KR20080064050A - Defrosting apparatus for refrigerator refriging indepentently - Google Patents

Abstract

A defrosting apparatus for a separate cooling type refrigerator is provided to maintain humidity in a refrigerator compartment by supplying moisture generated during defrosting into the refrigerator compartment. A defrosting apparatus for a separate cooling type refrigerator comprises a heat source supply part and a controller. The separate cooling type refrigerator includes a first evaporator(482) and a second evaporator(484) for cooling a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment, respectively. A first fan(620) and a second fan(640) circulate cool air of the first and second evaporators, respectively. The heat source supply part supplies heat to the second evaporator for a predetermined period of time. The controller drives the second fan after a predetermine time has lapsed.

Description

Defroster for independent refrigerated refrigerators {DEFROSTING APPARATUS FOR REFRIGERATOR REFRIGING INDEPENTENTLY}

1 is an embodiment of an independent cooling refrigerator according to the present invention.

2 is a configuration diagram of a cooling cycle of the independent cooling refrigerator of FIG. 1.

3 is a configuration diagram of a defrosting device of an independent cooling refrigerator according to the present invention.

4 is a flowchart of a defrosting method of an independent cooling refrigerator according to the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

12: fridge temperature sensor 14: freezer temperature sensor

24: fan drive unit 26: valve drive unit

30: control unit

The present invention relates to an independent cooling refrigerator, and more particularly, to an independent cooling refrigerator that reduces power consumption in a defrosting process for a refrigerator compartment.

In general, a refrigerator uses a principle of a refrigeration cycle that absorbs ambient heat as the compressed and cooled refrigerant expands to lower the ambient temperature at which the refrigerant expands and evaporates. And condenser, evaporator and accumulator.

In addition, the refrigerator is provided with a plurality of box-shaped storage compartment with its front open to accommodate food, and the front opening of the storage compartment is formed such that one end thereof is opened / closed by a door coupled to the front opening via a hinge. Is common.

In addition, it is common for each of the storage compartments to cool the air in each of the storage compartments so that the evaporators are installed to deprive the heat of the ambient air.

Republic of Korea Utility Model Publication No. 0148118 has a freezer compartment and a refrigerating compartment arranged up and down, the evaporator for supplying cold air to the freezer compartment, the cold air supply passage structure is formed to be supplied to the freezer compartment supplied to the freezer compartment through the evaporator to distribute the cold air to the refrigerating compartment An example of is disclosed.

In addition, the Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 0182726 has a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment arranged up and down, a refrigerator compartment evaporator for generating cold air to supply cold air to the refrigerator compartment, a freezer compartment evaporator for generating cold air to supply cold air to the freezer compartment, a refrigerator compartment An example of the structure of the refrigerator compartment flow path which supplies cold air from an evaporator to a refrigerator compartment, and the freezer compartment flow path which supplies cold air to a freezer compartment from a freezer compartment evaporator is disclosed. That is, a common independent cooling refrigerator is provided with one condenser and a compressor, two evaporators, and two refrigerators to independently cool the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment.

In the independent cooling refrigerator, when the cooling of the refrigerating compartment is required, cooling by the evaporator of the refrigerating compartment may be performed, and when the cooling of the freezing compartment is required, the cooling by the evaporator of the freezing compartment may be performed. However, the conventional independent refrigerator refrigerator does not provide a configuration for defrosting while reducing power consumption when defrosting of the evaporator of the refrigerating chamber is required.

In order to solve this problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a defrosting apparatus and a defrosting method of an independent cooling refrigerator to reduce the power consumption made during defrosting.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a defrosting apparatus and a defrosting method of an independent refrigeration refrigerator to allow the moisture generated at the time of defrosting to be used for maintaining the moisture in the refrigerating chamber.

Defrosting apparatus of an independent refrigerator refrigerator having first and second evaporators for cooling the freezing space and the refrigerating space, and first and second blowing fans for circulating cold air by the first and second evaporators, respectively. The defrosting apparatus includes a heat source supply unit for supplying heat to the second evaporator for a predetermined time, and a control unit for driving the second blowing fan after the predetermined time.

In this case, the control unit preferably supplies power to the heat source supply unit for the predetermined time.

The defrost apparatus may further include a defrost sensor unit configured to generate a defrost signal according to the temperature of the second evaporator, and the controller may operate the heat source supply unit according to the defrost signal.

In addition, the defrosting device has a defrost sensor unit for generating a defrost signal according to the temperature of the second evaporator, the control unit is the second blowing fan until the defrost for the second evaporator is completed according to the defrost signal It is preferable to operate.

In addition, the independent cooling refrigerator having the first and second evaporators for cooling the freezing space and the refrigerating space of the present invention, and the first and second blowing fans for circulating the cold air by the first evaporator and the second evaporator, respectively. In the defrosting method, the defrosting method includes applying heat to the second evaporator and driving the second blower fan after applying the heat.

Hereinafter, the present invention is not limited to the above-described specific preferred embodiments, and any person having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the gist of the present invention claimed in the claims may make various modifications. Of course, such changes are within the scope of the claims.

In this embodiment, a refrigerator-freezer and a freezer compartment are described as an example of a double door refrigerator, but the present invention can be applied to a refrigerator in which a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment are arranged up and down.

1 is an embodiment of an independent cooling refrigerator according to the present invention. The independent cooling refrigerator includes an outer case 100, an inner case 200, a door 300, and a refrigerating cycle 400.

The outer case 100 forms the outside of the independent cooling refrigerator. The inner case 200 is formed inside the outer case 100 and defines a refrigerating chamber R and a freezing chamber F. In this embodiment, the inner case 200 is formed inside the outer case 100 such that a refrigerating chamber R is defined at the inner right side of the outer case 100 and a freezing chamber F at the left side thereof.

The door 300 opens and closes the refrigerating compartment R or the freezing compartment F defined by the inner case 200. In this embodiment, the door 300 opens the right side of the outer case 100 to open and close the refrigerating compartment R. And a refrigerating compartment door 310 installed at the left side, and a refrigerating compartment door 310 installed at the left side of the outer case 100 to open and close the freezing compartment F. In addition, the freezer compartment door 320 is a dispenser (not shown) for taking out water or ice from the outside of the independent cooling refrigerator, and the refrigerating compartment door 310 is a food or beverage stored in the refrigerating compartment (R) outside the independent cooling refrigerator. A home bar (not shown) can be provided.

The refrigeration cycle 400 is installed between the outer case 100 and the inner case 200 to supply cold air to the refrigerating chamber (R) and the freezing chamber (F). The refrigeration cycle 400 also includes a compressor 420, a condenser 440, expansion means 460, and an evaporator 480. The compressor 420 compresses the refrigerant to a high temperature and high pressure, the condenser 440 condenses the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 420, the expansion means 460 decompresses the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 440, and evaporator ( 480 evaporates the refrigerant passing through the expansion means 460 to form cold air around the evaporator 480. The refrigerating chamber R and the freezing chamber F are cooled by cold air formed around the evaporator 480.

In the present embodiment, the evaporator 480 includes a first evaporator 482 and a second evaporator 484. The first evaporator 482 supplies cold air to the refrigerating chamber R, and the second evaporator 484 supplies cold air to the freezing chamber F. Accordingly, the cold air is supplied to each of the freezing chamber F and the refrigerating chamber R independently. In addition, in this embodiment, the expansion means 460 includes a first expansion means 462 installed on the first evaporator 482 side, and a second expansion means 464 installed on the second evaporator 484 side. . In this embodiment, the first expansion means 462 and the second expansion means 464 are made of a capillary tube.

In the present embodiment, a three-way valve 500 is further provided to supply the refrigerant condensed while passing through the condenser 440 to each of the first evaporator 482 and the second evaporator 484. Is installed between the condenser 440 and the first and second expansion means 464 to supply a portion of the refrigerant condensed while passing through the condenser 440 to the first expansion means 462 and the first evaporator 482. The remaining condensed refrigerant passing through the condenser 440 is supplied to the second expansion means 464 and the second evaporator 484. At this time, the three-way valve 500 supplies a refrigerant to at least one of the first evaporator 482 and the second evaporator 484, or the refrigerant supplied to adjust the cold air supplied to the refrigerating chamber (R) and the freezing chamber (F). Can be blocked.

The independent cooling refrigerator supplies the first blowing fan 620 for supplying the cold air generated in the first evaporator 482 to the refrigerating chamber R, and the cold air generated in the second evaporator 484 to the freezing chamber F. A second blowing fan 640 is provided. In the present exemplary embodiment, the first blowing fan 620 is installed in the inner case 200 that defines the refrigerating chamber R to blow cold air generated by the first evaporator 482 into the refrigerating chamber R, and the second blowing fan. 640 is installed in the inner case 200 defining the freezer compartment F to blow cold air generated by the second evaporator 484 into the freezer compartment F.

Cold air is supplied to the refrigerating chamber (R) and the freezing chamber (F) through the refrigerating cycle (400) having such a configuration, the cold air supplied to the refrigerating chamber (R) and the freezing chamber (F) by the refrigerant compressed in the compressor (420) The cooling power may be adjusted, and the cooling amount may be adjusted by the first blowing fan 620 or the second blowing fan 640.

2 is a configuration diagram of a cooling cycle of the independent cooling refrigerator of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the cooling cycle 400 includes a compressor 420 for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser 440 for condensing the compressed refrigerant, and a condensation fan 660 for dissipating the condenser 440. ), And the condensed refrigerant to the first evaporator (consisting of the first evaporator 482, expansion means 462) and the second evaporator (second evaporator 484, expansion means 464, accumulator And a three-way valve 500 for forming and blocking a flow path to the 700 and a check valve 720, a first evaporator part, and a second evaporator part.

The refrigeration cycle 400 includes a refrigerant passage through the first evaporator and a refrigerant passage through the second evaporator. The refrigerator compartment R is cooled by the refrigerant passage through the first evaporator, and the freezer compartment F is cooled by the refrigerant passage through the second evaporator. Means for selecting one of the two refrigerant flow passages, or selecting all or blocking all are made by the three-way valve (500). The three-way valve 500 forms or closes a refrigerant passage under the control of the controller 30 shown in FIG. 3.

3 is a block diagram of an independent cooling refrigerator according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the defrosting apparatus 10 of the independent cooling refrigerator includes a refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 12 that detects a temperature of the refrigerator compartment R, and a freezer compartment temperature sensor 14 that senses a temperature of the freezer compartment F. And a refrigerator compartment defrost sensor 16 for generating a defrost signal for the first evaporator 482 for cooling the refrigerator compartment R, and a refrigerator compartment defrost heater 18 for performing defrost for the first evaporator 482. And a freezer compartment defrost sensor 20 generating a defrost signal for the second evaporator 484 that cools the freezer compartment F, and a freezer compartment defrost heater 22 that performs defrost for the second evaporator 484. And a fan driver 24 for driving the operation of the refrigerator compartment blowing fan 620, the freezer compartment blower fan 640, and the condensation fan 660, a valve driver 26 driving the three-way valve 500, and a compressor. The compressor drive 28 for driving the compression / expansion stroke for 420 and the above-described components are controlled for the refrigerator compartment R and the freezer compartment F. It comprises a control unit 30 so that cooling is done. However, in FIG. 3, a power supply unit for supplying power to each component is not shown. However, the description of the power supply unit is omitted because it is clearly recognized by those skilled in the art.

The refrigerating compartment temperature sensor 12 and the freezing compartment temperature sensor 14 are mounted on the side walls of the refrigerating compartment R and the freezing compartment F, respectively, to detect the internal temperatures Tr and Tf of the refrigerating compartment R and the freezing compartment F, respectively. Then, the sensed temperature is applied to the controller 30. The temperature detection by the refrigerating compartment temperature sensor 12 and the freezer compartment temperature sensor 14 may be performed according to a detection command from the control unit 30, or may be independently performed without receiving the detection command.

The refrigerating compartment defrost sensor 16 and the freezing compartment defrost sensor 20 are sensors that change their resistance in response to the temperatures of the first evaporator 482 and the second evaporator 484. Since the first evaporator 482 and the second evaporator 484 cool by the evaporative heat taken from the surroundings when the refrigerant evaporates, the first evaporator 482 and the second evaporator are cooled by the moisture around them. Is caught in (484). Accordingly, the controller 30 may use different current values when the defrost signal corresponding to the resistance value according to the temperature of the first evaporator 482 and the second evaporator 484 is applied to the same voltage. Is detected and the same current is applied, so that different voltage values are detected) from the refrigerator compartment defrost sensor 16 and the freezer compartment defrost sensor 20.

The refrigerating compartment defrost heater 18 and the freezer compartment defrost heater 22 are respectively heated in the first evaporator 482 and the second evaporator 484 according to an operation signal (for example, a HIGH signal) from the control unit 30. Means to supply. This heat supply removes frost and the like generated by freezing moisture around the first evaporator 482 and the second evaporator 484.

The fan driver 24 is a means for driving the refrigerating compartment blowing fan 620, the freezing compartment blowing fan 640, and the condensing fan 660 according to a driving command from the control unit 30. It may be made of, or may be provided in plurality in correspondence with each blowing fan (620, 640) and the condensation fan (660).

The valve driver 26 controls the opening and blocking of the three-way valve 500, but controls the formation of the refrigerant passage to the first evaporator portion, the formation of the refrigerant passage to the second evaporator portion, and the blocking of each of the three way valves 500 from the controller 30. Execute according to the driving command of.

The compressor driver 28 drives the compressor 420. For example, when the compressor 420 is a linear compressor, the generation of the PWM signal for the application of the driving voltage, the application of the PWM signal, and the like are performed according to the command of the controller 30. Perform.

The control unit 30 receives a refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 12, a refrigerator compartment detection temperature Tr, which is a detection temperature from the freezer compartment temperature sensor 14, and a freezer compartment detection temperature Tf, by default. The necessity of cooling of the refrigerator compartment R and the freezer compartment F is determined by comparing the set temperature Trr and the freezer compartment sensing temperature Tfr, respectively. In accordance with the determination of the cooling, the control unit 30 applies a driving command to the valve driving unit 26 to form and block the refrigerant flow path to the first evaporator unit and / or the second evaporator unit. When the refrigerant flow path is formed and blocked, the controller 30 performs driving / blocking of the compressor 420 so that the refrigerant flow path is efficiently formed and blocked.

In particular, when the controller 30 forms the refrigerant passage to the first evaporator section after forming the refrigerant passage to the second evaporator section, the second evaporator 484 of the second evaporator section, the accumulator 700, and the like. Since the refrigerant remains inside, it is necessary to transfer all of the refrigerant to the compressor 420 and the condenser 440. Therefore, the control unit 30 causes the three-way valve 500 to block both the first evaporator unit and the second evaporator unit, and operates the compressor 420 to supply the refrigerant remaining in the second evaporator unit to the compressor 420 or the like. Perform the pump down operation, which is the operation to transfer to the motor. Thus, the controller 30 controls the three-way valve 500 to transfer the refrigerant remaining in the second evaporator unit to the compressor 420, so that the refrigerant flow path to the first evaporator unit is formed. , To cool the refrigerating chamber (R).

In addition, the control unit 30 corresponds to the formation and blocking of the refrigerant flow path to the first evaporator unit and / or the second evaporator unit, so that the first blowing fan 620, the second blowing fan 640, and the condensation fan 660 are formed. The driving command is applied to the fan driving unit 24 to drive the fan, so that the cooling of the refrigerator compartment R and the freezer compartment F is performed quickly.

In addition, the controller 30 is applied to the defrost signal detected by the refrigerator compartment defrost sensor 16 and the freezer compartment defrost sensor 20, and compares the previously stored defrost conditions (for example, a reference voltage value and a current value). When the defrost condition is satisfied, an operation signal is applied to the refrigerating compartment defrost heater 18 and / or the freezer compartment defrost heater 22 so that defrosting of the corresponding evaporator is performed, and thus the first evaporator 482 and / or defrosting is performed. Allow defrost for the evaporator 484 to be performed.

4 is a flowchart of a defrosting method of an independent cooling refrigerator according to the present invention.

In detail, in step S101, the control unit 30 receives the defrost signal from the refrigerator compartment defrost sensor 16. As described above, the defrost signal from the refrigerating compartment defrost sensor 16 may be recognized by the controller 30 in real time.

In step S102, the controller 30 determines whether the received defrost signal meets a predetermined defrost condition. If the received defrosting signal satisfies the predetermined defrosting condition, the process proceeds to step S103. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S101 to perform an ongoing operation (cooling or stopping) until an additional defrosting signal is received. .

In step S103, the controller 30 applies a driving command to the refrigerating compartment defrost heater 18 so that the refrigerating compartment defrost heater 18 supplies heat to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 482 to perform defrosting. In the heat supply by the refrigerating compartment defrost heater 18, the controller 30 allows power from a power supply unit (not shown) to be supplied to the refrigerating compartment defrost heater 18.

At this time, the control unit 30 blocks the refrigerant flow path to the refrigerator compartment evaporator 482 when the refrigerant passage is formed in the refrigerator compartment evaporator 482 and cooling to the refrigerator compartment R is performed. That is, the control unit 30 applies a driving command to the valve driving unit 26 to shut off the refrigerant flow path to the first evaporator, and thus the valve driving unit 26 causes the three-way valve 500 to the first evaporator. Block it. At this time, the control unit 30 applies a stop command to the fan driving unit 24 to stop the driving of the refrigerator compartment blowing fan 620 corresponding to the first evaporator unit together.

In step S104, the controller 30 supplies heat to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 482 for a set time to the refrigerating compartment defrost heater 18. The controller 30 proceeds to step S105 after this set time has elapsed. Here, the set time corresponds to a time short of the complete defrost of the refrigerating chamber evaporator 482, and defrosting is not completely performed by heat supply during the set time, but some thawing is performed.

In step S105, the control unit 30 applies a drive stop command to the refrigerator compartment defrost heater 18. This drive stop command corresponds to blocking the control unit 30 from applying power from the power supply unit to the refrigerating chamber defrost heater 18. As a result, the power consumed as heat in the defrosting process of the refrigerating chamber R is substantially reduced.

In step S106, the controller 30 applies a driving command to the refrigerating chamber blowing fan 620 to the fan driving unit 24, and the fan driving unit 24 drives the refrigerating chamber blowing fan 620. By the rotation of the refrigerating chamber blowing fan 620, the thawing state made to some extent in the refrigerator evaporator 482 is promoted by the heat supplied in steps S103 and S104, and at the same time, water in the process of thawing and defrosting is stored in the refrigerating chamber ( R) is supplied inside to improve the humidity in the refrigerating chamber (R).

In step S107, the controller 30 determines whether the defrost for the refrigerating compartment evaporator 482 is completed. This determination is terminated because the control unit 30 receives the defrost signal from the refrigerating compartment defrost sensor 16 in real time and the defrost signal does not meet the predetermined defrost condition, and thus the defrost is eliminated. If is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S106 and defrosting by the refrigerating chamber blowing fan 620 is continued.

The present invention of such a configuration has the effect of performing a predetermined defrost while reducing the power consumption made during defrosting.

In addition, the present invention is to use the moisture generated during defrosting to maintain the moisture in the refrigerating chamber, there is a moisturizing effect on the refrigerating chamber.

Claims (7)

In the defrosting apparatus of the independent refrigeration refrigerator having a first and a second evaporator for cooling the freezing space and the refrigerating space, respectively, and a first and a second blowing fan for circulating the cold air by the first evaporator and the second evaporator, respectively. The defrosting device is: A heat source supply unit supplying heat to the second evaporator for a predetermined time; And a control unit for driving the second blower fan after the predetermined time period. The method of claim 1, The control unit is a defrosting apparatus of the independent cooling refrigerator, characterized in that for supplying power to the heat source supply for the predetermined time. The method of claim 1, The defrosting apparatus has a defrost sensor unit for generating a defrost signal according to the temperature of the second evaporator, the control unit defrost apparatus of the independent cooling refrigerator, characterized in that for operating the heat source supply unit in accordance with the defrost signal. The method of claim 1, The defrosting device includes a defrost sensor unit for generating a defrost signal according to the temperature of the second evaporator, and the control unit operates the second blowing fan until the defrost for the second evaporator is completed according to the defrost signal. Defrosting device of an independent cooling refrigerator, characterized in that. In the defrosting method of the independent cooling refrigerator having a first and a second evaporator for cooling the freezing space and the refrigerating space, respectively, and a first and a second blowing fan for circulating the cold air by the first evaporator and the second evaporator, respectively. The defrosting method is: Applying heat to the second evaporator; And driving the second blower fan after applying the heat. The method of claim 5, The defrosting method includes determining whether defrosting has been completed for the second evaporator, and the independent cooling step is performed until the defrosting of the second evaporator is completed. Defrost method of the refrigerator. The method of claim 6, The defrosting method of the independent cooling refrigerator, characterized in that the step of applying the heat to supply power to the heat source generator for supplying the heat.

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