JP3885156B2 - 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.

  In recent years, where the living environment has changed significantly, more and more families have different times for their families to eat. For this reason, in order to keep the heated food warm, a heat insulation box or a heat storage container is used. Thereby, the effort which cooks many times can be saved.

On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigerator provided with 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 indoor 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, when a heat insulation box or a storage container is used to keep the heated food warm, there is a problem that it is difficult to secure an installation place and a problem that a user's economic burden is increased. In addition, there is a problem in that it requires a complicated operation of transferring the food and is not convenient.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a highly convenient refrigerator that reduces economic burden and facilitates securing of a place.

In order to achieve the above object, the refrigerator of the present invention can switch the room temperature between a low temperature side for refrigerated storage or frozen storage and a high temperature side for keeping heated food by cooling with a cooling device and heating with a heater. In the refrigerator including the temperature switching chamber, the refrigerator includes a first temperature detection unit that detects the indoor temperature of the temperature switching chamber and a blower that circulates the air in the temperature switching chamber. The capacity of the heater is varied based on the above, and the air volume of the blower is increased when the detected temperature of the first temperature detecting means exceeds a predetermined temperature .

According to this configuration, the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber is detected by the first temperature detecting means, and when the temperature of the temperature switching chamber is raised and the detected temperature of the first temperature detecting means reaches the set temperature, the capacity of the heater is lowered and the temperature switching chamber is kept warm. Become. Further, when the temperature detected by the first temperature detecting means reaches a predetermined temperature, the air volume is increased and the cooling effect is promoted. Predetermined temperature Ru is set to a temperature lower than the temperature at which it is determined that the abnormally high temperature heater stop or alarm or the like.

Further, the refrigerator of the present invention includes a temperature switching chamber capable of switching the room temperature between a low temperature side for storing refrigerated or frozen storage and a high temperature side for keeping heated food by cooling with a cooling device and heating with a heater. In the refrigerator, first temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature in the temperature switching chamber, second temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature in the vicinity of the heater adjacent to the heater , and air in the temperature switching chamber are circulated. And the capacity of the heater is varied based on the detection result of the first temperature detection means, and the air volume of the blower is increased when the detection temperature of the second temperature detection means exceeds a predetermined temperature . It is characterized by that. According to this arrangement, the temperature detected by the second temperature sensing means Ru is increased cooling effect is promoted air volume when a predetermined temperature.

Further, the refrigerator of the present invention includes a temperature switching chamber capable of switching the room temperature between a low temperature side for storing refrigerated or frozen storage and a high temperature side for keeping heated food by cooling with a cooling device and heating with a heater. In the refrigerator, first temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature in the temperature switching chamber, second temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature in the vicinity of the heater adjacent to the heater , and air in the temperature switching chamber are circulated. A blower, the capacity of the heater is varied based on the detection result of the first temperature detection means, and when the difference between the detection temperatures of the first and second temperature detection means exceeds a predetermined temperature, the blower It is characterized by increasing the airflow .

According to this configuration, the temperature switching compartment has Atsushi Muro is detected by the first temperature sensing means, and the holding state when the detected temperature of the first temperature sensing means reaches the set temperature by raising the temperature switching compartment lower the capacity of the heater become. Further, when the difference between the detected temperature of the first temperature detecting means and the detected temperature of the second temperature detecting means reaches a predetermined temperature, the air volume is increased and the cooling effect is promoted . The predetermined temperature is set to a temperature difference smaller than a temperature difference at which the heater vicinity is determined to be abnormally high and the heater is stopped.

Further, the refrigerator of the present invention includes a temperature switching chamber capable of switching the room temperature between a low temperature side for storing refrigerated or frozen storage and a high temperature side for keeping heated food by cooling with a cooling device and heating with a heater. In the refrigerator, the apparatus has a blower for circulating the air in the temperature switching chamber, the heater is provided in a circulation path of the blower, a first temperature detection means for detecting a room temperature in the temperature switching chamber, and an upper portion of the heater And a second temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature in the vicinity of the heater, and controlling the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber based on the detection result of the first temperature detecting means, and the second temperature detecting means The heater is stopped when the detected temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature.

According to this configuration, the temperature switching chamber detects the room temperature during the temperature rise by the first temperature detecting means, and when the temperature detected by the first temperature detecting means reaches a predetermined temperature, the capacity of the heater is lowered to be in a heat retaining state. The heater is stopped when the temperature detected by the second temperature detecting means becomes higher than a predetermined temperature during the temperature rise or the heat retention.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the refrigerator configured as described above, the fan is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed after the heater is stopped. According to this configuration, the heater stopped by the airflow from the blower is cooled.

  Further, in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the refrigerator includes an opening / closing detection unit that detects opening / closing of the door of the temperature switching chamber, and the heater is turned on when the door of the temperature switching chamber is opened during a temperature increase period or a heat retention period. The heater is energized when it is stopped and the door is closed. According to this configuration, when the door of the temperature switching chamber that is being heated or kept warm is opened, the open / close detection means detects and the heater is stopped.

In the refrigerator of the present invention configured as described above, the having a closing detection means to detect the opening and closing of the door of the temperature switchable compartment, the blower is driven in the cooling period of cooling to a low the temperature switching compartment from the hot side The blower is not stopped when the door is opened.

  In the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the present invention includes a freezing room for freezing and storing stored items by cooling of the cooling device, and the freezing room and the temperature during a cooling period in which the temperature switching room is cooled from a high temperature side to a low temperature side. The air that has flowed out of the switching chamber is led to the cooling device and the cooled air is branched and sent to the freezing chamber and the temperature switching chamber, and the set temperature of the freezing chamber is lowered to be in an overcooled state. It is a feature.

  According to this configuration, when the temperature switching chamber is switched from the high temperature side to the low temperature side, the freezer chamber and the temperature switching chamber communicate with each other by opening the damper or the like. The air in the freezing chamber and the temperature switching chamber is guided to the cooling device, and the air cooled by the cooling device branches into the freezing chamber and the temperature switching chamber. The air that has flowed out of the temperature switching chamber and is cooled does not drop to a predetermined low temperature because of the high temperature, and the freezing chamber is cooled to a temperature lower than the normal set temperature.

According to the present invention, since the temperature switching chamber that can switch the room temperature between the low temperature side for storing the refrigerated or frozen storage and the high temperature side for keeping the heated food is provided, the economic burden for keeping the heated food warm is provided. to facilitate secure location along with reduce Ru can provide highly convenient refrigerator.

According to the invention, there is provided a first temperature detecting means for detecting the indoor temperature of the temperature switching chamber and a blower for circulating the air in the temperature switching chamber, and the detected temperature of the first temperature detecting means exceeds a predetermined temperature. Since the air volume of the blower is increased at this time, the air is cooled by the increase in the air volume before the temperature switching chamber becomes abnormally hot, and overheating is prevented. Therefore, it is possible to improve safety and improve convenience by reducing abnormal stops and the like .

Further, according to the present invention, when the temperature detected by the second temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature in the vicinity of the heater exceeds a predetermined temperature, the air volume of the blower is increased. Cooled and overheated.

According to the present invention, the first temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature in the temperature switching chamber, the second temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature in the vicinity of the heater adjacent to the heater, and the blower for circulating the air in the temperature switching chamber. When the difference between the detected temperatures of the first and second temperature detecting means exceeds a predetermined temperature, the air volume of the blower is increased, so that the temperature switching chamber can have a uniform temperature distribution. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the vicinity of the heater from becoming an abnormally high temperature due to a blockage caused by stored items .

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a blower for circulating the air in the temperature switching chamber, the heater is provided in the circulation path of the blower, and the first temperature detection means for detecting the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber is adjacent to the upper side of the heater. Second temperature detection means for detecting the temperature in the vicinity of the heater, and the heater is stopped by the detection of the second temperature detection means, so that overheating in the vicinity of the heater that cannot be detected by the first temperature detection means is prevented, Smoke, ignition, deformation, etc. around the heater can be prevented. Therefore, a highly safe refrigerator can be realized even if a heater with a large capacity is used.

Further, according to the present invention, since the heater is stopped and the blower is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed , the heater stopped by the air flow from the blower is cooled, and overheating around the heater can be prevented. Therefore, safety can be further improved.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the heater is stopped when the door of the temperature switching chamber on the high temperature side is opened, and the heater is energized when the door is closed. Can be improved.

  Further, according to the present invention, the fan is driven during the temperature lowering period in which the temperature switching chamber is lowered from the high temperature side to the low temperature side, and the fan is not stopped when the door is opened. Can be rapidly switched to low temperatures.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the set temperature of the freezer compartment is lowered and the supercooling state is lowered during the temperature lowering period in which the temperature switching chamber is lowered from the high temperature side to the low temperature side, the freezer compartment is locally caused by the inflow of hot air. It can prevent high temperature and maintain the freshness of the stored item.

  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 vegetable storage (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 disposed 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 ventilation path 12 is provided with a temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13, and communicates with the cold air passage 31 to guide the cold air generated in the evaporator 17 (see FIG. 3) to the temperature switching chamber 3. 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.

  In the introduction ventilation path 12, a blower 14 is provided between the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 and the back plate 33. The cool air in the cool air passage 31 is easily guided to the temperature switching chamber 3 by driving the blower 14. The temperature switching chamber 3 is provided with an opening (not shown) that communicates with the intake side of the blower 14. Thereby, when the air blower 14 is driven, the air in the sealed temperature switching chamber 3 circulates and can be efficiently stirred. The blower 14 may be provided in the temperature switching chamber 3.

  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 (first temperature detecting means) 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 (second temperature detecting means) 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.

  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.

  FIG. 5 is 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 part of the freezer compartment 6 to guide air to the evaporator 17 via the freezer damper 22 and return to the cool air passage 31. The amount of air flowing 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 and communicates with the chilled chamber 23 via the chilled chamber damper 25 and also communicates with the introduction ventilation path 12 (see FIG. 4) as described above.

  A refrigerator outlet (not shown) is opened at the lower 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 temperature switching chamber return damper 20 is provided in the lower left part of the temperature switching chamber 3. Behind the temperature switching chamber 3 and the vegetable chamber 5 is provided a return ventilation path 19 that extends downward from the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 and communicates with the return ventilation path 21 (see FIG. 3). 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. Further, the air volume of the air exiting from the temperature switching chamber 3 is adjusted by opening and closing the temperature switching chamber return damper 20. A vegetable room outlet (not shown) communicating with the return ventilation path 19 is provided on the back of the vegetable room 5.

  FIG. 6 is a cold air circuit diagram showing the flow of cold air in the refrigerator 1. The cold air generated by 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. 5) 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 as shown by an arrow B (see FIG. 5) via the refrigerating chamber damper 27 and is sent to the refrigerating chamber 2. Moreover, it is sent to the chilled chamber 23 as shown by an arrow C (see FIG. 5). These cold air 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 top of the cold air passage 31 by driving the blower 14 circulates through the introduction ventilation path 12 as shown by an arrow D (see FIGS. 4 and 5), and the temperature is switched via the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13. It flows into the chamber 3. The cold air that has flowed into the temperature switching chamber 3 flows through the temperature switching chamber 3 and flows out of the temperature switching chamber return damper 20. And as shown to the arrow E (refer FIG. 5), it returns to the evaporator 17 via the return ventilation path 19,21. 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 room temperature can be switched by changing the amount of opening of the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13. For example, the heater 15 may be energized to switch the temperature from the freezing room temperature to the refrigerated room 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 do. 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. In order to increase the heating speed, the capacity of the heater may be increased, but there is a limitation 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. 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.

  The capacity of the heater 15 can be varied depending on the energization rate. FIG. 7 shows an example of control of the heater 15 with variable energization rate. In FIG. 7A, the vertical axis indicates the applied voltage when the heater 15 is turned on and off, and the horizontal axis indicates time. The vertical axis | shaft of FIG.7 (b) has shown the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3, and the horizontal axis has shown time.

  According to these figures, the heater 15 is driven at an energization rate of 100% during the temperature raising period T1 in which the temperature in the temperature switching chamber 3 is raised by switching the room temperature from the low temperature side to the high temperature side. When the temperature sensor 16 detects that the set temperature on the high temperature side has been reached, the temperature shifts to a heat retention period T2 in which stored items are kept warm, and the heater 15 is repeatedly turned on and off at a predetermined energization rate to maintain the high temperature side temperature.

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.

  FIG. 8 shows another control example of the heater 15 with a variable energization rate. The vertical axis in FIG. 8A indicates the applied voltage when the heater 15 is turned on and off, and the horizontal axis indicates time. The vertical axis | shaft of FIG.8 (b) has shown the indoor temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3, and the horizontal axis has shown time. According to these figures, the heater 15 is turned off when the predetermined temperature t1 is reached by the detection of the temperature sensor 16, and the heater 15 is turned on when the predetermined temperature t2 is reached. Thus, the energization rate becomes 100% in the temperature raising period T1, and the energization rate in the heat retention period T2 is not constant, but is smaller than the temperature raising period T1. Therefore, the capacity of the heater 15 is larger in the temperature raising period T1 than in the heat retaining period T2.

  Next, FIGS. 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing control operations on the high temperature side and the low temperature side of the temperature switching chamber 3, respectively. When the temperature switching chamber 3 is switched from the low temperature side to the high temperature side, the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 and the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 are closed in step # 11 of FIG. In step # 12, the blower 14 is driven. In step # 13, the process waits until a predetermined time elapses. In step # 14, the heater 15 is energized and driven at an energization rate of 100%. Since the fan 15 is driven and the heater 15 is energized after a predetermined time has elapsed, the heater 15 is energized in a state where a circulating airflow is generated in the temperature switching chamber 3, and overheating around the heater 15 can be prevented.

  In step # 15, it is determined whether or not the temperature switching chamber 3 has reached the set temperature on the high temperature side by the detection of the temperature sensor 16. In the temperature raising period T1 in which the set temperature is not reached, the process proceeds to step # 17. When the set temperature is reached, the energization rate of the heater 15 is varied in step # 16, and the capacity of the heater 15 is reduced. Thereby, it transfers to heat retention period T2 (refer FIG. 7), and transfers to step # 17.

  In step # 17, it is determined whether or not a switching operation to the low temperature side has been performed. When the low temperature side switching operation is performed, the flowchart of FIG. 10 is called in step # 19. When there is no switching operation on the low temperature side, the process proceeds to step # 18 to determine whether or not the door 9 has been opened.

  If the door 9 is not opened, the process proceeds to step # 31. When the door 9 is opened, the process proceeds to step # 21. In step # 21, energization of the heater 15 is stopped. Thereby, a burn by the user coming into contact with the high-temperature heater 15 can be prevented, and safety can be improved. In step # 22, it waits until predetermined time passes, and the air blower 14 is stopped by step # 22. Since the heater 15 is stopped and the blower 14 is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed, the heater 15 stopped by the air flow from the blower 14 is cooled. Thereby, a user's burn can be prevented and overheating around the heater 15 can be prevented. Therefore, safety can be further improved.

  In step # 24, the process waits until the door 9 is closed. When the door 9 is closed, the blower 14 is driven in steps # 25 to # 27, and the heater 15 is energized after a predetermined time. At this time, the heater 15 is driven at the energization rate when stopped. Then, the process proceeds to step # 31.

  In step # 31, it is determined whether or not the temperature detected by the temperature sensors 16, 24 has reached a predetermined high temperature. This predetermined temperature is set to a temperature lower than an abnormally high temperature at which there is a risk of smoke, fire, deformation or the like around the heater 15. If the predetermined temperature is not reached, the process proceeds to step # 33. When the predetermined temperature is reached, the rotational speed of the blower 14 is increased in step # 32 to increase the air volume, and the process proceeds to step # 33. Thereby, before the temperature switching chamber 3 becomes abnormally high temperature, it is cooled by the increase in the air volume, and overheating is prevented. Therefore, it is possible to improve safety and improve convenience by reducing abnormal stops and the like.

  Note that the air volume of the blower 14 may be increased when the temperature difference between the temperature sensors 16 and 24 becomes larger than a preset temperature difference before the predetermined temperature is reached. Thereby, when the temperature distribution in the temperature switching chamber 3 becomes large due to a blockage or the like due to the stored material arranged in the vicinity of the heater, a uniform temperature distribution can be obtained. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the vicinity of the heater 15 from becoming abnormally high temperature.

  In step # 33, it is determined whether or not the temperature detected by the temperature sensors 16, 24 has decreased by a predetermined amount after the increase in the air volume of the blower 14 in step # 32. If the detected temperature of the temperature sensors 16, 24 does not decrease by a predetermined amount, the process proceeds to step # 35. If the detected temperature of the temperature sensors 16, 24 has decreased by a predetermined amount, the rotational speed of the blower 14 is returned to the original in step # 34, the air volume decreases, and the process proceeds to step # 35.

  In step # 35, it is determined whether or not the temperature detected by the temperature sensors 16 and 24 has reached an abnormally high temperature around the heater 15 where there is a risk of smoke, ignition, deformation, or the like. If the abnormally high temperature is reached, the heater is stopped at step # 41. In step # 42, the process waits until a predetermined time elapses, and the blower 14 is stopped in step # 43. As a result, the vicinity of the heater 15 can be cooled to prevent overheating around the heater 15. Then, in step # 44, the abnormality is notified and the flowchart is ended.

  Since the heater 15 is stopped by detecting the abnormally high temperature by the temperature sensors 16, 24, a highly safe refrigerator can be obtained. Moreover, since the heater 15 is stopped also by detection of the temperature sensor 24, overheating in the vicinity of the heater 15 that cannot be detected by the temperature sensor 16 that detects the average temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 can be prevented.

  Thereby, smoke, ignition, deformation, etc. around the heater 15 and the heater 15 can be prevented. Therefore, even if the heater 15 having a large capacity is used, the highly safe refrigerator 1 can be realized. If no abnormally high temperature is detected due to failure of the temperature sensors 16, 24, etc., the temperature fuse 30 is cut and the heater 15 is stopped.

  If no abnormally high temperature is detected in step # 35, the process proceeds to step # 36. In step # 36, it is determined whether or not the temperature raising period T1. In the case of the temperature raising period T1, the process returns to step # 15, and steps # 15 to # 35 are repeated. In the case of the heat retention period T2, the process returns to step # 17, and steps # 17 to # 35 are repeated.

  When the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 is switched from the high temperature side to the low temperature side, the flowchart of FIG. 10 is called. In step # 51, the set temperature of the freezer compartment 6 is lowered, and the freezer compartment 6 is set to a supercooled state. When the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 is switched from the high temperature side to the low temperature side, the temperature of the cold air after flowing out of the temperature switching chamber 3 and exchanging heat with the evaporator 17 becomes high.

  For this reason, even if the average temperature of the freezer compartment 6 is the set temperature, the temperature in the vicinity of the cold air inlet of the freezer compartment 6 is locally increased. Therefore, the temperature of the cold air that has flowed into the freezer compartment 6 is quickly lowered by placing the freezer compartment 6 in a supercooled state. Thereby, it can prevent that the freezer compartment 6 becomes high temperature locally, and can maintain the freshness of a store thing. In addition, you may lower the preset temperature of the refrigerator compartment 2, the chilled room 23, and the vegetable compartment 5. FIG.

  In step # 52, the heater 52 is stopped. In step # 53, the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 and the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 are opened. In step # 54, the blower 14 is driven. In step # 55, it is determined whether or not the temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 detected by the temperature sensor 16 has reached the set temperature.

  When the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 does not reach the set temperature, it is a temperature lowering period during which the temperature is decreasing from the high temperature side to the low temperature side, and the process proceeds to step # 57. In step # 57, it is determined whether or not an operation for switching to the high temperature side has been performed. When the operation for switching to the high temperature side is performed, the process proceeds to step # 71, and the above-described flowchart of FIG. 9 is called. When the operation for switching to the high temperature side is not performed, the process returns to step # 55, and steps # 55 and # 57 are repeatedly performed.

  If the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 has reached the set temperature as determined in step # 55, the process proceeds to step # 61. In step # 61, the set temperature of the freezer compartment 6 is restored. In step # 62, the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 and the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 are closed. The temperature switching chamber return damper 20 need not be closed, but is preferably closed to prevent the outflow of cold air. Thereby, cold air circulates in the temperature switching chamber 3 and is maintained at a uniform room temperature.

  In step # 63, it is determined whether or not the temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 has reached the upper limit temperature within the set temperature range by the detection of the temperature sensor 16. When the temperature switching chamber 3 is not at the upper limit temperature, the process proceeds to step # 65. When the temperature switching chamber 3 reaches the upper limit temperature, the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 and the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 are opened in step # 64, and cold air is taken into the temperature switching chamber 3 from the cold air passage 31.

  In step # 65, it is determined whether or not the temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 has reached the lower limit temperature within the set temperature range by the detection of the temperature sensor 16. If the temperature switching chamber 3 is not at the lower limit temperature, the process proceeds to step # 66. When the temperature switching chamber 3 reaches the lower limit temperature, the process returns to step # 62, and the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 and the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 are closed.

  In step # 66, it is determined whether or not the door 9 has been opened. If the door 9 is not opened, the process proceeds to step # 70. If the door 9 is opened, the blower 14 is stopped in step # 67. Thereby, the outflow of cold air is prevented. In step # 68, the process waits until the door 9 is closed. When the door 9 is closed, the blower 14 is driven in step # 69. Note that the blower 14 is not stopped even if the door 9 is opened during the temperature lowering period consisting of steps # 55 and # 57. Thereby, when the door 9 is opened, high-temperature air is discharged, and the temperature switching chamber 3 can be quickly lowered.

  In step # 70, it is determined whether or not an operation for switching to the high temperature side has been performed. When the operation for switching to the high temperature side is performed, the process proceeds to step # 71, and the above-described flowchart of FIG. 9 is called. When the operation to switch to the high temperature side is not performed, the process returns to step # 63, and steps # 63 to # 70 are repeatedly performed.

  In the present embodiment, 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.

  According to the present embodiment, since the temperature switching chamber 3 that can switch the room temperature between the low temperature side for storing the refrigerated product or the frozen food and the high temperature side for keeping the heated food is provided, it is economical without requiring a separate warmer. Thus, it is possible to provide a highly convenient refrigerator 1 that can reduce the burden on the user and keep the heated food without having to secure a place.

  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 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 The figure which shows the example of control of the heater of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the other example of control of the heater of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention The flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the high temperature side switching of the temperature switching chamber of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the low temperature side switching of the temperature switching chamber of the refrigerator of embodiment of this 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 Freezing chamber damper 25 Chilled chamber damper 30 Thermal fuse 31, 32 Cold air passage 33 Back plate 35 Compressor

Claims (8)

In a refrigerator equipped with a temperature switching chamber capable of switching the room temperature between a low temperature side for storing stored refrigerated or frozen and a high temperature side for keeping heated food by cooling by a cooling device and heating by a heater,
A first temperature detection unit configured to detect an indoor temperature of the temperature switching chamber; and a blower configured to circulate air in the temperature switching chamber, and the capacity of the heater is varied based on a detection result of the first temperature detection unit. In addition, when the temperature detected by the first temperature detecting means exceeds a predetermined temperature, the air volume of the blower is increased. In a refrigerator equipped with a temperature switching chamber capable of switching the room temperature between a low temperature side for storing stored refrigerated or frozen and a high temperature side for keeping heated food by cooling by a cooling device and heating by a heater,
A first temperature detecting means for detecting an indoor temperature of the temperature switching chamber; a second temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature in the vicinity of the heater adjacent to the heater; and a blower for circulating the air in the temperature switching chamber. And the capacity of the heater is varied based on the detection result of the first temperature detection means, and the air volume of the blower is increased when the detection temperature of the second temperature detection means exceeds a predetermined temperature. Refrigerator. In a refrigerator equipped with a temperature switching chamber capable of switching the room temperature between a low temperature side for storing stored refrigerated or frozen and a high temperature side for keeping heated food by cooling by a cooling device and heating by a heater,
A first temperature detecting means for detecting an indoor temperature of the temperature switching chamber; a second temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature in the vicinity of the heater adjacent to the heater; and a blower for circulating the air in the temperature switching chamber. And the capacity of the heater is varied based on the detection result of the first temperature detection means, and when the difference between the detection temperatures of the first and second temperature detection means exceeds a predetermined temperature, the air volume of the blower is adjusted. Refrigerator characterized by increased. In a refrigerator equipped with a temperature switching chamber capable of switching the room temperature between a low temperature side for storing stored refrigerated or frozen and a high temperature side for keeping heated food by cooling by a cooling device and heating by a heater,
Having a blower for circulating the air in the temperature switching chamber, and providing the heater in a circulation path of the blower,
First temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the temperature switching chamber, and second temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature in the vicinity of the heater adjacent to the upper side of the heater,
A refrigerator that controls the indoor temperature of the temperature switching chamber based on the detection result of the first temperature detection means, and that the heater is stopped when the detection temperature of the second temperature detection means is higher than a predetermined temperature. . The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3 which stop the pre-Symbol heater is characterized in that stops the blower after a predetermined time has elapsed.   Open / close detecting means for detecting opening / closing of the door of the temperature switching chamber, and when the door of the temperature switching chamber of the temperature rising period or the heat retaining period is opened, the heater is stopped and the door is closed The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the heater is energized.   It has an open / close detection means for detecting opening / closing of the door of the temperature switching chamber, drives the blower during a temperature lowering period in which the temperature switching chamber is cooled from the high temperature side to the low temperature side, and the fan is opened when the door is opened. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the refrigerator is not stopped.   A freezing room for freezing and storing stored items by cooling of the cooling device is provided, and air that has flowed out of the freezing chamber and the temperature switching chamber during the temperature lowering period during which the temperature switching chamber is cooled from a high temperature side to a low temperature side is provided in the cooling device. The air cooled by being led to the freezer is branched and sent to the freezer compartment and the temperature switching chamber, and the set temperature of the freezer compartment is lowered to be in a supercooled state. The refrigerator in any one of.

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