KR101720488B1 - Movable refrigerator and Control process of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A mobile refrigerator according to the present invention comprises: a main body having a storage chamber formed therein and a roller provided at a lower portion thereof; A cooling mechanism for cooling the storage chamber; A carbon dioxide cylinder disposed in the main body and containing carbon dioxide used for manufacturing carbonated beverages; A pressure regulator for regulating the pressure of carbon dioxide flowing out of the carbon dioxide cylinder; A carbonated beverage maker for mixing carbon dioxide discharged from the pressure regulator with water and a beverage stock solution; A pressure sensor installed in the pressure regulator and sensing a pressure; An informing mechanism provided in the main body; And a control unit for controlling the notification mechanism to notify the replacement of the carbon dioxide cylinder when the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor is lower than the replacement set pressure. The user can adjust the carbonic acid concentration of the carbonated beverage by adjusting the pressure regulator Since the mobile refrigerator informs the replacement time of the carbon dioxide cylinder, the user does not need to periodically check the replacement time of the carbon dioxide cylinder, and the convenience of use is increased.

Storage room, main body, cooling mechanism, notification mechanism, pressure sensor, carbon dioxide cylinder,

Description

[0001] Movable refrigerator and control method thereof [0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mobile refrigerator and a method of operating the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mobile refrigerator having a carbon dioxide cylinder having a storage room capable of storing beverages or wines.

Generally, a refrigerator is a device for cooling a storage room such as a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment by using a refrigeration cycle device including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion mechanism and an evaporator.

The refrigerator is movable when a roller is installed at a lower portion of the refrigerator. Such a portable refrigerator helps users to provide drinks and the like at the same place such as a party.

However, the mobile refrigerator according to the related art has a problem in that it only helps the storage / transportation of the beverage, and can not inform the outside of the excess or deficiency of the beverage at an appropriate time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile refrigerator capable of adjusting the carbonic acid concentration of a carbonated beverage by controlling the pressure of a carbon dioxide cylinder.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile refrigerator which can inform the outside of replacement of a carbon dioxide cylinder necessary for manufacturing carbonated beverages or leakage of carbon dioxide cylinders

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method of operating a mobile refrigerator in which a mobile refrigerator itself informs a replacement or leakage of a carbon dioxide cylinder to the outside.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile refrigerator comprising: a main body having a storage chamber and a roller at a lower portion thereof; A cooling mechanism for cooling the storage chamber; A carbon dioxide cylinder disposed in the main body and containing carbon dioxide used for manufacturing carbonated beverages; A pressure regulator for regulating the pressure of carbon dioxide flowing out of the carbon dioxide cylinder; A carbonated beverage maker for mixing carbon dioxide discharged from the pressure regulator with water and a beverage stock solution; A pressure sensor installed in the pressure regulator and sensing a pressure; An informing mechanism provided in the main body; And a control unit for controlling the informing mechanism to notify the replacement of the carbon dioxide cylinder when the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor is lower than a replacement set pressure.

A timer for counting the use time of the carbonated drink maker; The control unit controls the notification mechanism to inform the notification mechanism of the leakage of the carbon dioxide when the carbonated drink maker is not used for a set time and the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor during the set time is below the leak set pressure.

The carbonated beverage maker includes a carbonator for mixing carbon dioxide having passed through the pressure regulator with water; A premix tank in which carbonated water flowing out from the carbonator is stored; A beverage stock solution feeder for mixing the beverage stock solution with carbonated water flowing out of the premix tank; And a carbonic acid drink discharger for discharging a mixed solution of the carbonated water and the beverage stock solution.

A method of operating a mobile refrigerator according to the present invention includes: a pressure sensing step of sensing a pressure of a carbon dioxide cylinder disposed in a mobile refrigerator; And a carbon dioxide cylinder replacement notifying step of controlling the informing mechanism installed in the mobile refrigerator to inform the replacement of the carbon dioxide cylinder if the pressure sensed in the pressure sensing step is lower than the replacement set pressure.

A method of operating a mobile refrigerator according to the present invention includes: a pressure sensing step of sensing a pressure of a carbon dioxide cylinder disposed in a mobile refrigerator; And a carbon dioxide leaking notification step of controlling a notification mechanism installed in the mobile refrigerator to inform the carbon dioxide leaking if the carbonated drink maker installed in the mobile refrigerator is not used for a set time and the pressure is below the leak set pressure during the set time.

According to the present invention configured as described above, the user can easily adjust the carbonic acid concentration of the carbonated beverage by the user by controlling the pressure of the carbon dioxide generator, and when the carbon dioxide cylinder is replaced, By notifying the replacement of the cylinder, there is an advantage that it allows the user to replace the carbon dioxide cylinder at an appropriate time.

Further, since the leakage of the carbon dioxide cylinder is detected and informed to the outside, it is possible to prevent the carbon dioxide from being used for a long time in a state of leakage, and there is an advantage that the cost can be reduced.

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

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a mobile refrigerator according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view when the storage compartment door shown in FIG. 1 is opened and carbonated beverage is not discharged from a carbonated drink maker, Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the door of the storage chamber is closed and the carbon dioxide cylinder is taken out. Fig.

The mobile refrigerator according to the present embodiment stores a mainstream such as wine (W) while cooling it at a low temperature. In addition, the mobile refrigerator itself manufactures and supplies carbonated beverages to supply alcoholic beverages such as wine A mobile wine / carbonated beverage refrigerator capable of serving drinks while moving, includes a main body (2) forming an outer appearance.

The body (2) is provided with a roller (4) for rotating the body (2) to rotate.

The roller 4 includes a wheel and a rotary shaft, a horizontal rotary shaft is rotatably supported by the body 2, and the wheel is rotated around the rotary shaft to assist the movement of the body 2. [

The main body 2 is provided with a storage chamber R in which drinks such as wine W and the like sealed in the container are stored and a storage chamber 6 in which the carbon dioxide cylinder 6 containing carbon dioxide And a carbonic acid drink manufacturing machine 5 for producing a carbonated drink using carbon dioxide discharged from the carbon dioxide cylinder 6 is installed. The cooling mechanism will be described later.

 The carbonated beverage maker 5 includes a carbonated drink dispenser for discharging the manufactured carbonated beverage. The carbonated beverage dispenser includes a carbonated drink discharge hose 7 drawn out from and inserted into the main body 5, a carbonated beverage discharge hose 7, And a carbonic acid drink supply lever 9 provided in the carbonic acid drink supply nozzle 8. The carbonic acid drink supply nozzle 8 is provided at one end of the carbonic acid drink supply nozzle 8,

The main body 2 is formed such that one surface of the storage chamber R and one surface of the storage chamber C are opened to the outside.

The main body 2 is provided with a storage chamber door 10 for opening and closing the storage chamber R and a storage chamber door 11 for opening and closing the storage chamber C. [

The main body 2 is provided with a cooling mechanism (not shown) for cooling the storage chamber R, and the cooling mechanism will be described later in detail.

The storage compartment door 10 closes the storage compartment R when the beverage or wine is cooled so as to prevent the cool air from escaping to the outside and opens and closes the storage compartment R when entering or exiting drinks or wine, R).

When the storage chamber R is long in the left and right direction, it is preferable that the storage chamber door 10 is connected to be rotated up and down about the horizontal axis. When the storage chamber R is formed long in the vertical direction, .

Hereinafter, the portable refrigerator will be described as being a portable wine refrigerator for storing and storing the wine W while cooling. The storage room R stores the wine W in a state in which the wine W is laid down sideways, It is preferable that it is formed long in the left-right direction.

The storage room door 11 is opened when the storage room C is opened when the carbon dioxide cylinder 6 is taken out / inserted and when the carbon dioxide cylinder 6 is not taken out / inserted, The storage room C and the storage room door 11 are preferably formed vertically long in consideration of the height of the carbon dioxide cylinder 6. The storage room door 11 is rotatable about the vertical axis .

4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a cooling mechanism of a mobile refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The cooling mechanism 12 is for cooling the storage compartment and includes a compressor 14 for compressing the refrigerant, a condenser 16 for condensing the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 14 and a condenser 16 for condensing the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 16 An evaporator 20 in which the refrigerant expanded in the expansion mechanism 18 is evaporated and a refrigerant is supplied to the compressor 14 and the condenser 16 and the expansion mechanism 18 and the evaporator 20 Circulated, is discharged in the condenser (16) and absorbed in the evaporator (20).

The cooling mechanism 12 may be a direct cooling type cooling system in which the evaporator 20 directly cools the storage compartment R. The cooling mechanism 12 may be configured such that the cool air in the storage compartment R circulates through the evaporator 20 and the storage compartment R, R) of the cooling water cooling system.

The cooling mechanism 12 includes a circulation fan 22 that circulates the cool air in the storage chamber R to the evaporator 20 and the storage chamber R when the storage chamber R is cooled by an indirect cooling method.

Fig. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a carbon dioxide cylinder and a carbonated drink maker of a mobile refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile refrigerator according to the present embodiment further includes a pressure regulator 30 for regulating the pressure of carbon dioxide flowing out of the carbon dioxide cylinder 6 and the carbon dioxide flowing out of the pressure regulator 6 is supplied to the carbonated drink maker 5 And the beverage stock solution.

The pressure regulator 30 is connected to the carbon dioxide cylinder 6 through a carbon dioxide suction line 31 and to the carbonic acid boil boiler 5 and to a carbon dioxide discharge line 32.

The pressure regulator (30) is provided with a pressure sensor (33) for sensing the pressure of carbon dioxide.

The pressure regulator (30) is provided with a pressure indicator (34) for indicating the pressure of carbon dioxide and a pressure regulator (35) for regulating the pressure of the carbon dioxide.

The pressure regulator 30 includes a pressure control case 36 to which the carbon dioxide suction line 31 and the carbon dioxide discharge line 32 are connected and the pressure sensor 33, the pressure indicator 34, Is installed in the pressure regulating case (36).

The pressure sensor 33 may be installed to sense the pressure inside the pressure adjusting case 36 and may be a pressure gauge.

The pressure indicator 34 is for displaying the pressure of the carbon dioxide sensed by the pressure sensor 33 externally and is formed of a kind of pressure gauge.

The pressure indicator 34 is connected to the pressure sensor 33 so that the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor 33 can be displayed and connected to the control unit 60 to be described later, .

The pressure regulating portion 35 varies the pressure of the carbon dioxide passing through the pressure regulating casing 36 and includes a pressure regulating body arranged to be rotated or advanced in the pressure regulating casing 36, And a pressure control source for controlling the pressure.

The pressure regulating member is formed in a plate or sphere shape, and regulates the pressure according to the degree of blocking the inner flow path of the pressure regulating case (36).

The pressure regulating member may be a pressure regulating lever for manually operating the pressure regulating member by a user or a pressure regulating knob for rotating or advancing and retreating the pressure regulating member. And a pressure regulating actuator for advancing and retracting the pressure regulator.

The pressure regulator 30 is preferably installed in the storage room C to facilitate checking of the pressure indicator 34 or adjustment of the pressure regulating part 35 when the storage room door 11 shown in Fig. 1 is opened .

The carbonated drink maker (5) comprises a carbonator (42) for mixing the carbon dioxide which has passed through the pressure regulator (30) with water; A premix tank 44 containing carbonated water flowing out of the carbonator 42; And a beverage stock feeder 46 for mixing the beverage stock solution with the carbonated water flowing out of the premix tank 44. The mixed solution of the carbonated water and the beverage stock solution is fed to the carbonated beverage drinkers 7, ≪ / RTI >

The carbonator 42 is connected to the carbon dioxide discharge line 32 and the water supply line 41 to which the water is supplied is connected to one of the carbon dioxide discharge line 32 and the carbonator 42.

The carbonator 42 is connected to the premix tank 44 and the carbonator-premix tank connecting line 43.

The premix tank 44 is connected to a carbonated water discharge line 45 through which carbonated water is discharged. The carbonated water discharge line 45 is connected to the carbonated drink discharge hose 7 shown in Fig.

The beverage stock feeder 46 is connected to the carbonated water discharge line 45 via the beverage supply line 47 to supply the beverage stock to the carbonated water discharge line 45 and the carbonated water mixed with the beverage stock in the carbonated water discharge line 45 The carbonated beverage is discharged through the carbonated beverage discharge hose 7.

6 is a control block diagram of one embodiment of a mobile refrigerator according to the present invention.

The mobile refrigerator according to the present embodiment includes a notification mechanism 50 installed in the main body 2, an operating unit 58 for operating the mobile refrigerator, a compressor 12 installed in the mobile refrigerator, a circulating fan 22, And a control unit 60 for controlling various electric components such as the electric motor 50 and the like.

Since the amount of carbon dioxide in the carbon dioxide cylinder 6 is small, the notification mechanism 50 can announce the replacement of the carbon dioxide cylinder 6 to the outside and can inform the outside that the carbon dioxide cylinder 6 can be serviced because of the leakage of carbon dioxide. Or a display such as an LED or an LCD capable of visually confirming the replacement or service of the carbon dioxide cylinder 6 or a speaker or a buzzer for sounding the replacement or service of the carbon dioxide cylinder 6. [ In general, the mobile refrigerator is preferably used in a place where the user does not always watch the notification device such as an outdoor party such as a party, an airplane, a train, etc., and the notification device 50 is preferably composed of a speaker or buzzer.

If the notification mechanism 50 includes a speaker, replace the carbon dioxide cylinder. It is also possible to generate a pre-stored voice or melody such as 'a leak of carbon dioxide has occurred'.

The control unit 58 is a control unit for inputting various operations of the mobile refrigerator. The control unit 58 includes an operation / stop input unit for operating / stopping the mobile refrigerator, a temperature control unit for controlling the temperature of the storage room R, A beverage supply input unit, and the like.

The control unit 60 controls the notification mechanism 50 to inform the replacement of the carbon dioxide cylinder 6 when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 33 is lower than the replacement set pressure.

Here, the replacement set pressure is a pressure when the amount of carbon dioxide in the carbon dioxide cylinder 6 is equal to or less than the set amount, and is set to a pressure when the amount of carbon dioxide in the carbon dioxide cylinder 6 is completely discharged, Is set to a pressure of < / RTI >

The pressure sensor 33 periodically senses the pressure of the carbon dioxide cylinder 6 and outputs the sensed pressure to the control unit 60. When the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor 33 falls below the replacement set pressure, To inform the user of the replacement of the carbon dioxide cylinder 6.

On the other hand, the mobile refrigerator according to the present embodiment further includes a beverage manufacturing sensor 68 for sensing the use of the carbonated beverage maker 5 and a timer 70 for counting the use time of the carbonated beverage maker 5 .

When the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor 33 is below the leak set pressure while the carbonated drink maker 5 is idle for the set time and the notification unit 50 notifies of the leakage of the carbon dioxide during the set time, And controls the reminder mechanism 50.

When the supply of the carbonated beverage is inputted through the carbonated drink supply input portion of the operation unit 58, the control unit 60 can confirm the non-use of the carbonated drink manufacturing apparatus 5 through the operation unit 58, When the supply of the carbonated beverage is inputted through the carbonated drink supply lever 9, the non-use of the carbonated drink manufacturing machine 5 is detected through the operation of the carbonated drink supply lever 9 and the flow rate change of the carbonated drink manufacturing machine 5 Can be confirmed.

The beverage production sensor 68 may be a switch for sensing the position of the carbonated beverage supply lever 9 when the carbonated beverage supply lever 9 is operated to the position of supplying carbonated beverage. .

The timer 70 counts a time when no signal is sensed in the beverage production sensor 68. When the counted time reaches the set time in the timer 70, If the pressure is below the leak set pressure, it is judged that carbon dioxide leaks have occurred.

Here, the leak set pressure is a pressure set by the pressure sensor 33 at a pressure lower than the stored pressure detected by the pressure sensor 33 when the carbonated beverage is manufactured most recently, The carbon dioxide is supplied to the carbon dioxide cylinder 6, the carbon dioxide suction line 31, and the pressure regulator 50. When the pressure of the carbon dioxide is lower than a preset pressure, It is possible to announce at least one service out of the plurality of service providers 30 to the outside.

7 is a flowchart of an operation method of a mobile refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The driving method of the mobile refrigerator according to the present embodiment further includes a pressure sensing step S1 and a carbon dioxide cylinder replacement notification step S2 (S3).

The pressure sensing step S1 senses the pressure of the carbon dioxide cylinder 6 and the pressure sensor 33 senses the pressure of the pressure regulator 30 and outputs it to the control unit 60. [

 The carbon dioxide cylinder replacement notification step S2 (S3) is a step of controlling the notification mechanism 50 to notify the replacement of the carbon dioxide cylinder when the pressure sensed in the pressure sensing step is lower than the set pressure, 50, and the notification mechanism 50 generates a sound or displays display information.

The user confirms the replacement information of the carbon dioxide cylinder 6 through the sound generated by the notification mechanism 50 or the displayed information and opens the storage room door 11 to take out the carbon dioxide cylinder 6, Install a new carbon dioxide cylinder.

That is, in the method of operating the mobile refrigerator according to the present embodiment, the user does not need to open the storage room door 11 periodically for replacement of the carbon dioxide cylinder, and the convenience of use is increased.

Meanwhile, when the user controls the pressure of the carbon dioxide through the pressure regulator 35 of the pressure regulator 30, the amount of carbon dioxide flowing out from the carbon dioxide cylinder 6 to the carbonated drink maker 5 is varied, The carbonic acid concentration of the carbonated beverage discharged through the discharge units 7, 8, and 9 varies depending on the user's control.

8 is a flow chart of another embodiment of the driving method of the mobile refrigerator according to the present invention.

The driving method of the mobile refrigerator according to the present embodiment includes a pressure sensing step S11 and a carbon dioxide leakage notification step S12.

The pressure sensing step S11 is a step of sensing the pressure of the carbon dioxide cylinder 6 and the pressure sensor 33 senses the pressure of the pressure regulator 30 and outputs it to the control unit 60. [

The carbon dioxide leaking notification step S12 (S13) (S14) (S15) is a step in which the carbonated beverage maker 5 is not used for the set time, and the pressure is below the leak set pressure for the set time, And controlling the installed notification mechanism.

The timer 70 counts the time from when the carbonated drink maker 5 starts not to manufacture the beverage and outputs the result to the control unit 60. The control unit 60 counts the time counted by the timer 70 It is checked whether or not the set time has elapsed (S12)

If it is determined that the carbonated drink maker 5 has not manufactured the beverage during the set time, the control unit 60 compares the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor 33 with the leak set pressure during the set time, If the pressure is lower than the predetermined pressure, it is determined that leakage of the carbon dioxide gas has occurred at present and the notification mechanism 50 is controlled, and the notification mechanism 50 generates sound or displays the display information.

The user confirms the leakage of carbon dioxide through the sound generated by the notification mechanism 50 or the displayed information and opens the storage room door 11 to open the storage room door 11 and the carbon dioxide cylinder 6, the carbon dioxide suction line 31, the pressure regulator 30, Lt; / RTI >

That is, the mobile refrigerator self-determines the leakage of the carbon dioxide and informs the user of the leakage of the carbon dioxide through the notification device 50, and the user etc. can prevent the excessive consumption of carbon dioxide.

1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a mobile refrigerator according to the present invention,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the case where the storage room door shown in Fig. 1 is opened and the carbonated beverage is not discharged from the carbonated beverage maker;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the compartment door shown in Fig. 1 is closed and the carbon dioxide cylinder is drawn out,

4 is a schematic view showing a cooling mechanism of a mobile refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a carbon dioxide cylinder and a carbonated drink maker of a mobile refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention,

6 is a control block diagram of one embodiment of a mobile refrigerator according to the present invention,

7 is a flow chart of a method of operating a mobile refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention,

8 is a flow chart of another embodiment of the driving method of the mobile refrigerator according to the present invention.

Claims (5)

A main body in which a storage chamber is formed; A cooling mechanism for cooling the storage chamber; A carbon dioxide cylinder disposed in the main body and containing carbon dioxide used for manufacturing carbonated beverages; And a carbonated beverage maker for mixing and discharging the carbon dioxide with water and a beverage stock solution, The carbonated beverage producing machine includes: A carbonator for mixing the carbon dioxide with water; A premix tank connected to the carbonator-pre-mix tank connection line to receive the carbonated water discharged from the carbonator and connected to a carbonated water discharge line for discharging the carbonated water; A beverage stock solution feeder for mixing the beverage stock solution with carbonated water flowing out of the premix tank; And a carbonic acid drink discharger for discharging a mixed solution of the carbonated water and the beverage stock solution, Wherein said carbonated drink dispenser comprises a carbonated beverage dispense hose, The carbonated water discharge line is connected to the carbonated drink discharge hose, Wherein the beverage stock solution feeder is connected to the carbonated water discharge line through a beverage supply line to supply the beverage stock solution to the carbonated water discharge line, Wherein the carbonated water mixed with the beverage stock in the carbonated water discharge line is discharged as carbonated beverage through the carbonated beverage discharge hose. The method according to claim 1, A pressure sensor for sensing a pressure of the carbon dioxide cylinder; An informing mechanism provided in the main body; And a control unit for controlling the notification mechanism to notify the replacement of the carbon dioxide cylinder when the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor is lower than a replacement set pressure. The method according to claim 1, A beverage production sensor for sensing use of the carbonated beverage maker; A timer for counting time; A pressure sensor for sensing a pressure of the carbon dioxide cylinder; An informing mechanism provided in the main body; And a control unit for controlling the notification mechanism to inform the notification mechanism of the leakage of the carbon dioxide, The timer counts a time when no signal is sensed by the beverage production sensor, Wherein the control unit determines that the leakage of the carbon dioxide occurs when the time counted by the timer reaches the set time and the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor is below the leak set pressure, Wherein the leak setting pressure is set to be lower than a pressure detected by the pressure sensor when the carbonated beverage is most recently produced. delete The method according to claim 1, The carbonated beverage discharge hose is drawn out and inserted from the main body, The carbonated beverage discharger includes: A carbonic acid drink supply nozzle provided at one end of the carbonic acid drink discharge hose, And a carbonic acid drink supply lever installed on the carbonic acid drink supply nozzle.

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