KR20230022625A - Refrigerator incorporated with air conditioner and a method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator incorporated with an air conditioner and a method for controlling the same. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator comprises a refrigerator having a storage compartment and an air conditioner having an air conditioning evaporator and a discharge unit to cool an indoor space, which are integral with each other. The refrigerator comprises: a compressor for compressing refrigerant; a condenser connected to an outlet side of the compressor to condense the refrigerant; and a cooling device including a PCM tank accommodating a phase change material and a heat exchange pipe inserted into the PCM tank so that the refrigerant condensed by the condenser flows thereinto to regenerate the phase change material, in order to cool the storage compartment. Therefore, the refrigerator can drive one refrigeration cycle, thereby operating the refrigerator and the air conditioner.

Description

Refrigerator incorporated with air conditioner and a method for controlling the same}

The present invention relates to an air conditioner-integrated refrigerator and a control method thereof.

In general, a refrigerator is a home appliance that stores food at a low temperature in an internal storage space shielded by a door, and cools the inside of the storage space using cold air generated through heat exchange with a refrigerant circulating in a refrigerating cycle. It is configured so that food can be stored in an optimal condition.

An air conditioner is a home appliance for maintaining indoor air in the most suitable state according to use and purpose. For example, the indoor air is adjusted to a cool cooling state in summer, a warm heating state in winter, and also the indoor humidity is controlled and the indoor air is adjusted to a pleasant clean state.

The refrigerator and air conditioner are similar in that they cool or heat air by driving a refrigeration cycle. The refrigeration cycle may be configured to perform compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation of the refrigerant.

An integral product that drives a refrigerator and an air conditioner by driving one refrigerating cycle can be proposed.

Prior literature information related to the prior art is as follows.

Patent Publication No. 1999-0054805 (July 15, 1999), Refrigerator with Air Conditioning Function

An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner-integrated refrigerator capable of driving a refrigerator and an air conditioner by driving one refrigerating cycle.

An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner integrated refrigerator capable of realizing a compact product by integrally configuring a refrigerator and an air conditioner into a single body.

An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner-integrated refrigerator capable of preventing a pressure drop of a refrigerant and improving efficiency by reducing a pipe length of a refrigerant circulating between a refrigerator and an air conditioner.

The present invention is an air conditioner integrated refrigerator having one integrated condenser and a plurality of coolers so that a refrigerator and an air conditioner having different cooling loads can be simultaneously driven, and can easily control the pressure of refrigerant flowing into each cooler. is intended to provide

An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner-integrated refrigerator in which a cooling passage and a heat dissipation passage can be easily formed by compactly disposing cycle parts inside the housing of the air conditioner.

The present invention is an air conditioner integrated type capable of cooling a refrigerator storage compartment by using a phase change material to reduce noise generated from a compressor when a compressor having a large capacity is used to cope with the load of the refrigerator and the air conditioner. It aims to provide a refrigerator.

In the present invention, when a compressor with a large capacity is used to cope with the load of a refrigerator and an air conditioner, when only the refrigerator is operated, the compressor is stopped and the regenerated phase change material is used to prevent the refrigeration cycle from being driven. An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner-integrated refrigerator capable of cooling a storage compartment.

The present invention provides an air conditioner-integrated refrigerator capable of easily dispersing cold air generated in the phase change process of the phase change material into a refrigerator storage compartment by including a fan unit on one side of a cooling device using a phase change material. The purpose.

An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner-integrated refrigerator capable of forming a passage opening in a tank accommodating a phase change material so that cold air can be circulated in a storage compartment of the refrigerator.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a refrigerator main body in which a storage compartment for storing goods is formed, and a housing forming a cooling passage and a heat dissipation passage are integrally configured to realize a compact product.

In an embodiment of the present invention, since a refrigerator and an air conditioner can be driven together by driving one refrigerating cycle, the number of refrigerating cycle parts can be reduced and the weight of the product can be reduced accordingly.

An embodiment of the present invention uses one condenser as a common condenser for the operation of a refrigerator and an air conditioner, and uses an expansion valve to transfer the refrigerant condensed in the condenser to a plurality of condensers corresponding to the load of the refrigerator and the air conditioner. Since it can be distributed and introduced into the cooler, it is easy to respond to the load.

In the embodiment of the present invention, since the housing of the air conditioner is installed on the upper side of the refrigerator, and the heat dissipation flow path passing through the condenser and the cooling flow path passing through the evaporator can be partitioned from each other in the housing, the flow path for driving the product is easy to form.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the condensing fan and the evaporating fan for discharging air in combination are configured as one fan assembly, so that the space for component installation in the housing can be compacted.

In the embodiment of the present invention, since the expansion valves provided at the inlet side of the plurality of coolers are composed of electronic expansion valves capable of adjusting the opening, the amount of refrigerant flowing into each evaporator can be easily adjusted according to the load of the refrigerator and the air conditioner. there is.

In the embodiment of the present invention, since the air conditioner is provided on the upper side of the refrigerator, the air discharged from the air conditioner can be easily discharged toward the lower part of the indoor space from a relatively high place.

In an embodiment of the present invention, since a cooling device including a phase change material is provided on one side of a refrigerator storage compartment, cold air generated during a phase change process of the phase change material can be easily supplied to the storage compartment without driving a compressor. .

In the embodiment of the present invention, since the heat exchange pipe is inserted into the tank in which the phase change material is accommodated, heat exchange between the phase change material and the heat exchange pipe can be easily performed.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, since the tank has a hollow shape to form a cold air passage, cold air around the tank can be easily circulated by driving a circulation fan.

In one embodiment of the present invention, when an operation command of the air conditioner is input in the process of regenerating the phase change material, the operating frequency of the compressor is increased so that the process of regenerating the phase change material and the operation of the air conditioner are performed together. can

In an embodiment of the present invention, when an operation command of the air conditioner is input in the process of regenerating the phase change material, the process of regenerating the phase change material may be completed and the operation of the air conditioner may start.

In an embodiment of the present invention, even when the phase change material regeneration cycle arrives while the air conditioner is operating, when the temperature in the tank is lower than a set temperature, the regeneration of the phase change material may be delayed.

In one aspect of the present invention, an integrated refrigerator may include a refrigerator forming a storage compartment, an air conditioning evaporator for cooling an indoor space, and an air conditioner having a discharge unit integrally formed.

The integrated refrigerator includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant; a condenser connected to the outlet side of the compressor to condense the refrigerant; and a cooling device including a PCM tank in which the phase change material is accommodated and a heat exchange pipe inserted into the PCM tank and regenerating the phase change material by introducing the refrigerant condensed in the condenser to cool the storage compartment. there is.

The integrated refrigerator may further include an air conditioner expansion valve that is opened to supply at least a portion of the refrigerant condensed in the condenser to the air conditioner evaporator when the air conditioner starts operating while the refrigerator is in operation. can

The refrigerator may further include an outer case, an inner case forming the storage compartment, and an insulating material provided between the outer case and the inner case, and the PCM tank may form at least a portion of the inner case.

The PCM tank may form an inner wall of the storage compartment.

The storage compartment includes a rear wall and both side walls, and the PCM tank forms a first tank part forming a rear wall of the storage compartment, a second tank part forming one side wall of the storage compartment, and the other side wall of the storage compartment. It may include a third tank part facing the second tank part.

The PCM tank may have a shape bent by the first to third tank parts.

The heat exchange pipe may include a first heat exchange part provided in the first tank part, a second heat exchange part provided in the second tank part, and a third heat exchange part provided in the third tank part.

The PCM tank forms an insertion opening into which the heat exchange pipe is inserted, and an internal space of the PCM tank includes a space where the heat exchange pipe is disposed and a space where the phase change material is located, and the phase change material is conducting heat exchange. It may be in contact with the heat exchange pipe to enable this.

The PCM tank may include a duct forming a flow path therein so that air flows through the PCM tank.

The heat exchange pipe includes a first heat exchange part embedded in the first surface of the PCM tank and a second heat exchange part embedded in the second surface of the PCM tank, and the flow path includes the first surface and the second heat exchange part of the PCM tank. It can be formed between faces.

The cooling device may further include a circulation fan provided at one side of the PCM tank in the storage compartment and supplying cool air emitted by the phase change material to the storage compartment.

The air conditioner may include a housing provided on one side of the refrigerator, and a condensation fan for heat dissipation of the condenser and an air conditioner fan for heat exchange of the air conditioner evaporator may be installed inside the housing.

The condensing fan includes a first fan discharge unit that sucks air in an axial direction and discharges air toward the rear of the refrigerator, and the air conditioner fan sucks air in an axial direction and discharges air toward the front of the refrigerator. A second fan discharge unit may be included.

The housing may include a suction part for sucking in air from an indoor space, and the discharge part may include a cooling discharge part for discharging air that has passed through the air conditioning evaporator and a heat radiation discharge part for discharging air that has passed through the condenser.

The compressor and the condenser may be installed inside the housing.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling an integrated refrigerator includes regenerating a phase change material provided in the refrigerator by driving a compressor at a first operating frequency according to a set cycle; and stopping the compressor and discharging thermal energy accumulated in the phase change material into the storage compartment when the internal temperature of the PCM tank in which the phase change material is accommodated becomes equal to or less than a set temperature.

The control method may include determining whether to simultaneously operate the air conditioner and regenerate the phase change material based on the internal temperature of the PCM tank when an operation command of the air conditioner is recognized. can

When an operation command of the air conditioner is recognized and it is recognized that the internal temperature of the PCM tank is equal to or higher than the set temperature, the compressor is driven at a second operating frequency greater than the first operating frequency, and the air conditioner is operated. And the regeneration process of the phase change material may be performed simultaneously.

When the operation command of the air conditioner is recognized and it is recognized that the internal temperature of the PCM tank is less than the set temperature, the compressor is driven at a third operating frequency greater than the first operating frequency and smaller than the second operating frequency; , It is possible to simultaneously perform the operation of the air conditioner and the cooling of the storage compartment through the phase change material.

The refrigerator may further include a heat exchange pipe inserted into the PCM tank, and the phase change material and the heat exchange pipe may exchange heat by conduction.

It further includes a condenser disposed at an outlet side of the compressor, and when the regeneration process of the phase change material and the operation of the air conditioner are simultaneously performed, some of the refrigerant condensed in the condenser flows through the heat exchange pipe. And, the remaining refrigerant may branch and flow to the air conditioning evaporator.

According to the present invention, a refrigerator and an air conditioner can be efficiently operated by driving one refrigerating cycle.

According to the present invention, a compact product can be realized by integrally configuring a refrigerator and an air conditioner as one body.

According to the present invention, the pressure drop of the refrigerant can be prevented and efficiency can be improved by reducing the pipe length of the refrigerant circulating between the refrigerator and the air conditioner.

According to the present invention, one integrated condenser and a plurality of coolers are provided so that a refrigerator and an air conditioner having different cooling loads can be simultaneously driven, and the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into each cooler can be easily controlled.

According to the present invention, it is possible to easily form a cooling passage and a heat dissipation passage by compactly arranging the cycle parts inside the housing of the air conditioner.

According to the present invention, the refrigerating cycle parts are disposed inside the housing of the air conditioner, and the PCM tank having a thin thickness is disposed on the wall of the refrigerator storage compartment, so that the space on the refrigerator side for the placement of the refrigerating cycle parts can be reduced and the refrigerator The volume of the storage compartment can be enlarged.

According to the present invention, when a large-capacity compressor is used to cope with the load of the refrigerator and the air conditioner, the storage compartment of the refrigerator can be cooled using the phase change material, thereby reducing the operation time of the compressor and reducing the noise of the compressor accordingly. can do.

According to the present invention, when a compressor with a large capacity is used to cope with the load of the refrigerator and the air conditioner, the compressor can be stopped and the storage compartment of the refrigerator can be cooled using the regenerated phase change material, so excessive capacity when only the refrigerator is operated. The refrigeration cycle of may not be driven.

According to the present invention, since a fan unit is provided on one side of a cooling device using a phase change material, cold air generated during a phase change process of the phase change material can be easily diffused into a refrigerator storage compartment.

According to the present invention, cold air can be circulated in a storage compartment of a refrigerator by forming a passage opening in a tank accommodating a phase change material.

According to the present invention, when an operation command of the air conditioner is input in the process of regenerating the phase change material, the operation frequency of the compressor is increased so that the process of regenerating the phase change material and the operation of the air conditioner can be performed simultaneously. It can easily respond to the increased load of the refrigerator.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when an operation command of the air conditioner is input in the process of regenerating the phase change material, the regeneration process of the phase change material is completed and the operation of the air conditioner can be started, thereby improving the reliability of the refrigerator storage compartment. can be secured

In an embodiment of the present invention, even if the phase change material regeneration cycle arrives during the operation of the air conditioner, when the temperature in the tank is below the set temperature, the regeneration of the phase change material can be delayed, thereby reducing the load of the compressor. It can reduce the noise generated by the compressor.

1 is a front view showing the configuration of a refrigerator integrated with an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a refrigerator integrated with an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
3 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a refrigerator integrated with an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a view showing the internal structure of the housing of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a cross-sectional view taken along 5-5' of FIG. 1;
6 is a view showing the configuration of a cooling device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
7 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a cooling device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a cross-sectional view taken along 8-8' of FIG. 2;
9 is a cycle diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner-integrated refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a refrigerator integrated with an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a flowchart showing a control method of a refrigerator integrated with an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
12 is a cycle diagram showing the flow of refrigerant in the air conditioner-integrated refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
13 is a view showing the configuration of a cooling device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
14 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a cooling device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail through exemplary drawings. In adding reference numerals to components in the drawings, it should be noted that the same components have the same numerals as much as possible even if they are displayed on different drawings.

In addition, in describing an embodiment of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function hinders understanding of the embodiment of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

Also, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used to describe components of an embodiment of the present invention. These terms are only used to distinguish the component from other components, and the nature, order, or order of the corresponding component is not limited by the term.

When an element is described as being “connected,” “coupled to,” or “connected” to another element, that element may be directly connected or connected to the other element, but there may be another element between the elements. It should be understood that may be "connected", "coupled" or "connected".

1 is a front view showing the configuration of an air conditioner integrated refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an air conditioner integrated refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of an air conditioner-integrated refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a view showing the internal configuration of the housing of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is It is a cross-sectional view taken along 5-5' in FIG.

1 to 5, an air conditioner integrated refrigerator (10, hereinafter referred to as "integrated refrigerator") according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a refrigerator 100 forming a storage compartment for storing goods and the integrated refrigerator (10) may include an air conditioner 200 that discharges air for conditioning of an indoor space in which it is installed.

The refrigerator 100 and the air conditioner 200 may be integrally configured. For example, the refrigerator 100 and the air conditioner 200 may be provided in one body.

As another example, the refrigerator 100 and the air conditioner 200 may be manufactured separately and coupled to each other.

The refrigerator 100 and the air conditioner 200 may be arranged in a vertical direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , the air conditioner 200 may be provided above the refrigerator 100 . In this case, the discharge part 220 provided in the air conditioner 200 is formed at a relatively high position in the indoor space, and the air discharged from the discharge part 220 flows toward the lower part of the indoor space. can

Unlike what is shown in the drawings, the air conditioner 200 may be disposed above the refrigerator 100.

The refrigerator 100 may include a refrigerator body 110 forming storage chambers 101 and 105 for storing goods. The storage compartments 101 and 105 include first and second storage compartments, and the first and second storage compartments may constitute a refrigerating compartment 101 and a freezing compartment 105, respectively.

The refrigerator main body 110 includes an outer case 111 forming the exterior of the refrigerator 100, an inner case provided inside the outer case 111 and forming the inside of storage compartments 101 and 105, and the outer case. It may include a heat insulating material 112 provided between the wine and the inner case.

The inner case may be configured by PCM tanks 331 and 341 accommodating phase change materials (PCMs 333 and 343).

The refrigerating compartment 101 may be formed above the freezing compartment 105 . However, unlike this, the refrigerating compartment 101 may be formed below the freezing compartment 105, or the refrigerating compartment 101 and the freezing compartment 105 may be disposed left and right.

The refrigerator body 110 may include a barrier 106 partitioning the refrigerating compartment 101 and the freezing compartment 105 . The barrier 106 may include a heat insulating material for insulatingly separating the refrigerating compartment 101 and the freezing compartment 105 .

The refrigerator body 110 may include a shelf 141 for storing items. The shelves 141 may be provided in the refrigerating compartment 101 and the freezing compartment 105, respectively.

The refrigerator body 110 may include cooling devices 330 and 340 that generate cold air to be supplied to the storage compartments 101 and 105 . The cooling devices 330 and 340 may include a first cooling device 330 generating cold air to be supplied to the refrigerating compartment 101 and a second cooling device 340 generating cold air to be supplied to the freezing compartment 105.

The cooling devices 330 and 340 may be referred to as a “refrigerator cooling device”.

The cooling devices 330 and 340 may be installed on a wall surface of the refrigerator body 110 .

For example, the first cooling device 330 may be installed on a wall surface of the refrigerating compartment 101 . In detail, the first cooling device 330 is installed on the rear wall and both side surfaces of the refrigerating compartment 101 and may be disposed to surround the refrigerating compartment 101 except for the front portion closed by the door.

The second cooling device 340 may be installed on a wall surface of the freezing chamber 105 . In detail, the second cooling device 340 is installed on the rear wall and both side surfaces of the freezing chamber 105 and may be disposed to surround the freezing chamber 105 except for the front part closed by the door.

The first cooling device 330 may include a first PCM tank 331 accommodating a phase change material (PCM, 333) and a first heat exchange pipe 332 inserted into the first PCM tank 331. there is.

A refrigerant flows through the first heat exchange pipe 332 and may serve as a cooler for regenerating the phase change material 333 . The phase change material (PCM, 333) and the first heat exchange pipe 332 may exchange heat with each other.

The second cooling device 340 may include a second PCM tank 341 accommodating a phase change material (PCM, 343) and a second heat exchange pipe 342 inserted into the second PCM tank 341. there is.

A refrigerant flows through the second heat exchange pipe 342 and may act as a cooler for regenerating the phase change material 343 . The phase change material (PCM, 343) and the second heat exchange pipe 342 may exchange heat with each other.

The phase change material (PCM) may be made of water, a refrigerant or carbon dioxide that can accumulate or release thermal energy through a phase change.

For example, the phase change material (PCM) may absorb heat in the process of melting to lower the temperature of the surroundings. The phase change material (PCM) may be solidified and regenerated during heat exchange with the heat exchange pipes 341 and 342 .

Circulation fans 335 and 345 for circulation of cold air may be disposed in the storage compartments 101 and 105 . The circulation fans 335 and 345 may be disposed adjacent to the cooling devices 330 and 340 .

The circulation fans 335 and 345 may include a first circulation fan 335 installed in the refrigerating compartment 101 . The first circulation fan 335 may be disposed adjacent to the first cooling device 330 .

For example, the first circulation fan 335 may be disposed in front of the first cooling device 330 disposed on the rear wall of the refrigerating compartment 101 . The first circulation fan 335 may be disposed adjacent to the upper end of the first cooling device 330 and disposed adjacent to the upper end of the refrigerating compartment 101 .

The circulation fans 335 and 345 may include a second circulation fan 345 installed in the freezing compartment 105 . The second circulation fan 345 may be disposed adjacent to the second cooling device 340 .

For example, the second circulation fan 345 may be disposed in front of the second cooling device 340 disposed on the rear wall of the freezing chamber 105 . The second circulation fan 345 may be disposed adjacent to the upper end of the second cooling device 340 and disposed adjacent to the upper end of the freezing compartment 105 .

The refrigerator 100 may include doors 121 and 125 for opening and closing the storage compartments 101 and 105 . For example, the doors 121 and 125 may be rotatably provided on the refrigerator body 110 .

However, unlike this, the doors 121 and 125 may be configured as a drawer type that slides and withdraws forward.

The doors 121 and 125 may include a refrigerating compartment door 121 for opening and closing the refrigerating compartment 101 and a freezing compartment door 125 for opening and closing the freezing compartment 105 .

The doors 121 and 125 may include a door basket 145 for storing articles. The door basket 145 may be provided to the refrigerating compartment door 121 and the freezing compartment door 125, respectively.

The air conditioner 200 may include a housing 210 . The housing 210 may form an inner space for installing parts of a refrigerating cycle, and may form a suction part and a discharge part for guiding suction and discharge of air.

For example, the housing 210 may have a polyhedral shape with an empty inside.

The housing 210 may be provided on an upper side of the refrigerator 100, for example. For example, the housing 210 may be configured to be seated on the upper surface portion 115 of the refrigerator body 110 .

A depression 210a may be formed in the front portion of the lower surface of the housing 210 .

The recessed portion 210a may be configured to avoid interference between the housing 210 and the door hinge H protruding from the upper surface of the refrigerator 100 . The recessed portion 210a may be recessed upward from the lower surface of the housing 210 .

An installation space for installing parts of a refrigeration cycle may be formed inside the housing 210 . For example, the parts of the refrigeration cycle may include a compressor 310, a condenser 320, a third expansion valve 363, and an air conditioning evaporator 350 for cooling an indoor space.

The parts of the refrigerating cycle may further include a refrigerant pipe 300a connecting the compressor 310, the condenser 320, and the air conditioning evaporator 350 to allow the refrigerant to flow.

Components of the refrigerating cycle may further include a fan assembly 300b for forming an air flow path. The fan assembly 300b may be disposed between the air conditioning evaporator 350 and the condenser 320 .

For example, the air conditioning evaporator 350 may be disposed in the front portion of the housing 210 to discharge conditioned air toward the front of the integrated refrigerator.

The condenser 320 may be disposed on the opposite side of the air conditioning evaporator 350, that is, at the rear of the housing 210. Also, the fan assembly 300b may be installed at a point between the condenser 320 and the air conditioning evaporator 350, that is, at a substantially central portion of the housing 210.

The fan assembly 300b includes a condensing fan 325 for forming an air passage passing through the condenser 320 and an air conditioner fan 355 forming an air passage passing through the air conditioning evaporator 350. can include

The integrated refrigerator 10 may include a first motor 300d1 driving the condensation fan 325 and a second motor 300d2 driving the air conditioner fan 355 . For example, the first and second motors 300d1 and 300d2 may be provided between the condensation fan 325 and the air conditioner fan 355 .

A shaft of the first motor 300d1 may extend in one direction from the first motor 300d1 toward the condensation fan 325 and be connected to the condensation fan 325 .

A shaft of the second motor 300d2 may extend in another direction from the second motor 300d2 toward the air conditioner fan 355 and be connected to the air conditioner fan 355 .

The one direction and the other direction may be opposite to each other.

The condensing fan 325 may include a centrifugal fan that sucks in air in an axial direction and discharges it in a circumferential direction. For example, the condensation fan 325 may include a multi-blade fan (also referred to as a sirocco fan).

The condensation fan 325 may include a first fan discharge part 325a for discharging air in the circumferential direction of the plurality of blades. The first fan discharge part 325a may face the condenser 320 to send air to the condenser 320 .

For example, the first fan discharge part 325a may be connected to the second partition wall 216b.

The air conditioner fan 355 may include a centrifugal fan that sucks in air in an axial direction and discharges it in a circumferential direction. For example, the air conditioner fan 355 may include a multi-blade blower.

The air conditioner fan 355 may include a second fan discharge part 355a for discharging air in the circumferential direction of the plurality of blades. The second fan discharge part 355a may face the air conditioning evaporator 350 to send air to the air conditioning evaporator 350 .

For example, the second fan discharge part 355a may be connected to the third partition wall 216c.

Another embodiment is proposed.

In the above embodiment, it has been described that the condensation fan 325 and the air conditioner fan 355 are connected to the first and second motors, respectively, but unlike this, two shafts extend on both sides of one motor, and the two shafts It may be connected to the condensation fan 325 and the air conditioner fan 355, respectively.

In this case, the condensation fan 325 and the air conditioner fan 355 may be driven together by driving one motor.

The housing 210 may form a suction part 231 for sucking air into the housing 210 . For example, the suction part 231 may be formed on an upper surface of the housing 210 .

A suction grill 232 may be provided in the suction part 231 to prevent foreign substances from being sucked in.

The housing 210 may form discharge parts 218 and 220 through which air heat-exchanged with the condenser 320 and the air conditioning evaporator 350 is discharged. The discharge units 218 and 220 may form a plurality of discharge units through which air having different temperatures is discharged.

In detail, the discharge parts 218 and 220 may include a heat discharge discharge part 218 through which air heat-exchanged with the condenser 320 is discharged.

For example, the heat dissipation outlet 218 may be formed on the rear side of the housing 210 so that air discharged through the heat dissipation outlet 218 does not directly reach a user.

The heat radiation outlet 218 may be connected to the exhaust duct 90 . For example, the exhaust duct 90 may be attached to or buried in a wall surface of an indoor space, or may be attached to a wall surface of a cupboard or furniture provided in an indoor space.

In addition, the exhaust duct 90 is finally connected to an exhaust hood provided in the kitchen and can be flexibly connected to the outside of the indoor space. Air discharged through the heat dissipation unit 218 may be discharged to the outside of the indoor space through the exhaust hood.

The discharge parts 218 and 220 may include a cooling discharge part 220 through which air heat-exchanged with the air conditioning evaporator 350 is discharged.

For example, the cooling outlet 220 may be formed on the front side of the housing 210 so that the air discharged through the cooling outlet 220 flows toward the front of the integrated refrigerator and is easily delivered to the user. there is.

The cooling discharge part 220 may be provided with a discharge vane 221 capable of opening or closing the cooling discharge part 220 . The discharge vane 221 may be movably provided. For example, the discharge vane 221 may rotate in a vertical direction.

When the discharge vane 221 moves while the cooling discharge part 220 is open, the flow direction of the air discharged from the cooling discharge part 220 may be changed.

When the air conditioner fan 355 is turned off, the discharge vane 221 may be closed. Of course, even if the air conditioner fan 355 is driven, air may not be discharged through the cooling discharge unit 220 when the discharge vane 221 is closed.

Inside the housing 210, partition walls 216a, 216b, 216c, and 216d partitioning a plurality of installation spaces for installing parts of a refrigeration cycle may be provided.

The plurality of installation spaces may include a first installation space 211 for installing the compressor 310 . The first installation space 211 may be partitioned from other installation spaces by the first partition wall 216a.

The first installation space 211 may be provided with a gas-liquid separator 312 provided at a suction side of the compressor 310 to separate gaseous refrigerant from refrigerant and transfer the gas to the compressor 310 . However, the gas-liquid separator 312 may be omitted.

At least a portion of the third expansion valve 363 and the refrigerant pipe 300a may be positioned in the first installation space 211 .

The plurality of installation spaces may include a second installation space 212 for installation of the condenser 320 . The second installation space 212 may be partitioned from the fourth installation space 214 by the second partition wall 216b.

The plurality of installation spaces may include a third installation space 213 for installing the third evaporator 350 . The third installation space 213 may be partitioned from the fourth installation space 214 by the third partition wall 216c.

The plurality of installation spaces may include a fourth installation space 214 for installing the fan assembly 300b. The fourth installation space 214 may be understood as a space defined by a plurality of partition walls, for example, the first to fourth partition walls 216a, 216b, 216c, and 216d.

The fourth installation space 214 may be disposed between the second and third installation spaces 212 and 213 .

The plurality of installation spaces may include a fifth installation space 215 for installing the electronic unit 217 . The electrical unit 217 may include a control component for controlling the operation of the refrigerator 100 or the air conditioner 200 .

The fifth installation space 215 may be partitioned from the second to fourth installation spaces 212 , 213 , and 214 by the fourth partition wall 216d.

The second partition wall 216b and the third partition wall 216c may come into contact with the first partition wall 216a so that the first to fourth installation spaces 211 , 212 , 213 , and 214 are partitioned from each other.

The fifth installation space 215 may be formed opposite the first installation space 211 with the third and fourth installation spaces 213 and 214 as the center.

The first to fifth installation spaces 211 , 212 , 213 , 214 , and 215 may form different temperature environments. Accordingly, a heat insulating material may be provided on at least one of the first to fourth partition walls so that the first to fifth installation spaces 211 , 212 , 213 , 214 , and 215 may be thermally separated from each other.

The first fan discharge part 325a of the fan assembly 300b is coupled to the second partition wall 216b and can discharge air from the fourth installation space 214 to the second installation space 212. there is.

The second fan discharge part 355a of the fan assembly 300b is coupled to the third partition wall 216c and can discharge air from the fourth installation space 214 to the third installation space 213. there is.

Referring to FIG. 5 , air flow in the refrigerator 100 and the air conditioner 200 will be briefly described.

The compressor 310 and the condensing fan 325 are driven, and the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 310 is condensed in the condenser 320, reduced in pressure in the expansion valves 361 and 362 (see FIG. 9), and then first and second heat exchange. It can be evaporated in the pipes 332 and 342.

When regeneration of the phase change materials 333 and 343 is required in the first and second cooling devices 330 and 340, refrigerant may be supplied to the first and second heat exchange pipes 332 and 342 to evaporate. At this time, the first and second heat exchange pipes 332 and 342 and the phase change materials 333 and 343 exchange heat so that the phase change materials 333 and 343 can be cooled.

Meanwhile, when the phase change materials 333 and 343 melt to generate cool air, the refrigerant may not be supplied to the first and second heat exchange pipes 332 and 342 . To this end, the expansion valves 361 and 362 may be closed.

When the first circulation fan 335 is driven, the cold air generated from the first cooling device 330 can be circulated inside the refrigerating compartment 101 . For example, cold air generated from the wall side of the refrigerating compartment 101 may be diffused into the refrigerating compartment 101 by the first circulation fan 335 .

When the second circulation fan 345 is driven, cold air generated from the second cooling device 340 may be circulated inside the freezing compartment 105 . For example, cold air generated from the wall side of the freezing chamber 105 may be diffused into the freezing chamber 105 by the second circulation fan 345 .

When the air conditioner 200 is operated, the air conditioner fan 355 is driven, and air in the indoor space may be introduced into the housing 210 through the suction part 231 .

The air introduced through the suction part 231 flows into the fourth installation space 214 and is sucked into the fan assembly 300b.

Some of the air sucked into the fan assembly 300b flows backward through the condensation fan 325 and flows into the second installation space where the condenser 320 is located.

Air is heated by heat exchange with the condenser 320 in the second installation space, and the heated air may be discharged to the outside of the housing 210 through the heat discharge unit 218 .

The rest of the air sucked into the fan assembly 300b flows forward through the air conditioner fan 355 and flows into the third installation space where the air conditioner evaporator 350 is located.

Air is cooled by heat exchange with the air conditioning evaporator 350 in the third installation space, and the cooled air may be discharged to the outside of the housing 210 through the cooling outlet 220 .

When the cooled air is discharged through the cooling discharge unit 220, the discharge vane 221 is opened and the direction may be changed by the discharge vane 221. For example, the discharge vane 221 may be rotated downward or slidably moved in order to discharge air to the front lower portion of the integrated refrigerator.

6 is a view showing the configuration of a cooling device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the cooling device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. This is a cross section cut along -8'.

Referring to FIGS. 6 to 8 , the first cooling device 330 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may generate cold air to cool the refrigerating compartment 101 . The second cooling device 340 may generate cold air to cool the freezing compartment 105 .

Hereinafter, the configuration of the first cooling device 330 will be mainly described, and the description of the first cooling device 330 can be used for the second cooling device 340.

The first cooling device 330 may include a PCM tank 331 forming a wall of the refrigerating compartment 101 . The PCM tank 331 may constitute an inner case of the refrigerating compartment 101 .

The PCM tank 331 may be disposed to surround the rear and side portions of the refrigerating compartment 101 except for the open front portion. Thus, cold air generated in the PCM tank 331 can be easily transferred to the refrigerating compartment 101 .

The PCM tank 331 may include a first tank part 331a forming the rear wall of the refrigerating chamber 101 and second and third tank parts 331b and 331b forming the sidewall of the refrigerating chamber 101. . The second tank part 331b and the third tank part 331c may be disposed to face each other.

By the first to third tank parts 331a, 331b, and 331c, the PCM tank 331 may have a bent shape.

The first cooling device 330 may further include a phase change material (PCM) 333 filled in the PCM tank 331 . The phase change material may be understood as a material that accumulates or releases thermal energy during a phase change process of a material.

In order to fill the phase change material, the inner space of the PCM tank 331 may form a filling space for the phase change material.

The first cooling device 330 may further include a first heat exchange pipe 331 disposed in an inner space of the PCM tank 331 . The surface of the first heat exchange pipe 331 and the phase change material may contact each other. For example, the first heat exchange pipe 331 and the phase change material may exchange heat by conduction.

When the low-pressure refrigerant flows in the first heat exchange pipe 331 (regeneration process), an environment below the phase change temperature may be formed in the surrounding environment of the phase change material, and the phase change material is the first heat exchange material. It can be solidified (solidified) by emitting heat to the pipe 331.

When the low-pressure refrigerant does not flow through the first heat exchange pipe 331, an environment above the phase change temperature may be formed in the surrounding environment of the phase change material, and the phase change material may absorb heat and melt. In this process, cool air may be supplied to the refrigerating compartment 101 so that the refrigerating compartment 101 is maintained below a set temperature.

The first cooling device 330 may include a first heat exchange pipe 332 disposed in the inner space of the PCM tank 331 to exchange heat with the phase change material.

An insertion opening 331d into which the first heat exchange pipe 332 is inserted may be formed at an end of the PCM tank 331 . A tank cover may be coupled to the insertion opening 331d.

The inner space of the PCM tank 331 may include a space where the first heat exchange pipe 332 is installed and a space where the phase change material 333 is filled.

The first heat exchange pipe 332 may include a plurality of heat exchange parts 332a, 332b, and 332c disposed in different directions corresponding to the shape of the PCM tank 331.

The plurality of heat exchange parts 332a, 332b, and 332c include a first heat exchange part 332a disposed in the first tank part 331a of the PCM tank 331 and a second tank of the PCM tank 331 A second heat exchange part 332b disposed on the part 331b and a third heat exchange part 332c disposed on the third tank part 331c of the PCM tank 331 may be included.

The first heat exchange part 332a may be disposed on a rear wall of the refrigerating compartment 101 .

The second heat exchange part 332b may be disposed on the first sidewall of the refrigerating compartment 101 .

The third heat exchange part 332c may be disposed on the second sidewall of the refrigerating compartment 101 .

The second and third heat exchange parts 332b and 332c may be disposed to face each other.

The plurality of heat exchanging parts 332a, 332b, and 332c may be bent or bent multiple times so as to be effectively disposed in the PCM tank 331 of a limited space and increase the length of the pipe.

The first cooling device 330 may further include a PCM temperature sensor 338 for detecting an internal temperature of the PCM tank 331 . For example, the PCM temperature sensor 338 may be installed on an outer wall of the PCM tank 331, and a sensing part of the PCM temperature sensor 338 may extend into an inner space of the PCM tank 331.

The first cooling device 330 is provided on one side of the PCM tank 331 and further includes a first circulation fan 335 for circulating the cold air generated in the PCM tank 331 to the refrigerating compartment 101. can do.

For example, the first circulation fan 335 may be disposed at a position corresponding to an upper end of the PCM tank 331 . However, the position of the first circulation fan 335 is not limited thereto, and may be disposed at a position corresponding to the lower end of the PCM tank 331.

The first circulation fan 335 may be disposed on the front side of the first tank part 331a of the PCM tank 331 .

The first circulation fan 335 may include, for example, a centrifugal fan that sucks in air in an axial direction and discharges it in a circumferential direction.

When the first circulation fan 335 is disposed at a position corresponding to the upper end of the PCM tank 331, the fan suction part 336 of the first circulation fan 335 is connected to the first circulation fan 335. It may be formed at the lower end of.

The fan discharge part 337 of the first circulation fan 335 may be formed at the front end of the first circulation fan 335 so that cold air can be discharged from the rear wall of the refrigerating compartment 101 to the front.

Cool air may flow upward from the lower part of the rear wall of the refrigerating compartment 101, be sucked into the first circulation fan 335, and discharged forward. The discharged cool air may flow downward and may flow to the lower part of the rear wall side of the refrigerating compartment 101 . As the first circulation fan 335 is driven, the circulation of the cold air may be continuously generated.

The first circulation fan 335 may include a plurality of circulation fans 335a and 335b. The plurality of circulation fans 335a and 335b may include a first circulation fan 335a and a second circulation fan 335b disposed in left and right directions of the refrigerating compartment 101 .

9 is a cycle diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner integrated refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the air conditioner integrated refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 , the integrated refrigerator 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may drive a refrigerating cycle. The refrigerating cycle may be driven by a plurality of cycle parts.

The integrated refrigerator 10 may include a compressor 310 for compressing the refrigerant and a condenser 320 disposed at an outlet side of the compressor 310 and condensing the high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed by the compressor 310. can

The integrated refrigerator 10 may include expansion valves 361 , 362 , and 363 for depressurizing the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 320 and a plurality of coolers 330 , 340 , and 350 evaporating the refrigerant depressurized in the expansion valves 361 , 362 , and 363 . .

The plurality of coolers 330 , 340 , and 350 may include a first heat exchange pipe 332 , a second heat exchange pipe 342 , and an air conditioning evaporator 350 .

The expansion valves 361, 362, and 363 include a first expansion valve 361 provided at the inlet side of the first heat exchange pipe 332 and a second expansion valve 362 provided at the inlet side of the second heat exchange pipe 332. ) and a third expansion valve 363 provided on the inlet side of the air conditioning evaporator 350.

The first and second expansion valves 361 and 362 may be called "refrigerator expansion valves", and the third expansion valve 363 may be called "air conditioner expansion valves".

The compressor 310, the condenser 320, the expansion valves 361, 362, and 363 and the plurality of coolers 332, 342, and 350 are connected by a refrigerant pipe 300a to allow circulation of the refrigerant.

The refrigerant pipe 300a may include a discharge pipe 301 for guiding the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 310 to the condenser 320 . The discharge pipe 301 may be connected to the inlet side of the condenser 320 .

The refrigerant pipe 300a may include a condensation pipe 302 that is connected to the outlet of the condenser 320 and allows the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 320 to flow.

The condensation pipe 302 may be connected to the inlet side of the second heat exchange pipe 342 .

The refrigerant pipe 300a may include cooler inlet pipes 303a, 303b, and 303c branched from the condensation pipe 302 or connected to the condensation pipe 320 and connected to coolers 332, 342, and 352.

The cooler inlet pipes 303a, 303b, and 303c may include a first cooler inlet pipe 303a branched from the first branch portion 302a of the condensation pipe 302 and connected to the first heat exchange pipe 332. can

The cooler inlet pipes 303a, 303b, and 303c may include a second cooler inlet pipe 303b that is connected to the condensation pipe 302 and introduces the refrigerant into the second heat exchange pipe 342. It can be understood that the second cooler inlet pipe 303b constitutes a part of the condensation pipe 302 .

The cooler inlet pipes 303a, 303b, and 303c may include a third cooler inlet pipe 303c branched from the second branch portion 302b of the condensation pipe 302 and connected to the air conditioning evaporator 350. there is.

The first expansion valve 361 may be installed in the first cooler inlet pipe 303a.

The second expansion valve 362 may be installed in the second cooler inlet pipe 303b.

The third expansion valve 363 may be installed in the third cooler inlet pipe 303c.

At least one of the first to third expansion valves 361, 362, and 363 may be configured as an electronic expansion valve (EEV) capable of adjusting an opening degree. For example, the first to third expansion valves 361, 362, and 363 may be configured as electronic expansion valves (EEVs).

Refrigerating loads of the refrigerator 100 and the air conditioner 200 may be formed differently. For example, the refrigerating load of the air conditioner 200 may be larger than that of the refrigerator 100 .

The evaporation pressure of the air conditioning evaporator 350 provided in the air conditioner 200 may be greater than the evaporation pressure of the first heat exchange pipe 332 provided in the refrigerating compartment 101 . In addition, the evaporation pressure of the first heat exchange pipe 332 may be greater than the evaporation pressure of the second heat exchange pipe 342 provided in the freezing chamber 105 .

The amount of refrigerant required to drive the air conditioner 200 may be larger than the amount of refrigerant required to drive the refrigerator 100 .

To this end, the opening size of the third expansion valve 363 for controlling the amount of refrigerant flowing into the air conditioning evaporator 350 is determined by the first expansion valve 361 controlling the amount of refrigerant flowing into the first heat exchange pipe 332. The opening of may be formed larger than the size.

That is, when the third expansion valve 363 is fully open, the opening diameter of the third expansion valve 363 is equal to the first expansion valve 361 when the first expansion valve 361 is fully opened. 361) may be formed larger than the diameter.

The opening size of the third expansion valve 363 controlling the amount of refrigerant flowing into the air conditioning evaporator 350 is the opening size of the second expansion valve 362 controlling the amount of refrigerant flowing into the second heat exchange pipe 342. can be made larger.

That is, when the third expansion valve 363 is fully open, the opening diameter of the third expansion valve 363 is the second expansion valve (362) when the second expansion valve 362 is fully opened. 362) may be formed larger than the diameter.

For example, when the refrigerator 100 and the air conditioner 200 are driven together, the opening diameter of the third expansion valve 363 is the opening diameter of the first expansion valve 361 or the second expansion valve 363. The opening of the valve 362 may be larger than the diameter.

In this case, when the refrigerant passing through the condenser 320 is branched and introduced into the plurality of coolers 330, 340, and 350, the amount of refrigerant flowing into the air conditioning evaporator 350 is transferred to the first and second heat exchange pipes 332 and 342. It may be greater than the amount of refrigerant introduced.

However, when the user changes the set temperature of the storage compartments 101 and 105 of the refrigerator 100 or changes the set temperature of the indoor space through the air conditioner 200, the temperature of the refrigerator 100 and the air conditioner 200 Cooling load may vary.

Corresponding to the changing cooling load, opening degrees of the first to third expansion valves 361, 362, and 363 may be adjusted. At this time, the opening degrees of the first to third expansion valves 361 , 362 , and 363 may be controlled so that the refrigerant at the outlet of the plurality of coolers 332 , 342 , and 350 may be in an overheated state.

When the refrigerator 100 is operated while the air conditioner 200 is not operated, the third expansion valve 363 is turned off (closed) and the first and second expansion valves 361 and 362 are opened. can

In this case, the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 320 may branch and flow into the first and second heat exchange pipes 332 and 342 . Further, the opening degrees of the first and second expansion valves 361 and 362 may be adjusted according to the loads of the refrigerating compartment 101 and the freezing compartment 105 .

The opening size of the first expansion valve 361 may be similar to, for example, the same as the opening size of the second expansion valve 362 .

That is, when the first expansion valve 361 is fully open, the flow path diameter of the first expansion valve 361 is the second expansion valve (362) when the second expansion valve 362 is fully opened. 362) may be formed similar to or equal to the flow path diameter.

The cooling load of the refrigerating compartment 101 and the cooling load of the freezing compartment 105 may vary according to the operating environment of the refrigerator.

For example, when the internal temperature of the refrigerating compartment 101 is maintained below a set temperature and the internal temperature of the freezing compartment 105 is higher than the set temperature, the cooling load of the refrigerating compartment 101 is small while cooling the freezing compartment 105. load may increase.

In this case, the opening degree of the second expansion valve 362 is controlled to be greater than the opening degree of the first expansion valve 361, so that the amount of refrigerant flowing into the second heat exchange pipe 342 is reduced by the first heat exchange pipe 332. It can be adjusted more than the amount of refrigerant flowing into the

Conversely, when the internal temperature of the freezing compartment 105 is maintained below the set temperature and the internal temperature of the refrigerating compartment 101 is higher than the set temperature, the cooling load of the freezing compartment 105 is small while the cooling load of the refrigerating compartment 101 is small. can increase.

In this case, the opening degree of the first expansion valve 361 is controlled to be greater than the opening degree of the second expansion valve 362, so that the amount of refrigerant flowing into the first heat exchange pipe 332 is reduced by the second heat exchange pipe 342. It can be adjusted more than the amount of refrigerant flowing into the

The refrigerant pipe 100a may include cooler outlet pipes 304a, 304b, and 304c connected to outlets of the plurality of coolers 332, 342, and 350.

The cooler outlet pipes 304a, 304b, and 304c include a first cooler outlet pipe 304a connected to the outlet side of the first heat exchange pipe 332 and a second cooler outlet pipe 304a connected to the outlet side of the second heat exchange pipe 342. A third cooler outlet pipe 304c connected to the outlet side of the cooler outlet pipe 304b and the air conditioning evaporator 350 may be included.

The first to third cooler outlet pipes 304a, 304b, and 304c may be joined to the low pressure pipe 305. The low pressure pipe 305 is connected to the second cooler outlet pipe 304b and may be connected to a suction side of the compressor 310 .

The low pressure pipe 305 may include a first laminated portion 305a connected to the first cooler outlet pipe 304a.

The low pressure pipe 305 may include a second laminated portion 305b connected to the third cooler outlet pipe 304c.

When the refrigerator 100 and the air conditioner 200 are driven together, the refrigerants evaporated from the plurality of coolers 332, 342, and 350 are discharged through the first to third cooler outlet pipes 304a, 304b, and 304c. It can be combined in the low pressure pipe 305. Also, the refrigerant of the low pressure pipe 305 may be sucked into the compressor 310 .

The evaporation pressure on the side of the first heat exchange pipe 332 may be higher than the evaporation pressure on the side of the second heat exchange pipe 342 . In addition, the evaporation pressure of the air conditioning evaporator 350 may be higher than the evaporation pressure of the first heat exchange pipe 332 .

When the refrigerants evaporated in the plurality of coolers 332, 342, and 350 are combined with the low-pressure pipe 305, the refrigerant flows through the first cooler outlet pipe 304a or the second cooler outlet pipe 304b due to a difference in evaporation pressure. ) may be provided with check valves 381 and 382 for preventing reverse flow.

The check valves 381 and 382 may include a first check valve 381 installed in the first cooler outlet pipe 304a.

The check valves 381 and 382 may include a second check valve 382 installed in the second cooler outlet pipe 304b.

The low-pressure refrigerant combined in the low-pressure pipe 305 can be easily sucked into the compressor 310 by the check valves 381 and 382 .

The integrated refrigerator 10 may further include superheat temperature sensors 371 , 372 , and 373 that detect superheat levels of the plurality of coolers 332 , 342 , and 350 .

Based on the temperature values sensed by the superheat temperature sensors 371 , 372 , and 373 , superheats of the plurality of coolers 332 , 342 , and 350 are detected, and the first to third expansion valves 361 , 362 , and 363 are controlled to adjust the superheat degree. can

The superheat temperature sensors 371 , 372 , and 373 may include a first superheat temperature sensor 371 for detecting the superheat degree of the first heat exchange pipe 332 . The first superheat temperature sensor 371 includes a first inlet temperature sensor installed at the inlet end of the first heat exchange pipe 332 and a first outlet temperature sensor installed at the outlet end of the first heat exchange pipe 332. can include

The superheat temperature sensors 371 , 372 , and 373 may include a second superheat temperature sensor 372 for detecting the superheat degree of the second heat exchange pipe 342 . The second superheat temperature sensor 372 includes a second inlet temperature sensor installed at the inlet end of the second heat exchange pipe 342 and a second outlet temperature sensor installed at the outlet end of the second heat exchange pipe 342. can include

The temperature sensors 371 , 372 , and 373 may include a third superheat degree temperature sensor 373 for detecting the superheat degree of the air conditioning evaporator 350 . The third superheat degree temperature sensor 373 may include a third inlet temperature sensor installed at the inlet end of the air conditioning evaporator 350 and a third outlet temperature sensor installed at the outlet end of the air conditioning evaporator 350. can

The superheat of the evaporator may be calculated by subtracting the value detected by the inlet temperature sensor from the value detected by the outlet temperature sensor of each cooler (332, 342, 350), and the calculated superheat may be formed within the set superheat. ~3 The opening of the expansion valves (361, 362, 363) can be adjusted.

In this way, a refrigeration cycle including one compressor 310 and one condenser 320 is driven to drive the refrigerator 100 and the air conditioner 200, and responds to the cooling load of the refrigerator and the air conditioner. Thus, cold air can be generated by selecting a plurality of coolers 332, 342, and 350 having appropriate cooling capacities.

Due to the characteristics of the refrigerator 100 that is always driven and the air conditioner 200 that is operated intermittently when a user gives an on command, the load of the refrigerating cycle may vary depending on the operation of the integrated refrigerator.

In response to the changing load of the refrigerating cycle, the pressure of the refrigerating cycle can be easily controlled by adjusting the opening degrees of the first to third expansion valves 361, 362, and 363 provided at the inlet end of the coolers 332, 342, and 350.

Referring to FIG. 10 , the integrated refrigerator 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may include an input unit 410 for inputting an operation command of the integrated refrigerator 10 .

For example, the input unit 410 may include a power input unit for turning on or off the power of the refrigerator 100 or the air conditioner 200 .

The input unit 410 may include a storage room temperature input unit for inputting set temperatures of the storage compartments 101 and 105 of the refrigerator 100 .

The input unit 410 may include an indoor space temperature input unit for inputting a set temperature of the indoor space.

The input unit 410 may include an air volume input unit for setting an air volume discharged from the discharge unit 220 of the air conditioner 200 .

A command input through the input unit 410 may change the load of the integrated refrigerator 10 . In particular, a load required when the refrigerator 100 and the air conditioner 200 are driven together may be greater than a load when the refrigerator 100 is driven alone.

When a command is input through the input unit 410 to lower the set temperature of the storage compartments 101 and 105 of the refrigerator 100 or to lower the set temperature of the indoor space, the load of the integrated refrigerator 10 may increase.

When a command is input through the input unit 410 to increase the amount of air discharged from the discharge unit 220 of the air conditioner 200, the load of the integrated refrigerator 10 may increase.

In this way, in response to the changing load, the control unit 400 may control the driving parts of the refrigeration cycle.

For example, when the temperature of the storage compartments 101 and 105 of the refrigerator 100 is lowered or the set temperature of the indoor space is input to be lowered, the control unit 400 increases the operating frequency of the compressor 310 by first controlling, condensing At least one of the second control for increasing the number of revolutions of the fan 325 and the third control for increasing the number of revolutions of the evaporation fan 355 and the first and second circulation fans 335 and 345 of the air conditioner may be performed. there is.

When the air volume discharged from the discharge unit 220 of the air conditioner 200 increases, the control unit 400 may increase the number of revolutions of the evaporation fan 355 of the air conditioner.

The control unit 400 may calculate the superheat of the coolers 332, 342, and 350 through the first to third superheat temperature sensors 371, 372, and 373, and the first to third expansion units may have superheat levels of each cooler within a normal range. The opening of the valves 361, 362 and 363 can be adjusted.

For example, when the degree of superheat of a specific cooler becomes too high, an insufficient amount of refrigerant may be recognized and an opening degree of an expansion valve provided at an inlet side of the corresponding cooler may be increased.

On the other hand, when the degree of superheat of a specific cooler becomes too small, an excessive amount of refrigerant may be recognized and an opening degree of an expansion valve provided at an inlet side of the cooler may be reduced.

11 is a flow chart showing a control method of an air conditioner integrated refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a flow of refrigerant in an air conditioner integrated refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a cycle diagram.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12 , a control method of the integrated refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention and a flow of refrigerant will be described.

When the refrigerator 100 is turned on and driven, the compressor 310 is driven to compress the refrigerant, and the compressed refrigerant may be condensed while passing through the condenser 320 . The condensed refrigerant may flow through the condensation pipe 302 .

At this time, since the integrated refrigerator 10 is in a low load state in which only the refrigerator 100 is independently operated and the air conditioner 200 may not be operated, the compressor 310 operates at a first operating frequency that is a relatively low operating frequency. can be driven with

The first and second expansion valves 361 and 362 may be opened to supply the condensed refrigerant to the first and second heat exchange pipes 332 and 342 . The refrigerant may be reduced in pressure while passing through the first and second expansion valves 361 and 362 .

Some of the refrigerant may be branched at the first branch portion 302a and introduced into the first heat exchange pipe 332 through the first cooler inlet pipe 303a. The remaining refrigerant may flow into the second heat exchange pipe 340 through the second cooler inlet pipe 303b.

Opening degrees of the first and second expansion valves 361 and 362 may be adjusted according to the load of the storage compartments 101 and 105 .

For example, when the load of the refrigerating compartment 101 is greater than the load of the freezing compartment 105, the opening degree of the first expansion valve 361 may be adjusted to be greater than the opening degree of the second expansion valve 362.

The load may be determined based on whether or not the set temperature of the storage compartment is satisfied and a difference between the set temperature and the storage compartment temperature. The greater the difference value, the greater the load may be recognized.

On the other hand, when the load of the freezing compartment 105 is greater than the load of the refrigerating compartment 101, the opening degree of the second expansion valve 362 may be adjusted to be larger than that of the first expansion valve 361.

The low-pressure refrigerant reduced by the first and second expansion valves 361 and 362 flows through the first and second heat exchange pipes 332 and 342 to exchange heat with the phase change materials 333 and 343 of each cooling device 330 and 340. In this process, the phase change materials 333 and 343 may undergo a regeneration process of solidifying and accumulating thermal energy (S11 and S12).

The process of regenerating the phase change materials 333 and 343 may be periodically performed according to a set period. For example, the setting period may be determined based on an accumulated time after the refrigerator is turned on.

When the regeneration process of the phase change materials 333 and 343 starts according to the set period, the internal temperature of the PCM tanks 331 and 341 is sensed, and when the internal temperature of the PCM tanks 331 and 341 becomes below the set temperature, the regeneration process ends. It can be.

When the regeneration process ends, the compressor 310 may be turned off. In a state in which the refrigerating cycle is not driven because the compressor 310 is turned off, the storage compartments 101 and 105 may be cooled by the solidified phase change materials 333 and 343 .

That is, the cooling operation of the storage compartments 101 and 105 can be performed by cooling the phase change material without driving the compressor 310 .

Therefore, even though the capacity of the compressor 310 is designed to be high so that the refrigerator 100 and the air conditioner 200 can operate simultaneously, the compressor 310 is not driven and the compressor 310 is not driven when the refrigerator 100 is operated alone. Since the first and second cooling devices 330 and 340 can be used, there is an advantage in that excessive cycle operation according to the driving of the compressor 310 is not required.

In addition, there is an effect of reducing noise that may occur according to the driving of the compressor 310 having a large capacity (capacity).

The refrigerants evaporated in the first and second heat exchange pipes 332 and 342 are combined in the first laminate part 305a of the low pressure pipe 305, and the combined refrigerants may be sucked into the compressor 310 (S13).

During the operation of the refrigerator 100 and the process of regenerating the phase change material described in steps S11 to S13, it may be recognized whether an operation command for the air conditioner 200 is input. If the operation command of the air conditioner 200 is not input, steps S11 to S13 may be continuously performed.

When a command is input to drive the air conditioner 200, the internal temperatures of the PCM tanks 331 and 341 may be sensed. This is to determine the cooling state of the refrigerator 100 before starting the operation of the air conditioner 200 (S14 and S15).

When the sensed temperature is equal to or higher than the preset temperature, it may be recognized that the phase change materials 333 and 343 belong to a temperature range in which they melt, and thus the phase change materials 333 and 343 require regeneration.

The set temperature may be referred to as a solidification temperature (melting temperature). The solidification temperature is determined based on the set temperatures of the storage chambers 101 and 105, and a phase change material corresponding to the determined solidification temperature may be selected.

For example, the solidification temperature of the phase change material 333 provided in the first cooling device 330 may be set to a temperature lower than the set temperature (eg, 0 to 4˚C) of the refrigerating compartment 101. there is.

The solidification temperature of the phase change material 343 provided in the second cooling device 340 may be set to a temperature lower than the set temperature (eg, -20 to -18˚C) of the freezing chamber 105 .

When the detected temperature is equal to or higher than the set temperature, the compressor 310 may be driven to regenerate the phase change materials 333 and 343 . As the compressor 310 is driven, low-pressure refrigerant may flow into the plurality of coolers 332 , 342 , and 350 .

Evaporation is performed in the air conditioning evaporator 350 so that the air conditioner 200 can be operated.

In addition, the refrigerant is evaporated in the first heat exchange pipe 332 and the second heat exchange pipe 342, and in this process, the phase change materials 333 and 343 are solidified and regenerated for heat energy accumulation.

At this time, the compressor 310 may be operated at a second operating frequency higher than the first operating frequency of the compressor 310 when the refrigerator 100 operates independently, as described in step S12. This is to respond to the load increased according to the operation of the air conditioner 200 (S16, S17, S18).

If the sensed temperature is lower than the set temperature, a regeneration process of the phase change materials 333 and 343 may not be necessary. Accordingly, the storage compartments 101 and 105 may be cooled using the thermal energy accumulated in the phase change materials 333 and 343 .

The compressor 310 is driven, and evaporation occurs in the air conditioning evaporator 350 so that the air conditioner 200 can be operated.

At this time, the operating frequency of the compressor 310 may be formed as a third operating frequency. The third driving frequency may be higher than the first driving frequency and lower than the second driving frequency. This may be due to the fact that the load of the air conditioner 200 is greater than that of the refrigerator 100 .

Since the regeneration process of the phase change materials 333 and 343 is not necessary, the refrigerant may not be supplied to the first heat exchange pipe 332 and the second heat exchange pipe 342 .

Of course, when the detected temperature of the first PCM tank 331 is less than the set temperature and the detected temperature of the second PCM tank 341 is higher than the set temperature, the phase provided in the second PCM tank 341 A regeneration operation of the change material 343 may be performed.

Accordingly, the second expansion valve 362 may be opened so that the refrigerant may be supplied to the second heat exchange pipe 342 .

Conversely, when the sensed temperature of the second PCM tank 341 is less than the set temperature and the sensed temperature of the first PCM tank 331 is greater than or equal to the set temperature, the phase provided in the first PCM tank 331 A regeneration operation of the change material 333 may be performed.

Accordingly, the first expansion valve 361 may be opened to supply the refrigerant to the first heat exchange pipe 332 (S19, S20, S21).

This process may be performed until the power of the refrigerator 100 is turned off (S22).

Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Compared to the first embodiment, this embodiment differs only in the configuration of the cooling device, so the differences will be mainly described, and the description and reference numerals of the first embodiment are used for the same parts as the first embodiment.

13 is a view showing the configuration of a cooling device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a cooling device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14 , the cooling device 530 according to the second embodiment of the present invention may be installed in at least one of the refrigerating compartment 101 and the freezing compartment 105 .

The cooling device 530 may include a PCM tank 531 in which the phase change material 533 is accommodated and a heat exchange pipe 532 installed inside the PCM tank 531 .

The PCM tank 531 constitutes an inner case of the refrigerating compartment 101 and, for example, may form a rear wall of the refrigerating compartment 101 .

The surface of the heat exchange pipe 531 and the phase change material 533 may contact each other. For example, the first heat exchange pipe 331 and the phase change material may exchange heat by conduction.

An insertion opening 531d into which the heat exchange pipe 532 is inserted may be formed at an end of the PCM tank 531 .

The inner space of the PCM tank 531 may include a space in which the heat exchange pipe 532 is installed and a space in which the phase change material 333 is filled.

The PCM tank 531 may have a duct shape forming a flow path therein so that air flows through the PCM tank 531 .

For example, the PCM tank 531 has a hollow shape, and a flow path 534 through which air flows may be formed therein.

In summary, the PCM tank 531 is composed of a duct forming a flow path 534, and the heat exchange pipe 531 may be embedded in the duct.

For example, the heat exchange pipe 531 includes a first heat exchange part 532a embedded in the first surface of the PCM tank 531 and a second heat exchange part 532b embedded in the second surface of the PCM tank 531. ) may be included.

The first and second heat exchange parts 532a532b may be bent multiple times or have a curved shape so as to be effectively disposed in the PCM tank 531 of a limited space and to increase the length of the pipe.

The passage 534 may be formed between the first and second surfaces of the PCM tank 531 . Accordingly, air flowing along the flow path 534 may be cooled by the phase change material 533 provided in the PCM tank 531 .

Circulation fans 535a and 535b for generating air flow in the passage 534 may be further provided. For example, the circulation fans 535a and 535b may be disposed above the PCM tank 531 . That is, the circulation fans 535a and 535b may be disposed above the flow path 534 .

However, the positions of the circulation fans 535a and 535b are not limited thereto, and may be disposed below the PCM tank 531.

The circulation fans 535a and 535b may include, for example, a centrifugal fan that sucks in air in an axial direction and discharges it in a circumferential direction.

When the circulation fans 535a and 535b are disposed above the PCM tank 531, the fan suction part 536 of the circulation fans 535a and 535b is formed at the lower end of the circulation fans 535a and 535b. It can be.

The fan outlet 537 of the circulation fans 535a and 535b may be formed at the front end of the circulation fan 535 so that cold air can be discharged from the rear wall of the refrigerating compartment 101 forward.

The circulation fan may include a plurality of circulation fans 535a and 535b. The plurality of circulation fans 335a and 335b may include a first circulation fan 535a and a second circulation fan 535b disposed in left and right directions of the refrigerating compartment 101 . By means of the plurality of circulation fans 535a and 535b, air passing through the cooling device 530 can be smoothly flowed.

10: integrated refrigerator 100: refrigerator
101: first storage compartment (refrigerating compartment) 105: second storage compartment (freezing compartment)
200: air conditioner 210: housing
218: heat discharge unit 220: cooling discharge unit
231: intake 310: compressor
320: condenser 325: condensation fan
330: first cooling device 331,341: PCM tank
332,342: 1st, 2nd heat exchange pipe 333.343: phase change material
335,345: circulation fan 340: second cooling device
350: air conditioning evaporator 355: air conditioning fan

Claims (19)

In an air conditioner-integrated refrigerator in which a refrigerator forming a storage compartment, an air conditioner having an air conditioner evaporator and a discharge unit for cooling an indoor space are integrally formed,
A compressor that compresses the refrigerant;
a condenser connected to the outlet side of the compressor to condense the refrigerant; and
In order to cool the storage compartment, a cooling device including a PCM tank accommodating a phase change material and a heat exchange pipe inserted into the PCM tank and regenerating the phase change material by introducing the refrigerant condensed in the condenser,
and an air conditioner expansion valve that is opened to supply at least some of the refrigerant condensed in the condenser to the air conditioner evaporator when the air conditioner starts operating while the refrigerator is in operation. refrigerator. According to claim 1,
The refrigerator further includes an outer case, an inner case forming the storage compartment, and a heat insulating material provided between the outer case and the inner case,
The PCM tank is an air conditioner integrated refrigerator forming at least a portion of the inner case. According to claim 1,
The PCM tank is an air conditioner-integrated refrigerator forming an inner wall of the storage compartment. According to claim 3,
The storage compartment includes a rear wall and both side walls,
The PCM tank includes a first tank part forming the rear wall of the storage compartment, a second tank part forming one side wall of the storage compartment, and a third tank part forming the other side wall of the storage compartment and facing the second tank part. An air conditioner integrated refrigerator comprising a. According to claim 4,
The PCM tank is an air conditioner integrated refrigerator having a shape bent by the first to third tank parts. According to claim 4,
The heat exchange pipe is an air conditioner integrated type including a first heat exchange part provided in the first tank part, a second heat exchange part provided in the second tank part, and a third heat exchange part provided in the third tank part. refrigerator. According to claim 1,
The PCM tank forms an insertion opening into which the heat exchange pipe is inserted,
The inner space of the PCM tank includes a space where the heat exchange pipe is disposed and a space where the phase change material is located,
The phase change material is in contact with the heat exchange pipe to enable conduction heat exchange. According to claim 1,
The PCM tank includes a duct forming a flow path therein so that air flows through the PCM tank. According to claim 8,
The heat exchange pipe includes a first heat exchange part embedded in the first surface of the PCM tank and a second heat exchange part embedded in the second surface of the PCM tank,
The air conditioner integrated refrigerator is formed between the first and second surfaces of the PCM tank. According to claim 1,
The cooling device,
The air conditioner integrated refrigerator further comprises a circulation fan provided at one side of the PCM tank in the storage compartment and supplying cold air emitted by the phase change material to the storage compartment. According to claim 1,
The air conditioner includes a housing provided on one side of the refrigerator,
An air conditioner integrated refrigerator in which a condensation fan for heat dissipation of the condenser and an air conditioner fan for heat exchange of the air conditioner evaporator are installed inside the housing. According to claim 11,
The condensing fan includes a first fan discharge unit for sucking in air in an axial direction and discharging air toward the rear of the refrigerator;
The air conditioner fan includes a second fan discharge unit for sucking in air in an axial direction and discharging air toward the front of the refrigerator. According to claim 11,
The housing includes a suction part for sucking air in the indoor space,
The discharge unit includes a cooling discharge unit for discharging air that has passed through the air conditioning evaporator and a heat radiation discharge unit for discharging air that has passed through the condenser. According to claim 11,
Wherein the compressor and the condenser are installed inside the housing. A method for controlling an air conditioner integrated refrigerator in which a refrigerator forming a storage compartment, an air conditioner having an air conditioner evaporator and a discharge unit for cooling an indoor space are integrally formed,
regenerating the phase change material provided in the refrigerator by driving a compressor at a first operating frequency according to a set cycle;
stopping the compressor and discharging thermal energy accumulated in the phase change material into the storage compartment when the internal temperature of the PCM tank accommodating the phase change material is equal to or less than a set temperature; and
and determining whether to simultaneously operate the air conditioner and regenerate the phase change material based on the internal temperature of the PCM tank when the operation command of the air conditioner is recognized. Refrigerator control method. According to claim 15,
When the operation command of the air conditioner is recognized and the internal temperature of the PCM tank is recognized as being higher than the set temperature,
The compressor is driven at a second operating frequency greater than the first operating frequency,
A method of controlling an air conditioner-integrated refrigerator that simultaneously performs the operation of the air conditioner and the regeneration process of the phase change material. According to claim 16,
When the operation command of the air conditioner is recognized and the internal temperature of the PCM tank is recognized as being less than the set temperature,
The compressor is driven at a third operating frequency greater than the first operating frequency and smaller than the second operating frequency;
A method of controlling an air conditioner-integrated refrigerator that simultaneously operates the air conditioner and cools the storage compartment through the phase change material. According to claim 15,
The refrigerator further includes a heat exchange pipe inserted into the PCM tank,
A method of controlling an air conditioner-integrated refrigerator in which the phase change material and the heat exchange pipe exchange heat by conduction. According to claim 18,
Further comprising a condenser disposed on the outlet side of the compressor,
When the regeneration process of the phase change material and the operation of the air conditioner are performed together,
A method of controlling an air conditioner-integrated refrigerator in which some of the refrigerant condensed in the condenser flows through the heat exchange pipe, and the remaining refrigerant flows branched into the air conditioning evaporator.

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