JP3819644B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator in which temperature setting is facilitated even for a weak-sighted person. SOLUTION: The refrigerator has a storage compartment formed in a heat insulation box and cooled to a set temperature. The refrigerator comprises means for setting the temperature of the storage compartment and the temperature setting means comprises a temperature setting switch 92B and an electronic sound generator 97. The set temperature is varied depending on the operation of the temperature setting switch and the electronic sound generator is sounded every time the switch is operated. Sounding state of the electronic sound generator is altered at the upper and lower limits of set temperature.

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a refrigerator provided with temperature setting means in a storage chamber.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, this kind of refrigerator has a freezer compartment, a refrigerator compartment, a vegetable compartment, etc. in the heat insulation box as shown in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-12301 (F25D23 / 00). A cooling system and a blower are installed in the cooling chamber defined in the above, and the cooling air cooled by the cooler is supplied to each chamber by the blower and circulated to cool.
[0003]
In this case, the temperature in the freezer compartment or the refrigerator compartment is set by the temperature setting switch, and the control device operates to control the operation of the compressor and the operation of the damper to maintain the temperature of each chamber at the set temperature. there were.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the set temperature is usually displayed so that the user can discriminate it. However, in the case of a blind user, it is difficult to discriminate the temperature set by the user. .
[0005]
The present invention has been made to solve the conventional technical problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that makes it easy to distinguish temperature settings even for visually impaired users. .
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The refrigerator of the present invention is formed by cooling a storage chamber configured in a heat insulation box to a set temperature, and includes a temperature setting means for setting the set temperature of the storage chamber, the temperature setting means is a temperature setting It has a switch and a ringing means, and the set temperature is set according to the operation of the temperature setting switch In the range of the upper limit value and the lower limit value, from the upper limit value to the lower limit value, and in the range of the upper limit value and the lower limit value, cyclically change from the lower limit value to the upper limit value, The ringing means is ringed each time it is operated, and the ringing state of the ringing means is changed at the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the set temperature.
[0007]
In the refrigerator of the invention of claim 2, when the set temperature reaches the upper limit value or the lower limit value in the above, the number of ringing of the ringing means is changed, and the ringing frequency is different between the upper limit value and the lower limit value. Features.
[0008]
According to the present invention, in the refrigerator formed by cooling the storage room configured in the heat insulation box to the set temperature, the refrigerator includes temperature setting means for setting the set temperature of the storage room, and the temperature setting means includes a temperature setting switch, And set the temperature according to the operation of the temperature setting switch. In the range of the upper limit value and the lower limit value, from the upper limit value to the lower limit value, and in the range of the upper limit value and the lower limit value, cyclically change from the lower limit value to the upper limit value, In addition, since the sounding means is sounded each time it is operated, the temperature setting switch is operated and the user can be surely notified that the set temperature has been changed.
[0009]
In particular, since the ringing state of the ringing means is changed at the upper and lower limit values of the set temperature, the current set temperature is set to the upper or lower limit value even when an operation is performed by a visually handicapped user. Thus, it is possible to reliably notify that the user has reached the target, and it is possible to remarkably improve the setting property even when the user operates.
[0010]
In particular, when the set temperature reaches the upper limit value or the lower limit value as in claim 2, if the number of rings of the ringing means is changed and the ringing frequency is different between the upper limit value and the lower limit value, the current value is the upper limit value. It is possible to easily determine whether the value is the lower limit or not, and the operability and certainty are further improved.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator 1 to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal side view of the refrigerator 1, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a back plate 49 and a back heat insulating material 50 of the refrigerator compartment 11 of the refrigerator 1, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan sectional view of the partition wall 7 portion of the refrigerator 1, FIG. 6 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator 1, and FIG. 7 is a diagram of the control device C of the refrigerator 1. It is a block diagram.
[0012]
The refrigerator 1 is composed of an outer box 2 made of a steel plate and a heat insulating box 6 having a front opening formed by filling a heat insulating material 4 such as foamed polyurethane in an in-situ foaming method between inner boxes 3 made of hard resin such as ABS. ing. The inside of the heat insulating box 6 is partitioned vertically by a partition wall 7 formed of a heat insulating wall integrally formed with the heat insulating box 6, and the inside of the heat insulating box 6 above the partition wall 7 is an upper partition. The member 8 is divided vertically.
[0013]
The upper partition member 8 is provided with a refrigerator compartment 11 and the upper partition member 8 and the partition wall 7 are provided with a vegetable compartment 12. Further, the opening edge of the heat insulating box 6 below the partition wall 7 is divided vertically by a lower partition member 9, and the lower side of the lower partition member 9 is a freezer compartment 13 (both are storage chambers). Further, the partition wall 7 and the lower partition member 9 are further divided into left and right sides by a heat insulating wall 30 (FIG. 5), and the left side is an ice making chamber 10 and the right side is a select chamber 15 (FIG. 5). In FIG. 5, the hatching of the partition wall 7 is omitted for explanation.
[0014]
The front opening of the refrigerator compartment 11 is closed openably and closably by a rotatable heat insulating door 14, and the freezer compartment 13 and the vegetable compartment 12 are provided with drawer-type heat insulating doors 16 provided with containers 16 A and 17 A having top openings. 17 are each opened and closed freely. Further, the ice making chamber 10 is also opened and closed by a drawer-type heat insulating door 18 provided with a container 18A having an upper opening, and the select chamber 15 is also opened and closed by a similar drawer-type heat insulating door 19 (FIG. 1). Has been. Reference numeral 20 denotes a control panel provided at the lower front portion of the door 14.
[0015]
An automatic ice making machine 21 is installed in the upper part of the ice making chamber 10. Further, the interior of the vegetable compartment 12 is divided forward and backward by a partition plate 22 and a cooler front plate 23, and a cooling chamber 24 is formed on the rear side of the cooler front plate 23, and the refrigerator compartment 24 is refrigerated. A room cooler 26 is provided vertically. A refrigerating room blower 27 is provided above the refrigerating room cooler 26, and a defrost heater 28 is provided below the refrigerating room cooler 26. A drain receiver 29 is formed below the defrost heater 28.
[0016]
Further, from the back of the ice making chamber 10 and the select chamber 15 to the upper back of the freezing chamber 13 is partitioned forward and backward by a partition plate 32 and a cooler front plate 33, and a cooling chamber 34 is formed behind the cooler front plate 33. In this cooling chamber 34, a freezer cooler 36 is provided vertically. A freezer blower 37 is provided above the freezer cooler 36, and a defrost heater 38 as a defroster is provided below the freezer cooler 36. A drain receiver 39 is formed below the defrost heater 38.
[0017]
An ice making chamber discharge port, a select chamber discharge port, and the like are formed in the upper portion of the partition plate 32, a freezer chamber discharge port 13A is formed in the center portion, and a freezer compartment suction port 13B is formed in the lower portion of the partition plate 32. Is formed. Note that a motor damper 76 (FIG. 7) that opens and closes the cool air flow path based on the temperature of the select chamber 15 is attached to the select chamber discharge port (not shown).
[0018]
On the other hand, a vegetable room suction port 12A is formed in the lower part of the partition plate 22 at the back of the vegetable room 12, and the upper end of the space between the partition plate 22 and the cooler front plate 23 communicates with a refrigeration room rear duct 47 described later. . Furthermore, the vegetable compartment discharge port 12B for blowing cold air to the lower side of the upper partition member 8 is formed in the upper part of the partition plate 22.
[0019]
On the other hand, a back plate 49 and a back heat insulating material 50 are attached to the back side of the back of the inner box 3 at a distance from the back of the inner box 3 at the back of the refrigerator compartment 11. The refrigerator compartment rear duct 47 extending is formed. A refrigerator discharge port 11 </ b> A is formed on the left and right sides of the back plate 49 and penetrates the back heat insulator 50 and communicates with the refrigerator back duct 47. Further, a plurality of shelves 51 are built in the refrigerator compartment 11.
[0020]
In addition, on the left and right sides of the back plate 49, recessed portions 31 and 31 are formed on both sides of the back heat insulating material 50 and extend in the vertical direction, and an illumination lamp 59 is attached in each of the recessed portions 31 and 31. The front surfaces of the recesses 31 are closed by a light-transmitting shade (not shown) (note that the left side illumination lamp 59 is seen through in FIG. 2).
[0021]
Furthermore, a partition plate 42 is attached to the lower part of the refrigerator compartment 11 at a predetermined interval above the upper partition member 8, and an openable / closable lid 43 is rotatable on the front side of the partition plate 42. A built-in chamber 44 is formed in a space that is suspended and surrounded by these. The built-in chamber 44 is set to an ice temperature temperature zone. A retractable container 48 is accommodated in the built-in chamber 44. Reference numeral 44A denotes a built-in chamber discharge port formed in the back plate 49, which communicates with the lower part of the refrigerator compartment back duct 47.
[0022]
The upper partition member 8 is formed with a refrigerator compartment suction port 51, and the refrigerator compartment inlet port 51 communicates with the vegetable compartment 12. Furthermore, a water supply tank (not shown) for supplying water to the automatic ice making machine 21 is stored in the built-in chamber 44.
[0023]
The upper surface of the container 17A stored in the vegetable compartment 12 is closed with a lid 53, and the cold air returning from the refrigerator compartment 11 is circulated around the container 17A through the refrigerator compartment suction port 51, It is returned to the cooling chamber 24 from the vegetable chamber inlet 12A. The return cold air from the ice making chamber 10 and the freezing chamber 13 is returned to the cooling chamber 34 from the freezer inlet 13B. The select chamber 15 is returned to the cooling chamber 34 from a select chamber suction port (not shown).
[0024]
Here, a recessed portion 54 that is recessed in the vertical direction is formed in the front central portion of the rear heat insulating material 50, and a suction port 56 is attached to the rear plate 49 at a position corresponding to the lower portion of the recessed portion 54. ing. An air curtain rear duct 57 is formed in the recessed portion 54 closed by the rear plate 49, and a temperature compensating electric heater H is attached therein. Reference numeral 55 denotes a cover attached to the suction port 56.
[0025]
An air curtain blower 68 provided with a turbo fan 67 that sucks cold air from the axial direction (front) and blows it out in the radial direction is disposed in the air curtain rear duct 57 located behind the suction port 56. A top plate 63 is attached to the top surface of the refrigerator compartment 11, and an air curtain top surface duct 64 is formed in the top surface plate 63 in the front-rear direction.
[0026]
The rear end of the air curtain top face duct 64 communicates with the upper end of the air curtain rear face duct 57, and the front end of the air curtain top face duct 64 is located near the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 11. A plurality of air outlets 66 are arranged side by side (note that the blower 68 is seen through in FIG. 2).
[0027]
On the other hand, a machine room 41 is formed in the lower part of the heat insulation box 6, and the refrigerant circuit of the refrigeration cycle of FIG. 6 is provided in the rear part of the machine room 41 together with the refrigerator 26 for the refrigerator compartment and the cooler 36 for the freezer compartment. And a machine room blower 94 (FIG. 7) are installed.
[0028]
In the refrigerant circuit diagram of FIG. 6, 71 is a condenser, 72 is a motor-driven three-way valve (flow path switching valve) for switching the refrigerant flow path, and 73 and 74 are first and second pressure reduction valves, respectively. It is a capillary tube as an apparatus. The compressor 69 is a reciprocating compressor. The capillary tubes 73 and 74 are soldered so as to have a heat exchange relationship with a refrigerant suction pipe 69S described later.
[0029]
The refrigerant discharge pipe 69D of the compressor 69 is connected to the condenser 71, and the outlet portion 71A of the condenser 71 is connected to the three-way valve 72 via the dryer 70. One outlet of the three-way valve 72 is connected to the inlet of the refrigerating room cooler 26 via the capillary tube 73, and the outlet of the refrigerating room cooler 26 is connected to the inlet of the freezing room cooler 36.
[0030]
The other outlet of the three-way valve 72 is connected to the inlet of the freezer cooler 36 via the capillary tube 74, and the outlet of the freezer cooler 36 is connected to the refrigerant suction pipe 69S of the compressor 69. Yes. That is, the three-way valve 72 is connected between the high-pressure side (compressor 69 to condenser 71) and the low-pressure side (capillary tubes 73 and 74 to the respective coolers 26 and 36, header 40 described later) of the refrigerant circuit.
[0031]
The three-way valve 72 has a function of opening and closing the outlet so that the liquid refrigerant from the condenser 71 can be selectively flowed to the capillary tube 73 or the capillary tube 74, and closes both outlets to completely close the flow path. It also has a function and a function of opening both outlets. Reference numeral 40 denotes a header as a refrigerant liquid reservoir connected to the outlet side of the freezer cooler 36 (between the freezer cooler 36 and the compressor 69).
[0032]
Here, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show perspective views of the refrigerator 26 for refrigerator compartment or the refrigerator 36 for freezer compartment. Both of the coolers are so-called fin tube type heat exchangers, and the basic structure is the same even if there are differences in dimensions and the like. That is, the refrigerator 26 for the refrigerator compartment includes a refrigerant pipe 77 bent in a meandering manner and a plurality of aluminum heat exchange fins 78... Fitted into the refrigerant pipe 77.
[0033]
In the embodiment, the refrigerant pipes 77 are configured in three front and rear rows (77A for the rightmost column in the drawing, 77B for the central refrigerant tube, and 77C for the leftmost refrigerant tube). The pipes 77A to 77C are bent three times in the horizontal direction across the top and bottom.
[0034]
On the other hand, each fin 78 has the same shape, and a circular fitting having an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the refrigerant pipe 77 so that the refrigerant pipe 77 is inserted and fitted in one side portion. A plurality of holes 79 are formed at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. In addition, on the other edge of the fin 78, a plurality of oval cutouts 81 that are cut inwardly are formed vertically at the same interval as the fitting hole 79.
[0035]
The depth of each notch 81 is a semicircular shape having an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the refrigerant pipe 77, and extends horizontally toward the edge. Further, the distance from the edge on the other side to the center of the circular portion at the back of the notch 81 is the same as the distance from the edge on one side to the center of the fitting hole 79.
[0036]
With the above configuration, by inserting and fitting the refrigerant pipe 77A into the fitting hole 79 of the fin 78, the plurality of fins 78 are inserted and fixed to the refrigerant pipe 77A at predetermined intervals. Further, the refrigerant pipe 77C is also inserted and fitted into the fitting hole 79 of the fin 78, thereby inserting and fixing the plurality of fins 78 through the refrigerant pipe 77C at predetermined intervals. At this time, the fins 78... Of the refrigerant pipe 77 C are attached so as to be shifted from the positions of the fins 78.
[0037]
Next, the notches 81 of the fins 78 of the refrigerant pipes 77A and 77C are opposed to each other so that the refrigerant pipe 77B is first opposed to the notches 81 of the fins 78 of the refrigerant pipe 77A.・ ・ Insert from the edge to fit inside. Next, the refrigerant pipe 77B is inserted into the notches 81... Of the fins 78 of the refrigerant pipe 77C from the edge and fitted into the innermost part.
[0038]
By such fitting, the refrigerant pipe 77A and the fins 78... And the refrigerant pipe 77C and the fins 78... Are firmly integrated with each other through the refrigerant pipe 77B. Further, in the central portion 82 (refrigerant piping 77B portion) of the refrigerator 26 for the refrigerator compartment, the fins 78 of both the refrigerant pipings 77A and 77C overlap each other, so that the central portion 82 is dense and both sides are sparse. The fin arrangement can be realized.
[0039]
Thereby, it is possible to delay the blockage due to frost in the sparse part while improving the heat exchange performance in the dense part. Further, since the shapes of all the fins can be made the same, the investment cost of the mold can be reduced, and a low-cost heat exchanger can be realized.
[0040]
Next, in FIG. 7, the control device C is constituted by a general-purpose microcomputer M (which constitutes a temperature setting means), and its input is a freezer compartment temperature sensor 83 for detecting the temperature of the freezer compartment 13, Refrigerating room temperature sensor 84 for detecting the temperature of the refrigerating room 11, a select room temperature sensor 86 for detecting the temperature of the select room 15, an outside air temperature sensor 87 for detecting the outside air temperature around which the refrigerator 1 is installed, the refrigerator 1 A light sensor 88 that detects the illuminance (brightness) of the surroundings, a refrigerator temperature sensor 89 that detects the temperature of the refrigerator 26, and a freezer that detects the temperature of the refrigerator 36. A room cooler temperature sensor 91, a setting switch 92 (which constitutes temperature setting means), an energy saving switch 93, and the like are connected. The setting switch 92 and the energy saving switch 93 are arranged on the control panel 20.
[0041]
The output of the microcomputer M is connected to the compressor 69, the machine room blower 94, the freezer compartment blower 37, and the refrigerator compartment blower 27 through inverter circuits 98, 99, 101, and 102, respectively. The air curtain blower 68, the three-way valve (motor) 72, the defrost heaters 38 and 28, the temperature compensating electric heater H, the motor damper 76 and the ice making machine 21 are connected. Further, a display 96 made of LEDs and an electronic sound generator 97 (both constituting temperature setting means) are connected to the output of the microcomputer M, and these are also arranged on the control panel 20.
[0042]
Next, the operation of the refrigerator 1 according to the present invention will be described. First, the temperature setting operation of each chamber will be described. FIG. 10 shows a front view of the display 96 arranged on the control panel 20. The display 96 includes a digital display unit 104 composed of three-digit 7-segment LEDs for displaying the current temperature, a bar display unit 106 composed of a row of five LEDs, and the currently set room is the freezer compartment 13 or the refrigerator compartment. 11 and the selection display room 15 are provided with switching display sections 107 to 109 (the selected room is lit).
[0043]
Further, the control panel 20 is further provided with a changeover switch 92A for changing the lighting of the changeover display sections 107 to 109 and changing the setting or display room, and a temperature setting switch 92B for changing the set temperature. Is also a part of the setting switch 92.
[0044]
The microcomputer M displays the temperature of the freezer compartment 13 (or the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11) on the digital display unit 104 of the display 96 based on the outputs of the temperature sensors 83 and 84. The display is switched by pressing the changeover switch 92A. Further, in a state where the temperature of the freezer compartment 13 is displayed on the digital display unit 104 (the switching display unit 107 is lit), the microcomputer M sets the set temperature of the freezer compartment 13 based on the pressing operation of the temperature setting switch 92B. For example, the temperature is set in a range of −20 ° C. (upper limit value) to −28 ° C. (lower limit value), and the set temperature is displayed in five stages by the number of lighting LEDs of the bar display unit 106 on the display 96.
[0045]
In this case, each time the temperature setting switch 92B is pressed, the microcomputer M generates an electronic sound “beep” by the electronic sound generator 97 once. In addition, the set temperature is changed from -20 ° C to -28 ° C, and from -28 ° C to -20 ° C. At this time, when the temperature reaches −20 ° C., the microcomputer M generates an electronic sound twice (a total of three times when pressed) by the electronic sound generator 97. Further, when the temperature reaches −28 ° C., an electronic sound is generated once (a total of twice when pressed).
[0046]
This makes it possible to determine that the set temperature has reached the upper limit value or the lower limit value without looking at the bar display unit 106, even if the area of the bar display unit 106 is small and difficult to see when operated by a blind person. It becomes possible to do. In the embodiment, the upper limit value or the lower limit value is notified by the number of occurrences of the electronic sound, but the scale and sound quality of the electronic sound may be changed. When the temperature setting switch 92B is momentarily pressed and released, the microcomputer M changes the set temperature by, for example, 2 ° C. (that is, changes in five steps, and the number of bar displays is changed accordingly. However, when it is continuously pressed, it is finely changed, for example, in increments of 0.4 ° C. (that is, changes in 5 steps within 2 ° C.).
[0047]
Therefore, for example, if the temperature setting switch 92B is instantaneously pressed twice from the state where the upper limit is reached and the electronic sound is generated three times, the set temperature becomes an intermediate value of −24 ° C. But the temperature can be set reliably.
[0048]
When the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 is set, the refrigerator compartment 11 is selected by the changeover switch 92A (the switching display unit 108 is lit), and the set temperature is changed from + 1 ° C. (lower limit value) to +5 in the same manner. Set within the range of ° C (upper limit). The same applies to the select chamber 10, but the temperature setting of the select chamber 15 can be changed in the range of the refrigeration temperature to the freezing temperature.
[0049]
The microcomputer M sets the ON point-OFF point with a differential of, for example, 3 ° C. above and below the set temperature of each chamber. At this time, based on the output of the outside air temperature sensor 87, for example, when the outside air temperature is + 20 ° C. or lower, the differential of the refrigerator compartment 11 is set to 2 ° C. to stabilize the temperature control.
[0050]
On the other hand, when the energy saving switch 93 is pressed, the microcomputer M enters the energy saving mode, and the set temperature of each room is uniformly increased by 1 ° C., for example. In this case, based on the output of the optical sensor 88, the microcomputer M sets the temperature increase width to, for example, 2 ° C. when the illuminance is low and it is determined that it is nighttime. Thereby, since the electric power required for the cooling operation mentioned later is reduced, it becomes energy saving and an electric charge can also be reduced now.
[0051]
Thus, the power consumption of the refrigerator 1 can be reduced in situations where the load in the cabinet is expected to lighten, particularly in situations where food is not taken in and out. If any of the doors 14, 16, 18, 19 is opened during the energy saving mode, the microcomputer M cancels the energy saving mode.
[0052]
Basically, the microcomputer M uses the inverter circuit 98 to set the operation frequency of the compressor 69 to 5 steps of 37HZ, 48HZ, 58HZ, 64HZ, 68HZ including stop (normally when the outside air temperature is + 27 ° C. or lower). It can be changed at 37HZ, and at 48HZ at the above.
[0053]
The microcomputer M applies sine wave three-phase power to each phase (R phase, S phase, T phase) of the compressor 69 by an inverter circuit 98 (PWM control). Thereby, compared with the case where a rectangular wave is applied, driving vibration and noise can be reduced and energy saving can be achieved.
[0054]
In addition, the freezer blower 37 and the cold room blower 27 are, for example, 700 rpm to 1500 rpm including the stop by the inverter circuits 101 and 102 (the freezer blower 37 is usually 1300 rpm and the cold room blower 27 is usually 1000 rpm). The range can be changed. Furthermore, the machine room blower 94 can be changed by, for example, 1200 rpm (when the compressor 69 is operating at 37HZ and 48HZ) and 1400 rpm (when the compressor 69 is operating at 58HZ, 64HZ and 68HZ), including stopping by the inverter circuit 99. ing.
[0055]
Further, the machine room blower 94 is basically operated in synchronization with the compressor 69, but is stopped based on the output of the outside air temperature sensor 87, for example, when the outside air temperature is + 10 ° C. or lower.
[0056]
When the cooling operation is started and the compressor 69 is operated by the microcomputer M, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the refrigerant discharge pipe 69D of the compressor 69 flows into the condenser 71 to dissipate heat and condense. Liquefied. The refrigerant exiting the condenser 71 enters the three-way valve 72 through the dryer 70.
[0057]
When the temperatures of the freezer compartment 13 and the refrigerator compartment 11 detected by the temperature sensors 83 and 84 are both high (when the temperature does not reach the OFF point), the microcomputer M opens the three-way valve 72 to the capillary tube 73 side, and the capillary The tube 74 side is closed (both chamber cooling mode). As a result, the refrigerant condensed and liquefied by the condenser 71 is decompressed by the capillary tube 73, and then sequentially flows into the refrigerating room cooler 26 and the freezing room cooler 36 to evaporate. 36 demonstrates cooling capacity.
[0058]
When the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 reaches the OFF point based on the output of the temperature sensor 84 from this state, the microcomputer M opens the three-way valve 72 to the capillary tube 74 side and closes the capillary tube 73 side (freezer compartment cooling mode). ). As a result, the refrigerant condensed and liquefied by the condenser 71 is decompressed by the capillary tube 74, then flows into the freezer cooler 36 and evaporates, and the freezer cooler 36 exhibits a cooling capacity. When the temperature of the freezer compartment 13 reaches the OFF point, the microcomputer M stops the compressor 69, closes both outlets of the three-way valve 72, and completely closes the flow path.
[0059]
By closing the three-way valve 72, the refrigerant circuit is completely isolated from the high-pressure side and the low-pressure side, so that the inconvenience of high-temperature refrigerant naturally flowing from the high-pressure side to the low-pressure side is prevented. Thereby, unnecessary temperature rise and pressure rise of each cooler 26 and 36 are avoided, operation efficiency is improved, and energy is saved.
[0060]
Further, since the compressor 69 is constituted by a reciprocating compressor, it is difficult to obtain a pressure difference (differential pressure) on the low pressure side during operation and stop of the compressor as compared with a rotary compressor. Since the flow path is closed by the drive type three-way valve 72, the high-low pressure difference in the refrigerant circuit can be reliably maintained.
[0061]
When the temperature of the freezer compartment 13 rises to the ON point, the microcomputer M operates the compressor 69 again and opens the three-way valve 72 to the capillary tube 74 side. The microcomputer M controls the operation / stop of the compressor 69 at the temperature of the freezer compartment 13 and opens the three-way valve 72 to the capillary tube 74 side, and opens the three-way valve 72 to the capillary tube 73 side according to the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11. I do.
[0062]
When the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 rises to the ON point while the refrigerant is flowing through the capillary tube 74, the microcomputer M opens the three-way valve 72 to the capillary tube 73 side again, and the capillary tube 74 side. Close. When the temperature of the freezer compartment 13 detected by the temperature sensor 83 is, for example, −5 ° C. or higher, the operating frequency of the compressor 69 is increased step by step until the OFF point is reached.
[0063]
While the temperatures of the chambers 11 and 13 rise from the OFF point to the ON point, the blowers 27 and 37 are basically stopped and operated from the ON point to the OFF point. In either case, operation control is performed independently. When the freezer blower 37 is operated, the cool air in the cooling chamber 34 cooled by the freezer cooler 36 is discharged from the ice making chamber discharge port and the select chamber discharge port to the ice making chamber 10 and the select chamber 15. At the same time, it is discharged into the freezer compartment 13 from the freezer outlet 13A.
[0064]
And after circulating and cooling each room | chamber interior, cold air returns in the cooling chamber 34 from the said freezer compartment inlet 13B (solid line arrow in FIG. 2). As a result, the inside of the freezer compartment 13 is maintained at a set temperature.
[0065]
The temperature in the ice making chamber 10 is also set to the freezing temperature, and ice making is performed by the automatic ice making machine 21. Further, the microcomputer M controls the motor damper 76 based on the output of the temperature sensor 86 to control the amount of cold air supplied from the discharge outlet of the select chamber, so that the select chamber 15 becomes the selected refrigerating chamber or freezer chamber.
[0066]
On the other hand, when the refrigeration room blower 27 is operated, the cold air in the cooling chamber 24 cooled by the refrigeration room cooler 26 flows into the refrigeration room rear duct 47, and the refrigeration room discharge port 11A. The air is discharged from the chamber discharge port 44 </ b> A into the refrigerator compartment 11 and the built-in chamber 44, circulates inside and cools, and then flows into the refrigerator compartment suction port 51.
[0067]
The cold air flowing into the refrigerator compartment suction port 51 passes through the upper partition member 8 and is mixed with the cold air blown out from the vegetable compartment discharge port 12B (part of the cold air immediately after heat exchange with the refrigerator for the refrigerator compartment 26). After entering the vegetable compartment 12 and circulating around the container 17 </ b> A to indirectly cool the inside of the container 17 </ b> A, it is sucked from the vegetable compartment suction port 12 </ b> A and returned to the cooling chamber 24. Thus, the inside of the refrigerator compartment 11 is maintained at a set temperature, and the vegetables in the container 17A are kept cold in a state where drying is prevented (solid arrow in FIG. 2).
[0068]
As described above, the freezing room 13, the ice making room 10, and the select room 15 that require a freezing temperature are cooled by the freezer cooler 36, and the refrigerating room 11 and the vegetable room 12 having relatively high temperatures are cooled by the refrigerating room cooler. Therefore, the cooling operation efficiency is remarkably improved as compared with the conventional case where each chamber is cooled by a single cooler.
[0069]
Further, in the refrigerator compartment 11 and the vegetable compartment 12, the cold air that has passed through the refrigerator compartment 11 and the built-in chamber 44 flows into the vegetable compartment 12, and the direct cold air from the refrigerator compartment fan 27 is mixed therewith. Insufficient cooling of the chamber 12 is also eliminated.
[0070]
When the microcomputer M switches from the state where the three-way valve 72 is opened to the capillary tube 74 side to the capillary tube 73 side, the microcomputer M starts to start (starts up) the refrigerator 27 for 3 minutes, for example. Delay.
[0071]
Here, in the refrigerant circuit, an amount of refrigerant sufficient to exhibit the cooling performance is sealed in both the coolers 26 and 36, and in the state where the three-way valve 72 is opened to the capillary tube 74 side, the cooling for the refrigerator compartment is performed. Since the refrigerant does not flow into the vessel 26, the excess refrigerant is stored in the header 40. Moreover, the temperature of the refrigerator 26 for refrigerator compartments is comparatively high, and the internal pressure is also high.
[0072]
Therefore, when the three-way valve 72 is opened to the capillary tube 73 side, the pressure in the refrigerating room cooler 26 moves to the freezing room cooler 36, and the liquid refrigerant in the header 40 is liquid-backed toward the compressor 69 side. However, if the start of operation of the refrigerating room blower 27 is delayed as described above, the cold air in the refrigerating room 11 (relatively high temperature) is blown to the refrigerating room cooler 26. Therefore, the temperature drop of the refrigerator 26 for the refrigerator compartment can be promoted, and the occurrence of the liquid back can be effectively prevented or suppressed.
[0073]
Further, when the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 is, for example, 6 ° C. higher than the ON point, or when the three-way valve 72 is open to the capillary tube 73 side, for example, 60 minutes have passed (the refrigerator compartment 11 At the time of loading), the microcomputer M increases the number of rotations of the refrigerating room blower 27 to 1300 rpm. Furthermore, when the compressor 69 is continuously operated for 60 minutes, for example, the operation frequency of the compressor 69 is increased by one step until the refrigerator compartment 11 reaches the OFF point.
[0074]
Further, when any one of the doors 14 and 17 is opened, the microcomputer M stops the refrigerating room blower 27, and when any one of the doors 16, 18, and 19 is opened, the freezer compartment. The blower 37 is stopped. This suppresses cold air leakage from each chamber.
[0075]
Further, the microcomputer M stops the air curtain blower 68 when the door 14 of the refrigerator compartment 11 is closed and the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 is lower than a predetermined high temperature such as + 6 ° C. ing. When the door 14 is opened, the microcomputer M operates the air curtain blower 68 (the illumination lamp 59 is also turned on).
[0076]
When the air curtain blower 68 is operated, cold air is sucked from the axial direction and blown in the radial direction, so that the cold air in the refrigerator compartment 11 is sucked from the suction port 56 through the cover 55 and is used for the air curtain. It is sucked into the blower 68. Then, it is blown out to the air curtain rear duct 57, rises there, enters the air curtain top duct 64, flows forward there, and is blown out from the blower outlet 66 to the opening of the lower refrigerator compartment 11. .
[0077]
As a result, a cold air curtain is formed over the entire area of the opening of the refrigerating chamber 11 as indicated by the dashed arrows in FIG. 2, so that the outside air trying to enter the refrigerating chamber 11 when the door 14 is opened. And the cold air which is going to leak from the inside of the refrigerator compartment 11 can be prevented as much as possible by the air curtain.
[0078]
Here, the microcomputer M accumulates the time during which the door 14 is opened, and when the door 14 is closed, the operation of the air curtain blower 68 is continued for the same time as the accumulated time. Then stop. Thereby, after the door 14 is closed, the temperature rise and the temperature unevenness in the refrigerator compartment 11 generated while the door 14 is opened can be quickly reduced and made uniform.
[0079]
Further, when the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 rises to a high temperature such as + 6 ° C. or more due to a large amount of heat load, for example, the microcomputer M closes the door 14 and further performs the integration. Even after the time has elapsed, the air curtain blower 68 is operated until the OFF point is reached. Further, even after the compressor 69 is stopped, the air curtain blower 68 is operated for 3 minutes, for example.
[0080]
Thereby, since the cold air in the refrigerator compartment 11 is stirred, the temperature recovery (decrease) in the refrigerator compartment 11 is speeded up. In addition, the air in the refrigerator compartment 11 is agitated by the operation of the air curtain blower 68 as described above, so that the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 becomes uniform. Moreover, since the cold air curtain is formed when the door 14 is opened, it can contribute to energy saving.
[0081]
Further, even when the door 14 is closed, when the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 rises to a predetermined value or more, the air curtain blower 68 is operated. It is possible to speed up the temperature recovery (decrease, especially the pocket inside the door 14) in the refrigerator compartment 11 by stirring the fan 68 for operation.
[0082]
Here, when the outside air temperature output from the outside air temperature sensor 87 is, for example, + 10 ° C. or less, the microcomputer M energizes the temperature compensating electric heater H to generate heat. The cold air in the air curtain rear duct 57 heated by the heat generated by the electric heater H is circulated in the refrigerating chamber 11 by the operation of the air curtain blower 68 as described above. Heated, the temperature compensation function is significantly improved.
[0083]
As a result, it is possible to automatically and effectively eliminate the inconvenience that the inside of the refrigerator compartment 11 is supercooled at low outside temperatures such as in winter, improving usability and preventing unnecessary heat generation. The power consumption of the electric heater H can also be reduced. Further, as described above, since the air curtain blower 68 is operated for 3 minutes after the compressor 69 is stopped, it is possible to effectively eliminate the supercooling due to the temperature inertia after the compressor 69 is stopped.
[0084]
Next, the microcomputer M integrates the operation time of the compressor 69, and when the total operation time reaches a predetermined time, the compressor 69 is stopped and the defrost heater 38 is caused to generate heat, and the freezer cooler 36 defrosting begins. Thereby, the cooler 36 for freezer compartments is heated, and the frost adhering to them is melted. Drain water generated by melting frost is received by a drain receiver 39 disposed on the lower side of the cooler. When the temperature of the freezer cooler 36 detected by the freezer cooler temperature sensor 91 reaches a predetermined defrosting end temperature, the heat generation of the defrost heater 38 is stopped and the freezer cooler 36 Finish defrosting.
[0085]
Here, when the microcomputer M starts the defrosting of the freezer cooler 36 in a state where the three-way valve 72 is open to the capillary tube 74 side, the three-way valve 72 is opened for 3 minutes before starting the defrosting. The refrigerant is opened to the 73 side, and the refrigerant flows from the refrigerator 26 for the refrigerator compartment to the refrigerator 36 for the freezer compartment. At this time, the cold room blower 27 is stopped. As a result, the refrigerant is also stored in the refrigerator compartment cooler 26, so the amount of refrigerant in the freezer compartment cooler 36 is reduced, and the temperature rise of the freezer compartment cooler 36 during the subsequent defrosting is accelerated. Will be able to. Therefore, defrosting can be completed early and temperature rise in the freezer compartment 13 and other rooms can be minimized. Moreover, since a low temperature refrigerant | coolant is stored in the refrigerator 26 for refrigerator compartments, the temperature rise of the refrigerator compartment 11 during the defrosting of the refrigerator 36 for freezer compartments can also be suppressed.
[0086]
On the other hand, when the state where the three-way valve 72 is opened to the capillary tube 73 side and the compressor 69 is operated is accumulated for 320 minutes, for example (when the refrigerator 11 is under a high load or the three-way valve to the capillary tube 73 side). If the state in which the opening 72 is continued for 40 minutes, for example, or if the compressor 69 is stopped before the refrigerator compartment 11 reaches the OFF point, 120-minute integration is performed). Is switched to the capillary tube 74 side, or after the compressor 69 is stopped, the refrigerator 27 for the refrigerator compartment is operated.
[0087]
That is, since the air in the refrigerator compartment 11 is circulated in a state where the refrigerant is not supplied to the refrigerator compartment refrigerator 26, the temperature of the refrigerator compartment refrigerator 26 rises. As a result, frost formation on the refrigerator 26 for the refrigerator compartment is removed (this is called cycle defrost). Then, when the temperature of the cold room cooler 26 detected by the cold room cooler temperature sensor 91 rises to, for example, + 3 ° C., the microcomputer M stops the cold room blower 27.
[0088]
In addition to the control based on time integration, for example, when the compressor 69 is stopped before the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 reaches the OFF point, frost formation of the refrigerator 26 for the refrigerator compartment increases and the heat exchange efficiency decreases. In this case, the cycle defrost may be started immediately.
[0089]
When the cycle defrost is continuously executed twice, the microcomputer M determines that the refrigerator 26 for the refrigerator compartment has considerable frost formation, and opens the three-way valve 72 to the capillary tube 74 side. Alternatively, after the compressor 69 is stopped, defrosting by forced heating is performed by energizing and heating the electric heater 28 of the refrigerator 26 for the refrigerator compartment. This reliably prevents frost blockage of the cooler 26. Similarly, when the temperature of the refrigerator for the refrigerator compartment 26 rises to, for example, + 3 ° C., energization to the electric heater 28 is stopped and the defrosting of the refrigerator for the refrigerator compartment 26 is finished.
[0090]
In the embodiment, the three-way valve 72 is driven by a motor. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the three-way valve 72 may be driven by an electromagnetic solenoid or the like. Further, the present invention is not limited to a refrigerator provided with two coolers as in the embodiment, but a refrigerator provided with a plurality of coolers (for example, in addition to the above, other select room coolers in series with a refrigerator for a refrigerator). The present invention is also effective in the case of connection).
[0091]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in the refrigerator formed by cooling the storage chamber configured in the heat insulation box to the set temperature, the refrigerator is provided with temperature setting means for setting the set temperature of the storage chamber, The temperature setting switch and sounding means have a set temperature according to the operation of the temperature setting switch. In the range of the upper limit value and the lower limit value, from the upper limit value to the lower limit value, and in the range of the upper limit value and the lower limit value, cyclically change from the lower limit value to the upper limit value, In addition, since the sounding means is sounded each time it is operated, the temperature setting switch is operated and the user can be surely notified that the set temperature has been changed.
[0092]
In particular, since the ringing state of the ringing means is changed at the upper and lower limit values of the set temperature, the current set temperature is set to the upper or lower limit value even when an operation is performed by a visually handicapped user. Thus, it is possible to reliably notify that the user has reached the target, and it is possible to remarkably improve the setting property even when the user operates.
[0093]
In particular, when the set temperature reaches the upper limit value or the lower limit value as in claim 2, if the number of rings of the ringing means is changed and the ringing frequency is different between the upper limit value and the lower limit value, the current value is the upper limit value. It is possible to easily determine whether the value is the lower limit or not, and the operability and certainty are further improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a vertical side view of the refrigerator of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a back plate and a back heat insulating material of the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a plan sectional view of a refrigerator compartment portion of the refrigerator of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a plan sectional view of a partition wall portion of the refrigerator of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control device for a refrigerator according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a refrigerator cooler of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a side view of the cooler.
FIG. 10 is a front view of the refrigerator display of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Refrigerator
6 Insulated box
7 Partition wall
8 Upper partition member
10 Ice making room
11 Cold room
11A Refrigeration room outlet
12 Vegetable room
12B Discharge port for vegetable room
13 Freezer room
13A Freezer outlet
14, 16, 17, 18, 19 Door
15 select room
26 Refrigerator cooler
27 Blower for refrigerator compartment
28 Defrost heater
36 Freezer cooler
37 Blower for freezer
38 Defrost heater
40 header
41 Machine room
69 Compressor
71 condenser
72 3-way valve
73, 74 Capillary tube
83 Freezer temperature sensor
84 Cold room temperature sensor
96 display
97 Electronic sound generator
C controller
M microcomputer

Claims (2)

In the refrigerator formed by cooling the storage room configured in the heat insulation box to the set temperature,
Temperature setting means for setting the set temperature of the storage room, the temperature setting means has a temperature setting switch and a ringing means, the set temperature is set to an upper limit value and a lower limit value according to the operation of the temperature setting switch The range is cyclically changed from the upper limit value to the lower limit value, and from the lower limit value to the upper limit value in the range of the upper limit value and the lower limit value, and the ringing means is ringed each time it is operated. The refrigerator is characterized in that the ringing state of the ringing means is changed at the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the set temperature.   2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein when the set temperature reaches an upper limit value or a lower limit value, the number of ringing of the ringing means is changed, and the number of ringing is different between the upper limit value and the lower limit value.

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