KR20210089532A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator connecting and controlling evaporators in series or in parallel by using a four-way valve, thereby efficiently distributing a refrigerant in a freezer cycle.

Description

refrigerator {REFRIGERATOR}

The present invention relates to a refrigerator capable of efficiently distributing refrigerant in a refrigerator cycle by connecting and controlling evaporators in series or in parallel using a four-way valve.

In general, a refrigerant that has passed through a compressor and a condenser sequentially in a refrigerator flows into an evaporator and is used to lower the temperature of a storage chamber connected to the evaporator.

When two or more storage compartments are formed in the refrigerator, the cooling control method of the refrigerator varies according to the configuration of a flow path through which the refrigerant flows into the evaporator and a flow path through which the refrigerant is discharged from the evaporator.

In the refrigerator of 'Korea Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-2011-0081562', first, second, and third flow paths for introducing the refrigerant that have passed through the step valve into the first, second, and third evaporators, respectively, are configured in parallel with each other, The first, second, and third connection pipes respectively connected to the suction pipes for introducing the refrigerant discharged from the 1, 2, and 3 evaporators into the compressor are configured in parallel with each other.

When the inflow and discharge channels are configured in parallel as above, there is an advantage that each evaporator can be controlled separately by controlling the step valve, but it is difficult to properly distribute the refrigerant under actual use conditions with large load fluctuations or abnormal operating conditions. The problem is that it can be difficult.

On the other hand, when the inflow passage and the discharge passage are configured in series, there is a problem in that it is difficult to operate each storage space having a different load in an optimal state.

On the other hand, in general, a refrigerator is a home appliance for storing food in a refrigerated or frozen state in a storage compartment that is opened and closed by a door. A freezer is provided for

In addition, the refrigerator may additionally include an ice-making chamber for generating and storing ice for the convenience of the user, and a dispenser may be provided so that the user can take out the ice stored in the ice-making chamber to the outside.

Recently released refrigerators tend to provide a refrigerating compartment, which is used relatively more frequently than the freezer compartment, on the upper part of the main body, and provide a freezer compartment that is used relatively less than the refrigerating chamber on the lower part of the main body. A French door type refrigerator in which the refrigerating compartment is opened and closed by two rotatable doors arranged side by side and the freezer compartment is opened and closed by a slidably installed drawer-type door is in the spotlight.

In such a refrigerator, an insulating material is provided on the wall of the ice-making chamber forming the main body and the ice-making chamber, and there is one disclosed in 'Korea Patent Publication No. 10-0531298' as a related prior art.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2011-0081562 Korean Patent Publication No. 10-0531298

The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator capable of efficiently distributing a refrigerant by connecting a refrigerating compartment, an ice making compartment, and a freezing compartment in series and parallel with each other.

The refrigerator of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a main body including a refrigerating compartment, a freezing compartment and an ice-making compartment, a refrigerating compartment evaporator exchanging heat with the refrigerating compartment, the ice-making compartment and the freezing compartment, an ice-making compartment evaporator, and a freezing compartment evaporator, wherein the refrigerating compartment evaporator , the ice-making chamber evaporator and the freezing chamber evaporator are connected in parallel through a refrigerant supply passage, and the refrigerating chamber evaporator, the ice-making chamber evaporator and the freezing chamber evaporator are connected in series through a refrigerant discharge passage.

It may further include a four-way valve for distributing the refrigerant to the refrigerant supply passage.

A control unit for controlling the four-way valve may be further included.

Each of the refrigerating compartment, the ice making compartment and the freezing compartment may further include a sensor that transmits a signal to the controller, and the refrigerant may be independently supplied to the refrigerating compartment, the ice making compartment and the freezing compartment according to on/off of the sensor.

The serial refrigerant discharge flow path may be connected in order to the refrigerating compartment evaporator, the ice making compartment evaporator, and the freezing compartment evaporator.

When the ice-making chamber is supercooled, cold air remaining after cooling the ice-making chamber may be distributed to the freezing chamber.

A storage space is provided and further comprising an outer case provided around the inner case so as to provide an inner case including a partition in which a heat insulating material accommodating space is provided and a space communicating with the heat insulator accommodating space, wherein the storage space is The refrigerating chamber and the ice-making chamber are partitioned by the partition unit formed in the inner case, and the heat insulating material injected into the main body is injected into the space portion and the heat insulating material accommodating space to be integrally foamed, so that the refrigerating chamber and the ice-making chamber are simultaneously connected to each other. It is characterized in that it is formed as an independent insulating space.

The inner case includes a partition wall provided with a space for accommodating an insulating material to partition the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment, and the partition wall is formed by injecting the insulating material injected into the main body to form integrally with the refrigerating compartment, the freezing compartment and the ice-making compartment. At the same time, it is characterized in that it is formed as an insulating space independent of each other.

The partition wall divides the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment by a separate insulating material.

According to the present invention, there are the following effects.

By configuring the refrigerant supply passages through which the refrigerant flows into each evaporator in parallel, the operating efficiency can be improved by separately controlling each evaporator having a different load.

By configuring the refrigerant discharge passages through which the refrigerant is discharged from each evaporator in series, various operating conditions can be satisfied.

By installing each evaporator in the order of the evaporator for the refrigerating compartment, the evaporator for the ice-making compartment, and the evaporator for the freezing compartment, overcooling of the refrigerating compartment can be prevented.

Since the refrigerating compartment, the freezing compartment, and the ice making compartment are formed as independent spaces at the same time by foaming, the number of manufacturing steps is very small, and thus productivity and durability are improved.

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a schematic diagram of a refrigeration cycle of a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a schematic diagram of a refrigeration cycle of a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention (refrigerant flowing into an evaporator of a refrigerator).
4 is a block diagram of a refrigeration cycle of a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention (refrigerant flowing into an ice-making chamber evaporator);
5 is a configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle of a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention (refrigerant flowing into a freezer compartment evaporator);
6 is a configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle of a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention (refrigerant flowing into a refrigerator compartment, an ice-making compartment, and an evaporator in the freezer compartment);
7 is a configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle of a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention (refrigerant flow into the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment evaporator).
8 is a front view schematically illustrating a process of forming a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

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

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of referring to specific embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the invention. As used herein, the singular forms also include the plural forms unless the phrases clearly indicate the opposite.

As used herein, the meaning of "comprising" specifies a particular characteristic, region, integer, step, operation, element and/or component, and the presence of another particular characteristic, region, integer, step, operation, element and/or group. I am not excluding the addition.

As shown in Fig. 1, the main body 10 of this preferred embodiment is composed of three storage compartments.

The storage compartment is provided with a refrigerating compartment 11 , an ice making compartment 13 , and a freezing compartment 15 .

A freezing chamber 15 is provided at a lower portion of the main body 10 , and a refrigerating chamber 11 and an ice making chamber 13 are provided at an upper portion of the main body 10 .

As shown in Fig. 8, the main body 10 includes an inner case including a partition in which an insulating material accommodating space is provided, and an outer case provided around the inner case to provide a space communicating with the insulator accommodating space. However, the storage space is divided into a refrigerating compartment 11 and an ice-making compartment 13 by the compartment formed in the inner case, and the insulating material injected into the body 10 is injected into the space and the insulating material accommodating space. As the unit is foamed, the refrigerating chamber 11 and the ice making chamber 13 are simultaneously formed as independent insulating spaces.

Contrary to the above, the storage space may be divided into a refrigerating compartment 11, a freezing compartment 15 and an ice making compartment 13, and the insulating material injected into the body 10 is injected into the space and the insulating material accommodating space. According to the integral foaming, the refrigerating compartment 11 , the freezing compartment 15 , and the ice-making compartment 13 can be formed as an insulating space independent of each other at the same time.

In this case, the partition wall or the partition part may be integrally formed with the inner case or may be formed separately and coupled thereto, and the partition wall may partition the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber by a separate heat insulating material.

As a result, the refrigerating compartment 11 , the ice making compartment 13 , and the freezing compartment 15 are insulated from each other so that each of the storage compartments can be independently cooled.

Accordingly, the refrigerating compartment 11 , the freezing compartment 15 , and the ice making compartment 13 are insulated from each other so that each of the storage compartments can be independently cooled.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the refrigeration cycle of the main body 10 condenses the refrigerant flowing in through the first flow path 201 from the compressor 200 into a liquid state and the compressor 200 for compressing the refrigerant to a high temperature and high pressure. a condenser 300 to remove the moisture from the refrigerant flowing in from the condenser 300 through the second flow path 301 , and a refrigerant flowing from the dryer 400 through the third flow path 401 . and a four-way valve 100 for distributing to each refrigerant supply passage, and an evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant flowing in through the refrigerant supply passage to lower the temperature of each storage chamber.

The evaporator includes a refrigerating compartment evaporator 110 that heat-exchanges with the refrigerating compartment 11 , an ice-making compartment evaporator 130 that exchanges heat with the ice-making compartment 13 , and a freezing compartment evaporator 150 that exchanges heat with the freezing compartment 15 .

The ice-making chamber evaporator 130 is included in a cooling unit (not shown) that cools the ice-making chamber 13 .

The cooling unit includes a centrifugal fan (not shown) and an ice-making chamber evaporator 130 .

The four-way valve 100 controls the direction of the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant supply passage by a control unit (not shown).

A sensor (not shown) is installed in each of the refrigerating compartment 11 , the ice making compartment 13 , and the freezing compartment 15 , and an on/off state of the sensor is determined according to a set temperature.

The sensor sends a signal to the control unit so that the four-way valve 100 is properly operated according to the signal.

The refrigerant discharged from the evaporator flows into the ice-making compartment evaporator 130 , the freezing compartment evaporator 150 , or the compressor 200 through each refrigerant discharge passage.

The refrigerant supply passage includes a first supply passage 101 connected at one end to the four-way valve 100 and the other end connected to the inlet of the refrigerating chamber evaporator 110 , one end connected to the four-way valve 100 , and the other end connected to the ice-making chamber. It includes a second supply passage 102 connected to the inlet of the evaporator 130 , and a third supply passage 103 having one side connected to the four-way valve 100 and the other end connected to the inlet of the freezing compartment evaporator 150 . .

That is, the refrigerating compartment evaporator 110 , the ice-making compartment evaporator 130 , and the freezing compartment evaporator 150 are formed by the first supply path 101 , the second supply path 102 , and the third supply path 103 . connected in parallel with each other.

Accordingly, the refrigerant can be efficiently distributed to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 110 , the ice making compartment evaporator 130 , and the freezing compartment evaporator 150 according to the load applied to the refrigerating compartment 11 , the ice making compartment 13 , and the freezing compartment 15 , respectively.

The refrigerant discharge passage includes a first discharge passage 111 connected to the outlet of the refrigerating chamber evaporator 110 on one side and the inlet of the ice-making chamber evaporator 130 on the other side, and the outlet of the ice-making chamber evaporator 130 on one side. The second discharge passage 131 is connected and the other side is connected to the inlet of the freezing compartment evaporator 150 , and one side is connected to the discharge port of the freezing compartment evaporator 150 , and the third discharge passage 151 is connected to the compressor 200 and the other side is connected to the compressor 200 . ) is included.

That is, the refrigerating compartment evaporator 110 , the ice-making compartment evaporator 130 , and the freezing compartment evaporator 150 are connected in series with each other by the first discharge path 111 , the second discharge path 131 , and the third discharge path 151 . is connected to

The second supply passage 102 and the first discharge passage 111 for introducing the refrigerant into the ice-making chamber evaporator 130 are not connected to each other. That is, the refrigerant discharged from the second supply passage 102 and the refrigerant discharged from the first discharge passage 111 are independently introduced into the ice-making chamber evaporator 130 .

The third supply passage 103 and the second discharge passage 131 for introducing the refrigerant into the freezing chamber evaporator 150 are not connected to each other. That is, the refrigerant discharged from the third supply passage 103 and the refrigerant discharged from the second discharge passage 131 are independently introduced into the freezing chamber evaporator 150 .

That is, the refrigerating compartment evaporator 110 , the ice-making compartment evaporator 130 , and the freezing compartment evaporator 150 are connected in parallel and in series with each other.

Hereinafter, the refrigeration cycle of the present invention according to each embodiment will be described.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figs.

As shown in FIG. 3 , when a signal for lowering the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 11 is input to the control unit by the sensor of the refrigerating compartment 11 , the control unit uses the four-way valve 100 to control the first supply passage 101 . ) is supplied with refrigerant.

The refrigerant flows into the refrigerating chamber evaporator 110 through the first supply passage 101 to lower the temperature of the refrigerating chamber 11 , and the first discharge passage 111 , the ice-making chamber evaporator 130 , and the second discharge passage 131 ), the freezer compartment evaporator 150, and the third discharge passage 151 are introduced into the compressor 200 in this order.

Even if excessive refrigerant flows through the refrigerating compartment evaporator 110 , the refrigerant flows into the ice making compartment evaporator 130 and the freezing compartment evaporator 150 , so that the defrosting reliability of the compressor 200 is secured.

As shown in FIG. 4 , when a signal for lowering the temperature of the ice-making chamber 13 is input to the controller by the sensor of the ice-making chamber 13 , the controller uses the four-way valve 100 to control the second supply flow path. Only 102 is supplied with refrigerant.

The refrigerant flows into the ice-making chamber evaporator 130 through the second supply passage 102 to lower the temperature of the ice-making chamber 13, and the second discharge passage 131, the freezing chamber evaporator 150, and the third discharge passage ( 151) is introduced into the compressor 200 in order.

Even if excessive refrigerant flows into the ice-making compartment evaporator 130, the refrigerant does not flow into the refrigerating compartment evaporator 110, but only flows into the freezing compartment evaporator 150, so that the refrigerating compartment 11 is not overcooled and the reliability of the compressor 200 is improved. is secured

As shown in FIG. 5 , when a signal to lower the temperature of the freezing compartment 15 is input to the control unit by the sensor of the freezing compartment 15 , the control unit uses the four-way valve 100 to control the third supply flow path 103 . ) is supplied with refrigerant.

The refrigerant flows into the freezing chamber evaporator 150 through the third supply passage 103 to lower the temperature of the freezing chamber 15 , and flows into the compressor 200 through the third discharge passage 151 .

As shown in FIG. 6 , when a signal to lower the temperature of each storage compartment is input to the control unit by sensors of the refrigerating compartment 11 , the ice making compartment 13 , and the freezing compartment 15 , the control unit controls the four-way valve 100 ) to supply the refrigerant to the first supply passage 101 , the second supply passage 102 , and the third supply passage 103 .

The refrigerant flows into each evaporator through each supply passage, cools each storage chamber, and is discharged from each evaporator through each discharge passage, and consequently flows into the compressor 200 .

Since the refrigerant can be simultaneously introduced into the refrigerating compartment evaporator 110 , the ice-making compartment evaporator 130 , and the freezing compartment evaporator 150 , each storage compartment can be adjusted to a desired temperature within a short time.

As shown in FIG. 7 , when a signal to lower the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 11 and the freezing compartment 15 is inputted to the control unit by each sensor of the refrigerating compartment 11 and the freezing compartment 15, the control unit controls the four-way valve ( 100) to supply the refrigerant to the first supply passage 101 and the third supply passage 103 .

The refrigerant flows into the refrigerating compartment evaporator 110 and the freezing compartment evaporator 150 through the first supply passage 101 and the third supply passage 103 , respectively.

The refrigerant introduced into the refrigerating compartment evaporator 110 passes through the first discharge path 111, the ice-making compartment evaporator 130, the second discharge path 131, the freezer compartment evaporator 150, and the third discharge path 151 in this order. is introduced into the compressor 200 .

The refrigerant introduced into the freezing chamber evaporator 150 flows into the compressor 200 through the third discharge passage 151 .

Unlike the above, the refrigerating compartment 11 and the ice-making compartment 13 may be simultaneously cooled, or the ice-making compartment 13 and the freezing compartment 15 may be simultaneously cooled.

That is, the main body 10 of the present invention supplies refrigerant to one to three evaporators among the refrigerating compartment evaporator 110 , the ice-making compartment evaporator 130 , and the freezing compartment evaporator 150 , so that the main body 10 is the most efficient according to the state of the main body 10 . In this way, the storage chamber inside the main body 10 can be cooled.

As described above, although described with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art can variously modify or modify the present invention within the scope without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims. can be carried out.

10: body
11: Refrigerator
13: Ice making room
15: Freezer
100: four-way valve
101: first supply flow path
102: second supply flow path
103: third supply flow path
110: refrigerator compartment evaporator
111: first discharge flow path
130: ice-making room evaporator
131: second discharge flow path
150: freezer compartment evaporator
151: third discharge flow path
200: compressor
201: 1st Euro
300: condenser
301: 2nd Euro
400: dryer
401: 3rd Euro

Claims (9)

a body including a refrigerator compartment, a freezer compartment, and an ice-making compartment;
a refrigerating compartment evaporator, an ice making compartment evaporator, and a freezing compartment evaporator exchanging heat with the refrigerating compartment, the ice making compartment and the freezing compartment,
The refrigerating compartment evaporator, the ice making compartment evaporator and the freezing compartment evaporator are connected in parallel through a refrigerant supply passage,
The refrigerator in which the refrigerating compartment evaporator, the ice making compartment evaporator and the freezing compartment evaporator are connected in series through a refrigerant discharge passage. The method according to claim 1,
The refrigerator further comprising a four-way valve for distributing the refrigerant to the refrigerant supply passage. 3. The method according to claim 2,
The refrigerator further comprising a control unit for controlling the four-way valve. 4. The method of claim 3,
Each of the refrigerating compartment, the ice making compartment and the freezing compartment further includes a sensor that sends a signal to the control unit,
A refrigerator in which refrigerant is independently supplied to the refrigerating compartment, the ice making compartment, and the freezing compartment according to the on/off of the sensor. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The serial refrigerant discharge flow path is connected to the refrigerating compartment evaporator, the ice-making compartment evaporator, and the freezing compartment evaporator in order. 6. The method of claim 5,
When the ice-making chamber is supercooled, the refrigerator in which the cold air remaining after cooling the ice-making chamber is distributed to the freezing chamber. The method according to claim 1,
an inner case having a storage space and including a partition in which an insulating material accommodating space is provided; and
Further comprising; an outer case provided on the periphery of the inner case so as to provide a space portion communicating with the heat insulating material accommodating space;
The storage space is divided into the refrigerating compartment and the ice making compartment by the compartment formed in the inner case,
The insulator injected into the main body is injected into the space portion and the insulator accommodating space and is integrally foamed, so that the refrigerating chamber and the ice-making chamber are simultaneously formed as independent insulating spaces. 8. The method of claim 7,
The inner case includes a partition wall provided with an insulating material accommodating space to partition the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment,
In the partition wall, the refrigerating compartment, the freezing compartment and the ice making compartment are simultaneously formed as independent insulating spaces as the insulating material injected into the body is injected and foamed. 9. The method of claim 8,
The partition wall divides the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment by a separate insulating material.

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