JP3892015B2 - 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. Moreover, this invention relates to the refrigerator provided with the damper which opens and closes a cold air | gas channel | path in the cold air inflow side of a store room.

Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigerator that includes a temperature switching chamber in addition to a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment. This refrigerator includes a damper device that opens and closes a passage of cool air sent to the temperature switching chamber, and a heater that raises the temperature of the temperature switching chamber. Thereby, the 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, according to the conventional refrigerator, the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber can be switched by adjusting the amount of cold air flowing from the cooling device into the temperature switching chamber using the damper device. For this reason, there is a problem that the temperature distribution cannot be made uniform when the difference between the cool air temperature flowing into the temperature switching chamber and the set temperature is large. There is also a problem that when the heater is energized in a sealed state, the temperature in the vicinity of the heater rises and the temperature distribution cannot be made uniform.

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

In order to achieve the above object, a refrigerator according to the present invention includes a temperature switching chamber capable of switching the room temperature between a low temperature side for supplying cold air generated by a cooling device through a cold air passage and a high temperature side for keeping food warm. In the above, a blower that circulates the air in the temperature switching chamber, a heater that raises the temperature of the temperature switching chamber, a return air passage that communicates between the cooling outlet and the outlet from which the air in the temperature switching chamber flows out. A return-side opening / closing portion that opens and closes, a circulation opening / closing portion that opens and closes a communication passage that connects the circulation port provided in the temperature switching chamber and the intake side of the blower, and drives the heater to drive the temperature switching chamber A first damper is provided in the cold air passage to change the amount of cool air supplied to the temperature switching chamber, and the first damper has an opening disposed on the temperature switching chamber side. , The opening And a movable baffle for opening and closing the opening is disposed in the cooling apparatus for the first damper to open and close the introduction air passage communicating between the blower and the cooling device, the temperature switch When the room temperature of the chamber is set to the low temperature side, the first damper and the return side opening / closing part are opened and the circulation opening / closing part is closed, and when the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber is set to the high temperature side, the circulation opening / closing part closing the first damper and the return-side opening portion is opened to that feature a.

According to this configuration, the cold air generated by the cooling device flows through the cold air passage and is supplied to the temperature switching chamber, thereby cooling the temperature switching chamber. The damper is installed in the cold air passage, and the temperature switching chamber and the cooling device communicate with each other through the opening. The opening is opened and closed by a movable baffle arranged on the cooling device side. Further, the blower and the heater are driven to raise the temperature in the temperature switching chamber. As a result, food that has been cooked can be kept warm or cooked in winter. Further, when the blower is driven with the circulation opening / closing part closed and the first damper and the return side opening / closing part opened, the cold air generated by the cooling device is sent to the temperature switching chamber through the introduction ventilation path. The cold air flows through the temperature switching chamber, returns from the outlet, and returns to the cooling device through the ventilation path. As a result, the temperature switching chamber is cooled and switched to different room temperatures such as refrigeration, partial, chilled, and refrigeration according to the opening amount of the first damper and the return side opening / closing part and the air volume of the blower. Further, when the blower is driven with the circulation opening / closing part opened and the first damper and the return side opening / closing part closed, the air in the temperature switching chamber is guided from the circulation port to the intake side of the blower via the communication path. It is sent to the switching room. Thereby, the air in the temperature switching chamber circulates. The first damper is installed in the introduction ventilation path, and the temperature switching chamber and the cooling device communicate with each other through the opening.

According to the present invention, in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the return side opening / closing portion and the circulation opening / closing portion are integrally formed, and the outflow port and the circulation port are formed by a common opening. The return ventilation path extending from the opening and the communication path are branched by a second damper, and the second damper rotates between a position shielding the communication path and a position shielding the return ventilation path. It is characterized by having.

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

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the double-sided baffle is pivotally supported by a horizontal axis arranged at an upper end of the double-sided baffle . According to this configuration, when the return ventilation path is closed by the double-sided baffle and condensation occurs on the double-sided baffle due to the temperature difference between the temperature switching chamber side and the cooling device side, the direction in which the condensed water leaves the horizontal pivot shaft To flow down.

Further, the present invention provides the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, wherein the horizontal axis arranged at the upper end of the baffle
It is characterized by pivoting a baffle. According to this configuration, when the passage for supplying cool air to the temperature switching chamber is closed by the baffle and condensation occurs due to the temperature difference between the temperature switching chamber side and the cooling device side, the condensed water is supported horizontally. It flows down in the direction away from the axis.

The present invention, in the refrigerator structured as described above, that has features that it has pivoted the baffle in a vertical axis which is disposed on a side edge of the baffle.

Further, the present invention provides a refrigerator having the above-described configuration , around the opening on the side opposite to the baffle.
A step that is lower than the opening or an inclined surface that extends from the periphery of the opening is provided. According to this configuration, when condensation occurs on the surface of the baffle opposite to the cooling device side, condensation occurs.
The dew water flows down the baffle surface and is guided to the temperature switching chamber side through a step or an inclined surface.

The present invention, in the refrigerator structured as described above, that have a first damper is characterized in that arranged above the return-side opening portion.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a highly convenient refrigerator that does not require a heat insulation chamber for keeping food warm and reduces the user's economic burden and eliminates the need to secure a place for installing the heat insulation warehouse. it can. Also, the damper arranged in the cool air passage has a baffle that opens and closes the opening on the cooling device side with respect to the opening, so that when the opening is closed, the baffle is cooled only inside the opening. Facing the high temperature switching chamber side with respect to the device side. For this reason, when there is a temperature difference between the cooling device side and the temperature switching chamber side, the baffle is condensed only inside the opening, and the pivot shaft of the baffle is not condensed. Therefore, even if the dew condensation water freezes when the opening is opened, the baffle can be moved normally, and insufficient cooling and overcooling of the temperature switching chamber can be prevented.

Further, according to the present invention, since the fan that circulates the air in the temperature switching chamber and the heater that raises the temperature of the temperature switching chamber are provided and the heater is driven so that the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber can be switched to the high temperature side. It is possible to make the temperature distribution in the switching chamber uniform so as to prevent deformation, ignition, smoke generation, and the like around the heater and the heater. Furthermore, condensation is likely to occur on the baffle due to the steam generated from the high-temperature storage, and the baffle can be moved normally even if the condensed water freezes when the opening is opened.

According to the present invention, the return-side opening / closing portion that opens and closes the return ventilation path that communicates between the outlet from which the air in the temperature switching chamber flows out and the cooling device, the circulation port provided in the temperature switching chamber, and the intake side of the blower When the first damper opens and closes the introduction ventilation path that communicates between the cooling device and the blower, and the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber is set to the low temperature side. Since the first damper and the return side opening / closing part are opened and the circulation opening / closing part is closed, cold air can flow through the temperature switching chamber, and the temperature distribution in the temperature switching chamber can be made uniform. At this time, since the circulation opening / closing part is closed, it is possible to prevent a reduction in the blowing efficiency. In addition, when the indoor temperature of the temperature switching chamber is set to the high temperature side, the opening / closing section for circulation is opened and the first damper and the return side opening / closing section are closed, so that the air in the temperature switching chamber in the sealed state is circulated by driving the blower. The temperature distribution in the temperature switching chamber can be made uniform.

Further, according to the present invention, the return side opening / closing part and the circulation opening / closing part are formed integrally, and the communication path and the return ventilation path are alternatively shielded by the rotating double-sided baffle. Cost reduction and volumetric efficiency can be improved.

Further, according to the present invention, the double-sided baffle is pivotally supported by the horizontal shaft arranged at the upper end of the double-sided baffle, so that a temperature difference occurs between the cooling device side of the double-sided baffle and the temperature switching chamber side, and the double-sided baffle is condensed. However, the condensed water flows down to the side away from the pivot shaft. For this reason, even if condensed water freezes when the opening is opened, the pivot shaft can be prevented from freezing and the double-sided baffle can be moved normally. Moreover, it can prevent that rotation of a double-sided baffle is interrupted | blocked when the condensed water dripped from the double-sided baffle piles up and freezes.

Further, according to the present invention, since the baffle is pivotally supported by the horizontal shaft arranged at the upper end of the baffle, even if the baffle is condensed due to a temperature difference between the baffle cooling device side and the temperature switching chamber side, the dew condensation is caused. Water flows down to the side away from the pivot axis. For this reason, even if the condensed water freezes when the opening is opened, the freezing of the pivot shaft can be prevented and the baffle can be moved normally. Moreover, it is possible to prevent the rotation of the baffle from being blocked by freezing of the condensed water dripped from the baffle.

Further, according to the present invention, a step or a lower step around the opening opposite to the baffle or lower than the opening.
Since an inclined surface extending from the periphery of the opening is provided, when the condensation of the baffle flows down, the periphery of the opening
To the opposite side of the cooling device by a step or inclined surface. Therefore, when the baffle is opened
Further, it is possible to prevent the intrusion of condensed water from the opening to the cooling device side.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  FIGS. 8A to 8C are a front view, a top view, and a side sectional view showing the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13, respectively. The temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 is provided with a baffle 42 in a housing 40 made of a resin molded product having an opening 40a on the front surface. The baffle 42 is pivotally supported in the housing 40 by a horizontal rotation shaft 42 provided at the upper end.

  The baffle 42 can be rotated as indicated by an arrow H by driving a drive motor 41 coupled to the rotation shaft 42a. The opening 40a is opened and closed by the rotation of the baffle 42, and the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 is opened and closed. On the surface of the baffle 42 facing the opening 40a, a seal member 43 made of a heat insulating material that is in close contact with the periphery of the opening 40a is provided.

  FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view showing an attached state of the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13. The temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 is attached to the wall surface 50 of the introduction ventilation path 12. As will be described later, the introduction ventilation path 12 branches into the direction of the temperature switching chamber 3 arranged on the left side in the drawing and the direction of the chilled chamber 23 arranged on the upper right side in the drawing, and the temperature switching chamber 3 Communicates with each other through a hole 50a. The temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 has an opening 40a disposed on the temperature switching chamber 3 side (left side in the figure), and a baffle 42 disposed on the evaporator 17 side (right side in the figure).

  The temperature of the cold air flowing through the introduction ventilation path 12 is lower than the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3, and when the opening 40 a is closed by the baffle 42, a temperature difference occurs in the baffle 42. As shown in FIG. 10, when the baffle 42 is arranged on the temperature switching chamber 3 side (left side in the figure) with respect to the opening 40a, the baffle 42 becomes high temperature except for the inside in contact with the opening 40a.

  For this reason, when dew condensation occurs in the high temperature portion of the baffle 42, the dew condensation water is frozen by the cold air when the opening 40a is opened, and the rotating shaft 42a is fixed. Thereby, when the opening 40a is not sufficiently opened by the baffle 42, the temperature switching chamber 3 is insufficiently cooled, and when the opening is insufficient, the temperature switching chamber 3 is overcooled.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the baffle 42 is disposed on the evaporator 17 side with respect to the opening 40a. Therefore, when the opening 40a is closed, only the inside of the baffle 42 in contact with the opening 40a is hot. Become. Since a seal member 43 made of a heat insulating material is provided on the surface of the baffle 42, the occurrence of condensation is suppressed. The baffle 42 may be provided with a heat insulating material on the surface opposite to the side facing the opening 40a.

  Further, even if dew condensation occurs on the baffle 42, it occurs only on the inner side in contact with the opening 40 a and does not occur on the rotating shaft 42 a of the baffle 42. Therefore, even if the condensed water freezes when the opening 40a is opened, the baffle 42 can be moved normally to prevent the temperature switching chamber 3 from being insufficiently cooled or overcooled.

  In particular, as will be described later, when the temperature switching chamber 3 is on the high temperature side (for example, 55 ° C. to 80 ° C.), the baffle 42 is likely to condense due to the steam generated from the stored items. For this reason, even if a large amount of condensed water freezes, the baffle 42 can move normally, and the effect of preventing insufficient cooling and overcooling of the temperature switching chamber 3 is greater. The baffle 42 can obtain the same effect not only when it rotates but also when it slides.

  The same configuration is applied to a case in which a damper that opens and closes a cooling air path through which the cold air flows is provided in a storage room in which another cooling room and a cold air circuit are arranged in parallel, and the air in the storage room can be circulated by closing the damper. An effect can be obtained. That is, by providing a baffle on the evaporator (cooling device) side with respect to the opening of the damper, it is possible to prevent the baffle from moving normally due to the freezing of condensed water. Thereby, insufficient cooling and overcooling of the storage chamber can be prevented.

  Moreover, since the rotating shaft 42a is arranged at the upper end of the baffle 42, even if the baffle 42 is condensed, condensed water flows down to the side away from the rotating shaft 42a. For this reason, even if the condensed water freezes when the opening 40a is opened, the baffle 42 can be normally rotated by preventing the rotation shaft 42a from freezing.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, when the pivot shaft of the baffle 42 is provided vertically, the condensed water dripped from the baffle 42 when the opening 40a is opened accumulates and freezes, and the rotation of the baffle 42 is blocked. If the rotation shaft 42a is horizontally provided at the upper end of the baffle 42 as in the present embodiment, the lower end of the baffle 42 is retracted upward when the opening 40a is opened. Thereby, even if condensed water dripped from the baffle 42 and freezes, it is possible to prevent the rotation of the baffle 42 from being blocked.

  In FIG. 9 described above, the hole 50a of the wall surface 50 is formed with a diameter larger than that of the opening 40a, and a step 50b lower than the opening 40a is formed. Thereby, when the dew condensation water of the baffle 42 flows down, it is led to the temperature switching chamber 3 side by the step 50b from the periphery of the opening 40a. Therefore, when the baffle 42 is opened, it is possible to prevent intrusion of condensed water from the opening 40a to the evaporator 17 side. An inclined surface extending from the periphery of the opening 40a may be formed in the hole 50a.

  In FIG. 4, a blower 14 is provided between the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 and the inflow port 33a. An outflow port 33b opens below the back plate 33, and the cool air in the cold air passage 31 is easily guided to the temperature switching chamber 3 through the inflow port 33a by the drive of the blower 14, and flows out from the outflow port 33b. Further, the air volume flowing into the temperature switching chamber 3 from the introduction ventilation path 12 is adjusted by opening and closing the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13.

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

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

  By providing the pivot shaft of the double-sided baffle 20a horizontally at the upper end, even if the temperature difference occurs between the evaporator 17 side and the temperature switching chamber 3 side of the double-sided baffle 20a, It flows down to the side away from the pivot axis. For this reason, even if the condensed water freezes when the opening 20b is opened, the pivot shaft can be prevented from freezing and the double-sided baffle 20a can be moved normally. Further, the lower end of the double-sided baffle 20a is retracted upward by rotation. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the rotation of the double-sided baffle 20a from being blocked by the condensation water dripped from the double-sided baffle 20a being stacked and frozen.

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

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

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

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

  Accordingly, when the temperature sensor 24 detects an abnormally high temperature in the vicinity of the heater 15, the heater 15 can be stopped to prevent the heater 15 and the vicinity of the heater 15 from being broken, ignited, or smoked. A temperature fuse 30 is provided above the temperature sensor 16. When the temperature fuse 30 reaches a predetermined temperature, the heater 15 is turned off. Thereby, safety can be further improved.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  When the temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 is set to the high temperature side, the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 is closed and the double-sided baffle 20a of the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 closes the return ventilation path 19 as shown in FIG. Thus, the communication path 36 is disposed at a position to open. When the heater 15 and the blower 14 are driven, the air sent from the blower 14 as shown by the arrow F flows through the communication path 36 through the outlet 33b as shown by the arrow G.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  A damper may be provided at the outlet of the vegetable compartment 5. Thereby, when the temperature switching chamber 3 is switched from the high temperature side to the low temperature side, it is possible to prevent the hot air from the temperature switching chamber 3 from flowing backward into the vegetable chamber 5 by closing the damper. In addition, condensation of the double-sided baffle 20a due to cold air reaching the double-sided baffle 20a from the vegetable compartment 5 can be prevented.

  In addition, when the blower 18 is stopped when the temperature switching chamber 3 is switched from the high temperature side to the low temperature side, the freezer compartment damper 22 is closed. Thereby, it is possible to prevent hot air from flowing backward from the freezer damper 22 into the freezer compartment 6 by driving the blower 14.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it can utilize for the refrigerator provided with the temperature switching chamber which can switch room temperature by the user. Moreover, according to this invention, it can utilize for the refrigerator provided with the damper which opens and closes a cold air | gas channel | path in the cold air inflow side of a store room.

The front view which shows the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention The right view which shows the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention Sectional drawing of right side which shows the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention Cross section of the right side showing the temperature switching chamber of the refrigerator of the embodiment of the present invention Cross section of the right side showing the temperature switching chamber of the refrigerator of the embodiment of the present invention Front sectional drawing which shows the middle step part of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention Cold air circuit diagram showing the flow of cold air in the refrigerator of the embodiment of the present invention The figure which shows the temperature switching chamber discharge damper of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention Side surface sectional drawing which shows the attachment state of the temperature switching chamber discharge damper of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention The figure explaining the effect by the temperature switching chamber discharge damper of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention The figure explaining the effect by the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 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 33a Inlet 33b Outlet 35 Compressor 36 Communication passage 40 Housing 40a Opening 42 Baffle 42a Rotating shaft 43 Sealing material

Claims (7)

In a refrigerator provided with a temperature switching chamber capable of switching the room temperature between a low temperature side for supplying cold air generated by a cooling device via a cold air passage and a high temperature side for keeping food warm,
A blower for circulating the air in the temperature switching chamber, a heater for raising the temperature of the temperature switching chamber,
A return-side opening / closing portion that opens and closes a return ventilation path that communicates between the outlet through which the air in the temperature switching chamber flows out and the cooling device; a circulation port provided in the temperature switching chamber; and an intake side of the blower An opening and closing part for circulation that opens and closes the communication path that communicates,
By driving the heater, the temperature of the temperature switching chamber can be switched to a high temperature side,
A first damper for varying the amount of cool air supplied to the temperature switching chamber is provided in the cool air passage;
The first damper has an opening disposed on the temperature switching chamber side, and a movable baffle disposed on the cooling device side with respect to the opening to open and close the opening,
The first damper opens and closes an introduction ventilation path for communicating between the cooling device and the blower,
When the indoor temperature of the temperature switching chamber is set to the low temperature side, the first damper and the return side opening / closing portion are opened and the circulation opening / closing portion is closed, and when the indoor temperature of the temperature switching chamber is set to the high temperature side, the circulation The refrigerator is characterized in that the first damper and the return side opening / closing part are closed while the opening / closing part is opened . The return side opening / closing portion and the circulation opening / closing portion are formed integrally with the second damper, the return outlet and the circulation port are formed by a common opening, and the return ventilation path extending from the opening and the return air passage The communication path is branched by a second damper, and the second damper has a double-sided baffle that rotates between a position that shields the communication path and a position that shields the return ventilation path. Refrigerator. The refrigerator according to claim 2 , wherein the double-sided baffle is pivotally supported by a horizontal axis disposed at an upper end of the double-sided baffle . The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the baffle is pivotally supported by a horizontal axis disposed at an upper end of the baffle. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pivoted front fangs Waffles with vertical axis which is disposed on a side end of the front tusks Waffles. 6. The step according to claim 1, further comprising a step lower than the opening or an inclined surface extending from a peripheral edge of the opening around the opening opposite to the baffle. refrigerator. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first damper is disposed above the return side opening / closing part.

Images