KR100251564B1 - Converting device of operating mode in refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A refrigerator operation mode switching apparatus is provided to allow the micro computer to control programs in a stabilized manner and maintain the indoor temperature of refrigerator constant. CONSTITUTION: An apparatus comprises an outdoor air temperature sensor(9) for sensing the temperature of the outdoor air around the refrigerator; operation mode units(22,23,24) having operation cycles for the defrost heater and the cooling fan which are set as different in accordance with the outdoor air temperature sensed by the outdoor air temperature sensor; a time accumulation unit(21) for starting count when the temperature sensed by the outdoor temperature sensor exceeds the temperature range of the mode currently in operation and initializing the counted time when the outdoor air temperature sensed again by the outdoor air temperature sensor exceeds the temperature range of the operation mode to be switched; and a micro computer(20) for outputting a control signal to switch the current operation mode to the operation mode corresponding to the sensed outdoor air temperature when the counted time exceeds the reference time and the outdoor air temperature sensed again by the outdoor air temperature sensor falls within the temperature range of the operation mode to be switched. The micro computer is electrically connected to the time accumulation unit and operation mode units.

Description

Operation mode switching device of the refrigerator to prevent frequent switching of operation mode according to the outside temperature

The present invention relates to an operation mode switching device of a refrigerator for preventing the switching of the frequent operation mode according to the outside temperature, and more particularly, the detection temperature of the outside temperature sensor to prevent the switching of the frequent operation mode according to the outside temperature Starts counting when it is out of the temperature range according to the current operation mode, and the temperatures detected again by the outside temperature sensor are continuously included in the temperature range of the operation mode to be switched and the counted time passes the reference time. Regarding the operation mode switching device of the refrigerator to prevent the switching of the frequent operation mode according to the outside temperature to prevent the switching of the frequent operation mode according to the outside temperature for switching the current operation mode to the operation mode corresponding to the detected temperature will be.

In general, a refrigerator uses a latent heat of vaporization (vaporization heat) in which a liquid refrigerant phase changes into a gaseous state and takes heat away from the surroundings. As shown in FIG. 1, the compressor (1), the condenser (2), The capillary tube 3 and the evaporator 4 are connected in order by the refrigerant pipe 5, and are comprised.

The compressor 1 sucks the refrigerant gas of low temperature and low pressure from the refrigerating cycle, compresses it to high temperature and high pressure, and discharges it to the condenser 2, and the condenser 2 exchanges the refrigerant gas of high temperature and high pressure with outside air. Through the liquid to the refrigerant. In addition, the refrigerant flowing out of the condenser 2 into the liquid phase causes a pressure drop while passing through the capillary tube 3 to change into a low pressure refrigerant, and the low pressure refrigerant changes into a gas state while passing through the evaporator 4. To absorb and cool the surrounding heat. The refrigerant gas passing through the evaporator 4 is again sucked into the compressor 1 to repeat the aforementioned refrigeration cycle.

Here, a cooling fan 7 which blows in order to improve the heat exchange capacity is installed in the evaporator 4 part, and a defrost heater 6 for removing the frost formed is installed on the evaporator 4.

The conventional refrigerator equipped with such a refrigeration cycle 10 includes an internal temperature sensor 8 for detecting an internal temperature of the refrigerator, and an outdoor temperature sensor 9 for detecting an ambient temperature around the refrigerator. The temperature sensor 8 provides a microcomputer (not shown) with a damper (not shown) for controlling the flow of cold air generated from the evaporator 4 and basic data values for controlling an operation time of the refrigeration cycle. The degree sensor 9 provides the microcomputer with basic data values for controlling the operating time of the defrost heater 6 and the cooling fan 7 according to the difference between the high internal temperature and the outside air temperature.

That is, in the microcomputer, a temperature range divided into predetermined sizes is set in the inside thereof, and the temperature read out from the outside temperature sensor 9 determines which temperature range corresponds to the operation mode according to the temperature range. Switching, controlling the refrigerator. For example, if the temperature range for each operation mode input to the microcomputer is 17 ℃ or less in the low temperature mode, 18 ℃ -34 ℃ in the normal mode, and 35 ℃ or more in the high temperature mode, If the temperature read through the 30 ℃ the microcomputer outputs a control signal to the ordinary mode unit 23 to continue the normal mode, and if the read outside temperature is 35 ℃ again, the microcomputer determines that the condition of the high temperature mode The control signal is output to the high temperature mode unit 24 to switch the current operation mode to the high temperature mode to control the defrost inrush time of the defrost heater and the driving time of the cooling fan according to the conditions of the outside air.

However, the operation mode switching device of such a refrigerator has the following problems.

In other words, the outside air temperature around the refrigerator changes the temperature depending on the surrounding factors, for example, opening or closing windows in the room, cooling or heating the room, or using cooking utensils. When used as the temperature measurement data to switch the operation mode, the conditions for switching the operation mode are frequently satisfied, and the program control of the microcomputer becomes unstable, and the frequent operation mode switching results in irregular defrost inrush time and driving time of the cooling fan. It was difficult to maintain the constant temperature of the product, and there was a problem such as reacting too sensitively to the change of the outside temperature.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and starts counting when the detected temperature of the outside temperature sensor is out of the temperature range according to the current operating mode to prevent the switching of the frequent operation mode according to the outside temperature. When the temperature detected again through the outside temperature sensor is continuously included in the temperature range of the operation mode to be switched and the counted time passes the reference time, the current operation mode is switched to the operation mode corresponding to the detected temperature. In addition, the present invention provides a refrigerator operation mode switching device which stabilizes the program control of the microcomputer and maintains the inside of the refrigerator at a constant temperature by taking the defrost inrush time and the operating time of the cooling fan relatively regularly.

1 is a schematic view showing a refrigeration cycle of a typical refrigerator.

2 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to the present invention.

3 is a flowchart showing the mode switching of the refrigerator according to the present invention.

* Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

9: outside temperature sensor 20: microcomputer

21: time integration part 22: low temperature mode part

23: normal mode part 24: high temperature mode part

To this end, the present invention comprises a refrigeration cycle in which a compressor, a condenser, a capillary tube and an evaporator are sequentially connected by a refrigerant tube; A cooling fan forcing circulation of the cold air generated from the evaporator on the refrigeration cycle into the refrigerator; A high temperature sensor for detecting a temperature in the refrigerator cooled by cold air circulated by the cooling fan; A defrost heater for removing the defrost generated on the evaporator; Frequently operating mode according to the outside temperature with the operation mode of the defrost heater and the operation time of the cooling fan is set differently based on the temperature of the outside temperature sensor and the outside temperature sensor for detecting the outside air temperature around the refrigerator In the operation mode switching device of the refrigerator to prevent the switching of the temperature, the count is started when the temperature detected from the outside air temperature sensor is out of the temperature range of the mode currently being operated, and detected again by the outside air temperature sensor within a reference time. If the outside air temperature is out of the temperature range of the operation mode to be switched, the time integration unit for initializing the count time, the count time of the time integration unit has passed the reference time and the outside air temperature detected again by the outside temperature sensor If it is included in the temperature range of the The control signal is output to be switched to an operation mode corresponding to the outside temperature, and the microcomputer is provided with a microcomputer electrically connected to the time integration unit and the operation mode units.

Hereinafter, one preferred embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a control flowchart of the refrigerator according to the present invention. The general configuration of the refrigerator is in accordance with the description of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the compressor 1, the condenser 2, the capillary tube 3, and the evaporator 4 are comprised by the refrigerant pipe 5 in turn.

In addition, a cooling fan 7 which blows in order to improve the heat exchange capacity is provided on the evaporator section 4, and a defrost heater 6 for removing the frost formed is provided on the evaporator 4.

In addition, the inside temperature sensor 8 is installed to detect the temperature of the inside of the refrigerator 11, and the outside temperature sensor 9 is installed on the outer wall of the refrigerator so as to detect the outside temperature around the refrigerator.

Further, the detection is performed based on the output signals of the time integrating unit 21 and the time integrating unit 21 for counting whether or not the detected temperature of the outside temperature sensor 9 is maintained for a predetermined time when it is out of the temperature range corresponding to the current operation mode. The microcomputer 20 for switching to the operation mode corresponding to the outside air temperature is provided.

Among the above-mentioned components, the temperature sensor unit including the outside temperature sensor 9 is connected in series with the resistor R1 and the outside temperature sensor 9 with respect to the power supply Vcc, and the resistor R1 and the outside temperature sensor 9 The signal line is connected so that the divided voltage V1 generated at both ends of the microcomputer 20 can be read by the microcomputer 20.

In addition, the resistor R2 and the capacitor C1 are connected in series and parallel to prevent the mixing of noise on the circuit when the divided voltage is read from the microcomputer 20, and the capacitor C1 is connected to the ground terminal.

In addition, the outside temperature sensor 9 is a device having a negative resistance has a characteristic that the resistance value is lowered when the temperature is higher, and the resistance value is increased when the temperature is lowered. Therefore, when the outside temperature becomes high (lower), the voltage input to the microcomputer 20 becomes smaller (larger), so the microcomputer 20 uses the voltage difference input from the outside air temperature sensor 9 to determine the outside air temperature around the refrigerator. Will be detected.

In addition, the time integrating unit 21 starts a counting operation when the temperature read through the outside air temperature sensor 9 is outside the temperature range corresponding to the current operation mode, and through the outside air temperature sensor 9 during the counting operation. If the read-out temperature is out of the temperature range corresponding to the operation mode to be changed, it is reset and the counting time is initialized.

In addition, the microcomputer 20 controls each component and the operation mode of the refrigerator according to a pre-programmed control procedure, and detects the magnitude of the voltage applied from the outside temperature sensor 9 as one of the functions. By converting the temperature data and outputting a control signal based on the converted temperature data, the current operation mode is controlled in the low temperature mode or the normal mode or the high temperature mode.

That is, when the outside temperature detected by the outside temperature sensor 9 is out of the temperature range corresponding to the current operation mode, the counting operation of the time integrating unit 21 is started, and the outside temperature read again during the counting operation is switched. If out of the temperature range of the operation mode to reset the time integration unit 21 to initialize the counting time. Accordingly, the current operation mode is continuously performed and it is possible to prevent the switching of the frequent operation mode according to the outside temperature. In addition, when the counted reading is continuously included in the temperature range of the operation mode to be switched, and the counting time passes a predetermined time (t: 30 minutes, for example), the microcomputer 20 The control signal is output to the operation mode units 22, 23, and 24 to switch the operation mode to the operation mode according to the outside temperature. Accordingly, the refrigerator can be operated in an optimal operation mode according to the outside temperature.

Here, the low temperature mode, the normal mode, and the high temperature mode are different from the defrost inrush time and the driving time of the cooling fan, and the low temperature mode unit 22 has an ambient air temperature (including an outer wall temperature) of the refrigerator of 17 ° C. or less. It is mainly carried out in winter, and since the outdoor air is the driest state of the season, the defrost cycle is set long because the amount of defrost on the evaporator is relatively small even though the outdoor air is introduced by the opening of the door.

In addition, the high temperature mode unit 24 is carried out in the ambient outside air temperature (including the outside wall temperature) of the refrigerator is more than 35 ℃, that is mainly in the middle of summer, evaporation when the outside air flows into the opening of the door because the outdoor air is the most humid state of the season. The defrost cycle is set relatively short due to the relatively high amount of defrosting on the gas phase, and if the cooling fan 7 is driven immediately after the door is closed, humid air is circulated onto the evaporator 4 to prevent defrosting. For this purpose, the driving time point of the cooling fan 4 is set to be delayed by a predetermined time.

In addition, the ordinary mode unit 23 is performed at 18 ° C. to 34 ° C. or lower, that is, in the spring and autumn, and since the moisture contained in the outside air is about halfway between summer and winter, the defrost cycle is also set to about halfway between the low temperature and the high temperature modes. do.

Hereinafter, the operation and effect of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3 and the aforementioned components.

First, when power is applied to the refrigerator, the microcomputer 20 in the main PCB, which is a control unit of the refrigerator, checks whether there is an abnormality of various sensors according to a pre-programmed calculation procedure. Thereafter, the operation mode is set based on the refrigerator's internal temperature and the outdoor temperature and then the operation is performed (S1).

When operating in any one operation mode by performing step S1, the microcomputer 20 detects the outside air temperature around the refrigerator through the outside air temperature sensor 9 every predetermined time (S2).

When the outside air temperature is detected in step S2, the microcomputer 20 determines whether the detected outside air temperature is out of the temperature range according to the current operation mode (S3).

If it is determined that the mode switching condition in the determination step S3, the microcomputer 20 determines whether the detected outside temperature is 17 ° C or less (S4).

Further, when the outside air temperature detected in the determination step S4 is 17 ° C. or less, the time integrating unit 21 starts counting and the microcomputer 20 keeps the temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 9 for a predetermined time, for example, 30 It is determined whether it is continuously maintained for minutes (S5).

When the outside temperature is maintained at 17 ° C. or lower for 30 minutes in the determination step S5, the microcomputer 20 outputs a control signal to the low temperature mode unit 22 to control the refrigerator in a low temperature mode (S6). When the temperature rises above 17 ° C. for 30 minutes, the counted time of the time integration unit 21 is reset and step S2 is performed again.

On the other hand, if it is determined in the determination step S4 that the outside temperature is 17 ℃ or more, the microcomputer 20 determines whether the detected outside temperature is 34 ℃ (S7).

If the outside air temperature is included in 18 ℃-34 ℃ in the determination step S7, the time integrating unit 21 starts the count and the microcomputer 20 is the temperature detected from the outside air temperature sensor 9 for a predetermined time, for example 30 It is determined whether it is continuously maintained for minutes (S8).

If the outside temperature is maintained at 18 ℃ -34 ℃ for 30 minutes in the determination step S8, the microcomputer 20 outputs a control signal to the normal mode unit 23 to control the refrigerator in the normal mode (S9), If the figure is not maintained at 18 ° C-34 ° C for 30 minutes, the counted time of the time integration unit 21 is reset and step S2 is performed again.

And when the outside temperature detected in the determination step S7 is not included in 18 ° C-34 ° C, the microcomputer 20 determines whether the detected outside temperature is 35 ° C or more (S10).

When the outside air temperature detected in the determination step S10 is 35 ° C. or more, the time integrating unit 21 starts counting and the microcomputer 20 keeps the temperature detected by the outside temperature sensor 9 for a predetermined time, for example, for 30 minutes. It is determined whether it is continuously maintained (S11).

When the outside temperature is maintained at 35 ° C. or higher for 30 minutes in the determination step S11, the microcomputer 20 outputs a control signal to the high temperature mode to control the refrigerator in the high temperature mode (S12), and the outside temperature is within 30 minutes. When the temperature is lowered to 35 ° C. or lower, the counted time of the time integrating unit 21 is reset and step S2 is performed again.

Therefore, even if the mode switching condition is satisfied due to the change of the outside temperature, the outside temperature must be maintained for a reference time within the temperature range of the operation mode to be switched, thereby switching to the operation mode according to the outside temperature, thereby suppressing the mode switching from the frequent change of the outside air. can do.

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, if the detection temperature of the outside temperature sensor is out of the temperature range according to the current operating mode to prevent the switching of the frequent operation mode according to the outside temperature, the count is started and the outside temperature The temperature detected again through the sensor is continuously included in the temperature range of the operation mode to be switched and when the counted time passes the reference time, the current operation mode is switched to the operation mode corresponding to the detected temperature. Program control can be stabilized and the defrost inrush time and the driving time of the cooling fan can be taken relatively regularly to maintain the inside of the refrigerator at a constant temperature.

Claims (1)

Compressor 1, condenser 2, capillary tube 3, and evaporator 4 are produced from a refrigeration cycle 10, which is in turn connected by a refrigerant tube 5, and an evaporator 4 on the refrigeration cycle 10. A cooling fan 7 for forcibly circulating the cold air into the chamber, a temperature sensor 8 for detecting the temperature of the chamber 11 cooled by the cold air circulated by the cooling fan 7, and the evaporator On the basis of the defrost heater (6) for removing the defrost generated on the phase (4), the outside air temperature sensor (9) for detecting the outside air temperature around the refrigerator, and the temperature detected from the outside air temperature sensor (9) Operation of the refrigerator to prevent frequent switching of the operation mode according to the outside temperature with the operation period of the defrost heater 6 and the operation mode units 22, 23, 24 set differently from the driving time point of the cooling fan 7. In the mode switching device, the temperature detected from the outside air temperature sensor 9 is turned on in the currently operating mode. The counting unit starts counting when it is out of the range, and initializes the counted time when the outside temperature detected again by the outside temperature sensor 9 within the reference time t is outside the temperature range of the operation mode to be switched. 21) and when the count time of the time integrating unit 21 passes the reference time and the outside air temperature detected again by the outside air temperature sensor 9 is included in the temperature range of the driving mode to be switched, the current driving mode is The control signal is output to switch to the operation mode corresponding to the detected outside temperature, and the microcomputer 20 is electrically connected to the time integration unit 21 and the operation mode units 22, 23, and 24. Operating mode switching device of the refrigerator to prevent the frequent switching of the operation mode according to the outside temperature.

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