KR20150145852A - A refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a control method thereof. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator comprises: a compressor to compress a refrigerant; a condenser to condense the refrigerant compressed by the compressor; a refrigerant pipe to guide a flow of the refrigerant condensed by the condenser; a valve device which is mounted on the refrigerant pipe, and branches the refrigerant into a plurality of refrigerant passages; a plurality of expansion devices which are installed on the refrigerant passages, and reduce a pressure of the refrigerant condensed by the condenser; a plurality of vaporizers to vaporize the refrigerant whose pressure is reduced by the expansion devices; and a supercooling heat exchanger installed on an outlet side of the condenser to supercool the refrigerant. The refrigerant supercooled by the supercooling heat exchanger flows into the valve device.

Description

A refrigerator and a control method thereof

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a control method thereof.

Generally, a refrigerator is provided with a plurality of storage chambers for storing foodstuffs to be frozen or refrigerated, and one side of the storage chamber is opened to receive and take out the foodstuffs. The plurality of storage rooms include a freezer room for refrigerated storage of food and a refrigerated room for refrigerated storage of food.

In the refrigerator, the refrigeration system in which the refrigerant circulates is driven. The apparatus constituting the refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. The evaporator may include a first evaporator provided at one side of the refrigerating compartment and a second evaporator provided at one side of the freezing compartment.

The cold air stored in the refrigerating chamber is cooled while passing through the first evaporator, and the cooled cold air can be supplied to the refrigerating chamber again. The cold air stored in the freezing chamber is cooled while passing through the second evaporator, and the cooled cold air can be supplied to the freezing chamber again.

Thus, the conventional refrigerator is configured such that independent cooling is performed through a plurality of storage rooms through separate evaporators.

In this connection, the present applicant has been granted a patent (Prior Patent Registration No. 10-1275184, registered on June 10, 2013).

The refrigeration system according to the preceding patent discloses a compressor 140, a condenser 150, a refrigerant supply means 170, expansion devices 113 and 123, a first evaporator 110 and a second evaporator 120. The first evaporator 110 and the second evaporator 120 are understood as a heat exchanger provided to cool a separate storage room, respectively.

The refrigerant supply means 170 may be a three-way valve and the refrigerant introduced into the refrigerant supply means 170 may be guided by the first evaporator 110 or the second evaporator 120.

That is, in the above patent, the refrigerant is selectively supplied to the first evaporator 110 or the second evaporator 120 to perform cooling of one of the plurality of storage chambers and to stop cooling of the other storage chamber do.

Thus, conventionally, the plurality of storage chambers are not cooled at the same time, but the one storage chamber and the other storage chamber are selectively or alternately cooled.

In this case, the storage room in which the cooling is performed can maintain an appropriate range of temperature, but the temperature of the storage room that is not cooled increases, resulting in a problem of being out of the normal range.

When the temperature of the other storage chamber is detected to be out of the normal range in a state where the cooling of the one storage chamber is required, the other storage chamber can not be cooled immediately.

As a result, in the structure in which the storage compartment is to be independently cooled, it is not possible to supply the refrigerator in the right place in a timely manner, and a refrigerant shortage phenomenon occurs during operation, thereby lowering the operation efficiency of the refrigerator.

In order to solve such a problem, the present embodiment aims to provide a refrigerator and its control method capable of simultaneously operating a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment and improving system efficiency.

The refrigerator according to the present embodiment includes a compressor for compressing refrigerant; A condenser for condensing the refrigerant compressed in the compressor; A refrigerant pipe for guiding the flow of the refrigerant condensed in the condenser; A valve device coupled to the refrigerant pipe for branching the refrigerant into a plurality of refrigerant channels; A plurality of expansion devices installed in the plurality of refrigerant channels for reducing the pressure of the refrigerant condensed in the condenser; A plurality of evaporators for evaporating the refrigerant decompressed in the plurality of expansion devices; And a supercooling heat exchanger installed at an outlet side of the condenser for supercooling the refrigerant, wherein the refrigerant supercooled in the supercooling heat exchanger flows into the valve device.

The supercooling heat exchanger is configured to perform heat exchange between the refrigerant of the refrigerant pipe passing through the condenser and the refrigerant flowing in one refrigerant channel of the plurality of refrigerant channels.

Further, the one refrigerant passage is provided with an expansion device for reducing the pressure of the refrigerant.

The one refrigerant flow path is connected to another refrigerant flow path in the plurality of refrigerant flow paths after passing through the supercooling heat exchanger.

The plurality of evaporators include a first evaporator for cooling one of the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment; And a second evaporator for cooling the other storage room of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment.

Further, the plurality of refrigerant channels may include: a first refrigerant channel for guiding refrigerant into the first evaporator; A second refrigerant flow path for guiding refrigerant into the second evaporator; And a third refrigerant passage for guiding the inflow of the refrigerant into the first evaporator and passing through the supercooling heat exchanger.

The one storage room may be a refrigerator, and the other storage compartment may be a freezer compartment.

The plurality of expansion devices may further include: a first expansion device installed in the first refrigerant passage; A second expansion device installed in the second refrigerant passage; And a third expansion device installed in the third refrigerant passage.

Also, at least one of the first to third expansion devices may be a capillary tube.

In addition, the valve device is a four-way valve.

The compressor further includes: a first compressor installed at an outlet side of the first evaporator; And a second compressor installed at an outlet side of the second evaporator.

The valve device is characterized in that it operates to open at least two refrigerant passages out of the first to third refrigerant passages according to the operation mode.

A control method of a refrigerator including a compressor, a condenser, a refrigerating chamber side evaporator, and a freezing chamber side evaporator, includes the steps of: operating a compressor to operate a refrigeration cycle, and the refrigerant passing through the condenser is supplied to a supercooling heat exchanger Through which supercooling is performed; And controlling a valve device disposed at an outlet side of the condenser according to an operation mode of the refrigerator. The operation mode of the refrigerator includes a simultaneous operation mode of the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber, a refrigerating chamber operation mode, and a cooling chamber operation mode The refrigerant passing through the valve device is branched into at least two refrigerant flow paths according to the simultaneous operation mode, the refrigerating chamber operating mode, and the cooling chamber operating mode.

In addition, the outlet side of the valve device may further include a first refrigerant passage for guiding the inflow of the refrigerant to the refrigerating chamber side evaporator; A second refrigerant flow path for guiding refrigerant flow into the freezing chamber side evaporator; And a third refrigerant passage through which the refrigerant is introduced into the refrigerating chamber side evaporator and the supercooling heat exchanger.

Further, when the simultaneous operation mode is performed, the valve device is controlled to open the first to third refrigerant channels.

Further, when the refrigerating compartment operation mode is performed, the valve device is controlled to open the first and third refrigerant passages.

Further, when the freezing compartment operation mode is performed, the valve device is controlled to open the second and third refrigerant passages.

According to the proposed embodiment, since the evaporators disposed in the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber can be simultaneously operated, simultaneous cooling of the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber can be effectively performed, thereby preventing cooling loss due to alternating operation of the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber The deviation of the internal temperature can be minimized.

Further, the number of the refrigerant flow paths connected to the inlet side of the first evaporator is formed to be larger than the number of the refrigerant flow paths provided at the inlet side of the second evaporator, and each refrigerant flow path is provided with an expansion device to control the refrigerant flow .

In addition, since the refrigerant flowing into the inlet side of the first evaporator or the second evaporator can be supercooled by branching the refrigerant of at least a part of the refrigerant at the outlet side of the condenser and decompressing the branched refrigerant, system efficiency is improved and power consumption is reduced There is an advantage that it can be.

In addition, even if the second evaporator-side single operation is performed, since some of the refrigerant can flow into the first evaporator after passing through the supercooling heat exchanger, the first evaporator-side storage chamber can be cooled.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a view showing a part of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a rear view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
4 is a system diagram showing a refrigeration cycle configuration of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a flow chart showing a control method of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a graph showing a PH diagram of a refrigerant circulating in a refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a system diagram showing a refrigeration cycle configuration of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the spirit of the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown and that those skilled in the art, upon reading and understanding the spirit of the invention, may easily suggest other embodiments within the scope of the same concept.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a view showing a part of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. Fig. 8 is a rear view of a refrigerator according to an example.

1 to 3, a refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 11 forming a storage chamber. The storage chamber includes a refrigerating chamber 20 and a freezing chamber 30. For example, the refrigerating chamber 20 may be disposed above the freezing chamber 30. [ However, the position of the freezing chamber 20 and the freezing chamber 30 is not limited thereto.

The refrigerating chamber (20) and the freezing chamber (30) may be partitioned by a partition wall (28).

The refrigerator 10 includes a refrigerating chamber door 25 for opening and closing the refrigerating chamber 20 and a freezing chamber door 35 for opening and closing the freezing chamber 30. The refrigerator compartment door 25 is hinged to the main body 10 and is rotatable. The freezer compartment door 35 can be pulled out in a drawer type.

The main body 11 is provided with an outer case 12 forming an outer appearance of the refrigerator 10 and at least a part of the inner surface of the refrigerating chamber 20 or the freezing chamber 30 disposed inside the outer case 12 And an inner case 13 for forming the inner case. A heat insulating material (not shown) may be provided between the outer case 12 and the inner case 13.

A cold room discharging unit 22 for discharging cold air into the refrigerating chamber 20 is formed on a rear wall of the refrigerating chamber 20. Although not shown in the drawings, a freezer compartment cooler discharge unit for discharging cool air into the freezer compartment 30 may be formed on a rear wall of the freezer compartment 30. [

The refrigerator 10 includes a plurality of evaporators 150 and 160 for independently cooling the refrigerating compartment 20 and the freezing compartment 30, respectively. The plurality of evaporators 150 and 160 include a first evaporator 150 for cooling one of the refrigerating compartment 20 and the freezing compartment 30 and a second evaporator 160 for cooling the other compartment .

For example, the first evaporator 150 may be a refrigerator compartment evaporator for cooling the refrigerating compartment 20, and the second evaporator 160 may be a freezer compartment evaporator for cooling the freezing compartment 30. In this embodiment, since the refrigerating chamber 20 is disposed above the freezing chamber 30, the first evaporator 150 may be disposed above the second evaporator 160.

The first evaporator 150 may be disposed at the rear side of the rear wall of the refrigerating chamber 20 and the second evaporator 160 may be disposed at a rear side of the rear wall of the freezing chamber 30. The cold air generated by the first evaporator 150 is supplied to the refrigerating chamber 20 through the refrigerating chamber discharging unit 22 and the cold air generated by the second evaporator 160 is discharged through the freezing chamber discharging unit And can be supplied to the freezing chamber 30.

The first evaporator 150 includes a first refrigerant tube 151 through which refrigerant flows, a first fin 152 coupled to the first refrigerant tube 151 to increase a heat exchange area between the refrigerant and the fluid, A first fixing bracket 153 for fixing the first refrigerant tube 151 is included. The first fixing bracket 153 may be provided on both sides of the refrigerant tube 151.

The second evaporator 160 includes a second refrigerant tube 161 through which the refrigerant flows, a second fin 162 coupled to the second refrigerant tube 161 to increase a heat exchange area between the refrigerant and the fluid, And a fixing bracket 163 for fixing the second refrigerant tube 161 is included. The plurality of fixing brackets 163 may be provided on both sides of the second refrigerant tube 161.

The first and second fixing brackets 153 and 163 fix both side portions of the first and second refrigerant tubes 151 and 161 so that the first and second refrigerant tubes 151 and 161 Thereby preventing the two refrigerant tubes 151 and 161 from shaking. For example, the first and second refrigerant tubes 161 may be arranged to pass through the first and second fixing brackets 153 and 163, respectively.

One side of the first and second evaporators 150 and 160 filters the liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant evaporated in the first and second evaporators 150 and 160 and supplies the vapor refrigerant to the first compressor 111 and the second compressor 115 Liquid separator 170 is provided.

The refrigerator 10 includes a machine room 50 in which a main component of the refrigerator is installed at a rear lower portion of the refrigerator 10, that is, behind the freezer chamber 30. For example, in the machine room 50, a compressor and a condenser are installed.

3, a plurality of compressors 111 and 115 for compressing the refrigerant and a condenser 120 (see FIG. 4) for condensing the refrigerant compressed by the compressors 111 and 115 are installed in the machine room 50 . The plurality of compressors 111 and 115 and the condenser 120 may be placed on the base 51 of the machine room 50. The base (51) forms the bottom surface of the machine room (50).

The machine room 50 is provided with a valve device 130 as a "flow regulating part" capable of regulating the flow direction of the refrigerant so as to supply the refrigerant to the first evaporator 150 and the second evaporator 160 Respectively.

The amount of refrigerant flowing into the first evaporator 150 and the second evaporator 160 may be varied according to the control of the valve device 130. In other words, depending on the control state of the valve device 130, the refrigerant may be discharged to any one of the first evaporator 150 and the second evaporator 160. The valve device 130 may include a four way valve.

The machine room (50) is provided with a dryer (180) for removing moisture or impurities contained in the refrigerant condensed in the condenser (120). The dryer 180 may temporarily store the liquid refrigerant introduced into the dryer 180. Since the dryer 180 is installed between the condenser 120 and the valve device 130, the refrigerant that has passed through the dryer 180 can be introduced into the valve device 130.

4 is a system diagram illustrating a refrigeration cycle configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, a refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of devices for driving a refrigeration cycle.

In detail, the refrigerator 10 includes a plurality of compressors 111 and 115 for compressing refrigerant, a condenser 120 for condensing the refrigerant compressed by the compressors 111 and 115, A plurality of expansion devices 141, 143 and 145 for reducing the refrigerant and a plurality of evaporators 150 and 160 for evaporating the refrigerant decompressed in the plurality of expansion devices 141, 143 and 145.

The refrigerator 10 includes a refrigerant pipe 100 connecting the plurality of compressors 111 and 115, the condenser 120, the expansion devices 141 and 143 and the evaporators 150 and 160 to guide the flow of the refrigerant.

The plurality of compressors 111 and 115 include a second compressor 115 disposed on the low pressure side and a first compressor 111 further compressing the refrigerant compressed by the second compressor 115.

The first compressor 111 and the second compressor 115 are connected in series. That is, the outlet refrigerant pipe of the second compressor 115 is connected to the inlet side of the first compressor 111.

The plurality of evaporators 150 and 160 include a first evaporator 150 for generating cold air to be supplied to one of the refrigerating and freezing compartments and a second evaporator 160 for generating cold air to be supplied to the other storage compartment, .

For example, the first evaporator 150 generates cold air to be supplied to the refrigerating chamber, and may be disposed at one side of the refrigerating chamber. The second evaporator 160 generates cold air to be supplied to the freezer compartment, and may be disposed at one side of the freezer compartment. Therefore, the first evaporator 150 may be referred to as a " refrigerating chamber side evaporator "and the second evaporator 160 may be referred to as a " freezing chamber side evaporator. &Quot;

The temperature of the cool air supplied to the freezer compartment may be lower than the temperature of the cool air supplied to the refrigerating compartment so that the refrigerant evaporation pressure of the second evaporator 160 may be lower than the refrigerant evaporation pressure of the first evaporator 150 have.

The outlet refrigerant pipe 100 of the second evaporator 160 extends to the inlet side of the second compressor 115. Therefore, the refrigerant having passed through the second evaporator 160 can be sucked into the second compressor 115.

The outlet refrigerant pipe 100 of the first evaporator 150 is connected to the outlet refrigerant pipe of the second compressor 115. Accordingly, the refrigerant that has passed through the first evaporator 150 is combined with the refrigerant compressed by the second compressor 115, and can be sucked into the first compressor 111.

The plurality of expansion devices 141, 143 and 145 includes a first expansion device 141 and a third expansion device 145 for expanding the refrigerant to be introduced into the first evaporator 150, And a second expansion device 143 for expanding the refrigerant to be introduced. The first to third expansion devices 141, 143, and 145 may include a capillary tube.

A plurality of refrigerant passages (101, 105) for guiding the inflow of refrigerant into the first evaporator (150) are provided at the inlet side of the first evaporator (150).

The first refrigerant passage (101) in which the first expansion device (141) is installed and the third refrigerant passage (105) in which the third expansion device (145) are installed are included in the plurality of refrigerant passages (101, 105) . The first and third refrigerant passages 101 and 105 may be referred to as a "first evaporation flow passage" in that they guide the inflow of the refrigerant to the first evaporator 150. [

The refrigerant flowing in the first refrigerant passage 101 is decompressed in the first expansion device 141 and the refrigerant flowing in the third refrigerant passage 105 is decompressed in the third expansion device 145 and is subjected to supercooling heat exchange The heat exchanger 200 is operated. The refrigerant heat-exchanged in the supercooling heat exchanger 200 may be mixed with the refrigerant decompressed in the first expansion device 141 and then introduced into the first evaporator 150.

Therefore, it can be understood that the third refrigerant passage 105 is a "supercooling passage" for guiding the refrigerant to the supercooling heat exchanger 200.

A second refrigerant passage 103 for guiding refrigerant into the second evaporator 160 is provided at an inlet side of the second evaporator 160. The second expansion device (143) may be installed in the second refrigerant passage (103). The second refrigerant passage 103 may be referred to as a "second evaporation passage" in that it guides the inflow of the refrigerant to the second evaporator 160.

The first to third refrigerant channels 101, 103, and 105 may be understood as a "branch channel" branched from the refrigerant pipe 100.

The refrigerator (10) further includes a valve device (130) for branching and introducing the refrigerant into at least two of the first to third refrigerant passages (101, 103, 105). The valve device 130 can be understood as an apparatus for controlling the flow of the refrigerant so that the first and second evaporators 150 and 160 operate simultaneously, that is, the refrigerant is simultaneously introduced into the first and second evaporators 150.

The valve device 130 includes a four-way valve having one inflow portion into which the refrigerant flows and three outflow portions through which the refrigerant is discharged.

The first to third refrigerant passages (101, 103, 105) are connected to the three outflow portions of the valve device (130). Accordingly, the refrigerant passing through the valve device 130 is branched into at least two refrigerant channels of the first to third refrigerant channels 101, 103, and 105, and at least two of the first to third expansion devices 141, 143, Lt; / RTI >

The valve device 130 can be controlled so that the refrigerant can be discharged to any evaporator depending on the operation mode of the refrigerator. Here, the operation mode of the refrigerator includes a "simultaneous operation mode" in which the refrigeration operation of the refrigerating and freezing compartments is performed, a "refrigeration chamber operation mode" .

For example, when the simultaneous operation mode is performed, the refrigerant is supplied to the first evaporator 150 and the second evaporator 160. The valve device 130 may be controlled such that the refrigerant is branched and supplied to the first to third refrigerant passages 101, 103, and 105. That is, the valve device 130 can be operated such that all of the three outlet portions are opened.

Since more refrigerant flow paths 101 and 105 are formed at the inlet side of the first evaporator 150 compared to the inlet side refrigerant flow path 103 of the second evaporator 160 when the three outlet portions are opened, The refrigerant can flow relatively to the first evaporator 150 relative to the second evaporator 160. [ As a result, the refrigerant can be discharged to the first evaporator 150, for example, the refrigerating compartment evaporator 150.

As another example, when the refrigerating chamber operating mode is performed, the refrigerant is supplied to the first evaporator 150. [ The valve device 130 may be controlled such that refrigerant is branched and supplied to the first refrigerant passage 101 and the third refrigerant passage 105. That is, the valve device 130 may be operated to open two outlet portions connected to the first and third refrigerant passages 101 and 105.

When two outflow ports connected to the first and third refrigerant passages 101 and 105 are opened, the refrigerant flow to the second evaporator 160 is limited and the refrigerant can flow to the first evaporator 150. As a result, the refrigerant can be discharged to the first evaporator 150, for example, the refrigerating compartment evaporator 150.

As another example, when the freezer compartment operation mode is performed, the refrigerant is supplied to the first evaporator 150 and the second evaporator 160. The valve device 130 may be controlled so that the refrigerant is branched and supplied to the second refrigerant passage 103 and the third refrigerant passage 105. That is, the valve device 130 may be operated to open two outlet portions connected to the second and third refrigerant passages 103 and 105.

When two outlet portions connected to the second and third refrigerant passages 103 and 105 are opened, the refrigerant may flow into the first evaporator 150 and the second evaporator 160.

As described above, according to the operation mode of the refrigerator, the refrigerant is branched and flows into at least two refrigerant channels of the first to third refrigerant channels (101, 103, 105), and the third refrigerant channel (105) .

The diameters of the first to third expansion devices 141, 143, and 145 may be determined to be appropriate values for controlling the amount of branching of the refrigerant, that is, the amount of leaning toward the first evaporator 150 or the second evaporator 160. The larger the diameter of the expansion device, the greater the amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant passage in which the expansion device is installed.

For example, the diameter of the third expansion device 145 may be smaller than the diameter of the first expansion device 141 or the second expansion device 143.

In this case, in the simultaneous operation mode, all of the first to third refrigerant passages (101, 103, 105) are opened and the refrigerant is branched more toward the first evaporator (150) side than the second evaporator can do. That is, the refrigerant may be discharged to the first evaporator 150.

In the refrigerating chamber operating mode, the first and third refrigerant passages 101 and 105 are opened, the refrigerant flow to the second evaporator 160 is restricted, and the refrigerant can flow toward the first evaporator 150 . That is, the refrigerant may be discharged to the first evaporator 150.

Since the second and third refrigerant channels 103 and 105 are opened and the diameter of the second expansion device 143 is formed to be larger than the diameter of the third expansion device 145 in the freezing room operation mode, The second evaporator 160 can be branched more toward the evaporator 150 side than the evaporator 150 side. That is, the refrigerant may be discharged to the second evaporator 160.

Since a predetermined amount of the refrigerant can flow into the first evaporator 150 and evaporate regardless of the operation mode of the refrigerator, the refrigerating operation of the refrigerating compartment, which is installed in the storage room in which the first evaporator 150 is installed, . Therefore, it is possible to prevent the phenomenon that the internal temperature of the refrigerating compartment rises sharply, particularly, the internal temperature of the refrigerating compartment suddenly increases during the freezing compartment driving mode.

The refrigerator (10) includes a blowing fan (125, 155, 165) provided at one side of the heat exchanger to blow air. A condensing fan 125 provided at one side of the condenser 120, a first evaporation fan 155 provided at one side of the first evaporator 150 and a second evaporation fan 155 provided at one side of the first evaporator 150 are installed in the blowing fans 125, And a second evaporation fan 165 provided on one side of the evaporation fan 165.

The heat exchange capacity of the first and second evaporators 150 and 160 may vary according to the rotation speed of the first and second evaporation fans 155 and 165. For example, when a large amount of cold air is generated due to the operation of the first evaporator 150, the rotation speed of the first evaporator fan 155 increases. When the cool air is sufficient, Can be reduced.

The refrigerator 10 further includes a supercooling heat exchanger 200 for supercooling the refrigerant flowing into the first evaporator 150 or the second evaporator 160. The supercooling heat exchanger 200 is installed at the outlet of the dryer 180 and the refrigerant passing through the dryer 180 flows into the supercooling heat exchanger 200.

The supercooling heat exchanger 200 may be configured to perform heat exchange between the refrigerant pipe 100 through which the refrigerant passing through the dryer 180 flows and the refrigerant in the third refrigerant passage 105. Since the third refrigerant passage 105 is a branched passage of the refrigerant pipe 100, the refrigerant pipe 100 serving as the "main pipe" and the third refrigerant pipe " It is understood that heat exchange takes place between the heat exchanger 105.

Since the refrigerant in the third refrigerant passage 105 is reduced in pressure by the third expansion device 145, the refrigerant in the third refrigerant passage 105 is lower in pressure than the refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe 100. Therefore, in the process of heat exchange in the supercool heat exchanger 200, the refrigerant in the third refrigerant passage 105 evaporates and the refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe 100 can be supercooled.

The third refrigerant passage (105) is connected to the first refrigerant passage (101) via the supercooling heat exchanger (200). Accordingly, the refrigerant in the third refrigerant passage 105 evaporated in the supercooling heat exchanger 200 is mixed with the refrigerant decompressed in the first expansion device 141, and flows into the first evaporator 150.

The refrigerant of the refrigerant pipe 100 which has passed through the supercooling heat exchanger 200 and is supercooled flows into the valve device 130 and flows into at least two of the first to third refrigerant passages 101, Lt; / RTI >

As a result, the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 120 is supercooled and flows into the valve device 130, and is decompressed in the first to third refrigerant passages 101, 103, 105 and the first to third expansion devices 141, 143, 145 The refrigerant can be introduced into the first evaporator 150 and the second evaporator 160, thereby increasing the amount of heat of evaporation and improving the system efficiency (see FIG. 6).

5 is a flow chart showing a control method of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. A control method of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

When the operation of the refrigerator is started, the first compressor (111) or the second compressor (115) is driven to circulate the refrigerant cycle. For example, when the operation mode of the refrigerator is the simultaneous operation mode, the first compressor 111 and the second compressor 115 are driven together. In the refrigerating chamber operating mode, only the first compressor 111 is driven. In the freezer compartment operation mode, the first and second compressors 111 and 115 may be driven together or only the first compressor 111 may be operated (S11).

The refrigerant cycle is circulated in accordance with the driving of the first compressor 111 or the second compressor 115 and the refrigerant passing through the condenser 120 can be supercooled while passing through the supercooling heat exchanger 200 S12).

The cooling mode of the storage room, that is, the operation mode of the refrigerator, can be recognized. The operation mode of the refrigerator may be varied during operation of the refrigerator (S13).

When the operation mode of the refrigerator is a simultaneous operation mode, the first to third refrigerant passages (101, 103, 105) are opened by controlling the flow regulating portion, that is, the valve device (130).

When the first to third refrigerant passages 101, 103 and 105 are opened, the refrigerant flowing in the first refrigerant passage 101 is reduced in pressure by the first expansion device 141 and introduced into the first evaporator 150 . The refrigerant flowing through the second refrigerant passage 103 is depressurized by the second expansion device 143 and flows into the second evaporator 160.

Meanwhile, the refrigerant flowing in the third refrigerant passage 105 is decompressed in the third expansion device 145, passes through the supercooling heat exchanger 200, and is mixed with the refrigerant in the first refrigerant passage 101 . At this time, the refrigerant of the refrigerant pipe 100 heat-exchanged with the third refrigerant passage 105 may be supercooled and may be introduced into the valve device 130 (S14, S15).

On the other hand, if the operation mode of the refrigerator is the refrigerating chamber operation mode, the first and third refrigerant passages (101, 105) are opened by controlling the flow regulating portion, that is, the valve device (130).

When the first and third refrigerant passages 101 and 105 are opened, the refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant passage 101 is reduced in pressure by the first expansion device 141 and introduced into the first evaporator 150. The refrigerant flow in the second refrigerant passage (103) is restricted.

Meanwhile, the refrigerant flowing in the third refrigerant passage 105 is decompressed in the third expansion device 145, passes through the supercooling heat exchanger 200, and is mixed with the refrigerant in the first refrigerant passage 101 . At this time, the refrigerant of the refrigerant pipe 100 heat-exchanged with the third refrigerant passage 105 may be supercooled and may be introduced into the valve device 130 (S16, S17).

If the operation mode of the refrigerator is the freezer compartment operation mode, the second and third refrigerant passages 103 and 105 are opened by controlling the flow control unit, that is, the valve device 130.

When the second and third refrigerant passages 103 and 105 are opened, the refrigerant flowing in the second refrigerant passage 103 is reduced in pressure by the second expansion device 143 and introduced into the second evaporator 160.

On the other hand, the refrigerant flowing in the third refrigerant passage 105 is reduced in pressure in the third expansion device 145, passes through the supercooling heat exchanger 200, and flows into the first refrigerant passage 101. The refrigerant in the first refrigerant passage (101) flows into the first evaporator (150) and can be evaporated.

Even if the outflow portion connected to the first refrigerant passage 101 is not opened among the three outflow portions of the valve device 130, the refrigerant flows through the third refrigerant passage 105 to the first refrigerant passage 101 The refrigerant can flow, and thus the operation of the first evaporator 150 can be performed.

At this time, the refrigerant of the refrigerant pipe 100 heat-exchanged with the third refrigerant passage 105 may be supercooled and may be introduced into the valve device 130 (S18, S19).

According to such a control method, since the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 120 can be supercooled, the amount of heat of evaporation in the evaporator can be increased, and the operation efficiency of the refrigerator can be improved. In addition, since the temperature of the storage room where the first evaporator 150 is installed, for example, the temperature of the refrigerator, does not rise sharply, the temperature deviation of the refrigerator compartment can be reduced.

6 is a graph showing a P-H diagram of a refrigerant circulating in a refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, when the supercooling heat exchanger 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is not provided, the refrigerant cycle is A-> B-> C-> D-> F-> I .

In detail, the refrigerant in the state A, which is sucked into the second compressor 115, indicates the state B after compression, and the refrigerant compressed in the first compressor 111 indicates the C state. The state of the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 120 indicates D,

Meanwhile, the refrigerant that has been reduced in pressure by the first expansion device 141 and the refrigerant that has been reduced in pressure by the third expansion device 145 among the refrigerants that have passed through the valve device 130 exhibits the F state, and the first evaporator 150 ) Indicates the state of the B refrigerant.

The refrigerant that has been reduced in pressure by the second expansion device 143 of the refrigerant passing through the valve device 130 represents the I state and the refrigerant evaporated in the second evaporator 160 represents the A state.

According to this conventional refrigerant cycle, the heat of evaporation at the sides of the first evaporator 150 and the second evaporator 160 forms h2-h1.

On the other hand, when the supercooling heat exchanger 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is provided, the refrigerant cycle circulates A-> B-> C-> D-> D '-> E-> H .

In detail, the refrigerant in the state A, which is sucked into the second compressor 115, indicates the state B after compression, and the refrigerant compressed in the first compressor 111 indicates the C state. The state of the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 120 indicates D,

The refrigerant that has been supercooled while passing through the supercooling heat exchanger 200 represents D '. The refrigerant in the D 'state flows into the valve device 130. At this time, the refrigerant flowing through the third refrigerant passage 105 is depressurized by the third expansion device 145 to exhibit an F state, and the refrigerant passes through the supercooling heat exchanger 200 to exhibit a G state.

The refrigerant passing through the valve device 130 is in an E state and is compressed by the first expansion device 141 to be connected to the refrigerant of the third refrigerant passage 105 in the G state, 150). The refrigerant evaporated in the first evaporator 150 exhibits the B state.

In the refrigerant passing through the valve device 130, the refrigerant depressurized by the second expansion device 143 is in the H state, and the refrigerant evaporated in the second evaporator 160 is in the A state.

According to the refrigerant cycle according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the amount of heat of evaporation at the sides of the first evaporator 150 and the second evaporator 160 forms h2-h1 '. Since the size of the h2-h1 'is larger than the h2-h1, the amount of heat of evaporation according to the present embodiment can be increased by? H as compared with the conventional example.

Therefore, the operating ability of the refrigerator is improved, and the power consumption can be relatively reduced in comparison with the same driving ability. As a result, the operation efficiency of the refrigerator is improved.

Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the present embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in a part of the constitution, differences will be mainly described.

7 is a system diagram showing a refrigeration cycle configuration of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the refrigerator 10a according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of devices for driving the refrigeration cycle.

In detail, the refrigerator 10a includes a compressor 110 for compressing refrigerant, a condenser 120 for condensing the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 110, a condenser 120 for condensing the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 120, A plurality of expansion devices 141, 143 and 145 for reducing the pressure and a plurality of evaporators 150 and 160 for evaporating the refrigerant decompressed in the plurality of expansion devices 141, 143 and 145.

The refrigerator 10 includes a refrigerant pipe 100 connecting the compressor 110, the condenser 120, the expansion devices 141, 143, 145 and the evaporators 150, 160 to guide the flow of the refrigerant.

A plurality of evaporators 150 and 160, a dryer 180, a refrigerant pipe 100, a valve device 130, first to third refrigerant channels (not shown) 101, 103, and 105), and the first to third expansion devices 141, 143, and 145, the description of the first embodiment is used.

The refrigerator 10a further includes a supercooling heat exchanger 200a. The supercooling heat exchanger 200a may perform heat exchange between the refrigerant of the refrigerant pipe 100 that has passed through the condenser 120 and the refrigerant of the third refrigerant passage 105. [ In this process, the refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe 100 can be supercooled, and the effect expected from the refrigerant can be as described in the first embodiment.

The refrigerant vaporized in the first evaporator 150 and the refrigerant evaporated in the second evaporator 160 may be combined and sucked into the one compressor 110.

The outlet of the second evaporator 160 is provided with a check valve 108 for guiding the unidirectional flow of the refrigerant. Specifically, the check valve 108 guides the refrigerant that has passed through the second evaporator 160 to flow into the compressor 110, and restricts the opposite flow. That is, the check valve 108 restricts the flow of the refrigerant having passed through the first evaporator 150 to the second evaporator 160, so that the first evaporator 150 and the second evaporator 150 160 may be sucked into the compressor (110).

According to such a configuration, the refrigerator according to the present embodiment has the effect of simplifying the structure of the apparatus and reducing the manufacturing cost as compared with the refrigerator provided with the plurality of compressors 111 and 115 described in the first embodiment.

10: Refrigerator 11: Body
12: outer case 13: inner case
100: refrigerant pipe 101: first refrigerant passage
103: second refrigerant passage 105: third refrigerant passage
111, 115: first and second compressors 120: condenser
130: valve device 141: first expansion device
143: second expansion device 145: third expansion device
150: first evaporator 160: second evaporator

Claims (17)

A compressor for compressing the refrigerant;
A condenser for condensing the refrigerant compressed in the compressor;
A refrigerant pipe for guiding the flow of the refrigerant condensed in the condenser;
A valve device coupled to the refrigerant pipe for branching the refrigerant into a plurality of refrigerant channels;
A plurality of expansion devices installed in the plurality of refrigerant channels for reducing the pressure of the refrigerant condensed in the condenser;
A plurality of evaporators for evaporating the refrigerant decompressed in the plurality of expansion devices; And
A supercooling heat exchanger installed at an outlet side of the condenser for supercooling the refrigerant,
And the refrigerant supercooled in the supercooling heat exchanger flows into the valve device. The method according to claim 1,
The supercooling heat exchanger
Wherein heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant of the refrigerant pipe that has passed through the condenser and the refrigerant that flows in one of the plurality of refrigerant channels. 3. The method of claim 2,
In the one refrigerant passage,
Wherein an expansion device for reducing the pressure of the refrigerant is installed. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the one refrigerant flow path is joined to another refrigerant flow path in the plurality of refrigerant flow paths after passing through the supercooling heat exchanger. The method according to claim 1,
In the plurality of evaporators,
A first evaporator for cooling one of the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment; And
And a second evaporator for cooling the other storage room of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the plurality of refrigerant passages
A first refrigerant passage for guiding refrigerant into the first evaporator;
A second refrigerant flow path for guiding refrigerant into the second evaporator; And
And a third refrigerant passage for guiding the inflow of the refrigerant into the first evaporator and passing through the supercooling heat exchanger. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the one storage room is a refrigerator compartment, and the other storage compartment is a freezer compartment. 6. The method of claim 5,
In the plurality of expansion devices,
A first expansion device installed in the first refrigerant passage;
A second expansion device installed in the second refrigerant passage; And
And a third expansion device installed in the third refrigerant passage. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein at least one of the first to third expansion devices is a capillary tube. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the valve device is a fourway valve. 6. The method of claim 5,
In the compressor,
A first compressor installed at an outlet side of the first evaporator; And
And a second compressor installed at an outlet side of the second evaporator. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the valve device comprises:
And operates to open at least two of the first to third refrigerant channels according to the operation mode. A control method of a refrigerator including a compressor, a condenser, a refrigerating chamber evaporator, and a freezing chamber evaporator,
The refrigeration cycle is operated by driving the compressor, the refrigerant passing through the condenser passes through the supercooling heat exchanger, and the supercooling is performed; And
Wherein a valve device disposed at an outlet side of the condenser is controlled in accordance with an operation mode of the refrigerator,
The operation mode of the refrigerator includes a simultaneous operation mode of the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber, a refrigerating chamber operation mode, and a cooling chamber operation mode,
Wherein the refrigerant passing through the valve device is branched into at least two refrigerant flow paths according to the simultaneous operation mode, the refrigerating chamber operating mode, and the cooling chamber operating mode. 14. The method of claim 13,
On the outlet side of the valve device,
A first refrigerant passage for guiding refrigerant into the refrigerating chamber side evaporator;
A second refrigerant flow path for guiding refrigerant flow into the freezing chamber side evaporator; And
And a third refrigerant passage through which the refrigerant flows into the refrigerating chamber side evaporator is guided and connected to the supercooling heat exchanger. 15. The method of claim 14,
When the simultaneous operation mode is performed,
Wherein the valve device is controlled to open the first to third refrigerant channels. 15. The method of claim 14,
When the refrigerating compartment operation mode is performed,
Wherein the valve device is controlled to open the first and third refrigerant channels. 15. The method of claim 14,
When the freezer compartment operation mode is performed,
Wherein the valve device is controlled to open the second and third refrigerant channels.

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