KR20190086311A - Refrigeration system - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigeration system according to the present invention comprises: a compressor for compressing and discharging refrigerant; a condenser for condensing the refrigerant compressed by the compressor; an expansion device for expanding the refrigerant condensed by the condenser; an evaporator which evaporates the refrigerant expanded by the expansion device, exchanges heat with indoor air and discharges the evaporated refrigerant to the compressor; a bypass unit for bypassing a part of the refrigerant discharged from the condenser to a discharge end of the evaporator; a heat exchange unit for performing heat exchange between a part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor and the refrigerant before suction into the compressor; and a control unit for controlling the overall operation of the refrigeration system. The control unit controls the bypass unit to bypass the refrigerant discharged from the condenser to the discharge end of the evaporator during an oil recovery operation.

Description

Refrigeration system

The present invention relates to a refrigeration system.

Generally, the refrigeration system is a device for cooling indoor or certain space using a refrigeration cycle including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator.

Such a refrigeration system is utilized as a device for cooling a showcase or a storage room configured to display refrigeration and refrigeration goods. That is, the evaporator of the refrigeration system is placed in a showcase, and the condenser is placed outdoors.

If the evaporator is frozen during use of the refrigeration system and the refrigeration efficiency is lowered, defrosting will occur.

The defrosting method of the existing refrigeration system is mainly composed of the hot gas valve method using the four-way valve and the defrosting method using the electric heater.

 In the hot gas using method, the defrosting time is short by sending the high-temperature compressor discharge gas directly to the evaporator by using the four-way valve. However, since the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the evaporator flows through the four- When several evaporators are connected, there is a problem that only the simultaneous defrosting and the simultaneous freezing can be operated and the divided defrosting does not occur.

 In the case of heater defrosting, an electric heater is connected to the surface of the evaporator pin, and the defrosting method using conduction stops the defrosting system during defrosting and the temperature of the heater rises to a very high temperature. And defrosting time is 20 to 30 minutes due to the conduction method.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigeration system in which a part of a plurality of evaporators is defrosted and a part of the evaporators is cooling.

The problems of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

In order to achieve the above object, a refrigeration system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of evaporators having a number corresponding to a plurality of expansion devices, and evaporating refrigerant expanded in each of the expansion devices, At least a part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows into the evaporator to be defrosted by bypassing the condenser and evaporates, and the refrigerant evaporated in the defroster subject evaporator is introduced into the non-defrosting evaporator And the refrigerant supplied to the non-defrosting evaporator is evaporated in the refrigerant evaporator and flows to the compressor.

The details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

According to the refrigeration system of the present invention, there are one or more of the following effects.

First, according to the present invention, since the hot gas discharged from the compressor is guided to the evaporator and defrosted, there is an advantage that rapid defrosting is possible.

Second, according to the present invention, the hot gas discharged from the compressor bypasses the condenser to defrost one of the plurality of evaporators, and the defrosted refrigerant is again evaporated in the other evaporator to defrost a part of the plurality of evaporators while the other evaporator There is an advantage that it is possible to perform cooling operation.

Third, the present invention is advantageous in that the number of defrosters operated for defrosting is smaller than the number of evaporators operated for cooling, so that the temperature in the storage is not increased during the defrosting operation.

 The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

1 is a schematic view of a refrigerant cycle circuit diagram of a refrigeration system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram of a refrigeration system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a perspective view of a showcase according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a sectional view of the showcase shown in Fig.
FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a refrigerant flow during normal operation of a refrigeration system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a view illustrating a flow of refrigerant during a defrost operation of a refrigeration system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages and features of the present invention, and the manner of achieving them, will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. To fully disclose the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

The terms spatially relative, "below", "beneath", "lower", "above", "upper" Can be used to easily describe the correlation of components with other components. Spatially relative terms should be understood as terms that include different orientations of components during use or operation in addition to those shown in the drawings. For example, when inverting an element shown in the figures, an element described as "below" or "beneath" of another element may be placed "above" another element . Thus, the exemplary term "below" can include both downward and upward directions. The components can also be oriented in different directions, so that spatially relative terms can be interpreted according to orientation.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of illustrating embodiments and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. In the present specification, the singular form includes plural forms unless otherwise specified in the specification. &Quot; comprises "and / or" comprising ", as used herein, unless the recited component, step, and / or step does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements, steps and / I never do that.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein may be used in a sense commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Also, commonly used predefined terms are not ideally or excessively interpreted unless explicitly defined otherwise.

In the drawings, the thickness and the size of each component are exaggerated, omitted, or schematically shown for convenience and clarity of explanation. Also, the size and area of each component do not entirely reflect actual size or area.

Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a refrigerant cycle circuit diagram of a refrigeration system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a refrigeration system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 and 2, a refrigeration system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a compressor 210 for compressing and discharging a refrigerant, a condenser 240 for condensing the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 210, A plurality of evaporators 20 for expanding the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 240, a plurality of evaporators 20 having a number corresponding to the plurality of expansion devices 20 and evaporating the refrigerant expanded in each expansion device 20, (160).

In the refrigeration system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerant is condensed in a part of the plurality of evaporators 160 and the condensed refrigerant in the other evaporator 160 is evaporated in the other evaporator 160, And the other evaporator 160 may have a structure capable of cooling operation.

That is, in the defrosting operation, at least a part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 210 bypasses the condenser 240 to be introduced into the defrosting target evaporator 160 to be defrosted and evaporated, and the defrosting target evaporator 160 The refrigerant evaporated in the non-defrosting target evaporator 160 is expanded and supplied to the non-defrosting target evaporator 160 by the expansion device 20, and the refrigerant supplied to the non- And flows to the compressor (210).

In one embodiment of the present invention, at least a part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 210 is supplied to a bypass unit for bypassing the condenser 240 during the defrosting operation, a switching unit for switching the direction of the refrigerant during the cooling operation and the defrosting operation And a control unit 400 for controlling the overall operation of the refrigeration system.

The refrigeration system 10 includes an outdoor unit 200 disposed outdoors and an indoor unit 100 disposed in the room. The indoor unit 100 and the outdoor unit 200 are connected to each other. The outdoor unit 200 includes a compressor 210, a condenser 240, and a heat exchange unit. The indoor unit 100 is provided with an evaporator 160 and an expansion device 20.

The compressor 210 is installed in the outdoor unit 200, compresses the introduced low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant into high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerants, and discharges the refrigerant. Various types of compressor 210 may be used, including a reciprocating compressor 210 using a cylinder and a piston, a scroll compressor 210 using an orbiting scroll and a fixed scroll, an inverter compressor (210), and the like.

One or more compressors 210 may be provided according to the embodiment, and one compressor 210 is provided in the present embodiment.

The compressor 210 is connected to the evaporator 160 and the condenser 240. Specifically, the compressor 210 is configured such that the refrigerant vaporized in the evaporator 160 flows during normal operation (refrigeration operation), refrigerant bypassed in the oil recovery operation and refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator 160 are combined and introduced A port 211, and a discharge port 212 through which the compressed refrigerant is discharged to the condenser 240.

The compressor 210 is connected to the condenser 240 through a connection pipe 13 and is connected to the evaporator 160 and the gas pipe 12. The inlet port 211 of the compressor 210 is connected to the gas pipe 12 and the discharge port 212 of the compressor 210 is connected to the connection pipe 13.

The connection pipe 13 may be provided with an oil separator (not shown) for separating the oil in the oil and recovering the oil in the compressor 210.

The condenser 240 is disposed in the outdoor unit 200 disposed in the outdoor space, and exchanges the refrigerant passing through the condenser 240 with outdoor air. The condenser 240 condenses the refrigerant during the cooling operation.

The condenser 240 is connected to the compressor 210, the plurality of expansion devices 20 and the evaporator 160 and the switching unit. The refrigerant compressed in the compressor 210 during the cooling operation flows into the condenser 240, is condensed, and flows to the expansion device 20 or the switching unit.

The plurality of expansion devices 20 include an electronic expansion valve or a thermostatic expansion valve. The expansion device 20 may be provided in the indoor unit 100 or the outdoor unit 200. The expansion device 20 is provided in the indoor unit 100 and the outdoor unit 200 and the indoor unit 100 are manufactured in separate manufacturers and are not communicated with each other. Preferably, the expansion device 20 comprises a thermostatic expansion valve. The temperature expansion valve automatically adjusts the opening value according to the temperature of the refrigerant being measured. The expansion device (20) inflates the incoming refrigerant.

The plurality of expansion devices (20) are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of evaporators (160). Specifically, each of the expansion devices 20 supplies the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 240 to the respective evaporators 160 corresponding to the respective expansion devices 20 during the cooling operation.

The evaporator 160 is disposed in the indoor unit 100 disposed in the indoor space, and exchanges the refrigerant that has passed through the evaporator 160 with the indoor air. The evaporator 160 evaporates the refrigerant during the cooling operation. A plurality of evaporators 160 may be disposed in one space, a reservoir, and a showcase.

The evaporator 160 is connected to the switching unit, the expansion device 20 and the compressor 210. During the cooling operation, the refrigerant expanded in each of the expansion devices 20 flows into each evaporator 160, evaporates, and flows to the compressor 210. The evaporator 160 is connected to the compressor 210 by a gas pipe 12. The refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator 160 flows into the compressor 210 through the gas pipe 12.

The refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator 160 is sucked into the compressor 210, and the circulation cycle of the refrigerant is completed. The gas pipe 12 is provided with an accumulator (not shown) for restricting the flow of the liquid refrigerant into the refrigerant flowing into the compressor 210.

The bypass unit bypasses the condenser 240 to provide some or all of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 210 to the switching unit. The bypass unit does not bypass the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 210 during the cooling operation (normal operation) but supplies at least a part of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 210 to the switching unit during the defrosting operation .

A part of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant supplied to the switching unit by the bypass unit is guided to the evaporator 160 by bypassing the expansion device 20 by the switching unit and the refrigerant guided to the evaporator 160 is supplied to the evaporator 160. [ And the evaporator 160 is defrosted.

The bypass unit includes a bypass pipe 31 connecting the discharge end of the compressor 210 and the discharge end of the condenser 240 and a bypass valve 32 disposed in the bypass pipe 31.

The bypass piping (31) guides some or all of the refrigerant compressed in the compressor (210) to the switching unit. Specifically, one side of the bypass pipe 31 is connected to the liquid pipe 11, and the other side of the bypass pipe 31 is connected to the connection pipe 13. More specifically, one side of the bypass pipe 31 is connected to the liquid pipe 11 between the switching unit and the condenser 240.

The bypass valve 32 regulates the flow of the refrigerant flowing through the bypass pipe 31. The bypass valve 32 includes a solenoid valve or an electronic expansion valve. Preferably, the bypass valve 32 includes an electronic expansion valve whose various opening values are adjusted. The opening value of the bypass valve 32 is adjusted by the control signal of the controller 400. [ The opening value of the bypass valve 32 is adjusted so that the other part of the evaporator can perform the defrosting operation while the cooling system of the embodiment is cooling operation (normal operation) or part of the evaporator 160 is cooling operation.

The bypass valve 32 is closed during the cooling operation and is opened during the defrosting operation.

The bypass piping 31 supplies the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant compressed in the compressor 210 to the switching unit without condensing the refrigerant in the condenser 240.

The switching unit changes the flow direction of the refrigerant according to cooling operation and defrosting operation. The switching unit causes the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 240 to be evaporated in the plurality of evaporators 160 during the cooling operation and the refrigerant bypassed by the bypass unit in the defrosting operation is condensed in any one evaporator 160 So that the refrigerant condensed in one of the evaporators 160 is evaporated at least in the other evaporator 160.

That is, in the defrosting operation, at least a part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 210 bypasses the condenser 240 to be introduced into the defrosting target evaporator 160 to be defrosted and evaporated, and the defrosting target evaporator 160 The refrigerant evaporated in the non-defrosting target evaporator 160 is expanded and supplied to the non-defrosting target evaporator 160 by the expansion device 20, and the refrigerant supplied to the non- And flows to the compressor (210).

The refrigerant is evaporated in a part of the evaporator 160 by the switching unit to supply the cooling force and the refrigerant is condensed in the other part of the evaporator 160 to supply heat to the evaporator 160 to defrost the evaporator 160 .

Therefore, the cooling operation can be continued by the evaporator 160 of the other part, while the high-pressure refrigerant of the compressor 210 prematurely defrosts a part of the evaporator, and the room temperature in the storage room or the showcase is maintained without being raised .

For example, the switching unit connects the three-way valve 310, the three-way valve 310, and the compressor 210, which switch the direction of the refrigerant supplied through the condenser 240 or the bypass unit, A plurality of evaporation pipes 325 in which the expansion device 20 is disposed, a plurality of recovery valves 340 disposed in the respective evaporation pipes 325, and a plurality of evaporation pipes 325 and three- And a plurality of defrost valves (330) disposed in the respective defrost piping (322).

Way valve 310 switches the direction of the refrigerant supplied through the condenser 240 or the bypass unit. The three-way valve 310 changes the direction of the refrigerant according to the cooling operation and the defrost operation. Specifically, the three-way valve 310 guides the refrigerant discharged from the condenser 240 to the plurality of evaporation pipes 325 and does not supply the refrigerant to the plurality of defrost pipes 322 during the cooling operation. The three-way valve 310 is a valve for supplying a mixed refrigerant of the refrigerant supplied through the bypass piping 31 or the refrigerant supplied through the bypass piping 31 and the refrigerant discharged from the condenser 240 to a plurality of defrosting It is guided to the pipe 322 and not to the plurality of evaporation pipes 325.

The three-way valve 310 is connected to a liquid pipe, a plurality of evaporation pipes 325 and a plurality of defrost pipes 322. Specifically, the three-way valve 310 is connected to the liquid pipe at one side, the evaporating pipe 325 at the other side, and the defrosting pipe 322 at the other side.

The three-way valve 310 and the plurality of defrost piping 322 may be connected by the defrost branch piping 321. The defrost branch pipe 321 connects the three-way valve 310 and the plurality of defrosting pipes 322 and distributes the refrigerant supplied from the three-way valve 310 to the plurality of defrosting pipes 322 and supplies the refrigerant.

The three-way valve 310 and the plurality of evaporation pipes 325 may be connected by the evaporation branch pipe 14. The evaporation branch pipe 14 connects the three-way valve 310 and the plurality of evaporation pipes 325 and distributes the refrigerant supplied from the three-way valve 310 to the plurality of evaporation pipes 325 and supplies the refrigerant.

A plurality of evaporation pipes 325 are arranged in a number corresponding to each evaporator 160. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the evaporation pipe 325 may include a first evaporation pipe 325a, a second evaporation pipe 325b, and a third evaporation pipe 325c.

A plurality of evaporation pipes 325 connect the three-way valve 310 and the compressor 210. One side of each evaporation pipe 325 is connected to the evaporation branch pipe 14 and the other side is connected to the gas pipe 12.

An evaporator 160 and an expansion device 20 may be disposed in each evaporation pipe 325. For example, at least one evaporator 160 and an expansion device 20 may be disposed in each evaporation pipe 325. Specifically, the first evaporator 160a and the first expansion device 20a are disposed in the first evaporation pipe 325a, the second evaporator 160b and the second expansion device 20b are disposed in the second evaporation pipe 325b, And a third evaporator 160c and a third expansion device 20c may be disposed in the third evaporation pipe 325c.

Each expansion device 20 and evaporator 160 disposed in each evaporation pipe 325 are disposed such that each expansion device 20 is close to the evaporation secretion pipe. Each expansion device 20 is disposed in a defrost pipe 322 between the evaporator 160 and the upper valve.

A recovery valve 340 is disposed in each evaporation pipe 325. Specifically, the recovery valve 340 includes a first recovery valve 340a disposed in the first evaporation pipe 325a, a second recovery valve 340b disposed in the second evaporation pipe 325b, a third evaporation pipe 340b disposed in the second evaporation pipe 325b, And a third recovery valve 340c disposed in the third recovery valve 325c.

Each recovery valve 340 is disposed in an evaporation pipe 325 between each evaporator 160 and the gas pipe. Each recovery valve 340 regulates the flow of refrigerant flowing through each evaporation pipe 325. The recovery valve 340 includes a solenoid valve or an electronic expansion valve.

During the defrosting operation, the recovery valve 340 corresponding to the defrosting target evaporator 160 is closed and the recovery valve 340 corresponding to the non-defrosting target evaporator 160 which is not the defrosting target is opened. That is, in the defrosting operation, the recovery valve 340 disposed in the evaporation pipe 325 in which the defrosting object evaporator 160 is disposed is closed, and the evaporation pipe 325 in which the non-defrosting object evaporator 160 is disposed The recovery valve is opened. The plurality of recovery valves 340 may be both open or partially open during cooling operation.

Each defrost pipe 322 connects each evaporation pipe 325 and the three-way valve 310 and guides the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant bypassed through the condenser 240 to each evaporation pipe 325. For example, the defrost piping 322 includes a first defrost piping 322 connected to the first evaporating piping 325a, a second defrosting piping 322 connected to the second evaporating piping 325b, a third defrosting piping 325c And a third defrost pipe 322 connected to the third defrost pipe 322.

One end of the first defrost piping 322, the second defrost piping 322 and the third defrost piping 322 are connected to the defrost branch piping 321.

Each defrosting pipe 322 is connected to a defrosting pipe 322 between each of the recovery valves 340 and each evaporator 160. Specifically, the first defrost pipe 322 is connected to the first evaporator pipe 325a between the first evaporator 160a and the first recovery valve 340a, the second defroster pipe 322 is connected to the second evaporator pipe And the third defrosting pipe 322 is connected to the third evaporator 160c and the third evaporation pipe 340b between the third evaporator 160c and the third recovery valve 340c, And is connected to the pipe 325c.

The defrost valves 330 are disposed in the respective defrost piping 322. Specifically, the defrost valve 330 includes a first defrost valve 330a disposed in the first defrosting pipe 322, a second defrosting valve 330b disposed in the second defrosting pipe 322, a third defrosting pipe 330b disposed in the second defrosting pipe 322, And a third defrost valve 330c disposed in the second defrosting valve 322. [

Each defrost valve (330) regulates the flow of refrigerant flowing through each defrost pipe (322). Defrost valve 330 includes a solenoid valve or an electronic expansion valve.

In the defrosting operation, the defrost valve 330 corresponding to the defrosting target evaporator 160 is opened, and the defrosting valve 330 corresponding to the non-defrosting target evaporator 160 which is not the defrosting target is closed. The plurality of defrost valves (330) are all closed during the cooling operation.

Each evaporator 160 is provided with a temperature sensor of the evaporator 160 to measure the temperature of the refrigerant flowing out from each evaporator 160. The temperature of the air around the evaporator 160 can be measured to determine whether defrosting is occurring.

In this embodiment, it is possible to determine whether the defrosting operation should be performed by measuring the pressure of the refrigerant on the refrigerant inflow side of the compressor 210. The gas pipe 12 is provided with a compressor inlet pressure sensor 410 for measuring the pressure of the refrigerant on the suction side of the compressor 210.

The control unit 400 may be implemented as a microprocessor capable of logic determination. The control unit 400 includes a temperature sensor for measuring the outdoor air of the outdoor heat exchangers 70 and 80 or a temperature of refrigerant flowing therein, a compressor 210 for measuring the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the compressor 210, 410), and it is possible to determine the freezing operation or the defrosting operation of the refrigeration system based on the sensing value of each evaporator 160 temperature sensor.

The control unit 400 compares the values and when it is determined that the evaporator 160 is frozen, the frozen evaporator 160 defrosts and controls the remaining evaporators 160 to operate in the cooling mode.

Hereinafter, the structure of one embodiment of the showcase will be described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. Fig.

The showcase according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a case 100 formed with a storage chamber 110 in which an article is stored and having a front surface opened and an upper surface discharge port 110 formed at a front surface of the upper surface of the case 100 to discharge cool air downward. A plurality of shelves 111 disposed inside the case 100 and on which the articles are placed and at least one shelf 111 of the plurality of shelves 111, And a lathe fan 189 for sucking the cool air discharged in the lower side.

The case 100 is formed in an approximate hexahedron shape having a front surface opened to form a storage chamber 110. [ The case 100 includes an outer case 101 forming an outer appearance and an inner case 103 disposed inside the outer case 101 to form a storage room 110. The storage chamber 110 is formed in an approximate hexahedron shape with its front surface opened.

The outer case 101 forms an outer appearance. The outer case 101 is preferably formed in an approximate hexahedron shape in which a part of the front face is opened. According to the embodiment, the outer case 101 may be partially opened at the side.

The inner case 103 is disposed inside the outer case 101. The inner case 103 is formed in an approximate hexahedron whose front surface is opened similarly to the outer case 101. According to the embodiment, the inner case 103 may be partially opened at the side surface thereof. The inner case 103 forms a storage room 110 in which an article is stored. Cool air for cooling or freezing the article stored in the storage compartment 110 flows between the outer case 101 and the inner case 103 and inside the inner case 103.

A plurality of shelves 111 are disposed in the storage room 110 inside the inner case 103. Various items are seated on the upper surface of the shelf 111. The shelf 111 is fixed to the rear surface of the inner case 103. The shelf 111 is formed in a horizontal direction toward the opened front side of the inner case 103. The plurality of shelves 111 are arranged in a vertical direction (vertical direction) to divide the storage chamber 110 up and down.

On the rear surface of the inner case 103, a plurality of rear discharge ports 123 through which cool air is discharged are formed. The plurality of rear-side discharge openings 123 are vertically or laterally spaced. The plurality of rear discharge ports 123 are preferably disposed between the plurality of shelves 111, respectively. The plurality of rear discharge openings 123 heat-exchange with the refrigerant in the evaporator 160 to be described later and discharge the cooled cold air forward. The plurality of rear discharge ports 123 formed on the rear surface of the inner case 103 discharge the chilled air to the open front of the inner case 103. The chilled air discharged from the plurality of rear discharge ports 123 flows along the horizontal direction of the shelf and refrigerates or cools the products placed on each of the plurality of shelves 111.

The upper surface of the inner case 103 is provided with an upper surface discharge port 121 through which cool air is discharged. The upper surface discharge port 121 is formed to be laterally long in the front surface of the upper surface of the inner case 103. The upper surface discharge port 121 is preferably disposed forward of the front ends of the plurality of shelves 111 without the shelf fans 189.

The upper surface discharge port 121 discharges cooled cool air, which is heat-exchanged with the coolant in an evaporator 160 to be described later, downward. The cool air discharged from the upper surface discharge port 121 is accelerated by the shelf fan 189, and then sucked into the cool air intake port 130 to be described later.

The upper surface discharge port 121 allows the discharged cold air to flow downward along the front surface of the storage chamber 110. The cool air discharged from the upper surface discharge port 121 serves as an air curtain for preventing external air from flowing into the storage chamber 110. The cool air discharged from the upper surface discharge port 121 flows in a vertical direction, and it can flow obliquely at an acute angle with respect to the vertical direction according to the embodiment.

The shelf fan 189 is disposed at the front end of at least one shelf 111 of the plurality of shelves 111. The shelf fan 189 is preferably disposed on a shelf 111 disposed in the middle of the plurality of shelves 111. When a plurality of shelf fans 189 are provided according to the embodiment, it is preferable that a plurality of shelf fans 189 are disposed at equal intervals between the upper surface discharge port 121 and the cold air inlet 130.

The lathe fan 189 sucks the cool air discharged from the upper surface discharge port 121 and discharges it to the lower side. The shelf fan 189 is preferably a sirocco fan which is formed long in the left-right direction. The rack fan 189 accelerates and discharges the cool air discharged from the upper surface discharge port 121 to the lower side and the cool air discharged from the shelf fan 189 is sucked into the cool air suction port 130.

The shelf fans 189 are disposed so as to protrude from the front ends of the plurality of shelves 111 on which the shelf fans 189 are not disposed. The shelf fan 189 is preferably disposed below the upper surface discharge port 121. The shelf fan 189 is preferably disposed on a line connecting the upper surface discharge port 121 and the cold air suction port 130.

The shelf fan 189 is supported by the shelf fan housing 180. The shelf fan housing 180 is formed at the front end of the shelf 111 where the shelf fan 189 is disposed. The shelf fan housing 180 is integrally formed with or separately formed from the shelf 111 in which the shelf fan 189 is disposed and is coupled to the shelf 111. [ The shelf fan housing 180 is protruded from the front ends of the plurality of shelves 111 on which the shelf fans 189 are not disposed.

On the upper side of the shelf fan housing 180, a shelf intake port 181 for sucking cool air discharged from the upper surface discharge port 121 is formed. The shelf suction port 181 is preferably disposed below the upper surface discharge port 121. A shelf discharge port 182 for discharging cool air sucked into the shelf suction port 181 is formed below the shelf fan housing 180. The shelf outlet 182 discharges cool air to the lower side. The shelf outlet 182 is preferably disposed above the cold air inlet 130.

A shelf fan 189 is provided inside the shelf fan housing 180. The shelf fan housing 180 rotatably supports the shelf fan 189. Inside the shelf fan housing 180, a shelf fan motor 188 for rotating the shelf fan 189 is provided.

A cool air inlet (130) through which cool air is sucked is formed on the bottom surface of the inner case (103). It is preferable that the cold air inlet 130 is formed to be long in the lateral direction on the bottom surface of the inner case 103. The cold air inlet 130 is preferably disposed below the shelf fan 189. The cold air inlet 130 is preferably disposed below the shelf outlet 182 of the shelf fan housing 180.

The cool air intake port 130 is discharged from the upper surface discharge port 121, sucked into the shelf suction port 181 by the shelf fan 189, and then sucked cool air discharged to the shelf discharge port 182. The cool air intake port 130 sucks the cool air discharged from the plurality of rear surface discharge ports 123. The cold air sucked into the cold air inlet 130 flows into the lower flow path 141 formed on the lower side of the inner case 103.

The lower flow path 141 is formed on the lower side of the bottom surface of the inner case 103. The lower flow path 141 is formed between the bottom surface of the inner case 103 and the bottom surface of the outer case 101. The lower flow path 141 communicates with the cold air inlet 130. A ventilation fan 150 is provided in the lower flow path 141.

The blowing fan 150 is disposed inside the lower flow path 141 formed below the bottom surface of the inner case 103. The air blowing fan 150 is rotatably disposed between the bottom surface of the inner case 103 and the bottom surface of the outer case 101. The blowing fan 150 forms a flow of cool air so that the cool air is sucked into the cool air inlet 130. The blowing fan 150 forms a flow of cool air so that cool air is discharged to the rear discharge port 123 and the upper discharge port 121.

The lower flow path 141 is connected to the rear flow path 143. The rear flow path 143 is formed between the rear surface of the inner case 103 and the rear surface of the outer case 101. The cold air drawn into the cold air inlet 130 and flowing into the lower flow path 141 is raised along the rear flow path 143 by the blowing fan 150.

The rear flow path 143 communicates with the plurality of rear discharge ports 123. The cool air flowing through the rear flow path 143 is distributed and discharged to each of the plurality of rear discharge ports 123.

A plurality of evaporators (160) for cooling the cold air are disposed in the rear flow path (143). The refrigerant in the evaporator 160 flows through the evaporator 160 and the refrigerant in the evaporator 160 undergoes heat exchange with the cold air flowing in the rear flow path 143. The refrigerant compressed in the compressor 210, condensed in the condenser 240, and expanded in the expansion device 20 is heat-exchanged with the cool air in the evaporator 160 and evaporated. The refrigerant flowing through the evaporator 160 receives heat from the cold air and evaporates, and the cold air is cooled.

The rear flow path 143 is connected to the upper flow path 145. The upper flow path 145 is formed on the upper surface of the inner case 103. The upper flow path 145 is formed between the upper surface of the inner case 103 and the upper surface of the outer case 101. The upper flow path 145 communicates with the upper surface discharge port 121. The cool air that has flowed to the upper flow path 145 through the rear flow path 143 is discharged through the upper surface discharge port 121.

The operation of the showcase according to the present invention will be described as follows

When the blowing fan 150 is driven, the cool air in the storage chamber 110 is sucked into the lower flow path 141 through the cool air intake port 130. The cool air that has flowed to the lower flow path 141 rises along the rear flow path 143 by the blowing fan 150.

The cool air that has flowed into the rear flow path 143 is heat-exchanged in the evaporator 160 and cooled. The cool air cooled in the evaporator 160 rises along the rear flow path 143 and a part thereof is discharged through the plurality of rear discharge ports 123. The chilled air discharged from the plurality of rear discharge ports 123 flows along the horizontal direction of the shelf and refrigerates or cools the products placed on each of the plurality of shelves 111. The cool air discharged from the plurality of rear discharge ports 123 and flowing along each of the plurality of shelves 111 flows downward and sucked into the cool air inlet 130.

The cool air that has risen through the rear flow path 143 and has flowed into the upper flow path 145 is discharged through the upper surface discharge port 121. The cool air discharged from the upper surface discharge port 121 is sucked into the shelf suction port 181 of the shelf fan housing 180 and discharged to the shelf discharge port 182. [ The cool air discharged from the upper surface discharge port 121 is accelerated by the shelf fan 189 to be discharged to the shelf discharge port 182 and then sucked into the cool air suction port 130.

The cool air discharged through the upper surface discharge port 121, accelerated by the shelf fan 189, and then sucked into the cool air inlet 130 forms an air curtain on the front surface of the storage compartment 110. The air curtain formed by the cool air blocks the outside air from flowing into the storage room 110. In addition, the cooling air discharged to the plurality of rear discharge ports 123 is prevented from flowing out of the storage chamber 110.

The operation of the refrigeration system according to the present invention will now be described.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a refrigerant flow during normal operation of a refrigeration system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The operation of the refrigeration system 100 in the normal operation (cooling operation) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The control unit 400 closes the bypass valve 32 and switches the three-way valve 310 to guide the refrigerant to the evaporation pipe 325. All the defrost valves 330 are closed and all the recovery valves 340 are closed. Lt; / RTI >

The refrigerant compressed in the compressor 210 is discharged from the discharge port 212 and flows to the connection pipe 13. The refrigerant discharged from the discharge port 212 and flowing into the connection pipe 13 flows to the condenser 240.

The refrigerant flowing from the connection pipe 13 to the condenser 240 undergoes heat exchange with the outdoor air in the condenser 240 and is condensed. The refrigerant condensed in the condenser 240 flows to the three-way valve 310 via the liquid pipe 11.

The refrigerant flowing into the three-way valve 310 flows into the evaporation branch pipe 14 and is guided to the evaporation pipe 325.

The refrigerant guided to each evaporation pipe 325 flows to each expansion device 20. Each expansion device (20) expands the refrigerant flowing in. That is, the refrigerant flows into the first to third evaporation pipes 325, and the introduced refrigerant expands in the first to third expansion devices 20, respectively.

The refrigerant flowing into each expansion device 20 is expanded and flows to each evaporator 160. The refrigerant flowing into each evaporator 160 is evaporated by heat exchange with indoor air in each evaporator 160. In each evaporator 160, the showcase is cooled by heat exchange with the room air.

The refrigerant evaporated in each evaporator 160 flows to the gas pipe 12. The refrigerant flowing into the gas pipe (12) flows into the compressor (210).

6 is a view illustrating a flow of refrigerant during a defrost operation of a refrigeration system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6, defrosting of the refrigeration system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention explains the pretensioning.

The control unit 400 may cause some of the evaporator 160 to defrost. The control unit 400 can defrost the evaporator 160 having a relatively low temperature of the evaporator. The controller 400 may make the number of evaporators to be defrosted smaller or equal to the number of evaporators to be non-defrosted to prevent an increase in the temperature in the storage.

The control unit 400 closes the bypass valve 32 to switch the three-way valve 310 so that the refrigerant is guided to the defrosting pipe 322 and the defrost valve 330 corresponding to the defrosting target defroster 160 is opened The defrosting valve 330 corresponding to the non-defrosting target evaporator 160 is closed and the recovery valve 340 corresponding to the defrosting target evaporator 160 is closed and the recovery valve 340 corresponding to the non- The valve 340 is opened and the expansion device 20 corresponding to the defrosting target evaporator 160 is completely opened and the expansion device 20 corresponding to the non-defrosting target evaporator 160 causes the refrigerant to expand.

The controller 400 opens the second defrost valve 330b corresponding to the second evaporator 160b and opens the second defrost valve 330b corresponding to the first evaporator 160a and the third evaporator 160c The first defrosting valve 330a and the third defrosting valve 330c are closed and the second recovery valve 340b corresponding to the second evaporator 160b is closed and the first evaporator 160a and the third evaporator 160c The second expansion device 20b corresponding to the second evaporator 160b is completely opened and the first evaporator 160a corresponding to the first evaporator 160a is opened, And the third expansion device 20a and the third expansion device 20c corresponding to the third evaporator 160c expand the refrigerant.

The refrigerant compressed in the compressor 210 is discharged from the discharge port 212 and flows to the connection pipe 13. Part or substantially all of the refrigerant discharged from the discharge port 212 and flowing to the connection pipe 13 bypasses the condenser 240 and is supplied to the three-way valve 310.

The refrigerant flowing into the three-way valve 310 flows into the second evaporation pipe 325b through the second defrosting pipe 322. The refrigerant flowing into the second evaporation pipe 325b is condensed in the second evaporator 160b. The refrigerant condensed in the second evaporator 160b heats the second evaporator 160b to defrost.

The refrigerant condensed in the second evaporator 160b is supplied to the first evaporation pipe 325a and the third evaporation pipe 325c through the evaporation branch pipe 14. [ The refrigerant supplied to the first evaporation pipe 325a is expanded in the first expansion device 20a and supplied to the first evaporator 160a. The refrigerant supplied to the third evaporation pipe 325c is expanded in the third expansion device and supplied to the third evaporator 160c. The refrigerant supplied to the first evaporator 160a evaporates in the first evaporator 160a and is cooled to the surroundings and supplied to the gas pipe. The refrigerant supplied to the third evaporator 160c evaporates in the third evaporator 160c and is cooled to the surroundings and supplied to the gas pipe.

When the refrigerant is condensed in the second evaporator 160b and the refrigerant is evaporated in the first evaporator 160a and the third evaporator 160c, the defrosting operation can be performed during the freezing operation, and the advantage Lt; / RTI >

Thereafter, the controller 400 may alternately defrost the first evaporator 160a and the third evaporator 160c.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but, on the contrary, It should be understood that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (13)

compressor;
One condenser for condensing the refrigerant compressed in the compressor:
A plurality of expansion devices for expanding the refrigerant condensed in the condenser;
A plurality of evaporators having a number corresponding to the plurality of expansion devices, the refrigerant expanded in each of the expansion devices being evaporated;
A bypass unit for bypassing the condenser when at least a part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is defrosted; And
The refrigerant condensed in the condenser is evaporated in the plurality of evaporators during the cooling operation, the refrigerant bypassed by the bypass unit is condensed in the evaporator in the defrosting operation, Wherein the refrigerant condensed in the evaporator is evaporated in at least the other evaporator. The method according to claim 1,
The bypass unit includes:
A bypass pipe connecting the discharge end of the compressor and the discharge end of the condenser,
And a bypass valve disposed in the bypass piping. The method according to claim 1,
The switching unit includes:
A three-way valve for switching the direction of the refrigerant supplied through the condenser or the bypass unit;
A plurality of evaporation pipes connecting the three-way valve and the compressor, in which the evaporators and the expansion devices are disposed;
A plurality of recovery valves disposed in the respective evaporation pipes;
A plurality of defrost pipes connecting the respective evaporation pipes and the three-way valve; And
And a plurality of defrost valves disposed in the respective defrosting pipes. The method of claim 3,
The three-
The refrigerant condensed in the condenser is switched to flow to the plurality of evaporation pipes during the cooling operation,
Wherein the refrigerant bypassed through the bypass unit is switched to flow to the plurality of defrosting pipes during defrosting operation. 5. The method of claim 4,
In the defrosting operation, the defrost valve corresponding to the defrosting target evaporator to be defrosted is opened and closes the defrosting valve corresponding to the non-defrosting target evaporator not to be defrosted. 6. The method of claim 5,
In the defrosting operation, the recovery valve corresponding to the defrostering target evaporator is closed and the recovery valve corresponding to the non-defrosting target evaporator not to be defrosted is opened. The method according to claim 6,
In the defrosting operation, the expansion device corresponding to the defrosting target evaporator is completely opened, and the expansion device corresponding to the non-defrosting target evaporator expands the refrigerant. 5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein the number of evaporators to be defrosted is smaller than or equal to the number of evaporators to be non-defrosted. The method of claim 3,
Wherein each of the defrost piping is connected to the defrost piping between the recovery valve and the evaporator. The method of claim 3,
Wherein each of the expansion devices is disposed in the defrosting pipe between the evaporator and the three-way valve. The method of claim 3,
A gas pipe connected to one end of the plurality of defrost pipes and connected to the compressor,
Further comprising an evaporative branch pipe connected to the other ends of the plurality of defrost pipes and connected to the three-way valve. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the bypass valve is closed during a cooling operation and is opened during a defrosting operation. compressor;
One condenser for condensing the refrigerant compressed in the compressor:
A plurality of expansion devices for expanding the refrigerant condensed in the condenser; And
And a plurality of evaporators having a number corresponding to the plurality of expansion devices, wherein the refrigerant expanded in each of the expansion devices is evaporated,
At least a part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows into the defrosting evaporator to be defrosted by bypassing the condenser and is evaporated, and the refrigerant evaporated in the defrosting evaporator is supplied to the non-defrosting target Wherein the refrigerant supplied to the evaporator is expanded and supplied by the expansion device, and the refrigerant supplied to the non-defrosting evaporator is evaporated in the non-controlled evaporator and flows to the compressor.

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