JPH074818A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to average power demand by accumulating the heat of electric power at night and shifting the heat to daytime service. CONSTITUTION:This refrigerator comprises a refrigeration cycle which connects a cooler 8 and a heat accumulator 31 having an accumulation material 32 inside in parallel and a time control means 46 which time-controls a heat accumulating operation which accumulates heat on the heat accumulator 31 in an arbitrary time zone and heat accumulating and cooling operations which cool the inside of a refrigerator with the accumulated heat and a room temperature detection means 40 which detects room temperature and an inside temperature setting control means 70 which raises inside temperature setting to an arbitrary temperature.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a heat storage type refrigerator for keeping the inside of a refrigerator cold by using a heat storage material.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a heat storage type refrigerator for cooling the inside of a refrigerator by using a heat storage material has been disclosed from the viewpoint of effective utilization of late-night power or leveling of power demand by peak cut.
It is considered as shown in Japanese Patent No. 58068.

An example of the above conventional heat storage type refrigerator will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of a conventional heat storage type refrigerator, and FIG. 7 is a refrigeration system diagram. Figure 6
In FIG. 7, reference numeral 1 is a cool box body, which is composed of a cabinet 2 in which a heat insulating material is incorporated, a door 3, and a gasket 14 which seals the door 3 and the cabinet 2. The interior is divided into two chambers, an upper freezing chamber 17 and a lower refrigerating chamber 18, by a horizontally arranged intermediate partition wall 16.

A compressor 4 is connected to a three-way solenoid valve 6 via a capacitor 5. Further, the first outlet 6a of the three-way solenoid valve 6 is connected to the compressor 4 through a capillary 7, a cooler 8 and an accumulator 13 in this order. In addition, the second outlet 6b of the three-way solenoid valve 6
Is the accumulator 13 through the regenerator capillary 9 and the regenerator 10 having the regenerator material 15 filled therein.
Connected. Further, a closed loop type thermosiphon 12 is provided as a heat transfer path between the cooler 8 and the heat storage device 10, and a heat storage solenoid valve 11 is provided in the middle of the closed loop type thermosiphon 12. Are arranged. The closed loop type thermosiphon 12 is, for example, a gravity type, and a refrigerant is enclosed in the closed loop type pipe.

Reference numeral 19 denotes a cooling fan for cooling the inside of the refrigerator, which is provided in front of the cooler 8 and has a freezer compartment upper outlet 2
0 and cold air can be sent out from the lower part 21 of the freezer compartment. A freezer compartment suction port 22 is provided in front of the intermediate partition wall 16 on the freezer compartment side, and a freezer compartment intermediate duct 23 extending from here to the cooler 8 is horizontally formed.

A refrigerating compartment duct 25 extending vertically from the cooling fan 19 to the refrigerating compartment outlet 24 is provided vertically along the back of the refrigerator at the back of the cooler 8. This refrigerating room outlet 2
4 can be opened and closed by a damper 26. A refrigerating compartment suction port 27 is provided in front of the intermediate partition wall 16 on the refrigerating compartment side, and a refrigerating compartment intermediate duct 28 extending from the refrigerating compartment suction port 27 to the cooler 8 is horizontally formed. A glass tube heater 29 is arranged at the outlet of the refrigerating compartment intermediate duct 28 to enable defrosting of the cooler 8 arranged above it.

FIG. 6 shows the refrigerator constructed as described above.
The operation will be described with reference to FIG.

In the normal cooling operation, the coil of the three-way solenoid valve 6 is not energized, the first outlet 6a is communicated, and the compressor 4 is sequentially passed through the condenser 5, the three-way solenoid valve 6 and the capillary 7 to cool the cooler. 8, a refrigerant flow path from the cooler 8 to the compressor 4 via the accumulator 13 is formed, and the cooler 8 cools the inside of the refrigerator.

On the other hand, in the heat storage operation, the three-way solenoid valve 6
By energizing the coil of No. 2, the second outlet 6b is communicated, the compressor 4 is passed through the condenser 5, the three-way electromagnetic valve 6 and the capillary 9 to reach the heat storage device 10, and the heat storage device 10 is connected to the accumulator. A refrigerant flow path extending to the compressor 4 via 13 is configured to cool the heat storage material 15 in the heat storage device 10.

In the heat storage cooling operation, the heat storage solenoid valve 1 is used.
When 1 is opened, the closed loop type thermosiphon 12 allows the heat accumulator 10 to cool the cooler 8, and the heat is used to cool the inside of the refrigerator.

Then, each operation is controlled by a timer action (not shown). At night when power demand is low (from 23:00 to 7:00 on the next day), the heat storage operation and the normal cooling operation are alternately performed by the timer action to sufficiently cool the heat storage material 15 while keeping the inside temperature at the set temperature. Every 3 hours during the peak daytime power demand (13:00 to 16:00), the constant temperature heat storage cooling operation is performed instead of the normal cooling operation that requires a large amount of power to control the temperature inside the warehouse. keep.

In the defrosting of the cooler 8, the operating time of the compressor 4 is integrated, and when the integrated time reaches an arbitrary time, the glass tube heater 29 is energized for defrosting. The defrosting frequency is set to an arbitrary time such that it is about twice a day.

[0014]

However, in the above configuration, the night time zone (from 23:00 to 7:00 of the next day)
On the other hand, in the summer when the room temperature is high, the load heat amount increases, so that the normal cooling operation time increases, and a sufficient heat storage operation time cannot be secured, so that there is a problem that the necessary heat amount cannot be stored.

The present invention solves the above problems. When the room temperature is equal to or higher than an arbitrary set temperature, the normal cooling operation time is reduced by raising the refrigerator internal temperature setting to an arbitrary temperature in the nighttime zone. It is intended to provide a refrigerator that can ensure sufficient heat storage operation time even in the high summer season and can effectively use electric power throughout the year.

[0016]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the refrigerator of the present invention has a refrigerating cycle in which a cooler and a heat storage device having a heat storage material are connected in parallel, and the refrigerator is provided with the heat storage device at any time zone. A time control means for performing time control of a heat storage operation for storing heat and a heat storage cooling operation for cooling the inside of the refrigerator by the stored heat, a room temperature detection means for detecting the temperature inside the room, and an internal temperature setting to an arbitrary temperature. When the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection means in a predetermined time zone at night is equal to or higher than an arbitrary set temperature, the room temperature setting control means raises the room temperature setting. This is to secure a heat storage operation time at night.

[0017]

According to the present invention, when the room temperature is equal to or higher than an arbitrary set temperature, the refrigerator internal temperature setting is raised to an arbitrary temperature during the nighttime period to reduce the normal cooling operation time and to increase the room temperature in the summer. In such cases, sufficient heat storage operation time can be secured, and electric power can be used effectively throughout the year.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a refrigerator in one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a refrigeration system diagram in one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an electric circuit diagram of a main part in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flow chart in one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an operating state of one day according to room temperature in one embodiment of the present invention.

In FIGS. 1 and 3, reference numeral 30 is a cool box body, which is composed of a cabinet 2 containing a heat insulating material, a door 3, and a gasket 14 for sealing the door 3 and the cabinet 2. The inside is divided into a freezer compartment 17 at the upper part and a refrigerating compartment 18 at the lower part by a horizontally arranged heat insulating partition wall 33.
The room is partitioned.

Reference numeral 62 denotes a cooling chamber provided in the freezing chamber 17, and in the cooling chamber 62, a cooler 8, a cooling fan 19 and a heater 58 for defrosting the cooler are installed.

Inside the adiabatic partition wall 33, there are provided a ventilation passage A37 for connecting the refrigerating compartment suction port 35 and the cooling chamber 62 by replacing the partition wall 38, and a ventilation passage B39 for communicating the refrigerating compartment suction port 35 and the cooling chamber 62. Is forming. Reference numeral 31 is a regenerator that is filled in the air passage B39 with the regenerator 32, and 56 is a regenerator temperature sensor 5 attached to the regenerator 31.
7 is a heat storage temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the heat storage material 32, and 36 is a freezer inlet.

Reference numeral 34 denotes an air passage switching damper, which is provided on the partition wall 38. The air passage switching damper 34 is the air passage switching means 6
1 switches the air passage B39 to 34a and the air passage A37 to 34b.

Reference numeral 26 denotes a damper for adjusting the discharge air flow rate of the cool air blown to the refrigerating compartment duct 25 by the cooling fan 19 to the refrigerating compartment 18 and controlling the refrigerating compartment 18 to a set temperature.

Reference numeral 63 is a defrosting start determining means, which determines the defrosting start time of the cooler 8 according to the signal from the room temperature detecting means 40.

Reference numeral 70 denotes an inside temperature setting control means, which determines whether to change the inside temperature setting during the night time zone (from 23:00 to 7:00 of the next day) in response to a signal from the room temperature detecting means 40.

Of the electric circuit diagram, only the portion related to the gist of the present invention is shown, and 46 is C as a time control means.
As is well known, the PU is operated by a program stored in a storage circuit (not shown), and is released by the clock circuit 45 that outputs the current time, the room temperature detection means 40, and the output signal from the internal temperature detection circuit 44. , 49, 51,
Energization control of 53 and 59 is performed. That is, each relay 47, 4
Each transistor 4 connected to 9, 51, 53, 59
By applying a high level signal to the bases of 8, 50, 52, 54 and 60, the respective relays 47, 49, 51 and 5 are provided.
Power is supplied to 3, 59.

When the relay 47 is energized, the compressor 4
Will drive. When the relay 51 is energized, the three-way solenoid valve 6 operates and the second outlet 6b communicates, and when the relay 51 is not energized, the first outlet 6a communicates. Relay
When 49 is energized, the cooling fan 19 operates. Relay
When 53 is energized, the air passage switching means 34 closes the air passage A37 (34b), and when the relay 53 is not energized, it closes the air passage B39 (34a). When the relay 59 is energized, the heater 58 defrosts the cooler 8.

The inside temperature detecting circuit 44 outputs a signal to the time control means 46 when the value detected by the temperature sensor 43 is equal to or higher than the set temperature. Further, the room temperature detecting means 40 is
Around the room temperature of the refrigerator, the signal from the room temperature sensor 41 is A /
The D converter 42 digitizes the output voltage and outputs a signal to the time control means 46. Further, the heat storage temperature detecting means 5
6 outputs a signal to the time control means 46 when the value detected by the heat storage material temperature sensor 57 is equal to or higher than the set temperature.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 4 denotes a compressor, which is connected to a three-way solenoid valve 6 via a capacitor 5. Further, the first outlet 6a of the three-way solenoid valve 6 is connected to the compressor 4 through a capillary 7, a cooler 8 and an accumulator 13 in this order. Further, the second outlet 6b of the three-way solenoid valve 6 is connected to the accumulator 13 through the regenerator capillary 9 and the regenerator 31 filled with the regenerator material 15 in order.

Regarding the refrigerator configured as described above, FIG.
The operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5.

In the normal cooling operation, the inside of the refrigerator is cooled by using the cooler 8 and kept at the set temperature. That is, CPU4
By turning off the relays 51 and 53 by 6, the refrigerant flow path is the side communicating with the cooler 8 (step S1), and the cold air flow path is the air path switching means 34a side 34a (step S1).
2) and the ventilation passage A is maintained in the communicating state, and when the temperature inside the refrigerator is equal to or higher than the set value, the CPU 46 turns on the relays 47 and 49 by the signal from the temperature detecting circuit 44 inside the refrigerator, and the compressor 4 and the cooling fan. Drive 19 (Step S
As a result of 3), the inside of the refrigerator is cooled by the cooler 8 to the set temperature or lower. Then, when the temperature inside the refrigerator becomes equal to or lower than the set value, the signal from the temperature detecting circuit 44 inside the refrigerator turns off, and the CPU 46 releases the relay.
47 and 49 are turned off, and the circulation of the refrigerant and the cool air is stopped (step S4). By repeating the above operation, the inside of the refrigerator is kept cool at the set temperature.

In the heat storage operation, the heat storage material 32 filled in the heat storage unit 31 is supplied with a predetermined night time during a predetermined time zone (from 23:00 to 7:00 the next day) during which the power demand is low at night (step S5). The electric power in the time zone is replaced with heat to store heat. That is, when the temperature inside the refrigerator is equal to or higher than the set value, the CPU 46 performs a normal operation of turning on the relays 47 and 49 and operating the compressor 4 and the cooling fan 19 in response to a signal from the temperature detecting circuit 44 (step S6). When the temperature inside the refrigerator becomes equal to or lower than the set value, the CPU 46 turns on the relays 51 and 47 in response to the signal from the temperature detecting circuit 44 to hold the refrigerant flow path on the side where the heat storage device 31 communicates with the compressor. By operating No. 4, the refrigerant is evaporated in the heat storage unit 31 and the heat storage material 32 is frozen (step S7).

The weight of the heat storage material 32 is
The weight is based on the room in the refrigerating temperature zone at low room temperature (15 ° C) such as autumn. That is, the weight is such that all heat amounts equivalent to the total load heat amount of the refrigerating room in a predetermined time zone (from 7 o'clock to 23 o'clock) in which daytime power demand is high at low room temperature can be stored.

The heat storage cooling operation is to cool the return air in a room other than the freezing room by using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 31 during the peak daytime power demand. That is, when the temperature of the freezing compartment is equal to or higher than the set value, the CPU 46 turns on the relays 47 and 49 by operating the compressor 4 and the cooling fan 19 in response to the signal from the internal temperature detection circuit 44, thereby keeping the freezing compartment at the set temperature or lower. Cool to.

The temperature of the refrigerating room 18 is controlled by the damper-2.
6, the amount of air blown to the refrigerating chamber 18 is adjusted to control the set temperature, and the return air is released by the CPU 46.
When 3 is turned on, the cold air passage is the air passage switching means 3
4 is on the 34b side, and the ventilation passage B39 is maintained in a communicating state and cooled (step S8). As a result, the amount of heat cooled by the cooler 8 is only the amount of heat applied to the freezer.

When the temperature inside the refrigerator falls below the set value, the signal of the temperature detecting circuit 44 inside the refrigerator turns off and the CPU 46
Turns off the relays 47 and 49 to stop the circulation of the compressor and the cool air. By repeating the above operation, the inside of each refrigerator is kept cold at the set temperature.

Next, a method of controlling the defrosting start time of the cooler 8 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

The heat storage operation time varies depending on the room temperature. This is because the amount of heat entering from the cabinet 2 and the refrigerating capacity of the system change depending on the room temperature. In the summer when the room temperature is long and the heat storage operation time is long, the room temperature detecting means 40 signals that the room temperature is equal to or higher than an arbitrary set temperature. The defrosting start determination means 63 having received the instruction starts the defrosting of the cooler 8 at times other than the peak time of the power demand in the daytime so as to secure a sufficient heat storage operation time.

Further, in the season when the room temperature is low and the heat storage operation time is short, the defrosting start judging means 63 starts defrosting the cooler 8 at a predetermined time zone at night when the power demand is low.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, 7:00 and 21:00 when the room temperature is higher than the set temperature, and 2 when the room temperature is lower than the set temperature.
Start defrosting at 3 o'clock.

Next, a method of controlling the internal temperature setting by the internal temperature setting control means 70 will be described.

In the summer when the cooling load of the refrigerator is large, the inside temperature setting control means, which has received a signal from the room temperature detecting means 40 that the room temperature is equal to or higher than an arbitrary set temperature, is set at an arbitrary time zone (23) at night. From the time to 7 o'clock on the next day), the temperature inside the refrigerator is set to a level that does not hinder the use (step S12) to suppress the cooling load amount of the refrigerator and reduce the normal cooling operation time to provide sufficient heat storage operation time. Secure.

Next, the control method for each operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. A predetermined time period (from 23:00 to 7:00 of the next day) at which the nighttime power demand is low by the time control means 46.
Alternate operation of normal cooling operation and heat storage operation from time to time. That is, when the temperature inside the refrigerator is equal to or higher than the set value, the inside of the refrigerator is cooled by the normal cooling operation, and when the temperature inside the refrigerator is equal to or lower than the set value, the heat is stored instead of heat in the heat storage operation (step S5). ,
The end of freezing of the heat storage material 32 is detected by the heat storage temperature detection means 56 and the heat storage operation is ended (step S10).

For the daytime load, the time control means 46 estimates from the daytime average room temperature detected by the room temperature detection means 40.

Based on this estimated value, the time control means 46 determines that at least the daytime power demand is in a peak time zone (13:00 to 1
The heat storage cooling operation is started so as to include 6:00 (step S11). Then, the heat storage temperature detecting means 56 causes the heat storage material 32 to
Is higher than the set temperature and the signal indicating that the cooling capacity of the heat storage device 31 is lost is sent to the time control means 46, whereby the heat storage cooling operation is completed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the heat storage cooling operation time is 7 hours when the room temperature is 30 ° C. and 16 hours when the room temperature is 15 ° C.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the refrigerating cycle in which the cooler and the heat accumulator having the heat accumulating material are connected in parallel, and the heat storage operation for storing the heat in the heat accumulator at an arbitrary time zone are performed. A time control means for performing time control of the heat storage cooling operation for cooling the inside of the refrigerator by the stored heat, a room temperature detection means for detecting the room temperature, and an inside temperature setting control means for raising the inside temperature setting to an arbitrary temperature. When the room temperature detected by the room temperature detecting means in a predetermined time zone at night is equal to or higher than an arbitrary set temperature, the room temperature setting control means raises the room temperature setting to an arbitrary temperature. Even in high summer, etc., the normal cooling operation time of the refrigerator during the night time is reduced, so that the heat storage operation time can be sufficiently secured and the electric power can be effectively used throughout the year.

Furthermore, a heat storage material having a large latent heat of fusion can be used, the reduction of the effective internal volume of the refrigerator can be suppressed as much as possible, and the power consumption does not increase.

[0050]

As described above, the present invention has a refrigeration cycle in which a cooler and a heat storage device having a heat storage material are connected in parallel, a heat storage operation for storing heat in the heat storage device at any time and a heat storage operation. The time control means for performing the time control of the heat storage cooling operation for cooling the inside of the refrigerator by the heat, the room temperature detection means for detecting the room temperature, and the inside temperature setting control means for raising the inside temperature setting to an arbitrary temperature. When the room temperature detected by the room temperature detecting means in a predetermined time zone at night is equal to or higher than an arbitrary set temperature, the room temperature setting control means raises the room temperature setting to an arbitrary temperature. Even in high summer, etc., the normal cooling operation time of the refrigerator at night is reduced, so that the heat storage operation time can be sufficiently secured and the refrigerator can be effectively used throughout the year.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a refrigeration system diagram of the refrigerator shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an electric circuit diagram of a main part of the refrigerator shown in FIG.

4 is a flowchart of the refrigerator shown in FIG.

[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the operating state of one day according to the room temperature in Fig. 1.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view showing the structure of a conventional refrigerator.

FIG. 7 is a refrigeration system diagram of the refrigerator shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 8 Cooler 31 Heat storage device 32 Heat storage material 40 Room temperature detection means 46 Time control means 70 In-compartment temperature setting control means

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A refrigeration cycle in which a cooler and a heat storage device having a heat storage material inside are connected in parallel, a heat storage operation of storing heat in the heat storage device at an arbitrary time zone, and a refrigerator is cooled by the stored heat. A time control means for performing time control of the heat storage cooling operation, a room temperature detection means for detecting the temperature inside the room, and an inside temperature setting control means for raising the inside temperature setting to an arbitrary temperature, and a predetermined time zone at night. When the room temperature detected by the room temperature detecting means is equal to or higher than an arbitrary set temperature, the refrigerator temperature setting control means raises the inside temperature setting to an arbitrary temperature to secure a heat storage operation time. .