JP3615745B2 - Freezer refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a refrigerator-freezer using a refrigerant that does not adversely affect the global environment.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Currently, refrigerants in refrigerators and refrigerators use fluorocarbon refrigerants because they have stable physical properties and are easy to handle.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Fluorocarbon-based refrigerants have stable physical properties and are easy to handle, but they are said to destroy the ozone layer, and since they have a negative impact on the global environment, they will be banned from being used in the future with a preparation period.
[0004]
Even in the case of fluorocarbon refrigerants, the HFC refrigerant does not destroy the ozone layer, but it has the property of promoting global warming, especially in Europe, where there is a strong interest in environmental issues, there is a movement to ban the use of this refrigerant. is there.
[0005]
Therefore, the present invention prohibits the use of chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants and uses flammable natural refrigerants such as hydrocarbons that are friendly to the global environment. Even if flammable refrigerant leaks, it does not lead to an explosion in the cabinet. The purpose is to provide a refrigerator-freezer that ensures safety.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is provided with a refrigeration cycle that passes through the condenser, the expansion device, and the evaporator, and returns to the compressor again. While the refrigerant is used, the compressor, throttle device, and evaporator that make up the refrigeration cycle are concentrated in the refrigerator body, and at least the evaporator is separated from other compressors, throttle device, and condenser by a partition wall and is an independent layout structure. And it is isolated from the inside of a store | warehouse | chamber through the heat transfer means used as a cooling wall surface, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
[0007]
As a preferred embodiment, a refrigerant circuit blocking means is provided between the compressor and the condenser to prevent the refrigerant on the condenser side from flowing backward to the compressor side when the compressor is stopped.
[0008]
Alternatively, the compressor includes first and second refrigerant circuit shut-off means for shutting off the refrigerant circuit on the intake side and the take-out side of the condenser and stopping the refrigerant in the condenser when the compressor is stopped.
[0009]
(Function)
According to such a refrigerator-freezer, it becomes easy to manage the evaporator that leads to leakage into the refrigerator by being independent through the heat transfer means serving as a cooling wall, and is isolated from an ignition source such as a compressor. Is possible. In addition, since the flammable refrigerant can be trapped in a place such as a condenser away from the evaporator, the amount of leakage to the interior can be kept small, and accidents leading to explosion and ignition can be prevented. To avoid.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings of FIGS.
[0011]
In FIG. 2, 1 shows the refrigerator main body of the refrigerator-freezer 3, and the front surface is a plurality of open / close doors 5 for the freezer compartment, the refrigerator compartment, and the like.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 4, a compressor 7, a condenser 9, a throttle device (capillary tube) 11 and an evaporator 13 are arranged in the refrigerator main body 1, and the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 7 is condensed into the condenser 9 → the throttle device. 11 → A refrigeration cycle that passes through the evaporator 13 and returns to the compressor 7 is configured. A flammable refrigerant such as isoptan is used as the refrigerant.
[0013]
FIG. 2 shows an example in which the refrigeration cycle is concentrated on the ceiling of the refrigerator body 1, and FIG. 3 shows a specific example thereof. That is, the evaporator 13 and the expansion device 11 are arranged on the left side of the drawing with the heat insulating partition wall 17 interposed therebetween, and the compressor 7, the condenser 9 and the evaporating dish 19 are arranged on the right side of the drawing, and the machine room 10 is on the right side of the drawing. .
[0014]
The evaporator 13 includes a refrigerant pipe 15 through which a refrigerant flows as shown in FIG. 1 and a heat conducting member 23 that serves as a heat transfer means 22 that shields the refrigerant pipe 15 so as not to be directly exposed to the interior 21 side. Have. The refrigerant pipe 15 is in contact with the heat conducting member 23 so that heat exchange is performed, and is surrounded by a heat insulating material 25. The heat insulating material 25 is covered with a heat insulating plate 27 fixed to the heat conducting member 23.
[0015]
The heat conducting member 23 is formed of a heat conductive material such as copper or aluminum , and is formed on a cooling wall surface that is isolated from the inside of the warehouse. that has a shape having a plurality of fins 35 facing the inside path 33. A heater 29 for preventing frost formation is provided in the fin 35. The left and right flange portions 23a and 23a of the heat conducting member 23 are detachably attached to the ceiling portion of the refrigerator main body 1 via a sealing material 37 by means of mounting screws 39. Air is blocked. The cooling air flowing as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1 through the internal cold air circulation path 33 is taken into the internal chamber 21 by the damper 41.
[0016]
FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the heat transfer means 22 in the evaporator 13, in which a heat conductive secondary refrigerant 45 is enclosed in a sealed heat conductive member 43 having fins 47, The secondary refrigerant 45 surrounds the refrigerant pipe 15 of the evaporator 13.
[0017]
As a result, the secondary refrigerant 45 warmed by heat exchange with the internal air in the fins 47 evaporates and rises, while the secondary refrigerant 45 cooled and condensed by the refrigerant pipe 15 cools and heats down by the heat pipe. By repeating the transmission, the heat of the internal air is taken and cooling is performed.
[0018]
As the secondary refrigerant, florinate that is harmless to human bodies and non-flammable refrigerant, an aqueous alcohol solution, or the like is used. The pressure of the secondary refrigerant 45 is set higher than the pressure of the combustible refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe 15 of the evaporator 13. Thereby, for example, even if the refrigerant pipe 15 is cracked, it does not lead to rapid leakage of the flammable refrigerant, and further, it is mixed with the secondary refrigerant 45 and is diluted to a state where it does not ignite. It has become.
[0019]
FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the heat transfer means 22 in the evaporator 13.
[0020]
In this embodiment, a heat conducting member 55 comprising fins 53 and heat transfer tubes 54 through which a secondary refrigerant flows as shown in FIG. 8 in the inside cold air circulation path 51 formed by the inside cooling fan 49. Place. On the other hand, the heat transfer tube 54 is extended and connected to a heat pipe 57 having a loop shape to form a secondary refrigerant circulation cycle.
[0021]
The heat pipe 57 is in contact with the refrigerant pipe 15 of the evaporator 13 via the heat transfer plate 59, and heat exchange is performed in the contact area, and the four circumferences are surrounded by the heat insulating material 25.
[0022]
Therefore, in the heat pipe 57, the secondary refrigerant that has been heat-exchanged, cooled, and condensed is lowered to the heat conducting member 55, while the heat conducting member 55 is heat-exchanged with the internal air to be warmed, and the evaporated secondary refrigerant rises. Thus, the circulation is repeated, and the heat of the internal air is taken away and cooling is performed. At this time, brine such as ethylene glycol or propylene glycol is used as the secondary refrigerant to be used.
[0023]
In particular, in this embodiment, since it is structurally permitted, the motor 50 of the internal cooling fan 49 is arranged outside the warehouse, and the motor 50 serving as an ignition source when the motor is short-circuited is provided outside the warehouse. is there.
[0024]
In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, when the motor 50 is a DC motor composed of a stator 50a and a rotor 50b, the stator 50a is installed outside the cabinet.
[0025]
Similarly, in the magnet coupling type motor 50 that rotates the rotor portion 50c with the magnetic force of the magnet 50d as shown in FIG. 10, the magnet 50d is installed outside the cabinet. Alternatively, when the arrangement outside the cabinet is not permitted, it is desirable to mold the entire motor, although not shown.
[0026]
FIG. 11 shows a fourth embodiment of the heat transfer means 22 in the evaporator 13.
[0027]
In this embodiment, the heat conduction member 65 through which the secondary refrigerant flows is disposed in the internal cold air circulation path 63 formed by the internal cooling fan 61, while being extended from the heat conduction member 65, 2 The secondary refrigerant pipe 67 constituting the secondary refrigerant circulation cycle is brought into contact with the refrigerant pipe 15 of the evaporator 13 and the heat transfer plate 69 between them, and the refrigerant pipe 15 and the secondary refrigerant pipe 67 in the contact region are contacted by a heat insulating material 71. Surrounded.
[0028]
A pump 73 serving as a driving device for forcibly circulating the secondary refrigerant is provided in the middle of the secondary refrigerant pipe 67.
[0029]
In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, the motor shaft 75a of the drive motor 75 of the internal cooling fan 61 is extended, and the motor of the pump 73 is abolished as a common drive source that also serves as the pump shaft of the pump 73. It may be possible to reduce the number of ignition sources that sometimes generate sparks, and to reduce the size and cost.
[0030]
The heat insulating materials 25 and 71 surrounding the refrigerant pipe 15 of the evaporator 13 are adsorbents such as molecular sieves that absorb the flammable refrigerant leaking from the refrigerant pipe 15 or carbonates (sodium hydrogen carbonate, potassium hydrogen carbonate). It is desirable to provide a digestive agent such as
[0031]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a defrost water receiving tray 77 is provided below the heat conducting member 23, and a drain pipe 79 extended from the defrost water receiving tray 77 passes through the heat insulating partition wall 17 and has a tip. Faces an intermediate water reservoir 83 connected to the evaporating dish 19 via a connecting pipe 81. Thereby, the interruption | blocking state from which the combustible refrigerant | coolant which leaked through the drain pipe 79 to the defrost water receiving tray 77 side inside the store | warehouse | chamber by the water collected in the intermediate water reservoir 83 does not flow is ensured. Yes.
[0032]
On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the front of the machine room 10 in which the condenser 9, the compressor 7 and the evaporating dish 19 are arranged is an outside air intake 85 and the rear is an exhaust 86. The condenser 9 is disposed in front of the outside air intake 85 side, and the compressor 7 and the evaporating dish 19 are disposed behind the condenser 9, and cooling air is taken in from the outside air intake 85 by the rotation of the blower 87. . The cooling air taken in from the outside air intake 85 is heat-exchanged when passing through the condenser 9, and the refrigerant flowing in the condensation pipe 9a, which will be described later, is deprived of latent heat condensed by the passing air and is liquefied.
[0033]
The evaporating dish 19 evaporates defrost water when the heat-exchanged air passes above the evaporating dish 19.
[0034]
FIG. 15 shows an embodiment in which the refrigeration cycle is concentrated on the bottom of the refrigerator body 1.
[0035]
That is, in the bottom machine chamber 93 having the air intake port 90 and the air intake port 91, the evaporator 9, the compressor 7, the expansion device 11, and the evaporator 13 are disposed outside the evaporator 13 and the evaporator 13, respectively. Has been. The evaporating dish 19 is arranged side by side on the right side of the compressor 7 and the rear side of the drawing, and the blower 95 is arranged between the evaporating dish 19 and the compressor 7. Therefore, in the operation of the blower 95, the air that has passed through the evaporating dish 19 passes through the compressor 7 from the back side of the drawing and comes out from the outlet 91.
[0036]
The evaporating dish 19 communicates with a defrosted water receiving tray 101 disposed below the fins 100 of the evaporator 13 via a substantially vertical drain pipe 105 penetrating the wall 103 of the bottom machine chamber 93.
[0037]
Since the drain pipe 105 is substantially vertical, for example, even if a flammable refrigerant leaks in the bottom machine chamber 93, the drain pipe 105 is heavier than air and thus does not flow into the evaporator 13.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 19, the evaporator 13 includes fins 100 and a refrigerant pipe 15, and the refrigerant pipe 15 has two or more passes from the middle to the downstream (gas side), and the number of passes is defined as one pass in the upstream. It has a configuration to reduce.
[0039]
As shown in FIG. 18, the condenser 9 includes fins 113 and a condensation pipe 9 a, and is configured to reduce the number of upstream (gas side) two or more passes and the number of passes from the middle to the downstream as one pass. As a result, the evaporator 13 and the condenser 9 can reduce the pressure loss by increasing the number of gas-side paths, reduce the pipe diameter, and take measures to reduce the amount of flammable refrigerant filled. Yes.
[0040]
FIG. 21 shows a flow only between the compressor 7 and the condenser 9 between the compressor 7 and the condenser 9 in which the refrigeration cycle is constituted by the compressor 7, the condenser 9, the expansion device 11, and the evaporator 13. An embodiment in which a check valve 115 serving as a possible refrigerant circuit shut-off means is provided is shown. The check valve 115 functions to prevent the refrigerant from flowing backward from the condenser 9 side to the compressor 7 side when leakage occurs on the compressor 7 side.
[0041]
In this case, as shown in FIG. 22, in addition to the check valve 115, a differential pressure valve 117 that is maintained in an “open” state during operation and is “closed” when leakage occurs in the compressor 7 or the evaporator 13, It may be provided between the condenser 9 and the expansion device 11. Thereby, for example, when a leak occurs on the compressor 7 side, the check valve 115 and the differential pressure valve 117 work to prevent the combustible refrigerant in the condenser 9 from being trapped and leaking outside. It becomes.
[0042]
On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, a dew-proof pipe 119 arranged on the front surface of the refrigerator body 1 is inserted into the condenser 9 or integrated with a clip 120 on the condenser pipe 9 a of the condenser 9. It is joined to.
[0043]
A heat transfer refrigerant such as water is sealed in the dew prevention pipe 119, and heat exchange is performed at the junction between the condensation pipe 9a and the dew prevention pipe 119.
[0044]
Thereby, since it is not necessary to flow the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle into the dew prevention pipe 119, it is possible to reduce the amount of the flammable refrigerant enclosed in the refrigeration cycle.
[0045]
In this case, a surface heater 121 may be provided independently as shown in FIG. Moreover, you may use the waste heat of a compressor.
[0046]
In the compressor 7, as shown in FIG. 20, after the refrigerant taken in from the suction pipe 137 enters the sealed case 139 and is compressed by the compression unit 147 to which rotational power is given by the drive unit 145 including the stator 141 and the rotor 143. The low-pressure type discharges from the discharge port 148 of the compression unit 147 to the outside of the sealed case 139 through the discharge pipe 151.
[0047]
Further, the suction pipe 137 and the discharge pipe 151 of the compressor 7 have a vibration absorbing joint 153. As a result, the low-pressure type compressor 7 that requires a small amount of flammable refrigerant and the increase in the degree of freedom of the piping, combined with a reduction in the length of the piping, reduces the amount of refrigerant enclosed in the entire refrigeration cycle. A specific example is shown in FIG. FIG. 29 shows an experimental result using isoptan as a flammable refrigerant. According to this experimental result, the amount of the refrigerant greatly contributed by the low pressure of the compressor and the independence of the dew-proof pipe. When it was 100%, an overall improvement of about 56% was recognized.
[0048]
As a result, even if it leaks, the flammable concentration is not reached and no serious accident is caused.
[0049]
FIG. 23 shows a modification in which the ignition source is reduced.
[0050]
That is, in the refrigeration cycle including the compressor 7, the condenser 9, the expansion device 11, and the evaporator 13, an electromagnetic first on-off valve a serving as a control valve is provided between the compressor 7 and the condenser 9. 7, an electromagnetic second on-off valve b constituting the hot gas cycle C is provided between the discharge side 7 and the expansion device 11 and the evaporator 13.
[0051]
The movement of the first and second on-off valves a and b will be described based on the flow shown in FIG. 24. It is determined whether or not the accumulated time of the compressor 7 has reached a certain time (step 201). Closes the first on-off valve a and opens the second on-off valve b. (Step 202) Thereby, the heating refrigerant from the compressor 7 flows into the hot gas cycle C, and the defrosting operation is performed. (Step 203) Next, it is determined whether or not the defrosting time has reached a certain time. (Step 204) In the case of YES, the first on-off valve a is opened and the second on-off valve b is closed (Step 205), so that the normal refrigeration cycle operation is started and there is no defrost heater. Even if the flammable refrigerant leaks, there is no risk of ignition.
[0052]
FIG. 25 shows that purging the refrigerant at the user's home is not preferable in view of the explosive nature of the flammable refrigerant, and it is necessary to take out the refrigerator. It is possible.
[0053]
The figure shows an embodiment in which the refrigeration cycle is detachable with respect to the upper part of the refrigerator body 1, and the inside of the refrigeration cycle unit case 155 provided with the internal air return port 91 through which the cold air circulates and the cold air outlet 93 is provided. In addition, a compressor, a condenser, a throttling device, and an evaporator (all not shown) constituting the refrigeration cycle are incorporated.
[0054]
On the other hand, a machine room 159 having an internal cold air circulation path 157 that can be connected to the internal air return port 91 and the cold air outlet 93 is provided in the upper part of the refrigerator body 1, and a refrigeration cycle unit case 155 is provided to the mechanical room 159. It can be assembled by inserting.
[0055]
FIG. 26 shows an embodiment in which the refrigeration cycle is detachable from the lower part of the refrigerator body 1.
[0056]
That is, the refrigeration cycle unit case 161 is inserted and set in the lower machine chamber 169 of the refrigerator body 1 by the screws 171. On the left side of the refrigeration cycle unit case 161, a condenser 9, an evaporating dish 19, a blower 87, an accumulator 97, and a compressor 7 are disposed, while the evaporator 13 is placed in the upper right partition 84 in FIG. The cooler outlet 93 and the cooler air return port 91 that can be connected to the cooler 31 for cooling the refrigerator and the cool air circulation duct on the refrigerator main body 1 side are arranged.
[0057]
The accumulator 97 and the expansion device 11 surround a piping connection portion where refrigerant leakage is most likely to occur in an independent room 99.
[0058]
The drain pipe 162 facing the evaporating dish 19 is extended into the partition chamber 88 and connected to and communicated with a defrost water receiving dish (none of which is shown) provided at the lower part of the evaporator 13.
[0059]
A dust removing device 163 is provided on the upstream side of the air flow path of the condenser 9. As shown in FIG. 28, the dust removing device 163 has a structure in which a roll-shaped filter 167 is wound around a take-up reel 165 to which rotational power is applied by a motor M.
[0060]
Therefore, the refrigeration cycle unit case 161 can be easily detached from the refrigerator main body 1 by removing the mounting screw 171.
[0061]
According to the refrigerator-freezer configured as described above, the air flowing through the cold air circulation path 33 in the warehouse by the blower 31 for cooling in the warehouse undergoes heat exchange when passing through the fins 35 of the heat conducting member 23, thereby 21 is cooled. During this operation, the evaporator 13 has an independent layout structure that is isolated from the inside of the cabinet, so that it is easy to manage leakage and the like, and it can be isolated from the compressor 7 that is the ignition source. It becomes possible. Further, since the flammable refrigerant can be trapped in the condenser 9 or the like away from the evaporator 13, the amount of leakage to the inside of the warehouse is suppressed, and explosion and ignition are avoided in advance.
[0062]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since it is independent through the heat transfer means serving as a cooling wall surface, it is easy to manage the evaporator leading to leakage into the warehouse, and the compressor and the like are attached. Can be isolated from fire sources. In addition, since the refrigerant can be trapped in the condenser away from the isolated evaporator, it is possible to suppress leakage into the cabinet to a small extent and to avoid accidents leading to explosion and ignition.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a top cut-away view of a refrigerator-freezer embodying the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the entire refrigerator-freezer.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a refrigeration cycle.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory block diagram showing a refrigeration cycle.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view in which fins are provided on a heat conducting member.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view in which a refrigerant pipe of an evaporator is surrounded by a secondary refrigerant.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a heat pipe as a loop type implemented in a refrigerator main body.
FIG. 8 is an overall explanatory view of a heat pipe and a heat conducting member.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram in which a motor of a DC motor type internal cooling fan is arranged outside the storage.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram in which a motor of a cooling fan of a magnet coupling type is arranged outside the cabinet.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing an embodiment in which the secondary refrigerant is vibrated by a driving device.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram in which the internal cooling fan and the vibration source of the pump are used in common.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the entire drain pipe facing the front end of an intermediate water reservoir connected to the evaporating dish.
FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the intermediate water reservoir and the evaporating dish with the end of the drain pipe facing.
FIG. 15 is a cut side view in which refrigeration cycles are concentrated on the bottom of the refrigerator main body.
FIG. 16 is an overall explanatory diagram in which a dew-proof pipe is provided in a condenser constituting the refrigeration cycle.
17 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a condenser path configuration.
FIG. 19 is an explanatory view showing a path configuration of an evaporator.
FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a low pressure type compressor.
FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of a refrigeration cycle in which a check valve is provided between the compressor and the condenser.
FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram of a refrigeration cycle in which a check valve provided between the compressor and the condenser and a differential pressure valve provided between the condenser and the expansion device are provided.
FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of a refrigeration cycle provided with a hot gas cycle.
FIG. 24 is an explanatory flowchart of a refrigeration cycle having a hot gas cycle.
FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing a unit structure in which a refrigeration unit provided at the upper part of the refrigerator main body is detachable.
FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing a unit structure in which a refrigeration unit provided at the lower part of the refrigerator main body is detachable.
FIG. 27 is a cut-away plan view of the refrigerant cycle unit of FIG.
FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram of a dust removal device.
FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram showing the refrigerant amount reduction results for each class.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator main body 7 Compressor 9 Condenser 11 Expansion device 13 Evaporator 15 Refrigerant pipe 17 Partition wall (heat insulation partition wall)
115 Refrigerant circuit shut-off means (check valve)
115,117 First and second refrigerant circuit shut-off means (check valve 115, differential pressure valve 117)

Claims (3)

The refrigerant discharged from the compressor passes through the condenser, the expansion device, and the evaporator, and is provided with a refrigeration cycle that returns to the compressor. The combustible refrigerant is used as the refrigerant, and the compressor and the expansion device that constitute the refrigeration cycle The evaporator is centrally arranged in the refrigerator body, and at least the evaporator is separated from other compressors, expansion devices, and condensers by a partition wall, and has an independent layout structure and is stored via a heat transfer means serving as a cooling wall. A refrigerator-freezer characterized by being isolated from the inside. 2. The refrigerator-freezer according to claim 1, further comprising refrigerant circuit blocking means for preventing the refrigerant on the condenser side from flowing back to the compressor side between the compressor and the condenser when the compressor is stopped. . The first and second refrigerant circuit shut-off means are provided for shutting off the refrigerant circuit on the intake side and the take-out side of the condenser and stopping the refrigerant in the condenser when the compressor is stopped. The refrigerator-freezer as described.

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