JP6408262B2 - vending machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a so-called heat pump type vending machine that includes a compressor that compresses a refrigerant, heats the product storage room by radiating the refrigerant with an indoor heat exchanger, and absorbs and cools the refrigerant.

  In this kind of heat pump type vending machine, a plurality of product storage rooms are formed in the main body, and any one of them is a dedicated cooling room for cooling, and the rest can be switched between cooling and heating. It is a cold / hot switching room. The cooling chamber is cooled by an indoor heat exchanger (first heat exchanger) for the cooling chamber that absorbs heat from the refrigerant. Moreover, in the use state which cools the cold / warm switching chamber, the refrigerant is absorbed by the indoor heat exchanger for the cold / warm switching chamber, and in the hot use state, the refrigerant is radiated by the indoor heat exchanger for the cold / warm switching chamber. .

  Also, an outdoor heat exchanger (second heat exchanger) is provided outside the product storage room, and when the cooling dedicated room is sufficiently cooled, the outdoor heat exchanger absorbs the refrigerant and heats it. When the inside of the cold-temperature switching room is sufficiently heated, the outdoor heat exchanger is configured to radiate the refrigerant (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Moreover, although it is an air conditioner, as a heat pump control, when heating by an indoor heat exchanger, the degree of refrigerant supercooling is controlled, and when cooling, the degree of superheat is controlled to control the amount of refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger. Is known to be appropriate (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  Furthermore, a receiver is arranged between the condenser and the evaporator, and the opening degree of the adjusting means attached before and after the condenser is controlled by the degree of supercooling of the condenser or the degree of superheat of the suction refrigerant of the compressor, and the refrigerant in the receiver Some have changed the storage amount to stabilize the operation state of the refrigeration system apparatus (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

JP-A-2005-216111 JP-A-60-243460 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-89780

  However, the vending machine must simultaneously perform both cooling in the cooling-only chamber and heating in the cold-temperature switching chamber. Therefore, in the heat pump type vending machine, the refrigerant heat is absorbed by the indoor heat exchanger for the cooling exclusive room and at the same time the refrigerant is dissipated by the indoor heat exchanger for the cold temperature switching room. Then, although either one can be optimized, there is a problem that both cooling and heating performed simultaneously cannot be made highly efficient.

  Moreover, when the required capacity | capacitance of the indoor heat exchanger which thermally radiates a refrigerant | coolant, and the indoor heat exchanger which absorbs a refrigerant | coolant does not balance, either capability shortage will generate | occur | produce. For example, in summer when the outside air temperature is high, if the amount of heat released from the indoor heat exchanger that dissipates the refrigerant becomes relatively excessive, the cool-temperature switching chamber in the heating state to be heated will be warmed early, so the compressor stops. It will be. On the other hand, in such a high outside air temperature environment, since the load of the cooling exclusive room is relatively large, there is a problem that the compressor stops before the cooling exclusive room is cooled to an appropriate temperature.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the conventional technical problem, and the amount of heat release when simultaneously heating the product storage room that radiates the refrigerant and cooling the product storage room that absorbs the refrigerant and An object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine capable of easily adjusting both endothermic amounts and keeping each product storage room at an appropriate temperature.

  The vending machine according to the present invention includes a product storage chamber configured in a body, a compressor that compresses the refrigerant, a heat radiating indoor heat exchanger that radiates the refrigerant to heat the product storage chamber, and absorbs the refrigerant. And a heat absorption indoor heat exchanger for cooling the product storage room, wherein the refrigerant outlet of the heat dissipation indoor heat exchanger and the refrigerant inlet of the heat absorption indoor heat exchanger are communicated with each other, and A heat dissipation throttle means positioned at the refrigerant outlet of the heat dissipation indoor heat exchanger and a heat absorption throttle means positioned at the refrigerant inlet of the heat absorption indoor heat exchanger, and the refrigerant passing through the heat dissipation throttle means is supplied to the refrigerant tank. The liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant tank is caused to flow into the endothermic throttle means, and the control means controls the heat dissipation throttle means to control the dryness of the refrigerant at the outlet of the heat dissipation indoor heat exchanger. Indoor heat exchanger for heat absorption by controlling means And controlling the refrigerant superheating degree of the mouth.

  The vending machine of the invention of claim 2 is provided outside the product storage room in the above invention, and is located at the refrigerant outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger that radiates or absorbs the refrigerant and the outdoor heat exchanger that radiates the refrigerant. A heat squeezing means for radiating heat and a heat squeezing squeezing means located at the refrigerant inlet of the outdoor heat exchanger that absorbs heat from the refrigerant, and absorbs heat from the refrigerant outlet and refrigerant of the outdoor heat exchanger that radiates the refrigerant. The refrigerant inlet of the outdoor heat exchanger is connected to the refrigerant tank, the refrigerant that has passed through the heat dissipation throttle means flows into the refrigerant tank, the liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant tank flows into the heat absorption throttle means, and the control means The refrigerant heat is controlled at the outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger that controls the heat dissipation throttle means to radiate the refrigerant, and the refrigerant is heated at the outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger that controls the heat absorption throttle means to absorb the heat. Controlling degree And features.

  The vending machine of the invention of claim 3 is a cold / hot switching room as a product storage room capable of switching between cooling and heating in each of the above inventions, and an indoor heat exchanger for the cold / hot switching room provided in the cold / hot switching room, A cooling dedicated room as a product storage room dedicated to cooling, and an indoor heat exchanger for the cooling dedicated room provided in the cooling dedicated room, and the indoor heat exchanger for the cooling / cooling switching room is an indoor heat exchanger for heat dissipation or heat absorption The indoor heat exchanger for cooling only functions as an indoor heat exchanger for cooling, and the indoor heat exchanger for exclusive use for cooling functions as an indoor heat exchanger for heat absorption.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the vending machine according to the present invention is provided in a heat exchange relationship with the cold temperature switching chamber in the above invention, and switches the indoor heat exchanger for the cold temperature switching chamber to the indoor heat exchanger for heat dissipation and the indoor heat exchanger for heat absorption. A flow path switching valve is provided, and the control means is configured to energize the flow path switching valve to cause the cold / hot switching chamber heat exchanger to function as a heat radiating indoor heat exchanger.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vending machine including a refrigerant tank blower for air-cooling the refrigerant tank in each of the above inventions.

  The vending machine of the invention of claim 6 is characterized in that, in the above invention, the control means operates the refrigerant tank blower even when the compressor is stopped.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vending machine including a gas refrigerant return circuit that causes the compressor to suck the gas refrigerant in the refrigerant tank.

  An automatic vending machine according to an eighth aspect of the present invention includes the gas refrigerant return amount adjusting throttle means provided in the gas refrigerant return circuit in the above invention, and the control means is configured to use a gas refrigerant return amount adjusting throttle means. The amount of gas refrigerant sucked into the compressor is adjusted.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vending machine according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, wherein the gas refrigerant return circuit downstream of the gas refrigerant return amount adjusting throttling means exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing into the endothermic throttling means. Features.

A vending machine according to a tenth aspect of the present invention provides a heat exchange between the refrigerant sucked into the compressor from the indoor heat exchanger for heat absorption according to the second aspect of the invention or the outdoor heat exchanger that absorbs the refrigerant with the refrigerant tank. It was made to be characterized.

The vending machine of the invention of claim 11 ventilates the indoor heat exchanger for heat dissipation in the invention of claim 2 or claim 10 , or the outdoor heat exchanger that dissipates the heat of the indoor heat exchanger for heat dissipation and the refrigerant. The control means controls the air volume of the blower and controls the air flow rate of the air at the outlet of the indoor heat exchanger for heat dissipation, or the refrigerant dryness at the outlet of the heat dissipating indoor heat exchanger and the outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger that dissipates the refrigerant. It is characterized by controlling.

  According to the present invention, a plurality of product storage chambers configured in the main body, a compressor that compresses the refrigerant, a heat radiating indoor heat exchanger that radiates the refrigerant and heats the product storage chamber, and absorbs the refrigerant. In a vending machine having an endothermic indoor heat exchanger that cools the product storage room, a refrigerant tank in which the refrigerant outlet of the indoor heat exchanger for heat dissipation and the refrigerant inlet of the indoor heat exchanger for heat absorption communicate with each other, and heat dissipation A heat squeezing means located at the refrigerant outlet of the indoor heat exchanger, and a heat absorbing squeezing means located at the refrigerant inlet of the heat absorbing indoor heat exchanger, and the refrigerant having passed through the heat squeezing means flows into the refrigerant tank. The liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant tank is caused to flow into the heat absorption throttle means, and the control means controls the heat dissipation throttle means to control the dryness of the refrigerant at the outlet of the heat dissipation indoor heat exchanger. Control heat absorption indoor heat exchanger Since the superheat degree of the refrigerant at the mouth is controlled, both the amount of heat released from the heat radiating indoor heat exchanger and the amount of heat absorbed by the heat absorbing indoor heat exchanger are adjusted simultaneously by the heat radiating restrictor and the heat absorbing restrictor. It becomes possible.

  Variations in the amount of liquid refrigerant that occurs between the heat-dissipating indoor heat exchanger and the heat-absorbing indoor heat exchanger due to the control of the heat-dissipating restrictor and the heat-absorbing restrictor can be absorbed by the refrigerant tank. It is possible to balance the amount of heat released from the exchanger and the load in the product storage room cooled by the endothermic indoor heat exchanger. In addition, the heat dissipation amount by the heat dissipation indoor heat exchanger can be adjusted by the heat dissipation throttle means, and at the same time, the heat absorption amount by the heat absorption indoor heat exchanger can be adjusted by the heat absorption throttle means. Since the range of the ratio between the heat dissipation amount of the heat exchanger and the heat absorption amount of the indoor heat exchanger for heat absorption is widened, each product storage room can be easily maintained at an appropriate temperature.

  According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to the above-mentioned invention, an outdoor heat exchanger that is provided outside the product storage chamber to dissipate or absorb heat from the refrigerant, and a refrigerant outlet of an outdoor heat exchanger that dissipates the refrigerant is provided. A heat squeezing means for radiating heat and a heat squeezing squeezing means located at the refrigerant inlet of the outdoor heat exchanger that absorbs heat from the refrigerant, and absorbs heat from the refrigerant outlet and refrigerant of the outdoor heat exchanger that radiates the refrigerant. The refrigerant inlet of the outdoor heat exchanger is connected to the refrigerant tank, the refrigerant that has passed through the heat dissipation throttle means flows into the refrigerant tank, the liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant tank flows into the heat absorption throttle means, and the control means The refrigerant heat is controlled at the outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger that controls the heat dissipation throttle means to radiate the refrigerant, and the refrigerant is heated at the outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger that controls the heat absorption throttle means to absorb the heat. Control the degree of heat absorption Adjusting the heat absorption and heat dissipation of the outdoor heat exchanger that absorbs the refrigerant when the refrigerant is not absorbed by the indoor heat exchanger, and radiates the refrigerant when the refrigerant is not dissipated by the indoor heat exchanger for heat radiation, and Variations in the amount of liquid refrigerant between the outdoor heat exchanger and each indoor heat exchanger can also be absorbed by the refrigerant tank, and even in such a situation, each product storage chamber can be easily maintained at an appropriate temperature.

  Incidentally, in many actual vending machines, as in the invention of claim 3, a cooling / heating switching room as a product storage room capable of switching between cooling and heating, and indoor heat exchange for the cooling / temperature switching chamber provided in the cooling / temperature switching chamber. And an indoor heat exchanger for the cooling exclusive room provided in the cooling exclusive room, and the indoor heat exchanger for the cooling / cooling switching room is an indoor heat exchanger for heat dissipation. The indoor heat exchanger for the cooling-dedicated room functions as an indoor heat exchanger for heat absorption, but according to the present invention, the cold temperature switching chamber is heated. It is possible to keep the temperature in each product storage room at an appropriate temperature in both the usage state and the cooling usage state.

  In this case, as in the invention of claim 4, the flow path switching valve for switching the indoor heat exchanger for the cold / temperature switching chamber to the indoor heat exchanger for heat dissipation and the indoor heat exchanger for heat absorption has a heat exchange relationship with the cold / temperature switching chamber. If the control means is configured to energize the flow path switching valve so that the cold / hot switching room heat exchanger functions as a heat radiating indoor heat exchanger, the heat generated by the flow path switching valve due to current flow is also reduced. It becomes possible to contribute to the heating of the product storage room by the indoor heat exchanger for the cold / hot switching room functioning as a heat exchanger.

  Further, if a refrigerant tank blower for air-cooling the refrigerant tank is provided as in the fifth aspect of the invention, the refrigerant tank is air-cooled by the refrigerant tank blower, and the intermediate-pressure liquid refrigerant is stably put into the refrigerant tank. It can be stored.

  In particular, if the control means operates the refrigerant tank blower even when the compressor is stopped as in the invention of claim 6, the refrigerant subcooling degree in the refrigerant tank can be increased even when the compressor is stopped. It is possible to improve the cooling effect in the product storage chamber by the heat absorption indoor heat exchanger.

  Further, if a gas refrigerant return circuit for sucking the gas refrigerant in the refrigerant tank to the compressor is provided as in the invention of claim 7, the liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant tank is changed by returning the gas refrigerant in the refrigerant tank to the compressor. Since it evaporates, it becomes possible to store an intermediate-pressure liquid refrigerant having a low temperature in the refrigerant tank.

  In this case, the gas refrigerant return amount adjusting throttle means is provided in the gas refrigerant return circuit as in the eighth aspect of the invention, and the control means is sucked from the gas refrigerant return circuit to the compressor by the gas refrigerant return amount adjusting throttle means. By adjusting the amount of the gas refrigerant, it is possible to stably store the intermediate-pressure liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant tank.

  In particular, the gas refrigerant return amount adjusting throttle means by exchanging heat with the refrigerant flowing in the heat absorbing throttle means in the downstream side of the gas refrigerant return amount adjusting throttle means as in the invention of claim 9. Thus, it is possible to cool the refrigerant entering the endothermic expansion means with the refrigerant having a low temperature after passing through, and it is possible to further improve the cooling effect in the product storage chamber by the endothermic indoor heat exchanger.

  Further, if the refrigerant sucked into the compressor from the indoor heat exchanger for heat absorption or the outdoor heat exchanger that absorbs the refrigerant as in the invention of claim 10 is exchanged with the refrigerant tank, the compressor The liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant tank is cooled by the low-temperature refrigerant sucked into the product, and the cooling effect in the product storage chamber by the indoor heat exchanger for heat absorption or the heat absorption effect from the outside air by the outdoor heat exchanger can be further improved. It becomes possible.

  Furthermore, by the control means as in the invention of claim 11, the air volume of the blower that is ventilated to the indoor heat exchanger for heat dissipation or the outdoor heat exchanger that dissipates the indoor heat exchanger for heat dissipation and the refrigerant is controlled, By controlling the refrigerant dryness at the outlet of the heat radiating indoor heat exchanger, or at the outlet of the radiating indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger that radiates the refrigerant, the heat radiating indoor heat exchanger and the air By adjusting the heat exchange, it becomes possible to more effectively adjust the heat radiation amount.

It is a front view of the vending machine of one Example to which this invention is applied. It is a perspective view of the state which opened the outer door of the vending machine of FIG. FIG. 2 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of an embodiment of the vending machine in FIG. 1 (Embodiment 1). It is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the vending machine explaining the HCC room heat absorption mode by the control device of FIG. It is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the vending machine explaining the HCC outdoor heat absorption mode by the control apparatus of FIG. It is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the vending machine explaining the HCC outdoor heat radiation mode by the control apparatus of FIG. It is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the vending machine explaining the HHC indoor heat absorption mode by the control apparatus of FIG. It is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the vending machine explaining the HHC outdoor heat absorption mode by the control apparatus of FIG. It is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the vending machine explaining the HHC outdoor heat radiation mode by the control apparatus of FIG. It is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the vending machine explaining the CC mode by the control device of FIG. It is a schematic diagram of the refrigerant circuit explaining the function of the refrigerant tank of FIG. FIG. 12 is a ph diagram of the refrigerant circuit in the case of FIG. 11. It is another schematic diagram of the refrigerant circuit explaining the function of the refrigerant tank of FIG. It is a ph diagram of the refrigerant circuit in the case of FIG. It is a schematic diagram of the refrigerant circuit explaining the other Example of this invention (Example 2). FIG. 9 is a schematic refrigerant circuit diagram illustrating still another embodiment of the present invention (Embodiment 3). FIG. 9 is a schematic refrigerant circuit diagram for explaining still another embodiment of the present invention (Embodiment 4). FIG. 10 is a schematic refrigerant circuit diagram for explaining still another embodiment of the present invention (Embodiment 5). FIG. 10 is a schematic refrigerant circuit diagram illustrating still another embodiment of the present invention (Embodiment 6).

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2, the vending machine 1 according to the embodiment is a main body which is a heat insulating box body having a front surface made of a steel plate outer surface material 2A and a heat insulating material (not shown) provided inside thereof. 2 and an outer door 3 pivotally supported by the main body 2 on one side (in the left side in the embodiment) so that the front surface of the main body 2 can be opened and closed.

  A product sample chamber 4 is formed in the upper front portion of the outer door 3, and a plurality of product selection switches 6 are arranged corresponding to the plurality of product samples displayed in the product sample chamber 4. An advertisement panel 5 is configured on the front surface of the outer door 3 below the product sample chamber 4, and a product outlet 7 is configured on the lower front surface of the outer door 3 below the advertisement panel 5. .

  Further, a decorative panel 8 is attached to the right side (non-pivot side) center of the front surface of the outer door 3, and a coin insertion slot 9 and a return lever 11 are provided in the decorative panel 8. Yes. A money amount indicator 12 is attached to the front surface of the left outer door 3 facing the decorative panel 8. Further, a bill recognition device (bill burr) 14 is attached to the front surface of the lower door 3 on the lower side of the money amount indicator 12, and a coin return port 13 is disposed on the front surface of the right outer door 3 toward the product outlet 7. It is configured.

  On the other hand, an upper part in the main body 2 is configured with a product storage unit 16 whose upper surface, left and right surfaces, and rear surface are surrounded by the heat insulating material and whose front surface is open. The product storage unit 16 is partitioned into three product storage chambers in the left-right direction by a heat-insulating storage unit partition plate 17, and two from the right side are cold temperature switching chambers 15 (product storage chambers), and the left side is the front side. The cooling room 20 is a product storage room. The cooling chamber 20 has a larger volume than each of the cooling / cooling switching chambers 15. This is because there are generally more products sold after cooling than products sold after heating. In the cooling / cooling switching chambers 15 and 15 and the cooling exclusive chamber 20 partitioned by the partition plate 17, a serpentine-type product storage column 18 in which products to be sold are stored in a serpentine product passage is provided in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. Are provided respectively.

  The front surface of the product storage unit 16 has heat insulation, and the upper inner door 21 for opening and closing the upper side of the front opening of the product storage unit 16 and the lower side of the front opening of the product storage unit 16 are opened and closed. A lower-side inner door 22 is provided. The lower inner door 22 is pivotally supported by the main body 2.

  Further, at the lower part of the lower-side inner door 22, the product carry-out port 23, which communicates between the cold / warm switching chamber 15 and the cooling-dedicated chamber 20 side of the product storage unit 16 and the outer door 3 side, is juxtaposed in the horizontal direction. An openable / closable unloading door 24 is attached to each commodity unloading port 23 so as to be pivotable about the upper edge. The commodity unloading port 23 is opened by being pushed by the commodity guided forward to open the commodity. Is taken out to the product outlet 7.

  On the other hand, the upper side inner door 21 is attached to the outer door 3 corresponding to the rear side of the product sample chamber 4 of the outer door 3, and the upper side inner door 21 stores products by opening and closing the outer door 3. The upper side of the front opening of the part 16 is configured to be opened and closed. Further, the upper inner door 21 can be opened and closed rearward independently of the outer door 3 with the outer door 3 open, and the upper inner door 21 can be opened rearward from the outer door 3 The product sample displayed in the sample chamber 4 can be exchanged. A machine room 26 is formed in the lower part of the main body 2.

  Next, FIG. 3 shows a refrigerant circuit of one embodiment of the vending machine 1. In this figure, reference numeral 27 denotes a compressor that compresses the refrigerant, and is installed in the machine room 26. The discharge side pipe 28 of the compressor 27 branches into pipes 29, 31, 32, and the branched pipe 29 is connected to a three-way valve 33 as a flow path switching valve, and this three-way valve 33 is connected to the center via a pipe 34. Connected to one end of an indoor heat exchanger (cold temperature switching chamber indoor heat exchanger serving as a heat radiating indoor heat exchanger RHE or an endothermic indoor heat exchanger EHE) 36 provided in the cold temperature switching chamber 15. Has been. The branched pipe 31 is connected to a three-way valve 37 as a flow path switching valve. The three-way valve 37 is connected to a cold-temperature switching chamber indoor heat exchanger (heat radiation) provided in the cold-temperature switching chamber 15 at the right end via the pipe 38. The indoor heat exchanger RHE or the indoor heat exchanger for heat absorption EHE is connected to one end of an indoor heat exchanger 39 for a cold / hot switching room.

  The three-way valve 33 is provided in the central cold / temperature switching chamber 15 or in a heat exchange relationship therewith, and the three-way valve 37 is provided in the rightmost cold / temperature switching chamber 15 or in a heat exchange relationship therewith. It has been. Further, blowers 84 and 86 are provided in the respective cold / warm switching chambers 15 and 15, and the air in the cold / warm switching chambers 15 and 15 is blown to the indoor heat exchangers 36 and 39 by the blowers 84 and 86. And it is comprised so that the air which carried out heat exchange with them may be circulated in each cold temperature switching chamber 15,15, respectively.

  The branched pipe 32 is connected to a three-way valve 41, and the three-way valve 41 is connected to one end of the outdoor heat exchanger 43 via a pipe 42. The outdoor heat exchanger 43 is installed in the machine room 26 (outside the product storage room), and a blower 88 for ventilating the outside air to the outdoor heat exchanger 43 is further installed in the machine room 26.

  The other end of the indoor heat exchanger 36 is connected to an expansion valve 46 (which serves as a heat dissipation throttle means REV or a heat absorption throttle means EEV) via a pipe 44, and the expansion valve 46 communicates with a refrigerant tank 48 via a pipe 47. It is connected. The refrigerant tank 48 is provided outside the product storage chamber and has a predetermined volume so that a predetermined amount of liquid refrigerant can be stored. The pipe 47 enters the refrigerant tank 48, where the pipes 49 and 51 are connected. And branching. The branched pipe 49 opens to the upper part in the refrigerant tank 48 through the check valve 52, and the pipe 51 opens to the bottom in the refrigerant tank 48 through the check valve 53. The check valve 52 has a forward direction in which the pipe 49 opens, and the check valve 53 has a forward direction in the branch point between the pipes 49 and 51.

  The other end of the indoor heat exchanger 39 is connected to an expansion valve 56 (which serves as a heat dissipation throttle means REV or a heat absorption throttle means EEV) via a pipe 54, and the expansion valve 56 communicates with a refrigerant tank 48 via a pipe 57. It is connected. The pipe 57 enters the refrigerant tank 48 where it branches into pipes 58 and 59. The branched pipe 58 opens to the upper part in the refrigerant tank 48 through the check valve 61, and the pipe 59 opens to the bottom in the refrigerant tank 48 through the check valve 62. The check valve 61 has a forward direction in which the pipe 58 opens, and the check valve 62 has a forward direction in the branch point between the pipes 58 and 59.

  The other end of the outdoor heat exchanger 43 is connected to an expansion valve (which serves as a heat dissipation throttle means REV or a heat absorption throttle means EEV) 64 via a pipe 63, and the expansion valve 64 communicates with a refrigerant tank 48 via a pipe 66. It is connected. The pipe 66 enters the refrigerant tank 48 and branches there into pipes 67 and 68. The branched pipe 67 opens to the upper part in the refrigerant tank 48 via the check valve 69, and the pipe 68 opens to the bottom part in the refrigerant tank 48 via the check valve 71. The check valve 69 has a forward direction in which the pipe 67 is opened, and the check valve 71 has a forward direction in which the branch point of the pipes 67 and 68 branches.

  A pipe 72 is further connected to the refrigerant tank 48. One end of the pipe 72 is opened at the bottom of the refrigerant tank 48, and the other end is connected to an expansion valve 73 (a heat absorbing throttle means EEV located at the refrigerant inlet of the indoor heat exchanger 76). The expansion valve 73 is connected to the cooling-only chamber indoor heat exchanger (the cooling-only room indoor heat exchanger EHE that serves as the endothermic indoor heat exchanger EHE) 76 provided in the cooling-only chamber 20 via the pipe 74. Connected to the inlet end of the. Therefore, the expansion valve 73 is located at the refrigerant inlet of the indoor heat exchanger 76.

  The outlet end of the indoor heat exchanger 76 is connected to the suction side of the compressor 27 via a pipe 77. The three-way valve 33 is connected to the pipe 77 via a pipe 78, and the three-way valve 37 is connected to the pipe 77 via a pipe 79. The three-way valve 41 is connected to a pipe 77 via a pipe 81 to constitute a refrigerant circuit of the vending machine 1. In this embodiment, a predetermined amount of HFO-1234yf refrigerant is sealed in this refrigerant circuit. A fan 87 is also provided in the cooling dedicated chamber 20, and the cool air exchanged with the indoor heat exchanger 76 by the fan 87 is circulated in the cooling dedicated chamber 20.

  Refrigerant supercooling degree sensors (temperature sensors) 82 are attached to the pipes 44, 54, and 63 at the other ends of the indoor heat exchangers 36 and 39 and the outdoor heat exchanger 43, respectively. Refrigerant superheat degree sensors (temperature sensors) 83 are respectively attached to the pipes 34, 38, and 42 at one end of the outdoor heat exchanger 43 and the pipe 77 at the outlet of the indoor heat exchanger 76. .

  Further, in FIG. 3, C is a control device as a control means constituted by a general-purpose microcomputer, such as a temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting the temperature in each of the cold temperature switching chambers 15 and the cooling dedicated chamber 20, and the above-described refrigerant. Based on the outputs of the supercooling degree sensor 82 and the refrigerant superheat degree sensor 83, the operation of the compressor 27 and the fans 84, 86, 87, 88 is controlled, and the valve opening degree of each expansion valve 46, 56, 64, 73 is set. And control to switch the three-way valves 33, 37, 41. Moreover, the control apparatus C controls the rotation speed of the compressor 27 with an inverter.

  In this case, each of the three-way valves 33, 37, 41 includes a coil. The three-way valve 33 is energized (ON) to this coil by the control device C to switch the flow path so that the refrigerant flows from the pipe 29 to the pipe 34, and when not energized, the refrigerant flows from the pipe 34 to the pipe 78. Switch the flow path. The three-way valve 37 switches the flow path so that the coil is energized (ON) by the controller C so that the refrigerant flows from the pipe 31 to the pipe 38, and when not energized, the refrigerant flows from the pipe 38 to the pipe 79. Switch the flow path to. Further, the three-way valve 41 is energized (ON) to the coil by the control device C to switch the flow path so that the refrigerant flows from the pipe 32 to the pipe 42, and when not energized, the refrigerant flows from the pipe 42 to the pipe 81. It is comprised so that a flow path may be switched to.

  With the above configuration, the operation of this embodiment will now be described with reference to FIGS. In each figure, the three-way valve port and the expansion valve indicated by filling are closed or fully closed, and the three-way valve port and the expansion valve indicated by white are opened or indicate the valve opening control state. Shall.

(1) H-C-C indoor endothermic mode First of all, the central cold / warm switching chamber 15 is used for heating, and the rightmost cold / warm switching chamber 15 is used for cooling. If it is assumed that heat can be absorbed from there without being sufficiently cooled, the control device C executes the H-C-C indoor heat absorption mode shown in FIG. In the H-C-C indoor heat absorption mode, the control device C energizes (turns on) the three-way valve 33 and the three-way valves 37 and 41 are de-energized. Further, the expansion valves 46, 56 and 73 are opened to control the valve opening, and the expansion valve 64 is fully closed.

  And the control apparatus C operates the compressor 27 and each fan 84,86,87. The compressor 27 is operated to compress the refrigerant and discharge it to the pipe 28. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant (gas) discharged from the compressor 27 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 36 from the pipe 34 through the pipe 29 and the three-way valve 33 as indicated by arrows in FIG. To do. That is, at this time, the indoor heat exchanger 36 functions as a heat radiating indoor heat exchanger RHE. The warm air heated by exchanging heat with the indoor heat exchanger 36 is circulated into the central cold / warm switching chamber 15 by the blower 84, whereby the product in the central cold / warm switching chamber 15 is heated to about + 55 ° C. Further, since the three-way valve 33 is energized, the coil generates heat, but the heat of the coil contributes to the heating of the central cold / hot switching chamber 15.

  The refrigerant (liquid / gas mixed state) radiated by the indoor heat exchanger 36 and lowered to a temperature of about + 60 ° C. flows out into the pipe 44, is throttled by the expansion valve 46, and then flows into the pipe 49 through the pipe 47. Then, it passes through the check valve 52 and flows into the refrigerant tank 48. That is, at this time, the expansion valve 46 serves as the heat dissipation throttle means REV located at the refrigerant outlet of the indoor heat exchanger 36. The liquid refrigerant in the liquid / gas mixed refrigerant that has flowed into the refrigerant tank 48 is temporarily stored in the refrigerant tank 48.

  The liquid refrigerant stored in the refrigerant tank 48 flows into the pipes 59 and 72. Of these, the liquid refrigerant that has flowed into the pipe 59 passes through the check valve 62, is throttled by the expansion valve 56 through the pipe 57, then flows into the indoor heat exchanger 39 through the pipe 54, where it evaporates and absorbs heat. The effect is exerted (for example, evaporation temperature -5 ° C). That is, at this time, the indoor heat exchanger 39 functions as an endothermic indoor heat exchanger EHE, and the expansion valve 56 serves as an endothermic expansion means EEV located at the refrigerant inlet of the indoor heat exchanger 39. The cold air that has been cooled by exchanging heat with the indoor heat exchanger 39 is circulated by the blower 86 into the cold end temperature switching chamber 15 at the right end, whereby the product in the cold end temperature switching chamber 15 at the right end is cooled to about + 5 ° C. The refrigerant evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger 39 and having a temperature of about 0 ° C. flows out into the pipe 38, passes through the three-way valve 37, and is sucked into the compressor 27 from the pipe 79 through the pipe 77.

  On the other hand, the liquid refrigerant flowing into the pipe 72 is throttled by the expansion valve 73 and then flows into the indoor heat exchanger 76 through the pipe 74, where it evaporates and exhibits an endothermic effect (for example, an evaporation temperature of −5 ° C.). . The cold air cooled by exchanging heat with the indoor heat exchanger 76 is circulated into the cooling exclusive chamber 20 by the blower 87, and the product in the exclusive cooling chamber 20 is thereby cooled to about + 5 ° C. The refrigerant evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger 76 and having a temperature of about 0 ° C. is sucked into the compressor 27 through the pipe 77.

  In such an H-C-C indoor heat absorption mode, the amount of heat sucked from the cooling exclusive chamber 20 and the rightmost cold temperature switching chamber 15 by the indoor heat exchangers 76 and 39 is insufficient for heating the central cold temperature switching chamber 15. (The cooling exclusive chamber 20 and the cooling temperature switching chamber 15 at the right end are cooled to the set temperature), the control device C shifts to the H-C-C outdoor heat absorption mode in FIG.

(2) HC-C outdoor heat absorption mode In this HC-C outdoor heat absorption mode, the control device C fully closes the expansion valves 56 and 73 from the state shown in FIG. Further, the expansion valve 64 is opened to control the valve opening degree (the blower 88 is operated). Thereby, the liquid refrigerant stored in the refrigerant tank 48 flows into the pipe 68. The liquid refrigerant that has flowed into the pipe 68 passes through the check valve 71, is throttled by the expansion valve 64 through the pipe 66, then flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 43 through the pipe 63, and evaporates there (for example, evaporation) Temperature-5 ° C). That is, at this time, the outdoor heat exchanger 43 absorbs the refrigerant, and the expansion valve 64 serves as the heat absorption throttle means EEV located at the refrigerant inlet of the outdoor heat exchanger 43. Since the outside air is passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 43 by the blower 88, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the outside air. The refrigerant that has evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 43 and absorbed heat from the outside air flows out into the pipe 43 and is sucked into the compressor 27 through the three-way valve 41 and from the pipe 81 through the pipe 77.

  On the other hand, in the H-C-C indoor endothermic mode, on the contrary, although the central cold / warm switching chamber 15 is sufficiently heated (heat radiation is excessive), the cooling dedicated chamber 20 and the rightmost cold / warm switching by the indoor heat exchangers 76 and 39 are performed. When the cooling of the chamber 15 becomes insufficient, the control device C shifts to the H-C-C outdoor heat radiation mode of FIG.

(3) H-C-C outdoor heat radiation mode In this H-C-C outdoor heat radiation mode, the controller C deenergizes the three-way valve 33 and energizes (turns on) the three-way valve 41 from the state of FIG. Further, the expansion valve 46 is fully closed, the expansion valve 64 is opened, and the valve opening degree is controlled (the blower 88 is operated). Accordingly, the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor 27 passes through the three-way valve 41 through the pipes 28 and 32 and flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 43 through the pipe 42. Since the outside air is ventilated by the blower 88 to the outdoor heat exchanger 43, the refrigerant radiates heat into the outside air. That is, at this time, the outdoor heat exchanger 43 dissipates the refrigerant. The liquid / gas mixed refrigerant radiated by the outdoor heat exchanger 43 flows into the pipe 63, is throttled by the expansion valve 64, passes through the check valves 69 through the pipes 66 and 67, and enters the refrigerant tank 48. Will flow in. That is, at this time, the expansion valve 64 serves as the heat dissipation throttle means REV located at the refrigerant outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger 43. Further, the liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant tank 48 flows into the indoor heat exchangers 39 and 76 as described above, exhibits a heat absorbing action, and is sucked into the compressor 27.

(4) H-H-C indoor endothermic mode Next, a case where both cold temperature switching chambers 15 and 15 are used in a heating state will be described. First, assuming that the inside of the exclusive cooling chamber 20 is not sufficiently cooled and can absorb heat therefrom, the controller C executes the HHC indoor heat absorption mode shown in FIG. In the H-H-C indoor heat absorption mode, the control device C energizes (turns on) the three-way valves 33 and 37 and the three-way valve 41 is de-energized. Further, the expansion valves 46, 56 and 73 are opened to control the valve opening, and the expansion valve 64 is fully closed.

  And the control apparatus C operates the compressor 27 and each fan 84,86,87. The compressor 27 is operated to compress the refrigerant and discharge it to the pipe 28. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant (gas) discharged from the compressor 27 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 36 from the pipe 34 through the pipe 29 and the three-way valve 33 as indicated by arrows in FIG. It flows into the indoor heat exchanger 39 from the piping 38 through the piping 31 and the three-way valve 37, and radiates heat with them. That is, at this time, the indoor heat exchangers 36 and 39 function as a heat radiating indoor heat exchanger RHE. The warm air heated by exchanging heat with the indoor heat exchangers 36 and 39 is circulated in the respective cold / warm switching chambers 15 and 15 by the fans 84 and 86, respectively, whereby the products in the cold / warm switching chambers 15 and 15 are +55. It is heated to about ℃. In addition, since the three-way valves 33 and 37 are energized, the coils generate heat. However, the heat of the coils contributes to the heating of the cold temperature switching chambers 15 and 15.

  The refrigerant (liquid / gas mixed state) radiated by the indoor heat exchanger 36 and lowered to a temperature of about + 60 ° C. flows out into the pipe 44, is throttled by the expansion valve 46, and then flows into the pipe 49 through the pipe 47. Then, it passes through the check valve 52 and flows into the refrigerant tank 48. That is, at this time, the expansion valve 46 becomes the heat dissipation throttle means REV. Further, the refrigerant (liquid / gas mixed state) radiated by the indoor heat exchanger 39 and lowered to a temperature of about + 60 ° C. flows out into the pipe 54, is throttled by the expansion valve 56, and then passes through the pipe 57 to the pipe 58. The refrigerant flows into the refrigerant tank 48 through the check valve 61. That is, at this time, the expansion valve 56 serves as the heat dissipation throttle means REV located at the refrigerant outlet of the indoor heat exchanger 39. The liquid refrigerant in the liquid / gas mixed refrigerant that has flowed into the refrigerant tank 48 is temporarily stored in the refrigerant tank 48.

  The liquid refrigerant stored in the refrigerant tank 48 flows into the pipe 72. The liquid refrigerant flowing into the pipe 72 is throttled by the expansion valve 73 and then flows into the indoor heat exchanger 76 through the pipe 74, where it evaporates and exhibits an endothermic effect (for example, an evaporation temperature of −5 ° C.). The cold air cooled by exchanging heat with the indoor heat exchanger 76 is circulated into the cooling exclusive chamber 20 by the blower 87, and the product in the exclusive cooling chamber 20 is thereby cooled to about + 5 ° C. The refrigerant evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger 76 and having a temperature of about 0 ° C. is sucked into the compressor 27 through the pipe 77.

  When the amount of heat sucked from the cooling dedicated chamber 20 by the indoor heat exchanger 76 becomes insufficient for heating each of the cold temperature switching chambers 15 and 15 in the H-H-C indoor heat absorption mode (cooling dedicated chamber). The control device C shifts to the HHC outdoor heat absorption mode in FIG. 8.

(5) H-HC outdoor heat absorption mode In this H-HC outdoor heat absorption mode, the control device C fully closes the expansion valve 73 from the state shown in FIG. Further, the expansion valve 64 is opened to control the valve opening degree (the blower 88 is operated). Thereby, the liquid refrigerant stored in the refrigerant tank 48 flows into the pipe 68. The liquid refrigerant that has flowed into the pipe 68 passes through the check valve 71, is throttled by the expansion valve 64 through the pipe 66, then flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 43 through the pipe 63, and evaporates there (for example, evaporation) Temperature-5 ° C). That is, at this time, the outdoor heat exchanger 43 absorbs the refrigerant, and the expansion valve 64 serves as the heat absorption throttle means EEV. Since the outside air is passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 43 by the blower 88, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the outside air. The refrigerant that has evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 43 and absorbed heat from the outside air flows out into the pipe 42 and is sucked into the compressor 27 through the three-way valve 41 and from the pipe 81 through the pipe 77.

  On the other hand, in the H-H-C indoor endothermic mode, on the contrary, each of the cold temperature switching chambers 15 and 15 is sufficiently heated (heat radiation is excessive), but the cooling of the cooling dedicated chamber 20 by the indoor heat exchanger 76 is insufficient. In this case, the control device C shifts to the HHC outdoor heat radiation mode in FIG.

(6) H-HC Outdoor Heat Dissipation Mode In this H-HC outdoor heat dissipation mode, the controller C deenergizes the three-way valves 33 and 37 from the state shown in FIG. 7 and energizes the three-way valve 41 (ON). . Further, the expansion valves 46 and 56 are fully closed, the expansion valve 64 is opened, and the valve opening degree is controlled (the blower 88 is operated). Accordingly, the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor 27 passes through the three-way valve 41 through the pipes 28 and 32 and flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 43 through the pipe 42. Since the outside air is ventilated by the blower 88 to the outdoor heat exchanger 43, the refrigerant radiates heat into the outside air. That is, at this time, the outdoor heat exchanger 43 dissipates the refrigerant. The liquid / gas mixed refrigerant radiated by the outdoor heat exchanger 43 flows into the pipe 63, is throttled by the expansion valve 64, passes through the check valves 69 through the pipes 66 and 67, and enters the refrigerant tank 48. Will flow in. That is, at this time, the expansion valve 64 serves as the heat dissipation throttle means REV. Further, the liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant tank 48 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 76 and exhibits an endothermic action as described above, and is sucked into the compressor 27.

(7) C-C-C mode Note that FIG. 10 illustrates a case where the cooling / cooling switching chambers 15 and 15 are used in a cooling state, that is, a case where all the product storage chambers are cooled. In the C-C-C mode, the control device C de-energizes the three-way valves 33 and 37, and energizes (ON) the three-way valve 41. Further, all the expansion valves 46, 56, 64, 73 are opened to control the valve opening degree.

  And the control apparatus C operates the compressor 27 and each fan 84,86,87,88. The compressor 27 is operated to compress the refrigerant and discharge it to the pipe 28. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant (gas) discharged from the compressor 27 passes through the three-way valve 41 through the pipe 32 and flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 43 through the pipe 42 as shown by arrows in FIG. To do. Since the outside air is ventilated by the blower 88 to the outdoor heat exchanger 43, the refrigerant radiates heat into the outside air. That is, at this time, the outdoor heat exchanger 43 dissipates the refrigerant. The liquid / gas mixed refrigerant radiated by the outdoor heat exchanger 43 flows into the pipe 63, is throttled by the expansion valve 64, passes through the check valves 69 through the pipes 66 and 67, and enters the refrigerant tank 48. Inflow. That is, at this time, the expansion valve 64 serves as the heat dissipation throttle means REV.

  The liquid refrigerant stored in the refrigerant tank 48 flows into the pipes 51, 59 and 72. The refrigerant flowing into the pipes 51, 59, 72 is throttled by the expansion valves 46, 56, 73 as described above, and then flows into the indoor heat exchangers 36, 39, 76, where they evaporate. An endothermic effect is exhibited (for example, evaporation temperature -5 ° C). That is, at this time, the indoor heat exchangers 36 and 39 function as an endothermic indoor heat exchanger EHE, and the expansion valves 46 and 56 are the endothermic expansion means EEV located at the refrigerant inlets of the indoor heat exchangers 36 and 39, respectively. Become. The cool air cooled by exchanging heat with each of the indoor heat exchangers 36, 39, 76 is circulated by the blowers 84, 86, 87 into each of the cold temperature switching chambers 15, 15, and the cooling dedicated chamber 20, respectively. The product in each chamber 15, 15, 20 is cooled to about + 5 ° C. Any refrigerant that has evaporated in each of the indoor heat exchangers 36, 39, 76 and has reached a temperature of about 0 ° C. is sucked into the compressor 27 through the pipe 77.

(8) Control of each expansion valve and function of refrigerant tank As described above, in each operation mode of the vending machine 1, the indoor heat exchangers 36 and 39 are radiated indoor heat exchanger RHE by the three-way valves 33 and 37, or It switches and functions as the indoor heat exchanger EHE for heat absorption. Accordingly, the expansion valves 46 and 56 become the heat dissipation throttle means REV or the heat absorption throttle means EEV. Furthermore, the outdoor heat exchanger 43 is switched between a state in which the refrigerant is radiated by the three-way valve 41 and a state in which the refrigerant is absorbed, and accordingly, the expansion valve 64 also becomes the heat radiating throttle means REV or the heat absorbing throttle means EEV. The refrigerant supercooling degree sensor 82 detects the dryness of the refrigerant at the outlet of the indoor heat exchanger RHE for heat radiation and the outdoor heat exchanger 43 that dissipates the refrigerant, and the refrigerant superheat degree sensor 83 detects the indoor heat for heat absorption. The refrigerant superheat degree at the outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger 43 that absorbs heat from the exchanger EHE and the refrigerant is detected.

  And the control apparatus C is the indoor heat exchangers 36 and 39 which function as the indoor heat exchanger RHE for heat radiation, and the outdoor heat exchanger which is radiating the refrigerant | coolant so that each room 15,15,20 may be kept at appropriate temperature. The amount of heat release (heating effect) 43 and the amount of heat absorbed (cooling effect) in the indoor heat exchangers 36, 39, and 76 functioning as the endothermic indoor heat exchanger EHE and the outdoor heat exchanger 43 that absorbs heat from the refrigerant. The expansion valve 46, 56, 64, 73 (the expansion valve 46, 56, 73 becomes the heat dissipation throttle means REV or the heat absorption throttle means EEV, and the expansion valve 73 becomes the heat absorption throttle means EEV). adjust.

  This will be described with reference to FIGS. For example, in an environment where the outside air temperature is low, such as in winter, the load of the cooling / cooling switching chamber 15 in a state of heating is large (the temperature of the cooling / cooling switching chamber 15 is lower than the set temperature) and the cooling dedicated chamber 20 When the load is large (the temperature of the cooling exclusive chamber 20 is higher than the set temperature), the control device C depends on the load (for example, depending on the magnitude of the difference between the set temperature and the room temperature. The same applies hereinafter. ), The valve opening degree of the endothermic throttle means EEV is controlled to be increased so that the degree of refrigerant superheat at the outlet of the endothermic indoor heat exchanger EHE (outdoor heat exchanger 43 that absorbs refrigerant) is reduced. Control. Thereby, the position where the evaporation of the refrigerant is completed in the indoor heat exchanger EHE for heat absorption (the outdoor heat exchanger 43 that absorbs the refrigerant) approaches the outlet, and the cooling effect (heat absorption amount) is increased. However, in order to prevent liquid back to the compressor 27, the control device C controls the valve opening degree of the endothermic expansion means EEV on the basis of the refrigerant superheat degree sensor 83, so that the endothermic indoor heat exchanger EHE (refrigerant is removed). The refrigerant superheat degree at the outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger 43) that absorbs heat should not be less than 2K-3K.

  Further, the control device C controls the valve opening of the heat dissipation throttle means REV in accordance with the load, and controls the outlet of the heat dissipation indoor heat exchanger RHE (the outdoor heat exchanger 43 that dissipates the refrigerant). Control to reduce the dryness of the refrigerant. Thereby, the position where the condensation of the refrigerant ends in the indoor heat exchanger RHE for heat radiation (the outdoor heat exchanger 43 that dissipates the refrigerant) approaches the outlet, and the heating effect (heat radiation amount) increases. However, if the degree of supercooling is added, the degree of dryness of the refrigerant will not be reduced even if the heat dissipation throttle means REV is further throttled. Therefore, the controller C opens the valve of the heat dissipation throttle means REV based on the refrigerant supercooling degree sensor 82. The degree of refrigerant subcooling at the outlet of the indoor heat exchanger RHE for heat radiation (outdoor heat exchanger 43 that dissipates heat from the refrigerant) is controlled so as not to be larger than 2K to 3K.

  This is shown in the ph diagram of FIG. Since the refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant tank 48 is throttled by the heat dissipation throttle means REV, the refrigerant tank 48 has an intermediate pressure. At this time, the amount of refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant tank 48 via the pipes 49, 58, 67, etc. decreases, and the amount of liquid refrigerant flowing out of the refrigerant tank 48 via the pipes 51, 59, 68, 72, etc. increases. Therefore, the amount of liquid refrigerant stored in the refrigerant tank 48 decreases (the portion indicated by hatching in FIG. 11 indicates the liquid refrigerant).

  On the other hand, for example, in an environment where the outside air temperature is high, such as in summer, the load of the cooling / cooling switching chamber 15 in a use state to be heated is small (the temperature of the cooling / cooling switching chamber 15 is heated near the set temperature) and cooling is performed. When the load of the dedicated chamber 20 is large (the temperature of the cooling dedicated chamber 20 is higher than the set temperature), the control device C, as shown in FIG. 13, determines the endothermic expansion means EEV according to the load as described above. Control is performed so as to increase the valve opening, and control is performed so that the degree of refrigerant superheat at the outlet of the endothermic indoor heat exchanger EHE (outdoor heat exchanger 43 that absorbs heat from the refrigerant) decreases. Thereby, the position where the evaporation of the refrigerant is completed in the indoor heat exchanger EHE for heat absorption (the outdoor heat exchanger 43 that absorbs the refrigerant) approaches the outlet, and the cooling effect (heat absorption amount) is increased.

  On the other hand, the control device C performs control so as to increase the valve opening of the heat dissipation throttle means REV in accordance with the load, and the outlet of the heat dissipation indoor heat exchanger RHE (the outdoor heat exchanger 43 that dissipates the refrigerant). The degree of dryness of the refrigerant is controlled to be large (for example, dryness of 0.5). As a result, the refrigerant is in a liquid / gas two-phase state at the outlet of the heat radiating indoor heat exchanger RHE (the outdoor heat exchanger 43 that dissipates the refrigerant), and the amount of condensation is adjusted by the ratio of the liquid / gas. It is a suitable heating effect (heat dissipation).

  This is shown in the ph diagram of FIG. At this time, the refrigerant distribution in the indoor heat exchanger RHE for heat dissipation (the outdoor heat exchanger 43 that dissipates the refrigerant) is reduced, and the intermediate flowing into the refrigerant tank 48 through the pipes 49, 58, 67, etc. Since the pressure refrigerant amount increases, the liquid refrigerant amount stored in the refrigerant tank 48 increases (the hatched portion in FIG. 13 indicates the liquid refrigerant). This increased amount of refrigerant is absorbed by the volume of the refrigerant tank 48.

  As described in detail above, the refrigerant outlet of the heat dissipating indoor heat exchanger RHE (indoor heat exchangers 36, 39) and the refrigerant inlet of the heat absorbing indoor heat exchanger EHE (indoor heat exchangers 36, 39, 76) communicate with each other. The refrigerant tank 48, the heat radiation restricting means REV (expansion valves 46, 56) located at the refrigerant outlet of the heat radiating indoor heat exchanger RHE, and the heat absorbing throttle located at the refrigerant inlet of the heat absorbing indoor heat exchanger EHE Means (expansion valves 46, 56, 73), the refrigerant having passed through the heat dissipation throttle means REV is caused to flow into the refrigerant tank 48, and the liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant tank 48 is caused to flow into the heat absorption throttle means EEV, and control is performed. The apparatus C controls the heat dissipation throttle means REV to control the refrigerant dryness at the outlet of the heat dissipation indoor heat exchanger RHE, and controls the heat absorption throttle means EEV to control the refrigerant at the outlet of the heat absorption indoor heat exchanger EHE. Degree of superheat Since it is controlled, both the amount of heat released from the indoor heat exchanger RHE for heat dissipation and the amount of heat absorbed by the indoor heat exchanger for heat absorption EHE can be adjusted simultaneously by the heat dissipation throttle means REV and the heat absorption throttle means EEV. It becomes possible.

  As described above, the refrigerant tank 48 absorbs the fluctuation of the amount of liquid refrigerant generated between the heat radiating indoor heat exchanger RHE and the heat absorbing indoor heat exchanger EHE by the control of the heat radiating restrictor REV and the heat absorbing restrictor EEV. Therefore, it is possible to balance the amount of heat released from the heat radiating indoor heat exchanger RHE and the load in the product storage room cooled by the heat absorbing indoor heat exchanger EHE.

  In this case, since the heat dissipation amount by the heat dissipation indoor heat exchanger RHE is adjusted by the heat dissipation throttle means REV, the heat absorption amount by the heat absorption indoor heat exchanger EHE can also be adjusted by the heat absorption throttle means EEV. The range of the ratio of the heat radiation amount of the heat dissipating indoor heat exchanger RHE that can be balanced to the heat absorption amount of the heat absorbing indoor heat exchanger EHE is also widened. Thereby, it is possible to easily maintain each product storage room at an appropriate temperature.

  Also, an outdoor heat exchanger 43 that is provided outside the product storage chamber and dissipates or absorbs the refrigerant, and a heat dissipation throttle means REV (expansion valve 64) located at the refrigerant outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger 43 that dissipates the refrigerant. And an endothermic expansion means EEV (expansion valve 64) positioned at the refrigerant inlet of the outdoor heat exchanger 43 that absorbs heat from the refrigerant, and the refrigerant outlet and refrigerant of the outdoor heat exchanger 43 that radiates the refrigerant The refrigerant inlet of the outdoor heat exchanger 43 that absorbs heat is communicated with the refrigerant tank 48, the refrigerant that has passed through the heat dissipation throttle means REV flows into the refrigerant tank 48, and the liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant tank 48 is absorbed by the heat absorption throttle means. In addition to flowing into the EEV, the controller C controls the heat dissipation throttle means REV to control the refrigerant dryness at the outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger 43 that radiates the refrigerant, and controls the heat absorption throttle means EEV. Since the refrigerant superheat degree at the outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger 43 that absorbs the medium is controlled, the heat is absorbed when the refrigerant does not absorb heat in the heat absorption indoor heat exchanger EHE, and the heat dissipation indoor heat exchanger The heat absorption amount and heat release amount of the outdoor heat exchanger 43 that radiates the refrigerant when the RHE does not radiate the refrigerant are also adjusted, and the liquid refrigerant between the outdoor heat exchanger 43 and each of the indoor heat exchangers 36, 39, and 76. Variations in the amount can be absorbed by the refrigerant tank 48, and even in such a situation, each product storage chamber can be easily maintained at an appropriate temperature.

  Further, in the embodiment, the cooling / heating switching chambers 15 and 15 as product storage rooms capable of switching between cooling and heating, and indoor heat exchangers 36 and 39 for the cooling / temperature switching chambers provided in these cooling / temperature switching chambers 15 and 15; The cooling exclusive room 20 as a cooling dedicated product storage room and the indoor heat exchanger 76 for the cooling exclusive room provided in the cooling exclusive room 20 are provided, and the indoor heat exchangers 36 and 39 for the cold temperature switching room are provided. The indoor heat exchanger for heat radiation RHE or the indoor heat exchanger for heat absorption EHE is switched and functions, and the indoor heat exchanger 76 for the cooling dedicated room functions as the heat absorption indoor heat exchanger EHE. According to the present invention, it is possible to keep the temperature of each product storage room at an appropriate temperature in both the use state in which the cold / temperature switching chamber 15 is heated and the use state in which the cold / warm switching chamber 15 is cooled.

  In this case, the three-way valves 33, 37 for switching the indoor heat exchangers 36, 39 for the cold temperature switching chambers to the indoor heat exchanger RHE for heat dissipation and the indoor heat exchanger EHE for heat absorption are provided in the cold temperature switching chambers 15, 15, respectively. Since the control device C is provided in a heat exchange relationship and energizes the three-way valves 33 and 37 to cause the indoor heat exchangers 36 and 39 for the cold / warm switching chamber to function as the indoor heat exchanger RHE for heat radiation, the coil The heat generated by the three-way valves 33 and 37 due to the energization of the heater can also contribute to the heating of the cold temperature switching chamber 15 by the indoor heat exchangers 36 and 39 for the cold temperature switching chamber functioning as the indoor heat exchanger RHE for heat radiation. Become. In the embodiment, the outdoor heat exchanger 43 is caused to function when there is no indoor heat absorption or when there is no indoor heat dissipation. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the outdoor heat exchanger 43 absorbs the refrigerant simultaneously with the indoor heat absorption. Alternatively, the refrigerant may be radiated by the outdoor heat exchanger 43 simultaneously with the indoor heat radiation.

  Next, FIG. 15 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 11 denote the same or similar functions. In this case, the refrigerant tank 48 is provided with a refrigerant tank blower 89. The operation of the refrigerant tank blower 89 is controlled by the control device C, and is operated to blow outside air to the refrigerant tank 48 to ventilate the refrigerant tank 48. Further, the control device C operates the refrigerant tank blower 89 both when the compressor 27 is in operation and when it is stopped.

  Thus, if the refrigerant tank blower 89 for air-cooling the refrigerant tank 48 is provided, the refrigerant tank 48 is air-cooled by the refrigerant tank blower 89, and the intermediate-pressure liquid refrigerant is stably put into the refrigerant tank 48. It can be stored. In particular, since the control device C operates the refrigerant tank blower 89 even when the compressor 27 is stopped, the degree of subcooling of the refrigerant is increased in the refrigerant tank 48 even when the compressor 27 is stopped, and the endothermic heat is absorbed. It becomes possible to improve the cooling effect in the product storage chamber by the exchanger EHE.

  Next, FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 3 and 11 indicate the same or similar functions. In this case, the refrigerant tank 48 is provided with a gas refrigerant return circuit 92 and an expansion valve (gas refrigerant return amount adjustment throttle means) 93 interposed in the gas refrigerant return circuit 92. ing. A temperature sensor 94 that detects the temperature of the refrigerant in the refrigerant tank 48 is also provided.

  In this case, one end of the gas refrigerant return circuit 92 is connected in communication with the upper part of the refrigerant tank 48, and the other end is connected in communication with a pipe 77 on the suction side of the compressor 27. As a result, the gas refrigerant in the upper part of the refrigerant tank 48 is sucked into the compressor 27. Note that the intermediate pressure port of the compressor 27 may be connected. Then, based on the temperature of the refrigerant in the refrigerant tank 48 detected by the temperature sensor 93, the control device C controls the valve opening degree of the expansion valve 93 so that the refrigerant temperature in the refrigerant tank 48 becomes a predetermined value, for example. The amount of gas refrigerant sucked into the machine 27 is adjusted.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the gas refrigerant return circuit 92 for sucking the gas refrigerant in the refrigerant tank 48 to the compressor 27 is provided, so that the refrigerant tank can be obtained by returning the gas refrigerant in the refrigerant tank 48 to the compressor 27. The liquid refrigerant in 48 evaporates. This makes it possible to store an intermediate-pressure liquid refrigerant having a low temperature in the refrigerant tank 48. Further, the control device C controls the valve opening degree of the expansion valve 93 to adjust the amount of gas refrigerant sucked into the compressor 27 from the gas refrigerant return circuit 92, so that the intermediate pressure liquid can be stably stored in the refrigerant tank 48. It becomes possible to store the refrigerant.

  Next, FIG. 17 shows still another embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 16 denote the same or similar functions. In this case, in addition to the structure of FIG. 16, the gas refrigerant return circuit 92 on the downstream side of the expansion valve 93 is formed with a heat exchanging portion 92A. The heat exchanging portion 92A is connected to the upstream side of the endothermic expansion means EEV. The pipes 47, 57, and 66 (which are located downstream of the pipes 51, 59, and 68) and 72 are provided in a heat exchange relationship.

  With such a configuration, the refrigerant entering the endothermic expansion means EEV can be cooled in the heat exchanging portion 92A by the gas refrigerant that has flowed out of the refrigerant tank 48 and has been throttled by the expansion valve 93 to a low temperature. Thereby, it becomes possible to further improve the cooling effect in the product storage room by the indoor heat exchanger for heat absorption EHE.

  Next, FIG. 18 shows still another embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 3 and 11 indicate the same or similar functions. In this case, a heat exchanging portion 77A is formed in the pipe 77 connected to the suction side of the compressor 27, and the heat exchanging portion 77A is provided in a heat exchanging relationship with the refrigerant tank 48.

  With such a configuration, the liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant tank 48 is cooled by the low-temperature refrigerant flowing out of the heat-absorbing heat exchanger EHE or the outdoor heat exchanger 43 that absorbs the refrigerant, and the heat-absorbing indoor heat exchanger EHE is used. It is possible to further improve the cooling effect in the product storage room or the heat absorption effect from the outside air by the outdoor heat exchanger 43. Further, since the refrigerant sucked into the compressor 27 is heated and gasified, so-called liquid back to the compressor 27 is effectively prevented.

  Next, FIG. 19 shows still another embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 16 and 18 indicate the same or similar functions. In this embodiment, in addition to the configuration of FIG. 18, a gas refrigerant return circuit 92 and an expansion valve (gas refrigerant return amount adjusting throttle means) 93 for adjusting the gas refrigerant return amount are provided. According to such a configuration, the effects of both the embodiments of FIGS. 16 and 18 can be expected.

  Next, in addition to the control of the heat dissipation restricting means REV in the above embodiment, the air volume of each of the blowers 84, 86, 88 is controlled, and the heat dissipation indoor heat exchanger RHE (the outdoor heat exchange for radiating the refrigerant is radiated). The refrigerant dryness at the outlet of the container 43) may be controlled. Thereby, the heat exchange between the indoor heat exchanger RHE for heat radiation and the outdoor heat exchanger 43 that dissipates the refrigerant and the air (air in the cold / temperature switching chamber 15 or the outside air) is adjusted, and the amount of heat radiation is more effective. It becomes possible to adjust to.

  The air volume control of the fans 84, 86, 88 may be executed instead of the control of the heat dissipation throttle means REV.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the case where the pressure of the heat radiating section (the heat radiating indoor heat exchanger RHE, the outdoor heat exchanger 43 that radiates the refrigerant) is in the critical range has been described. The present invention is also effective when a refrigerant having a supercritical pressure (for example, carbon dioxide) is used. However, in this case, it is necessary to control the pressure at the outlet of the heat radiating indoor heat exchanger RHE (the outdoor heat exchanger 43 that radiates the refrigerant) by controlling the heat radiating restrictor REV.

1 Vending Machine 2 Main Body 15 Cooling / Changing Room (Product Storage Room)
20 Cooling room (product storage room)
27 Compressor 33, 37, 41 Three-way valve (flow path switching valve)
36, 39, 76 Indoor heat exchanger (radiation indoor heat exchanger RHE, endothermic indoor heat exchanger EHE)
43 outdoor heat exchangers 46, 56, 64 expansion valves (heat dissipation throttle means REV, heat absorption throttle means EEV)
48 Refrigerant tank 73 Expansion valve (Endothermic throttle means EEV)
77A, 92A Heat exchanger 84, 86, 87, 88, 89 Blower 92 Gas refrigerant return circuit 93 Expansion valve (Throttle means for adjusting gas refrigerant return amount)
C Control device (control means)

Claims (11)

A plurality of product storage chambers, a compressor that compresses the refrigerant, a heat radiating indoor heat exchanger that radiates the refrigerant and heats the product storage chamber, and a heat sink that absorbs heat into the product storage chamber. In a vending machine equipped with an indoor heat exchanger for endothermic cooling,
A refrigerant tank in which a refrigerant outlet of the heat radiating indoor heat exchanger and a refrigerant inlet of the heat absorbing indoor heat exchanger are respectively communicated;
A heat dissipation throttle means located at the refrigerant outlet of the heat dissipation indoor heat exchanger;
An endothermic throttle means located at the refrigerant inlet of the endothermic indoor heat exchanger;
The refrigerant that has passed through the heat dissipation throttle means flows into the refrigerant tank, the liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant tank flows into the heat absorption throttle means, and
The control means controls the heat dissipation throttle means to control the refrigerant dryness at the heat dissipation indoor heat exchanger outlet, and controls the heat absorption throttle means to control the refrigerant superheat degree at the heat absorption indoor heat exchanger outlet. Vending machine characterized by controlling. An outdoor heat exchanger that is provided outside the product storage chamber and dissipates or absorbs heat from the refrigerant;
A heat dissipation throttle means located at the refrigerant outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger that radiates the refrigerant,
An endothermic throttle means located at the refrigerant inlet of the outdoor heat exchanger that absorbs the refrigerant; and
The refrigerant outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger that radiates the refrigerant and the refrigerant inlet of the outdoor heat exchanger that absorbs the refrigerant are communicated with the refrigerant tank, and the refrigerant that has passed through the heat squeezing means is used as the refrigerant tank. And flowing liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant tank into the endothermic throttle means,
The control means controls the heat dissipation throttle means to control the refrigerant dryness at the outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger that radiates the refrigerant, and controls the heat absorption throttle means to absorb the refrigerant. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the degree of refrigerant superheat at the outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger is controlled. A cold temperature switching chamber as the product storage room capable of switching between cooling and heating, and an indoor heat exchanger for a cold temperature switching chamber provided in the cold temperature switching chamber;
A cooling exclusive chamber as the product storage chamber dedicated to cooling, and an indoor heat exchanger for the cooling exclusive chamber provided in the cooling exclusive chamber,
The cold heat switching room indoor heat exchanger functions as the indoor heat exchanger for heat dissipation or the indoor heat exchanger for heat absorption.
The vending machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the indoor heat exchanger for cooling only functions as the indoor heat exchanger for heat absorption. A flow switching valve provided in a heat exchange relationship with the cold-temperature switching chamber, and switching the cold-temperature switching chamber indoor heat exchanger between the heat-radiating indoor heat exchanger and the heat-absorbing indoor heat exchanger;
4. The vending machine according to claim 3, wherein the control means causes the flow path switching valve to energize to cause the cold / hot switching chamber indoor heat exchanger to function as the heat radiating indoor heat exchanger.   The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a refrigerant tank blower for air-cooling the refrigerant tank.   The vending machine according to claim 5, wherein the control means operates the refrigerant tank blower even when the compressor is stopped.   The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a gas refrigerant return circuit that causes the compressor to suck the gas refrigerant in the refrigerant tank. A throttle means for adjusting the amount of gas refrigerant return provided in the gas refrigerant return circuit;
8. The vending machine according to claim 7, wherein the control means adjusts the amount of gas refrigerant sucked into the compressor from the gas refrigerant return circuit by the gas refrigerant return amount adjusting throttle means. 9. The vending machine according to claim 8 , wherein the gas refrigerant return circuit on the downstream side of the gas refrigerant return amount adjusting throttle means is heat-exchanged with the refrigerant flowing into the heat absorbing throttle means. The heat absorbing indoor heat exchanger, or, the refrigerant sucked refrigerant from the outdoor heat exchanger that is absorbed by the compressor, according to claim 2, wherein the refrigerant tank and allowed to heat exchanger vending machine. A fan that ventilates the indoor heat exchanger for heat dissipation, or the outdoor heat exchanger that dissipates heat from the indoor heat exchanger for heat dissipation and the refrigerant,
The control means controls the air volume of the blower to control the refrigerant dryness of the heat radiating indoor heat exchanger outlet, or the heat radiating indoor heat exchanger outlet and the outdoor heat exchanger outlet that radiates the refrigerant. The vending machine according to claim 2 or 10 , wherein the vending machine is controlled.

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