KR20170013765A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator comprises: a compressor compressing a refrigerant; a condenser condensing the refrigerant compressed by the compressor; a first expansion device decompressing the refrigerant condensed by the condenser; an evaporator evaporating the refrigerant decompressed by the first expansion device; a first valve device provided on an exit side of the compressor, and guiding the refrigerant compressed by the compressor to the condenser; a second valve device provided on an exit side of the condenser, and guiding the refrigerant condensed by the condenser to the evaporator; and a hot gas passage connected to the first valve device, and providing the refrigerant compressed by the compressor to the evaporator.

Description

Refrigerator {Refrigerator}

The present invention relates to a refrigerator.

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 cool air stored in the freezing chamber is cooled while passing through the evaporator, and is supplied to the freezing chamber again. At least a part of the cool air in the cooled cool air can be supplied to the freezing chamber.

Meanwhile, the conventional refrigerator may further include a defrost heater provided to remove frost that has been frozen in the evaporator. If the amount of impregnation of the evaporator increases, the heat exchange efficiency of the evaporator may be lowered. Therefore, if it is recognized that the evaporation amount of the evaporator is increased, the defrosting operation in which the defrost heater is driven can be performed. When the defrosting operation is performed, a predetermined amount of heat is supplied to the evaporator to remove the frost that is conceived in the evaporator.

 Bibliographic information on the prior art related to defrosting operation is as follows.

1. Application No. (filing date): 1997-020609 (May 26, 1997)

2. Description of the Invention: Defrost control device and control method of refrigerator

The above prior art is characterized in that the surface temperature of the evaporator is detected to determine the defrosting time of the evaporator and the defrost heater is operated.

However, according to this conventional technique, there is a problem that the cost for installing the defrost heater is large, and the power consumption for driving the defrost heater is increased.

In order to solve such a problem, the present embodiment is intended to provide a refrigerator capable of defrosting an evaporator that can perform defrosting using a high-temperature refrigerant.

The refrigerator according to the present embodiment includes a compressor for compressing refrigerant; A condenser for condensing the refrigerant compressed in the compressor; A first expansion device that decompresses the refrigerant condensed in the condenser; An evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant decompressed in the first expansion device; A first valve device provided on the outlet side of the compressor, for guiding the refrigerant compressed in the compressor to the condenser; A second valve device provided on the outlet side of the condenser, for guiding the refrigerant condensed in the condenser to the evaporator; And a hot gas flow path connected to the first valve device and supplying the refrigerant compressed by the compressor to the evaporator.

The hot gas passage may further include: a first connection passage extending from the first valve unit to the evaporator; And a second connection passage extending from the evaporator to the second valve device.

In addition, the first valve device includes four chambers provided with four ports.

The first valve device may further include: a first port connected to an outlet pipe of the compressor; And a second port connected to the inlet piping of the condenser.

The first valve device may further include a third port connected to the first connection passage.

The first valve device further includes a third connection path extending from the first valve device to a suction side pipe of the compressor, and the first valve device further includes a fourth port to which the third connection path is connected.

An evaporator inlet pipe provided with the first expansion device and guiding refrigerant into the evaporator; And an evaporator outlet pipe for guiding the refrigerant passing through the evaporator to the compressor.

The evaporator may further include: a first pipe connected to the evaporator inlet pipe; A second pipe connected to the first connection passage and the second connection passage; And a pin coupled to the first and second pipes.

In addition, the second valve device includes three chambers provided with three ports.

The second valve device may further include: a first port connected to a pipe connecting the condenser and the second valve device; And a second port connected to the evaporator inlet pipe.

The second valve device may further include a third port to which the second connection passage is connected.

The apparatus further includes a second expansion device installed in the second connection passage.

In addition, the first expansion device or the second expansion device includes a capillary tube.

In addition, in the first mode of operation, the first valve device operates to introduce refrigerant discharged from the compressor into the condenser, and the second valve device controls the refrigerant passing through the condenser to flow through the first expansion Into the device.

The first valve device operates to guide the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the hot gas flow path and to guide the refrigerant having passed through the condenser to the suction side pipe of the compressor in the second operation mode, And the second valve device is operated to guide the refrigerant of the hot gas passage to the condenser.

The refrigerator according to another aspect includes: a compressor for compressing the refrigerant; A condenser for condensing the refrigerant compressed in the compressor; A first expansion device that decompresses the refrigerant condensed in the condenser; An evaporator having a first pipe for evaporating the refrigerant decompressed in the first expansion device and a second pipe through which the refrigerant for defrosting flows; A first valve device provided on the outlet side of the compressor, for guiding the refrigerant compressed in the compressor to the condenser; A second valve device provided on the outlet side of the condenser, for guiding the refrigerant condensed in the condenser to the evaporator; A first connection passage extending from the first valve device to a second pipe of the evaporator; A second connection passage extending from the second pipe of the evaporator to the second valve device; And a second expansion device installed in the second connection passage.

The first valve device and the second valve device operate to limit the refrigerant flow in the first and second connection channels when the operation mode for cooling the storage chamber is performed.

Further, when performing the operation mode for defrosting the evaporator, the first valve device and the second valve device are operated to guide the refrigerant to flow through the first connection passage, the evaporator and the second connection passage .

According to the proposed embodiment, since defrosting of the evaporator can be performed using a high-temperature refrigerant (or hot gas), there is no need to install a conventional defrost heater, thereby reducing costs.

In particular, during the defrosting operation, the reverse cycle is driven so that the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows to the evaporator to be defrosted to perform the defrosting. During the defrosting, the refrigerant is condensed and then decompressed. .

In addition, a valve device is provided on the inlet side and the outlet side of the condenser, respectively, so that the flow of the refrigerant can be easily controlled during the normal operation and the defrost operation, so that the cooling operation of the storage chamber and the defrost operation of the evaporator can be effectively performed.

Further, the evaporator includes a first pipe through which the refrigerant to be evaporated flows, a second pipe through which the high-temperature refrigerant flows, and a pin to which the first and second pipes are coupled, and is generated in the evaporator using the high- The defrosting efficiency can be improved.

That is, as compared with the prior art in which the evaporator is defrosted by convection or radiation using a defrost heater, the heat of the high-temperature refrigerant can be transferred to the evaporator in a conduction manner, so that the defrost efficiency is improved, So that it is possible to prevent an excessive temperature rise in the storage chamber during the defrosting operation.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a part of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.
3 is a cycle diagram showing a configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is an enlarged view of a portion A in Fig.
5 is an enlarged view of a portion B in Fig.
FIG. 6 is a view showing a configuration of an evaporator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a view showing a state where the first and second pipes and the fins are coupled according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a cycle diagram showing the flow of refrigerant in the first mode of operation of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a cycle diagram illustrating a flow of refrigerant in a second operation mode of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 to 14 are graphs showing experimental results of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, performed according to set conditions.

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 illustrating a configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion A in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion B in FIG.

1 to 5, a refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet 11 forming a storage compartment. 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 front of the cabinet 10 so as to be rotatable. The freezer compartment door 35 can be pulled out in a drawer type.

Define the direction. The direction in which the refrigerator compartment door 25 is located is referred to as "forward" and the opposite direction is referred to as "rearward" with respect to the cabinet 10 of FIG. 1 and the direction toward the side surface of the cabinet 10 is defined as " do.

The cabinet 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 compartment 20 or the freezing compartment 30 disposed inside the outer case 12 And an inner case 13 for forming the inner case. The inner case (13) includes a refrigerating chamber side inner case forming an inner surface of the refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber side inner case forming an inner surface of the freezing chamber.

On the rear surface of the refrigerating chamber 20, a panel 15 is provided. The panel 15 may be installed at a position spaced forward from the rear portion of the refrigerating chamber side inner case 12.

The panel (15) is provided with a cold room discharge unit (22) for discharging cold air into the refrigerating chamber (20). For example, the refrigerating compartment cold air discharge unit 22 may be arranged to be connected to a substantially central portion of the panel 15 by a duct.

Although not shown in the drawing, a freezing chamber side panel is provided on a rear wall of the freezing chamber 30, and a freezing chamber discharge portion for discharging cold air into the freezing chamber 30 may be formed on the panel. An installation space in which the evaporator 150 is installed may be formed in the space between the panel and the rear part of the inner case of the freezing chamber.

The refrigerator 10 includes an evaporator 150 for cooling the refrigerating compartment 20 and the freezing compartment 30, respectively. The evaporator 150 is disposed on the rear side of the freezer compartment 30 and the cool air generated by the evaporator 150 flows through the refrigerator compartment 20 and the freezer compartment 20 through the refrigerator compartment cooler discharge unit 22 and the freezer compartment cooler discharge unit. 30, respectively.

The evaporator (150) may be engaged with the inner case (13). For example, the evaporator 150 includes hooks 162 and 167 (see FIG. 6) in which the inner case 13 is hooked.

The refrigerator (10) includes a plurality of devices for driving a refrigeration cycle.

In detail, the refrigerator 10 includes a compressor 101 for compressing the refrigerant, a condenser 102 for condensing the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 101, a plurality of expansion devices 105 and 106 for decompressing the refrigerant, And an evaporator 150 for evaporating the refrigerant.

The refrigerator 10 further includes a refrigerant pipe 100a connecting the compressor 101, the condenser 102, the expansion devices 105 and 106, and the evaporator 150 to guide the flow of the refrigerant.

The plurality of expansion devices 105 and 106 are provided with a first expansion device 105 for expanding the refrigerant to be introduced into the evaporator 110 in the first operation mode (cooling mode) of the refrigerator 10, And a second expansion device 106 for expanding the refrigerant to be introduced into the condenser 102 in the second operation mode (defrost mode). The first and second expansion devices 105 and 106 may include a capillary tube.

The first expansion device 105 may be installed in the evaporator inlet pipe 197 installed at the inlet side of the evaporator 150. The evaporator inlet pipe 197 is understood as a conduit extending from the second valve device 130 to the evaporator 150.

The second expansion device (106) may be installed in the second connection passage (184).

The refrigerator 10 is provided with a first valve device 120 disposed at an outlet side of the compressor 101 for guiding the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 101 to the condenser 102 or the evaporator 150, .

The first valve device 120 may be installed in a refrigerant pipe connecting the compressor 101 and the condenser 102. The first valve device 120 includes a four-way valve having four ports for the inflow or outflow of refrigerant.

The refrigerator 10 is installed in a refrigerant pipe connecting the condenser 102 and the evaporator 150 and is configured to cool the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 102 during the first operation mode of the refrigerator 10, And a second valve device (130) for guiding the refrigerant to the expansion device (105). The second valve device 130 includes a three-way valve having three ports for the inflow or outflow of refrigerant.

The first expansion device 105 may be positioned between the second valve device 130 and the evaporator 150 on the basis of the refrigerant passage during the first operation mode of the refrigerator 10. [

The refrigerator 10 includes a first connection passage 182 extending from the first valve device 120 to the evaporator 150 and a second connection passage 182 extending from the evaporator 150 to the first connection passage 182, And further includes a second connection passage 184 extending to the second valve device 130.

The second connection passage 184 and the evaporator inlet pipe 197 may be arranged in parallel with each other. That is, the evaporator inlet pipe 197 and the second connection passage 184 are pipes extending from the second valve device 130 to the evaporator 150, respectively, Are connected in parallel with the evaporator inlet pipe 197.

The evaporator inlet pipe 197 is connected to the first pipe 151 of the evaporator 150 and the second connection channel 184 is connected to the second pipe 170 of the evaporator 150.

The first connection passage 182 and the second connection passage 184 supply the high temperature refrigerant compressed by the compressor 101 to the evaporator 150 during the second operation mode of the refrigerator 10, Is understood as a "hot gas flow path" for defrosting the evaporator 150. The hot gas channels 182 and 184 may be coupled to the evaporator 150.

The refrigerator 10 further includes a third connection passage 186 extending from the first valve device 120 to the suction side pipe of the compressor 101. In the second operation mode of the refrigerator 10, the third connection passage 186 guides the refrigerant passing through the condenser 102 to the inlet side of the compressor 101.

The refrigerant pipe 100a provided at the inlet side of the compressor 101 includes a joint portion 110 to which the third connection passage 186 is connected. The refrigerant flowing through the third connection passage 186 may be sucked into the compressor 101 via the connection portion 110 when the refrigerator 10 is in the second operation mode.

The construction of the first valve device 120 and the second valve device 130 will be described in detail.

The first valve device 120 includes four ports 121, 123, 125 and 127 for guiding the inflow or outflow of the refrigerant.

In detail, the first valve device 120 includes a first port 121 connected to a compressor outlet pipe 191 extending from the outlet side of the compressor 101 to the first valve device 120 . The first port 121 is understood as an inlet port for guiding the high-temperature refrigerant compressed in the compressor 101 to be introduced into the first valve device 120.

The first valve device 120 further includes a second port 123 connected to the condenser inlet pipe 193 extending from the first valve device 120 to the condenser 102. The second port 123 is understood as an outlet port for guiding the refrigerant introduced into the second valve device 120 to the condenser inlet pipe 193 in the first operation mode of the refrigerator 10 . On the other hand, the second port 123 is connected to an inlet port (not shown) for introducing the refrigerant, which has passed through the condenser 102, into the first valve device 120 during the second operation mode of the refrigerator 10, ≪ / RTI >

The first valve device 120 further includes a third port 125 connected to the first connection passage 182. The third port 125 is an outlet port for guiding the refrigerant introduced into the second valve device 120 into the first connection passage 182 during the second operation mode of the refrigerator 10 do.

The first valve device 120 further includes a fourth port 127 connected to the third connection passage 186. The fourth port 127 is an outlet port for guiding the refrigerant introduced into the second valve device 120 to the third connection passage 186 during the second operation mode of the refrigerator 10 do.

The second valve device 130 includes three ports 131, 133, and 135 for guiding the inflow or outflow of the refrigerant.

The second valve device 130 includes a first port 131 connected to the condenser outlet pipe 195 extending from the condenser 102 to the second valve device 130. The first port 131 is understood as an inlet port for introducing the refrigerant passing through the condenser 102 into the second valve device 130 when the refrigerator 10 is in the first operation mode. On the other hand, the first port 131 is connected to an outlet for discharging the refrigerant introduced into the second valve device 130 to the condenser outlet pipe 195 at the time of performing the second operation mode of the refrigerator 10 Port.

The second valve device 130 further includes a second port 133 connected to the evaporator inlet pipe 197. The second port 133 is an outlet port for discharging the refrigerant introduced into the second valve device 130 to the evaporator inlet pipe 197 when the refrigerator 10 is in the first operation mode do.

The second valve device 130 further includes a third port 135 connected to the second connection passage 184. The third port 135 is understood as an inlet port for introducing the refrigerant of the second connection passage 184 into the second valve device 130 when the refrigerator 10 is in the second operation mode .

The refrigerator 10 further includes blowing fans 102a and 150a provided on one side of the heat exchangers 102 and 150 to blow air. The blowing fans 102a and 150a include a condensing fan 102a provided on one side of the condenser 102 and an evaporating fan 150a provided on one side of the evaporator 150. [

FIG. 6 is a view showing a configuration of an evaporator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a view showing a first and a second pipes and a pin coupled to each other according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the evaporator 150 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of refrigerant pipes 151 and 170 through which refrigerants having different states can flow, and a plurality of refrigerant pipes 151 and 170 connected to the refrigerant pipes 151 and 170, And a fin 155 for increasing the heat exchange area of the fluid.

In detail, the plurality of refrigerant pipes 151 and 170 include a first pipe 151 through which the refrigerant decompressed by the first expansion device 105 flows during the first operation mode of the refrigerator 10, And a second pipe 170 through which the refrigerant flowing in the first connection passage 182 is supplied when the second operation mode is performed. That is, the second pipe 170 constitutes at least a part of the hot gas passages 182 and 184, and may be called a "hot gas pipe".

The refrigerant of the second piping 170 is a high temperature refrigerant compressed by the compressor 101 and has a higher temperature than that of the refrigerant flowing through the first piping 151 by being depressurized by the first expansion device 105 Lt; / RTI >

The evaporator 150 further includes coupling plates 160 and 165 for fixing the first pipe 151 and the second pipe 170.

In detail, the plurality of coupling plates 160 and 165 may be provided on both sides of the evaporator 150. The first plate 160 supports one side of the first pipe 151 and the second pipe 170 and the first pipe 160 supports the first pipe 151 and the second pipe 170, And a second plate 165 for supporting the other side of the plate. The first and second plates 160 and 165 may be spaced apart from each other.

The first pipe 151 and the second pipe 170 are connected to the first plate 160 in one direction from the first plate 160 to the second plate 165 and from the second plate 165 to the first plate 160 And bent in the other direction.

The first and second plates 160 and 165 fix both sides of the first pipe 151 and the second pipe 170 to prevent the first pipe 151 and the second pipe 170 from shaking . For example, the first pipe 151 and the second pipe 170 may be arranged to pass through the first and second plates 160 and 165.

The first and second plates 160 and 165 have plate shapes extending in the longitudinal direction and may have through holes 166a and 166b through which at least a portion of the first pipe 151 and the second pipe 170 pass. have. In detail, the through holes 166a and 166b include a first through hole 166a through which the first pipe 151 passes, and a second through hole 166b through which the second pipe 170 passes .

The first pipe 151 penetrates through the first through hole 166a of the first plate 160 and extends toward the second plate 165. The first through hole 166a of the second plate 165 166a of the first plate 160 and then extend back to the first plate 160 side.

The second pipe 170 extends through the second through hole 166b of the first plate 160 and extends toward the second plate 165. The second through hole 166b of the second plate 165 166b, and extend back to the first plate 160 side.

The evaporator 150 is provided with a first inlet 151a for guiding the inflow of the refrigerant into the first pipe 151 and a first outlet 151a for guiding the discharge of the refrigerant flowing through the first pipe 151 151b. The first inlet 151a and the first outlet 151b form at least a part of the first pipe 151.

The first inlet 151a may be connected to the evaporator inlet pipe 197 and the first outlet 151b may be connected to an evaporator outlet pipe 198 located at the outlet of the evaporator 150 .

For example, when the refrigerator 10 is in the first operation mode, the two-phase refrigerant decompressed in the first expansion device 105 flows into the evaporator 150 through the first inlet 151a and is evaporated , And is discharged from the evaporator (150) through the first outlet (151b) and flows through the evaporator outlet pipe (198).

The evaporator 150 is provided with a second inlet 171 for guiding the inflow of the refrigerant into the second piping 170 and a second outlet 173 for guiding the discharge of the refrigerant flowing through the second piping 170 172). The second inlet 171 and the second outlet 172 form at least a part of the second pipe 170.

The second inlet 171 may be connected to the first connection channel 182 and the second outlet 172 may be connected to the second connection channel 184.

For example, when the refrigerator 10 is in the second operation mode, the high-temperature refrigerant flowing in the first connection passage 182 flows into the evaporator 150 through the second inlet 171, The ice is removed from the evaporator 150 during the heat exchange and is discharged from the evaporator 150 through the second outlet 172 to flow through the second connection passage 184. [

The plurality of pins 155 are spaced apart from each other. The first pipe 151 and the second pipe 170 are arranged to pass through the plurality of fins 155. In detail, the pins 155 may be arranged to form a plurality of rows in the up-down direction and in the back-and-forth direction, respectively.

The coupling plates 160 and 165 include hooks 162 and 167 coupled to the inner case 13. The hooks 162 and 167 are disposed on top of the coupling plates 160 and 165, respectively. Specifically, the hooks 162 and 167 include a first hook 162 provided on the first plate 160 and a second hook 167 provided on the second plate 165.

First and second support portions 163 and 168 through which the second pipe 170 can pass are formed in the coupling plates 160 and 165, respectively. The first and second support portions 163 and 168 are disposed at lower portions of the coupling plates 160 and 165, respectively. The first and second support portions 163 and 168 include a first support portion 163 provided on the first plate 160 and a second support portion 168 provided on the second plate 165.

The second pipe 170 includes an extension 175 forming a lower end of the evaporator 150. In detail, the extension portion 175 is configured to extend further downward than the lowermost fin among the plurality of the fins 155. The extended portion 175 is located inside the catching portion (not shown) and can supply heat to the remaining portion of the catching portion. The molten detergent may be drained to the machine room (50).

The second pipe 170 may be inserted into the first and second support portions 163 and 168 by the extension portion 175 and extend to the center of the evaporator 150. That is, the second pipe 170 extends through the first and second support portions 163 and 168, so that the extension portion 175 can be stably supported by the evaporator 150.

The first pipe 151 and the second pipe 170 may be installed to pass through the plurality of pins 155. The plurality of pins 155 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.

In detail, the pin 155 has a substantially quadrilateral plate-like pin body 156 and a plurality of through holes 157 and 158 formed in the pin body and through which the first and second pipes 151 and 170 pass ). The plurality of through holes 157 and 158 includes a first through hole 157 through which the first pipe 151 passes and a second through hole 158 through which the second pipe 170 passes. The first and second through holes 157 and 158 may be arranged in a single row.

The inner diameter of the first through hole 157 and the inner diameter of the second through hole 158 may have different sizes. For example, the inner diameter of the first through hole 157 may be larger than the inner diameter of the second through hole 158. In other words, the outer diameter of the first pipe 151 may be larger than the outer diameter of the second pipe 170.

This is because the first pipe 151 guides the flow of the refrigerant that performs the function of the evaporator 150, so that a relatively large amount of refrigerant flow is required. On the other hand, since the second piping 170 guides the flow of the high-temperature refrigerant only for a certain period of time when the defrosting operation of the evaporator 150 is required, a relatively small refrigerant flow rate is required.

FIG. 8 is a cycle diagram showing a flow of a refrigerant in a first mode of operation of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a refrigerant during a second mode of operation of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention Fig.

Referring to FIG. 8, in the cooling mode operation in which the storage rooms 20 and 30 are cooled as the first operation mode of the refrigerator, the first valve device 120 and the second valve device 130 are controlled in a predetermined operation mode . The first operation mode may be referred to as "normal mode ".

During the first operation mode of the refrigerator 10, the first valve device 120 may be controlled to the first operation mode.

In detail, the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 101 flows into the first port 121 of the first valve device 120 and is discharged through the second port 123. The refrigerant discharged from the first valve device 120 may flow into the condenser 102 and be condensed.

The refrigerant having passed through the condenser 102 flows into the second valve device 130. The second valve device 130 may be controlled to the first operating mode.

In detail, the refrigerant having passed through the condenser 102 flows into the first port 131 of the second valve device 130 and is discharged through the second port 133. The refrigerant discharged from the second valve device 130 flows into the first pipe 151 of the evaporator 150 through the evaporator inlet pipe 197. At this time, the refrigerant may be introduced into the evaporator 150 after being reduced in pressure through the first expansion device 105.

The refrigerant is evaporated in the process of flowing in the first pipe 151, then is discharged from the evaporator 150 and flows through the evaporator outlet pipe 198. Then, the refrigerant can be sucked into the compressor 101 and compressed. This cycle can be repeated.

That is, in the first operation mode of the refrigerator 10, the first valve device 120 and the second valve device 130 restrict the refrigerant flow in the first and second connection passages 182 and 184 Can operate.

Referring to FIG. 9, in the defrost mode operation for defrosting the evaporator as the second operation mode of the refrigerator, the first valve device 120 and the second valve device 130 can be controlled in a predetermined operation mode.

During the second operation mode of the refrigerator 10, the first valve device 120 may be controlled to the second operation mode.

The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 101 flows into the first port 121 of the first valve device 120 and is discharged through the third port 125. [ The refrigerant discharged from the first valve device 120 flows through the first connection passage 182.

The refrigerant in the first connection passage 182 flows into the second evaporator 150 through the second pipe 171 of the evaporator 150. That is, the high-temperature refrigerant compressed by the compressor 101 may be introduced into the second evaporator 150. In this process, the refrigerant can supply heat to the evaporator 150 to remove the frozen ice on the evaporator 150.

The refrigerant flowing through the second pipe 170 of the evaporator 150 is discharged to the second connection passage 184 and may be decompressed by the second expansion device 106.

The second valve device 130 may be controlled to the second operating mode. More specifically, the refrigerant in the second connection passage 184 flows into the third port 135 of the second valve device 130 and is discharged through the first port 131.

The refrigerant discharged from the second valve device 130 flows into the condenser 102 and can be evaporated during the passage through the condenser 102. At this time, the condensing fan 102a can be operated at a preset rotational speed.

The refrigerant discharged from the condenser 102 flows into the second port 123 of the first valve device 120 and may be discharged through the fourth port 127. The refrigerant discharged from the first valve device 120 flows through the third connection passage 186 and may be sucked into the compressor 101 via the connection portion 110. This cycle can be repeated.

In this way, in the defrosting operation mode of the evaporator 150, the high-temperature refrigerant compressed by the compressor 101 can defrost the evaporator 150 while passing through the evaporator 150. In the defrosting process, the refrigerant is condensed, is reduced in pressure while passing through the second expansion device 106, and can be evaporated while passing through the condenser 102.

The functions of the condenser 102 and the evaporator 150 can function as the evaporator and the condenser opposite to the case of the first operation mode during the execution of the second operation mode of the refrigerator 10, Defrosting of the evaporator can be effected effectively.

10 to 14 are graphs showing experimental results of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, performed according to set conditions.

The defrosting time and the defrosting time of the second expansion device 106 according to the designed dimensions, for example, the length or the diameter, of the second expansion device 106 acting for reducing the pressure of the refrigerant in the second operation mode of the refrigerator 10, The design dimensions of the second expansion device 106 that can improve the operation efficiency of the compressor while reducing the defrost operation time can be determined in advance.

10 is an experimental graph showing how the refrigerant flow rate (kg / s) varies depending on the length (mm) of the second expansion device 106. For example, the diameter of the second expansion device 106 has a constant value of A (mm). For example, A may be 0.75 mm. Then, the input date or input power (hereinafter, input date) of the compressor 101 is fixed to a set value.

Referring to FIG. 10, as the length of the second expansion device 106 becomes longer in the defrosting mode of the refrigerator 10, the refrigerant flow rate decreases. That is, the longer the length of the second expansion device 106 is, since the size of the resistance increases from the viewpoint of the refrigerant flow, the refrigerant flow rate is reduced.

In order to maintain the defrost performance of the evaporator 150 at a required level or higher, the refrigerant flow rate needs to be formed at a set flow rate m1 or more. In the experiment according to the present embodiment, the length of the second expansion device 106 for forming the set flow rate m1 or more is determined as L1. For example, the set flow rate m1 is 0.00033 kg / s and the length L1 is 2,000 mm, so that the length of the second expansion device 106 can be determined to be 2,000 mm or less.

11 is an experimental graph showing the refrigerant flow rate (kg / s) varies according to the diameter (mm) of the second expansion device 106. For example, the length of the second expansion device 106 has a constant value of B (mm). In one example, B may be 2,000 mm. Then, the input date of the compressor 101 is fixed to the set value.

Referring to FIG. 11, as the diameter of the second expansion device 106 increases, the refrigerant flow rate increases in the defrosting mode of the refrigerator 10. That is, the larger the diameter of the second expansion device 106 is, the smaller the resistance is from the viewpoint of the refrigerant flow, and therefore the refrigerant flow rate is increased.

In order to maintain the defrost performance of the evaporator 150 at a required level or higher, the refrigerant flow rate needs to be formed at the set flow rate m1 or higher. In the experiment according to the present embodiment, the diameter of the second expansion device 106 for forming the set flow rate m1 or more is determined as D1. For example, D1 is 0.70 mm, and thus the diameter of the second expansion device 106 may be determined to be 0.70 mm or more.

12 is an experimental graph showing a change in the refrigerant flow rate (kg / s) circulating in the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator 10 with an increase in the pressure drop (bar) with respect to a predetermined input date of the compressor 101. [

The experiment was performed four times with different input dates of the compressor (101). From the first input date of the compressor 101 to the fourth input date, the size of the input date is increased. For example, the second input date may be determined to be 20% larger than the first input date, the third input date may be 40% larger than the first input date, and the fourth input date may be 60% larger than the first input date. This definition can be similarly applied to Fig.

On the other hand, the amount of pressure drop on the horizontal axis indicates the amount of pressure reduced in the second expansion device 106 after defrosting the evaporator 150. The refrigerant flow rate increases with an increase in the input date of the compressor 101 based on the predetermined pressure drop amount.

Further, the smaller the pressure drop amount, the more the refrigerant flow rate can be increased. That is, the larger the opening amount of the second expansion device 105, the smaller the pressure drop amount, while the refrigerant flow rate can increase. For example, when the second expansion device 106 is formed of a capillary, the larger the inner diameter of the capillary or the shorter the capillary length, the smaller the pressure drop amount and the coolant flow rate can be increased.

 Referring to FIG. 13, the smaller the pressure drop amount, the shorter the defrost time. That is, as the amount of the pressure drop decreases, the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the hot gas flow paths 182 and 184 increases, so that the defrost performance is improved and the defrosting time is correspondingly shortened.

As the work input to the compressor 101 increases, the flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the system increases, and the defrosting time can be shortened.

FIG. 14 shows that as the amount of pressure drop on the horizontal axis increases, the evaporation temperature of the condenser 102 decreases in the defrosting operation of the vertical axis. The evaporation temperature of the condenser 102 may be meaningful in that it serves as a factor for determining the suction temperature of the refrigerant sucked into the compressor 101.

Therefore, in order to maintain the defrosting temperature of the condenser 102 at or below the set value To while ensuring the defrost performance above the set level, the refrigerator 10 according to the present embodiment sets the pressure drop to the set value Po, Or more.

That is, the length or the inner diameter of the second expansion device 106 can be determined so that the pressure drop amount can be maintained at the set value Po or more. For example, the set value To of the evaporation temperature may be about -5 DEG C, and the set value Po of the pressure drop may be about 2.5 bar.

In summary, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 14, the smaller the pressure drop amount, the more the refrigerant flow rate increases and the defrost time is shortened. However, when the pressure drop amount is too small, the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant or the evaporation pressure may become high and the load on the compressor may become large. Therefore, in consideration of the operation efficiency of the compressor, The inner diameter of the device 106 needs to be determined to be equal to or less than the set value and the length to be equal to or larger than the set value.

The inner diameter of the second expansion device 106 is 0.70 mm or more and 0.90 mm or less and the length thereof is 1,700 mm or more and 2,000 mm or less based on the preset input date of the compressor 101, Or less. For example, the preset input power of the compressor 101 may be 60W.

10: Refrigerator 11: Cabinet
12: outer case 13: inner case
101: compressor 102: condenser
110: joint part 120: first valve device
130: second valve device 150: second evaporator
151: first pipe 155: pin
157, 158: through-hole 160, 165:
170: second piping 182: first connection channel
184: second connection passage 186: third connection passage

Claims (18)

A compressor for compressing the refrigerant;
A condenser for condensing the refrigerant compressed in the compressor;
A first expansion device that decompresses the refrigerant condensed in the condenser;
An evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant decompressed in the first expansion device;
A first valve device provided on the outlet side of the compressor, for guiding the refrigerant compressed in the compressor to the condenser;
A second valve device provided on the outlet side of the condenser, for guiding the refrigerant condensed in the condenser to the evaporator; And
And a hot gas flow path connected to the first valve device for supplying the refrigerant compressed by the compressor to the evaporator. The method according to claim 1,
In the hot gas passage,
A first connection passage extending from the first valve device to the evaporator; And
And a second connection channel extending from the evaporator to the second valve device. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the first valve device includes four chambers provided with four ports. The method of claim 3,
In the first valve device,
A first port connected to the outlet pipe of the compressor; And
And a second port connected to the inlet pipe of the condenser. 5. The method of claim 4,
In the first valve device,
And a third port connected to the first connection channel. 6. The method of claim 5,
Further comprising a third connecting flow path extending from the first valve device to a suction side pipe of the compressor,
Wherein the first valve device further includes a fourth port to which the third connection passage is connected. 3. The method of claim 2,
An evaporator inlet pipe provided with the first expansion device and guiding the inflow of the refrigerant into the evaporator; And
And an evaporator outlet pipe for guiding the refrigerant having passed through the evaporator to the compressor. 8. The method of claim 7,
In the evaporator,
A first pipe connected to the evaporator inlet pipe;
A second pipe connected to the first connection passage and the second connection passage; And
And a pin coupled to the first and second pipes. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the second valve device includes three chambers provided with three ports. 10. The method of claim 9,
In the second valve device,
A first port connected to a pipe connecting the condenser and the second valve device; And
And a second port connected to the evaporator inlet pipe. 11. The method of claim 10,
In the second valve device,
And a third port to which the second connection channel is connected. 3. The method of claim 2,
And a second expansion device installed in the second connection passage. 13. The method of claim 12,
Wherein the first expansion device or the second expansion device includes a capillary tube. The method according to claim 1,
In the first operation mode,
Wherein the first valve device is operative to introduce refrigerant discharged from the compressor into the condenser,
Wherein the second valve device is operative to introduce refrigerant that has passed through the condenser into the first expansion device. 15. The method of claim 14,
In the second operation mode,
Wherein the first valve device comprises:
And guiding the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the hot gas flow path and guiding the refrigerant having passed through the condenser to the suction side pipe of the compressor,
Wherein the second valve device comprises:
And to guide the refrigerant of the hot gas passage to the condenser. A compressor for compressing the refrigerant;
A condenser for condensing the refrigerant compressed in the compressor;
A first expansion device that decompresses the refrigerant condensed in the condenser;
An evaporator having a first pipe for evaporating the refrigerant decompressed in the first expansion device and a second pipe through which the refrigerant for defrosting flows;
A first valve device provided on the outlet side of the compressor, for guiding the refrigerant compressed in the compressor to the condenser;
A second valve device provided on the outlet side of the condenser, for guiding the refrigerant condensed in the condenser to the evaporator;
A first connection passage extending from the first valve device to a second pipe of the evaporator;
A second connection passage extending from the second pipe of the evaporator to the second valve device; And
And a second expansion device installed in the second connection passage. 17. The method of claim 16,
When performing an operation mode for cooling the storage compartment,
Wherein the first valve device and the second valve device are operable to restrict the flow of refrigerant in the first and second connection flow paths. 18. The method of claim 17,
When performing an operation mode for defrosting the evaporator,
The first valve device and the second valve device are operated,
And guide the refrigerant to flow through the first connection passage, the evaporator, and the second connection passage.

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