WO2021192345A1

WO2021192345A1 - Refrigerator

Info

Publication number: WO2021192345A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/031053
Authority: WO
Inventors: 良二河井; 慎一郎岡留; 晴樹額賀; 智史小沼; 拳司伊藤; 真也岩渕; 浩俊渡邊; 弘晃安藤
Original assignee: 日立グローバルライフソリューションズ株式会社
Priority date: 2020-03-23
Filing date: 2020-08-18
Publication date: 2021-09-30
Also published as: JP2021148393A; CN113432367A; JP7372186B2

Abstract

A refrigerator equipped with a first switchable chamber (5) that is able to switch between a refrigeration temperature zone and a freezing temperature zone. The first switchable chamber (5) is provided with a first switchable chamber first temperature sensor (43a) and a first switchable chamber second temperature sensor (43b) in an insulating partition wall (27). The first switchable chamber second temperature sensor (43b) is provided between a first switchable chamber first flapper and a first switchable chamber first discharge opening (111a). In addition, the first switchable chamber second temperature sensor (43b) is located below the first switchable chamber first temperature sensor (43a).

Description

refrigerator

The present invention relates to a refrigerator.

Patent Document 1 describes a refrigerator in which a thermistor for controlling the temperature is provided in a plurality of switching storage chambers in which the temperature of the storage chamber can be switched.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-223752

By the way, in the case of the switching room, the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the refrigerator changes greatly depending on whether the temperature is set to the freezing temperature or the refrigerating temperature. When the switching chamber is in the freezing temperature range, the temperature difference becomes very large, the amount of heat entering from the outside of the refrigerator increases, and it is necessary to send more cold air. On the other hand, when the switching chamber is in the refrigerating temperature range, the temperature difference is small, so that it is only necessary to send a smaller amount of air, and it is only necessary to send cold air in a short time, so that the amount of cold air supplied is reduced.

In this way, the cold air supply state changes greatly depending on the setting state of the switching room. Depending on the supply state of cold air, the place where the temperature tends to rise and the place where the temperature tends to fall change. Therefore, in a refrigerator provided with a single temperature sensor in each switching storage chamber like the refrigerator described in Patent Document 1, it is not possible to appropriately detect that the temperature in the storage chamber changes depending on the set state. Further, when either the freezing temperature zone or the refrigerating temperature zone is prioritized, the storage chamber tends to be cooled or the temperature tends to rise. If it is detected by only one temperature sensor, the state of the storage chamber cannot be sufficiently detected, and there is a problem that the storage chamber becomes too cold.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator in which the switching chamber can be controlled at an appropriate temperature.

The refrigerator of the present invention is provided with a switching chamber that can be switched between a refrigerating temperature zone and a freezing temperature zone, and the switching chamber is provided with a plurality of temperature sensors.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a refrigerator in which the switching chamber can be controlled at an appropriate temperature.

It is a front view which shows the refrigerator which concerns on this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. It is a front view which shows the flow of the cold air inside the back of the refrigerator which concerns on this embodiment. It is a front view which shows the flow of the cold air in the refrigerator which concerns on this embodiment. It is an enlarged view of the main part of the VV cross section shown in FIG. It is the schematic of the air passage structure of cooling air. It is a block diagram which shows the refrigerating cycle of the refrigerator which concerns on this embodiment. It is an exploded perspective view which shows the heat insulation partition wall provided on the back side of a switching chamber. It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of a damper duct. It is a perspective view which shows the damper member. It is the schematic which shows the arrangement of the temperature sensor of the 1st switching chamber which concerns on 1st Embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XII-XII of FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIII-XIII of FIG. It is the schematic which shows the arrangement of the temperature sensor of the 2nd switching chamber. It is a flowchart which shows the cooling operation control of the refrigerator which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the temperature control of the 1st switching chamber which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the operation condition of various members which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a time chart which shows the temperature control of the 1st switching chamber when the 1st switching chamber is a freezing setting, and the 2nd switching chamber is a freezing setting. It is a time chart which shows the temperature control of the 1st switching chamber when the 1st switching chamber is a refrigerating setting, and the 2nd switching chamber is a freezing setting. It is a flowchart which shows the temperature control of the 1st switching chamber which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the operation condition of various members which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a time chart which shows the temperature control of the 1st switching chamber when the 1st switching chamber is a refrigerating setting, and the 2nd switching chamber is a freezing setting. It is a perspective view which shows the arrangement of the temperature sensor of the 1st switching chamber which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XXIV-XXIV of FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XXV-XXV of FIG. 23.

Hereinafter, a mode for carrying out the present invention (the present embodiment) will be described. However, the present embodiment is not limited to the following contents, and can be arbitrarily modified and implemented without impairing the gist of the present invention. Further, in the following, the directions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described as a reference.

(First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a refrigerator according to the first embodiment. In the following, a 6-door refrigerator 1 will be described as an example, but the description is not limited to the 6-door refrigerator 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator 1 includes a heat insulating box 10 including a refrigerating chamber 2, an ice making chamber 3, a freezing chamber 4, a first switching chamber 5 (switching chamber), and a second switching chamber 6 (switching chamber). Have. The first switching chamber 5 can switch the temperature zone from the refrigerating temperature zone (for example, 1 ° C. to 6 ° C.) to the freezing temperature zone (for example, about −20 ° C. to −18 ° C.). Similarly, the second switching chamber 6 can switch the temperature zone from the refrigerating temperature zone to the freezing temperature zone. The refrigerating chamber 2 is set to a refrigerating temperature zone (for example, 6 ° C.), and the ice making chamber 3 and the freezing chamber 4 are set to a freezing temperature zone (for example, about −20 ° C.).

Further, in the refrigerator 1, the refrigerating

chamber doors

2a and 2b for opening and closing the refrigerating chamber 2, the ice making chamber door 3a for opening and closing the ice making chamber 3, and the freezing chamber door 4a for opening and closing the freezing chamber 4 are provided in front of the heat insulating box 10. A first switching chamber door 5a for opening and closing the first switching chamber 5 and a second switching chamber door 6a for opening and closing the second switching chamber 6 are provided. The refrigerating

room doors

2a and 2b are configured so that they can be opened by double doors. The ice making chamber door 3a, the freezing chamber door 4a, the first switching chamber door 5a, and the second switching chamber door 6a are configured to be retractable toward the front. The refrigerating

room doors

2a and 2b, the ice making room door 3a, the freezing room door 4a, the first switching room door 5a and the second switching room door 6a are heat insulating doors. Further, on the outer surface of the refrigerator compartment door 2a, an operation unit 26 for operating the temperature setting inside the refrigerator is provided.

The refrigerating room 2, the freezing room 4, and the ice making room 3 are separated by a heat insulating partition wall 28. Further, the freezing chamber 4 and the ice making chamber 3 and the first switching chamber 5 are separated by a heat insulating partition wall 29, and the first switching chamber 5 and the second switching chamber 6 are separated by a heat insulating partition wall 30.

Door hinges (not shown) for fixing the heat insulating box 10 and the

doors

2a and 2b are provided on the front side of the heat insulating box 10 on the outside of the top cabinet and the front edge of the heat insulating partition wall 28. The upper door hinge is covered with the door hinge cover 16.

In the first switching chamber 5 and the second switching chamber 6 of the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment, either the refrigerating temperature (maintained at about 4 ° C on average) or the freezing temperature (maintained at about -18 ° C on average). Can be selected. Specifically, the "FF" mode in which both the first switching chamber 5 and the second switching chamber 6 are set to the freezing temperature, and the first switching chamber 5 and the second switching chamber 6 are set to the refrigerating temperature and the freezing temperature, respectively. "RF" mode, "FR" mode in which the first switching chamber 5 and the second switching chamber 6 are set to the freezing temperature and the refrigerating temperature, respectively, and the first switching chamber 5 and the second switching chamber 6 are both set to the refrigerating temperature. You can select from the "RR" modes that are displayed.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerator 1 is made of a steel plate outer box 10a and a synthetic resin (A in this embodiment).
A heat insulating box body 10 formed by filling a foamed heat insulating material 93 (polyurethane foam in the present embodiment) with an inner box 10b of (BS resin) separates the outside and the inside of the refrigerator. In addition to the foam heat insulating material, a plurality of vacuum heat insulating materials having a lower thermal conductivity (higher heat insulating performance) than the foam heat insulating material are mounted on the heat insulating box 10 between the outer box 10a and the inner box 10b. The heat insulation performance is improved by suppressing the decrease in product. In the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment, the vacuum heat insulating material 25a is mounted on the back surface of the heat insulating box 10, the vacuum heat insulating material 25b is mounted on the lower surface (bottom surface), the vacuum heat insulating material is mounted on the left side surface, and the vacuum heat insulating material is mounted on the right side surface. The heat insulation performance of the refrigerator 1 is improved by suppressing the invasion of heat from the outside of the refrigerator, which has a higher temperature. Similarly, in the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment, the heat insulating performance of the refrigerator 1 is enhanced by mounting the vacuum heat insulating material 25e on the first switching chamber door 5a and the vacuum heat insulating material 25f on the second switching chamber door 6a.

The

refrigerating room doors

2a and 2b are provided with a plurality of

door pockets

33a, 33b and 33c inside the refrigerator. Further, the inside of the refrigerator compartment 2 is divided into a plurality of storage spaces by

shelves

34a, 34b, 34c, 34d. The ice making chamber door 3a, the freezing chamber door 4a, the first switching chamber door 5a, and the second switching chamber door 6a are respectively drawn out integrally with the ice making chamber container 3b, the freezing chamber container 4b, the first switching chamber container 5b, and the second switching chamber. A chamber container 6b is provided.

The back of the refrigerating chamber 2 is provided with a first evaporator chamber 8a on which the first evaporator 14a is mounted. Further, a second evaporator chamber 8b (cooler chamber) in which a second evaporator 14b (cooler) is mounted is provided substantially behind the first switching chamber 5 and the second switching chamber 6. Further, the first switching chamber 5 and the second switching chamber 6, the second evaporator chamber 8b, and the second fan discharge air passage 12 described later are separated by a heat insulating partition wall 27.

The heat insulating partition wall 27 is separate from the heat insulating box body 10, the heat insulating partition wall 29, and the heat insulating partition wall 30, and the heat insulating box body 10, the heat insulating partition, and the heat insulating partition wall 27 are separated from the heat insulating box body 10, the heat insulating partition wall 29, and the heat insulating partition wall 30. It is fixed so as to be in contact with the wall 29 and the heat insulating partition wall 30, and is removable. In this way, by forming the heat insulating partition wall 27 as a separate body and making it removable, the second evaporator 14b housed in the second evaporator chamber 8b, the second fan (blower) 9b described later, and the first switching Room 1 Flapper 411 (1st switching room 1st damper), 1st switching room 2nd flapper 412 (1st switching room 2nd damper), 2nd switching room 1st flapper 421 (2nd switching room 1st damper) , When a defect occurs in a part covered by the heat insulating partition wall 27 such as the second switching chamber second flapper 422 (second switching room second damper), the heat insulating partition wall 27 can be removed for easy maintenance. ..

Further, inside the heat insulating

partition walls

27 and 28, polystyrene foam (Styrofoam), which is a foam heat insulating material, is mounted as the main heat insulating member without mounting the vacuum heat insulating material. On the other hand, the heat insulating performance is improved by mounting 25 g and 25 hours of vacuum heat insulating materials together with polystyrene foam which is a foam heat insulating material inside the heat insulating

partition walls

29 and 30, respectively. Since the vacuum

heat insulating materials

25g and 25h have lower thermal conductivity (higher heat insulating performance) than the foam heat insulating material, the main heat insulating member of the heat insulating

partition walls

29 and 30 is the vacuum heat insulating material. As the foam heat insulating material used inside the heat insulating

partition walls

27, 28, 29, 30, polyurethane foam or polyethylene foam may be used.

On the back side of the refrigerator chamber 2, the freezer compartment 4, the first switching chamber 5, and the second switching chamber 6, a refrigerating chamber temperature sensor 41 (see FIG. 4), a freezing chamber temperature sensor 42 (see FIG. 4), respectively. First switching chamber first temperature sensor (other temperature sensor) 43a (see FIG. 11), first switching chamber second temperature sensor (one temperature sensor) 43b (see FIG. 11), second switching chamber first temperature sensor A 44a (see FIG. 14) and a second temperature sensor 44b (see FIG. 14) of the second switching chamber are provided. A first evaporator temperature sensor 40a is provided above the first evaporator 14a. A second evaporator temperature sensor 40b is provided above the second evaporator 14b. With these sensors, the refrigerating chamber 2, the freezing chamber 4, the first switching chamber 5, the second switching chamber 6, the first evaporator chamber 8a, the first evaporator 14a, the second evaporator chamber 8b, and the second evaporation The temperature of the vessel 14b is detected. Further, an outside air temperature sensor 37 and an outside air humidity sensor 38 are provided inside the door hinge cover 16 on the ceiling of the refrigerator 1 to detect the temperature and humidity of the outside air (outside air). In addition, by providing a door sensor (not shown), the open / closed states of the

doors

2a, 2b, 3a, 4a, 5a, and 6a are detected, respectively.

Next, the air passage configuration in the refrigerator will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6 and FIG. 2 as appropriate. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the flow of cold air inside the back surface of the refrigerator. Note that FIG. 3 is a front view of the state in which the door, the container, and the heat insulating partition wall 27 described later are removed.

As shown in FIG. 3, a first fan 9a is provided above the first evaporator 14a. The cooling air sent out by the first fan 9a is blown to the refrigerating chamber 2 through the refrigerating chamber air passage 110 and the refrigerating chamber discharge port 110a to cool the inside of the refrigerating chamber 2. Here, the first fan 9a is constituted of, for example, a turbo fan (rearward fans) is a centrifugal fan, and can control the rotational speed to a high speed (1600Min ^-1) and low speed (1000min ^-1). The air blown to the refrigerating chamber 2 returns to the first evaporator chamber 8a from the refrigerating chamber return port 110b (see FIG. 2) and the refrigerating chamber return port 110c, and exchanges heat with the first evaporator 14a again.

The refrigerating chamber discharge port 110a of the refrigerating chamber 2 is provided in the upper part of the refrigerating chamber 2. In the present embodiment, air is discharged above the uppermost shelf 34a and the second shelf 34b. Further, the refrigerating chamber return port 110c is provided at the back of a space formed between the shelves 34c and the shelves 34d of the refrigerating chamber 2. The refrigerating chamber return port 110b (see FIG. 2) is provided substantially on the back surface of the space formed between the shelf 34d of the refrigerating chamber 2 and the heat insulating partition wall 28.

An ice making chamber discharge port 120a is provided on the back surface of the ice making chamber 3. The ice making chamber discharge port 120a is provided in the upper part of the ice making chamber 3. A freezing chamber discharge port 120b is provided on the back surface of the freezing chamber 4. The freezing chamber discharge port 120b is provided in the upper part of the freezing chamber 4. The ice making chamber discharge port 120a and the freezing chamber discharge port 120b communicate with the freezing chamber air passage 130. The cold air sent out from the second fan 9b passes through the freezing chamber air passage 130 as shown by the broken line arrow, branches, and is discharged from the ice making chamber discharge port 120a and the freezing chamber discharge port 120b as shown by the solid line arrow. Will be done.

The refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment has a first switching chamber first flapper 411, a first switching chamber second flapper 412, and a second switching chamber first as means for shutting off air to the first switching chamber 5 and the second switching chamber 6. It is provided with a flapper 421 and a second flapper 422 in the second switching chamber. The first switching chamber first flapper 411 and the first switching chamber second flapper 412 are mounted on the partition at the back of the first switching chamber 5. The second switching chamber first flapper 421 and the second switching chamber second flapper 422 are mounted on the back of the second switching chamber 6. Here, the opening areas of the first switching chamber first flapper 411 and the second switching chamber first flapper 421 are formed to be larger than the opening areas of the first switching chamber second flapper 412 and the second switching chamber second flapper 422. ing.

The second evaporator 14b is provided in the second evaporator chamber 8b substantially behind the first switching chamber 5, the second switching chamber 6, and the heat insulating partition wall 30. A second fan 9b is provided above the second evaporator 14b. The second fan 9b is a turbo fan (rearward fan) which is a centrifugal fan, and the rotation speed can be controlled to a ^{high speed (1800 min -1} ) and a low speed (1200 min ^-1). The air that has cooled the ice making chamber 3 and the freezing chamber 4 returns from the freezing chamber return port 120c to the second evaporator chamber 8b (below the second evaporator 14b) via the freezing chamber return air passage 120d, and is second again. Heat exchanges with the evaporator 14b.

The first switching chamber return port 111c is formed in the lower part of the back surface of the first switching chamber 5. The cold air after cooling the first switching chamber 5 is discharged from the return port 111c of the first switching chamber and enters the second evaporator chamber 8b (below the second evaporator 14b) via the freezing chamber return air passage 120d. It returns and exchanges heat with the second evaporator 14b again.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing the flow of cold air in the refrigerator. Note that FIG. 4 is a front view of the state in which the door and the container of FIG. 1 are removed.
As shown in FIG. 4, the heat insulating partition wall 27 is provided with first switching chamber

first discharge ports

111a and 111a for discharging cold air into the first switching chamber 5. The first discharge port 111a of the first switching chamber is formed elongated in the width direction (left and right sections), and is located on the left side of the center in the width direction (opposite side of the return port 111c of the first switching chamber in the left and right direction). .. Further, the first discharge port 111a of the first switching chamber is located above the center in the height direction inside the refrigerator.

Further, the heat insulating partition wall 27 is formed with a first switching chamber second discharge port 111b for discharging cold air into the first switching chamber 5. The first switching chamber second discharge port 111b is formed on the left side surface of the heat insulating partition wall 27. As a result, the cold air discharged from the second discharge port 111b of the first switching chamber is discharged toward the inner wall surface (left side surface) of the inner box 10b. Further, the heat insulating partition wall 27 is formed with a first switching chamber communication passage 111d that communicates the first switching chamber second discharge port 111b and the first switching chamber second flapper 412.

Further, the heat insulating partition wall 27 is provided with second switching chamber

first discharge ports

112a and 112a for discharging cold air into the second switching chamber 6. The first discharge port 112a of the second switching chamber is formed elongated in the width direction (left and right sections), and is located on the left side of the center in the width direction (opposite side of the return port 112c of the second switching chamber in the left and right direction). .. Further, the first discharge port 112a of the second switching chamber is located above the center in the height direction inside the refrigerator.

Further, the heat insulating partition wall 27 is formed with a second switching chamber second discharge port 112b for discharging cold air into the second switching chamber 6. The second discharge port 112b of the second switching chamber is formed on the left side surface of the heat insulating partition wall 27. As a result, the cold air discharged from the second discharge port 112b of the second switching chamber is discharged toward the inner wall surface (left side surface) of the inner box 10b. Further, the heat insulating partition wall 27 is formed with a second switching chamber communication passage 112d that communicates the second switching chamber second discharge port 112b and the second switching chamber second flapper 422.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a main part of the VV cross section of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the second switching chamber 6 is provided with a second switching chamber return port 112c at the upper part of the back surface. The air flowing in from the second switching chamber return port 112c flows through the second switching chamber return air passage 112e extending downward from the second switching chamber return port 112c, and is formed to be lower in height than the second switching chamber return port 112c. It reaches the second evaporator chamber inflow port 112f, and flows into the second evaporator chamber 8b from below.

By providing an air passage (second switching chamber return air passage 112e) extending downward from the second switching chamber return port 112c to the second evaporator chamber inflow port 112f in this way, the second fan 9b can be provided. When stopped, the low temperature air in the second evaporator chamber 8b is less likely to flow back into the second switching chamber 6. As a result, the refrigerator 1 is less likely to be overcooled when the second switching chamber 6 is set to the refrigerating temperature. Since it is sufficient that there is an air passage extending downward from the return port 112c of the second switching chamber to the inlet 112f of the second evaporator chamber, the air flowing in from the return port 112c of the second switching chamber moves upward. It can also be configured to flow through an air passage that extends downward after flowing toward it.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the air passage structure of the cooling air.
As shown in FIG. 6, when the freezer chamber flapper 431 is controlled to be in an open state, the air that has become cold due to heat exchange with the second evaporator 14b is driven by driving the second fan 9b. It is sent to the ice making chamber 3 and the freezing chamber 4 through the two fan discharge air passage 12, the freezing chamber air passage 130, the ice making chamber discharge port 120a and the freezing chamber discharging port 120b, and the water in the ice tray of the ice making chamber 3 and the ice making chamber. The ice in the container 3b, the food stored in the freezer container 4b in the freezer 4b, and the like are cooled. The air that has cooled the ice making chamber 3 and the freezing chamber 4 returns to the second evaporator chamber 8b (see FIG. 2) from the freezing chamber return port 120c via the freezing chamber return air passage 120d, and again with the second evaporator 14b. Heat exchange.

When the first flapper 411 of the first switching chamber is controlled to be in the open state, the air boosted by the second fan 9b is the second fan discharge air passage 12, the first switching chamber air passage 140, and the first switching chamber. In the first switching chamber container 5b provided in the first switching chamber 5 via the first flapper 411 and the first switching chamber

first discharge ports

111a and 111a provided in the discharge port forming member 111 (see FIG. 4). Directly sent to cool the food in the first switching chamber container 5b directly. The air that has cooled the first switching chamber 5 flows through the return port 111c of the first switching chamber and the return air passage 120d of the freezing chamber, returns to the second evaporator chamber 8b, and exchanges heat with the second evaporator 14b again. The direct cooling is a method of directly supplying cold air to the stored food to cool it.

When the first switching chamber second flapper 412 is controlled to be open, the air boosted by the second fan 9b is the second fan discharge air passage 12, the first switching chamber air passage 140, and the first switching chamber. Discharge from the second discharge port 111b of the first switching chamber provided in the second flapper 412 and the discharge port forming member 111 (see FIG. 4) toward the side wall of the first switching chamber 5, and inside the first switching chamber container 5b. Indirectly cool the food. The air that has cooled the first switching chamber 5 flows through the return port 111c of the first switching chamber and the return air passage 120d of the freezing chamber, returns to the second evaporator chamber 8b, and exchanges heat with the second evaporator 14b again. The indirect cooling is a method of supplying and cooling the stored food so that the cold air does not come into direct contact with the stored food in order to prevent the food from drying.

When the first flapper 421 of the second switching chamber is controlled to be in the open state, the air boosted by the second fan 9b is the second fan discharge air passage 12, the second switching chamber air passage 150, and the second switching chamber. In the second switching chamber container 6b provided in the second switching chamber 6 via the first flapper 421 and the second switching chamber

first discharge ports

112a and 112a provided in the discharge port forming member 112 (see FIG. 4). Directly sent to cool the food in the second switching chamber container 6b. The air that has cooled the second switching chamber 6 flows through the second switching chamber return port 112c and the second switching chamber communication passage 112d, returns to the second evaporator chamber 8b, and exchanges heat with the second evaporator 14b again.

When the second flapper 422 of the second switching chamber is controlled to be in the open state, the air boosted by the second fan 9b is the second fan discharge air passage 12, the second switching chamber air passage 150, and the second switching chamber. Discharge from the second discharge port 112b of the second switching chamber provided in the second flapper 422 and the discharge port forming member 112 (see FIG. 4) toward the side wall of the second switching chamber 6 and inside the second switching chamber container 6b. Indirectly cool the food. The air that has cooled the second switching chamber 6 flows through the second switching chamber return port 112c and the second switching chamber communication passage 112d, returns to the second evaporator chamber 8b, and exchanges heat with the second evaporator 14b again.

It should be noted that an evaporator chamber (second evaporator chamber 8b in this embodiment) in which a low-temperature evaporator is housed, and an air passage through which air that has become cold due to heat exchange with the evaporator flows (second in this embodiment). Fan discharge air passage 12, freezing chamber air passage 130, first switching chamber air passage 140, second switching chamber air passage 150), storage chamber maintained at freezing temperature (in this embodiment, ice making chamber 3, freezing chamber 4, The first switching chamber 5 when the freezing temperature is set, the second switching chamber 6 when the freezing temperature is set, and the return air passage from the storage chamber maintained at the freezing temperature (in the present embodiment, the freezing chamber). Since the return air passage 120d and the second switching chamber communication passage 112d) when the refrigerating temperature is set are the spaces where the refrigerating temperature is reached, they are hereinafter referred to as refrigerating temperature spaces. Further, in the present embodiment, the first switching chamber air passage 140 and the second switching chamber air passage 150 are composed of the damper duct member 350 described later.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a refrigerating cycle of the refrigerator according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 7, the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment includes a compressor 24, an external radiator 50a as a heat radiating means for radiating refrigerant, and a wall surface radiating pipe 50b (a region between the outer box 10a and the inner box 10b). (Placed on the inner surface of the outer box 10a), the front surface of the heat insulating

partition walls

28, 29, 30 (see FIG. 2) and the dew condensation prevention pipe that suppresses dew condensation near the front edge of the heat insulating box 10 (see FIG. 2). 50c (located on the inner surface of the heat insulating

partition walls

28, 29, 30), the first capillary tube 53a and the second capillary tube 53b, which are decompression means for depressurizing the refrigerant, and the inside of the refrigerator by exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the air inside the refrigerator. It is provided with a first evaporator 14a and a second evaporator 14b that absorb the heat of the above. Further, the refrigerator 1 includes a dryer 51 for removing water during the refrigeration cycle, gas-

liquid separators

54a and 54b for suppressing the inflow of liquid refrigerant into the compressor 24, a refrigerant control valve 52 for controlling the refrigerant flow path, and a reverse. A stop valve 56 and a refrigerant merging portion 55 for connecting the refrigerant flow are provided. These are connected by a refrigerant pipe to form a refrigeration cycle. The refrigerant is isobutane, a flammable refrigerant.

The refrigerant control valve 52 includes

outlets

52a and 52b. Further, the refrigerant control valve 52 opens the outlet 52a and closes the outlet 52b "state 1", closes the outlet 52a and opens the outlet 52b "state 2", and the outlet 52a and the outlet. It is a valve that can be switched to four states: "state 3" in which all 52b are closed, and "state 4" in which both the outlet 52a and the outlet 52b are open.

Next, the flow of the refrigerant in the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment will be described. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 24 flows in the order of the outside radiator 50a, the wall surface heat radiating pipe 50b, the dew condensation prevention pipe 50c, and the dryer 51, and reaches the refrigerant control valve 52. The outlet 52a of the refrigerant control valve 52 is connected to the first capillary tube 53a via a refrigerant pipe. The outlet 52b of the refrigerant control valve 52 is connected to the second capillary tube 53b via a refrigerant pipe.

When the refrigerating chamber 2 is cooled by the first evaporator 14a, the refrigerant control valve 52 is controlled to the "state 1" in which the refrigerant flows to the outlet 52a side. The refrigerant flowing out from the outflow port 52a is depressurized by the first capillary tube 53a to become a low temperature and low pressure, enters the first evaporator 14a and exchanges heat with the air inside the refrigerator, and then enters the gas-liquid separator 54a and the first capillary tube 53a. It flows through the heat exchange section 57a and the refrigerant confluence section 55 that exchange heat with the refrigerant of the above, and returns to the compressor 24.

When the ice making chamber 3, the freezing chamber 4, the first switching chamber 5, and the second switching chamber 6 are cooled by the second evaporator 14b, the refrigerant control valve 52 is set to the "state 2" in which the refrigerant flows to the outlet 52b side. Control. The refrigerant flowing out from the outflow port 52b is depressurized by the second capillary tube 53b to become a low temperature and low pressure, enters the second evaporator 14b and exchanges heat with the air inside the refrigerator, and then enters the gas-liquid separator 54b and the second capillary tube 53b. The heat exchange section 57b, the check valve 56, and the refrigerant confluence section 55, which exchange heat with the refrigerant of the above, flow in this order, and return to the compressor 24. The check valve 56 is arranged so as to block the flow from the refrigerant merging portion 55 toward the second evaporator 14b side.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a heat insulating partition wall provided on the back side of the switching chamber. Note that FIG. 8 also shows a member including the second evaporator 14b, which is a cooler.
As shown in FIG. 8, the heat insulating partition duct plate 500 includes a heat insulating partition wall 27 and a damper duct member 350.

The heat insulating partition wall 27 includes a front panel 210, a rear panel 220, and a foamed heat insulating material 230. Further, the heat insulating partition wall 27 is arranged so as to straddle the first switching chamber 5 (see FIG. 2) and the second switching chamber 6 (see FIG. 2). The foamed heat insulating material 230 is made of polystyrene foam (styrofoam) and is arranged between the front panel 210 and the rear panel 220.

The front panel 210 is made of synthetic resin and has a substantially rectangular plate portion 211 when viewed from the front. Further, the front panel 210 is formed with a rectangular opening 212 having a large opening area formed at the upper portion. Further, in the front panel 210, an opening 213 having an opening area smaller than that of the opening 212 is formed in the vicinity of the opening 212 toward the inner wall surface of the inner box 10b (see FIG. 4). The opening 213 is formed on the side surface of the projecting portion 211a formed so as to project from the plate portion 211.

Further, in the front panel 210, a rectangular opening 214 having a large opening area is formed in the lower part of the plate portion 211. Further, in the front panel 210, an opening 215 having an opening area smaller than that of the opening 214 is formed in the vicinity of the opening 214 toward the inner wall surface of the inner box 10b (see FIG. 4). The opening 215 is formed on the side surface of the projecting portion 211b formed so as to project from the plate portion 211.

Further, in the plate portion 211, a groove portion 216 to which the heat insulating partition wall 30 is fitted and attached is formed above the lower opening 214. The groove portion 216 is formed as a whole from one end to the other end of the plate portion 211 in the left-right direction. In this way, the heat insulating partition wall 27 is arranged on the back surface of the switching chamber so as to straddle the first switching chamber 5 and the second switching chamber 6.

Further, in the plate portion 211, a first switching chamber return port 111c is formed above the groove portion 216. Further, in the plate portion 211, a second switching chamber return port 112c is formed below the groove portion 216.

Further, a discharge port forming member 111 (see FIG. 4) is attached to the front surface of the plate portion 211 so as to cover the opening 212. Further, a discharge forming member 112 (see FIG. 4) is attached to the front surface of the plate portion 211 so as to cover the opening 214.

The rear panel 220 is made of synthetic resin and has a substantially rectangular plate portion 221 when viewed from the front. Further, the rear panel 220 is formed with an opening 222 at a position facing the opening 212 of the front panel 210. Further, the rear panel 220 is formed with an opening 223 at a position facing the opening 214 of the front panel 210. Further, the rear panel 220 is formed with a return communication passage 224 communicating with the return port 111c of the first switching chamber. Further, the rear panel 220 is formed with a return communication passage 225 communicating with the return port 112c of the second switching chamber.

Further, the rear panel 220 is formed with a freezing chamber return flow path 120d extending in the vertical direction at the left end when viewed from the front side. The freezing chamber return passage 120d communicates with the return communication passage 224. Further, a freezing chamber return port 120c communicating with the freezing chamber return flow path 120d is formed in the upper part of the rear panel 220.

The damper duct member 350 takes in the cold air generated by the second evaporator 14b by the second fan 9b (see FIG. 3), discharges the cold air from the

openings

212 and 213 to the first switching chamber 5, and also from the

openings

214 and 215. It is configured to discharge cold air to the second switching chamber 6. Further, the damper duct member 350 is configured to introduce cold air into the ice making chamber 3 and the freezing chamber 4 from above. Further, the damper duct member 350 is configured by combining a front case 310 arranged on the front side and a rear case 320 arranged on the rear side (back side).

Further, the damper duct member 350 is formed with a rectangular opening 312a (outlet) at a position corresponding to the opening 212 and a rectangular opening 312b (outlet) at a position corresponding to the opening 213 in the upper part of the front surface. .. The opening area of the opening 312a is formed to be larger than the opening area of the opening 312b.

Further, the damper duct member 350 is formed with a rectangular opening 312a (outlet) at a position corresponding to the opening 214 and a rectangular opening 312b (outlet) at a position corresponding to the opening 215 at the lower part of the front surface. .. The opening area of the opening 312a is formed to be larger than the opening area of the opening 312b.

Further, the front panel 210 is provided with a surface heater H10 on the side corresponding to the first switching chamber 5. Further, the rear panel 220 is provided with a surface heater H11 on the inner wall of the freezing chamber return air passage 120d. This makes it possible to prevent frost from adhering to the return flow path 41b. Further, the damper duct member 350 is provided with a surface heater H12 on an inner wall facing the second fan 9b. As a result, it is possible to prevent frost and water from accumulating on the damper duct member 350, and further prevent frost from growing on the second fan 9b.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the damper duct.
As shown in FIG. 9, the second fan 9b and the

damper members

410, 420, 430 are mounted in the front case 310 of the damper duct member 350.

The damper member 410 corresponds to the first switching chamber 5 (see FIG. 3). Further, the damper member 410 is a twin damper provided with a first switching chamber first flapper 411 and a first switching chamber second flapper 412. Further, the damper member 410 is provided with the first switching chamber first flapper 411 and the first switching chamber first flapper 411 by one drive unit 413 provided between the first switching chamber first flapper 411 and the first switching chamber second flapper 412. The room second flapper 412 is opened and closed. The first switching chamber first flapper 411 is formed larger than the first switching chamber second flapper 412. Further, the first flapper 411 of the first switching chamber corresponds to a size that can open and close the opening 212 (see FIG. 8). Further, the second flapper 412 of the first switching chamber corresponds to a size that can open and close the opening 213 (see FIG. 8).

The damper member 420 corresponds to the second switching chamber 6 (see FIG. 3), and is the same as the damper member 410. Further, the damper member 420 is a twin damper provided with a second switching chamber first flapper 421 and a second switching chamber second flapper 422. Further, the damper member 420 includes a drive unit 413 that drives the second switching chamber first flapper 421 and the second switching chamber second flapper 422. The first flapper 421 of the second switching chamber corresponds to a size that can open and close the opening 214 (see FIG. 8). The second flapper 422 of the second switching chamber corresponds to a size that can open and close the opening 215 (see FIG. 8).

The damper member 430 corresponds to the ice making chamber 3 (see FIG. 3) and the freezing chamber 4 (see FIG. 3). Further, the damper member 430 is a single damper provided with a freezing chamber flapper 431 (see FIG. 3). Further, the damper member 430 includes a damper frame 432 that supports the freezing chamber flapper 431 (see FIG. 3) and a drive unit 433 that drives the freezing chamber flapper 431.

The damper member 410 is arranged on the side of the second fan 9b. The damper member 420 is arranged below the damper member 410. The damper member 430 is arranged above the second fan 9b.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a damper member. Note that FIG. 10 is a perspective view seen from the front side (inside the refrigerator).
As shown in FIG. 10, the drive unit 413 includes a square box-shaped box (housing) 413a, and an electric motor (not shown) and a gear member (not shown) are combined and housed inside the box 413a. There is. Further, the box 413a is provided with a flapper support portion 413b extending toward the first flapper 411 of the first switching chamber and a flapper support portion 413c extending toward the second flapper 412 of the first switching chamber. The first flapper 411 of the first switching chamber is rotatably supported by the flapper support portion 413b. The first switching chamber second flapper 412 is rotatably supported by the flapper support portion 413c.

Further, the drive unit 413 is configured with a drive mechanism in the box 413a so that the first switching chamber first flapper 411 and the first switching chamber second flapper 412 can be opened and closed independently. That is, the drive unit 413 closes both the first switching chamber first flapper 411 and the first switching chamber second flapper 412, and closes both the first switching chamber first flapper 411 and the first switching chamber second flapper 412. It is configured to be openable. Further, the drive unit 413 opens the first switching chamber first flapper 411 and closes the first switching chamber second flapper 412, and closes the first switching chamber first flapper 411 and closes the first switching chamber second flapper 412. It is configured to be openable.

The flapper support portion 413b is formed with a screw fixing portion 413d for screwing the damper member 410 to the front case 310 (see FIG. 9). The flapper support portion 413c is formed with a screw fixing portion 413e for screwing the damper member 410 to the front case 310 (see FIG. 9). The box 413a is formed with a screw fixing portion 413f for screwing the damper member 410 to the front case 310 (see FIG. 9).

The first flapper 411 of the first switching chamber includes a synthetic resin base material 411a (see FIG. 9) and a silicone rubber sealing material 411b coated on the surface of the base material 411a. .. Further, the base material 411a is formed with claws 411c protruding from a plurality of places. In the first switching chamber, the first flapper 411, the sealing material 411b is held by the base material 411a by inserting the claw 411c into the hole formed in the sealing material 411b.

The first switching chamber second flapper 412 is configured to include a synthetic resin base material 412a (see FIG. 9) and a silicone rubber sealing material 412b coated on the surface of the base material 412a. .. Further, the base material 412a is formed with claws 412c protruding from a plurality of places. In the first switching chamber second flapper 412, the sealing material 412b is held by the base material 412a by inserting the claw 412c into the hole formed in the sealing material 412b.

The drive unit 413 has a surface 413 g facing the first flapper 411 side of the first switching chamber and an upper surface 413h facing the second flapper 412 side of the first switching chamber. The upper surface 413g and the lower surface 413h are rectangular planes, respectively. Further, the first flapper 411 of the first switching chamber has a vertically long shape in which the vertical direction is longer than the horizontal direction. The first switching chamber second flapper 412 has a horizontally long shape in which the left-right direction is longer than the up-down direction.

The

flapper support portions

413b and 413c are located closer to the front of the box 413a. The first flapper 411 of the first switching chamber is configured to rotate rearward along the surface 413g of the box 413a. The second flapper 412 of the first switching chamber is configured to rotate rearward along the surface 413h of the box 413a.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing the arrangement of the temperature sensors in the first switching chamber according to the first embodiment. Note that FIG. 11 is a view of the first switching chamber 5 viewed from the front with the first switching chamber door 5a and the first switching chamber container 5b removed.
As shown in FIG. 11, the first switching chamber 5 is provided with a first switching chamber first temperature sensor 43a (another temperature sensor) and a first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43b (one temperature sensor). There is.

The first temperature sensor 43a of the first switching chamber is provided on the heat insulating partition wall 27 arranged on the back surface of the refrigerator. Further, the first temperature sensor 43a of the first switching chamber is located at the upper part of the back surface of the first switching chamber 5.

The first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43b is provided inside the discharge port forming member 111 provided on the heat insulating partition wall 27. Further, the first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43b is located below the first switching chamber first temperature sensor 43a.

Inside the heat insulating partition wall 29 and the heat insulating partition wall 30, a vacuum heat insulating material 25 g and a vacuum heat insulating material 25h (see FIG. 2) are mounted. Further, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 11, the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment has a heating means from below the first switching chamber 5 on the bottom surface of the first switching chamber 5, that is, the upper surface of the heat insulating partition wall 30. The first heater 301 of the first switching chamber is provided. Further, the refrigerator 1 has a first switching chamber second heater 302 (surface heater H10) serving as a heating means from the rear of the first switching chamber 5 on the back surface of the first switching chamber 5, that is, on the front surface of the heat insulating partition wall 27. It has. Further, the refrigerator 1 has a first switching chamber third heater 303 that serves as a heating means from the left side of the first switching chamber 5 on the left side and the right side of the first switching chamber 5, that is, the left side and the right side of the inner box 10b. The first switching chamber fourth heater 304 is provided as a heating means from the right side of the first switching chamber 5. The first heater 301 in the first switching chamber, the second heater 302 in the first switching chamber, the third heater 303 in the first switching chamber, and the fourth heater 304 in the first switching chamber are electric heaters connected in parallel to each other by wiring (not shown). Yes, all are energized at the same time. In the following, heaters that serve as heating means for the first switching chamber 5 (first switching chamber first heater 301, first switching chamber second heater 302, first switching chamber third heater 303, first switching chamber fourth heater 304). ) Is generically referred to as the first switching chamber heater 300 (switching chamber heater).

The first switching chamber heater 300 is an aluminum foil heater in which a heating wire (silicon cord heater, for example) (not shown) and an aluminum foil are fixed on one side of a double-sided adhesive tape, and the other side of the double-sided adhesive tape can be attached to the heating surface. be. The first heater 301 of the first switching chamber is arranged so as to cover the majority region of the upper surface of the vacuum heat insulating material 25h (see FIG. 2) in the heat insulating partition wall 30. As a result, even if the heat insulating performance of the heat insulating partition wall 30 deteriorates due to the deterioration of the heat insulating performance of the vacuum heat insulating material 25h, the upper surface of the heat insulating partition wall 30 can be satisfactorily heated.

The capacities of the first switching chamber first heater 301, the first switching chamber second heater 302, the first switching chamber third heater 303, and the first switching chamber fourth heater 304 are 11.3 W, 8.6 W, and 3. It is 1W and 3.1W, and the heat generation densities (calorific value per unit area) are 44.3W / m ² , 79.8W / m ² , 263.8W / m ² , and 263.8W / m ² , respectively. Since the temperature tends to rise when the heat generation density is high, the heat generation density of the heating means (first switching chamber first heater 301) mounted on the heat insulating partition wall 30 provided with the vacuum heat insulating material 25h is 100 W / m ^2. By suppressing the temperature to 44.3 W / m ² below, it is difficult to accelerate the deterioration of the vacuum heat insulating material 25h due to the temperature rise (details will be described later).

Further, as in the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment, the heat generation density of the heating means (first switching chamber second heater 302) mounted on the heat insulating partition wall 27 not provided with the vacuum heat insulating material is provided with the vacuum heat insulating material 25h. By making it smaller than the heating means (first switching chamber first heater 302) mounted on the heat insulating partition wall 30, the deterioration of the heat insulating partition wall 30 provided with the vacuum heat insulating material 25h is accelerated, and the first switching chamber 5 It is a refrigerator that is unlikely to get too cold.

Further, the capacity of the first switching chamber heater 300 (total capacity of the first switching chamber first heater 301, the first switching chamber second heater 302, the first switching chamber third heater 303, and the first switching chamber fourth heater 304). Is set to 26.1 W of 20 W or more. As a result, in particular, the first switching chamber 5 and the second switching chamber 6 are set to the "RF" mode in which the refrigerating temperature and the freezing temperature are set, respectively, and the three surfaces of the first switching chamber 5 are set to the first switching chamber 5. The first switching chamber 5 can be satisfactorily heated even when the storage chamber is adjacent to the lower freezing temperature space and the temperature tends to drop, and the storage chamber becomes too cold to maintain the desired temperature. The refrigerator is less likely to have problems such as dew condensation and frost formation on the wall surface of the storage room.

Further, the capacity (11.3 W) of the heating means (first switching chamber first heater 301) for heating the first switching chamber 5 from below is heated from the back (rear) or the left and right side surfaces of the first switching chamber 5. More than any capacity (8.6W, 3.1W, 3.1W) of the heating means (first switching chamber second heater 302, first switching chamber second heater 303, first switching chamber second heater 304). It's getting bigger. Since the air that has been heated and the temperature has risen rises in the storage chamber, it is efficient to increase the capacity (11.3 W) of the heating means (first switching chamber first heater 301) from below in this way. The inside of the first switching chamber 5 can be heated, and the energy saving performance is improved.

The surface of the heat insulating partition wall 30 and the heat insulating partition wall 27 is covered with a resin member (polypropylene in this embodiment) having a thickness of 1.5 mm (not shown). The first heater 301 of the first switching chamber and the second heater 302 of the first switching chamber are attached to the inside (inner surface) of the resin member of the heat insulating partition wall 30 and the heat insulating partition wall 27, respectively. Therefore, although the first switching chamber first heater 301 is not directly attached to the vacuum heat insulating material 25h in the heat insulating partition wall 30, there is a sufficient gap between the two, or a heat insulating member (specifically, 10 mm). Since the above-mentioned voids or the heat insulating member having a thickness of 10 mm or more are not interposed, the heat-insulating members are in substantially contact with each other.

Further, the first switching chamber third heater 303 and the first switching chamber fourth heater 304 are both attached to the inner surface (outer surface of the refrigerator) of the inner box 10b (ABS resin). As shown in FIG. 11, the position where the first switching chamber heater 300 for heating the first switching chamber 5 is arranged involves dismantling work by removing the first switching chamber door 5a and the first switching chamber container 5b. It will be the inner wall of the storage room that the user can touch without having to. Therefore, as described above, a resin member (the surface resin member of the heat insulating partition wall 27 and the heat insulating partition wall 30 or the inner box 10b) is arranged between the first switching chamber heater 300 and the first switching chamber 5. As a result, even if the user removes the first switching chamber door 5a and the container 5b for cleaning and touches the inner wall surface of the refrigerator (insulation partition wall 27, insulation partition wall 30, surface of inner box 10b), the heater is damaged. It is a highly reliable refrigerator that does not cause such a situation.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XII-XII of FIG. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIII-XIII of FIG. In FIG. 12, ice is formed in the opening 312a, the ice is sandwiched by the first flapper 411 of the first switching chamber, the first flapper 411 of the first switching chamber is not completely closed, and leaked cold air LA is generated. Indicates the state of being.

As shown in FIG. 12, an opening 312a is formed in the heat insulating partition wall 27, and the first switching chamber first flapper 411 is rotatably provided at the edge of the opening 312a so as to abut and separate from each other. There is. Further, the heat insulating partition wall 27 is provided with an opening 212 and a discharge port forming member 111 so as to cover the front surface side of the opening 212. The discharge port forming member 111 is formed so as to bulge forward with respect to the front surface of the heat insulating partition wall 27. The

first discharge ports

111a, 111a of the first switching chamber are formed on the front surface side of the discharge port forming member 111. The

first discharge ports

111a and 111a of the first switching chamber are formed so as to be vertically separated from each other. As described above, in the present embodiment, the air passage R connecting the second evaporator chamber 8b to the

first discharge ports

111a and 111a of the first switching chamber is formed.

The first switching chamber first discharge port 111a formed in the upper stage of the discharge port forming member 111 is located in the vicinity of the heat insulating partition wall 29 (almost the upper end portion in the refrigerator), and is inside the first switching chamber container 5b in the upper stage. Cold air is supplied to the container. Further, the first discharge port 111a of the first switching chamber formed in the lower stage of the discharge port forming member 111 is formed at a position where cold air is supplied to the inside of the first switching chamber container 5b in the lower stage.

Further, the first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43b is attached to the inner wall surface 111e of the discharge port forming member 111. The first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43b is located at a height between the upper first switching chamber first discharge port 111a and the lower first switching chamber first discharge port 111a. Further, the first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43b is located in front of the first switching chamber first flapper 411. By arranging the first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43b in the vicinity of the first switching chamber first flapper 411 in this way, as shown by the arrow in the figure, cold air is tentatively released from the first switching chamber first flapper 411. When a leak occurs, a cold air leak can be detected immediately.

Further, the heat insulating partition wall 27 is provided with a first switching chamber damper heater 305 (damper heater) for heating the first switching chamber first flapper 411. As shown in FIG. 12, the first switching chamber damper heater 305 is provided when the first switching chamber first flapper 411 sandwiches ice or when ice is generated around the first switching chamber first flapper 411. , Has the function of melting ice.

As shown in FIG. 13, the first temperature sensor 43a of the first switching chamber is fixed to the mounting base 27b formed on the surface 27a (front surface) of the heat insulating partition wall 27. The mounting base 27b is configured so that the first temperature sensor 43a of the first switching chamber projects at a position L away from the surface 27a of the heat insulating partition wall 27. The distance L is set to, for example, 10 mm or more. With such a positional relationship, it is possible to reduce the influence of the updraft when the first switching chamber second heater 302 is energized.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the temperature sensors in the second switching chamber. Note that FIG. 14 is a view of the second switching chamber 6 viewed from the front with the second switching chamber door 6a and the second switching chamber container 6b removed.
As shown in FIG. 14, the second switching chamber 6 is provided with a second switching chamber first temperature sensor 44a (another temperature sensor) and a second switching chamber second temperature sensor 44b (one temperature sensor). There is.

The second switching chamber first temperature sensor 44a is provided on the heat insulating partition wall 27 arranged on the back surface of the refrigerator. Further, the second switching chamber first temperature sensor 44a is located at the upper part of the back surface of the second switching chamber 6. Further, the second switching chamber first temperature sensor 44a is located in the vicinity of the second switching chamber return port 112c. The vicinity of the second switching chamber return port 112c means that the vicinity of the second switching chamber return port 112c is provided at a position shorter than the distance between the second switching chamber first temperature sensor 44a and the second switching chamber return port 112c.

The second temperature sensor 44b of the second switching chamber is provided inside the discharge port forming member 112 provided on the heat insulating partition wall 27. Further, the second switching chamber second temperature sensor 44b is located below the second switching chamber first temperature sensor 43a. Further, the second temperature sensor 44b of the second switching chamber and the second temperature sensor 44a of the second switching chamber are separated from each other in the left-right (width direction).

As shown by the broken line, the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment has an inner box 10b forming the back surface of the second switching chamber 6 and a second switching chamber first heater 401 which is a heating means from the rear of the second switching chamber 6. It has. Further, the lower surface 30b of the heat insulating partition wall 30 is provided with a second switching chamber second heater 402 as a heating means from above the second switching chamber 6. The first heater 401 of the second switching chamber and the second heater 402 of the second switching chamber are connected in parallel to each other by wiring (not shown) and are energized at the same time. Hereinafter, the heaters (second switching chamber first heater 401, second switching chamber second heater 402) that serve as heating means for the second switching chamber 6 are collectively referred to as the second switching chamber heater 400.

The second switching chamber heater 400 is an aluminum foil heater in which a heating wire (silicon cord heater, for example) (not shown) and an aluminum foil are fixed on one side of a double-sided adhesive tape, and the other side of the double-sided adhesive tape can be attached to the heating surface. be.

Effective heating area of the second switching chamber first heater 401 and the second switching chamber second heater 402 (aluminum foil area) are each 40710mm ^{^2,} 255200mm ^2, heat density and heating capacity, respectively 4.0 W, 98 It is .3 W / m ² , 10.9 W, and 42.7 W / m ² . The first heater 401 of the second switching chamber is attached to the inner surface (outer surface of the refrigerator) of the inner box 10b (ABS resin). The second heater 402 of the second switching chamber is attached to the inside (inner surface) of the resin member of the heat insulating partition wall 30.

A control device (control unit) 31 (see FIG. 2) equipped with a CPU, a memory such as a ROM or RAM, an interface circuit, etc., which is a part of the control device, is arranged above the refrigerator 1. The control device 31 includes an outside air temperature sensor 37, an outside air humidity sensor 38, a refrigerating room temperature sensor 41 (see FIG. 4), a freezing room temperature sensor 42 (see FIG. 4), a first switching chamber first temperature sensor 43a, and a first. Switching chamber second temperature sensor 43b, second switching chamber first temperature sensor 44a, second switching chamber second temperature sensor 44b, first evaporator temperature sensor 40a, second evaporator temperature sensor 40b, etc. and electrical wiring (shown) It is connected by). Further, in the control device 31, the compressor 24, the first fan 9a, and the second fan 9b, which will be described later, are turned on / off based on the output value of each sensor, the setting of the operation unit 26, the program recorded in advance in the ROM, and the like. And rotation speed control, opening / closing control of the first switching chamber first flapper 411, the first switching chamber second flapper 412, the second switching chamber first flapper 421, the second switching chamber second flapper 422, and the first switching chamber heater 300. , The second switching chamber heater 400, the energization control of the defrosting heater 21 described later, and the flow path switching control of the refrigerant control valve 52 are performed.

Subsequently, the defrosting operation of the first evaporator 14a and the second evaporator 14b of the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 7. The first evaporator 14a is controlled to either a state in which the compressor 24 is driven and the refrigerant control valve 52 is controlled to the “state 2” in which the refrigerant control valve 52 flows to the outlet 52b, or a state in which the compressor 24 is stopped. As a result, the refrigerant is not allowed to flow in the first evaporator 14a, and the first fan 9a is driven to defrost by the heating action of the return air from the refrigerating chamber 2. The defrosted water generated during the defrosting of the first evaporator 14a is provided in the machine room 39 from the trough 23a (see FIG. 2) provided in the lower part of the first evaporator chamber 8a via the first drain pipe (not shown). It is discharged to a first evaporation plate (not shown) and evaporates due to heat radiation from the compressor 24 and ventilation by a machine room fan (not shown) installed in the machine room 39. As described above, the defrosting of the first evaporator 14a is performed by driving the first fan 9a without using a heater, so that the refrigerator has high energy saving performance. Further, since a part of the water content of the frost is reduced to the refrigerating chamber 2 by defrosting, the refrigerating chamber 2 can be kept at a higher humidity.

On the other hand, the second evaporator 14b is defrosted by energizing the defrost heater 21 (see FIG. 2), which is a heating means provided in the lower part of the second evaporator 14b, with the compressor 24 stopped. do. As the defrost heater 21 (heater), for example, an electric heater of 50 W to 200 W may be adopted, and in this embodiment, it is a radiant heater of 150 W. The defrosted water generated during the defrosting of the second evaporator 14b is transferred from the lower gutter 23b (see FIG. 2) of the second evaporator chamber 8b to the upper part of the compressor 24 via the second drain pipe 23c (see FIG. 2). It is discharged to the second evaporating dish 32 (see FIG. 2) provided in the above, and evaporates due to the action of heat dissipation from the compressor 24, ventilation by a machine room fan (not shown), or the like.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the cooling operation control of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 15, the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment starts the cooling operation (start) when the power is turned on. The control of the pull-down operation from when the power is turned on until the storage chamber in the refrigerator reaches a predetermined temperature level is omitted, and from the stage where the first evaporator operation is started when the stable operation state is reached (step S101). explain. The stable operation state is a state in which the

doors

2a, 2b, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a (see FIG. 1) of the refrigerator 1 are not opened and closed, and a stable and periodic cooling operation is performed. Yes (eg, specified in JISC9801-3: 2015). In the first evaporator operation, the refrigerant control valve 52 is controlled to "state 1", the compressor 24 is in the driving state, the first fan 9a is in the driving state, and the refrigerator is refrigerated with the low-temperature refrigerant supplied to the first evaporator 14a. This is an operation for cooling the chamber 2. In the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment, the refrigerant control valve 52 is controlled to the "state 1" state by step S101, the compressor 24 is in the driving state, the first fan 9a is in the driving state, and the refrigerating chamber 2 is cooled (the first). (1) Evaporator operation) is performed.

The first evaporator operation started in step S101 is continued until the first evaporator operation end condition (step S102) is satisfied. The control device 31 is used when the refrigerating chamber temperature detected by the refrigerating chamber temperature sensor 41 is equal to or lower than the first evaporator operation end temperature (2 ° C. in the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment), or from the start of the first evaporator operation. When the elapsed time reaches a predetermined time (50 minutes in the refrigerator of the present embodiment) (S102, Yes), the process proceeds to step S103. Further, when the first evaporator operation end condition is not satisfied (S102, No), the control device 31 continues the process of step S102.

When step S102 is established (step S102 is Yes), the control device 31 subsequently executes the refrigerant recovery operation (step S103). In the refrigerant recovery operation, the driving state of the compressor 24 is continued, the refrigerant control valve 52 is set to "state 3 (fully closed)", and the refrigerant in the first evaporator 14a is radiated by the radiating means (external radiator 50a, wall surface). This is an operation of collecting to the side of the heat radiating pipe 50b and the dew condensation prevention pipe 50c), and continues for 2 minutes in the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment.

When the refrigerant recovery operation in step S103 is completed, the control device 31 subsequently reads the setting of the switching chamber (step S104), and performs the second evaporator operation according to the settings of the first switching chamber 5 and the second switching chamber 6. Start (step S105). The second evaporator operation is a state in which the refrigerant control valve 52 is in the "state 2", the compressor 24 is in the driving state, the second fan 9b is in the driving state, and the inside of the refrigerator is cooled by the refrigerant flowing in the second evaporator 14b. Is.

In step S106, the control device 31 executes temperature control of the freezing chamber 3 and the ice making chamber 4. For example, when the temperature detected by the freezing room temperature sensor 42 is higher than the freezing room damper opening temperature, the freezing room flapper 431 is opened, and the freezing room 3 and the ice making room 4 are cooled. Further, when the temperature detected by the freezing room temperature sensor 42 becomes lower than the freezing room damper closing temperature, the freezing room flapper 431 is closed, and the cooling of the freezing room 3 and the ice making room 4 is completed, so that the temperature is controlled. It is said.

In step S107, the control device 31 executes temperature control of the first switching chamber 5 based on the temperature detected by the first switching chamber first temperature sensor 43a and the first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43b. The detailed operation will be described later.

In step S108, the control device 31 executes temperature control of the second switching chamber 6 based on the temperature detected by the second switching chamber first temperature sensor 44a and the second switching chamber second temperature sensor 44b.

In step S109, the control device 31 determines whether or not the second evaporator operation end condition is satisfied. The conditions for ending the operation of the second evaporator include the first flapper 411 in the first switching chamber, the second flapper 412 in the first switching chamber, the first flapper 421 in the second switching chamber, and the second flapper 422 in the second switching chamber. This is a case where all the freezing chamber flappers 431 are closed (step S109, Yes). Further, when the second evaporator operation end condition is not satisfied (step S109, No), the control device 31 returns to step S106.

When the second evaporator operation end condition is satisfied (step S109, Yes), the control device 31 subsequently executes the refrigerant recovery operation (step S110). The refrigerant recovery operation in step S110 is an operation in which the compressor 24 is maintained in the driving state, the refrigerant control valve 52 is set to "state 3 (fully closed)", and the refrigerant in the second evaporator 14b is recovered to the heat dissipation means side. Yes, the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment continues for 3 minutes.

Subsequently, in step S111, the control device 31 determines whether or not the first evaporator operation start condition is satisfied. For example, it is established when the temperature of the refrigerating chamber 2 detected by the refrigerating chamber temperature sensor 41 becomes equal to or higher than the first evaporator operation start temperature, and the process returns to step S101 to start the first evaporator operation. The first evaporator operation start temperature in the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment is 6 ° C. If step S111 is not established (step S111, No), the compressor 24 is stopped (OFF) (step S112).

Next, in step S113, the control device 31 determines whether or not the first evaporator operation start condition is satisfied. The conditions under which step S113 is satisfied are the same as the conditions under which step S111 is established. When the first evaporator operation start condition is satisfied (step S113, Yes), the process returns to step S101 and the first evaporator operation is started. If the first evaporator operation start condition is not satisfied (step S113, No), the process proceeds to step S114.

In step S114, the control device 31 determines whether or not the second evaporator operation start condition is satisfied. When the second evaporator operation start condition is satisfied, the freezing chamber temperature sensor 42, the first switching chamber first temperature sensor 43a, the first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43b, and the second switching chamber first temperature sensor 44a, when at least one of the temperatures detected by the second temperature sensor 44b in the second switching chamber becomes equal to or higher than the second evaporator operation start temperature.

In the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment, when the temperature of the freezing chamber 4 detected by the freezing chamber temperature sensor 42 is set to −12 ° C. or higher and the first switching chamber 5 is set to the refrigerating temperature, the first temperature of the first switching chamber 5 is set. When the temperature of the first switching chamber 5 detected by the sensor 43a or the second temperature sensor 43b of the first switching chamber is -12 ° C. or higher and the first switching chamber 5 is set to the refrigerating temperature, the first switching chamber is set. When the temperature of the first switching chamber 5 detected by the first temperature sensor 43a or the second temperature sensor 43b of the first switching chamber is 9 ° C. or higher and the second switching chamber 6 is set to the refrigerating temperature, the second When the temperature of the first switching chamber 5 detected by the switching chamber first temperature sensor 44a or the second switching chamber second temperature sensor 44b is -12 ° C. or higher and the second switching chamber 6 is set to the refrigerating temperature. Step S114 is established when the temperature of the second switching chamber 6 detected by the second switching chamber first temperature sensor 44a or the second switching chamber second temperature sensor 44b satisfies at least one of 9 ° C. or higher. ..

When the second evaporator operation start condition is satisfied (step S114, Yes), the control device 31 proceeds to step S104, and when the second evaporator operation start condition is not satisfied (step S114, No), the control device 31 proceeds to step S113. Return to judgment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the temperature control of the first switching chamber according to the first embodiment. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of operating conditions of various members according to the first embodiment. In the following drawings, the first switching chamber first flapper, the first switching chamber second flapper, the second switching chamber first flapper, the second switching chamber second flapper, the first switching chamber first damper, the first It is the second damper of the switching room, the first damper of the second switching room, and the second damper of the second switching room.
As shown in FIG. 16, in step S201, the control device 31 determines whether or not the opening condition of the first switching chamber first flapper 411 is satisfied. The opening condition of the first switching chamber first flapper 411 is that when the first switching chamber 5 is set to the freezing temperature zone, the detection temperature of the first switching chamber first temperature sensor 43a is -16 ° C. or higher, or the first This is established when the detection temperature of the first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43b is -16 ° C or higher (see FIG. 17). Further, the opening condition of the first switching chamber first flapper 411 is that when the first switching chamber 5 is set to the refrigerating temperature zone, the detection temperature of the first switching chamber first temperature sensor 43a is 9 ° C. or higher, or This is established when the detection temperature of the first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43b is 9 ° C. or higher (see FIG. 17).

When the opening condition of the first switching chamber first flapper 411 is satisfied (step S201, Yes), the control device 31 proceeds to the process of step S202 and opens the first switching chamber first flapper 411. Further, when the opening condition of the first switching chamber first flapper 411 is not satisfied (steps S201 and No), the control device 31 proceeds to the process of step S203.

In step S203, the control device 31 determines whether or not the opening condition of the first switching chamber second flapper 412 is satisfied. The opening condition of the first switching chamber second flapper 412 is that when the first switching chamber 5 is set to the freezing temperature zone, the detection temperature of the first switching chamber first temperature sensor 43a is -16 ° C. or higher, or the first This is established when the detection temperature of the first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43b is -16 ° C or higher (see FIG. 17). Further, the opening condition of the first switching chamber second flapper 412 is when the first switching chamber 5 is set to the refrigerating temperature zone and the detection temperature of the first switching chamber first temperature sensor 43a is 6 ° C. or higher. It holds (see FIG. 17).

When the opening condition of the first switching chamber second flapper 412 is satisfied (step S203, Yes), the control device 31 proceeds to the process of step S204 and opens the first switching chamber second flapper 412. Further, when the opening condition of the first switching chamber second flapper 412 is not satisfied (step S203, No), the control device 31 proceeds to the process of step S205.

In step S205, the control device 31 determines whether or not the closing condition of the first switching chamber first flapper 411 is satisfied. The closing condition of the first switching chamber first flapper 411 is that when the first switching chamber 5 is set to the freezing temperature zone, the detection temperature of the first switching chamber first temperature sensor 43a is −20 ° C. or lower, or the first It is established when the detection temperature of the first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43b is −20 ° C. or lower (see FIG. 17). Further, the closing condition of the first switching chamber first flapper 411 is when the first switching chamber 5 is set to the refrigerating temperature zone and the detection temperature of the first switching chamber first temperature sensor 43a is 4 ° C. or less. It holds (see FIG. 17).

When the closing condition of the first switching chamber first flapper 411 is satisfied (step S205, Yes), the control device 31 proceeds to the process of step S206 and closes the first switching chamber first flapper 411. Further, when the closing condition of the first switching chamber first flapper 411 is not satisfied (steps S205 and No), the control device 31 proceeds to the process of step S207.

In step S207, the control device 31 determines whether or not the closing condition of the first switching chamber second flapper 412 is satisfied. The closing condition of the first switching chamber second flapper 412 is that when the first switching chamber 5 is set to the freezing temperature zone, the detection temperature of the first switching chamber first temperature sensor 43a is −20 ° C. or lower, or the first It is established when the detection temperature of the first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43b is −20 ° C. or lower (see FIG. 17). Further, the closing condition of the first switching chamber second flapper 412 is when the first switching chamber 5 is set to the refrigerating temperature zone and the detection temperature of the first switching chamber first temperature sensor 43a is 2 ° C. or less. It holds (see FIG. 17).

When the closing condition of the first switching chamber second flapper 412 is satisfied (step S207, Yes), the control device 31 proceeds to the process of step S208 and closes the first switching chamber second flapper 412. Further, when the closing condition of the first switching chamber second flapper 412 is not satisfied (step S207, No), the control device 31 proceeds to the process of step S209.

In step S209, the control device 31 determines whether or not the ON condition (energization condition) of the first switching chamber heater 300 is satisfied. This determination is made only when the first switching chamber 5 is set to the refrigerating temperature zone. The ON condition of the first switching chamber heater 300 is satisfied when the detection temperature of the first switching chamber first temperature sensor 43a is 0 ° C. or lower. Further, the ON condition of the first switching chamber heater 300 is satisfied when the detected temperature of the first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43b is -1 ° C. or less 5 minutes after closing the first switching chamber first flapper 411. ..

When the ON condition of the first switching chamber heater 300 is satisfied (step S209, Yes), the control device 31 proceeds to the process of step S210 and turns on the first switching chamber heater 300. Further, when the ON condition of the first switching chamber heater 300 is not satisfied (step S209, No), the control device 31 proceeds to the process of step S211.

In step S211 the control device 31 determines whether or not the OFF condition (condition for stopping energization) of the first switching chamber heater 300 is satisfied. This determination is made only when the first switching chamber 5 is set to the refrigerating temperature zone. The OFF condition of the first switching chamber heater 300 is satisfied when the detection temperature of the first switching chamber first temperature sensor 43a is 5 ° C. or higher.

When the OFF condition of the first switching chamber heater 300 is satisfied (steps S211 and Yes), the control device 31 proceeds to the process of step S212 and turns off the first switching chamber heater 300. Further, when the OFF condition of the first switching chamber heater 300 is not satisfied (steps S211 and No), the control device 31 proceeds to the process of step S213.

In step S213, the control device 31 determines whether or not the high-speed condition of the compressor 24 is satisfied. This determination is made only when the first switching chamber 5 is set to the freezing temperature zone. The condition for increasing the speed of the compressor 24 is satisfied when the detection temperature of the first temperature sensor 43a in the first switching chamber is −6 ° C. or higher.

When the high-speed condition of the compressor 24 is satisfied (step S213, Yes), the control device 31 proceeds to the process of step S214 and operates the compressor 24 at high speed. Further, when the high speed condition of the compressor 24 is not satisfied (step S213, No), the control device 31 proceeds to the process of step S215.

In step S215, the control device 31 determines whether or not the high-speed condition for the second fan 9b is satisfied. This determination is made only when the first switching chamber 5 is set to the freezing temperature zone. The condition for increasing the speed of the second fan 9b is satisfied when the detection temperature of the first temperature sensor 43a in the first switching chamber is −6 ° C. or higher.

When the high-speed condition for the second fan 9b is satisfied (step S215, Yes), the control device 31 proceeds to the process of step S216 and operates the second fan 9b at high speed. Further, when the speed-up condition for the second fan 9b is not satisfied (step S215, No), the control device 31 proceeds to the process of step S217.

In step S217, the control device 31 determines whether or not the damper heating control execution conditions are satisfied. This determination is made only when the first switching chamber 5 is set to the refrigerating temperature zone. The damper heating control is a control for heating the damper heater 305 (see FIG. 12) in the first switching chamber, and is established when the temperature is -3 ° C or lower 5 minutes after the first flapper 411 in the first switching chamber is closed.

The control device 31 proceeds to the process of step S218 when the damper heating control execution condition is satisfied (step S217, Yes), and returns when the damper heating control execution condition is not satisfied (step S217, No).

In step S218, the control device 31 turns off (stops) the second fan 9b, turns off (stops) the compressor 24, closes the first switching chamber first flapper 411, and turns off the first switching chamber first. While closing the second flapper 412, the first switching chamber damper heater 305 is turned on. In step S218, the second fan 9b must be turned off and the first switching chamber damper heater 305 must be turned on, but the compressor 24 is turned off, the first switching chamber first flapper 411 is closed, and the first switching chamber second. Closing the flapper is not mandatory.

In step S219, the control device 31 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the process of step S218 was started. The predetermined time is appropriately set by a preliminary test, and is set to, for example, 20 seconds. The control device 31 repeats the process of step S219 when the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S219, No), and returns when the predetermined time has elapsed (step S219, Yes).

FIG. 18 is a time chart showing the temperature control of the first switching chamber when the first switching chamber is in the freezing setting (freezing temperature zone setting) and the second switching chamber is in the freezing setting (freezing temperature zone setting). In FIG. 18, the temperature Ts inside the container of the first switching chamber is also shown for reference together with the detection temperature Ta of the first temperature sensor 43a of the first switching chamber (actually detected by the temperature sensor). Not). Further, in the upper graph of the temperature change, the temperature T1 on the vertical axis is a determination temperature for speeding up the compressor 24 and speeding up the second fan 9b. The temperature T2 is the opening determination temperature of the first switching chamber first flapper 411 and the first switching chamber second flapper 412. The temperature T3 is the closing determination temperature of the first switching chamber first flapper 411 and the first switching chamber second flapper 412. Further, in the upper graph of the temperature change, the reference numeral E1 indicates the operation of the first evaporator 14a, and the reference numeral E2 indicates the operation of the second evaporator 14b. Further, when switching from the second evaporator operation E2 to the first evaporator operation E1, and when switching from the first evaporator operation E1 to the second evaporator operation E2, the refrigerant recovery operation R is performed, respectively.

Further, "a" shown in the time chart indicates the state of the compressor 24 (ON (low speed, high speed), OFF). “B” is the state of the refrigerant control valve 52, and is in state 1 (outlet 52a side, first evaporator 14a side), state 2 (outlet 52b side, second evaporator 14b side), and state 3 (all). Closed) is shown. “C” indicates the state of the second fan 9b (ON (low speed, high speed), OFF). “D” indicates the state (open, closed) of the first flapper 411 of the first switching chamber. “E” indicates the state (open, closed) of the second flapper 412 in the first switching chamber. “F” indicates the state (ON, OFF) of the first switching chamber damper heater 305. “G” indicates the state (ON, OFF) of the first switching chamber heater 300.

As shown in FIG. 18, at time t1, the detection temperature Ta of the first switching chamber first temperature sensor is the opening temperature T2 of the first switching chamber first flapper 411 and the first switching chamber second flapper 412. It is located between the closing temperature T3 of the first switching chamber first flapper 411 and the first switching chamber second flapper 412. At this time t1, the compressor 24 is in low speed operation, the refrigerant control valve 52 is in state 2, the second fan 9b is in low speed operation, the first switching chamber first flapper 411 is open, and the first switching chamber second flapper 412 is in operation. It is open. Further, the first switching chamber damper heater 305 is OFF, and the first switching chamber heater 300 is OFF. Then, the detection temperature Ta gradually decreases, and the detection temperature Ta rises due to the load generated before the time t2. The load is when the door 5a of the refrigerator 1 is opened and closed. Then, when a load is generated, the detection temperature Ta rises, and the detection temperature Ta rises to the determination temperature T1 (for example, −6 ° C.) at time t2, the compressor 24 can be switched from low speed operation to high speed low speed. Further, at time t2, the second fan 9b is switched from low speed operation to high speed operation. As a result, the cold air generated by the second evaporator 14b is supplied to the first switching chamber 5, and the detection temperature Ta of the first switching chamber 5 drops again.

Then, at time t3, when the detection temperature Ta drops to the determination temperature T3 (for example, −20 ° C.), the compressor 24 is switched from high-speed operation to low-speed operation. Similarly, the second fan 9b is switched from high speed operation to low speed operation. Further, the refrigerant control valve 52 is switched from the state 2 to the state 3 (fully closed). As a result, the supply of the refrigerant to the second evaporator 14b is stopped, so that cold air is not generated, and the amount of cold air supplied to the first switching chamber 5 is stopped. Further, the refrigerant recovery operation R is performed during a predetermined time from the time t3 to the time t4, and when the refrigerant recovery operation R is completed, the refrigerant control valve 52 is switched from the state 3 to the state 1.

In the range of the first evaporator operation E1, even if the detection temperature Ta becomes the determination temperature T2 or higher, none of the controls a to g is executed. Then, at the time t5 after the first evaporator operation E1 is executed for a predetermined time, the refrigerant control valve 52 is switched from the state 1 to the state 3, and the refrigerant recovery operation is executed for a predetermined time (time t5 to t6).

FIG. 19 is a time chart showing the temperature control of the first switching chamber when the first switching chamber is in the refrigerating setting (refrigerating temperature zone setting) and the second switching chamber is in the freezing setting (freezing temperature zone setting). In FIG. 19, the detection temperature Ta of the first switching chamber first temperature sensor 43a, the detection temperature Tb of the first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43b, and the temperature Tc of the first switching chamber damper are also shown for reference. It is shown in the figure (not actually detected by the temperature sensor).

Further, in the upper graph of the temperature change shown in FIG. 19, the temperature T10 on the vertical axis is the open determination temperature of the first flapper 411 of the first switching chamber. The temperature T11 is the opening determination temperature of the first switching chamber second flapper 412. The temperature T12 is the OFF determination temperature of the first switching chamber heater 300. The temperature T13 is the closing determination temperature of the first flapper 411 of the first switching chamber. The temperature T14 is the closing determination temperature of the first switching chamber second flapper 412. The temperature T15 is the ON determination temperature of the first switching chamber heater 300. The temperature T16 is a determination temperature at which the first switching chamber damper heater 305 is implemented (turned on).

As shown in FIG. 19, before the time t10, the compressor 24 indicated by “a” is operated at low speed, the refrigerant control valve 52 indicated by “b” is in state 1, and the second fan 9b indicated by “c” is OFF. The first switching chamber first flapper 411 indicated by "d" is closed, the first switching chamber second flapper 412 indicated by "e" is closed, the first switching chamber damper heater 305 indicated by "f" is OFF, and "g" indicates. The first evaporator operation E1 is performed in the state where the first switching chamber heater 300 shown is OFF.

At time t10, the first evaporator operation E1 ends, the refrigerant control valve 52 is switched from state 1 to state 3, and the refrigerant recovery operation R is performed for a predetermined time (t10 to t11). Then, at time t11, since the detection temperature Ta exceeds the determination temperature T10, the first flapper 411 of the first switching chamber is switched from closed to open, and the detection temperature Tb exceeds the determination temperature T11. The first switching chamber second flapper 412 is switched from closed to open. Further, the refrigerant control valve 52 is switched from the state 3 to the state 2, the second fan 9b is switched from the stopped state to the low speed operation, and the second evaporator operation E2 is performed. As a result, cold air is introduced into the first switching chamber 5 from the first switching chamber first flapper 411 and the first switching chamber second flapper 412, and the detection temperatures Ta and Tb are lowered.

Then, at time t12, when the detection temperature Ta drops to the determination temperature T13, the first switching chamber first flapper 411 is switched from open to closed. At this time, when the first flapper 411 of the first switching chamber is closed, the decrease in the detection temperature Tb is stopped. Then, even at time t13, 5 minutes after the first switching chamber first flapper 411 is closed, if the detection temperature Tb is equal to or lower than the determination temperature T16, the first switching chamber second flapper 412 is opened to closed. Can be switched. Further, at time t13, the compressor 24 is turned off (stopped) from the low-speed operation, and the second fan 9b is turned off (stopped) from the low-speed operation. Further, at time t13, the first switching chamber damper heater 305 is turned on (energized) and the first switching chamber heater 300 is turned on (energized). As a result, the detection temperatures Ta and Tb rise.

Then, when the detection temperature Ta rises to the determination temperature T12, the first switching chamber heater 300 is turned off (stopped). Further, at time t15 after a predetermined time (for example, 20 minutes) has elapsed from time t13, the compressor 24 is switched from OFF to low speed operation, and the second fan 9b is switched from OFF to low speed operation. Further, at time t15, the first switching chamber damper heater 305 is turned off.

Then, at time t16, when the detection temperature Ta rises to the determination temperature T11, the first switching chamber second flapper 412 is opened. As a result, the detection temperatures Ta and Tb decrease.

Then, at time t17, when the detection temperature Ta drops to the determination temperature T14, the first switching chamber second flapper 412 is closed.

As described above, the refrigerator 1 of the first embodiment includes a first switching chamber 5 and a second switching chamber 6 that can switch between a refrigerating temperature zone and a freezing temperature zone. The first switching chamber 5 includes a first switching chamber first temperature sensor 43a and a first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43b (see FIG. 11). The second switching chamber 6 includes a second switching chamber first temperature sensor 44a and a second switching chamber second temperature sensor 44b (see FIG. 14). According to this, it is possible to detect a typical temperature at both the refrigerating setting and the refrigerating setting when the cold air supply state is different, so that the temperature inside the refrigerator can be appropriately controlled.

Further, in the first embodiment, the second evaporator chamber 8b accommodating the second evaporator 14b, the first switching chamber first discharge port 111a for blowing cold air into the first switching chamber 5, and the second evaporator chamber It includes an air passage R connecting 8b and the first discharge port 111a of the first switching chamber, and a first flapper 411 of the first switching chamber arranged in the vicinity of the first discharge port 111a of the first switching chamber. The first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43b is provided between the first switching chamber first flapper 411 and the first switching chamber first discharge port 111a. According to this, it is possible to detect the leakage of cold air in the air passage R, which causes excessive cooling when the refrigeration is set.

Further, in the first embodiment, the first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43b is located below the first switching chamber first temperature sensor 43a. According to this, it is possible to more reliably detect the temperature in the lower region where the temperature tends to be low when refrigeration is set.

Further, the first embodiment includes a control device 31 connected to the first switching chamber first temperature sensor 43a and the first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43b. The first temperature sensor 43a of the first switching chamber detects the temperature rise of the first switching chamber 5 in the freezing temperature zone and notifies the control device 31. The first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43b detects the temperature drop of the first switching chamber 5 in the refrigerating temperature zone and notifies the control device 31. According to this, it is possible to detect an excessive temperature rise that is important in the cold air supply state when the freezing is set, and to detect an excessive temperature drop that is important in the cold air supply state when the refrigerating setting is made.

Further, in the first embodiment, while the first switching chamber 5 is set to the freezing temperature zone, the control device 31 detects a temperature rise by the first switching chamber first temperature sensor 43a (detection temperature Ta). , The supply of cold air to the first switching chamber 5 is increased (Yes in step S213 in FIG. 16, Yes in step S215, time t2 in FIG. 18). According to this, it is possible to suppress an excessive temperature rise of the first switching chamber 5.

Further, in the first embodiment, when the first switching chamber 5 is set to the refrigerating temperature zone, the control device 31 detects a temperature drop in the first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43b, the first switching chamber The supply of cold air to No. 5 is stopped (step S218 in FIG. 16, time t13 in FIG. 19). According to this, when the first switching chamber 5 is set to the refrigerating temperature zone, it is possible to suppress an excessive temperature drop of the first switching chamber 5.

Further, in the first embodiment, the second fan 9b that sends the cold air generated by the second evaporator 14b to the second evaporator chamber 8b and the first switching that is arranged in the vicinity of the first switching chamber first flapper 411. It is equipped with a chamber damper heater 305. When the control device 31 detects that the first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43b has dropped below a predetermined temperature when the first switching chamber 5 is set to the refrigerating temperature zone, the control device 31 stops the second fan 9b. And, the first switching chamber damper heater 305 is energized (Yes, S218 in S217 of FIG. 16). The temperature below the predetermined temperature here is the case where the temperature is -3 ° C or lower 5 minutes after closing the first flapper 411 of the first switching chamber. According to this, it is possible to suppress an excessive temperature drop when the first switching chamber 5 is set to the refrigerating temperature zone.

Further, the first embodiment includes a first switching chamber heater 300 that heats the first switching chamber 5. The control device 31 energizes the first switching chamber heater 300 in response to the decrease in temperature detected by the first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43b. According to this, by raising the temperature in the first switching chamber 5, it is possible to prevent the first switching chamber 5 from becoming too cold.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the temperature control of the first switching chamber according to the second embodiment. FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of operating conditions of various members according to the second embodiment. The difference between the flowchart shown in FIG. 20 and the flowchart shown in FIG. 16 is that step S218 in FIG. 16 is changed to step S318 in FIG. Other configurations are the same as those in FIG. 16, and different parts will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 20, when the damper heating control execution condition is satisfied (step S317, Yes), the control device 31 proceeds to step S318 to turn off (stop) the compressor 24 and close the freezer damper. The first switching chamber first flapper 411 is opened, the first switching chamber second flapper 412 is opened, the second switching chamber damper is closed, and the defrost heater 21 is turned on. Note that closing the second switching chamber damper means closing both the second switching chamber first flapper 421 and the second switching chamber second flapper 422.

In step S318, the compressor 24 may not be turned off, but the refrigerant control valve 52 may be switched to state 1 so that the refrigerant does not flow to the second evaporator 14b. In addition, it is essential to close the freezing setting switching room (freezing room flapper 431, freezing setting switching room damper), but it is not essential to close the freezing setting switching room damper (the second switching room 6 is set to refrigerate). In that case, it is not necessary to close the second switching chamber damper).

FIG. 22 is a time chart showing the temperature control of the first switching chamber when the first switching chamber is set to refrigerate and the second switching chamber is set to freeze. In FIG. 22, “a” indicates the state (ON, OFF) of the compressor 24. “B” is the state of the refrigerant control valve 52, and is in state 1 (outlet 52a side, first evaporator 14a side), state 2 (outlet 52b side, second evaporator 14b side), and state 3 (all). Closed) is shown. “C” indicates the state (ON, OFF) of the second fan 9b. “D” indicates the state (open, closed) of the first flapper 411 of the first switching chamber. “E” indicates the state (open, closed) of the second flapper 412 in the first switching chamber. “F” indicates the state (open, closed) of the second switching chamber first flapper 421 and the second switching chamber second flapper 422 (collectively, the second switching chamber damper). “G” indicates the state (open, closed) of the freezer flapper 431. “H” indicates the state (ON, OFF) of the defrost heater 21. “I” indicates the state (ON, OFF) of the first switching chamber heater 300.

As shown in FIG. 22, before the time t21, the detection temperature Ta is between the determination temperature T10 and the determination temperature T13. Further, before the time t21, the detection temperature Tb is between the determination temperature T11 and the determination temperature T14. Before the time t21, the compressor 24 indicated by "a" is ON, the refrigerant control valve 52 indicated by "b" is ON, the second fan 9b indicated by "c" is ON, and the second fan 9b indicated by "d" is ON. One switching chamber first flapper 411 is closed, the first switching chamber second flapper 412 indicated by "e" is closed, the second switching chamber first flapper 421 and the second switching chamber second flapper 422 indicated by "f" are open. , The freezing chamber flapper 431 indicated by "g" is open, the defrost heater 21 indicated by "h" is OFF, and the first switching chamber heater 300 indicated by "i" is OFF.

At time t21, when the detection temperature Ta exceeds the determination temperature T10, the first switching chamber first flapper 411 is switched from closed to open. When the detection temperature Tb exceeds the determination temperature T11, the first switching chamber second flapper 412 is switched from closed to open. As a result, cold air is introduced into the first switching chamber 5 from the first switching chamber first flapper 411 and the first switching chamber second flapper 412, and the detection temperatures Ta and Tb are lowered.

Then, at time t22, when the detection temperature Ta drops to the determination temperature T13, the first switching chamber first flapper 411 is switched from open to closed.

Then, when the detection temperature Tb is equal to or lower than the determination temperature T16 at the time t23 5 minutes after the first switching chamber first flapper 411 is closed, the first switching chamber first flapper 411 and the first switching chamber No. 1 Both of the two flappers 412 are switched from closed to open. Here, since the first switching chamber second flapper 412 is in the open state at time t23, that state is maintained. Further, at time t23, the second switching chamber damper (second switching chamber first flapper 421 and second switching chamber second flapper 422) is switched from open to closed, and the freezing chamber flapper 431 is switched from open to closed. Further, at time t23, the compressor 24 and the second fan 9b are switched off, the refrigerant control valve 52 is switched from the state 2 to the state 3, and the defrost heater 21 is turned on (energized). Further, at time t23, since the detection temperature Tb is equal to or lower than the determination temperature T15, the first switching chamber heater 300 is turned on (energized). As a result, the detection temperatures Ta and Tb rise.

Then, at time t24 after a predetermined time (for example, 20 minutes) has elapsed from time t23, the compressor 24 is switched from OFF to ON, and the refrigerant control valve 52 is switched from state 3 to state 2. Further, at time t24, the first switching chamber first flapper 411 and the first switching chamber second flapper 412 are switched from open to closed, and the second switching chamber damper (second switching chamber first flapper 421 and second switching chamber) is switched. The second flapper 422) is switched from closed to open, and the freezing chamber flapper 431 is switched from closed to open. Further, at time t24, the defrost heater 21 and the first switching chamber heater 300 are switched from ON to OFF.

Then, at time t25, when the detection temperature Ta exceeds the determination temperature T11, the first switching chamber second flapper 412 opens and the detection temperature Ta drops.

Then, at time t26, when the detection temperature Ta drops to the determination temperature T14, the first switching chamber second flapper 412 closes.

As described above, the refrigerator of the second embodiment opens and closes the second fan 9b that sends the cold air generated by the second evaporator 14b to the first switching chamber 5 and the first discharge port 111a of the first switching chamber. The first switching chamber first flapper 411, the first switching chamber second flapper 412, and the defrost heater 21 for heating the second evaporator 14b and / or the second evaporator chamber 8b are provided. When the first switching chamber 5 is set to the refrigerating temperature zone, the control device 31 continues to drive the second fan 9b in response to an increase in temperature detected by the first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43b. Then, the supply of the refrigerant to the second evaporator 14b is stopped, and the defrosting heater 21 is energized (step S318 in FIG. 20, time t23 in FIG. 22). According to this, by melting the frost and ice particles sandwiched between the first flapper 411 of the first switching chamber, which is a component of the opening / closing mechanism of the air passage R, the cold air leakage state is eliminated, and the first switching chamber 5 in the refrigerating temperature zone 5 Can be prevented from getting too cold.

If the second fan 9b is OFF, the driving of the second fan 9b is started. Further, the refrigerant control valve 52 may be changed from the state 3 to the state 1 to stop the refrigerant to the second evaporator 14b or reduce the supply of the refrigerant. Further, when the defrost heater 21 is energized, the output of the defrost heater 21 may be reduced while continuing the energization of the defrost heater 21.

(Third Embodiment)
FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the temperature sensors in the first switching chamber according to the third embodiment. FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XXIV-XXIV of FIG. FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XXV-XXV of FIG. 23.

As shown in FIG. 23, in the refrigerator of the third embodiment, the first switching chamber 5 has the first switching chamber first temperature sensor 43a, the first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43c, and an induction plate for guiding cold air. 45 and is configured. The first temperature sensor 43a in the first switching chamber is in the same position as in the first embodiment.

The first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43c is located below the first switching chamber first temperature sensor 43a in the vertical direction. According to this, it is possible to effectively suppress the temperature from dropping too much when the refrigeration is set. The reason will be explained below.

In the case of the switching room, the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the refrigerator changes greatly depending on whether the temperature is set to the freezing temperature or the refrigerating temperature. When the freezing temperature is set, the amount of heat entering from the outside of the refrigerator increases, so more cold air is sent, and when the temperature is set to the refrigerating temperature, the amount of heat entering from the outside of the refrigerator decreases, so the amount of wind is smaller. It is only necessary to send cold air in a short time, and the amount of cold air supplied is reduced. At this time, especially in the refrigerating setting where the amount of cold air is reduced, the influence of the air blown by the fan (second fan 9b) is reduced, so that natural convection occurs in the storage chamber (first switching chamber 5), and the high temperature air is upward. The low temperature, which is low, gathers downward. Therefore, by arranging the first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43c that detects the temperature drop at the time of refrigerating setting below the first switching chamber first temperature sensor 43a in the vertical direction, the first switching chamber 5 is refrigerated. Since it is possible to more accurately detect the overcooled state when the value is set to, it is possible to prevent the temperature from dropping too much when refrigeration is set.

Further, the first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43c is located in the vicinity of the first switching chamber return port 111c. Since the return port 111c of the first switching chamber communicates with the second evaporator chamber 8b in which the evaporator (second evaporator 14b) that generates low-temperature cold air is housed and is always in an open state, the second evaporator chamber Due to the influence of the cold air of 8b, the temperature in the vicinity of the return port 111c of the first switching chamber may become low. In response to this problem, by arranging the first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43c in the vicinity of the first switching chamber return port 111c, the switching chamber (first switching chamber 5) is set to refrigerate and is too cold. Since it becomes possible to detect the state in a more accurate manner, it is possible to prevent the temperature from dropping too much when refrigeration is set.

The guide plate 45 is an elongated plate, and is provided below the heat insulating partition wall 27 so as to descend from the first switching chamber first discharge port 111a (left side in the drawing) toward the first switching chamber return port 111c. It is arranged at an angle. The first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43c is located above the lower end of the guide plate 45.

Further, the discharge port forming member 111 is formed with a first switching chamber third outlet 111f in addition to the first switching chamber first discharge port 111a of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the third embodiment, cold air is blown out to the first switching chamber 5 from the two first switching chamber first discharge ports 111a and the newly provided first switching chamber third outlet 111f. ..

As shown in FIG. 24, the first switching chamber third outlet 111f is formed on the lower surface of the discharge port forming member 111, and cold air is discharged downward (the surface of the heat insulating partition wall 27 is directed downward). It has become like. The cold air discharged from the third outlet 111f of the first switching chamber hits the guide plate 45 (see FIG. 23) and flows downward along the upper surface of the guide plate 45 toward the lower side of the first switching chamber 5.

As shown in FIG. 25, since the first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43c is located above the end portion of the guide plate 45, it is possible to detect the temperature of the cold air flowing down along the guide plate 45. can. As a result, as shown in FIG. 24, even if cold air leaks from the first flapper 411 of the first switching chamber, the cold air flows downward. Therefore, the cold air leaks due to the temperature detection by the second temperature sensor 43c of the first switching chamber. Can be detected immediately, and subsequent control to suppress leakage can be performed quickly.

Although the present embodiment has been described above with reference to the drawings, the present embodiment is not limited to the above contents and includes various modifications. In the above-described embodiment, the first switching chamber first temperature sensor 43a and the first switching chamber second temperature sensor 43b (43c), which are two temperature sensors, have been described as examples, but three or more temperature sensors may be used. It may be used to appropriately control the temperature in the refrigerating temperature zone and the freezing temperature zone.

1 Refrigerator 5 First switching room (switching room)
6 Second switching room (switching room)
8b Second evaporator room (cooler room)
9b Second fan (blower)
10 Insulated box 14b Second evaporator (cooler)
21 Defrost heater (heater)
24 Compressor 27 Insulation partition wall 31 Control device (control unit)
43a First switching chamber first temperature sensor (other temperature sensor)
43b, 43c 1st switching chamber 2nd temperature sensor (1 temperature sensor)
45 Induction plate 111a First switching chamber First discharge port (outlet)
111f 1st switching chamber 3rd discharge port (outlet)
300 First switching room heater (switching room heater)
305 First switching room damper heater (damper heater)
410,420 Damper member (switching chamber damper)
411 1st switching room 1st flapper 412 1st switching room 2nd flapper 421 2nd switching room 1st flapper 422 2nd switching room 2nd flapper R Air passage

Claims

Equipped with a switching room that can be switched between the refrigerated temperature zone and the freezing temperature zone
The switching chamber is a refrigerator provided with a plurality of temperature sensors.
A cooler room that houses the cooler and
An outlet that blows cold air into the switching chamber and
An air passage connecting the cooler chamber and the air outlet,
A switching chamber damper arranged in the vicinity of the air outlet is provided.
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein one of the temperature sensors is provided between the switching chamber damper and the air outlet.
The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein one temperature sensor, which is the temperature sensor, is located below the other temperature sensors.
It comprises at least one control unit connected to the other temperature sensor and the one temperature sensor.
The other temperature sensor detects a temperature rise in the switching chamber in the freezing temperature zone and notifies the control unit.
The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the one temperature sensor detects a temperature drop in the switching chamber in the refrigerating temperature zone and notifies the control unit.
A claim that the control unit increases the supply of cold air to the switching chamber when the other temperature sensor detects a temperature rise while the switching chamber is set to the freezing temperature zone. The refrigerator according to 4.
While the switching chamber is set to the refrigerating temperature zone, the control unit reduces or stops the supply of cold air to the switching chamber when the one temperature sensor detects a temperature drop. The refrigerator according to claim 4.
A blower that sends the cold air generated by the cooler to the switching chamber, and
A damper heater arranged in the vicinity of the switching chamber damper is provided.
The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein when the control unit detects that the temperature sensor has dropped to a predetermined temperature or lower, the control unit stops the blower and energizes the damper heater.
A blower that sends the cold air generated by the cooler to the switching chamber, and
A switching chamber damper that opens and closes the air outlet,
The cooler and / or a heater for heating the cooler chamber is provided.
The control unit starts or continues driving the blower, stops or reduces the supply of refrigerant to the cooler, and energizes the heater in response to an increase in temperature detected by the one temperature sensor. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the refrigerator is started or energized continuously.
A switching chamber heater for heating the switching chamber is provided.
The control unit according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the control unit increases the amount of heat generated by the switching chamber heater in response to a decrease in temperature detected by the one temperature sensor. refrigerator.
A switching chamber capable of switching between a refrigerating temperature zone and a freezing temperature zone is provided, the switching chamber is provided with a plurality of temperature sensors, and one temperature sensor, which is the temperature sensor, is located below the other temperature sensors. A refrigerator characterized by being.