JP4188095B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and particularly to drainage of dissolved water in which frost attached to an indoor heat exchanger is dissolved by a defrosting operation.
[0002]
[Prior art]
4 and 5 show a conventional refrigerator.
FIG. 4 shows a refrigerator during a cooling operation for cooling the freezer warehouse 1, air is taken into the cooling chamber 4 of the refrigerator main body 2 from the freezer warehouse 1 through the suction duct 3, and the cool air is sent through the duct 5. To the freezer warehouse 1. In other words, the air circulates along the route indicated by the arrow in FIG.
Here, the refrigerator main body 2 sucks the air in the freezer warehouse 1 from the suction port 11 through the suction duct 3. A damper 12 is attached to the suction port 11 and is opened during the cooling operation. An indoor heat exchanger 13 is attached in the cooling chamber 4, and the air from the freezer warehouse 1 is cooled by passing through the indoor heat exchanger 13. A damper 15 is attached to the delivery port 14 and is opened during the cooling operation. A fan 17 is attached in a duct 16 attached to the delivery port 14. The fan 17 is activated during the cooling operation to send out the cool air in the cooling chamber 4 from the delivery port 14 and sucks air from the suction port 11 and takes it into the cooling chamber 4.
[0003]
The refrigeration cycle includes the compressor 21, the outdoor heat exchanger 23, the throttle mechanism 22, and the indoor heat exchanger 13. That is, the refrigerant flows in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4, and the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 21 is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 23 as high-temperature and high-pressure steam. Cooled by the cooling fan 24 in the outdoor heat exchanger 23, the refrigerant becomes a liquid at room temperature and high pressure. When passing through the throttle mechanism 22, the pressure of the refrigerant decreases and evaporates to a low temperature state. When this low-temperature refrigerant passes through the indoor heat exchanger 13, it absorbs heat in the cooling chamber 4.
[0004]
If the cooling operation is continued, frost or ice adheres to the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 13 and the heat exchange rate decreases. Therefore, the cooling operation is stopped and switched to the defrosting operation to melt the frost, and the dissolved dissolved water is discharged out of the cooling chamber 4.
FIG. 5 shows the defrosting operation of the refrigerator, and the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 4 denote the same parts.
During the defrosting operation, the fan 17 is stopped, the dampers 12 and 15 are closed, and the freezer warehouse 1 and the refrigerator main body 2 are shut off. As indicated by the arrows in FIG. 5, the refrigerant flows in the direction opposite to that during the cooling operation, and the indoor heat exchanger 13 becomes high temperature. For this reason, the frost or ice adhering to the indoor heat exchanger 13 melts and falls into the water droplets 31 and accumulates in the drain pan 32.
[0005]
A drain port is provided at the bottom of the drain pan 32, and the drain port communicates with an air cut valve 34 attached to the bottom surface of the drain pan 32. The air cut valve 34 has a tip 34a made of soft rubber. When the fan 17 is operated during cooling operation and the cooling chamber 4 becomes negative pressure, the opening of the tip 34a is closed, and the outside air is discharged from the drain port. It is designed to stop intrusion. That is, it functions as a check valve. Further, the air cut valve 34 is surrounded and protected by a drain trap 35, so that the function of the check valve is maintained.
[0006]
In the defrosting operation, since the fan 17 is stopped, the air cut valve 34 is opened. For this reason, the dissolved water 33 accumulated in the drain pan 32 is discharged via the air cut valve 34 and the drain trap 35.
After the defrosting operation is performed for a predetermined time, the drying operation is performed for several minutes. In the drying operation, the compressor 21 is stopped while the dampers 12 and 15 are closed, and the dissolved water adhering to the indoor heat exchanger 13 is evaporated and the indoor heat exchanger 13 whose temperature has risen is cooled. When the drying operation ends, the cooling operation is resumed to cool the freezer warehouse 1.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the conventional refrigerator only stops the compressor 21 with the dampers 12 and 15 closed in the drying operation, and the indoor heat exchanger 13 heated in the defrosting operation relies on natural cooling. . For this reason, there is a problem that it takes a long time until the residual heat of the indoor heat exchanger 13 is eliminated, and the cooling operation is restarted without sufficiently lowering the temperature to place a heavy burden on the compressor 21.
Further, there is a problem that dust is easily accumulated because dust is mixed in the dissolved water 33 and the flow path of the dissolved water 33 in the air cut valve 34 is particularly narrow.
Furthermore, if the cooling operation is resumed with the dissolved water 33 remaining in the flow path, the flow path is blocked by icing, and the frozen water remains frozen in the next defrosting operation, and the dissolved water 33 is not discharged. It is done. In order to avoid such a state, the drain pan 32, the air cut valve 34, and the drain trap 35 must be frequently cleaned, and there is a problem in that maintenance is troublesome.
[0008]
This invention was made in order to solve the said problem, and it aims at providing the refrigerator which can discharge | emit the dissolved water which melt | dissolved the frost adhering to an indoor heat exchanger smoothly. .
Moreover, it aims at providing the refrigerator which can reduce the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger heated by the defrost operation in a short time.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The refrigerator according to claim 1 is cooled through the indoor heat exchanger from the cooling chamber, the indoor heat exchanger provided in the cooling chamber, and the outlet formed in the cooling chamber during the cooling operation. One of the first fan for taking the air in the compartment into the cooling chamber from the suction port formed in the cooling chamber and the cooling chamber bordering on the indoor heat exchanger A drain pan that collects frost or ice dissolved water droplets attached to the indoor heat exchanger, and is provided below the drain pan from the bottom of the drain pan. When the cooling chamber is at or above the atmospheric pressure, the dissolved water is discharged from the drain pan. A second fan for taking outside air into the cooling chamber from an opening formed on the other side of the cooling chamber, and closing the inlet and the outlet during the drying operation. Open and operate second fan Allowed by feeding the outside air from the opening to the cooling chamber, it pressurizes the cooling chamber is obtained by the dissolved water and cooling indoor air in the drain pan so as to forcibly discharged from the air cut valve.
[0010]
The refrigerator according to claim 2 includes a cooling chamber, an indoor heat exchanger provided in the cooling chamber, and a delivery port formed on one side of the cooling chamber with the indoor heat exchanger as a boundary during cooling operation. From the suction port formed on the other side of the cooling chamber, the fan for taking in the cooling air that has passed through the indoor heat exchanger and cooled into the cooling chamber and taking in the air in the compartment from the suction port And a drain pan provided on the other side of the cooling chamber for storing water droplets in which frost or ice adhering to the indoor heat exchanger is dissolved, and provided below from the bottom surface of the drain pan. An air cut valve that discharges dissolved water from the drain pan, a first damper that opens and closes the inlet, a second damper that opens and closes the outlet on the outlet side of the fan, and an opening formed between the fan and the second damper. A third damper that opens and closes During the drying operation, the inlet and the outlet are closed by the first damper and the second damper, and the opening is opened by the third damper, and the fan is rotated reversely to the cooling operation to send the outside air into the cooling through the opening. Thus, the cooling chamber is pressurized and the dissolved water in the drain pan and the air in the cooling chamber are forcibly discharged from the air cut valve .
[0011]
In the refrigerator according to claim 3, the indoor heat exchanger is inclined to the suction port side and attached to the cooling chamber, and the drain pan is disposed below the indoor heat exchanger .
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 and 2 show a refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
In the figure, 1 is a freezing warehouse which is a compartment to be frozen, 2 is a refrigerator main body, 3 is a suction duct for guiding the air in the freezer warehouse 1 to the refrigerator main body 2, 4 is a cooling chamber of the refrigerator main body 2, 5 Is a delivery duct for guiding cold air from the refrigerator main body 2 to the freezer warehouse 1.
11 is a suction port of the refrigerator body 2, 12 is a damper that opens and closes the suction port 11, 13 is an indoor heat exchanger attached to the cooling chamber 4, and 14 is a delivery port that sends out the cold air cooled by the indoor heat exchanger 13 , 15 are dampers that open and close the delivery port 14 and are opened during the cooling operation. Reference numeral 16 denotes a duct attached to the outlet 14, and reference numeral 17 denotes a fan attached to the duct 16, which operates during the cooling operation to send out the cold air in the cooling chamber 4 from the outlet 14.
The indoor heat exchanger 13 is installed at a position separating the inlet 11 and the outlet 14 and is attached to the cooling chamber 4 while being inclined toward the inlet 11.
[0014]
Reference numeral 21 is a compressor, 23 is an outdoor heat exchanger, 22 is a throttle mechanism, 13 is an indoor heat exchanger, and the compressor 21 is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and the indoor heat exchanger 13 by a pipe line. Is connected to the compressor 21 via the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and the indoor heat exchanger 13 to constitute a refrigeration cycle. A cooling fan 24 cools the outdoor heat exchanger 23.
[0015]
31 is a water droplet in which frost or ice adhering to the indoor heat exchanger 13 is dissolved, 32 is a drain pan for storing the water droplet 31, and a drain outlet is provided on the bottom surface. 33 is dissolved water in the drain pan 32, 34 is an air cut valve suspended downward from the bottom surface of the drain port of the drain pan 32, the tip end portion 34 a is made of soft rubber and is tapered, and the opening is narrowed. ing. For this reason, when the cooling chamber 4 is at the atmospheric pressure, the dissolved water 33 is dripped from the drain pan 32. However, when the cooling chamber 4 becomes negative pressure, it is pressed by the outside air, so the opening of the tip 34a is closed and the dissolved water 33 is closed. Dripping is prevented and the inflow of outside air is also prevented. Therefore, the air cut valve 34 functions as a check valve. A drain trap 35 surrounds and protects the air cut valve 34.
The drain pan 32, the air cut valve 34, and the drain trap 35 constitute a drain 36 and are attached to the bottom surface of the cooling chamber 4 on the inlet 11 side with the indoor heat exchanger 13 as a boundary. Moreover, since the indoor heat exchanger 13 is inclined and attached, the water drop 31 drops or propagates down to the drainer 36 side.
[0016]
41 is a forced discharge means that takes in the outside air to pressurize the cooling chamber 4 and forcibly discharge the dissolved water 33, and includes an opening 42 provided on the side wall of the refrigerator main body 2, and a damper 43 that opens and closes the opening 42. A duct 44 that guides outside air to the opening 42 and a fan 45 that sends outside air into the cooling chamber 4.
The forced discharge means 41 is attached to the side surface of the cooling chamber 4 on the delivery port 14 side with the indoor heat exchanger 13 as a boundary.
[0017]
Next, the operation will be described. The operation includes a cooling operation, a defrosting operation, and a drying operation. 1. Cooling Operation In the cooling operation, the opening 42 shown in FIG. 1 is closed by the damper 43, and no external air is taken in by the forced exhaust means 41. Therefore, the cooling operation is the same as the conventional example, and will be described with reference to FIG.
That is, the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 21, becomes high-temperature and high-pressure steam, flows in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4, and is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 23. Cooled by the cooling fan 24 in the outdoor heat exchanger 23, the refrigerant becomes a high-pressure liquid. When passing through the throttle mechanism 22, the pressure of the refrigerant decreases and evaporates to a low temperature state. The indoor heat exchanger 13 is cooled by a low-temperature refrigerant.
[0018]
The air in the cooling chamber 4 is sent out from the outlet 14 by the operation of the fan 17. Since the inside of the cooling chamber 4 becomes negative pressure by this delivery, the damper 12 opens and the air in the freezer warehouse 1 is taken into the cooling chamber 4 from the suction port 11. The taken-in air is cooled by passing through the indoor heat exchanger 13 and is sent back to the freezer warehouse 1 through the delivery duct 5. The freezer warehouse 1 is cooled by the circulation of the air.
In the cooling operation, since the cooling chamber 4 has a negative pressure, the air cut valve 34 is closed and the inflow of outside air is prevented.
[0019]
2. Defrosting operation If the cooling operation is continued, frost or ice adheres to the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 13 and the heat exchange rate decreases. Therefore, the cooling operation is stopped and switched to the defrosting operation to melt the frost.
Also in the defrosting operation, the opening 42 in FIG. 1 is closed by the damper 43, and no external air is taken in by the forced discharge means 41. Therefore, the defrosting operation is the same as in the conventional example. That is, in FIG. 2, the fan 17 is stopped and the damper 15 is closed. For this reason, the damper 12 closes the suction port 11 and the refrigeration warehouse 1 and the refrigerator main body 2 are shut off. As shown by the arrows in FIG. 2, the refrigerant flows in the direction opposite to that during the cooling operation, and the indoor heat exchanger 13 becomes high temperature. For this reason, frost or ice adhering to the indoor heat exchanger 13 is melted, dropped and removed by the inclination of the indoor heat exchanger 13, and accumulated in the drain pan 32.
In the defrosting operation, since the fan 17 is stopped, the air cut valve 34 is opened. For this reason, the dissolved water 33 accumulated in the drain pan 32 is discharged via the air cut valve 34 and the drain trap 35.
[0020]
3. In the drying operation defrosting operation, the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 13 is increased, and dissolved water is also attached. Therefore, in order to cool the indoor heat exchanger 13 and evaporate the dissolved water, a drying operation is performed after the defrosting operation is completed.
In the drying operation, as shown in FIG. 2, the dampers 12 and 15 are closed and the compressor 21 is stopped. The forced discharge means 41 opens the damper 43 and operates the fan 45 to send outside air into the cooling chamber 4 from the opening 42.
[0021]
Since the opening 42 is provided on the delivery port 14 side with the indoor heat exchanger 13 as a boundary, the outside air flows from the delivery port 14 side through the indoor heat exchanger 13 to the suction port 11 side. Thereby, the indoor heat exchanger 13 is cooled by the outside air, and the adhering dissolved water evaporates. Furthermore, since the inside of the cooling chamber 4 is at a positive pressure, the air is discharged together with the dissolved water 33 from the opening of the air cut valve 34.
When the drying operation is completed, the operation returns to the cooling operation.
[0022]
According to the first embodiment, since the suction port 11 and the delivery port 14 are closed, the forced discharge means 41 is provided for sending outside air into the cooling chamber 4 and pressurizing it to discharge the dissolved water 33 from the drainage device 36. During the drying operation, air is smoothly discharged together with the dissolved water 33 from the opening of the air cut valve 34. Even if dust accumulates on the air cut valve 34 and the opening is blocked, the air is pushed out by the outside air sent into the cooling chamber 4, so that a flow path from the cooling chamber 4 to the outside air is secured. By securing this flow path, the dissolved water 33 is smoothly discharged even during the drying operation.
The drainage device 36 discharges the dissolved water 33 from one side of the cooling chamber 4 with the indoor heat exchanger 13 as a boundary, and the forced discharge means 41 sends outside air from the other side of the cooling chamber 4 to Since the heat exchanger 13 is passed, the indoor heat exchanger 13 can be cooled in a short time.
Further, the indoor heat exchanger 13 is installed at a position separating the suction port 11 and the delivery port 14 and is attached to the cooling chamber 4 so as to be inclined toward the suction port 11 side. Since the outside air is fed into the cooling chamber 4 from the side, the dissolved water falls as water droplets 31 due to the inclination of the indoor heat exchanger 13 and is removed in a short time.
[0023]
Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 3 shows a refrigerator according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 denote the same parts.
58 is a duct provided between the delivery port 14 and the delivery duct 5, 59 is a reversibly rotatable fan provided at the end of the duct 58 on the delivery port 14 side, and 60 is an end of the duct 58 on the delivery duct 5 side. It is a damper that is provided in the section and opens and closes the duct 58.
61 is a forced discharge means provided between the fan 59 and the damper 60; an opening 62 that communicates with the outside air; a damper 63 that is always closed and opens the opening 62 only during the drying operation; It consists of a fan 59 for taking in.
[0024]
Next, the operation will be described.
Since the damper 63 is always closed, the cooling operation and the defrosting operation are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.
In the drying operation, the damper 60 closes the duct 58 and the damper 63 opens. The fan 59 rotates in a direction opposite to the rotation direction during the cooling operation, and takes outside air into the cooling chamber 4 from the opening 62. As in the first embodiment, the indoor heat exchanger 13 is dried by the taken-in outside air, and the dissolved water 33 is discharged from the drainage 36.
[0025]
Also in the second embodiment, since the forced discharge means 61 is provided, the dissolved water 33 is smoothly discharged from the opening of the air cut valve 34. Even if dust accumulates and the opening is closed, it is pushed out by the outside air sent into the cooling chamber 4, so that a flow path from the cooling chamber 4 to the outside air is secured. Moreover, the indoor heat exchanger 13 can be cooled in a short time.
In particular, since the fan 59 and the duct 58 that send out cool air during the cooling operation are also used as the forced discharge means 61, the duct work is simplified.
It is a thing.
[0026]
【The invention's effect】
Since this invention is comprised as mentioned above, there exist the following effects.
The refrigerator according to claim 1 is cooled through the indoor heat exchanger from the cooling chamber, the indoor heat exchanger provided in the cooling chamber, and the outlet formed in the cooling chamber during the cooling operation. One of the first fan for taking the air in the compartment into the cooling chamber from the suction port formed in the cooling chamber and the cooling chamber bordering on the indoor heat exchanger A drain pan that collects frost or ice dissolved water droplets attached to the indoor heat exchanger, and is provided below the drain pan from the bottom of the drain pan. When the cooling chamber is at or above the atmospheric pressure, the dissolved water is discharged from the drain pan. A second fan for taking outside air into the cooling chamber from an opening formed on the other side of the cooling chamber, and closing the inlet and the outlet during the drying operation. Open and operate second fan Allowed by feeding the outside air from the opening to the cooling chamber, it pressurizes the cooling chamber is obtained by the dissolved water and cooling indoor air in the drain pan so as to forcibly discharged from the air cut valve.
Therefore, the dissolved water is smoothly discharged from the drainage device, and even if dust accumulates and the drainage device is blocked, it is pushed out by the outside air sent into the cooling chamber. There is an effect that the flow path leading to is secured.
Moreover, since outside air passes an indoor heat exchanger, there exists an effect that the indoor heat exchanger which raised the temperature by the defrost operation can be cooled in a short time.
[0027]
Refrigerator according to claim 2, the cooling chamber and, a provided in the cooling chamber interior heat exchanger, the cooling operation time, delivery port formed on one side of the cooling chamber to boundary indoor heat exchanger From the suction port formed on the other side of the cooling chamber, the fan for taking in the cooling air that has passed through the indoor heat exchanger and cooled into the cooling chamber and taking in the air in the compartment from the suction port And a drain pan provided on the other side of the cooling chamber for storing water droplets in which frost or ice adhering to the indoor heat exchanger is dissolved, and provided below from the bottom surface of the drain pan. An air cut valve that discharges dissolved water from the drain pan, a first damper that opens and closes the inlet, a second damper that opens and closes the outlet on the outlet side of the fan, and an opening formed between the fan and the second damper. A third damper that opens and closes During the drying operation, the inlet and the outlet are closed by the first damper and the second damper, and the opening is opened by the third damper, and the fan is rotated reversely to the cooling operation to send the outside air into the cooling through the opening. Thus, the cooling chamber is pressurized and the dissolved water in the drain pan and the air in the cooling chamber are forcibly discharged from the air cut valve .
Even if it exists in this thing, while the flow path of the melted water which leads to external air from a cooling chamber is ensured, there exists an effect that an indoor heat exchanger can be cooled in a short time.
In particular, since the fan and the duct that send out the cold air during the cooling operation are also used as the forced discharge means, there is also an effect that the duct work is simplified.
[0028]
In the refrigerator according to claim 3, the indoor heat exchanger is inclined to the suction port side and attached to the cooling chamber, and the drain pan is disposed below the indoor heat exchanger .
For this reason, at the time of a defrost operation, there exists an effect that dissolved water falls as a water droplet by the inclination of an indoor heat exchanger, and is removed in a short time.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a defrosting operation and a drying operation of the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a defrosting operation and a drying operation of a refrigerator according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a conventional refrigerator during cooling operation.
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a conventional refrigerator in a defrosting operation and a drying operation.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigeration warehouse, 2 Refrigerator main body, 3 Suction duct, 4 Cooling chamber, 5 Delivery duct, 11 Suction inlet, 12 Damper, 13 Indoor heat exchanger, 14 Outlet, 15 Damper, 16 Duct, 17 Fan, 21 Compressor , 22 throttle mechanism, 23 outdoor heat exchanger, 24 cooling fan, 31 water droplet, 32 drain pan, 33 dissolved water, 34 air cut valve, 34a tip, 35 drain trap, 41 forced discharge means, 42 opening, 43 damper, 44 Duct, 45 fan, 58 duct, 59 fan, 60 damper, 61 forced discharge means, 62 opening, 63 damper.

Claims (3)

A cooling chamber;
An indoor heat exchanger provided in the cooling chamber;
During the cooling operation, from the outlet formed in the cooling chamber, the cooled air passing through the indoor heat exchanger is sent to the compartment to be cooled, and from the suction port formed in the cooling chamber, A first fan for taking the air in the compartment into the cooling chamber;
A drain pan that is provided on one side of the cooling chamber with the indoor heat exchanger as a boundary, and stores water droplets in which frost or ice adhering to the indoor heat exchanger is dissolved;
An air cut valve provided below the bottom surface of the drain pan and for discharging dissolved water from the drain pan when the cooling chamber is at or above the atmospheric pressure;
A second fan for taking outside air into the cooling chamber from an opening formed on the other side of the cooling chamber;
With
During the drying operation, the inlet and the outlet are closed and the opening is opened, and the second fan is operated to send outside air into the cooling chamber from the opening, thereby pressurizing the cooling chamber, A refrigerator that forcibly discharges dissolved water in the drain pan and air in the cooling chamber from the air cut valve . A cooling chamber;
An indoor heat exchanger provided in the cooling chamber;
During the cooling operation, from the outlet formed on one side of the cooling chamber with the indoor heat exchanger as a boundary, the cooled air passing through the indoor heat exchanger is sent to the compartment to be cooled. A fan for taking air in the compartment into the cooling chamber from an inlet formed on the other side of the cooling chamber;
A drain pan that is provided on the other side of the cooling chamber and stores water droplets in which frost or ice adhering to the indoor heat exchanger is dissolved;
An air cut valve that is provided below the bottom surface of the drain pan, and discharges dissolved water from the drain pan when the cooling chamber is at or above the atmospheric pressure;
A first damper that opens and closes the inlet;
A second damper that opens and closes the outlet on the outlet side of the fan;
A third damper that opens and closes an opening formed between the fan and the second damper;
With
During the drying operation, the inlet and the outlet are closed by the first damper and the second damper, the opening is opened by the third damper, and the fan is rotated in the reverse direction from the cooling operation to open the opening. A refrigerating machine that pressurizes the cooling chamber by forcing outside air into the cooling and forcibly discharges the dissolved water in the drain pan and the air in the cooling chamber from the air cut valve . The indoor heat exchanger is inclined to the inlet side and attached to the cooling chamber,
The drain pan is disposed below the indoor heat exchanger.
The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that .

Images