JPH11311467A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce time required for freezing in a freezing room by providing two evaporators for a refrigeration room and the freezing room and alternately executing a refrigeration room cooling mode and a freezing room cooling mode. SOLUTION: A refrigeration cycle is constituted by alternately switching a refrigeration room cooling mode for allowing a refrigerant from a condenser to an R evaporator and an F evaporator successively and for returning it to a compressor and a freezing room cooling mode for allowing the refrigerant from the condenser to flow to the F evaporator and for returning it to the compressor. Even when the refrigeration room cooling mode is executed, an F fan is driven and cold wind is supplied to a stock in the freezing room. When a rapid freezing switch is fumed on, a rapid freezing operation is executed. However, also in this mode, the refrigeration mode cooling mode and the freezer cooling mode are alternately switched. Also, the number of rotations of the compressor, the F fan, and the like is increased as compared with a normal case.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator having two evaporators, that is, an evaporator for a refrigerator and an evaporator for a freezer.

[0002]

Conventionally, household refrigerators have been provided with a single evaporator in an evaporator chamber provided on the back side of the refrigerator body, and cool air generated by the evaporator is provided. In general, a fan is supplied to a freezer compartment, and a part of the cool air is supplied to a refrigerator compartment (and a vegetable compartment) as needed by opening and closing a damper. However, in this configuration, since air containing sufficient moisture from the vegetable room or the like is circulated in the evaporator room, frost formation in the evaporator becomes relatively large.

[0003] In recent years, there are two types of refrigerators, one for the refrigerator compartment and the other for the freezer compartment.
A refrigerator provided with two evaporators is considered by the present inventors. In this refrigerator, a refrigerator compartment evaporator and a refrigerator compartment evaporator compartment having a refrigerator compartment fan are provided on the rear side of a refrigerator compartment (vegetable compartment) on the upper side of the refrigerator main body, and a refrigerator compartment on the lower side is provided. On the back side, a freezer evaporator room having a freezer evaporator and a freezer fan is provided.

[0004] In this case, the refrigerating cycle includes a refrigerating compartment cooling mode in which the refrigerant from the condenser flows through the first capillary tube to the refrigerating compartment evaporator and the refrigerating compartment evaporator compartment and returns to the compressor. A freezing room cooling mode in which the refrigerant from the condenser flows through the second capillary tube to the freezing room evaporator room and returns to the compressor is alternately switched. Note that the refrigerator compartment fan is driven in the refrigerator compartment cooling mode, and the freezer compartment fan is driven in the freezer compartment cooling mode.

[0005] As a result, cold air having a relatively high temperature (for example, + 3 ° C) in the refrigerator compartment flows through the refrigerator compartment evaporator compartment, so that even if frost formation occurs in the refrigerator compartment evaporator, it is quickly melted. On the other hand, in the evaporator compartment for the freezer compartment, since the humid air such as the vegetable compartment does not flow and only the dried air passes, the frost formation of the evaporator for the freezer compartment itself is reduced, and In addition, the frost formation of each evaporator can be suppressed as much as possible to improve the cooling capacity.

In this type of refrigerator, in the above-described refrigerator compartment cooling mode, most of the refrigerant from the condenser is vaporized in the refrigerator compartment evaporator, and is already gaseous. Since the refrigerant is sent to the evaporator, heat exchange of the refrigerant in the freezer evaporator is hardly performed. For this reason, when the refrigerator compartment cooling mode is executed, the supply of cool air into the freezer compartment is stopped, and the time required for freezing or ice-making the food, for example, is taken accordingly, leaving room for improvement. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is provided with two evaporators, one for a refrigerator compartment and one for a freezer compartment, and alternately executes a refrigerator compartment cooling mode and a freezer compartment cooling mode. Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator capable of shortening the time required for freezing in a freezing room.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A refrigerator according to the present invention comprises a refrigerator evaporator for cooling a refrigerator, a freezer evaporator for cooling a freezer, and a freezer evaporator. A freezing room fan that sends generated cold air into the freezing room; a freezing room cooling mode in which a refrigerant circulated by driving a compressor flows through the freezing room evaporator; and a freezing room that flows through the freezing room evaporator. A refrigerant flow switching means for switching between a cooling mode and a cooling mode is provided, and the freezer compartment fan is driven even when the refrigerator compartment cooling mode is executed (the invention of claim 1).

According to this, when the refrigerating compartment cooling mode is executed, the refrigerant exchanges heat in the refrigerating compartment evaporator, the refrigerating compartment is cooled, and the freezing compartment cooling mode is executed. Then, the refrigerant performs heat exchange in the freezer evaporator, and the freezer is cooled. By switching between such a refrigerator compartment cooling mode and a freezer compartment cooling mode alternately by the cooling mode switching means, both the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment are cooled.

Here, when the refrigerator compartment cooling mode is executed, there is a situation in which the heat exchange of the refrigerant in the freezer compartment evaporator is not performed. Since the temperature is sufficiently lower than that of the object or the ice tray, the freezer is supplied with cold air by driving the freezer fan. The supply of the cold air contributes to constant cooling of the frozen stock or the ice tray.

By the way, if the quick freezing operation for rapidly cooling the freezing room can be executed, it is effective when the user wants to quickly freeze the stored material or quickly obtain a large amount of ice. However, during the rapid freezing operation, if only the freezing compartment cooling mode is executed, the temperature of the refrigerating compartment may increase significantly. Therefore, if the freezing compartment cooling mode and the refrigerating compartment cooling mode are alternately switched by the refrigerant flow path switching means even during the execution of the rapid freezing operation (the invention of claim 2), the low temperature of the refrigerating compartment is maintained. can do.

At this time, if the freezing room fan is driven at a higher rotation speed during the rapid freezing operation than during the normal operation (the third aspect of the invention), the freezing room fan is driven by the freezing room fan. Since the supply of the cold air to the storage or the ice tray is further promoted, the refrigeration capacity can be improved. Further, when the compressor is driven at a higher rotation speed than during the normal operation during the rapid refrigeration operation (invention of claim 4), the amount of refrigerant supplied to the evaporator is increased to improve the cooling capacity. Can be done.

[0013] Here, if the compressor is rotated at the maximum permissible number of revolutions, the cooling capacity can be maximized. However, on the other hand, the noise is increased and the freezing compartment is exposed to overcooling. Therefore, if the number of revolutions of the compressor during the rapid refrigeration operation is varied according to the outside air temperature (the invention of claim 5), the compression speed can be varied according to the room temperature while fulfilling the purpose of the rapid refrigeration operation. It is possible to prevent the rotation speed of the machine from being increased more than necessary.

Alternatively, the compressor may be driven at the maximum permissible number of revolutions for a certain period of time at the beginning of the execution of the rapid refrigeration operation (invention of claim 6), or an automatic ice making device at the beginning of the execution of the rapid refrigeration operation. For a period until the ice making is performed a predetermined number of times, the compressor may be driven at the maximum allowable rotation speed (the invention of claim 7).
In any case, it is possible to prevent the rotational speed of the compressor from being increased more than necessary while fulfilling the purpose of the rapid refrigeration operation.

[0015] Further, when the quick refrigeration operation is performed,
The set temperature of the freezer compartment may be shifted to a lower temperature side (the invention of claim 8), whereby the rate of cooling the freezer compartment in the freezer compartment cooling mode is set so as to lower the temperature of the freezer compartment. Can be increased.

In the precool operation for forcibly cooling the refrigerating compartment and the freezer compartment before the defrosting operation, when the execution of the rapid freezing operation is instructed during the precool operation, the precool operation is performed. It is desirable to execute the quick refrigeration operation by temporarily suspending the operation (the invention of claim 9), whereby it is possible to promptly respond to a user's request such as a desire for ice.

Further, when the execution of the quick refrigeration operation is instructed during the defrosting operation, it is preferable that the quick refrigeration operation be performed with priority rather than the quick refrigeration operation. invention). This allows subsequent cooling to be performed in a state where the cooling performance of the evaporator has been recovered, and becomes more efficient.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention (corresponding to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 10) will be described below with reference to FIGS. I do. First, FIG. 4 schematically shows a configuration of a main body 1 of a refrigerator of a bottom freezer type according to the present embodiment. Here, the refrigerator main body 1 has a refrigerator compartment 3, a vegetable refrigerator compartment 4, an ice-making freezer compartment 5, and a freezer compartment 6 in order from the top in a vertically long rectangular box-shaped heat insulation box body 2 having an open front surface. It is configured. In addition, on the front surface of the main body 1, a hinged open / closed heat insulating door 7 and draw-out heat insulating doors 8, 9, and 10 for opening and closing the storage rooms 3 to 6 respectively are provided in order from the top. .

The refrigeration compartment 3 and the refrigeration compartment 4 for vegetables (these two compartments are referred to as "refrigeration compartments" in the present invention) are each set to a temperature zone of, for example, 2 to 5 ° C. The refrigerating compartments 3 and 4 are vertically divided by a partition plate 11. Further, the inside of the refrigerator compartment 3 is vertically divided into a plurality of stages by a shelf plate 12, and a chilled partial room 13 is provided at a lowermost portion thereof.

Although not shown, a water supply tank and a water supply unit for supplying water to an ice tray of an automatic ice making apparatus described later are provided on the side of the chilled partial room 13. A storage container 14 with a lid 14a is provided in the vegetable refrigeration compartment 4 so as to be connected to the back side of the heat-insulating door 8 so as to be able to be taken in and out. Note that the refrigerator compartment 3 is provided with an R room temperature sensor 15 (shown only in FIG. 2) for detecting the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 3.

On the other hand, the freezing room 5 and the freezing room 6
(These two chambers are referred to as "freezing chambers" in the present invention.) Both of them have a temperature range of, for example, -18 to -21 ° C. Only in this case, the partitioning body 16 is provided, and is provided in a communicating state inside the main body 1. The vegetable refrigeration compartment 4 and the ice-making freezer compartment 5 are partitioned by a heat insulating partition wall 17 provided integrally with the heat insulating box 2. An automatic ice making device 18 is provided at the upper part of the freezing compartment 5 for ice making, and an ice receiver 19 is provided at the lower part thereof so as to be connected to the back surface of the heat insulating door 9 and can be taken in and out. Have been.

As is well known, the automatic ice making device 18
An ice tray 20 supplied with water from the water supply unit, an ice-making completion detection sensor 21 (shown only in FIG. 2) for detecting the completion of ice-making based on the temperature of the ice tray 20, and an ice tray 2 having completed ice-making.
The apparatus is provided with an ice release motor 22 (shown only in FIG. 2) for inverting 0 and performing ice removal. Further, a storage container 23 is provided in the freezer compartment 6 so as to be connected to the back side of the heat insulating door 10 and to be able to be taken in and out. The freezer compartment 6 is provided with an F room temperature sensor 24 (shown only in FIG. 2) for detecting the temperature in the freezer compartment 6.

The main body 1 incorporates a refrigeration cycle 25 described later. At this time, a refrigerator evaporator chamber 26 is provided on the back side of the vegetable refrigerator compartment 4, and a part of the refrigerating cycle 25 is formed in the refrigerator evaporator chamber 26. Cold room evaporator 27 (hereinafter referred to as “R
And a refrigerator 28 (hereinafter referred to as an “R fan 28”).
Is abbreviated). The R fan 28 (fan motor) is driven at a variable speed.

When the R fan 28 is driven, the cool air generated through the R evaporator 27 is supplied to the refrigerator compartment 3 and the vegetable refrigerator compartment 4 to cool the stored items. Thereafter, circulation is performed in which the fuel is returned to the lower part in the evaporator chamber 26 for the refrigerator again. Also, as shown only in FIG.
Inside, a refrigerator evaporator defrost heater (R-eva defrost heater) 29 is provided, and an R-eva defrost sensor 30 for detecting completion of defrosting of the R-eva 27 is provided.

On the other hand, a freezing room evaporator chamber 31 is provided on the back side of the ice making freezing room 5 and the freezing room 6 over the upper and lower sides. Inside, a freezer evaporator 32 (hereinafter abbreviated as “FEVA 32”) that constitutes a part of the refrigerating cycle 25 is provided, and a freezer fan 33 (hereinafter “Fever 32”) is located above the freezer evaporator 32. F fan 33 ”). Further, below the F-eva 32, a freezer evaporator defrost heater (F-eva defrost heater) 34 is provided.
Eva defrost sensor 35 for detecting the completion of defrosting of evaporator 32
(Shown only in FIG. 2).

When the F fan 33 is driven, the cool air generated through the F fan 32 is supplied to the freezing compartments 5 and 6 for ice making, and is used for cooling the stock. Thereafter, circulation is performed in which the liquid is returned to the lower portion in the evaporator chamber 31 for the freezing room again. still,
The F fan 33 (fan motor) is also driven at a variable speed.

Further, a machine room 36 is provided at the lower rear portion of the lower end of the main body 1, and a compressor (compressor) 37 constituting a part of the refrigeration cycle 25 is provided in the machine room 36. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 2 only, a cooling fan 38 (hereinafter referred to as “C fan 3”) for cooling the compressor 37 and a condenser described later is provided in the machine room 36 thereof.
8 "). The compressor 37 includes:
The inverter is driven at a variable speed, and the C fan 38 is also driven at a variable speed.

Although not shown, the defrost water generated in the evaporator chamber 26 for the refrigerator compartment and the evaporator chamber 31 for the freezer compartment is guided into the machine compartment 36 and is supplied to the compressor 37.
Is stored in a defrosting water evaporating dish provided at an upper part of the evaporator. The defrost water stored in the defrost water evaporating dish is evaporated by the heat of the compressor 37 and the heat of the evaporating pipe 39 and discharged to the outside.

FIG. 3 shows the structure of the refrigeration cycle 25. This refrigeration cycle 25 includes the compressor 37,
The evaporating pipe 39, the condenser (condenser) 40, the clean pipe 41, the dryer 42, the three-way valve 43 as a refrigerant flow switching means, and a first outlet connected to a first outlet of the three-way valve 43.
The capillary tube 44, the R-eva 27, the F-eva 32, and the accumulator 45 are sequentially connected to a closed loop by a refrigerant pipe, and a second outlet of the three-way valve 43 and a connection point between the R-eva 27 and the F-eva 32 And a second capillary tube 46 is connected between them.

When the three-way valve 43 is switched to the first outlet side, the refrigerant flows through the condenser 40 and the like by the driving of the compressor 37 and then passes through the first capillary tube 44 to the R evaporator. 27 and the F-eva 32 in order to return to the compressor 37 (refrigerator compartment cooling mode). On the other hand, when the three-way valve 43 is switched to the second outlet side, the refrigerant is supplied to only the F-eva 32 through the second capillary tube 46 after the refrigerant passes through the condenser 40 and the like by driving the compressor 37. Thereafter, it is returned to the compressor 37 (freezer compartment cooling mode).

As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 1 is provided with a control device 47 composed of a microcomputer or the like. The controller 47 includes the R room temperature sensor 15 and F
Signals from the room temperature sensor 24, the ice making completion detection sensor 21, the R-eva defrost sensor 30, and the F-eva defrost sensor 35 are input, and an outside air temperature sensor 48 for detecting the outside temperature of the refrigerator.
Further, a signal is input from a quick refrigerating switch 49 operated by a user when the quick refrigerating operation is to be performed.

The control device 47 also controls the compressor 37, the three-way valve 43, the C fan 3 based on the input signals.
8, R fan 28, F fan 33, R eva defrost heater 2
9, the F-eva defrost heater 34, the water supply unit of the automatic ice making device 18, the de-icing motor 22, and the like are controlled. At this time, the control device 47 sets the compressor 37 to a variable speed (for example, the operating frequency of the inverter is 30 to 70 Hz).
And the R fan 28 and the F fan 33 are driven at a variable speed (for example, 1800 to 2400 rpm). The C fan 38 is turned on when the compressor 37 is turned on, is driven at, for example, 2000 rpm when the compressor 37 is driven at the maximum allowable rotation speed (frequency 70 Hz), and in other cases, For example, 1
It is driven at 800 rpm.

As will be described later, the control device 47 switches the three-way valve 43 so that the refrigerant
Cooling mode (RF flow), in which the cooling chambers 3 and 4 are mainly cooled by flowing into the cooling chamber, and freezing chamber cooling mode (flow only in the F mode), in which the cooling medium is cooled only by the F-eva and only the cooling chambers 5 and 6 are cooled. The cooling operation (normal operation) is executed while alternately switching. In this case, the control device 47 sets the ON temperature and the OFF temperature of a predetermined width with respect to the set temperature for each of the refrigerator compartments 3 and 4 and the freezer compartments 5 and 6, and
The three-way valve 43 is configured to be switched based on the temperatures detected by the room temperature sensor 15 and the F room temperature sensor 24.

Further, the control device 47 controls the R room temperature sensor 15
And the compressor 3 based on the detected temperature of the F room temperature sensor 24 and the like.
7, and controls the rotational speed (operating frequency) of the C fan 38 in accordance with the on / off control of the compressor 37. . Then, the control device 47 turns on the R fan 28 when the refrigerator compartment cooling mode is executed, and turns on the F fan 33 when the refrigerator compartment cooling mode is executed. It is configured to drive the fan 33.

In the present embodiment, the control device 47
When the quick freeze switch 49 is turned on,
A quick freezing operation for rapidly cooling the freezer compartments 5 and 6 is executed. In this rapid refrigeration operation, the compressor 37 is operated at a higher speed (higher frequency) than in the normal operation, and the set temperatures of the freezing compartments 5 and 6 are shifted to a lower temperature side. The quick refrigeration operation is terminated, for example, when the ice receiver 19 is full of ice, or when, for example, ten ice-removing operations are completed.

At this time, particularly in this embodiment, the compressor 37 is driven at the maximum allowable rotation speed (for example, 70 Hz in frequency) at the beginning of the execution of the rapid refrigeration operation. Also, during the rapid freezing operation, the R room temperature sensor 15
And the refrigerator compartment cooling mode and the refrigerator compartment cooling mode are alternately executed based on the temperature detected by the F room temperature sensor 24 and the like. Further, during the rapid freezing operation, the rotation speed of the F fan 33 is set higher than usual.

Further, the control device 47 executes a precooling operation and then executes a defrosting operation every time the accumulated cooling time of the freezer compartments 5 and 6 reaches a predetermined time (for example, 10 hours). I have. Of these, pre-cool driving is
First, the set temperatures of the freezer compartments 5 and 6 are set to, for example, 3 deg.
In the shifted state, the compressor 37 is continuously driven at a high rotation speed to execute the freezer compartment cooling mode to forcibly cool the freezer compartments 5 and 6, and then switch to the refrigerator compartment cooling mode to switch to the refrigerator compartment cooling mode. It is performed by forcibly cooling 3, 4.

The defrosting operation is executed by turning on the R-eva defrost heater 29 and the F-eva defrost heater 34 while the compressor 37 and the fans 28, 33, 38 are stopped. The process is terminated based on the detections of the evaporative defrost sensor 30 and the F evaporative defrost sensor 35. At this time, in this embodiment, the quick refrigeration switch 49 is
Is turned on, the quick refrigeration operation is executed until, for example, one ice making operation is completed, and then the precool operation is executed again. When the quick refrigeration switch 49 is turned on during the defrosting operation, priority is given to the defrosting operation, and the quick refrigeration operation is executed after the completion of the defrosting operation.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. The timing chart of FIG. 1 shows that the control device 47 executes the normal operation and the compressor 37, R during the rapid refrigeration operation when the rapid refrigeration switch 49 is turned on during the operation to execute the rapid refrigeration operation.
The state of control of the fan 28, the F fan 33, and the three-way valve 43 is shown. Further, the timing chart of FIG. 5 shows a state of control during the precool operation and the defrosting operation. 1 and 5, the state in which the three-way valve 43 is switched to the first capillary tube 44 is referred to as "R".
−F flow ”and the state switched to the second capillary tube 46 side are described as“ F flow only ”.

<Control During Normal Operation> First, control during normal operation will be described. During the normal operation, as described above, by switching the three-way valve 43 based on the detected temperatures of the R room temperature sensor 15 and the F room temperature sensor 24, the refrigerator compartment cooling mode (RF flow) for mainly cooling the refrigerator compartments 3 and 4 is provided. When,
The freezer compartment cooling mode (flowing only in F) for cooling the freezer compartments 5 and 6 is alternately switched. With this, cold room 3,4
The temperatures in all the storage rooms 3 to 6 are maintained near the set temperature while the and the freezer rooms 5 and 6 are alternately cooled.

In this case, for the refrigerating compartments 3 and 4, for example, the ON temperature is set to 5 ° C. and the OFF temperature is set to 2 ° C. For the freezing compartments 5 and 6, for example, the ON temperature is −18 ° C.
The F temperature is set to -21 ° C. The condition for switching the mode is that the detected temperature of the room being cooled is OFF.
When the temperature reaches F, when 10 minutes or more have elapsed since the previous mode switching, and when the detected temperature of the uncooled room has reached the ON temperature, or when 60 minutes have elapsed since the previous mode switching, It has been the case. Although not shown, the compressor 37 is turned off when the detected temperatures of both chambers are both OFF temperatures.

At this time, although a detailed description is omitted, the compressor 37 is driven at a variable speed (for example, the frequency is 30 to 48 Hz), and the load (the sensors 15 and 24) is controlled.
(The difference between the detected temperature and the set temperature) is driven at a low rotation speed (low frequency) when the load is small, thereby increasing the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle to save energy. The R fan 28 is driven at, for example, 1800 to 2000 rpm in the refrigerator compartment cooling mode, and when switched to the freezer compartment cooling mode, a predetermined short time (for example, 5 minutes) for defrosting the R evaporator 27. After being driven continuously, it is stopped.

The F fan 33 is driven at, for example, 1800 to 2000 rpm in the freezer compartment cooling mode, and is also driven in the refrigerator compartment cooling mode. Although not shown, when the compressor 37 is stopped, the R fan 28 and the F fan 33 are stopped.

As a result, during execution of the refrigerator compartment cooling mode, there is a situation in which the heat exchange of the refrigerant in the Feva 32 is not performed. At this time, the temperature of the surface of the Feva 32 becomes
Since the temperature is sufficiently lower (for example, −22 ° C.) than that of the frozen stock or the ice tray 20, when the F fan 33 is driven, cool air is supplied to the frozen stock or the ice tray 20. Therefore, the supply of the cold air can contribute to a constant cooling of the frozen stock or the ice tray 20.

Also, as described above, the two evaporators 27 and 32
By providing the evaporator chamber 26 for the refrigerator compartment,
Although relatively humid air flows through the refrigerator compartments 3 and 4, the R fan 28 is driven for a predetermined time even when the mode is switched to the freezer compartment cooling mode, and relatively high temperature air (for example, + 3 ° C.) Is distributed to R-eva 27, so that R
Even if frost forms on the evacuated 27, the evacuated material 27 is quickly melted. On the other hand, since the humid air such as the vegetable refrigeration room 4 does not circulate in the evaporator room 31 for the freezing room and only the dried air circulates, the frost formation of the Feva 32 is reduced, and High cooling capacity can be obtained.

<Control During Rapid Refrigeration Operation> Next, control during rapid refrigeration operation will be described. The user turns on the quick freezing switch 49 when the user wants to quickly freeze the stored material or quickly obtain a large amount of ice. Then
The control device 47 performs control as shown in FIG. That is,
During the rapid refrigeration operation, the set temperatures of the freezer compartments 5 and 6 are shifted to a lower temperature side, and the compressor 37 is continuously operated at a higher rotation speed (frequency) than during the normal operation. Here, for example, the ON temperature in the freezer compartments 5 and 6 is shifted to −26 ° C., and the OFF temperature is shifted to −30 ° C.

At this time, in FIG. 1, first, the freezing room cooling mode is executed. Thereafter, when the temperatures of the refrigerating rooms 3 and 4 reach the ON temperature, the three-way valve is set so as to enter the refrigerating room cooling mode. The cooling mode is switched alternately, such that 43 is switched, and when the temperature of the refrigerator compartments 3 and 4 reaches the ON temperature, the refrigerator compartment cooling mode is switched again.
At the start of the rapid refrigeration operation, which cooling mode is to be executed may be selected so as to cool the room having the larger difference between the set temperature and the detected temperature first. The cooling mode is started preferentially.

As described above, during the execution of the rapid refrigeration operation, the compressor 37 is driven at a higher rotational speed than during the normal operation, but here, as shown in FIG. The motor is driven at the maximum allowable rotation speed (maximum frequency 70 Hz) for a certain period of time at the beginning of the start, and thereafter the rotation speed is gradually reduced (in this case, 62 Hz and 53 Hz). The R fan 28 is also turned on when the refrigerator compartment cooling mode is executed, and the rotation speed at this time is higher than that during normal operation (for example, 2400).
rpm).

Further, the F fan 33 is also driven during execution of the refrigerator compartment cooling mode (continuously driven during execution of the rapid freezing operation). When the rapid refrigeration operation is performed, the F fan 3
3 is also driven at a higher rotational speed than during normal operation. At this time, during a period in which the compressor 37 is driven at the allowable maximum rotation speed, the F fan 33 also operates at the maximum rotation speed (for example, 2400 rpm).
), The rotational speed of the compressor 37 is set to be slightly lower (for example, 2000 rpm) after being lowered by one stage.

As a result, when the quick freezing operation is performed, the set temperatures of the freezing compartments 5 and 6 are shifted to the lower temperature side, so that the freezing compartment cooling mode cools the freezing compartments 5 and 6 as compared with the normal operation. You can increase the percentage of time
In addition, since the compressor 37 is driven at a higher rotation speed than in the normal operation, it is possible to increase the supply amount of the refrigerant to the F-eva 32 and improve the cooling capacity. Thereby, the freezing compartments 5 and 6 can be rapidly cooled in a short time.

Also during the rapid freezing operation, the freezer compartment cooling mode and the refrigerator compartment cooling mode are alternately switched, so that the temperature of the refrigerator compartments 3 and 4 can be prevented from rising, and the refrigerator compartments 3 and 4 can be prevented from rising. Low temperature can be maintained. When the quick freezing operation is performed, the freezing room F fan 33 is driven at a higher rotational speed than during the normal operation, so that the supply of the cold air to the frozen stock or the ice tray 20 by the driving of the F fan is performed. Is further promoted, and a high cooling capacity can be obtained. In the refrigerator compartment cooling mode, the cooling capacity of the freezer compartments 5 and 6 can also be improved.

Further, since the driving of the compressor 37 at the maximum permissible number of rotations is stopped for a certain period of time at the beginning of the execution of the rapid refrigeration operation, the compressor 37 is driven while the purpose of the rapid refrigeration operation is fulfilled. It is possible to avoid increasing the number of rotations more than necessary, and it is possible to minimize problems such as generation of noise.

<Control Related to Defrosting Operation> Finally, control related to the defrosting operation will be described. As described above, the control device 47 executes the precooling operation and then executes the defrosting operation every time the integrated cooling time of the freezer compartments 5 and 6 reaches a predetermined time (for example, 10 hours). Here, as shown in FIG. 5, first, the set temperature of the freezer compartments 5 and 6 is shifted to a lower temperature side, the freezer compartment cooling mode is executed, and the freezer compartments 5 and 6 are forcibly cooled. At this time, the compressor 37 is driven at the maximum allowable rotation speed (70 Hz) and the F fan 33 is driven to rotate at a high rotation speed (2400 rpm). This freezer compartment cooling mode is executed until the temperatures of the freezer compartments 5 and 6 reach the OFF temperature or until 10 minutes have elapsed.

Next, the three-way valve 43 is switched to execute the refrigerator compartment cooling mode, and the refrigerator compartments 3 and 4 are forcibly cooled. Also in this case, the compressor 37 operates at the maximum allowable rotation speed (70H).
z), the R fan 28 and the F fan 3
3 is driven to rotate at a high rotation speed (2400 rpm). This refrigerator compartment cooling mode is executed until the temperature of the refrigerator compartments 3 and 4 reaches the OFF temperature or until 10 minutes have elapsed.

Then, the defrosting operation is performed.
This defrosting operation is performed by the compressor 37 and the fans 28, 33, 3
8 is stopped, the power is supplied to the R-eva defrost heater 29 and the F-eva defrost heater 34, and the process is terminated based on the detection of the R-eva defrost sensor 30 and the F-eva defrost sensor 35.

After the defrosting operation is completed, the operation is normal operation. Here, since the temperatures of the freezing compartments 5 and 6 have risen greatly and the difference from the set temperature is large, the freezing compartment cooling mode is set. Started from. Since the load (difference between the detected temperature and the set temperature) at that time is very large, the rotation speed of the compressor 37 is maximized, and the F fan 33 is also driven at a high rotation speed. Thus, the temperatures of the freezer compartments 5 and 6 can be quickly reduced. After this, the refrigerator compartments 3 and 4
Normal control similar to that described above is repeated such that the temperature reaches N and the mode is switched to the refrigerator compartment cooling mode.

During the precool operation or the defrosting operation, the user operates the quick refrigeration switch 49.
May be turned on. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control device 47 performs control as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, during the precool operation, the quick refrigerating switch 49 is constantly monitored (step S1), and the quick refrigerating switch 49 is not turned on (No in step SS1), and the precool operation ends. If it has been performed (Yes in step S2), the process proceeds to the defrosting operation (step S3).

On the other hand, when the quick refrigerating switch 49 is turned on during the precool operation (step S1).
, Yes), the precool operation is stopped (step S4), and the rapid refrigeration operation is executed (step S5).
In this case, the rapid freezing operation is performed until one ice making (ice release) by the automatic ice making device 18 is completed (step S6), and when the quick freezing operation is completed (step S7),
The precool operation is performed again (step S8). As a result, the quick refrigeration operation can be completed in a short period of time, and the precool operation and the defrosting operation can be executed immediately thereafter, while promptly responding to the user's request such as the need for ice.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7, even during the defrosting operation, the quick refrigerating switch 49 is monitored.
1) When the quick refrigeration switch 49 is turned on (Yes in step S11), the flag F is set to 1 (step S12). Then, the defrosting operation is continued as it is, and when the defrosting operation is completed (Y in step S13).
es), it is determined whether or not the flag F is 1 (step S14), and when it is 1 (Yes in step S14), the rapid refrigeration operation is executed (step S15).

That is, during the defrosting operation, the quick refrigeration switch 4
Even if 9 is turned on, the defrosting operation is performed with priority, and the quick refrigeration operation is performed after the defrosting operation is completed. As a result, subsequent cooling can be performed in a state where the cooling performances of the R-eva 27 and the F-eva 32 have been restored, and the efficiency becomes more efficient. Although not shown, during the rapid freezing operation,
When it is time to execute the defrosting operation, when the remaining time until the end of the rapid freezing operation is short (for example, 3
Within 0 minutes or at the time when the ice making has proceeded to near the ice-removing temperature), the quick freezing operation is terminated and then the operation shifts to the defrosting operation.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. That is, R eva 27 and F eva 3
Since two evaporators 2 and 2 are provided to alternately switch between the refrigerator compartment cooling mode and the freezer compartment cooling mode, frost formation on the R-eva 27 and the F-eva 32 can be reduced. The cooling capacity of the evaporator 27 and the fever 32 can be improved, so that the R evaporator 27 and the fever 32 can be downsized, and the efficiency of the defrosting operation can be reduced by reducing the frequency.

As described above, the refrigerator compartment cooling mode and the freezer compartment cooling mode are alternately executed, and the F fan 33 is driven even during the execution of the refrigerator compartment cooling mode. , 6 can be supplied to the frozen storage or the ice tray 20 to contribute to constant cooling, and as a result, the time required for freezing in the freezing compartments 5, 6 can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the freezing room cooling mode and the refrigerator room cooling mode are alternately switched even during the rapid freezing operation, so that the temperature rise in the refrigerator rooms 3 and 4 can be suppressed. The low temperature of the refrigerator compartments 3 and 4 can be maintained. Furthermore, when the rapid refrigeration operation is performed, the compressor 37 is driven at a high rotation speed and the F fan 33 is controlled at a high rotation speed. It is also possible to obtain advantages such as improvement of the quality.

FIGS. 8 to 10 show the manner of controlling the rotational speed (operating frequency) of the compressor 37 during the rapid refrigeration operation according to the second to fourth embodiments of the present invention, respectively. In the second embodiment (corresponding to claim 5) shown in FIG. 8, the rotation speed (operating frequency) of the compressor 37 during the rapid refrigeration operation is changed by the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 48. I have.

That is, when the outside air temperature is high (for example, 25 ° C. or more), the operating frequency is set to 70 Hz, for example, and when the outside air temperature is medium (for example, 15 ° C. or more and less than 25 ° C.),
The operating frequency is, for example, 62 Hz, and when the outside air temperature is low (for example, less than 15 ° C.), the operating frequency is, for example, 53H.
z. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the rotational speed of the compressor 37 from being increased more than necessary in accordance with the outside air temperature while fulfilling the purpose of the rapid refrigeration operation. Dew can be suppressed.

In the third embodiment (corresponding to claims 5 and 6) shown in FIG.
(For example, 120 minutes), the rotation speed (operating frequency) of the compressor 37 is set to an allowable maximum rotation speed (for example, 70 Hz), and the rotation speed of the compressor 37 during the subsequent rapid freezing operation is detected by the outside air temperature sensor 48. It fluctuates according to the outside temperature. In this case, the outside air temperature is also divided into three stages, and the operation frequency at that time is, for example, 62 Hz, 53 Hz, 4 Hz, respectively.
8 Hz.

In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 10 (corresponding to claims 5 and 7), at the beginning of the execution of the rapid refrigeration operation, the automatic ice making device 18 performs n predetermined times (for example, 2
Times) (until the ice release operation is performed)
The rotation speed (operating frequency) of the compressor 37 is set to an allowable maximum rotation speed (for example, 70 Hz), and the rotation speed of the compressor 37 during the rapid refrigeration operation is set to the outside air temperature sensor 48 in the same manner as in the third embodiment. It varies according to the outside air temperature detected by.

According to the third and fourth embodiments, the compressor 37 is driven at the maximum permissible number of revolutions only in a fixed period of time at the beginning of the execution of the rapid refrigeration operation. While fulfilling the purpose, it is possible to prevent the rotational speed of the compressor 37 from being increased more than necessary (excessive increase in the cooling capacity), and to suppress inconveniences such as noise and dew.

In the above-described embodiment, the refrigeration cycle 25 is configured to use the three-way valve 43 as the refrigerant flow switching means. However, the R-eva 27 and the F-eva 32 are provided in parallel and one Refrigerant flow path (cooling mode) with on-off valve
The configuration of the refrigeration cycle can be variously modified. In addition, freezer 6
When it is possible to separately control the ice making chamber 5 and the ice making chamber 5, it may be configured such that a quick freezing instruction can be issued for each of them.

In the above embodiment, the R room temperature sensor 1
The cooling mode is switched based on the temperatures detected by the 5 and F room temperature sensors 24. The switching of the cooling mode is performed by time control. For example, the freezing room cooling mode is executed for 44 minutes, and the refrigerator room cooling mode is executed for 16 minutes. The present invention can be implemented with appropriate modifications without departing from the gist, for example, a configuration in which the steps are alternately repeated.

[0071]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the refrigerator of the present invention, two evaporators, one for the refrigerator compartment and the other for the freezer compartment, are provided. Are alternately executed, and the fan for the freezer compartment is driven even in the refrigerator compartment cooling mode, so that the time required for freezing in the freezer compartment is reduced while maintaining the temperature of the refrigerator compartment. This has an excellent practical effect that it can be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention, in which a three-way valve,
Time chart showing control of compressor and F fan

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration centering on a control device;

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional side view schematically showing the entire configuration of the refrigerator.

FIG. 5 is a time chart showing a state of control during a defrosting operation.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control procedure when a quick refrigeration switch is turned on during a precool operation.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control procedure when a quick refrigeration switch is turned on during a defrosting operation.

FIG. 8 shows the second embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram showing the relationship between the outside air temperature and the number of rotations of the compressor at the time of executing the rapid refrigeration operation.

FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 8, showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a view corresponding to FIG. 8, showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[Explanation of symbols]

In the drawing, 1 is a refrigerator main body, 3 and 4 are refrigerator compartments, 5 and 6 are freezer compartments, 15 is an R room temperature sensor, 18 is an automatic ice making device, 24
Is an F room temperature sensor, 25 is a refrigeration cycle, 26 is a refrigerator compartment evaporator compartment, 27 is a refrigerator compartment evaporator, 28 is a refrigerator compartment fan, 29 and 34 are defrost heaters, and 31 is a freezer compartment evaporator compartment. , 32 is a freezer evaporator, 33 is a freezer fan, 3
7 is a compressor, 38 is a cooling fan, 43 is a three-way valve (refrigerant flow path switching means), 47 is a control device, 48 is an outside air temperature sensor,
Reference numeral 49 denotes a quick freezing switch.

Claims (10)

[Claims] An evaporator for a refrigerator for cooling a refrigerator, an evaporator for a refrigerator for cooling a refrigerator, and cold air generated by the evaporator for the refrigerator is sent to the refrigerator. A freezer compartment fan, and a refrigerant flow switching means for switching between a refrigerator compartment cooling mode in which the refrigerant circulated by driving the compressor flows in the refrigerator compartment evaporator and a freezer compartment cooling mode in which the refrigerant flows in the freezer compartment evaporator. And the refrigerator fan is driven even when the refrigerator compartment cooling mode is executed. 2. A quick freezing operation for rapidly cooling a freezing room, wherein a freezing room cooling mode and a refrigerating room cooling mode are also provided by the refrigerant flow switching means even during the execution of the quick freezing operation. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein and are alternately switched. 3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein, during execution of the quick freezing operation, the freezing room fan is driven at a higher rotation speed than during normal operation. 4. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the compressor is driven at a higher rotation speed during the rapid refrigeration operation than during the normal operation. 5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the number of revolutions of the compressor during the rapid refrigeration operation is varied according to the outside air temperature. 6. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the compressor is driven at an allowable maximum number of revolutions for a predetermined period of time at the beginning of the execution of the rapid refrigeration operation. 7. An automatic ice making device, wherein the compressor is driven at an allowable maximum number of revolutions until a predetermined number of ice making operations are performed by the automatic ice making device at the beginning of the execution of the rapid freezing operation. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein: 8. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein a set temperature of the freezing compartment is shifted to a lower temperature side during the execution of the quick freezing operation. 9. A precool operation for forcibly cooling the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment before the defrosting operation, wherein when the execution of the rapid freezing operation is instructed during the precool operation, the precool operation is performed. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the quick refrigeration operation is executed by temporarily suspending the operation. 10. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein when the execution of the quick freezing operation is instructed during the defrosting operation, the defrosting operation is executed with priority.