KR100592668B1 - Refrigerant passage conversion valve of refrigerator and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses a refrigerant flow path switching valve of a refrigerator and a control method thereof. In the refrigerant flow path switching valve of the refrigerator, the refrigerant flow path switching valve of the refrigerator for switching the refrigerant flow path to selectively supply or supply the refrigerant toward the first evaporator and the second evaporator, wherein the refrigerant inlet, the first and A valve casing forming a flow path switching chamber having first and second outlets respectively connected to the second evaporator, and a flow path rotatably installed in the valve casing so that at least one of the two outlets can be opened or closed according to the rotational operation. A switching plate, a stepping motor for rotating the flow path switching plate in the forward direction and the reverse direction, and a locking protrusion provided on the outer circumferential side of the flow path switching plate so that the rotation can be restricted by the flow path switching plate at the initial setting position. The refrigerant flow path switching valve has the effect of preventing the malfunction of opening and closing the valve by accurately controlling the rotation angle of the flow path switching plate during the refrigerant flow path switching operation by allowing the flow path switching plate to be restored to the initial position through the periodic initialization operation control. have.

Description

REFRIGERANT PASSAGE CONVERSION VALVE OF REFRIGERATOR AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF}

1 is a cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to the present invention.

2 is a cycle configuration diagram of a refrigerator cooling apparatus according to the present invention.

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

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a refrigerant flow path switching valve of the refrigerator according to the present invention.

5 is a plan view showing the inlet and the first and second outlet positions of the refrigerant refrigerant flow path switching valve according to the present invention.

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the flow path switching plate and the driven gear of the refrigerator refrigerant flow path switching valve according to the present invention.

7 is a view showing the operating state of the refrigerator refrigerant flow path switching valve according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

10: body, 11: freezer,

12: refrigerator compartment, 15: freezer compartment evaporator,

16: refrigerating chamber evaporator, 23: condenser,

36: control unit, 40: refrigerant flow path switching valve,

41: valve casing, 42: flow path switching chamber,

44: entrance, 45: exit 1,

46: exit 2, 47: euro conversion,

48: drive gear, 49: driven gear,

50: jamming, 60: stepping motor.

The present invention relates to a refrigerant flow path switching valve of a refrigerator and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a refrigerant flow path switching valve of a refrigerator capable of preventing a malfunction due to a switching error that may occur when the refrigerant flow path switching operation is performed. It is about.

A general refrigerator includes a freezer compartment and a refrigerating compartment which are mutually divided. In addition, the cooling apparatus employed in the refrigerator includes a compressor for compressing the refrigerant at a high pressure, a condenser for condensing the compressed refrigerant, a refrigerant expansion device for expanding the condensed refrigerant at a low pressure, a freezer evaporator and a freezer evaporator for cooling the freezer and the refrigerating chamber. It includes. In addition, such a cooling device is provided with a refrigerant flow path switching valve for switching the flow path of the refrigerant by supplying the refrigerant passing through the condenser to either the freezer evaporator or the refrigerating chamber evaporator, or to both evaporators.

The refrigerant flow path switching valve has a flow path switching chamber having one inlet and two outlets (may have two or more outlets), and either of the two outlets of the flow path switching chamber is selectively opened or both outlets are rotated in the flow path switching chamber. It is provided with a flow path switching plate for controlling the opening and closing of the two outlets to be opened. In addition, the refrigerant flow path switching valve includes a stepping motor for rotating the flow path switching plate in the forward or reverse direction for opening and closing of the two outlets, and a plurality of gears for decelerating the rotation of the stepping motor and transferring the flow path to the flow path switching plate. This is to allow the switching of the refrigerant flow path through the selective opening and closing of the two outlets while the flow path switching plate is made when the stepping motor is operating.

However, the refrigerant flow path switching valve of the conventional refrigerator has a large gap between a plurality of gears that transmits the stepping motor rotation to the flow path switching plate due to long use or when the step angle of the stepping motor (rotation angle per input pulse) is changed. There was a problem that can not accurately control the rotation of the flow path switching plate. Because of this, the conversion to the refrigerant flow can not be accurately performed, there is a problem that causes the performance degradation of the refrigerator employing it.

The present invention is to solve such a problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerant flow path switching valve of the refrigerator to accurately control the rotation angle of the flow path switching plate during the refrigerant flow path switching operation to prevent malfunction of opening and closing the valve and its It is to provide a control method.

In the refrigerant flow path switching valve of the refrigerator according to the present invention for achieving the above object, in the refrigerant flow path switching valve of the refrigerator for switching the refrigerant flow to selectively supply or supply the refrigerant toward the first evaporator and the second evaporator, the refrigerant Valve casing to form a flow path switching chamber having an inlet through which the inlet is introduced and first and second outlets connected to the first and second evaporators, respectively, and allowing at least one of the two outlets to be opened or closed according to the rotation operation. The flow path switching plate rotatably installed in the valve casing, a stepping motor for rotating the flow path switching plate in the forward direction and the reverse direction, and the flow path switching plate of the flow path switching plate so that the rotation is restricted by the initial setting position. It characterized in that it comprises a locking projection provided on the outer peripheral side.

The refrigerant flow path switching valve may further include a drive gear coupled to the rotating shaft of the stepping motor, and a driven gear coupled to the flow path switching plate so as to rotate together with the flow path switching plate and engaged with the drive gear. .

In addition, the refrigerant flow path switching valve is characterized in that the locking projection is provided on the outer circumferential side of the driven gear, the rotation of the driven gear is limited when the driven gear is rotated and the locking projection reaches the drive gear.

In addition, the flow path switching plate is installed in close contact with the inner surface of the flow path switching chamber in which the first and second outlets are formed to open and close the first and second exits, and the flow path switching chamber is in close contact with the inner surface of the flow path switching chamber. It is characterized in that the communication section of the predetermined section to enable communication between the first and second exit.

In addition, the refrigerant flow path control valve control method of the refrigerator according to the present invention comprises a refrigerant flow path switching valve for controlling the refrigerant supply to the first evaporator and the second evaporator, and defrost heaters for defrosting each evaporator, the refrigerant flow path switching The valve has a valve casing which forms a flow path switching chamber having an inlet through which refrigerant flows and first and second outlets connected to the first and second evaporators, respectively, and at least one of the two outlets is opened or closed in accordance with the rotational operation. A flow path switching plate rotatably installed in the valve casing to enable the step, a stepping motor for rotating the flow path switching plate in the forward and reverse directions, and the flow path so that the rotation can be restricted by the flow path switching plate is caught in the initial setting position A locking protrusion provided on an outer circumferential side of the switching plate, wherein the refrigerant flow path switching valve and each of the defrost heater and the refrigerator In the refrigerant flow path control valve control method of the refrigerator comprising a control device for controlling the step, the stepping motor rotates the flow path switching plate toward the initial setting position at the time of rest after the defrosting operation of the defrost heaters, the locking projection is The flow path switching plate may be in the initial setting state by being caught at the initial setting position.

In addition, the refrigerant flow path switching valve control method of the refrigerator according to the present invention includes a refrigerant flow path switching valve for controlling the supply of refrigerant to the first evaporator and the second evaporator, and a control device for controlling the operation of the refrigerator. The valve includes a valve casing which forms a flow path switching chamber having an inlet through which refrigerant flows and first and second outlets connected to the first and second evaporators, respectively, and at least one of the two outlets is opened or closed according to the rotational operation. A flow path switching plate rotatably installed in the valve casing to enable the step, a stepping motor for rotating the flow path switching plate in the forward and reverse directions, and the flow path so that the rotation can be restricted by the flow path switching plate is caught in the initial setting position In the control method of the refrigerant flow path switching valve of the refrigerator including a locking projection provided on the outer peripheral side of the switching plate, the respective evaporation Characterized in that the stepping motor rotates the flow path switching plate toward the initial setting position so that the locking projection is caught in the initial setting position so that the flow path switching plate becomes the initial setting state when the coolant supply is stopped. It is done.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator according to the present invention includes a main body 10 in which a freezing compartment 11 and a lower refrigerating compartment 12 are separated from each other, and the freezing compartment 11 and the refrigerating compartment 12 are opened. A freezing chamber door 13 and a refrigerating chamber door 14 which open and close the front surfaces are respectively provided. In addition, inside the rear of the freezer compartment 11 and the refrigerating compartment 12, a freezer compartment evaporator 15, a refrigerating compartment evaporator 16, and cold air circulation fans 17 and 18, a freezer compartment for cooling the freezer compartment 11 and the refrigerating compartment 12. (11) and cold air ducts (19, 20) for guiding the cold air circulation of the refrigerating chamber (12), respectively. And the lower side of the main body 10 is provided with a machine room 21 partitioned into a separate space, the machine room 21 is provided with a compressor 22, a condenser 23 (see Fig. 2) and the like.

2 is a cycle configuration diagram showing the configuration of a refrigerator cooling apparatus according to the present invention. As shown, the refrigerator according to the present invention is connected to the compressor 22 for compressing the refrigerant, the condenser 23 for condensing the refrigerant passing through the compressor 22, the condenser 23 connected to the outlet pipe 24 of the compressor 22 And a refrigerant flow path switching valve 40 for switching the refrigerant flow path so as to supply or pass together the refrigerant that has passed through the freezer compartment evaporator 15 or the refrigerator compartment evaporator 16. At this time, the first pipe 25 branched from the refrigerant flow path switching valve 40 is connected to the freezer compartment evaporator 15, and the second pipe 26 branched from the refrigerant flow path switching valve 40 is connected to the refrigerator compartment evaporator 16. Connected. In addition, the third pipe 27 extending from the outlet of the refrigerator compartment evaporator 16 is connected to join the first pipe 25 connected to the inlet of the freezer compartment evaporator 15. This allows the refrigerant passing through the refrigerator compartment evaporator 16 to pass through the freezer compartment evaporator 15 again. Finally, the gaseous refrigerant passing through the freezer compartment evaporator 15 flows back toward the compressor 22 through a pipe 28 connecting the freezer compartment evaporator 15 and the compressor 22.

In addition, a first capillary tube 31 for expanding the refrigerant supplied to the freezer compartment evaporator 15 under reduced pressure is installed in the first pipe 25, and the refrigerant supplied to the refrigerator compartment evaporator 16 is expanded under reduced pressure for the second pipe 26. A second capillary tube 32 is installed, and a third capillary tube 33 is installed in the third pipe 27 so that the refrigerant having passed through the refrigerating chamber evaporator 16 is expanded under reduced pressure and joined to the first pipe 25. . In addition, the first defrost heater 34 and the second defrost heater 35 are installed in the freezer compartment evaporator 15 and the refrigerating chamber evaporator 16, respectively.

3 is a control block diagram for operation control of the refrigerator according to the present invention. As shown, the refrigerator according to the present invention is a control unit for controlling each component by a built-in program for controlling the operation of the refrigeration and refrigeration operation, the defrost operation of each evaporator (15, 16), the refrigerant flow path switching valve 40 (36). On the input side of the control unit 36, a refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 37 for detecting the temperature of the freezer compartment 11, a refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 38 for detecting the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 12, and a user freezer compartment 11 and the refrigerator compartment 12 The operating condition setting unit 39 for setting the temperature conditions and various operating conditions of the electrical connection. On the output side of the controller 36, the compressor 22, the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment cold air circulation fans 17 and 18, the first and second defrost heaters 34 and 35, and the refrigerant flow path switching valve 40 for switching the refrigerant flow paths. Is electrically connected.

The configuration of the refrigerator includes a control unit 36 determining the temperatures of the freezer compartment 11 and the refrigerating compartment 12 detected by the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment temperature sensors 37 and 38. 18), the freezing chamber 11 and the refrigerating chamber 12 are maintained at a set temperature by controlling the driving of the refrigerant flow path switching valve 40. In addition, since the refrigerator generates frost in the freezer compartment evaporator 15 and the refrigerator compartment evaporator 16, defrosting operation is required, and the refrigerator 36 is set at a cycle set by the controller 36 to stop the operation of the compressor 22 (for example, Every 5 to 6 hours) the first and second defrost heaters 34 and 35 are operated to perform defrosting operation.

In addition, the refrigerant flow path switching valve 40 of the refrigerator according to the present invention allows the refrigerant passing through the condenser 22 to flow toward the freezer compartment evaporator 15 through the first capillary tube 31 as shown in FIG. The refrigerant flows through the capillary tube 32, the refrigerating chamber evaporator 16, and the third capillary tube 33 in order to flow toward the freezer compartment evaporator 15, or switches the refrigerant flow path so that the refrigerant flows simultaneously at both sides.

The refrigerant flow path switching valve 40 is as shown in Figs. The refrigerant flow path switching valve 40 includes a valve casing 41 which forms a flow path switching chamber 42 having an inlet 44 through which refrigerant flows and first and second outlets 45 and 46 through which the refrigerant flows out. A flow path switching plate 47 and a flow path switching plate installed rotatably in the casing 41 to allow at least one of the first outlet 45 and the second outlet 46 to be selectively opened or closed in accordance with the rotational operation. A drive gear 48 and a driven gear installed in the flow path switching chamber 42 to decelerate the rotation of the stepping motor 60 and the flow path switching plate 47 to rotate the stepping motor 60 for rotating the motor 47 in the forward and reverse directions. (49).

In this case, the inlet 44 of the flow path switching chamber 42 is connected to the outlet side of the condenser 23 through a pipe, and the first outlet 45 is connected to the first pipe 25 connected to the freezer compartment evaporator 15. The second outlet 46 is connected to the second pipe 26 which is connected to the refrigerator compartment evaporator 16. In addition, the inlet 44 and the first and second outlets 45 and 46 are formed in the cover portion 43 of the valve casing 41 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and the two outlets 45 and 46. Are arranged to be spaced apart from each other on opposite sides of the inlet 44.

As shown in FIG. 4, the flow path switching plate 47 has an inner surface of the flow path switching chamber 42 in which the first and second outlets 45 and 46 are formed to open and close the first and second exits 45 and 46. That is, the inner surface of the cover portion 43 is installed in close contact with the inner surface of the cover portion 43, as shown in Figure 6, as shown in Figure 6, the flow path switching chamber 42 and the first and second outlets ( In order to enable communication of the 45 and 46, a communication flow passage 47a recessed to have a predetermined section step is formed. It is located so that the portion where the communication flow path 47a is formed by the rotation operation of the flow path switching plate 47 communicates with the first outlet 45 or the second outlet 46 or communicates with both the outlets 45 and 46. When positioned, the selective opening of the two outlets 45 and 46 is made, and if the surface other than the communication passage 47a closes the two outlets 45 and 46, the passage can be closed.

In addition, the driven gear 49 is combined to be integrated with the flow path switching plate 47 so as to rotate together with the flow path switching plate 47, the drive gear 48 is coupled to the rotating shaft 61 of the stepping motor 60. When the driving gear 48 and the driven gear 49 are engaged with each other, the flow path switching plate 47 is rotated by the rotation of the stepping motor 60 so that the flow path can be switched. In addition, since the driving gear 48 is smaller than the driven gear 49, the deceleration is performed in the process of transmitting the rotational force toward the flow path switching plate 47.

As shown in FIG. 4, the stepping motor 60 includes a rotor 63 rotatably installed in the hermetic casing portion 62 extending from the valve casing 41 so as to be integral with each other. Exciting coil assembly 64 is installed on the outer surface of the closed casing 62 to be disposed outside.

As shown in FIG. 7, the refrigerant flow path switching valve 40 includes the first outlet 45 and the first outlet 45 at the position A where the flow path switching plate 47 is initially set in a state before the stepping motor 60 is operated. Both exits 46 are closed. In this state, when the flow path switching plate 47 rotates about 95 ° from the initial setting position by the operation of the stepping motor 60 in the B position, the communication flow path 47a of the flow path switching plate 47 becomes the first exit ( While communicating with 45, the first outlet 45 is opened and the second outlet 46 is kept closed. Therefore, at this time, the refrigerant is supplied only to the freezer compartment evaporator 15. In addition, when the flow path switching plate 47 rotates about 154 ° from the initial setting position A by the operation of the stepping motor 60 to the C position, both the first and second outlets 45 and 46 are opened. In the case of the D position by rotating about a degree, the first outlet 45 is closed and the second outlet 46 is opened. Here, the rotation angle of the flow path switching plate may be changed by changing the positions of the two outlets 45 and 46. In this way, the refrigerant flow path switching valve 40 is configured to selectively open and close the two outlets 45 and 46 according to the rotational position of the flow path switching plate 47 that is driven by the stepping motor 60 to switch the flow path. It becomes possible. The flow path switching operation of the refrigerant flow path switching valve 40 is controlled by the refrigerator control unit 36 in operation.

In addition, the refrigerant flow path switching valve 40 of the refrigerator according to the present invention allows the rotation of the flow path switching plate 47 to be restricted at the initial setting position (A), and is provided in the outer peripheral portion of the driven gear 49. And 50. As shown in FIG. 5, when the flow path switching plate 47 is in the initial setting state and the two outlets 45 and 46 are closed, the engaging protrusion 50 provided in the driven gear 49 is driven by the driving gear ( 48) is to be limited to the rotation of the driven gear (49). Here, the present embodiment exemplifies a case in which the engaging protrusion 50 is formed in the driven gear 49, but the engaging protrusion 50 is formed in the flow path switching plate 47 so that the driving gear 48 or the driving gear 48 is formed. The same effect can be obtained also by being caught by the shaft 61 of the side.

This configuration is such that the locking projection 50 of the driven gear 49 is caught by the drive gear 48 when the stepping motor 60 is operated to periodically rotate the flow path switching plate 47 to the initial setting position A. The rotation of the driven gear 49 is limited so that the initial setting position A of the flow path switching plate 47 can be accurately maintained. This causes the flow path switching plate 47 to return to the initial setting position A even if the gap between the drive gear 48 and the driven gear 49 increases due to long-term use or if the step angle of the stepping motor 60 is changed. By only rotating, the position of the flow path switching plate 47 can be restored to the initial setting state so that the flow path switching operation can be accurately performed even after a long period of use. That is, in this manner, by periodically initializing the refrigerant flow path switching valve 40 once, the flow path switching error occurring during the operation of the refrigerant flow path switching valve 40 can be reduced, so that the flow path switching operation can be accurately performed. This is to prevent the deterioration of the refrigerator through this.

As described above, the operation of initializing the refrigerant flow path switching valve 40 is performed by the refrigerator control unit 36 controlling the refrigerant flow path switching valve 40, and the timing condition is a temperature condition of the freezing chamber 11 and the refrigerating chamber 12. The operation of the compressor 22 is stopped by satisfying the set range so that the refrigerant supply to each of the evaporators 15 and 16 is stopped periodically. Preferably, after the regular defrosting operation of the refrigerator through the first and second defrost heaters 34 and 35 is finished, the refrigerator control unit 36 controls the operation of the refrigerant flow path switching valve 40 in the resting period to change the flow path. It is preferable that the coolant flow path switching valve 40 be restored to the initial set state by causing the 47 to rotate to the initial set position A. FIG.

In the control operation of the refrigerant flow path switching valve 40, the control unit 36 determines whether the operation of the compressor 22 is in an end state or is a rest period when the refrigerator operation is stopped after the defrosting operation is terminated. Implement in such a way as to control to initialize the (40).

As described in detail above, the refrigerant flow path switching valve according to the present invention includes a locking protrusion for the flow path switching plate to be caught at an initial setting position, thereby limiting rotation, and through the configuration of the locking protrusion, the flow path switching of the refrigerant flow path switching valve. Since the flow path switching plate can be restored to the initial state only by rotating the plate to the initial setting position, it is possible to prevent the malfunction of valve opening and closing by accurately controlling the rotation angle of the flow path switching plate during the refrigerant flow path switching operation. . In particular, by periodically performing the control to initialize the refrigerant flow path switching valve in this manner, it is possible to reduce the flow path switching error of the refrigerant flow path switching valve thereafter, so that the operation of switching to the refrigerant flow path can be accurately performed, thereby reducing the performance of the refrigerator. There is an effect that can be prevented.

Claims (6)

delete In the refrigerant flow path switching valve of the refrigerator for switching the refrigerant flow path to selectively supply or supply the refrigerant toward the first evaporator and the second evaporator, A valve casing which forms a flow path switching chamber having an inlet through which refrigerant is introduced and first and second outlets connected to the first and second evaporators, respectively, and at least one of the two outlets may be opened or closed according to a rotational operation. A flow path switching plate rotatably installed in the valve casing, a stepping motor for rotating the flow path switching plate in a forward direction and a reverse direction, and the flow path switching plate so that the rotation is restricted by the flow path switching plate at an initial setting position. Refrigerant flow path of the refrigerator comprising a locking projection provided on the outer circumferential side of the stepping motor, a drive gear coupled to the rotating shaft of the stepping motor, and a driven gear coupled to the flow path switching plate to rotate together with the flow path switching plate and meshed with the drive gear Switching valve. The method of claim 2, The locking projection is provided on an outer circumferential side of the driven gear, and the rotation of the driven gear is limited to the rotation of the driven gear when the driven gear is rotated to catch the drive gear. The method according to claim 2 or 3, The flow path switching plate is installed in close contact with the inner surface of the flow path switching chamber in which the first and second exits are formed to open and close the first and second exits, and the flow path switching chamber is in close contact with the inner surface of the flow path switching chamber. A refrigerant flow path switching valve of a refrigerator, characterized in that a communication section of a predetermined section is formed to enable communication between the first and second outlets. Refrigerant flow path switching valve for controlling the supply of refrigerant to the first evaporator and the second evaporator, and defrost heaters for defrosting each evaporator, the refrigerant flow path switching valve is an inlet through which the refrigerant flows and the first and second A valve casing forming a flow path switching chamber having first and second outlets respectively connected to the evaporator, and a flow path rotatably installed in the valve casing so that at least one of the two outlets can be opened or closed according to the rotational operation. A switching plate, a stepping motor for rotating the flow path switching plate in a forward direction and a reverse direction, and a locking protrusion provided on an outer circumferential side of the flow path switching plate so that rotation of the flow path switching plate is caught at an initial setting position, and the refrigerant Refrigerant flow path switching valve of the refrigerator including a flow path switching valve and a control device for controlling the operation of each defrost heater and the refrigerator In the control method, The stepping motor rotates the flow path switching plate toward the initial setting position during the rest period after the defrosting operation of the defrost heaters ends so that the locking projection is caught in the initial setting position so that the flow path switching plate can be in the initial setting state. Refrigerant flow path switching valve control method of the refrigerator. Refrigerant flow path switching valve for controlling the supply of refrigerant to the first evaporator and the second evaporator, and a control device for controlling the operation of the refrigerator, wherein the refrigerant flow path switching valve is the inlet through which the refrigerant flows and the first and second A valve casing forming a flow path switching chamber having first and second outlets respectively connected to the evaporator, and a flow path rotatably installed in the valve casing so that at least one of the two outlets can be opened or closed according to the rotational operation. Refrigerant of the refrigerator comprising a switching plate, a stepping motor for rotating the flow path switching plate in the forward and reverse directions, and a locking protrusion provided on the outer circumferential side of the flow path switching plate so that the rotation of the flow path switching plate is caught in the initial setting position can be limited. In the flow path switching valve control method, The stepping motor rotates the flow path switching plate toward the initial setting position when the coolant supply to the respective evaporators is stopped, so that the locking projection is caught in the initial setting position so that the flow path switching plate becomes the initial setting state. Refrigerant flow path switching valve control method of the refrigerator.

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