KR20070107858A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerator is provided to prevent inflow of refrigerant remaining in an evaporator with large capacity to an accumulator by having a check valve between the accumulator and evaporators, so as to attenuate noise while preventing inflow of liquid refrigerant to a compressor. A refrigerator(1) comprises a compressor(2), a first evaporator(31), at least one second evaporator(32), a flow change valve(5), an accumulator(7), and a check valve(6). The second evaporator is parallel to the first evaporator. The flow change valve selectively allows inflow of the refrigerant to the first and second evaporators. The accumulator is disposed between the compressor and the evaporators. The check valve is disposed between the accumulator and evaporators, selectively allowing inflow of the refrigerant from the first and second evaporators to the accumulator.

Description

Refrigerator {REFRIGERATOR}

1 is a configuration diagram of a first cooling cycle of a refrigerator according to the present invention;

2 is a configuration diagram of a second cooling cycle of a refrigerator according to the present invention;

3 is a configuration of a cooling cycle of a conventional refrigerator,

4 is a cross-sectional view of the accumulator region shown in FIG. 3.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

1: refrigerator 2: compressor

3: condenser 4: dryer

5: flow path switching valve 6: intermittent valve

7: accumulator 7: accumulator

8: suction muffler 10: refrigerant piping

21: capillary 1 22: capillary 2

31: first evaporator 32: second evaporator

109: coupling portion 140: sleeve

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator having an improved structure of a refrigerant pipe connected to an accumulator.

Recently, side-by-side type refrigerators have been widely used, and the side-by-side type refrigerators have been further subdivided, and a multi-door refrigerator having three or more storage compartments has emerged. With the advent of such a door refrigerator, a refrigerator having a cooling cycle in which a plurality of evaporators corresponding to each storage compartment are installed has been introduced to improve power saving and cooling efficiency of each storage compartment.

On the other hand, the refrigerator 101, as shown in Fig. 3 and 4, the compressor 102 for compressing the low-temperature low-pressure gas phase refrigerant into a high-temperature high-pressure gas phase refrigerant, and the gas phase refrigerant supplied from the compressor 102 in the liquid phase The condenser 103 condensing with the refrigerant, the first capillary tube 121 and the second capillary tube 122, and the first capillary tube 121 and the second capillary tube 122 to depressurize the liquid refrigerant supplied from the condenser 103. The vaporized liquid refrigerant is vaporized and the refrigerant supplied from the first evaporator 131 and the second evaporator 132 and the first evaporator 131 and the second evaporator 132 to evaporate the liquid refrigerant decompressed by It includes an accumulator 107 separated by. Here, the refrigerator 101 is connected to the refrigerant pipe 110 through which the refrigerant flows, and the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe 110 is connected to the first evaporator 131 to the first refrigerant pipe 111 and the second evaporator. It includes a flow path switching valve 105 for selectively flowing to the second auxiliary refrigerant pipe (112) connected to (132). In addition, a dryer 104 for removing moisture is provided between the condenser 103 and the capillaries 121 and 122, and a suction muffler 108 is further included between the accumulator 107 and the compressor 102 to reduce noise.

The conventional refrigerator 101 is set based on the first evaporator 131 having a relatively large amount of heat transfer area. Here, when the refrigerant flowing to the first evaporator 131 is blocked and the refrigerant flows to the second evaporator 132 having a smaller heat transfer area than the first evaporator 131, the liquid refrigerant is excessively loaded in the accumulator 107. Thus, the liquid level of the liquid refrigerant is higher than the position of the sleeve 140, so that the liquid refrigerant may be introduced into the compressor 102, thereby shortening the durability life of the compressor 102.

In addition, the circulation fluctuation amount of the refrigerant according to the difference in capacity of each evaporator (131, 132) occurs, there is a problem that noise can occur. In addition, the second auxiliary refrigerant pipe 112 and the first refrigerant pipe 111 is connected to the Y-shaped coupling portion 109 so that some of the liquid refrigerant flows down to the evaporators 131 and 132 by its own weight. Reevaporation in the outlet or the refrigerant pipe 110, there is a problem that the temperature of the outlet of the evaporator (131,132) is lowered.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator which can prevent the liquid refrigerant from being excessively loaded in the accumulator.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to improve the structure of the refrigerant pipe to reduce the amount of noise generated, and yet another object of the present invention is to improve the structure of the accumulator and the refrigerant pipe, the refrigerant flowing to the accumulator to the evaporator It is to provide a refrigerator that can prevent reflow.

The object is, according to the present invention, selectively comprises a compressor, a first evaporator, at least one second evaporator arranged in parallel with the first evaporator, and a refrigerant flowing into the first evaporator and the second evaporator. A refrigerator having an intermittent flow path switching valve, comprising: an accumulator provided between the compressor and the evaporators; It is achieved by a refrigerator provided between the accumulator and the evaporator, and comprises an intermittent valve for selectively intercepting the refrigerant flowing into the accumulator from the first evaporator and the second evaporator.

Here, the first evaporator may have a relatively large heat transfer area than the second evaporator.

When the flow path switching valve switches the refrigerant flow path from the first evaporator to the second evaporator, the intermittent valve shuts off the refrigerant flow path between the first evaporator and the accumulator, thereby preventing the liquid refrigerant from being excessively supplied to the accumulator. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the noise and to prevent the occurrence of failure of the compressor parts.

On the other hand, the intermittent valve prevents the refrigerant flowing into the accumulator backflow into the refrigerant flow path closed by the flow path switching valve, to prevent the refrigerant flowed back by its own weight to lower the temperature of the evaporator outlet. Will be.

When the flow path switching valve switches the refrigerant flow path from the second evaporator to the first evaporator, the intermittent valve may block the refrigerant flow path between the second evaporator and the accumulator.

Here, the intermittent valve prevents the refrigerant of the second evaporator from flowing to the first evaporator, thereby preventing the cold discharge of the second evaporator from flowing to the first evaporator, thereby reducing the refrigerant of the second evaporator. When the second evaporator is initially operated, the cooling performance can be prevented from being lowered.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before describing the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is noted in advance that the components used in the first and second embodiments of the present invention have been assigned the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first cooling cycle configuration of the refrigerator 1 according to the present invention includes a compressor 2, a condenser 3 for condensing gaseous refrigerant supplied from the compressor 2, and a condenser 3. Capillaries (21, 22) for depressurizing the liquid refrigerant supplied from), a plurality of evaporators (31, 32) for vaporizing the liquid refrigerant supplied from the capillaries (21, 22), and a plurality of evaporators (31, 32) A plurality of flow path switching valves 5 for selectively supplying the coolant, an accumulator 7 provided between the evaporators 31 and 32 and the compressor 2, and a plurality of evaporators 31 and 32 and the accumulator 7. It includes an intermittent valve (6) for selectively interrupting the refrigerant flowing from the evaporator (31, 32).

Here, the refrigerator 1 is connected to the refrigerant pipe 10 so that the refrigerant flows, the refrigerant pipe 10 is branched into the first refrigerant pipe 11 and the second refrigerant pipe by the flow path switching valve (5). . In addition, a suction device disposed between the condenser 3 and the capillaries 21 and 22 to remove moisture of the condensed liquid refrigerant, and installed between the accumulator 7 and the compressor 2 to reduce noise. The muffler 8 is included.

The compressor 2 compresses the refrigerant flowing in and circulating between components such as the condenser 3 constituting the refrigerator 1. Here, the gaseous refrigerant vaporized from the evaporators 31 and 32 constituting the refrigerator 1 flows into the compressor 2, and the introduced gaseous refrigerant is compressed into a gaseous refrigerant of high temperature and high pressure by the operation of the compressor 2. .

The condenser 3 heat-exchanges the gaseous refrigerant supplied from the compressor 2 with the air passing through the surface of the condenser 3 to condense the gaseous phase refrigerant into a liquid refrigerant of low temperature and high pressure. One of both sides of the condenser 3 is preferably provided with a heat radiating fan (not shown) to radiate the condenser 3.

As described above, the liquid refrigerant condensed in the condenser 3 is removed from the dryer 4. The refrigerant passing through the dryer 4 is reduced in pressure through the capillaries 21 and 22 and flows into the evaporators 31 and 32.

The evaporators 31 and 32 are provided to cool the surrounding air while the refrigerant supplied from the capillaries 21 and 22 is vaporized. As an example of the present invention, the evaporators 31 and 32 may include a first evaporator 31 that generates cold air supplied to a freezing compartment (not shown) and a second evaporator 32 that generates cold air supplied to a refrigerating compartment (not shown). It includes. Each evaporator 31 and 32 is arranged in parallel as an example of the present invention. On the other hand, the first evaporator 31 has a larger capacity so that the heat transfer area is larger than the second evaporator 32. The first evaporator 31 is connected to the first refrigerant pipe 11 branched from the refrigerant pipe 10, and the second evaporator 32 is connected to the second refrigerant pipe 12 branched from the refrigerant pipe 10. It is connected. First and second capillaries 21 and 22 are provided between the flow path switching valve 5 and the first and second evaporators 32 to depressurize the refrigerant flowing into the first and second evaporators 32.

The flow path switching valve 5 is connected to the refrigerant pipe 10 at one side, and the second refrigerant pipe connected to the first refrigerant pipe 11 and the second evaporator 32 connected to the first evaporator 31. Connected to (12). The flow path switching valve 5 is controlled by a controller (not shown) receiving a signal detected by a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment temperature sensor (not shown) provided in the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment. That is, for example, when the freezer compartment temperature sensor satisfies the temperature value based on the signals of the freezer compartment temperature sensor provided in the freezer compartment and the freezer compartment temperature sensor provided in the refrigerating compartment, the controller controls the flow path switching valve 5 to control the first flow path switching valve 5. The first refrigerant pipe 11 connected to the evaporator 31 is closed. Contrary to the above series of processes, the second refrigerant pipe 12 connected to the second evaporator 32 may be closed by controlling the flow path switching valve 5 under the control of the controller.

The accumulator 7 is provided between the evaporators 31 and 32 and the compressor 2 to serve to separate gaseous refrigerant from the evaporators 31 and 32 so that only the gaseous refrigerant flows into the compressor 2. In the accumulator 7, a sleeve (refer to FIG. 4: 140) is installed to separate the introduced refrigerant into a gaseous refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant.

An intermittent valve 6 is provided between the first and second evaporators 32 and the accumulator 7 to selectively interrupt the refrigerant flowing from the first and second evaporators 32. Here, the intermittent valve 6 uses the same method as the flow path switching valve (5) described above. The intermittent valve 6 operates corresponding to the flow path switching valve 5 described above. That is, when the flow path switching valve 5 switches the refrigerant flow path from the first evaporator 31 to the second evaporator 32, the intermittent valve 6 is a refrigerant between the first evaporator 31 and the accumulator 7. Block the flow path. When the flow path switching valve 5 switches the refrigerant flow path from the first evaporator 31 to the second evaporator 32, when the time elapses, the first refrigerant pipe 11 and the second refrigerant pipe 12 have the same pressure. Keep it. The intermittent valve 6 allows the refrigerant of the first evaporator 31 generated by the pressure of the first refrigerant pipe 11 and the second refrigerant pipe 12 to be balanced to flow to the second evaporator 32. Block it. On the other hand, when the flow path switching valve switches the refrigerant flow path from the second evaporator to the first evaporator, the intermittent valve blocks the refrigerant flow path between the second evaporator and the accumulator. That is, the intermittent valve blocks the refrigerant of the second evaporator from flowing to the first evaporator.

In addition, the intermittent valve 6 prevents the refrigerant flowing into the accumulator 7 from flowing back into the refrigerant passage closed by the flow path switching valve 5. That is, for example, the intermittent valve 6 not only prevents the refrigerant of the first evaporator 31 from flowing to the second evaporator 32 as described above, but also accumulates the accumulator from the second evaporator 32. The refrigerant flowing into 7) is prevented from flowing back to the first evaporator 31 by its own weight.

Looking at the second cooling cycle configuration diagram of the refrigerator 1 according to the present invention including the above-described configuration is as follows.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second cooling cycle configuration of the refrigerator 1 according to the present invention is similar to the configuration of the first cooling cycle of the refrigerator 1 according to the present invention. , Evaporator (31, 32, 33), capillary (21, 22, 23), flow path switching valve (5), accumulator (7), intermittent valve (6), dryer (4), suction muffler (8) and refrigerant piping (10).

However, the second cooling cycle configuration of the refrigerator 1 according to the present invention has the following difference compared with the first cooling cycle configuration. The evaporators 31, 32, and 33 have a first evaporator 31 that generates cold air to cool the freezer compartment, a second evaporator 32 that generates cold air to cool the refrigerating compartment, and a cold air to cool a utility room (not shown). It includes a third evaporator 33 for generating. The evaporators 31, 32, and 33 are examples of the present invention. The first evaporator 31 has a larger heat transfer area than the second evaporator 32 and the third evaporator 33, and the third evaporator 33 Has a relatively larger heat transfer area than the second evaporator 32.

The evaporators 31, 32 and 33 are examples of the present invention, in which the first and third evaporators 31 and 33 are arranged in series, and the second evaporator 32 is connected to the first and third evaporators 31 and 33. Parallel to each other. The evaporators 31, 32 and 33 are connected to the first refrigerant pipe 11, the second refrigerant pipe 12 and the third refrigerant pipe 10, respectively. In addition, a first capillary tube 21, a second capillary tube 22, and a third capillary tube 23 are provided corresponding to each of the evaporators 31, 32, and 33.

The flow path switching valve 5 opens the first refrigerant pipe 11 connected to the first evaporator 31 or opens the first and third refrigerant pipes 10 connected to the first and third evaporators 31 and 33. Alternatively, the second refrigerant pipe 12 connected to the second evaporator 32 may be opened. As described above, the flow path switching valve 5 is operated by the control unit (not shown) based on a signal of a temperature sensor (not shown) provided in each storage chamber (not shown).

The intermittent valve 6 is provided between the evaporators 31, 32, 33 and the accumulator 7 as described above. The intermittent valve 6 accumulates from the second evaporator 32 when the refrigerant flow path is opened in the (B ′) direction so that the refrigerant flows to the first evaporator 31 in response to the flow path switching valve 5. Shut off the refrigerant path in the (C ') direction. In addition, when the flow path switching valve 5 opens the first and third refrigerant pipes 10 connected to the first and third evaporators 31 and 33, the intermittent valve 6 corresponds to the second evaporator ( 32, the refrigerant flow path in the (C ') direction connected to the accumulator 7 is shut off. When the flow path switching valve 5 opens the refrigerant flow path in the (A ') direction such that the refrigerant flows to the second evaporator 32, the intermittent valve 6 is the accumulator 7 from the first evaporator 31. Blocks the refrigerant flow path in the (D ') direction through which the refrigerant flows.

Hereinafter, an operation process will be described with reference to the first cooling cycle configuration diagram of the refrigerator 1 according to the present invention including such a configuration. Of course, when referring to the second cooling cycle configuration diagram of the refrigerator 1 according to the present invention, the basic operation process is the same as the first cooling cycle configuration diagram of the refrigerator 1 according to the present invention.

In the operating process according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in the refrigerator 1 including the first and second evaporators 32, the flow path switching valve 5 is operated so that the refrigerant is supplied to the first evaporator 31. It is opened to flow, and the second evaporator 32 is closed so that the refrigerant does not flow. Here, since the first evaporator 31 has a larger heat transfer area than the second evaporator 32, the capacity is also larger.

The refrigerant flowed to the first evaporator 31 is switched to the flow path switching valve 5 to block the refrigerant flow path that proceeds in the direction (B) so that the refrigerant does not flow to the first evaporator 31. Then, the second refrigerant pipe 12 connected to the second evaporator 32 is opened to allow the refrigerant to flow in the direction (A). When the refrigerant flows in the direction (A) by the operation of the flow path switching valve 5 and the flow of the refrigerant in the direction (B) is blocked, the second refrigerant pipe 12 connected to the accumulator 7 after a predetermined time elapses. ) And the first refrigerant pipe (11) is a pressure change to achieve a pressure balance. At this time, when the pressures of the second refrigerant pipe 12 and the first refrigerant pipe 11 are balanced, the refrigerant remaining in the first evaporator 31 flows to the second evaporator 32 to form a liquid refrigerant in the accumulator 7. Since the oversupply may be performed, the intermittent valve 6 is operated to block the refrigerant from flowing in the direction (D), but the refrigerant continues to flow in the direction (C). Here, the intermittent valve 6 not only prevents the refrigerant remaining in the first evaporator 31 from flowing to the second evaporator 32, but also the refrigerant flowing from the second evaporator 32 to the accumulator 7. Backflow to the first evaporator 31 can be prevented by its own weight.

On the other hand, in the operation process according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in the operation process according to the first embodiment described above, the flow path switching valve 5 opens the second refrigerant pipe 12 connected to the second evaporator 32. The first refrigerant pipe 11 connected to the first evaporator 31 is closed. The flow path switching valve 5 operates to switch the opening and closing of the first and second refrigerant pipes 12. That is, the flow path switching valve 5 blocks the flow of the coolant in the direction (A) and opens the coolant flow path in the direction (B). When a predetermined time elapses after the flow of the refrigerant is opened to the first evaporator 31, the pressure of the first refrigerant pipe 11 and the second refrigerant pipe 12 connected to the accumulator 7 may be equalized. Change occurs. At this time, when the pressure of the first refrigerant pipe (11) and the second refrigerant pipe (12) reaches an equilibrium, the refrigerant remaining in the second evaporator 32 flows to the first evaporator 31 to have a relatively small capacity. Since the refrigerant of the second evaporator 32 is reduced, it operates the intermittent valve 6 to block the refrigerant flow path in the direction (C) so that the refrigerant of the second evaporator 32 flows to the first evaporator 31. Block it.

Therefore, an intermittent valve is installed between the evaporator and the accumulator to prevent the refrigerant remaining in the large capacity evaporator from entering the accumulator when switching the refrigerant flow from the large capacity evaporator to the small capacity evaporator, and the small capacity evaporator. When switching the refrigerant flow path from the large capacity evaporator to the large capacity evaporator, the refrigerant from the small capacity evaporator is prevented from flowing to the large capacity evaporator, thereby reducing noise and preventing the failure of the compressor. During operation of the refrigerant may be insufficient to prevent the cooling performance is lowered.

In addition, by preventing the refrigerant from flowing back to the evaporator in which the refrigerant passage is closed, it is possible to prevent the temperature from dropping in the evaporator outlet.

As described above, according to the present invention, an intermittent valve is installed between the evaporator and the accumulator so that the refrigerant remaining in the large capacity evaporator flows into the accumulator when the refrigerant flow path is changed from the large capacity evaporator to the small capacity evaporator. It is possible to prevent the liquid refrigerant flows into the compressor to prevent the occurrence of a failure, thereby providing a refrigerator that can reduce the generation of noise.

In addition, when switching the refrigerant flow path from the small capacity evaporator to the large capacity evaporator, the refrigerant of the small capacity evaporator is prevented from flowing to the large capacity evaporator, thereby preventing the cooling performance of the small capacity evaporator from being lowered. have. In addition, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant from flowing backward to the evaporator in which the refrigerant passage is closed, thereby preventing the refrigerant from vaporizing at the evaporator outlet and lowering the temperature of the evaporator outlet.

Claims (6)

A refrigerator comprising a compressor, a first evaporator, at least one second evaporator disposed in parallel with the first evaporator, and a flow path switching valve for selectively intermitting refrigerant flowing into the first evaporator and the second evaporator. , An accumulator provided between the compressor and the evaporators; And an intermittent valve provided between the accumulator and the evaporators to selectively control the refrigerant flowing into the accumulator from the first evaporator and the second evaporator. The method of claim 1, The first evaporator, characterized in that the refrigerator having a relatively large heat transfer area than the second evaporator. The method of claim 2, And the intermittent valve blocks the refrigerant flow path between the first evaporator and the accumulator when the flow path switching valve switches the refrigerant flow path from the first evaporator to the second evaporator. The method of claim 3, The intermittent valve is a refrigerator, characterized in that the refrigerant flows to the accumulator to block the back flow to the refrigerant passage closed by the flow path switching valve. The method of claim 2, And the intermittent valve blocks the refrigerant flow path between the second evaporator and the accumulator when the flow path switching valve switches the refrigerant flow path from the second evaporator to the first evaporator. The method of claim 5, The control valve is a refrigerator, characterized in that to block the flow of the refrigerant of the second evaporator to the first evaporator.

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