KR100461657B1 - Refrigeration cycles with multi-evaporator - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigeration cycle having a plurality of evaporators configured to drive a plurality of evaporators, and configured to enable independent temperature control in a storage space provided with each evaporator. The present invention connects four evaporators to one compressor, and installs an accumulator and a check valve in a pair of evaporators. In addition, the present invention maintains a similar control temperature zone of the storage space in which two evaporators connected by one accumulator and a check valve are installed. With this control, the present invention allows the four storage spaces to independently control the temperature, thereby improving productivity.

Description

Refrigeration cycles with multiple evaporators {Refrigeration cycles with multi-evaporator}

The present invention relates to a refrigeration cycle, and more particularly, a plurality of evaporators are configured to be driven by using a single compressor, and a plurality of evaporators are configured to enable independent temperature control in a storage space provided with each evaporator. It relates to a refrigeration cycle.

Refrigeration devices and freezers such as air conditioners, refrigerators, kimchi refrigerators, etc., are driving a refrigeration cycle to generate the cold air required inside the device. The refrigeration cycle generates the cool air required by the device by heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant passage connected to the condenser and the evaporator from the compressor to the air.

1 is a configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle conventionally used.

The illustrated refrigeration cycle is composed of one compressor 10, one condenser 13, and a plurality of evaporators 19, 21. That is, the illustrated refrigeration cycle is a system in which two evaporators are cooled by driving one compressor.

The compressor 10 sucks and compresses the superheated steam evaporated by the evaporators 19 and 21 to generate high temperature and high pressure superheated steam. The condenser 13 cools the high temperature and high pressure superheated steam compressed by the compressor 10. The evaporators 19 and 21 evaporate the superheated steam cooled in the condenser 13.

Thus, the compressor 10 is connected between the plurality of evaporators 19, 21 and the condenser 13, the condenser 13 is connected between the compressor 10 and the plurality of evaporators 19, 21, The evaporators 19, 21 are connected between the compressor 10 and the condenser 13. The compressor 10 is connected to the condenser 13 by one refrigerant passage L2, and the refrigerant passages L3 and L4 which are different from the condenser 13 to the respective evaporators 19 and 21 are connected to each other. And from the plurality of evaporators (19, 21) to the compressor (10) is again formed by one refrigerant passage (L1).

Therefore, the refrigerant passing through the evaporator 19 and the refrigerant passing through the other evaporator 21 are one refrigerant passage L1 connected from the rear end of the evaporators 19 and 21 to the compressor 10. The cooling cycle is configured to flow through.

A valve 17 is provided between the condenser 13 and the plurality of evaporators 19 and 21 to open and close the refrigerant supply passage depending on whether each evaporator is operated. The valve 17 can be controlled to open only one side or both sides. The valve uses a stepping motor valve. The dryer 15 is provided in front of the valve 17. Since the dryer has low water solubility in a specific refrigerant, it is provided to prevent expansion devices due to freezing of water, deterioration, blockage, corrosion of metal parts due to hydrolysis of water, deterioration of electric equipment, deterioration of lubricating oil, and the like. Lose.

In addition, expansion devices (31, 33) for controlling the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the evaporator (19, 21) is installed, the liquid refrigerant inlet to the compressor (10) on the discharge port side of each evaporator (19, 21) And accumulators 23 and 25 for controlling the cooling rates, and check valves 27 and 29 for preventing the backflow of the refrigerant, respectively.

That is, in the refrigerating cycle configured in the conventional refrigeration system, the compressor (10) → condenser (13) → dryer (15) → valve (17) → expansion device (31) → evaporator (19) → accumulator (23). → the first storage space connected to the check valve 27 and the compressor 10 again, and the compressor 10 → condenser 13 → dryer 15 → valve 17 → expansion device 33 → evaporator 21 A second storage space is connected to the accumulator 25, the check valve 29 and the compressor 10 again.

Next will be described the operation of the conventional refrigeration cycle consisting of the above configuration.

As shown, the refrigeration cycle consists of one compressor 10 and two evaporators 19 and 21 that operate separately. Accordingly, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 10 is supplied to the two evaporators 19 and 21 side by side.

That is, when performing the control for cooling the first storage space, only one side of the valve 25 is opened to open the refrigerant supply passage between the condenser 13 and the evaporator 19. In this case, as the refrigerant cooled in the condenser 13 is supplied to the evaporator 19 side, cold air required in the first storage space is created.

In addition, when performing the control to cool the second storage space, only the other side of the valve 17 is operated to open the refrigerant supply passage between the condenser 13 and the evaporator 21. In this case, as the refrigerant cooled in the condenser 13 is supplied to the evaporator 21 side, cold air required in the second storage space is created.

However, the first and second storage spaces are not always performed separately, and sometimes the first and second storage spaces require a cooling function at the same time. At this time, both sides of the valve 17 are opened, and the refrigerant passing through the condenser 13 is supplied to the two evaporators 19 and 21.

In this case, if the loads in the first and second storage spaces operate almost the same, the pressure of the refrigerant supplied to the first storage space and the pressure of the refrigerant supplied to the second storage space are almost equal to each other, so that a smooth evaporation can be achieved. Will be.

However, when the loads in the first and second storage spaces act differently, a refrigerant backflow phenomenon occurs in which the refrigerant flows back from the higher evaporation pressure to the lower one due to the difference in the evaporation pressures of the evaporators 19 and 21. In this case, even if the refrigerator compartment with a low evaporation pressure performs the freezing function normally, the refrigerator compartment with a high evaporation pressure fails to perform a proper refrigeration / freezing function as the cooling rate is reduced due to the refrigerant shortage caused by the refrigerant flow. .

Therefore, in order to prevent such refrigerant backflow, check valves 27 and 29 for preventing backflow of refrigerant are respectively provided on the discharge port side of each evaporator 19 and 21. The check valves 27 and 29 control the refrigerant to move only in one direction. Therefore, in the case where the two evaporators 19 and 21 operate, even if a difference occurs in the evaporation pressure, the refrigerant backflow phenomenon is suppressed by the check valves 27 and 29.

This configuration allows independent temperature control in each storage space in a system having two storage spaces. Refrigeration cycle having such a configuration, has been applied to the kimchi refrigerator that is loved by consumers in recent years.

However, the conventional refrigeration cycle has caused the following problems.

First, as shown in the prior art, since the refrigeration cycle is implemented limited to two evaporators, the storage space that can be provided in the kimchi refrigerator is limited to two. Therefore, it is difficult to meet the needs of consumers to use the product in various ways.

Second, as the performance of the compressor improves with the development of technology, it is possible to have more evaporators in one compressor. However, since the conventional refrigeration cycle is limited to two evaporators, there is a problem in that the high performance of the compressor is not sufficiently utilized.

Finally, the conventional refrigeration cycle is equipped with an independent accumulator at the rear end of each evaporator. The accumulator is a kind of liquid refrigerant separator for preventing the liquid refrigerant from being sucked into the compressor. Therefore, the accumulator may be provided on the suction side of the compressor. However, conventionally, by accumulating the accumulator independently at the rear end of each evaporator, there is a problem of increasing the manufacturing cost according to the increase in the number of parts.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigeration cycle having a plurality of evaporators having a plurality of evaporators installed in one compressor and capable of independent temperature control of a storage space in which each evaporator is installed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigeration cycle having a plurality of evaporators that can improve the productivity by installing a common accumulator at the rear end of the evaporator in a storage space similar in control temperature.

1 is a configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle according to the prior art,

2 is a block diagram of a refrigeration cycle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

110: compressor 113: condenser

115: dryer 117,118: valve

119,120,121,122: Evaporator 123,125: Accumulator

127,129: check valve 131,132,133,134: expansion valve

135,136: Hotline

A refrigeration cycle having a plurality of evaporators according to the present invention for achieving the above object, one compressor; One condenser; Four evaporators, each installed in separate spaces, for supplying refrigerant from the condenser and evaporating; A common refrigerant supply passage configured to mix refrigerants passing through the four evaporators and flow to the one compressor; It comprises an accumulator connected between the four evaporator and the common refrigerant supply flow path, characterized in that the accumulator is configured to be commonly used as one at the rear end of the evaporator having a similar control temperature range.

The accumulator is connected to one rear end of the first and second evaporators having similar control temperature ranges, and another one connected to the rear end of the third and fourth evaporators having similar control temperature ranges.

The check valve is installed between the accumulator and the common refrigerant supply passage in the same manner as the accumulator is connected.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a check valve is separately provided between the rear end of each evaporator and the accumulator.

Hereinafter, a refrigeration cycle having a plurality of evaporators according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a block diagram of a refrigeration cycle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

An embodiment of the present invention is composed of one compressor 110, one condenser 113, and a plurality of evaporators 119, 120, 121, 121. That is, the cooling cycle of the present invention is a system in which four evaporators are cooled by driving one compressor. The first evaporator 119 is installed in the first storage space, and the second evaporator 120 is installed in the second storage space. The third evaporator 121 is installed in the third storage space, and the fourth evaporator 122 is installed in the fourth storage space. That is, each of the evaporator has a different load amount according to the capacity, the internal food, the set temperature in the refrigerator. Each evaporator is installed independently in each storage space separated from each other.

Meanwhile, in the present invention, one accumulator is installed at the rear end of the first evaporator 119 and the second evaporator 120, and one fish at the rear end of the third evaporator 121 and the fourth evaporator 122. You are installing a curator. This part will be described later in detail. Therefore, the storage space in which the first evaporator 119 and the second evaporator 120 are installed, it is preferable to adjust the control temperature band similarly. In addition, it is preferable that the storage space in which the third evaporator 121 and the fourth evaporator 122 are installed also has a similar control temperature range. In addition, since the control temperature range is similarly controlled, the evaporator is preferably controlled as similarly as possible to the evaporation pressure. Thus, the third evaporator 121 is the fourth evaporator 122, and the first evaporator 119 is the second evaporator ( Capacity, high set temperature, etc. are configured to have a load similar to 120).

The compressor 110 sucks and compresses the superheated steam evaporated by the evaporators 119, 120, 121, and 122 to generate high temperature and high pressure superheated steam. The condenser 113 cools the heated steam of the high temperature and high pressure compressed by the compressor 110. The evaporators 119, 120, 121, and 122 evaporate the heated steam cooled in the condenser 113.

Thus, the compressor 110 is connected between the plurality of evaporators 119, 120, 121, 122 and the condenser 113, the condenser 113 is connected between the compressor 110 and the plurality of evaporators, and the plurality of evaporators It is connected between 110 and the condenser 113.

In this case, a refrigerant supply passage L12 is formed from the compressor 110 to the condenser 113, and a refrigerant supply passage L13, L14, L15, which is divided from the condenser 113 to the plurality of evaporators 119, 120, 121, and 122, respectively. L16 is formed, and a common refrigerant supply passage L11 is formed again from the plurality of evaporators to the compressor 110. That is, the present invention is configured such that the refrigerant discharged from the plurality of evaporators is supplied to the compressor through one supply passage.

In addition, valves 117 and 118 are provided between the condenser 113 and the plurality of evaporators to open and close the refrigerant supply passage according to whether each evaporator is operated. The valves 117 and 118 are three-way valves having one inlet and two outlets, which are capable of simultaneously or selectively opening the two outlets. The valve 117 opens and closes the refrigerant supply to the first and second evaporators 119 and 120, and the valve 118 opens and closes the refrigerant supply to the third and fourth evaporators 121 and 122. The valve uses a stepping motor valve.

In addition, a hot line is installed on the discharge port side of the condenser 113 to prevent dew condensation that may be generated by a difference between the internal temperature of the door and the external temperature. The hot lines 135 and 136 extend in the condenser 113. That is, the discharge refrigerant of the condenser is provided, and dew condensation is prevented by the generated heat. The hot line is provided on the cavity side in contact with the door.

The refrigerant passing through the hot line is supplied to the dryer 115 provided at the front ends of the valves 117 and 118. Since the dryer has low water solubility in a specific refrigerant, it is provided to prevent expansion devices due to freezing of water, deterioration, blockage, corrosion of metal parts due to hydrolysis of water, deterioration of electric equipment, deterioration of lubricating oil, and the like. Lose.

In addition, expansion devices 131, 132, 133, and 134 for controlling the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the evaporators 119, 120, 121, and 122 are installed at the inlet side of each evaporator.

In the present invention, an accumulator for preventing the introduction of liquid refrigerant to the compressor 110 is provided at the discharge port side of each of the evaporators 119, 120, 121, and 122. In the present invention, after the discharge port of the first evaporator 119 and the second evaporator 120 is configured to be connected to one refrigerant passage, one accumulator 123 is installed, and the third evaporator 121 and the fourth evaporator are installed. The discharge port of 122 is also configured to be connected to one refrigerant passage, and then only one accumulator 125 is provided.

The first storage space in which the first evaporator 119 is installed is the second storage space in which the second evaporator 120 is installed, and the third storage space in which the third evaporator 121 is installed is the fourth evaporator 122. The fourth storage space where) is installed and the control temperature range are set similarly. By such a control, the evaporation pressure of the first evaporator 119 and the evaporation pressure of the second evaporator 120 are controlled to be similar. In addition, it is preferable to maintain the evaporation pressure of the third evaporator 121 and the evaporation pressure of the fourth evaporator 122 as similarly as possible.

And one accumulator 123 which can be used in common on the discharge port side of the first and second evaporators (119, 120) is installed, one that can be used in common on the discharge port side of the third, fourth evaporators (121, 122) The accumulator 125 is installed. In addition, a check valve 127 is installed at the rear end of the accumulator 123 to prevent the refrigerant backflow, and a flowing refrigerant is provided at the rear end of the accumulator 125 to prevent the backflow of the refrigerant. A check valve 129 is installed to move only in one direction.

That is, the refrigeration cycle of the present invention, compressor 110 → condenser 113 → hot line (135, 136) → dryer 115 → valve 117 → expansion device 131 → evaporator 119 → accumulator 123 A first storage space connected to the check valve 127 and the compressor 110 again;

Compressor 110 → condenser 113 → hotline 135, 136 → dryer 115 → valve 117 → expansion device 132 → evaporator 120 → accumulator 123 → check valve 127 and again. A second storage space connected to the compressor 110,

Compressor 110 → condenser 113 → hotline 135, 136 → dryer 115 → valve 118 → expansion device 133 → evaporator 121 → accumulator 125 → check valve 129 and again. A third storage space connected to the compressor 110,

Compressor 110 → condenser 113 → hotline 135, 136 → dryer 115 → valve 118 → expansion device 134 → evaporator 122 → accumulator 125 → check valve 129 and again. The fourth storage space is connected to the compressor 110.

The storage space is configured to separate each space in the kimchi refrigerator, it is a configuration for storing kimchi (other food).

Next will be described the operation of the refrigeration cycle according to the invention made of the above configuration.

First, in the present invention, all four independent storage spaces in which each evaporator is installed can be independently temperature controlled. That is, each storage space can individually control the high temperature inside the set temperature. In the present invention, the third storage space in which the third evaporator 121 is installed and the fourth storage space in which the fourth evaporator 122 is installed maintain the control temperature bands similarly. That is, the control temperature range is similarly adjusted by adjusting the set temperatures of the third storage space and the fourth storage space, the capacities of the third evaporator and the fourth evaporator. In addition, the first storage space in which the first evaporator 119 is installed and the second storage space in which the second evaporator 120 is installed maintain the control temperature bands similarly. That is, the control temperature range is similarly adjusted by adjusting the set temperatures of the first storage space and the second storage space, the capacities of the first evaporator and the second evaporator, and the like.

In order to supply cold air to the first storage space, the valve 117 must first be controlled to be opened to the evaporator 119 side. Thereafter, the refrigerant compressed at high temperature and high pressure according to the operation of the compressor 110 is sucked into the condenser 113 and cooled. The refrigerant cooled in the condenser 113 flows to the expansion device 131 allocated to the first storage space through the hotlines 135 and 136, the dryer 115, and the valve 117 adjusted to the open state.

The expansion device 131 adjusts the refrigerant discharged from the condenser 113 to a pressure and a flow rate in a good state to evaporate and delivers the refrigerant to the evaporator 119. The evaporator 119 sucks the refrigerant whose pressure is controlled by the expansion device 131, performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and air through an evaporation action, and the refrigerant thus exchanged through the refrigerant supply passage L11. Return to the compressor (110) side.

On the other hand, the check valve 127 provided on the discharge port side of the evaporator 119 adjusts the direction of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage in one direction to prevent the refrigerant backflow phenomenon.

The accumulator 123 provided between the discharge port side of the first evaporator 119 and the check valve 127 prevents the liquid refrigerant from the refrigerant discharged from the evaporator 119 to be sucked into the compressor. do.

In the above, the operation process of the refrigeration cycle for the evaporation operation of the first evaporator 119 has been described. The evaporation operation of the first evaporator 119 is performed when the temperature detected by a temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting the temperature of the first storage space does not reach the set temperature of the first storage space. In order to reach the set temperature of the storage space, the coolant is generated in the first evaporator 119 while the refrigerant circulation operation is controlled as described above.

Next, the control of the second storage space in which the second evaporator 120 is installed is the same as the control of the first storage space.

That is, when the detection temperature of the temperature sensor (not shown) provided in the second storage space does not reach the second storage space setting temperature, the valve 117 is controlled by the control unit (not shown). 120) in the open state.

In this state, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 110 reaches the valve 117 through the condenser 113, the hotlines 135 and 136, and the dryer 115. The refrigerant reaching the valve 117 is sucked into the evaporator 120 through an open passage.

The evaporator 120 generates a heat exchange between the sucked refrigerant and the air in the air, thereby supplying cold cold air. The refrigerant heat exchanged by the above operation is returned to the compressor 110 through the accumulator 123 and the check valve 127. In this case, the accumulator 123 performs a function of separating the liquid refrigerant to prevent the inflow of the liquid refrigerant into the compressor 110, and the check valve 127 suppresses the backflow phenomenon of the flowing refrigerant.

The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 in the above process is cooled in the condenser 113, the pressure is adjusted in the expansion device 132, and then cooled in the second storage space through the process of evaporation in the evaporator 120. Cold air is supplied.

On the other hand, the 1st storage space and the 2nd storage space which comprise the refrigerating cycle as mentioned above adjust the control temperature range similarly. This is because the aggregator 123 and the check valve 127 provided at the rear end of the first evaporator 119 of the first storage space are also commonly allocated to the second storage space. Therefore, the refrigerant passing through the first evaporator 119 and the refrigerant passing through the second evaporator 120 are preferably configured to have similar temperatures and pressures as possible. This is to allow the liquid refrigerant to be separated smoothly even though the refrigerant passing through the first evaporator 119 and the second evaporator 120 is mixed and passed through one accumulator 123. In addition, by controlling the temperature ranges of the first evaporator 119 and the second evaporator 120 similarly to adjust the evaporation pressure difference between the two evaporators as possible. In this configuration, the refrigerant passing through the first evaporator 119 and the second evaporator 120 may be normally supplied to the compressor 110 without a backflow phenomenon through the check valve 127.

In the present invention, the third storage space in which the third evaporator 121 is installed and the fourth storage space in which the fourth evaporator 122 is installed are also configured to have a similar control temperature range. The rear end of the third evaporator 121 installed in the third storage space and the rear end of the fourth evaporator 122 installed in the fourth storage space are connected to one refrigerant passage. In addition, only one accumulator 125 and one check valve 129 are installed in the one refrigerant passage. The following describes the operation process of this configuration.

The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 110 passes through the hotlines 135 and 136 installed in the cavity in front of the door through the condenser 113. At this time, since the refrigerant passing through the hotlines 135 and 136 has a high temperature, dew condensation caused by the difference between the high internal temperature and the outside air temperature at the time of opening the door is suppressed.

The refrigerant via the hotlines 135 and 136 passes through the dryer 115. And reaches the front end of the valve 118. At this time, the valve 118 is controlled in an open state in only one direction or under both controls in an open state under the control of a control unit (not shown).

The refrigerant is sucked into the third evaporator 121 and the fourth evaporator 122 through the valve 118 and the expansion devices 133 and 134 controlled in the open state. The third evaporator 121 and the fourth evaporator 122 generates heat exchange between the supplied coolant and the high internal air, and the cold air generated at this time is supplied to the third storage space and the fourth storage space to provide a high internal temperature. Will be lowered.

On the other hand, the refrigerant passing through the third evaporator 121 and the fourth evaporator 122 is combined in one refrigerant passage connected to the rear ends of the two evaporators. The combined refrigerant is returned to the compressor 110 through the check valve 129 after the liquid refrigerant is separated from the accumulator 125.

That is, the third evaporator 121 installed in the third storage space and the fourth evaporator 122 installed in the fourth storage space are configured to be connected to one refrigerant passage at the discharge port side. In addition, since the control temperature ranges of the third storage space and the fourth storage space are similarly controlled, the refrigerant discharged from the third evaporator 121 and the fourth evaporator 122 is induced to have a similar temperature and pressure. Therefore, even if the refrigerant discharged from the third evaporator 121 and the fourth evaporator 122 is mixed and delivered to the compressor 110, the liquid refrigerant is controlled to be sufficiently separated by the accumulator 125 which is commonly used. will be.

As described above, the present invention connects four evaporators 119, 120, 121, and 122 to one compressor 110, and installs an accumulator and a check valve in a pair of evaporators. In addition, the present invention maintains a similar control temperature zone of the storage space in which two evaporators connected by one accumulator and a check valve are installed. This control leads to a similar adjustment of the evaporation pressure of the pair of evaporators. With this control, the present invention allows the four storage spaces to independently control the temperature.

In addition, in another embodiment of the present invention, even if one accumulator is installed at the rear end of the evaporator installed in a storage space having a similar control temperature zone, the check valve may be configured to be used separately. That is, in the illustrated embodiment, it is possible to change the connection state between the accumulator and the check valve, and to separately install the check valve at the rear end of each evaporator.

According to the present invention as described above, in the system for cooling four evaporators using one compressor, it is the basic technical to configure a refrigeration cycle by installing one accumulator at the rear of the evaporator having a similar control temperature range It can be seen that it is thought.

And within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, of course, various modifications are possible to those skilled in the art.

According to the present invention as described above, it will be appreciated that the following advantages can be provided.

According to the present invention, by installing four evaporators in one compressor, independent temperature control is possible in each of four separate storage spaces in which each evaporator is installed, thereby obtaining an advantage of making various products available to consumers.

In the present invention, an accumulator and a check valve are installed at a rear end of an evaporator installed in a storage space having a similar control temperature zone. With such a configuration, the present invention can improve productivity.

Claims (4)

One compressor; One condenser; Four evaporators, each installed in separate spaces, for supplying refrigerant from the condenser and evaporating; A common refrigerant supply passage configured to mix refrigerants passing through the four evaporators and flow to the one compressor; It comprises an accumulator connected between the four evaporator and the common refrigerant supply passage, The accumulator is a refrigeration cycle having a plurality of evaporators, characterized in that the control temperature range is configured to be used in common as one at the rear end of the evaporator. The method of claim 1, The accumulator is provided with a plurality of evaporators, characterized in that one is connected to the rear end of the first and second evaporators having similar control temperature zones, and another one is connected to the rear end of the third and fourth evaporators having similar control temperature zones. Refrigeration cycle. The method according to claim 1 or 2, And a check valve is installed between the accumulator and the common refrigerant supply passage in the same manner as the accumulator is connected. The method according to claim 1 or 2, A refrigeration cycle having a plurality of evaporators, characterized in that the check valve is separately installed between the rear end of each evaporator and the accumulator.