JPH0674640A - Operation control device for refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a suitable cooling method for a power circuit block having an electrical power converting part for controlling a capability of a compressor for a refrigerator, in particular having a high heat generating power, restrict an increase in temperature of a power element, improve reliability in operation, make a unit small-sized and attain low cost. CONSTITUTION:There assures a sucked air passage 20 for a cooling fan 12 for a compressor for use in cooling the compressor 11. A heat sink 16 and a power circuit block 14 are arranged within the sucked air passage 20. With such an arrangement, a proper cooling is carried out, an increasing in temperature of the power circuit block 14 is restricted and a reliability in operation of the power element is remarkably improved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator operation control device, and more particularly to a method of mounting a refrigerator operation control device suitable for variably controlling a compressor electric motor of a refrigeration cycle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional refrigerator, a constant speed induction motor is generally used as a motor of a compressor. In such a case, regardless of the temperature load in the refrigerator, it is always possible to produce a constant capacity. Therefore, when the temperature load is large, there is a problem that sufficient capacity cannot be exhibited and the temperature of the food does not easily drop, and when the temperature load is small, the capacity is too high and power consumption increases.

Therefore, in recent years, power conversion such as an inverter is used to make the capacity of the compressor variable depending on the temperature load state.
Technology for cooling with optimum capacity has always emerged. Also, when installing the inverter in the refrigerator, including downsizing,
Various studies have been made.

As an example of this method, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
There is a method disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 140577.

This conventional operation control device for a refrigerator will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a conventional refrigerator operation control device. In FIG. 4, 1 is a compressor, 2 is a power conversion unit for varying the capacity of the compressor, and 3 is an electric motor built in the compressor 1. The power conversion unit 2 is housed in a metal box 4 and is connected to the compressor at terminals 5 and 6. The terminals 5 and 6 are terminals that can be connected in a plug-in format.

[0007]

However, in the conventional configuration as described above, the heat of the compressor 1 (about 80 to 90 ° C. during normal operation is provided because the compressor 1 and the power conversion section 2 are very close to each other. ) Is directly transmitted to the power conversion unit 2.

Therefore, the power elements used in the power conversion section 2, such as diodes and transistors, are affected by the heat of the power elements, so that the temperature rises higher than usual and the reliability decreases. Further, in order to secure the reliability, a method of increasing the capacity of the power element and suppressing the temperature rise of the element itself can be considered, but there is a problem that the circuit becomes large and the cost also increases.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator operation control device capable of ensuring reliability while keeping the circuit compact and cost-saving.

[0010]

In order to achieve this object, an operation control device for a refrigerator according to the present invention is a power conversion unit for generating a power supply for varying the capacity of a compressor from a commercial power supply, and the power conversion. Power circuit block integrated mainly with elements that generate a large amount of heat, a heat sink that radiates heat from the power circuit block, a compressor cooling fan for cooling the compressor, the heat sink and the power It has a structure of a suction air passage of the compressor cooling fan in which a circuit block is arranged.

In another configuration, there is provided an elastic holding means for directly mounting the power circuit block on the refrigerator box body, and a structure for directly mounting the power circuit block on the refrigerator box body by the elastic holding means. There is.

[0012] In another configuration, a power conversion box housing the power conversion unit, a heat dissipation block to which the power circuit block is fixed, and the heat dissipation block and the power conversion box are elastically connected. The elastic support means is configured to bring the heat dissipation block and the refrigerator box into close contact with each other by the elastic support means.

[0013]

With this configuration, in order to effectively use the wind of the compressor cooling fan conventionally installed for cooling the compressor, a suction air passage is provided and a heat sink and a power circuit block are provided in the air passage. The heat dissipation of the power circuit block is promoted and the temperature is lowered by arranging in the position. Therefore, the reliability of the power element is remarkably improved while the size and the cost remain the same.

In another structure, since the refrigerator box itself is used for heat dissipation of the power circuit block, it is attached in close contact with the refrigerator box using elastic holding means, so that heat dissipation of the power circuit block is promoted. , Reduce the temperature. As a result, a heat sink and an air passage are not required, further downsizing and cost reduction can be realized, and the reliability of the power element is significantly improved.

In another configuration, the elastic support means is used, and the heat dissipation block to which the power circuit block is attached can be easily brought into close contact with the refrigerator box, so that heat dissipation is promoted and the temperature is lowered. In addition, since they can be brought into close contact with each other only by mounting the power conversion box, productivity can be improved due to further improvement in assembling ease, and reliability of the power element is significantly improved.

[0016]

【Example】

(First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a refrigerator operation control apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 10
Is a machine room that houses the compressor 11, a fluid control valve (not shown), a refrigerant pipe (not shown), etc., and is generally provided in the lower rear portion of the refrigerator. 12 is a compressor 11
It is a cooling fan for a compressor whose main purpose is to perform cooling.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a compressor 1 from a commercial power source (not shown).
It is a power conversion unit that creates a power source for varying the capacity of No. 1, and there are methods such as an inverter and a phase control. An example of the circuit is described in the above-mentioned Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2-140577.

The power conversion unit 13 includes a power circuit block 14 in which elements (eg, diodes, transistors, etc.) that generate a large amount of heat are integrated, and a power conversion control unit 15 that controls the power circuit block 14 to obtain a desired power source. Consists of. Reference numeral 16 is a heat sink that promotes heat dissipation from the power circuit block 14.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a power conversion box body having a power circuit block 14, a power conversion control unit 15, a heat sink 16, etc. attached thereto, and a first suction port 18 having a suction projection 18a and a compressor cooling fan 12 side. And a blowout port 19 provided in the. Further, the power conversion box body 17 is attached so as not to prevent air from flowing in the heat sink 16.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a suction air passage for ensuring the air volume of the compressor cooling fan 12, and a second suction port 2 provided between the machine room base 21 and the refrigerator box body 22.
3 sucks air, passes through the suction air passage 20 divided by the air passage forming partition 24, and the cooling air passes through the suction air passage 20.
Applied to 1. Here, the power conversion box body 17 is placed in the suction air passage 20.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, the compressor cooling fan 12
When rotates, air flows in the path indicated by the dashed arrow. The ambient air (temperature is room temperature) in which the refrigerator is placed is sucked in through the second suction port 23.

Next, the sucked air hits the suction projection 18a and is split into air flowing through the first suction port 18 inside the power conversion box 17 and air flowing through the heat sink 16.

The former air cools the power circuit block 14 and the power conversion control unit 15 and goes out from the blowout port 19. The latter air flows inside the heat sink 16 (between the fins) and cools the heat sink. After that, it passes through the compressor cooling fan 12 and cools the compressor 11.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the power conversion box body 17 is placed in the suction air passage 20 to properly cool the power conversion section 13, thereby increasing the temperature of the power circuit block. Can be suppressed, and the reliability of the power element is significantly improved. In addition, since the capacity of the power element can remain the same, there is no concern about upsizing and cost increase.

The conventional cooling fan for compressor 1
Since 2 is used together, there is no need to add a fan and the cost does not increase.

Further, the second suction port is used as the machine room base 2
By providing between 1 and the refrigerator box 22, the outside air can be taken in effectively and inconspicuously from the outside.

Further, by providing the first suction port 18 with the suction projection 18a, the air sucked from the second suction port 23 is effectively divided into the power conversion box body 17 and the heat sink 16, so that the air can be appropriately separated. Cooling becomes possible.
It is also possible to change the shape and size of the suction projection 18a so as to achieve optimum cooling without increasing the cost.

Further, by providing the air passage forming partition 24, the suction air passage 20 can be clearly secured, the air volume is further increased, and the cooling effect is further enhanced.

(Second Embodiment) A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an operation control device for a refrigerator according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, FIG.
The same components as those in the configuration diagram of the operation control device for the refrigerator according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 30 is an elastic holding means which is fixed to the refrigerator box body 22 in advance by welding or the like. A fixing means 31 is attached to the machine room base 21 by using a screw or the like, and has a protrusion 31a on the power circuit block 14 side.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, the assembling method will be described. The power circuit block 14 is attached so as to be sandwiched by the elastic holding means 30. Next, the lower surface of the power circuit block 14 is brought into contact with the upper portion of the protrusion 31a of the fixing means 31,
Fix it with a screw so that it is pressed against the refrigerator box 22 side. Next, the power conversion control unit 15 and the power circuit block 14 are connected by a harness.

Next, the operation will be described. The power circuit block 14 is attached in close contact with the refrigerator box body 22 by the elastic holding means 30 and the fixing means 31. Further, the lower surface of the power circuit block is held by the protrusion 31a.

By doing so, the heat generated in the power circuit block 14 is transmitted to the refrigerator box body 22 which is closely attached. Here, the refrigerator box body 22 has a sufficiently large heat dissipation area and can obtain a sufficient cooling effect.

As described above, according to this embodiment, since the power circuit block 14 is attached to the refrigerator box body 22 by the elastic holding means 30 so as to be in close contact with the refrigerator box body 22, a sufficient cooling effect is exerted and the temperature of the power circuit block is increased. The rise can be suppressed, and the reliability of the power element is significantly improved. Further, since the refrigerator box body 22 is used for heat dissipation, a heat sink or the like for heat dissipation is unnecessary, and further downsizing and cost reduction can be realized.

Further, by providing the protrusions 31a, it is possible to prevent the power circuit block 14 from being improperly attached and falling off with age.

(Embodiment 3) A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an operation control device for a refrigerator according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, components having the same configurations as those of the configuration diagrams of the refrigerator operation control devices in the first and second embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Reference numeral 40 denotes a power conversion box body to which the power circuit block 14, the power conversion control unit 15 and the like are attached, and the support portion 40a is fixed therein.

Reference numeral 41 denotes a heat radiation block attached to the power circuit block 14, which is made of, for example, an aluminum block. Reference numeral 42 is an elastic support means fixed to the support portion 40a of the power conversion box body 40 and the heat dissipation block 41.

Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, the assembling method will be described. The power conversion box body 40, including the power conversion control unit 15, the power circuit block 14, the heat radiation block 41, the elastic support means 42, etc., is assembled in advance as parts. After that, when the refrigerator box body 22 is attached to the machine room base 21 with screws or the like, the heat dissipation block 41 and the refrigerator box body 22 are naturally brought into close contact with each other by the function of the elastic supporting means 42.

Next, the operation will be described. The power circuit block 14 includes the heat dissipation block 41 and the refrigerator box 22.
It is attached in close contact with. By doing so, the heat generated in the power circuit block 14 is transmitted to the refrigerator box 22 via the heat dissipation block 41. Here, the heat dissipation block 41 uses an aluminum block or the like having good heat conductivity, and the refrigerator box body 22 has a sufficiently large heat dissipation area so that a sufficient cooling effect can be obtained.

As described above, according to this embodiment, by using the elastic supporting means 42, the power circuit block 14 is
Is attached in close contact with the refrigerator box 22 via the heat dissipation block 41, so that a sufficient cooling effect can be exhibited, the temperature rise of the power circuit block can be suppressed, and the reliability of the power element is significantly improved. .

Further, since the refrigerator box 22 is used for heat dissipation, a heat sink or the like for heat dissipation is unnecessary,
Further size reduction and cost reduction can be realized.

Further, the power conversion box body 40 can be preassembled around the center and can be attached to the refrigerator body 22 very easily so that it can be closely attached to the refrigerator box 22, so that the workability is very good and the productivity is remarkably improved. To do.

[0046]

As described above, the present invention provides the compressor cooling fan for cooling the compressor, and the suction air passage of the compressor cooling fan in which the heat sink and the power circuit block are arranged. , Promotes heat dissipation of the power circuit block and lowers the temperature. Therefore, the reliability of the power element is remarkably improved while the size and the cost remain the same.

In another structure, an elastic holding means for directly attaching the power circuit block to the refrigerator box body and a refrigerator box body by directly attaching the power circuit block to the refrigerator box body by the elastic holding means. In order to utilize itself for heat radiation of the power circuit block, the elastic holding means is used to closely attach to the box body, so that heat radiation of the power circuit block is promoted and the temperature is lowered. As a result, a heat sink and an air passage are not required, further downsizing and cost reduction can be realized, and the reliability of the power element is significantly improved.

In another configuration, a power conversion box housing the power conversion section, a heat dissipation block to which the power circuit block is fixed, and the heat dissipation block and the power conversion box are elastically connected. By bringing the elastic support means into close contact with the heat dissipation block and the refrigerator box body by the elastic support means, heat dissipation is promoted and the temperature is lowered. In addition, since they can be brought into close contact with each other only by mounting the power conversion box, productivity can be improved due to further improvement in assembling ease, and reliability of the power element is significantly improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a refrigerator operation control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a refrigerator operation control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a refrigerator operation control device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a conventional refrigerator operation control device.

[Explanation of Codes] 12 Cooling Fan for Compressor 13 Power Converter 14 Power Circuit Block 16 Heat Sink 20 Suction Air Path 22 Refrigerator Box 30 Elastic Holding Means 41 Heat Dissipation Block 42 Elastic Support Means

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A power conversion unit for generating a power supply for varying the capacity of a compressor from a commercial power supply, a power circuit block integrated mainly with elements of the power conversion unit that generate a large amount of heat, and the power circuit. Operation of a refrigerator provided with a heat sink for radiating heat of the block, a compressor cooling fan for cooling the compressor, and a suction air passage of the compressor cooling fan in which the heat sink and the power circuit block are arranged Control device. 2. A power conversion unit for generating a power supply for varying the capacity of a compressor from a commercial power supply, a power circuit block integrated mainly with elements of the power conversion unit which generate a large amount of heat, and the power circuit. An operation control device for a refrigerator, characterized in that an elastic holding means for directly attaching the block to the refrigerator box body and the power circuit block is directly attached to the refrigerator box body by the elastic holding means. 3. A power conversion unit for generating a power supply for varying the capacity of the compressor from a commercial power supply, a power circuit block integrated mainly with elements of the power conversion unit that generate a large amount of heat, and the power conversion. A power conversion box body that accommodates a unit, a heat dissipation block to which the power circuit block is fixed, elastic support means that elastically connects the heat dissipation block and the power conversion box body, and the heat dissipation block by the elastic support means. An operation control device for a refrigerator, characterized in that the refrigerator and the refrigerator box are closely attached.