KR20180087619A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a refrigerator which comprises: a compressor compressing refrigerant; a condenser condensing the refrigerant compressed in the compressor; a first capillary tube unit lowering temperature and pressure of the refrigerant passing through the condenser; a second capillary tube unit lowering temperature and pressure of the refrigerant passing through the condenser; a heat exchanger heat exchanging the refrigerant passing through the first capillary tube unit and the second capillary tube unit; a third capillary tube unit lowering temperature and pressure of the refrigerant passing through the second capillary tube unit and the heat exchanger in order; and an evaporator evaporating the refrigerant passing through the third capillary tube unit.

Description

Refrigerator {Refrigerator}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator having improved operation efficiency.

Generally, a refrigerator is used to freeze food or the like, or to refrigerate a food. The refrigerator includes a case constituting a storage space separated by a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment, a freezing compartment such as a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, And a device for lowering the temperature of the refrigerating compartment.

A door for opening and closing the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment is mounted on one side of the case.

In the refrigerator having such a structure, the compressor compresses the gaseous state refrigerant at a low temperature and a low pressure at a high temperature and a high pressure, and the gaseous state refrigerant of the compressed high temperature and high pressure is cooled and condensed as it passes through the condenser to become a high pressure liquid state. As the refrigerant passes through the expansion valve, its temperature and pressure are lowered, and subsequently the evaporator is changed from the evaporator to the low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous state, and the cooling operation is performed by the refrigeration cycle in which heat is taken from the ambient and the air around the refrigerant is cooled.

Efforts are being made to save energy by improving the operation efficiency of the refrigeration cycle used in such refrigerators.

The present invention provides a refrigerator which can improve power consumption through a cooling cycle.

The present invention also provides a refrigerator which can improve power consumption even when only one compressor and one evaporator are used, respectively.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a refrigerant compressor comprising: a compressor for compressing refrigerant; A condenser for condensing the refrigerant compressed in the compressor; A first capillary unit for lowering the temperature and the pressure of the refrigerant passing through the condenser; A second capillary portion for lowering the temperature and the pressure of the refrigerant passing through the condenser; A heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant passing through the first capillary portion and the second capillary portion; A third capillary portion for lowering the temperature and the pressure of the refrigerant passing through the second capillary portion and the heat exchanger in order; And an evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant that has passed through the third capillary portion.

And a flow path switching valve for guiding the refrigerant to move to one of the first capillary portion and the second capillary portion.

The heat exchanger includes a condenser for accumulating cold air, and in the heat exchanger, the refrigerant and the condenser are heat-exchanged with each other.

The constriction portion can be made of water as a main component.

The heat exchanger may include a first guide pipe for guiding the refrigerant to the compressor after passing through the first capillary portion.

The heat exchanger may include a second guide pipe for guiding the refrigerant to the third capillary portion after passing through the second capillary portion.

The first guide pipe and the second guide pipe may be separated from each other by a passage through which the refrigerant moves so that the refrigerant is not mixed with each other.

Wherein the control unit opens the flow path through which the refrigerant flows to the first capillary portion when the temperature of the storage chamber falls to the set temperature and the temperature of the storage chamber is lowered to the set temperature It is possible to open the flow path in which the refrigerant moves to the second capillary portion.

The control unit can close one of the flow paths when one of the flow paths is opened.

And a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the storage chamber.

And a fan for moving the cold air heat-exchanged to the evaporator to the storage chamber. When the refrigerant moves to the first capillary portion, the controller may not drive the fan.

And a fan for moving the cold air heat-exchanged to the evaporator to the storage chamber. When the refrigerant moves to the second capillary portion, the controller can drive the fan.

According to the present invention, the power consumption can be improved by using only one compressor and one evaporator to cool the storage room of the refrigerator.

The present invention has a structure that can be easily applied to a refrigerator that cools a freezer compartment and a refrigerating compartment together by applying one compressor and one evaporator.

In addition, according to the present invention, when the storage room is not cooled, the refrigeration cycle is performed, and when the storage room is cooled, the chilled cold air is used, so that the operation efficiency of the refrigeration cycle can be improved.

1 is a front view of a door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a control block diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention;
3 is a diagram illustrating a process in which a cooling operation is performed according to an embodiment;
4 is a view illustrating a process in which a cooling operation is performed according to an embodiment;
5 is a ph diagram according to Figs. 3 and 4. Fig.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The sizes and shapes of the components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience. In addition, terms defined in consideration of the configuration and operation of the present invention may be changed according to the intention or custom of the user, the operator. Definitions of these terms should be based on the content of this specification.

1 is a front view of a door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A refrigerator according to an embodiment includes a top mount type in which a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment in which food is stored are divided into upper and lower portions and a freezing compartment is disposed on the upper side of the refrigerating compartment; The present invention is equally applicable to a side by side-type refrigerator.

However, in the present embodiment, a bottom freezer-type in which the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment are partitioned upward / downward for convenience of explanation and the freezing compartment is disposed on the lower side of the refrigerating compartment will be mainly described.

The cabinet of the refrigerator includes an outer case 10 that forms an overall appearance when the user looks at the outside, and an inner case 12 that forms a storage room 22 in which food is stored. A predetermined space may be formed between the outer case 10 and the inner case 12 to form a passage through which cool air is circulated. Meanwhile, a space between the outer case 10 and the inner case 12 is filled with a heat insulating material, so that the inside of the storage chamber 22 can be maintained at a relatively low temperature as compared with the outside.

A refrigerant cycle device for circulating a refrigerant to generate cold air is installed in a machine room (not shown) formed between the outer case 10 and the inner case 12. By using the refrigerant cycle device, the freshness of the foodstuff can be maintained while keeping the inside of the refrigerator at a low temperature. The refrigerant cycle device includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, an evaporator (not shown) for phase-converting refrigerant in a liquid state into a gaseous state to cause heat exchange with the outside, and the like.

The refrigerator is provided with doors (20, 30) for opening and closing the storage room. At this time, the door may include a freezing chamber door 30 and a refrigeration chamber door 20, and one end of each door is rotatably installed in a cabinet of the refrigerator by a hinge. The freezer compartment door 30 and the refrigerator compartment door 20 may have a plurality of openings. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator compartment door 20 and the freezer compartment door 30 may be installed so as to be open with respect to both corners of the refrigerator toward the front.

Between the outer case 10 and the inner case 12, a foaming agent is filled, and the space between the outer case and the storage chamber 22 can be insulated.

The storage room (22) forms a space insulated from the outside by the inner case (12) and the door (20). The storage room 22 can be provided with a space for insulation from the outside when the door 20 hermetically seals the storage compartment 22. In other words, It is a space which is isolated from the outside through the heat insulating wall and the heat insulating wall by the case 10,

Cooling air supplied from the machine room can flow into the storage room 22, so that the food stored in the storage room 22 can be maintained at a low temperature.

The storage room (22) may include a shelf (40) on which food is placed. At this time, a plurality of shelves (40) are provided, and food can be mounted on each shelf (40). The shelf 40 can divide the inside of the storage compartment horizontally.

The storage chamber 22 is provided with a drawer 50 which can be drawn in or drawn out. Food and the like are received and stored in the drawer (50). Two of the drawers 40 may be disposed in the storage chamber 22 to the left and right. The user may open the left door of the storage compartment 22 to approach the drawer disposed on the left side. On the other hand, the user may open the right door of the storage compartment 22 to access the drawer disposed on the right side.

In the storage room 22, a space located above the shelf 40, a space formed by the drawer 50, and the like can be partitioned into a plurality of spaces for storing food.

The cool air supplied to one storage chamber does not move freely to another storage chamber, but the cool air supplied to one storage chamber can freely move into each partitioned space provided in one storage chamber. That is, the cool air located on the upper side of the shelf 40 is movable into the space formed by the drawer 50.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a process of performing a cooling operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 and 3, one embodiment includes a compressor 100 for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser 110 for condensing the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 100, a condenser 110 for passing the condenser 110, A first capillary tube 130 for lowering the temperature and pressure of a refrigerant, a second capillary tube 140 for lowering the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant passing through the condenser 110, 2 capillary unit 140 for lowering the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant passing through the second capillary unit 140 and the heat exchanger 160 in order, And an evaporator 190 for evaporating the refrigerant that has passed through the third capillary portion 150.

The compressor (100) compresses the refrigerant so that the temperature and the pressure of the refrigerant increase.

Also, one embodiment includes a flow path switching valve 120 for guiding the refrigerant to move to one of the first capillary portion 130 and the second capillary portion 140.

The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 100 is guided to the condenser 110 so that the refrigerant can be heat-exchanged with the outside air in the condenser 110 to be cooled.

The capillary tubes 130, 140 and 150 lower the pressure of the refrigerant and lower the temperature.

The heat exchanger (160) includes a cooler (180) for storing cold air. The cold storage unit 180 may include a liquid containing water as a main component and a case made of a material such as vinyl or plastic so as to maintain the appearance of the liquid. The cold storage unit 180 is phase-changed from liquid to solid while performing heat exchange with the coolant so that cool air can be accumulated. The water of the cold storage portion 180 may function as a phase change material, and the phase change material may accumulate cold air while changing phases according to temperature changes.

Since the cold storage portion 180 is made of water as a main component, leakage of water from the case of the cold storage portion 180 may be harmless to the human body even if water leaks into the casing.

The heat exchanger (160) includes a first guide pipe (132) for guiding the refrigerant to the compressor (100) after passing through the first capillary part (130). That is, the refrigerant having passed through the first capillary tube 130 passes through the first guide tube 132 and is heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger 160 and is guided to the compressor 100.

The heat exchanger (160) includes a second guide pipe (142) for guiding the refrigerant to the third capillary part (150) after passing through the second capillary part (140). That is, the refrigerant that has passed through the second capillary portion 140 can be heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger 160 while passing through the second guide pipe 142. The refrigerant passing through the heat exchanger 160 is guided to the third capillary portion 150 so that the temperature and the pressure are lowered once more in the third capillary portion 150.

The refrigerant guided to the third capillary portion 150 may be guided to the evaporator 190 to cool the outside air. At this time, the evaporator 190 is provided with a fan 192 to increase the amount of air contact with the evaporator 190, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency in the evaporator 190.

When the fan 192 is driven, more air can be supplied to the evaporator 190, and air cooled by the wind generated by the fan 192 is supplied to the storage compartment so that the storage compartment can be cooled .

Meanwhile, in the first guide pipe 132 and the second guide pipe 142, the flow path through which the refrigerant moves is separated so that the refrigerant is not mixed with each other. In the heat exchanger 160, the refrigerant passing through the first guide pipe 132 is not moved to the second guide pipe 142. Also, the refrigerant passing through the second guide pipe 142 is not moved to the first guide pipe 132 inside the heat exchanger 160. Since the first guide pipe 132 and the second guide pipe 142 are physically separated from each other, the refrigerant is not moved and mixed with each other.

The heat exchanger 160 may include a fin connecting the first guide pipe 132 and the second guide pipe 142. The fin can have a wide area and a thin plate shape. The fin is not rusted like aluminum and can be made of a material having a high thermal conductivity. The coolant does not move to the inside of the fin and the cool air or warmth of the coolant passing through the first guide pipe 132 and the second guide pipe 142 is easily diverted to the outside so that heat exchange can be performed with the outside Function.

Also, the heat exchange area with the cold storage unit 180 is increased through the fin, so that cold or warm of the coolant passing through the heat exchanger 160 can be easily exchanged with the cold storage unit 180.

One embodiment includes a control unit 200 for controlling the flow path of the flow path switching valve 120. The control unit 200 opens the respective flow passages so that the refrigerant passing through the flow path switching valve 120 can be moved to either the first capillary unit 130 or the second capillary unit 140, It is possible to do.

Also, the controller 200 may drive the compressor 100 to compress the refrigerant to be a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant.

Also, the controller 200 drives the fan 192 so that the heat-exchanged air in the evaporator 190 can be supplied to the storage compartment.

And a temperature sensor 60 provided in the storage chamber and measuring the temperature of the storage chamber. The measured temperature value in the temperature sensor 60 is transmitted to the controller 200 so that the controller 200 can determine the flow direction of the flow path switching valve 120.

The control unit 200 can determine whether the fan 192 is driven according to the direction in which the refrigerant flows in the flow path switching valve 120. That is, it is possible to drive the fan 192 when the refrigerant moves in any direction, and not to drive the fan 192 when the refrigerant moves in the other direction.

3 and 5, a description will be given of a process in which the cooling and cooling operation is performed in one embodiment. 5, the hot-water cooling operation is performed along a portion indicated by a dotted line.

First, when the temperature sensor 60 senses that the temperature of the storage compartment is lowered by the set temperature, the controller 200 performs the cold storage operation. That is, since the temperature of the storage chamber is lowered by the set temperature, it is determined that there is no need to further cool the storage chamber, and the operation of accumulating the cool air is performed.

The control unit 200 controls the flow path switching valve 120 so that the refrigerant passing through the flow path switching valve 120 moves to the first capillary unit 130. The flow path switching valve 120 moves the refrigerant passing through the condenser 110 to the first capillary tube 130 without moving to the second capillary tube 140.

The control unit 200 drives the compressor 100. The refrigerant compressed by the compressor (100) is condensed while passing through the condenser (110). The refrigerant having passed through the condenser 110 is moved to the first capillary portion 130 by the flow path switching valve 120. The pressure and the temperature of the refrigerant are lowered in the first capillary tube 130. The refrigerant can be heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger (160) while passing through the first guide pipe (132). Since the heat exchanger 160 substantially functions as an evaporator in the cold storage operation, the heat exchanger 160 may emit cool air.

Accordingly, the cooling unit 180 provided in the heat exchanger 160 can accumulate cold air. Since the interior of the cold storage portion 180 is mainly composed of a physical component, when the temperature reaches approximately 0 degrees or less, the liquid can be phase-changed to a solid state while releasing latent heat, and cold air can be accumulated.

On the other hand, the cool air generated by the heat exchanger 160 by the fins can be easily transferred to the cooling / heating unit 180.

The overall cycle of the cold storage operation may be along the path indicated by the dashed line in Fig. The temperature at which the refrigerant is condensed during the cold-storage operation may reach approximately 31 degrees Celsius, and the temperature of the refrigerant at the time of passing through the heat exchanger 160 may be in the range of minus 2 to minus 5 degrees.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the process of performing the cooling operation in one embodiment will be described. In Fig. 5, the cooling operation is performed along the portion represented by the solid line.

If it is detected by the temperature sensor 60 that the temperature of the storage chamber is not lowered by the predetermined temperature, the controller 200 performs the cooling operation. That is, since the temperature of the storage chamber is not lowered by the set temperature, it is determined that there is no need to further cool the storage chamber, and the operation of supplying cool air to the storage chamber is performed.

The control unit 200 controls the flow path switching valve 120 so that the refrigerant passing through the flow path switching valve 120 moves to the second capillary unit 140. The flow path switching valve 120 moves the refrigerant passing through the condenser 110 to the second capillary tube 140 without moving to the first capillary tube 130.

The temperature and the pressure of the refrigerant guided to the second capillary portion 140 are lowered in the second capillary portion 140. The refrigerant passes through the heat exchanger (160) while passing through the second guide pipe (142).

The relatively hot refrigerant passing through the second guide pipe 142 can be cooled while exchanging heat with the cold storage unit 180 because the cold storage unit 180 stores cold air.

On the other hand, the refrigerant flowing out of the second guide pipe 142 is guided to the third capillary part 150, so that the temperature and the pressure are further lowered. That is, when the cooling operation is performed, the refrigerant passes through the second capillary portion 140 and the third capillary portion 150, and the temperature and the pressure can be further lowered.

The refrigerant that has passed through the third capillary portion 150 is guided to the evaporator 190 to heat-exchange with the outside air to cool the outside air.

At this time, the controller 200 drives the fan 192 so that more air can be exchanged with the evaporator 190 and supplied to the storage compartment.

Since the cold air accumulated in the cold storage unit 180 can be used during the cooling operation, more cool air can be supplied to the storage chamber.

The refrigerant having passed through the evaporator 190 can be continuously compressed by the compressor 100 while being guided to the compressor 100.

As shown in the process of performing the cooling operation in FIG. 5, since the refrigerant exchanges heat with the cold storage portion 180 between the second capillary portion 140 and the third capillary portion 150, More cool air can be supplied to the reservoir while the cycle is being performed.

More cooling air can be generated even if the compressor 100 is driven at the same time when it is necessary to cool the storage compartment.

On the other hand, the compressor 100 alternately performs the hot-water cooling operation and the cooling operation. The driving efficiency of the compressor 100 can be improved by keeping the driving air temperature of the compressor 100 constant, Can be improved.

The control unit 200 senses the temperature of the storage chamber measured by the temperature sensor 60 and operates the flow path switching valve 120 so that the cooler can be supplied to the storage room so that the temperature of the storage chamber is maintained at the set temperature.

Also, since the control unit 200 drives the fan 192 only when the refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator 192, the energy consumed by driving the fan 192 can be saved.

In the present invention, since only one compressor is operated when performing the cooling operation and the cold storage operation, a plurality of compressors may not be provided for each operation. Therefore, the path through which the refrigerant travels is not complicated and can be simply configured.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

100: compressor 110: condenser
120: flow path switching valve 130: first capillary portion
140: second capillary tube 150: third capillary tube part
160: heat exchanger 180:
190: Evaporator

Claims (12)

A compressor for compressing the refrigerant;
A condenser for condensing the refrigerant compressed in the compressor;
A first capillary unit for lowering the temperature and the pressure of the refrigerant passing through the condenser;
A second capillary portion for lowering the temperature and the pressure of the refrigerant passing through the condenser;
A heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant passing through the first capillary portion and the second capillary portion;
A third capillary portion for lowering the temperature and the pressure of the refrigerant passing through the second capillary portion and the heat exchanger in order; And
And an evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant that has passed through the third capillary portion. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a flow path switching valve for guiding the refrigerant to one of the first capillary portion and the second capillary portion. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the heat exchanger includes a constriction portion for storing cold air,
Wherein the heat exchanger exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the condenser. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the constriction portion is made of water as a main component. The method according to claim 1,
The heat exchanger
And a first guide pipe for guiding the refrigerant to the compressor after passing through the first capillary portion. 6. The method of claim 5,
The heat exchanger
And a second guide pipe for guiding the refrigerant to the third capillary portion after passing through the second capillary portion. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the first guide pipe and the second guide pipe are separated from each other by a passage through which the refrigerant moves so that the refrigerant does not mix with each other. 3. The method of claim 2,
Further comprising a control unit for controlling the flow path of the flow path switching valve,
Wherein,
When the temperature of the storage chamber is lowered to the set temperature, the refrigerant opens the flow path to the first capillary portion,
And opens the flow path for the refrigerant to the second capillary portion if the temperature of the storage chamber does not drop to the set temperature. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein,
And when one of the channels is opened, the other channel is sealed. 9. The method of claim 8,
And a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the storage chamber. 9. The method of claim 8,
Further comprising a fan for moving cold air heat-exchanged to the evaporator to a storage chamber,
And the control unit does not drive the fan when the refrigerant moves to the first capillary unit. 9. The method of claim 8,
Further comprising a fan for moving cold air heat-exchanged to the evaporator to a storage chamber,
And the controller drives the fan when the refrigerant moves to the second capillary tube.

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