from left to right.

圧縮機１０５の「ＯＮ」は、圧縮機１０５が動作していることを示す。また、圧縮機１０５の「ＯＦＦ」は、圧縮機１０５が停止していることを示す。 “ON” of the compressor 105 indicates that the compressor 105 is operating. Further, “OFF” of the compressor 105 indicates that the compressor 105 is stopped.

流路切り換えバルブ２０２の「冷却」は、流路切り換えバルブ２０２から冷却経路への流路が開放され、流路切り換えバルブ２０２から除霜経路への流路が閉塞されていることを示す。また、流路切り換えバルブ２０２の「除霜」は、流路切り換えバルブ２０２から除霜経路への流路が開放され、流路切り換えバルブ２０２から冷却経路への流路が閉塞されていることを示す。また、流路切り換えバルブ２０２の「全閉」は、流路切り換えバルブ２０２から冷却経路への流路、及び、流路切り換えバルブ２０２から除霜経路への流路の両方が閉塞されていることを示す。 “Cooling” of the flow path switching valve 202 indicates that the flow path from the flow path switching valve 202 to the cooling path is opened and the flow path from the flow path switching valve 202 to the defrost path is closed. Further, “defrosting” of the flow path switching valve 202 means that the flow path from the flow path switching valve 202 to the defrost path is opened and the flow path from the flow path switching valve 202 to the cooling path is closed. Show. In addition, “fully closed” of the flow path switching valve 202 means that both the flow path from the flow path switching valve 202 to the cooling path and the flow path from the flow path switching valve 202 to the defrost path are closed. Indicates.

二方弁２０５の「開放」は、二方弁２０５が開放されていることを示す。また、二方弁２０５の「閉塞」は、二方弁２０５が閉塞されていることを示す。 “Open” of the two-way valve 205 indicates that the two-way valve 205 is opened. The “closed” of the two-way valve 205 indicates that the two-way valve 205 is closed.

冷却ファン１１１の「ＯＮ」は、冷却ファン１１１が動作していることを示す。また、冷却ファン１１１の「ＯＦＦ」は、冷却ファン１１１が停止していることを示す。 “ON” of the cooling fan 111 indicates that the cooling fan 111 is operating. Further, “OFF” of the cooling fan 111 indicates that the cooling fan 111 is stopped.

冷凍室ダンパー１１２の「開放」は、冷凍室ダンパー１１２が開放されていることを示す。また、冷凍室ダンパー１１２の「閉塞」は、冷凍室ダンパー１１２が閉塞されていることを示す。 “Open” of the freezer compartment damper 112 indicates that the freezer compartment damper 112 is open. In addition, “closure” of the freezer damper 112 indicates that the freezer damper 112 is closed.

冷蔵室ダンパー１１４の「開放」は、冷蔵室ダンパー１１４が開放されていることを示す。また、冷蔵室ダンパー１１４の「閉塞」は、冷蔵室ダンパー１１４が閉塞されていることを示す。 “Open” of the refrigerator compartment damper 114 indicates that the refrigerator compartment damper 114 is opened. Further, “blocking” of the refrigerator compartment damper 114 indicates that the refrigerator compartment damper 114 is closed.

除霜ヒータ２００の「ＯＮ」は、除霜ヒータが通電され、除霜ヒータによる除霜が行われていることを示す。一方、除霜ヒータ２００の「ＯＦＦ」は、除霜ヒータへの通電が停止し、除霜ヒータによる除霜が行われていないことを示す。 “ON” of the defrost heater 200 indicates that the defrost heater is energized and the defrost heater is defrosting. On the other hand, “OFF” of the defrost heater 200 indicates that energization to the defrost heater is stopped and defrosting by the defrost heater is not performed.

タイミングＴ１は、圧縮機１０５の運転時間の累積が所定時間に達したタイミングである。タイミングＴ１において、冷蔵庫１００は、通常の冷却モードから除霜モードに移行する。除霜によって冷凍室１０２の温度が上昇することが想定されるため、冷蔵庫１００は、冷凍室ダンパー１１２をしばらくの間開放することで、除霜を開始する前に冷凍室１０２の温度を低下させる。 Timing T1 is a timing at which the accumulated operation time of the compressor 105 reaches a predetermined time. At timing T1, the refrigerator 100 shifts from the normal cooling mode to the defrosting mode. Since it is assumed that the temperature of the freezer compartment 102 rises due to defrosting, the refrigerator 100 lowers the temperature of the freezer compartment 102 before starting defrosting by opening the freezer compartment damper 112 for a while. .

次にタイミングＴ２において、流路切り換えバルブ２０２の状態が「冷却」から「除霜」に切り換わる。タイミングＴ２において冷媒の流路が冷却経路から除霜経路に切り換わることで、加熱された冷媒が蒸発器１０６に供給されるようになり、蒸発器１０６の除霜が開始される。除霜経路による除霜は、蒸発器１０６の上側で行われる。蒸発器１０６の下側の除霜は、後述する除霜ヒータ２００によって行われる。 Next, at the timing T2, the state of the flow path switching valve 202 is switched from “cooling” to “defrosting”. At timing T2, the refrigerant flow path is switched from the cooling path to the defrosting path, whereby the heated refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator 106, and the defrosting of the evaporator 106 is started. Defrosting by the defrosting path is performed on the upper side of the evaporator 106. The defrosting on the lower side of the evaporator 106 is performed by a defrosting heater 200 described later.

また、タイミングＴ２において、二方弁２０５の状態が「開放」から「閉塞」に切り換わる。タイミングＴ２において二方弁２０５を閉塞することで、蒸発器１０６による冷気の生成が停止した状態で除霜が開始されることになり、除霜の効率が向上する。また、タイミングＴ２において、冷凍室ダンパー１１２の状態が「開放」から「閉塞」に切り換わり、冷蔵室ダンパー１１４の状態が「閉塞」から「開放」に切り換わる。これは、冷蔵室１０１の内部の空気を循環させながら蒸発器１０６を空気側からも加熱することで、蒸発器１０６の配管に残留する冷媒を蒸発させて圧縮機１０５に戻すためである。 Further, at the timing T2, the state of the two-way valve 205 is switched from “open” to “closed”. By closing the two-way valve 205 at the timing T2, defrosting is started in a state where the generation of cool air by the evaporator 106 is stopped, and the efficiency of defrosting is improved. Further, at the timing T2, the state of the freezer compartment damper 112 is switched from “open” to “closed”, and the state of the refrigerator compartment damper 114 is switched from “closed” to “open”. This is because the refrigerant remaining in the pipe of the evaporator 106 is evaporated and returned to the compressor 105 by heating the evaporator 106 from the air side while circulating the air inside the refrigerator compartment 101.

次にタイミングＴ３において、冷却ファン１１１の状態が「ＯＮ」から「ＯＦＦ」に切り換わり、冷蔵室ダンパー１１４の状態が「開放」から「閉塞」に切り換わる。蔵室ダンパー１１４を閉塞し、かつ、冷却ファン１１１を停止するのは、蒸発器１０６の配管に残留する冷媒が蒸発し、蒸発器１０６の温度が冷蔵室１０１の空気温度に近づいて熱交換が困難になるからである。 Next, at timing T3, the state of the cooling fan 111 is switched from “ON” to “OFF”, and the state of the refrigerator compartment damper 114 is switched from “open” to “closed”. The reason for closing the storage room damper 114 and stopping the cooling fan 111 is that the refrigerant remaining in the pipe of the evaporator 106 evaporates, and the temperature of the evaporator 106 approaches the air temperature of the cold room 101 to perform heat exchange. Because it becomes difficult.

次にタイミングＴ４において、冷凍室ダンパー１１２の状態が「閉塞」から「開放」に切り換わり、除霜ヒータ２００の状態が「ＯＦＦ」から「ＯＮ」に切り換わる。除霜ヒータ２００への通電が開始されることで、蒸発器１０６の下側の除霜が開始される。 Next, at the timing T4, the state of the freezer compartment damper 112 is switched from “closed” to “open”, and the state of the defrost heater 200 is switched from “OFF” to “ON”. The defrosting of the lower side of the evaporator 106 is started by starting energization to the defrosting heater 200.

タイミングＴ５は、温度センサ１１５が検知する温度が所定の温度に達したタイミングであり、蒸発器１０６の除霜が完了したと冷蔵庫１００が判断するタイミングである。タイミングＴ５において、流路切り換えバルブ２０２の状態が「除霜」から「冷却」に切り換わり、除霜ヒータ２００の状態が「ＯＮ」から「ＯＦＦ」に切り換わる。タイミングＴ５において、二方弁２０５を閉塞したまま流路切り換えバルブ２０２の状態を「除霜」から「冷却」に切り換えるのは、流路切り換えバルブ２０２を通過する冷媒の流速を抑え、ユーザが不快に感じる音が発生することを抑制するためである。 Timing T5 is a timing at which the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 115 reaches a predetermined temperature, and is a timing at which the refrigerator 100 determines that the defrosting of the evaporator 106 has been completed. At timing T5, the state of the flow path switching valve 202 is switched from “defrost” to “cooling”, and the state of the defrost heater 200 is switched from “ON” to “OFF”. At timing T5, switching the state of the flow path switching valve 202 from “defrosting” to “cooling” while the two-way valve 205 is closed suppresses the flow rate of the refrigerant passing through the flow path switching valve 202, and the user is uncomfortable. This is to suppress the generation of a sound that is felt by the user.

次にタイミングＴ６において、二方弁２０５の状態が「閉塞」から「開放」に切り換わり、冷却ファン１１１の状態が「ＯＦＦ」から「ＯＮ」に切り換わり、冷蔵室ダンパー１１４の状態が「閉塞」から「開放」に切り換わる。タイミングＴ６において、冷蔵庫１００は除霜モードから冷却モードに移行する。 Next, at the timing T6, the state of the two-way valve 205 is switched from “closed” to “open”, the state of the cooling fan 111 is switched from “OFF” to “ON”, and the state of the refrigerator compartment damper 114 is “closed”. To "open". At timing T6, the refrigerator 100 shifts from the defrost mode to the cooling mode.

図３に示す通り、冷蔵庫１００は、圧縮機１０５を動作させたまま除霜モードから冷却モードに移行する。もし、冷蔵庫１００が除霜モードから冷却モードに移行した直後に圧縮機１０５を停止すると、高圧の冷媒が蓄冷器１１６に流入し、蓄冷器１１６に貯留した冷却エネルギーが失われてしまう。冷蔵庫１００は、圧縮機１０５を動作させたまま除霜モードから冷却モードに移行することで、高圧の冷媒が蓄冷器１１６に流入することを防止できる。 As shown in FIG. 3, the refrigerator 100 shifts from the defrosting mode to the cooling mode while the compressor 105 is operated. If the compressor 105 is stopped immediately after the refrigerator 100 shifts from the defrost mode to the cooling mode, the high-pressure refrigerant flows into the regenerator 116 and the cooling energy stored in the regenerator 116 is lost. The refrigerator 100 can prevent high-pressure refrigerant from flowing into the regenerator 116 by shifting from the defrost mode to the cooling mode while the compressor 105 is operated.

次に、冷蔵庫１００が実行する処理を、図４のフローチャートに示す。図４のフローチャートに示す各ステップは、冷蔵庫１００のＣＰＵが冷蔵庫１００のＲＯＭ等のメモリに格納された制御プログラムを実行することによって実現される。なお、ＣＰＵやＲＯＭは図１には図示されていないが、ＣＰＵやＲＯＭで構成される制御コントローラが冷蔵庫１００の天面に収容されている。 Next, the process executed by the refrigerator 100 is shown in the flowchart of FIG. Each step shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is realized by the CPU of the refrigerator 100 executing a control program stored in a memory such as a ROM of the refrigerator 100. Although the CPU and ROM are not shown in FIG. 1, a control controller including the CPU and ROM is housed on the top surface of the refrigerator 100.

ステップ４０１において、ＣＰＵは、除霜を行うか否かを判定する。本実施形態では、圧縮機１０５の運転時間の累積が所定時間に達した場合に、除霜を行うとＣＰＵが判定し、処理はステップ４０２に進む。 In step 401, the CPU determines whether to perform defrosting. In this embodiment, when accumulation of the operation time of the compressor 105 reaches a predetermined time, the CPU determines that defrosting is performed, and the process proceeds to step 402.

次にステップ４０２において、ＣＰＵは、冷媒の流路を除霜経路に切り換える。ＣＰＵは、冷媒の流路を冷却経路から除霜経路に切り換えるように流路切り換えバルブ２０２を制御する。冷媒の流路が除霜経路に切り換わることで、第１の熱交換部２０８で加熱された冷媒が蒸発器１０６に供給されるようになり、蒸発器１０６の除霜が行われる。なお、除霜経路による除霜は、蒸発器１０６の上側を中心に行われる。 Next, in step 402, the CPU switches the refrigerant flow path to the defrosting path. The CPU controls the flow path switching valve 202 so as to switch the refrigerant flow path from the cooling path to the defrost path. By switching the refrigerant flow path to the defrosting path, the refrigerant heated by the first heat exchanging unit 208 is supplied to the evaporator 106, and the evaporator 106 is defrosted. Note that the defrosting by the defrosting path is performed mainly on the upper side of the evaporator 106.

次にステップ４０３において、ＣＰＵは、除霜ヒータ２００の動作を開始する。ＣＰＵが除霜ヒータ２００への通電を開始することで、蒸発器１０６の除霜が行われる。なお、除霜ヒータ２００による除霜は、蒸発器１０６の下側を中心に行われる。 Next, in step 403, the CPU starts the operation of the defrost heater 200. When the CPU starts energizing the defrost heater 200, the evaporator 106 is defrosted. Note that the defrosting by the defrosting heater 200 is performed mainly on the lower side of the evaporator 106.

次にステップ４０４において、ＣＰＵは、除霜が完了したか否かを判定する。本実施形態では、温度センサ１１５が検知する温度が所定の温度に達した場合に、除霜が完了したとＣＰＵが判定し、処理はステップ４０５に進む。 Next, in step 404, the CPU determines whether or not the defrosting is completed. In the present embodiment, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 115 reaches a predetermined temperature, the CPU determines that the defrosting is completed, and the process proceeds to step 405.

次にステップ４０５において、ＣＰＵは、冷媒の流路を冷却経路に戻し、また、除霜ヒータ２００の動作を停止する。ＣＰＵは、冷媒の流路を除霜経路から冷却経路に切り換えるように流路切り換えバルブ２０２を制御する。また、ＣＰＵは、除霜ヒータ２００への通電を停止する。 Next, in step 405, the CPU returns the refrigerant flow path to the cooling path, and stops the operation of the defrost heater 200. The CPU controls the flow path switching valve 202 so as to switch the flow path of the refrigerant from the defrost path to the cooling path. Further, the CPU stops energization to the defrost heater 200.

本実施形態では、１つのＣＰＵが図４のフローチャートに示す各ステップが実現されると説明したが、複数のＣＰＵが協働することで実現される構成にしても良い。また、図３で説明した各タイミングの動作も、冷蔵庫１００のＣＰＵが冷蔵庫１００のＲＯＭ等のメモリに格納された制御プログラムを実行することによって実現される。 In the present embodiment, it has been described that each step shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is realized by one CPU, but a configuration realized by cooperation of a plurality of CPUs may be adopted. The operation at each timing described in FIG. 3 is also realized by the CPU of the refrigerator 100 executing a control program stored in a memory such as a ROM of the refrigerator 100.

本実施形態によれば、除霜経路を流れる冷媒が、第１の熱交換部２０８において圧縮機１０５から吐出された高温の冷媒によって加熱されるため、圧縮機１０５の熱を除霜に利用できる。圧縮機１０５の熱を除霜に利用することで、除霜ヒータ２００に通電する時間を短縮できるため、除霜時の冷蔵庫１００の消費電力を低減できる。また、圧縮機１０５から吐出された冷媒がそのまま流路切り換えバルブ２０２を流れる訳ではないため、ユーザが不快に感じる音が流路切り換えバルブ２０２から発生することを抑制できる。 According to this embodiment, since the refrigerant flowing through the defrosting path is heated by the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor 105 in the first heat exchange unit 208, the heat of the compressor 105 can be used for defrosting. . By using the heat of the compressor 105 for defrosting, the time for energizing the defrost heater 200 can be shortened, so that the power consumption of the refrigerator 100 during defrosting can be reduced. Further, since the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 105 does not flow through the flow path switching valve 202 as it is, it is possible to suppress the generation of a sound that the user feels uncomfortable from the flow path switching valve 202.

本発明は、家庭用の冷蔵庫や冷凍庫、業務用の冷蔵庫や冷凍庫に適用できる。 The present invention can be applied to household refrigerators and freezers, and commercial refrigerators and freezers.

１００冷蔵庫
１０５圧縮機
１０６蒸発器
１０７第１の凝縮器
１１６蓄冷器
２００除霜ヒータ
２０２流路切り換えバルブ
２０８第１の熱交換部 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Refrigerator 105 Compressor 106 Evaporator 107 1st condenser 116 Regenerator 200 Defrost heater 202 Flow path switching valve 208 1st heat exchange part

Claims

A refrigerator having at least a compressor, a first condenser, a second condenser, and an evaporator, and having a refrigeration cycle in which a refrigerant is supplied from the compressor to the first condenser,
The refrigeration cycle is a downstream side of the first condenser, a cooling path for supplying refrigerant to the evaporator to generate cold air, heating the refrigerant, and supplying the heated refrigerant to the evaporator Branch to the defrosting path to defrost at
In the cooling path, the refrigerant passes through the second condenser and is then supplied to the evaporator.
The refrigerant flowing through the defrosting path is heated by exchanging heat with the path through which the refrigerant is supplied from the compressor to the first condenser,
In the defrosting path, a regenerator composed of a regenerator and an evaporation mechanism is provided in the vicinity of the refrigerator storage room and on the downstream side of the evaporator,
The refrigerant discharged from the evaporator in the defrosting path evaporates in the regenerator and returns to the compressor.

The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerant discharged from the regenerator in the defrosting path is heated and returns to the compressor.

The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the refrigerant discharged from the regenerator in the defrosting path is heated by exchanging heat with a path for supplying the refrigerant to the evaporator in the defrosting path.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein when performing defrosting, the refrigerator switches the flow path through which the refrigerant flows from the cooling path to the defrosting path. 5.

The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein when the defrosting is completed, the refrigerator returns the flow path through which the refrigerant flows from the defrosting path to the cooling path.

The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the refrigerator starts the operation of the defrost heater after the flow path through which the refrigerant flows is switched to the defrost path.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein when the defrosting is completed, the refrigerator returns the flow path through which the refrigerant flows from the defrosting path to the cooling path, and stops the operation of the defrosting heater. Refrigerator.

The said refrigerator returns the flow path through which a refrigerant | coolant flows into the said cooling path from the said defrost path | route, with the said compressor operated, when defrosting is completed. refrigerator.

The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the storage room is a freezing room.