JP3935912B2 - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator that cools the interior of a refrigerator with a Stirling refrigeration engine.

In recent years, adverse effects of CFCs on the global environment have been pointed out, and those equipped with a Stirling refrigeration engine are attracting attention as a refrigerator that does not use CFCs. In this refrigerator, the cold heat of the cold head of the Stirling refrigeration engine is transmitted to the low temperature side evaporator via the secondary refrigerant, and the cold air generated by the low temperature side evaporator is supplied into the refrigerator (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).
JP 2002-221384 A

  However, in the conventional cooling device, when the cooling capacity of the Stirling refrigeration engine is large, the secondary refrigerant freezes, the cold heat of the Stirling refrigeration engine cold head is not transmitted to the low temperature side evaporator, and the inside of the refrigerator is not cooled. There is a problem.

  Further, the Stirling refrigeration engine has a characteristic that the output cannot be increased when the cold head is at a high temperature. For this reason, it is desirable to cool the inside of the refrigerator rapidly even when the cold head is at a high temperature, for example, when the refrigerator is turned on or when the quick freezing operation mode is switched.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one object of the present invention is to prevent the Stirling refrigeration engine from being overcooled before the Stirling refrigeration engine is overcooled. It is to provide a possible refrigerator.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator having improved efficiency for cooling the inside of the refrigerator.

According to an aspect of the present invention to achieve the above-described object, the refrigerator is a refrigerator that cools the inside of the refrigerator with a Stirling refrigeration engine, and there is a risk of overcooling of a low-temperature portion formed in the Stirling refrigeration engine. Based on the detection of the overcooling state by the state detection unit and the state detection unit, the low temperature part is overcooled before the stop control of the Stirling refrigeration engine is performed. And a cooling fan that supplies cold air cooled by the Stirling refrigeration engine to the inside of the cabinet, and the supercooling prevention control means drives the cooling fan and refrigerating capacity of the Stirling refrigeration engine. Ru der those be reduced.

According to this invention, it is possible to provide a refrigerator capable of avoiding overcooling before the low temperature portion of the Stirling refrigeration engine is overcooled. Further, before the stop control of the Stirling refrigeration engine is performed, the low temperature portion of the Stirling refrigeration engine is prevented from being overcooled by performing control to prevent overcooling. For this reason, when it is possible to prevent the low temperature portion of the Stirling refrigeration engine from being overcooled by preventing the supercooling, it is not necessary to perform stop control of the Stirling refrigeration engine. As a result, the Stirling refrigeration engine can be prevented from being stopped as much as possible. Thereby, the reliability of a refrigerator can be improved.
Further, the cooling fan is driven and the refrigeration capacity of the Stirling refrigeration engine is reduced. As a result, the Stirling refrigeration engine can be prevented from being overcooled.

Preferably, the door state detecting means for detecting the open or closed state of the door provided in the cooling chamber of the refrigerator, and a cooling fan supplied into the refrigerator to cool air cooled by the Stirling refrigerating engine, the door state detecting means doors Cooling fan control means for stopping the cooling fan based on the detection of the open state is further provided, and the state detection means detects that the door has been opened for a predetermined time by the door state detection means.

According to the present invention, it is detected that the door has been opened for a predetermined time. Since the cooling fan stops based on the detection of the open state of the door , the air around the low temperature side cooler stagnates during that time. For this reason, if the Stirling refrigeration engine continues to drive, the temperature of the secondary refrigerant decreases. For this reason, it is possible to detect the state just before the secondary refrigerant freezes based on the time when the cooling fan is stopped.

Preferably, the refrigerator further includes a low-temperature side evaporator that receives cold from a low-temperature portion formed in the Stirling refrigeration engine via a secondary refrigerant. The state detection means includes a low temperature part, a low temperature side evaporator, and a low temperature side condenser paired with the low temperature side evaporator (a secondary refrigerant circulation circuit for circulating a secondary refrigerant between the low temperature side evaporator and the low temperature side condenser). one of temperature of the) detects that below a predetermined temperature of freezing temperature temae of the secondary refrigerant.

According to the present invention, the temperature of either the low temperature section or the secondary refrigerant circulation circuit (typically, the low temperature side evaporator or the low temperature side condenser) has fallen below a predetermined temperature before the freezing point of the secondary refrigerant. Is detected. For this reason, it can be detected that the Stirling refrigeration engine is supercooled.

  Preferably, the freeze prevention means performs a supercooling prevention control that is different from the stop control and prevents the Stirling refrigeration engine from being overcooled before performing the stop control for controlling and stopping the Stirling refrigeration engine. .

  According to this invention, before performing the stop control for stopping the Stirling refrigeration engine in order to prevent the Stirling refrigeration engine from being overcooled, the Stirling refrigeration engine is overheated by performing the supercooling prevention control different from the stop control. Prevent cooling. For this reason, when it is possible to prevent the Stirling refrigeration engine from being overcooled by the supercooling prevention control, the Stirling refrigeration engine stop control need not be performed. As a result, the Stirling refrigeration engine can be prevented from being stopped as much as possible. Thereby, the reliability of a refrigerator can be improved.

Preferably, it further includes a low temperature side evaporator that receives cold from a low temperature portion formed in the Stirling refrigeration engine via a secondary refrigerant. The state detection means includes temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the low temperature part, the low temperature side evaporator, or the low temperature side condenser that forms a pair with the low temperature side evaporator, and the temperature detected by the temperature detection means falls below a predetermined temperature. Detect that. Predetermined temperature, a first temperature higher than the temperature at which the Stirling refrigerating engine is supercooled, the Stirling refrigerating engine is first lower second temperature and the including than a temperature higher than the temperature at which supercooling. The supercooling prevention means performs supercooling prevention control when the state detection means detects that the temperature is below the first temperature, and further when the state detection means detects that the temperature is below the second temperature. Stop control.

According to the present invention, first, it is detected that the temperature of the low temperature part and the secondary refrigerant circulation circuit (typically, the low temperature side evaporator or the low temperature side condenser) is below a predetermined temperature. For this reason, it can be detected that the Stirling refrigeration engine is supercooled. Then, when the Stirling refrigeration engine falls below a first temperature higher than the temperature at which the Stirling refrigeration engine becomes supercooled, the supercooling prevention control is performed. When the temperature falls below the lower second temperature, the stop control is performed. Therefore, when the supercooling prevention control can prevent the Stirling refrigeration engine from being overcooled without falling below the second temperature, the Stirling refrigeration engine stop control need not be performed. As a result, the Stirling refrigeration engine can be prevented from being stopped as much as possible.

  Preferably, the apparatus further includes a temperature detection abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality in temperature detection by the temperature detection unit when the temperature is detected by the temperature detection unit.

  According to the present invention, since the temperature detection abnormality is detected when the temperature is detected, erroneous detection of the temperature can be prevented. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the Stirling refrigeration engine from being stopped based on an erroneous detection that the temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature.

Preferably, supercooling prevention control means increases the rotational speed of the cooling fan is driven or the cooling fan when it is detected that below a predetermined temperature by the state detecting means, further, to drive the cooling fan or cooling to below a predetermined temperature by the state detecting means after a predetermined time has elapsed since by increasing the rotational speed of the fan reduces the cooling capacity of the Stirling refrigerating engine if detected.

According to the present invention, the cooling capacity of the Stirling refrigeration engine is reduced when the temperature of the secondary refrigerant does not increase and is lower than the predetermined temperature even though heat is applied to the secondary refrigerant. To control. For this reason, since cooling of a secondary refrigerant | coolant is suppressed, the temperature of a secondary refrigerant | coolant rises. As a result, the Stirling refrigeration engine can be prevented from being overcooled.

Preferably, the supercooling prevention means includes a rotation speed control means for controlling the rotation speed of the cooling fan, and the supercooling prevention means detects the cooling fan when the state detection means detects that the temperature is below a predetermined temperature. The cooling fan is driven by setting the rotational speed to the maximum rotational capacity, and the predetermined temperature is set by the state detection means after a predetermined time has elapsed since the rotational speed of the cooling fan is driven to the maximum rotational capacity of the cooling fan. The Stirling refrigeration engine is controlled to reduce the cooling capacity when it is detected that the lower limit is reached.

  According to the present invention, since the cooling fan is driven with the maximum rotational speed, the Stirling refrigeration engine is further prevented from being overcooled compared to when the rotational speed is not maximum. Can do. Further, since the air in the cabinet is further convected by the cooling fan by maximizing the rotation speed, the COP of the Stirling refrigeration engine can be further improved.

Further, when the temperature of the secondary refrigerant does not increase but falls below a predetermined temperature despite the heat applied to the secondary refrigerant, control is performed to reduce the cooling capacity of the Stirling refrigeration engine. . For this reason, since cooling of a secondary refrigerant | coolant is suppressed, the temperature of a secondary refrigerant | coolant rises. As a result, the Stirling refrigeration engine can be prevented from being overcooled. This anti-freezing control is preferably performed when the door is closed. If the cooling fan is driven or the air flow of the cooling fan is increased while the door is open, the air in the cabinet leaks to the outside, and then when the door is closed, This is because it is necessary to increase the cooling capacity of the Stirling refrigeration engine in order to cool the air again.
Preferably, the refrigerator includes a first cooling chamber and a second cooling chamber that are partitioned by a heat insulating material, each having an opening / closing door, and each of the first cooling chamber and the second cooling chamber of the refrigerator is provided. A door state detecting means for detecting an open / closed state of the provided door, a cooling fan for supplying cold air cooled by the Stirling refrigeration engine to the first cooling chamber, and second cooling of the cold air cooled by the Stirling refrigeration engine An air passage for leading to the chamber, an interruption means provided in the air passage for shutting off the cold air cooled by the Stirling refrigeration engine, and a blower fan for blowing the cold air cooled by the Stirling refrigeration engine to the air passage In addition, the overcooling prevention control means is configured to shut off the door when the door state detection means detects the closed state of the first cooling chamber door and the open state of the second cooling chamber door. The air passage is shut off and the cooling fan is stopped and driven, and the door state detecting means detects the open state of the first cooling chamber door and the closed state of the second cooling chamber door. The blocking means releases the blocking of the blowing path and drives the blowing fan.
According to this invention, when the closed state of the door of the first cooling chamber and the open state of the door of the second cooling chamber are detected, the air passage is shut off and the cooling fan is driven to When the open state of the chamber door and the closed state of the second cooling chamber door are detected, the blower passage is released and the blower fan is driven. For this reason, when the door of the second cooling chamber is opened with the door of the first cooling chamber closed, air cooled by the Stirling refrigeration engine is supplied to the first cooling chamber, When the door of the first cooling chamber is opened with the door of the second cooling chamber closed, the air cooled by the Stirling refrigeration engine is supplied to the second cooling chamber. Regardless of which of the first door and the second door is opened, the air cooled by the Stirling refrigeration engine is convected, so that the Stirling refrigeration engine can be prevented from being overcooled. Moreover, since the cool air sent into the cooling chamber with the door opened can be reduced, it is possible to prevent the cool air in the warehouse from leaking to the outside.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a refrigerator according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the flow of cool air in the refrigerator in the present embodiment. With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the refrigerator 1 is for food preservation | save, and is provided with the housing 10 of the heat insulation structure. Inside the housing 10, cooling chambers 11 and 12 that are partitioned into two upper and lower stages are provided. Each of the cooling chambers 11 and 12 has an opening on the front side (left side in FIG. 1) of the housing 10, and the opening is closed by an upper door 14 and a lower door 15 that can be opened and closed. The upper door 14 and the lower door 15 include a heat insulating material, and packings 17 each having a shape surrounding the openings of the cooling chambers 11 and 12 are mounted on the back surfaces thereof. Inside the cooling chambers 11 and 12, shelves 18 suitable for the type of food to be stored are installed as appropriate.

  A cooling system and a heat dissipation system having the Stirling refrigeration engine 30 as a central element are disposed from the upper surface to the rear surface and further to the lower surface of the housing 10. A machine room 19 is provided at one corner of the upper and rear surfaces of the housing 10, and the Stirling refrigeration engine 30 is installed in the machine room 19.

A part of the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 forms a low temperature part (hereinafter referred to as a cold head) when driven. A cold side condenser 41 is attached to the cold head. Further, a low temperature side evaporator 42 is installed in the back of the cooling chamber 12. The low temperature side condenser 41 and the low temperature side evaporator 42 are connected via a refrigerant pipe, and a low temperature side circulation circuit (secondary refrigerant circulation circuit) 40 is configured by both. A natural refrigerant such as CO ₂ is sealed in the low-temperature side circulation circuit 40, and heat is transferred by the low-temperature side evaporator 42 and the low-temperature side condenser 41.

  Ducts 20 and 21 for distributing the cold air obtained by the low temperature side evaporator 42 to the cooling chambers 11 and 12 are provided inside the housing 10. The duct 20 has a cold air outlet 20A in communication with a cooling chamber (first cooling chamber) 12 in a proper position. A cooling fan 22 is installed in the duct 20 at an appropriate place. The cooling fan 22 forcibly sends the cool air in the duct 20 to the cooling chamber 12. Further, when the cooling fan 22 is driven, air around the low-temperature side evaporator 42 is convected. Thereby, another air having a relatively high temperature is supplied to the low temperature side evaporator 42.

  The duct 21 has a cold air outlet 21 </ b> A communicating with the cooling chamber (second cooling chamber) 11 at an appropriate position. A blower fan 62 is installed in the duct 21 at an appropriate place. The blower fan 62 blows air to the duct 21 and forcibly sends the cool air in the duct 21 to the cooling chamber 11. In addition, an openable / closable damper 61 is installed at one end of the duct 21 on the low temperature side evaporator 42 side. In a state where the damper 61 is closed, the duct 21 and the duct 20 are separated. Therefore, the cool air in the duct 20 is blocked by the damper 61 and is prevented from moving into the duct 21. When the damper 61 is open, the duct 21 and the duct 20 communicate with each other. Therefore, when the blower fan 62 is driven with the damper 61 opened, the cold air in the duct 20 flows into the duct 21 and the cold air is forcibly sent into the cooling chamber 11.

  In addition, when the damper 61 is open, the blower fan 62 can be driven without driving the cooling fan 22. Even in this state, the cold air in the duct 20 flows into the duct 21, and the cold air is forced into the cooling chamber 11. Further, when the blower fan 62 is driven, the air around the low temperature side evaporator 42 is convected. Thereby, another air having a relatively high temperature is supplied to the low temperature side evaporator 42.

  Furthermore, in the state where the damper 61 is opened, it is possible to drive the cooling fan 22 and the blower fan 62. In this state, the cool air in the duct 20 may be sent to the cooling chamber 12 by the cooling fan 22, or may be sent to the cooling chamber 11 via the duct 21 by the blower fan 62. Even in this case, the air around the low temperature side evaporator 42 is convected, and another air having a relatively high temperature is supplied to the low temperature side evaporator 42.

  Although not shown in the drawing, a duct for collecting air from the cooling chambers 11 and 12 is also provided inside the housing 10. The duct has an air outlet below the low-temperature side evaporator 42, and supplies air to be cooled to the low-temperature side evaporator 42 as indicated by a broken-line arrow in FIG.

  The other part of the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 forms a worm head (high temperature part) when driven. A high temperature side evaporator 51 is attached to the worm head. In addition, a high temperature side condenser 52 and a blower fan 53 are provided on the upper surface of the housing 10 to radiate heat to the outside environment. The high temperature side evaporator 51 and the high temperature side condenser 52 are connected via refrigerant piping, and the high temperature side natural circulation circuit 50 is comprised by both. Water (including an aqueous solution) or a hydrocarbon-based natural refrigerant is sealed in the high-temperature natural circulation circuit 50, and the refrigerant naturally circulates in the high-temperature natural circulation circuit 50.

  Then, operation | movement of the refrigerator 1 which consists of the said structure is demonstrated. When the Stirling refrigeration engine 30 is driven in the refrigerator 1 having the above-described configuration, the temperature of the cold head decreases. Therefore, the low temperature side condenser 41 is cooled, and the internal secondary refrigerant (hereinafter abbreviated as a refrigerant) is condensed.

  The refrigerant condensed in the low temperature side condenser 41 flows into the low temperature side evaporator 42 through the low temperature side circulation circuit 40. The refrigerant flowing into the low temperature side evaporator 42 is evaporated by the heat of the airflow passing outside the low temperature side evaporator 42, and the surface temperature of the low temperature side evaporator 42 is lowered. Therefore, the air passing through the low-temperature side evaporator 42 becomes cold air and blows out from the cold air outlet 20A of the duct 20 to the cooling chamber 11 and blows out to the cold air outlet 21A of the duct 21. Thereby, the temperature of the cooling chambers 11 and 12 is lowered. Thereafter, the air in the cooling chambers 11 and 12 returns to the low-temperature evaporator 42 through a duct (not shown).

  Note that the refrigerant evaporated in the low-temperature side evaporator 42 returns to the low-temperature side condenser 41 through the low-temperature side circulation circuit 40, where heat is taken away and condensed again. Then, the heat exchange operation described above is repeated.

  On the other hand, the heat generated by driving the Stirling refrigeration engine 30 and the heat recovered from the interior by the cold head are radiated from the worm head as exhaust heat. Therefore, the high temperature side evaporator 51 is heated and the internal refrigerant evaporates.

  The refrigerant in the gas phase generated by the high temperature side evaporator 51 passes through the high temperature side natural circulation circuit 50 and flows into the high temperature side condenser 52 provided above. The refrigerant that has flowed into the high-temperature side condenser 52 is condensed by being deprived of heat by the air flow introduced into the high-temperature side condenser 52 from the outside by the blower fan 53. The refrigerant condensed in the high temperature side condenser 52 returns to the high temperature side evaporator 51 through the high temperature side natural circulation circuit 50, where it receives heat and evaporates again. Then, the heat exchange operation described above is repeated.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the freeze prevention function of the refrigerator in the first embodiment. With reference to FIG. 3, the refrigerator 1 is provided with the control part 90 for controlling the whole refrigerator, and the temperature sensor 81 connected to it. The controller 90 is connected to the Stirling refrigeration engine 30, the cooling fan 22, the damper 61, and the blower fan 62.

  The temperature sensor 81 detects the temperature of the low temperature side evaporator 42 or the low temperature side circulation circuit (typically, the low temperature side condenser 41 or the cold head of the Stirling refrigerating engine 30). In the present embodiment, it is sufficient that the temperature of the refrigerant in the low temperature side circulation circuit 40 can be directly detected, but instead of directly detecting, the cold side of the low temperature side evaporator 42, the low temperature side condenser 41 or the Stirling refrigeration engine 30 is cold. The head temperature is detected. Therefore, the temperature sensor 81 may detect the temperatures of the low-temperature side evaporator 42, the low-temperature side condenser 41, and the cold head of the Stirling refrigeration engine 30, but preferably at the temperature of the low-temperature side condenser 41. Yes, more preferably the temperature of the cold head.

  The control unit 90 controls the drive of the Stirling refrigeration engine 30. The Stirling refrigeration engine can be driven by changing its load. The Stirling refrigeration engine has a high cooling capacity when driving with a large load, and a low cooling capacity when driving with a small load. The controller 90 controls the air volume of the cooling fan 22 and the blower fan 62. The control unit 90 may perform switching control for driving or stopping the cooling fan 22 and the blower fan 62. Further, the control unit 90 performs switching control of the damper 61 between an open state and a closed state.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the freeze prevention process executed in the refrigerator in the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 4, control unit 90 of refrigerator 1 receives the temperature of the cold head of Stirling refrigeration engine 30 from temperature sensor 81. The controller 90 determines whether or not the temperature of the cold head is lower than a predetermined temperature T (step S01). If true, the process proceeds to step S02, and if false, the process ends. The predetermined value T is a predetermined value from the freezing point of the refrigerant in the low-temperature side circulation circuit 40, and is set to a temperature that is about 3 ° C. higher than the solidification temperature of the refrigerant. The temperature of the refrigerant does not necessarily match the temperature of the cold head, but does not become lower than the temperature of the cold head. When the temperature difference D between the temperature of the refrigerant and the temperature of the cold head is known, the predetermined temperature may be equal to or greater than the value obtained by subtracting the temperature difference D from the freezing point of the refrigerant.

  When the temperature sensor 81 detects the temperature of the low temperature side evaporator 42 or the low temperature side condenser 41, the temperature of the low temperature side evaporator 42 or the low temperature side condenser 41 does not necessarily match the temperature of the refrigerant. The temperature of the refrigerant does not become higher than the temperature of the low temperature side evaporator 42 or the low temperature side condenser 41. When the temperature difference D1 between the temperature of the refrigerant and the temperature of the low-temperature side evaporator 42 or the low-temperature side condenser 41 is known, the predetermined temperature may be equal to or greater than the value obtained by adding the temperature difference D1 to the freezing point of the refrigerant. .

  In step S02, the Stirling refrigeration engine is stopped. Thereby, the refrigerant is not cooled and does not freeze.

  In step S02, the Stirling refrigeration engine is stopped. However, the Stirling refrigeration engine may be driven with a small load. In this case, although the refrigerant is cooled, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant from freezing if it is driven with a load sufficient to maintain the temperature of the refrigerant at that temperature.

<Modification of anti-freezing treatment>
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of the modified antifreezing process executed in the refrigerator in the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 5, the control unit 90 of the refrigerator 1 receives the temperature of the cold head of the Stirling refrigeration engine 30 from the temperature sensor 81. The controller 90 determines whether or not the temperature of the cold head is lower than a predetermined temperature T (step S11). If true, the process proceeds to step S12, and if false, the process proceeds to step S20.

  In step S12, it is determined whether or not the cooling fan 22 is stopped. When the cooling fan 22 is stopped, the process proceeds to step S13, and when not stopped, the process proceeds to step S14. In step S13, the cooling fan 22 is driven. When the cooling fan 22 is driven, air around the low temperature side evaporator 42 is convected, and air having a relatively high temperature is supplied to the low temperature side evaporator 42. For this reason, it is prevented that the temperature of a refrigerant | coolant falls. On the other hand, when the process proceeds to step S14, since the cooling fan 22 is driven, the air flow of the cooling fan is increased and driven. As a result, the air around the low-temperature side evaporator 42 is more convectively prevented from lowering the refrigerant temperature.

  In step S15, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed. If true, the process proceeds to step S16, and if false, the process returns to step S11. In step S16, it is determined whether or not the blower fan 62 is stopped. If the blower fan 62 is stopped, the process proceeds to step S17, and if not stopped, the process proceeds to step S19. In step S17, the damper is opened, and the blower fan 62 is driven in the next step S18. When the blower fan 62 is driven, air around the low-temperature side evaporator 42 is convected, and air having a relatively high temperature is supplied to the low-temperature side evaporator 42. For this reason, it is further prevented that the temperature of a refrigerant | coolant falls. On the other hand, when proceeding to step S19, since the blower fan 62 is driven, the blower fan is driven by increasing the air volume. As a result, the air around the low-temperature side evaporator 42 is more convectively prevented from lowering the refrigerant temperature.

  After step S18 or step S19, the process returns to step S11. In step S11, it is determined again whether or not the temperature of the cold head is lower than a predetermined temperature T. If it is not lower than the predetermined temperature T, the process proceeds to step S20. If it is lower, the process proceeds to step S12. That is, the above-described processing of step S12 to step S19 is executed until the temperature of the cold head is equal to or exceeds the predetermined temperature T. In step S20, the cooling fan 22, the damper 61, and the blower fan 62 are driven in the normal operation mode.

  Thus, in the modification in the first embodiment, the cooling fan or both the cooling fan and the blower fan are driven. For this reason, the air around the low-temperature side evaporator 42 can be convected to prevent the refrigerant temperature from decreasing. And it can prevent that a refrigerant | coolant freezes.

  In addition, you may make it perform the control which drives the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 mentioned above by stopping or reducing a cooling capability, and the control which drives a cooling fan or both a cooling fan and a ventilation fan. Thereby, it can prevent more that a refrigerant | coolant freezes.

  As described above, when the temperature of the cold head of the low temperature side evaporator 42, the low temperature side condenser 41 or the Stirling refrigeration engine 30 is lower than the predetermined temperature T, the refrigerator 1 in the first embodiment Reduce or stop cooling capacity. For this reason, it is suppressed that a refrigerant | coolant cools and it can prevent that a refrigerant | coolant freezes.

  Further, when the temperature of the cold head of the low temperature side evaporator 42, the low temperature side condenser 41 or the Stirling refrigeration engine 30 falls below the predetermined temperature T, the cooling fan 22 is driven or the air volume is increased. The air around the evaporator 42 can be convected to prevent the refrigerant from freezing.

  In the first embodiment, for example, the predetermined temperature T is about 3 ° C. higher than the freezing point of the refrigerant. However, it goes without saying that the predetermined temperature T may be another temperature as long as it is higher than the freezing point of the refrigerant.

  In this case, by setting the lower temperature in the temperature range of the refrigerant that can be obtained when the Stirling refrigeration engine 30 is operated in the rated state as the predetermined temperature T, the temperature of the refrigerant can be obtained in the rated operation of the Stirling refrigeration engine 30. It can be prevented that the temperature is below the temperature range of the refrigerant.

  Accordingly, the refrigerant is not cooled excessively by the operation of the Stirling refrigerating engine 30, and the cold head can be prevented from being overcooled, so that the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 can be prevented from being overloaded beyond the rated state. As a result, deterioration of the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 can be prevented.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, the refrigerator in the second embodiment will be described. The structure of the refrigerator in the second embodiment is the same except that the refrigerator in the first embodiment has a different freeze prevention function. Hereinafter, the freeze prevention function in the second embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating the freeze prevention function of the refrigerator in the second embodiment. Referring to FIG. 6, the refrigerator 1 includes a control unit 90 for controlling the entire refrigerator, an upper door opening / closing detection switch 82 connected thereto, and a lower door opening / closing detection switch 83. The controller 90 is connected to the Stirling refrigeration engine 30, the cooling fan 22, the damper 61, and the blower fan 62.

  The upper door opening / closing detection switch 82 detects whether the upper door 14 is in an opened state or a closed state. The lower door opening / closing detection switch 83 detects whether the lower door 15 is in an opened state or a closed state.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the freeze prevention process executed in the refrigerator in the second embodiment. Referring to FIG. 7, the controller 90 of the refrigerator 1 receives an open / closed state of the upper door 14 and the lower door 15 from the upper door open / close detection switch 82 or the lower door open / close detection switch 83. The controller 90 determines whether one of the upper door 14 and the lower door 15 is in an open state (step S21). If either the upper door 14 or the lower door 15 is in an open state, the process proceeds to step S22, and if not, the process ends.

  In step S22, the cooling fan 22 is stopped. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the cold air in the cooling chambers 11 and 12 of the door that has been opened from being forced out. In the next step S23, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed. This elapsed time is either the time measured after it is detected in step S21 that either the upper door 14 or the lower door 15 is opened, or the time measured after the cooling fan is stopped. It may be. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S24, and if not, the process returns to step S21. By stopping the cooling fan, the air around the low temperature side evaporator 42 is not convected. Thereby, the temperature of a refrigerant | coolant will fall. The predetermined time is shorter than the time from when the temperature of the refrigerant starts to decrease until the freezing point is reached. The predetermined time may be a single predetermined time, or may be a predetermined time for each load of the Stirling refrigeration engine. Furthermore, it is also possible to set a predetermined time for each of the temperature in the refrigerator and the load of the Stirling refrigeration engine.

  In the next step S24, the Stirling refrigeration engine is stopped. Thereby, the refrigerant is not cooled, and the refrigerant can be prevented from freezing.

  In step S24, the Stirling refrigeration engine is stopped. However, the Stirling refrigeration engine may be driven with a small load. In this case, although the refrigerant is cooled, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant from freezing if it is driven with a load sufficient to maintain the temperature of the refrigerant at that temperature.

<First Modification of Freezing Prevention Process>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of the modified antifreezing process executed in the refrigerator in the second embodiment. Referring to FIG. 8, control unit 90 determines whether or not upper door 14 has been opened (step S31). If the upper door 14 is in the open state, the process proceeds to step S32, and if not, the process proceeds to step S38.

  In step S32, the blower fan 62 is stopped, and in step S33, the cooling fan 22 is stopped. Thereby, even if the upper door 14 is in the open state, it is possible to prevent the cold air in the cooling chamber 11 from being forced out to the outside. And it is judged whether predetermined time passed (step S34). If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S35, and if not, the process returns to step S31. That is, if a predetermined time elapses while the upper door 14 is in the open state, the process proceeds to step S35. If the upper door 14 is closed before the predetermined time elapses, the process proceeds to step S38. By stopping the cooling fan 22 in step S33, the air around the low-temperature side evaporator 42 is not convected. Thereby, the temperature of a refrigerant | coolant will fall. If the cooling fan 22 is left stopped, the temperature of the refrigerant decreases and reaches the freezing point. Therefore, the predetermined time is shorter than the time until the temperature of the refrigerant reaches the freezing point. The predetermined time may be a single predetermined time, or may be a predetermined time for each load of the Stirling refrigeration engine. Furthermore, it is also possible to set a predetermined time for each of the temperature in the refrigerator and the load of the Stirling refrigeration engine.

  In step S35, the damper 61 is closed, and in step S36, the cooling fan 22 is driven. As a result, the cool air around the low-temperature evaporator 42 is sent to the cooling chamber 12, but is not sent to the cooling chamber 11 because the damper 61 is closed. For this reason, the air around the low-temperature side evaporator 42 is convected, and air having a relatively high temperature is supplied to the low-temperature side evaporator 42. And it is prevented that the temperature of a refrigerant | coolant falls. As a result, the refrigerant is prevented from freezing. Further, since the cool air around the low-temperature side evaporator 42 is not sent to the cooling chamber 11, it is possible to prevent the cool air in the cooling chamber 11 from being forced to flow out from the opened upper door.

  In step S37, it is determined whether or not the upper door 14 is closed. If the upper door 14 is closed, the process proceeds to step S38, and if not, the process returns to step S35. Until the upper door 14 is closed, the cool air around the low-temperature side evaporator 42 is sent into the cooling chamber 12, thereby preventing the refrigerant from freezing.

  In step S38, the cooling fan 22, the damper 61, and the blower fan 62 are driven in the normal operation mode.

  In the next step S39, the control unit 90 determines whether or not the lower door 15 has been opened. If the lower door 15 is in the open state, the process proceeds to step S40, and if not, the process ends.

  In step S40, the blower fan 62 is stopped, and in step S41, the cooling fan 22 is stopped. Thereby, even if the lower door 15 is in the open state, it is possible to prevent the cold air in the cooling chamber 12 from being forced out to the outside. Further, the air around the low temperature side evaporator 42 is not convected. And it is judged whether predetermined time passed (step S42). If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S43, and if not, the process returns to step S39. That is, when the predetermined time elapses while the lower door 15 is in the open state, the process proceeds to step S43. However, if the lower door 15 is closed before the predetermined time elapses, the process ends. The predetermined time is the same time as in step S34.

  In step S43, the damper 61 is opened, and in step S44, the blower fan 62 is driven. As a result, the cool air around the low-temperature side evaporator 42 is sent to the cooling chamber 11 but is not sent to the cooling chamber 12. For this reason, the air around the low-temperature side evaporator 42 is convected, and air having a relatively high temperature is supplied to the low-temperature side evaporator 42. For this reason, it is prevented that the temperature of a refrigerant | coolant falls. As a result, the refrigerant is prevented from freezing. Further, since the amount of cool air around the low-temperature side evaporator 42 is less sent to the cooling chamber 12, it is possible to reduce the forced outflow of cool air in the cooling chamber 12 from the opened lower door. .

  In step S45, it is determined whether or not the lower door 15 is closed. If the lower door 15 is closed, the process proceeds to step S46, and if not, the process returns to step S43. For this reason, the cool air around the low-temperature side evaporator 42 is sent into the cooling chamber 11 until the lower door 15 is closed, thereby preventing the refrigerant from freezing.

  In step S46, the cooling fan 22, the damper 61, and the blower fan 62 are driven in the normal operation mode.

  When the open state of either the upper door 14 or the lower door 15 continues for a predetermined time, the refrigerator 1 in the second embodiment reduces or stops the cooling capacity of the Stirling refrigeration engine. For this reason, it is suppressed that a refrigerant | coolant cools and it can prevent that a refrigerant | coolant freezes.

  Further, when the open state of either the upper door 14 or the lower door 15 continues for a predetermined time, the cooling fan 22 is driven or the air volume is increased, so that the air around the low temperature side evaporator 42 is convected, It is possible to prevent the refrigerant from freezing.

  Further, when the open state of the lower door 15 continues for a predetermined time, the damper 61 is closed and the cooling fan 22 is driven. When the open state of the upper door continues for a predetermined time, the damper 61 is opened and the blower fan 62 is driven. . For this reason, even if any of the upper door 14 and the lower door 15 is opened, it can prevent that a refrigerant | coolant freezes and it can prevent that the cool air in a store | warehouse | chamber leaks outside.

  In the present invention, in order to quickly pass the maximum ice crystal formation zone (−3 ° C. to −7 ° C.) when the food is frozen, the cooling fan 22 is stopped and the cool air around the low-temperature side evaporator 42 is set to an ultra-low temperature. The present invention is also applicable to a quick freezing operation in which the cooling fan 22 is driven.

  In the second embodiment, when the upper door 14 or the lower door 15 is opened, the cooling fan 22 is stopped and the Stirling is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed in order to prevent the cool air from flowing out. The refrigeration engine 30 was stopped.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when the upper door 14 or the lower door 15 is opened, the cooling fan 22 may be stopped and the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 may be stopped. In order to prevent the temperature in the refrigerator 1 from rising, when the temperature of the cold head of the Stirling refrigeration engine 30 is controlled to rapidly decrease, a refrigerant freezing accident occurs due to a control delay of the control to stop the Stirling refrigeration engine 30. There is a case.

  For this reason, even when the door of the refrigerator 1 is in an open state, the Stirling refrigeration engine is not controlled without lowering the temperature of the cold head of the Stirling refrigeration engine 30 for preventing the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 from rising. Since 30 is stopped, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant from freezing.

  In the second embodiment, the cooling fan 22 is stopped when the upper door 14 or the lower door 15 is opened, and the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed. .

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when the upper door 14 or the lower door 15 is in an open state, the cooling fan 22 is stopped, and when the temperature of the cold head of the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 is lowered to a predetermined temperature, Stirling is performed. The refrigeration engine 30 may be stopped.

  Thereby, freezing of the refrigerant | coolant by the temperature fall of the cold head of the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 can be prevented. Moreover, you may make it reduce the input electric power to the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 in steps until it stops the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 after a door opens. Thereby, even if it is a case where a door is an open state, the raise of the temperature in the refrigerator 1 by the outflow of cold air can be suppressed, and freezing of a refrigerant | coolant can be prevented simultaneously.

  In addition, when the upper door 14 or the lower door 15 is opened, after the Stirling refrigeration engine 30 is stopped and then the upper door 14 and the lower door 15 are closed, immediately or after a predetermined time ( For example, it is preferable to operate the Stirling refrigeration engine 30 after 5 seconds). Thereby, the temperature in the refrigerator 1 that has risen due to the cold air that has flowed out can be quickly cooled.

  Further, when the temperature of the cold head of the Stirling refrigeration engine 30 rises to a predetermined temperature after the Stirling refrigeration engine 30 is stopped when the upper door 14 or the lower door 15 is opened, the Stirling refrigeration engine 30 is changed. It is preferable to drive. Thereby, it can prevent that the temperature in the refrigerator 1 rises too much.

  In the second embodiment, the cooling fan 22 is stopped when the upper door 14 or the lower door 15 is opened. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the cooling fan 22 may be operated at a low rotational speed. Thereby, since heat is given to the refrigerant from the air in the refrigerator 1 higher than the temperature of the refrigerant, the temperature of the refrigerant gradually rises and the freezing of the refrigerant can be prevented.

  In the second embodiment, the Stirling refrigeration engine 30 is stopped when the upper door 14 or the lower door 15 is opened. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the input power to the Stirling refrigeration engine 30 may be reduced. This also reduces the amount of heat taken from the refrigerant, so that the temperature of the refrigerant rises and the refrigerant can be prevented from freezing.

  In the second embodiment, the predetermined time is shorter than the time from when the cooling fan 22 is stopped until the temperature of the refrigerant reaches the freezing point. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the predetermined time may be a time from when the cooling fan 22 is stopped until the temperature of the refrigerant reaches the predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature may be a temperature higher than the freezing point of the refrigerant.

  Thereby, it can prevent that the temperature of a refrigerant | coolant reaches predetermined temperature. For this reason, the temperature of the refrigerant is equal to or lower than the temperature range of the refrigerant that can be taken in the rated operation of the Stirling refrigeration engine 30 by setting the lower temperature of the refrigerant temperature range that can be taken in the rated operation of the Stirling refrigeration engine 30 to the predetermined temperature Can be prevented.

  Accordingly, the refrigerant is not cooled excessively by the operation of the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 and the cold head can be prevented from being overcooled, so that the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 is prevented from being overloaded beyond the rated state. Can do. As a result, deterioration of the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 can be prevented.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, the refrigerator in the third embodiment will be described. The refrigerator in the third embodiment has the same configuration except that the refrigerator in the first embodiment has a different freeze prevention function. Hereinafter, the freeze prevention function in the third embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing the freeze prevention function of the refrigerator in the third embodiment. Referring to FIG. 9, the refrigerator 1 includes a control unit 90 for controlling the entire refrigerator 1, a temperature sensor 81 connected thereto, an upper door opening / closing detection switch 82, and a lower door opening / closing detection switch 83. With. The control unit 90 is connected to the Stirling refrigeration engine 30, the cooling fan 22, the damper 61, the blower fan 62, and the display unit 91.

  The display part 91 displays the information regarding the operating condition of a refrigerator. For example, the display unit 91 displays that the Sternling refrigeration engine 30 is abnormal, displays that the temperature sensor 81 is abnormal, or indicates that the upper door 14 and the lower door 15 are open. Is displayed or a message indicating that the vehicle is in normal operation is displayed. Further, the abnormality may be notified by voice in accordance with the display on the display unit 91.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the freeze prevention process executed in the refrigerator in the third embodiment. Referring to FIG. 10, control unit 90 of refrigerator 1 detects whether or not temperature sensor 81 is abnormal. The controller 90 determines whether or not the thermistor of the temperature sensor 81 is abnormal (step S71). If the thermistor is abnormal, the process proceeds to step S72. If the thermistor is not abnormal, the process proceeds to step S74. In step S72, the display unit 91 displays that the thermistor is abnormal. Then, the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 is stopped (step S73). Thereafter, the process ends.

  Thus, when there is an abnormality in the thermistor, the Stirling refrigeration engine 30 is stopped regardless of the temperature of the refrigerant. As a result, the refrigerant is not cooled by the Stirling refrigerating engine 30, so that the refrigerant can be prevented from freezing. Further, it is possible to prevent a Stirling refrigerating engine 30 from being inadvertently stopped in S86 due to a malfunction of the thermistor, which is detected at a temperature lower than the actual temperature in S83 to be described later. Further, due to the malfunction of the thermistor, a temperature higher than the actual temperature is detected in S83, which will be described later, and the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 is not stopped even though the refrigerant reaches the freezing temperature and the refrigerant is frozen. Can be prevented.

In addition, the temperature of the cold head of the Stirling refrigeration engine 30 is input from the temperature sensor 81 to the control unit 90 of the refrigerator 1. The control unit 90 determines whether or not the temperature of the cold head is lower than the temperature T ₁ (step S74). The process proceeds to step S75 if it is lower than the temperatures T _1, if not lower than the temperature T ₁ of returns to the step S71. The temperature T ₁ is, for example, a temperature about 3 ° C. higher than the solidification temperature of the refrigerant.

  The open / close state of the upper door 14 and the lower door 15 is input to the control unit 90 of the refrigerator 1 from the upper door open / close detection switch 82 or the lower door open / close detection switch 83. The controller 90 determines whether one of the upper door 14 and the lower door 15 is in an open state (step S75). If either the upper door 14 or the lower door 15 is in the open state, the process proceeds to step S76, and if not, the process proceeds to step S77.

  In step S76, the control unit 90 notifies the display unit 91 of a warning that the upper door 14 and the lower door 15 are open. Thereafter, the process returns to S71.

  In step S77, it is determined whether or not the rotational speed of the cooling fan 22 is the maximum allowable rotational speed of the cooling fan 22. If the maximum allowable rotation speed is not set, the process proceeds to step S78. If the maximum allowable rotation speed is set, the process proceeds to step S81.

  In step S78, the rotation speed of the cooling fan 22 is set to the maximum allowable rotation speed of the cooling fan 22. Thereby, compared with the case where the rotation speed of the cooling fan 22 is less than the maximum allowable rotation speed, the air around the low-temperature side evaporator 42 convects more violently, and the decrease in the refrigerant temperature can be suppressed. Then, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the rotation speed of the cooling fan 22 was set to the maximum allowable rotation speed (step S79). If the predetermined time has not elapsed, S79 is repeated, and if the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S82.

  This predetermined time is that when the rotation speed of the cooling fan 22 is set to the maximum allowable rotation speed during normal operation, the temperature of the refrigerant increases at least by a temperature at which the temperature sensor 81 can detect that the temperature has increased. It is preferable that it is more than the time required. For example, when the temperature detection error of the temperature sensor 81 is ± 0.5 ° C., the time required for the refrigerant temperature to increase by at least 1 ° C. may be a predetermined time.

Further, the predetermined time is less than the time until the temperature of the cold head drops from the temperature T ₁ to a temperature T ₂ described later when the rotation speed of the cooling fan 22 is set to the maximum allowable rotation speed during abnormal operation. It is preferable.

  In step S81, the input power to the Stirling refrigeration engine 30 is reduced by a predetermined amount. Thereby, the cooling capacity of the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 is reduced. Therefore, the amount of heat taken from the refrigerant can be reduced, and the temperature drop of the refrigerant can be suppressed.

At step S82, the control unit 90, the temperature of the cold head is determined whether the lower temperatures T ₁ again. If not lower than temperature T ₁ of, the process proceeds to step S83, the lower than temperatures T _1, the process proceeds to step S84.

In other words, when the process proceeds to step S83, the temperature of the cold head 22 is reduced by setting the rotational speed of the cooling fan 22 to the maximum allowable rotational speed in step S78 or reducing the input power to the Stirling refrigeration engine 30 in step S81. There so that the returned to normal values not lower than the temperature T ₁ of the lower abnormal value than temperature T ₁ of. When the process proceeds to step S84, the temperature of the cold head remains an abnormal value.

  In step S83, the operation mode of the Stirling refrigerating engine 30, the cooling fan 22, the damper 61, and the blower fan 62 is switched to the normal operation mode. Thereafter, the process returns to step S71.

At step S84, the control unit 90, the temperature of the cold head to determine whether lower than the temperature T _2. If not lower than temperature T _2, the process returns to step S81, if less than the temperature T _2, the process proceeds to step S85. The temperature T ₂ is, for example, about 1 ° C. higher than the solidification temperature of the refrigerant.

  In step S85, the control unit 90 displays on the display unit 91 that the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 is abnormal. In step S86, the controller 90 stops the Stirling refrigeration engine 30. Thereafter, the process ends.

In the present embodiment, the rotational speed of the cooling fan 22 is set to the maximum allowable rotational speed in step S78. However, the rotational speed of the cooling fan 22 may be increased stepwise. Then, when the temperature of the cold head becomes equal to or higher than the temperature T ₁ when a predetermined time has elapsed, the normal operation is resumed.

Thus, when the temperature of the cold head becomes equal to or higher than the temperature T ₁ before the rotation speed of the cooling fan 22 reaches the maximum allowable rotation speed, it is not necessary to increase the rotation speed of the cooling fan 22 more than necessary. , Can reduce power consumption. Further, since the temperature change of the refrigerant becomes gentle, the temperature of the refrigerant can be controlled with higher accuracy than in the case where the temperature change of the refrigerant is abrupt.

  In the method of cooling the inside of the refrigerator 1 using the refrigerant, the refrigerant may freeze. If the operation of the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 is continued in a state where the refrigerant is frozen, the temperature of the cold head rapidly decreases, and the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 may possibly break down.

  Therefore, it is necessary to detect the temperature of the low temperature side circulation circuit 40 of the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 and stop the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 when the temperature of the low temperature side circulation circuit 40 reaches near the freezing temperature of the refrigerant. However, suddenly stopping the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 is not preferable because the reliability of the refrigerator 1 as a product is greatly impaired.

  As described above, the refrigerator 1 according to the third embodiment freezes the refrigerant different from the stop control before performing the stop control for stopping the Stirling refrigeration engine 30 in order to prevent the refrigerant from freezing. Freezing prevention control for preventing the cooling, for example, control for setting the rotational speed of the cooling fan 22 to the maximum allowable rotational speed, or control for reducing the input power to the Stirling refrigeration engine 30 causes the refrigerant to freeze. To prevent.

  For this reason, it is not necessary to perform stop control of the Stirling refrigeration engine 30 when the freeze prevention can prevent the refrigerant from freezing. As a result, the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 can be prevented from being stopped as much as possible. Thereby, the reliability as a product of a refrigerator can be improved.

Further, when the temperature is detected by the temperature sensor 81, for example, an abnormality in temperature detection such as an abnormality in the thermistor of the temperature sensor 81 is detected, so that erroneous detection of the temperature of the temperature sensor 81 can be prevented. Therefore, based on the erroneous detection that falls below the temperature T ₂ in step S84, the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 can be prevented is stopped at step S86.

Further, anti-freezing control is performed when the temperature falls below the temperature T ₁ higher than the temperature at which the refrigerant freezes, and Stirling occurs when the temperature falls below the temperature T ₂ higher than the temperature at which the refrigerant freezes and lower than the temperature T _1. Stop control of the refrigeration engine 30 is performed. For this reason, it is not necessary to perform stop control of the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 when the freezing of the refrigerant can be prevented without falling below the temperature T ₂ by the freezing prevention control. As a result, the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 can be prevented from being stopped as much as possible.

  Moreover, since the air volume of the cooling fan 22 is increased, the air around the low-temperature side evaporator 42 is convected. For this reason, since the air newly sent to the low temperature side evaporator 42 gives heat to the refrigerant, the temperature of the refrigerant rises. As a result, the refrigerant can be prevented from freezing.

  Moreover, since the air in a warehouse convects with the cooling fan 22, the air in a warehouse can be efficiently cooled with the low temperature side evaporator 42. FIG. As a result, the COP (Coefficient Of Performance) of the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 can be improved.

Here, the COP indicates the heating or cooling capacity per power consumption of the heating device or the cooling device, and the amount of heat given to the non-heated material or the amount of heat taken from the non-cooled material and consumed for the heating or cooling. Calculated as the ratio of the input energy amount to the heat value conversion value. In the present embodiment, the cooling device is the refrigerator 1, and the non-cooled material is air in the refrigerator 1 that is cooled by the refrigerant cooled by the cold head of the Stirling refrigeration engine 30. Further, when the amount of heat taken from the non-cooled material is Q _OUT and the converted amount of heat of the input energy is Q _IN , COP can be obtained by the equation COP = Q _OUT / Q _IN .

In other words, the cooled refrigerant Stirling refrigerating engine 30, so efficiently heat from the convection air by the cooling fan 22 is taken away, the amount of heat Q _OUT depriving air to heat conversion value Q _IN of the input electric power is increased COP is improved.

In addition, when the amount of heat is given to the refrigerant by taking the amount of heat from the air, the cooling capacity of the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 is lowered when the temperature of the refrigerant does not increase and is lower than the temperature T _1. That is, control is performed so that the input power input to the Stirling refrigeration engine 30 is reduced.

  For this reason, since the cooling of the refrigerant | coolant by the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 is suppressed, the temperature of a refrigerant | coolant rises. As a result, the refrigerant can be prevented from freezing.

  Moreover, since the rotation speed of the cooling fan 22 is driven at the maximum allowable rotation speed of the cooling fan 22, it is possible to further prevent the refrigerant from freezing as compared with a case where the rotation speed is not the maximum allowable rotation speed. Further, since the air in the refrigerator is further convected by the cooling fan 22 by setting the maximum allowable rotation speed, the COP of the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 can be further improved.

In addition, when the air volume of the cooling fan 22 is increased and the amount of heat is given to the refrigerant, the temperature of the refrigerant does not increase and is lower than the temperature T _1. Control to decrease. For this reason, since cooling of a refrigerant | coolant is suppressed, the temperature of a refrigerant | coolant rises. As a result, the refrigerant can be prevented from freezing.

  In addition, since the Stirling refrigeration engine 30 has an abnormality before the refrigerant freezes, the fact that the refrigerant is frozen is notified, so that an emergency measure against the refrigerant freezing, such as opening and closing the door, can be urged.

In the third embodiment, for example, the temperature T ₁ is about 3 ° C. higher than the freezing point of the refrigerant, and the temperature T ₂ is about 1 ° C. higher than the freezing point of the refrigerant. However, the temperatures T ₁ and T ₂ are higher than the freezing point of the refrigerant, and needless to say, other temperatures may be used as long as T ₁ > T ₂ .

In this case, the lower temperature of the temperature range of the refrigerant that can be taken when the Stirling refrigeration engine 30 is operated in the rated state is defined as the temperature T _2, and the temperature is lower than the higher temperature of the aforementioned temperature range, By setting the temperature T ₁ to a temperature that is several degrees higher than the temperature T _2, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the refrigerant from becoming below the temperature range of the refrigerant that can be taken in the rated operation of the Stirling refrigeration engine 30.

  Accordingly, the refrigerant is not cooled excessively by the operation of the Stirling refrigerating engine 30, and the cold head can be prevented from being overcooled, so that the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 can be prevented from being overloaded beyond the rated state. As a result, deterioration of the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 can be prevented.

  In the first embodiment to the third embodiment, the refrigerator 1 has been described. However, the refrigerator 1 that executes the processes shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 7, 8, and 10. Or the control method of Stirling refrigerating engine 30, the control program of refrigerator 1 or Stirling refrigerating engine 30 which performs the processing shown in Drawing 4, Drawing 5, Drawing 7, Drawing 8 and Drawing 10, and refrigerator 1 are provided. The invention can be understood as the Stirling refrigerating engine 30 to be produced.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows one Embodiment of the refrigerator which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the flow of the cool air of the refrigerator in this embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the freeze prevention function of the refrigerator in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the freeze prevention process performed with the refrigerator in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the modified freezing prevention process performed with the refrigerator in 1st Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the freeze prevention function of the refrigerator in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the freeze prevention process performed with the refrigerator in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the modified freezing prevention process performed with the refrigerator in 2nd Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the freeze prevention function of the refrigerator in 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the freezing prevention process performed with the refrigerator in 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cooling box, 2 Cooling fan, 10 Housing, 11 2nd cooling chamber, 12 1st cooling chamber, 14 Upper door, 15 Lower door, 17 Packing, 18 Shelf, 19 Machine room, 20, 21 Duct, 20A, 20B Cold air outlet, 22 Cooling fan, 30 Stirling refrigerating engine, 40 Low temperature side circulation circuit, 41 Low temperature side condenser, 42 Low temperature side evaporator, 50 High temperature side natural circulation circuit, 51 High temperature side evaporator, 52 High temperature side condenser , 61 damper, 62 blower fan, 81 temperature sensor, 82 upper door opening / closing detection switch, 83 lower door opening / closing detection switch, 84 door opening / closing detection switch, 90 control unit, 91 display unit.

Claims (5)

It is a refrigerator that cools the interior with a Stirling refrigeration engine,
A state detection means for detecting a state of fear of overcooling of the low temperature portion formed in the Stirling refrigeration engine as a state of fear of overcooling;
Based on the detection of the overcooling state by the state detection means, before performing stop control of the Stirling refrigeration engine, the supercooling prevention control means for preventing and controlling the low temperature portion from being overcooled ,
A cooling fan that supplies cold air cooled by the Stirling refrigeration engine into the cabinet ,
The overcooling prevention control means drives the cooling fan and reduces the refrigeration capacity of the Stirling refrigeration engine . Door state detection means for detecting the open / closed state of the door provided in the cooling chamber of the refrigerator;
A cooling fan for supplying cold air cooled by the Stirling refrigeration engine into the cabinet;
Based on the detection of the open state of the door by the door state detecting means, Bei example a cooling fan control means for stopping the cooling fan,
The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the state detection unit detects that a predetermined time has elapsed after the door state detection unit has opened the door. E Bei cold side evaporator which receives cold heat through the secondary refrigerant from the cold portion formed in the Stirling refrigerating engine,
In the state detection means, the temperature of any one of the low temperature part, the low temperature side evaporator, and the low temperature side condenser paired with the low temperature side evaporator is lower than a predetermined temperature before the freezing temperature point of the secondary refrigerant. The refrigerator of Claim 1 which detects this.   The overcooling prevention control means drives the cooling fan or increases the number of rotations of the cooling fan when the state detection means detects that the temperature is below the predetermined temperature, and further drives the cooling fan. Or the cooling capacity of the Stirling refrigeration engine is reduced if the state detecting means detects that the temperature has dropped below the predetermined temperature after a predetermined time has elapsed since the rotation speed of the cooling fan is increased. The listed refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a first cooling chamber and a second cooling chamber that are partitioned by a heat insulating material, each having a door,
Door state detecting means for detecting the open / closed state of doors provided in the first cooling chamber and the second cooling chamber of the refrigerator,
A cooling fan for supplying cold air cooled by the Stirling refrigeration engine to the first cooling chamber;
An air passage for guiding cold air cooled by the Stirling refrigeration engine to the second cooling chamber;
A blocking means for blocking cold air provided in the air passage and cooled by the Stirling refrigeration engine;
Further example Bei a blowing fan that blows cool air cooled by the Stirling refrigerating engine to said air passage,
The overcooling prevention control means detects the closed state of the door of the first cooling chamber and the open state of the door of the second cooling chamber when the door state detection means detects the air passage to the blocking means. When the door state detecting means detects the open state of the door of the first cooling chamber and the closed state of the door of the second cooling chamber. The cooler according to claim 2 , wherein the blocking unit releases the blocking of the blowing path and drives the blowing fan.

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