JP3819014B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

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

Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigerator that includes a temperature switching chamber in addition to a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment. This refrigerator includes a damper device that opens and closes a passage of cool air sent to the temperature switching chamber, and a heater that raises the temperature of the temperature switching chamber. Thereby, the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber can be switched to a desired low temperature range such as freezing, refrigeration, partial, chilled, etc. according to the user's application.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-288440

  However, according to the conventional refrigerator, the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber can be switched by adjusting the amount of cold air flowing from the cooling device into the temperature switching chamber using the damper device. For this reason, there is a problem that the temperature distribution cannot be made uniform when the difference between the cool air temperature flowing into the temperature switching chamber and the set temperature is large. There is also a problem that when the heater is energized in a sealed state, the temperature in the vicinity of the heater rises and the temperature distribution cannot be made uniform.

  An object of this invention is to provide the refrigerator which can make uniform temperature distribution of a temperature switching chamber.

In order to achieve the above object, a refrigerator according to the present invention includes a cooling device that generates cold air in the refrigerator that includes a temperature switching chamber that can selectively switch the indoor temperature, and the cold air generated by the cooling device at the temperature. A blower that is sent out into the switching chamber, a discharge-side opening / closing portion that opens and closes an introduction ventilation path that allows communication between the cooling device and the blower, an outlet through which air in the temperature switching chamber flows out, and the cooling device A return-side opening / closing portion that opens and closes a return air passage that communicates with the air passage, and a communication passage that connects the circulation port provided in the temperature switching chamber and the intake side of the blower , and is provided adjacent to the return-side opening / closing portion. The return side opening and closing part and the circulation opening and closing part are integrally formed and selectively opened and closed, and the return side opening and closing part is opened when the discharge side opening and closing part is opened. And open for circulation Close the part is characterized by opening the circulation opening part is closed the return side closing portion when the closing the outlet-side switching unit.

  According to this configuration, when the blower is driven with the circulation opening / closing section closed and the discharge side opening / closing section and the return side opening / closing section opened, the cool air generated by the cooling device is sent to the temperature switching chamber via the introduction ventilation path. Is done. The cold air flows through the temperature switching chamber, returns from the outlet, and returns to the cooling device through the ventilation path. As a result, the temperature switching chamber is cooled and switched to different room temperatures such as refrigeration, partial, chilled, and refrigerated according to the opening amount of the discharge side opening / closing portion and the return side opening / closing portion and the air volume of the blower. Also, when the fan is driven with the circulation opening / closing part opened and the discharge side opening / closing part and the return side opening / closing part closed, the air in the temperature switching chamber is guided from the circulation port to the intake side of the fan through the communication path. It is sent into the temperature switching room. Thereby, the air in the temperature switching chamber circulates.

In the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the present invention includes a heater that raises the temperature switching chamber, enables the indoor temperature of the temperature switching chamber to be switched to a high temperature side that drives the heater and keeps the heated food, and the temperature When the indoor temperature of the switching chamber is set to the high temperature side, the circulation opening / closing unit is opened and the discharge side opening / closing unit and the return side opening / closing unit are closed, and the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber is stored on the low temperature side by cooling the stored product. In this case, the discharge side opening / closing part and the return side opening / closing part are opened, and the circulation opening / closing part is closed . According to this configuration, when the temperature switching chamber is switched to the high temperature side, the circulation opening / closing part is opened and the discharge side opening / closing part and the return side opening / closing part are closed. Then, the blower and the heater are driven to raise the temperature in the temperature switching chamber. Thereby, the heat insulation of the heat-cooked food can be carried out temporarily, or the winter cooking can be performed.

Moreover, the present invention is characterized in that, in the refrigerator configured as described above, the discharge side opening / closing part is disposed above the return side opening / closing part .

  According to the present invention, in the refrigerator configured as described above, the return side opening / closing portion and the circulation opening / closing portion are integrally formed, and the outlet and the circulation port are formed by a common opening. The return ventilation path extending from and the communication path are branched by the damper, and the damper has a baffle that rotates between a position that shields the communication path and a position that shields the return ventilation path. It is said.

According to this configuration, the return side opening / closing part and the circulation opening / closing part are formed of a common damper having a rotating baffle, and the communication path is opened when the return air passage is closed by the baffle. In this state, when the discharge side opening / closing section is closed and the blower is driven, the air in the temperature switching chamber is guided from the opening to the intake side of the blower through the communication path and circulates. Moreover, when the communication path is closed by the baffle, the return ventilation path is opened. In this state, when the discharge side opening / closing part is opened and the blower is driven, cold air generated by the cooling device flows into the temperature switching chamber through the introduction ventilation path, and returns from the opening to the cooling apparatus via the return ventilation path.

According to the present invention, in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the discharge- side opening / closing portion and the circulation opening / closing portion are integrally formed, and the introduction air passage and the communication passage are joined by the damper to form the blower. The damper has a baffle that rotates between a position that shields the communication passage and a position that shields the introduction ventilation path.

According to this configuration, the discharge side opening / closing part and the circulation opening / closing part are formed of a common damper having a rotating baffle, and the communication path is opened when the introduction ventilation path is closed by the baffle. In this state, when the return side opening / closing part is closed and the blower is driven, the air in the temperature switching chamber is guided from the opening to the intake side of the blower through the communication path and circulates. Moreover, when the communication path is closed by the baffle, the introduction ventilation path is opened. In this state, when the return side opening / closing part is opened and the blower is driven, the cool air generated by the cooling device flows into the temperature switching chamber through the introduction ventilation path, and returns to the cooling apparatus from the opening through the return ventilation path.

According to the present invention, a blower that sends out cool air, a discharge- side opening / closing part that opens and closes the introduction ventilation path, a return-side opening / closing part that opens and closes the return ventilation path, a circulation port provided in the temperature switching chamber, and an intake side of the blower And a circulation opening / closing part provided adjacent to the return side opening / closing part, and the return side opening / closing part and the circulation opening / closing part are integrally formed and alternatively opened / closed, When the discharge side opening / closing part is closed, the return side opening / closing part is closed and the circulation opening / closing part is opened, so that the air in the sealed temperature switching room is circulated by driving the blower to make the temperature distribution in the temperature switching room uniform. Can do. Further, it is possible to Runode closed circulation closing unit is opened to return on-off unit when opening the outlet-side switching unit, the temperature distribution of the temperature switching chamber temperature switch chamber flows cold air uniformly. At this time, since the circulation opening / closing part is closed, it is possible to prevent a reduction in the blowing efficiency.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the heater for heating the temperature switching chamber is provided, and the temperature of the temperature switching chamber can be switched to the high temperature side that drives the heater to keep the heated food warm. It is possible to provide a highly convenient refrigerator that does not require a heat storage or the like, reduces the user's economic burden, and eliminates the need to secure an installation location for the heat storage or the like. Then, the temperature distribution in the temperature switching chamber in the sealed state can be made uniform, and deformation, ignition, smoke generation, and the like around the heater and the heater can be prevented.

  Further, according to the present invention, the return side opening / closing portion and the circulation opening / closing portion are formed integrally, and the communication path and the return ventilation path are alternatively shielded by the rotating baffle, thereby reducing the cost of the refrigerator. In addition, the volumetric efficiency can be improved.

Further, according to the present invention, the discharge side opening / closing part and the circulation opening / closing part are formed integrally, and the communication path and the return ventilation path are alternatively shielded by the rotating baffle, thereby reducing the cost of the refrigerator. In addition, the volumetric efficiency can be improved.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 are a front view and a right side view showing a refrigerator according to one embodiment. The refrigerator 1 is provided with a refrigerator compartment 2 in the upper stage, and a temperature switching room 3 and an ice making room 4 in the middle stage. A vegetable room 5 and a freezer room 6 are arranged in the lower stage of the refrigerator 1.

  The refrigerating room 2 has a double door and stores stored items in a refrigerator. The temperature switching chamber 3 is provided on the left side of the middle stage, and the room temperature can be switched by the user. The ice making chamber 4 is provided on the right side of the middle stage and performs ice making. The vegetable room 5 is provided on the lower left side, and is maintained at a temperature suitable for storing vegetables (for example, about 8 ° C.). The freezer compartment 6 is provided on the lower right side and communicates with the ice making compartment 4 to store the stored items in a frozen state.

  FIG. 3 is a right side sectional view of the refrigerator 1. The freezing compartment 6 and the ice making compartment 4 are provided with a storage case 11 for storing stored items. A similar storage case 11 is also provided in the vegetable room 5 and the temperature switching room 3. The refrigerator compartment 2 is provided with a plurality of storage shelves 41 on which stored items are placed. A storage pocket 42 is provided on the door of the refrigerator compartment 2. Thereby, the usability of the refrigerator 1 is improved. A chilled chamber 23 maintained at a chilled temperature zone (about −3 ° C.) is provided in the lower part of the refrigerator compartment 2.

  A cold air passage 31 is provided behind the freezer compartment 6, and an evaporator 17 connected to the compressor 35 is disposed in the cold air passage 31. A cold air passage 32 communicating with the cold air passage 31 is provided behind the refrigerator compartment 2. A refrigerant such as isobutane is circulated by driving a compressor 35 connected to a condenser and an expander (both not shown) to operate a refrigeration cycle. Thereby, cold air | gas is produced | generated by heat exchange with the evaporator 17 used as the low temperature side of a refrigerating cycle. Therefore, the compressor 35 and the evaporator 17 constitute a cooling device that generates cold air together with the condenser and the expander.

  Further, blowers 18 and 28 are arranged in the cold air passages 31 and 32, respectively. As will be described in detail later, the cold air generated by the evaporator 17 is supplied to the freezer compartment 6, the ice making chamber 4, the chilled chamber 23, and the temperature switching chamber 3 through the cold air passage 31 by driving the blower 18. Further, the fan 28 is supplied to the refrigerator compartment 2 and the vegetable compartment 5 through the cold air passage 32.

  FIG. 4 is a right side sectional view showing the temperature switching chamber 3. The upper and lower surfaces of the temperature switching chamber 3 are partitioned from the refrigerator compartment 2 and the vegetable compartment 5 by the partition walls 7 and 8. The front surface of the temperature switching chamber 3 can be opened and closed by a rotating door 9. The back surface of the temperature switching chamber 3 is covered with a back plate 33. A drawer type storage case 11 is provided in the temperature switching chamber 3.

An introduction ventilation path 12 is provided behind the back plate 33 and the heat insulating wall 10 that forms the outer wall. The introduction air passage 12 connects an inflow port 33a provided in the back plate 33 and a cold air passage 31 (see FIG. 3). In addition, a temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 ( discharge side opening / closing section) is provided in the introduction ventilation path 12. By opening the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13, cold air generated in the evaporator 17 (see FIG. 3) is guided to the temperature switching chamber 3.

  A blower 14 is provided between the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 and the inflow port 33a. An outflow port 33b opens below the back plate 33, and the cool air in the cold air passage 31 is easily guided to the temperature switching chamber 3 through the inflow port 33a by the drive of the blower 14, and flows out from the outflow port 33b. Further, the air volume flowing into the temperature switching chamber 3 from the introduction ventilation path 12 is adjusted by opening and closing the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13.

  A return ventilation path 19 for returning air to the cooling device 17 is provided behind the outflow port 33b. In the return ventilation path 19, a temperature switching chamber return damper 20 (return side opening / closing part) opening facing the outflow port 33b is provided. Openings 20b and 20c are formed behind and above the temperature switching chamber return damper 20, and a rotatable baffle 20a that alternatively closes the openings 20b and 20c is provided.

  By closing the opening 20 c and opening the opening 20 b, the air flowing out from the outlet 33 b can flow through the return ventilation path 19. When the opening 20b is closed and the opening 20c is opened, the air flowing out from the outlet 33b is guided to the intake side of the blower 14 as shown in FIG. As a result, a communication passage 36 is formed which communicates from the outlet port 33b to the intake side of the blower 14 through the opening 20c of the temperature switching chamber return damper 20. Therefore, the air in the temperature switching chamber 3 can be circulated through the communication path 36 by driving the blower 14.

  The temperature switching chamber return damper 20 constitutes a circulation opening / closing portion that opens and closes the circulation path including the communication passage 36, and the outlet 33 b constitutes a circulation port through which the air in the temperature switching chamber 3 flows out to the communication passage 36. The communication passage 36 may be formed by providing a circulation port at a position different from the outflow port 33b. At this time, it is necessary to provide a circulation opening / closing part for opening / closing the communication path 36 separately from the temperature switching chamber return damper 20. For this reason, as in the present embodiment, the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 that opens and closes the return air passage 19 with the outlet 33b in common with the circulation port constitutes the circulation opening and closing unit, thereby reducing the cost of the refrigerator 1 and The volumetric efficiency can be improved.

  A heater 15 is provided at the rear upper part of the back plate 33 of the temperature switching chamber 3. The heater 15 is formed of a heat radiation type glass tube heater, and raises the temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 by radiant heat released through the back plate 33. The blower 14 is arranged to blow air toward the surface of the heater 15. Thereby, the surface temperature of the heater 15 can be lowered and safety can be improved.

  A temperature sensor 16 is provided in the lower part behind the back plate 33. The temperature sensor 16 detects the temperature in the temperature switching chamber 3 and sends a detection signal to a control unit (not shown). Thereby, a control part controls the heater 15, the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13, and the air blower 14 based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 16, and maintains the inside of the temperature switching chamber 3 at preset temperature.

  Further, a temperature sensor 24 is provided adjacent to the heater 15. The temperature sensor 24 is in close contact with the upper surface of the back plate 33 provided so as to surround the heater 15. Thus, the temperature sensor 24 detects the temperature in the vicinity of the upper part of the heater 15 that is most easily heated by the rise of the air that has received the radiant heat of the heater 15.

  Therefore, when the temperature sensor 24 detects an abnormally high temperature in the vicinity of the heater 15, the heater 15 can be stopped to prevent damage to the heater 15 and the vicinity of the heater 15, ignition, and smoke generation. A temperature fuse 30 is provided above the temperature sensor 16. When the temperature fuse 30 reaches a predetermined temperature, the heater 15 is turned off. Thereby, safety can be further improved.

  FIG. 6 shows a front sectional view of the vicinity of the middle stage of the refrigerator 1. The cool air passage 31 behind the freezer compartment 6 opens at the upper front of the blower 18, and air is sent to the ice making chamber 4 by the blower 18. A freezer compartment damper 22 is provided below the freezer compartment 6 that communicates with the ice making compartment 4. A return ventilation path 21 (see FIG. 3) is provided in the lower rear portion of the freezer compartment 6 to guide air to the evaporator 17 via the freezer damper 22 and return it to the cool air passage 31. The air volume of the air coming out of the freezer compartment 6 is adjusted by opening and closing the freezer compartment damper 22.

  The upper part of the cold air passage 31 communicates with the cold air passage 32 via the refrigerator compartment damper 27. Further, the cold air passage 31 is branched to form the introduction ventilation path 12, communicates with the chilled chamber 23 via the chilled chamber damper 25, and enters the temperature switching chamber 3 via the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 as described above. Communicate.

  A refrigerator outlet (not shown) is opened below the back of the refrigerator compartment 2, and a vegetable compartment inlet (not shown) is provided in the vegetable compartment 5. The refrigerator compartment outlet and the vegetable compartment inlet are connected by a passage (not shown) passing through the back surface of the temperature switching chamber 3 so that the refrigerator compartment 2 and the vegetable compartment 5 communicate with each other.

  A return ventilation path 19 communicating with the temperature switching chamber 3 extends downward from the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 and is disposed behind the temperature switching chamber 3 and the vegetable chamber 5. The air in the temperature switching chamber 3 is guided to the evaporator 17 through the return ventilation paths 19 and 21 by opening the temperature switching chamber return damper 20. In addition, a vegetable room outlet (not shown) communicating with the return ventilation path 19 is provided on the back of the vegetable room 5.

  FIG. 7 is a cold air circuit diagram showing the flow of cold air in the refrigerator 1. The cold air generated in the evaporator 17 is sent up to the ice making chamber 4 by raising the cold air passage 31 as shown by an arrow A (see FIG. 6) by driving the blower 18. The cold air sent to the ice making room 4 flows through the ice making room 4 and the freezing room 6 and flows out from the freezing room damper 22. And it returns to the evaporator 17 via the return ventilation path 21. As a result, the ice making chamber 4 and the freezing chamber 6 are cooled.

  The cold air branched at the top of the cold air passage 31 by driving the blower 28 circulates through the cold air passage 32 through the cold room damper 27 as shown by an arrow B (see FIG. 6) and is sent to the cold room 2. Further, as shown by an arrow C (see FIG. 6), the air flows through the introduction ventilation path 12 and is sent to the chilled chamber 23. The cold air sent to the refrigerator compartment 2 and the chilled compartment 23 flows through the refrigerator compartment 2 and the chilled compartment 23 and then flows into the vegetable compartment 5. The cold air flowing into the vegetable compartment 5 flows through the vegetable compartment 5 and returns to the evaporator 17 via the return passages 19 and 21. Thereby, the inside of the refrigerator compartment 2 and the vegetable compartment 5 is cooled, and if it becomes preset temperature, the refrigerator compartment damper 27 and the chilled compartment damper 23 will be closed.

  Further, the cold air branched at the upper portion of the cold air passage 31 by the drive of the blower 14 flows through the introduction ventilation path 12 and reaches the temperature via the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 as shown by an arrow D (see FIGS. 4 and 6). It flows into the switching chamber 3. The cold air flowing into the temperature switching chamber 3 flows through the temperature switching chamber 3 and flows out from the outlet 33b. And as shown to the arrow E (refer FIG. 4, FIG. 6), it returns to the evaporator 17 via the return ventilation path 19 and 21. FIG. Thereby, the inside of the temperature switching chamber 3 is cooled.

  As described above, the temperature switching chamber 3 can switch the room temperature by the user. For example, the user can select each temperature zone such as frozen (−15 ° C.), partial (−8 ° C.), chilled (−3 ° C.), refrigerated (3 ° C.), and vegetables (8 ° C.). . Thus, the user can store the stored product in a frozen state or a refrigerated state at a desired temperature. The indoor temperature can be switched by changing the amount of opening the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 and the air volume of the blower 14.

  At this time, the baffle 20a of the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 is disposed so as to open the return air passage 19 and close the communication passage 36, as shown in FIG. For this reason, the cool air flowing in from the inflow port 33 a flows through the return ventilation path 19 via the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 without circulating through the communication path 36. Therefore, a short circuit due to the communication path 36 can be prevented, and the blowing efficiency of the blower 14 can be improved.

  For example, when the temperature switching chamber 3 is switched from the freezing indoor temperature to the refrigerated indoor temperature, the heater 15 may be energized to raise the temperature. Thereby, it can switch to desired room temperature rapidly. Further, by energizing the heater 15, the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 is switched from the low temperature side where the stored items are stored frozen or refrigerated to the high temperature side where the cooked heated food is temporarily kept warm or cooked. Can be done.

  When the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 is set to the high temperature side, as shown in FIG. 5, the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 is closed, and the baffle 20a of the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 closes the return ventilation path and communicates. It arrange | positions in the position which opens the channel | path 36. FIG. When the heater 15 and the blower 14 are driven, the air sent from the blower 14 as shown by the arrow F flows through the communication path 36 through the outlet 33b as shown by the arrow G.

  As a result, the air in the temperature switching chamber 3 is guided to the blower 14 via the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 and circulates as shown by the broken line S in FIG. Therefore, the temperature switching chamber 3 is sealed to prevent the warm air from flowing out, the temperature distribution in the temperature switching chamber 3 on the high temperature side can be made uniform, and deformation, ignition, smoke generation, and the like around the heater 15 and the heater can be prevented. be able to. In addition, it is possible to provide a highly convenient refrigerator that does not require a heat-reserving chamber or the like for retaining the heated food, reduces the user's economic burden, and does not require the installation location of the heat-retaining chamber.

  Since the growth temperature of the main food poisoning bacteria is 30 ° C. to 45 ° C., the indoor temperature on the high temperature side is preferably set to 50 ° C. or more in consideration of the tolerance of the heater capacity, the temperature distribution in the temperature switching chamber 3, and the like. Thereby, propagation of miscellaneous bacteria can be prevented. Moreover, since the heat-resistant temperature of the general resin parts used for a refrigerator is 80 degreeC, when the room temperature of a high temperature side shall be 80 degrees C or less, it can implement | achieve cheaply.

  In order to sterilize food poisoning bacteria, for example, in the case of enterohemorrhagic E. coli (pathogenic E. coli O157), heating at 75 ° C. for 1 minute is required. Therefore, it is more preferable that the room temperature on the high temperature side is set to 80 ° C. in consideration of the tolerance of the heater capacity and the temperature distribution in the temperature switching chamber 3.

The following are the test results on the sterilization of food poisoning bacteria at 55 ° C. In the initial state, E. coli 2.4 × 10 ³ CFU / mL, Staphylococcus aureus 2.0 × 10 ³ CFU / mL, Salmonella 2.1 × 10 ³ CFU / mL, Vibrio parahaemolyticus 1.5 × 10 ³ CFU / ML, Cereus 4.0 × 10 ³ CFU / mL. This test sample was heated from 3 ° C. to 55 ° C. over 40 minutes, kept at 55 ° C. for 3.5 hours, then returned from 55 ° C. to 3 ° C. over 80 minutes, and the amount of each bacterium was examined again. As a result, all the bacteria were reduced to a level of 10 CFU / mL or less (not detected). Therefore, even if the set temperature on the high temperature side of the temperature switching chamber 3 is 55 ° C., there is a sufficient sterilization effect.

  As described above, the heater 15 is a thermal radiation type glass tube heater. The heater 15 may be a heat conduction heater such as an inexpensive sheet-like aluminum vapor deposition heater, but the heating speed is slow. For this reason, when the temperature switching chamber 3 is set to the high temperature side, it takes a long time to pass through the temperature range of 30 to 45 ° C., which is the growth temperature range of food poisoning bacteria, and the food hygiene safety is lowered. If the capacity of the heater is increased in order to increase the heating speed, there is a restriction on the heat resistant temperature (usually about 80 ° C.) of the peripheral parts to which the heater is attached. Moreover, since the heat radiation surface becomes wide and extends to the vicinity of the temperature switching chamber 3, there is a risk that the user may be burned.

  On the other hand, the heat radiation type glass tube heater has a high heating speed and is safe for food hygiene. In addition, since the occupied space is small even if the capacity is increased, the risk of burns to the user is reduced by arranging it at the back of the temperature switching chamber 3 as shown in FIG. Therefore, it is more desirable that the heater 15 be a heat radiation type glass tube heater.

  The heater 15 can be driven with a capacity larger than the capacity required to maintain the room temperature on the high temperature side for keeping the heated food. The capacity of the heater 15 can be varied depending on the energization rate. Thereby, when the temperature switching chamber 3 is switched from the low temperature side to the high temperature side and heated, it is quickly switched to the high temperature side to drive the refrigerator 1 with high convenience. Further, when the room temperature on the high temperature side is reached, the heater 15 can be kept at a predetermined temperature by being driven at a reduced capacity.

For example, the heater 15 having a power consumption of about 190 W and a surface area of about 10,990 mm ² is used, and the temperature switching chamber 3 having an internal volume of about 0.023 m ³ is raised from 3 ° C. with the energization rate of the heater 15 being 100%. Then, it reaches 80 ° C. in about 30 minutes. Then, the temperature switching chamber 3 can be maintained at about 80 ° C. by intermittently operating at an energization rate of 15% (15 seconds ON, 85 seconds OFF). The blower 14 uses a motor with an axial fan and operates at an air flow rate of about 0.4 m ³ / min.

  At this time, the surface temperature of the heater 15 is about 250 ° C. at the maximum in the heat retaining state, and is maintained at a temperature lower than the ignition point temperature (494 ° C.) of isobutane which is a flammable refrigerant. For this reason, when isobutane, which is a flammable refrigerant, is used as the refrigerant sealed in the refrigeration cycle in consideration of the environment, there is no danger of explosion due to heat generation of the heater 15 even if isobutane leaks from the evaporator 17 or the like. Therefore, the refrigerator 1 safer for the user can be provided.

  In the present embodiment, the air in the temperature switching chamber 3 may be circulated when the temperature switching chamber 3 reaches a predetermined temperature on the low temperature side. That is, the return air passage 19 is closed by the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 and the communication passage 36 is opened, and the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 is closed and the blower 14 is driven. Thereby, the temperature distribution of the temperature switching chamber 3 on the low temperature side can be made more uniform.

  Further, the return ventilation path 19 and the communication path 36 are opened and closed by the temperature switching chamber return damper 20, but the introduction ventilation path 12 and the communication path 36 may be opened and closed by the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13. That is, a baffle similar to the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 is provided in the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13.

  When the baffle is arranged at a position where the introduction ventilation path 12 is opened and the communication path 36 is closed, the cold air that has flowed into the temperature switching chamber 3 from the inlet 33a returns from the outlet 33b via the temperature switching chamber return damper 20. It is guided to the ventilation path 19. Further, when the baffle is disposed at a position where the communication path 36 is opened and the introduction ventilation path 12 is closed, the air circulates in the temperature switching chamber 3. Thereby, the cost reduction of the refrigerator 1 and the improvement of volumetric efficiency can be aimed at similarly to the above.

  A damper may be provided at the outlet of the vegetable compartment 5. Thereby, when the temperature switching chamber 3 is switched from the high temperature side to the low temperature side, it is possible to prevent the hot air from the temperature switching chamber 3 from flowing backward into the vegetable chamber 5 by closing the damper. In addition, when the blower 18 is stopped when the temperature switching chamber 3 is switched from the high temperature side to the low temperature side, the freezer compartment damper 22 is closed. Thereby, it is possible to prevent hot air from flowing backward from the freezer damper 22 into the freezer compartment 6 by driving the blower 14.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it can utilize for the refrigerator provided with the temperature switching chamber which can switch room temperature by the user.

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

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator 2 Refrigeration room 3 Temperature switching room 4 Ice making room 5 Vegetable room 6 Freezing room 9 Door 12 Introduction ventilation path 13 Temperature switching room discharge damper 14, 18, 28 Blower 15 Heater 17 Evaporator 16, 24 Temperature sensor 19, 21 Return Ventilation path 20 Temperature switching chamber return damper 22 Freezer chamber damper 25 Chilled chamber damper 30 Thermal fuse 31, 32 Cold air passage 33 Back plate 33a Inlet 33b Outlet 35 Compressor 36 Communication passage

Claims (5)

In a refrigerator equipped with a temperature switching chamber that can selectively switch the room temperature,
A cooling device for generating cold air;
A blower for sending cold air generated by the cooling device into the temperature switching chamber;
A discharge-side opening / closing portion that opens and closes an introduction ventilation path that communicates between the cooling device and the blower;
A return-side opening / closing part that opens and closes a return ventilation path that communicates between the cooling outlet and the outlet through which the air in the temperature switching chamber flows out;
A circulation opening / closing part provided adjacent to the return opening / closing part and opening / closing a communication path communicating the circulation port provided in the temperature switching chamber and the intake side of the blower;
The return side opening / closing portion and the circulation opening / closing portion are integrally formed to be opened and closed alternatively,
When opening the discharge side opening and closing part and opening the return side opening and closing part and closing the circulation opening and closing part,
When the discharge side opening / closing part is closed, the return side opening / closing part is closed and the circulation opening / closing part is opened . A heater for raising the temperature of the temperature switching chamber; enabling the indoor temperature of the temperature switching chamber to be switched to a high temperature side for keeping the heated food by driving the heater ;
When the indoor temperature of the temperature switching chamber is set to the high temperature side, the circulation opening / closing part is opened and the discharge side opening / closing part and the return side opening / closing part are closed,
The open / close section for circulation and the open / close section for circulation are closed while the discharge-side opening / closing section and the return-side opening / closing section are closed when the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber is set to a low temperature side for cooling and storing stored items. The refrigerator described. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the discharge side opening / closing part is disposed above the return side opening / closing part . The return ventilation path and the communication path are formed of a damper in which the return side opening / closing section and the circulation opening / closing section are integrally formed, and the outlet and the circulation opening are formed by a common opening and extend from the opening. And the damper has a baffle that pivots between a position that shields the communication path and a position that shields the return ventilation path. The refrigerator in any one. The discharge side opening / closing part and the circulation opening / closing part are formed integrally with a damper, and the introduction ventilation path and the communication path are joined by the damper and guided to the suction side of the blower. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a baffle that rotates between a position that shields the communication path and a position that shields the introduction ventilation path.

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