WO2023176233A1 - Réfrigérateur - Google Patents

Réfrigérateur Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023176233A1
WO2023176233A1 PCT/JP2023/004628 JP2023004628W WO2023176233A1 WO 2023176233 A1 WO2023176233 A1 WO 2023176233A1 JP 2023004628 W JP2023004628 W JP 2023004628W WO 2023176233 A1 WO2023176233 A1 WO 2023176233A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
preserved
high frequency
cooling
temperature
freezing
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PCT/JP2023/004628
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English (en)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
翔伍 河杉
貴代志 森
亮平 新帯
範幸 米野
Original Assignee
パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
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Publication of WO2023176233A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023176233A1/fr

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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D23/00—General constructional features
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B11/00—Heating by combined application of processes covered by two or more of groups H05B3/00 - H05B7/00

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a refrigerator with a freezing function.
  • a typical refrigerator is equipped with a freezer compartment, and is used to freeze foodstuffs and food products for long-term storage. It is being considered to suppress the formation of ice crystals and cell destruction by applying an electric or magnetic field when freezing preserved items.
  • the refrigeration apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes an alternating electric field generating means for applying an alternating electric field and/or a magnetic field generating means for applying a magnetic field to the object to be frozen in a closed space. /or apply a magnetic field.
  • the freezing device described in Patent Document 1 still has room for improvement in terms of suppressing cell destruction of preserved materials.
  • the present disclosure provides a refrigerator that can suppress cell destruction of stored items.
  • a refrigerator includes at least one storage chamber having a storage space capable of storing and cooling stored items, a cooling unit that cools the storage space and the stored items, and an oscillating device provided in the storage space.
  • Patent Document 1 describes a refrigeration device that applies an alternating electric field to an object to be frozen.
  • the freezing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it is difficult to melt ice crystals that have formed in the preserved material, and when frozen, the cell membranes of the preserved material are destroyed.
  • the present inventors (and others) irradiated the preserved material with high frequency waves to melt the ice crystals and bring the preserved material into a supercooled state before the preserved material starts freezing, thereby destroying the cells of the preserved material. found that it is possible to suppress Furthermore, it has been found that by increasing the supercooling depth, the freezing time of the preserved material can be shortened, which is highly effective in suppressing cell destruction.
  • the temperature difference between the freezing point of the preserved object and the temperature reached when the preserved object becomes supercooled is referred to as the supercooling depth.
  • the freezing point indicates the temperature at which water contained in a preserved product begins to freeze. The deeper the supercooling depth of the preserved material, the shorter the freezing time of the preserved material, which increases the effect of suppressing cell destruction when the preserved material is thawed. Therefore, it is preferable to apply high frequency waves to the preserved material so as to increase the depth of supercooling.
  • the present inventors have studied a refrigerator that stably brings stored items into a supercooled state by cooling the stored items while melting ice crystals, and have arrived at the following invention.
  • a refrigerator includes at least one storage chamber having a storage space that can store and cool stored items, a cooling section that cools the storage space and the stored items, and a cooling unit provided in the storage space.
  • a control unit that controls the cooling unit and the high-frequency electric field forming unit, and the control unit cools the item while irradiating the item with high frequency, and after the item is in a supercooled state, While continuing to cool the preserved material, irradiation of high frequency waves to the preserved material is stopped to allow the phase change of the preserved material to proceed.
  • the refrigerator according to the second aspect of the present disclosure further includes a temperature detection section that detects the temperature of the preserved object, and the control section controls the temperature of the preserved object based on the temperature of the preserved object detected by the temperature detection section. Stopping of high-frequency irradiation may be controlled.
  • the control unit stops irradiating high frequency waves to the stored item based on the temperature of the stored item being below a predetermined threshold lower than the freezing point of the stored item. Good too.
  • control unit may change the output of high frequency waves irradiated to the stored item based on the temperature of the stored item detected by the temperature detection unit.
  • the magnitude of the output of the high frequency irradiation can be changed according to the temperature of the stored item, and the desired supercooling depth can be reached more quickly. Therefore, the time required to complete freezing can be shortened and cell destruction of the preserved material can be suppressed.
  • control unit may control the start and stop of irradiation of high frequency waves to the stored item based on the temperature of the stored item detected by the temperature detection unit.
  • high-frequency irradiation can be started after the stored items are in a supercooled state, thereby shortening the cooling time, contributing to power saving of the refrigerator. Further, it is possible to detect the timing at which the stored item is likely to enter a supercooled state, and the stored item can be stably brought into a supercooled state.
  • control unit may start irradiating the stored item with high frequency waves based on the fact that the temperature of the stored item is below the freezing point of the stored item.
  • the temperature detection section may be configured with a thermistor that measures the temperature of the stored items.
  • the temperature detection section may include a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the storage space.
  • the temperature detection section may be constituted by a thermopile that measures the temperature of the stored items.
  • thermopiles are sanitary because they can detect temperature without contact.
  • the refrigerator according to the tenth aspect of the present disclosure further includes a phase change detection section that detects a phase change of the preserved object, and the control section is configured to apply high-frequency waves to the preserved object based on the detected value of the phase change detection section. Irradiation may be stopped.
  • high-frequency irradiation can be stopped based on the start of freezing of the preserved object.
  • the phase change detection section includes a reflected wave detection sensor that detects reflected waves returning from the oscillation electrode to the high-frequency electric field forming section
  • the control section includes a The irradiation of high frequency waves to the preserved object may be stopped based on the reflectance, which indicates the ratio of reflected waves to the reflected wave.
  • phase changes in preserved materials can be easily detected.
  • the control unit includes a first irradiation mode in which high frequency waves are irradiated onto the stored items in order to measure reflectance, and a first irradiation mode in which the stored items are irradiated with high frequency waves at a higher output than the first irradiation mode.
  • the high frequency electric field forming section may be driven by a second irradiation mode in which the irradiation is performed.
  • the high frequency output can be lowered when detecting the frozen state of a preserved object, and the high frequency output can be increased to promote melting of ice crystals when the preserved object is supercooled. can.
  • the phase change detection section is configured with a capacitance sensor that detects the capacitance of the stored object
  • the control section is configured to detect the stored object based on the capacitance of the stored object. The high frequency irradiation may be stopped.
  • control unit may drive the cooling unit in a first cooling mode and a second cooling mode having a higher cooling capacity than the first cooling mode.
  • the cooling section can be driven in two cooling modes with different cooling capacities, so the cooling speed can be improved.
  • the control unit drives the cooling unit in the first cooling mode to continue cooling the stored item when irradiating the high frequency wave to the stored item while cooling the stored item.
  • the cooling unit may be driven in the second cooling mode.
  • the first cooling mode is used when the stored item is brought into a supercooled state
  • the second cooling mode with high cooling capacity is used when the stored item is released from the supercooled state and frozen. can be used to improve the cooling speed and freeze preserved materials while suppressing cell destruction.
  • the cooling unit includes a cooling fan that cools the storage space, and the control unit controls the rotation speed of the cooling fan in the second cooling mode and the rotation speed of the cooling fan in the first cooling mode. It may be larger than the number.
  • the cooling unit may form cold air
  • the control unit may make the temperature of the cold air in the second cooling mode lower than the temperature of the cold air in the first cooling mode.
  • control unit may change the output of high frequency waves applied to the stored items by changing the duty ratio of the high frequency waves.
  • the high frequency output can be changed with a simple configuration, and manufacturing costs can be reduced.
  • control unit may change the output of high frequency waves applied to the stored items by changing the output voltage of the high frequency waves.
  • the high frequency output can be changed with a simple configuration, and manufacturing costs can be reduced.
  • the refrigerator according to the twentieth aspect of the present disclosure further includes a reflected wave detection sensor that detects a reflected wave returning from the oscillation electrode to the high-frequency electric field forming section, and the control section detects the reflected wave returning from the oscillating electrode to the high-frequency electric field forming section.
  • the output of the high frequency wave irradiated onto the preserved object may be changed by detecting this and adjusting the reflectance, which indicates the ratio of the reflected wave to the high frequency wave output from the oscillation electrode.
  • the high frequency output can be changed with a simple configuration, and manufacturing costs can be reduced.
  • a refrigerator equipped with a freezing function will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
  • the refrigerator of the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the refrigerator described in the following embodiments, but can also be applied to a freezer having only a freezing function, and the technical features described in the following embodiments are applicable to the refrigerator of the present invention. It includes various types of refrigerators and freezers with different characteristics. Therefore, in the present invention, a refrigerator has a configuration including a refrigerator compartment and/or a freezing compartment.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a longitudinal section of a refrigerator 10 according to the first embodiment.
  • the left side is the front side of the refrigerator 10
  • the right side is the back side of the refrigerator 10.
  • the refrigerator 10 includes an outer box 1 mainly made of a steel plate, an inner box 2 made of resin such as ABS, and a foamed heat insulating material (e.g. , hard urethane foam) 40.
  • the insulated box of the refrigerator 10 includes a plurality of storage chambers, and each storage chamber is provided with a door that can be opened and closed at the front opening. Each storage room is sealed to prevent cold air from leaking by closing the door.
  • the uppermost storage compartment is the refrigerator compartment 3.
  • Two storage compartments, an ice-making compartment 4 and a freezing/thawing compartment 5, are arranged in parallel on both sides directly below the refrigerator compartment 3.
  • a freezing compartment 6 is provided directly below the ice making compartment 4 and the freezing/thawing compartment 5, and a vegetable compartment 7 is provided at the lowest portion directly below the freezing compartment 6.
  • the refrigerator compartment 3 is maintained at a temperature that does not freeze, such as a temperature range of 1°C to 5°C, in order to refrigerate food and other preserved items.
  • the vegetable compartment 7 is maintained at a temperature similar to or slightly higher than that of the refrigerator compartment 3, for example, 2°C to 7°C.
  • the freezer compartment 6 is set in a freezing temperature range for frozen storage, for example, at a temperature of -22°C to -15°C.
  • the freezing/thawing chamber 5 is normally maintained at the same freezing temperature range as the freezing chamber 6, and a thawing process is performed to thaw stored items (frozen products) in response to a thawing command from a user. Details regarding the configuration of the freezing/thawing chamber 5 and the thawing process will be described later.
  • a machine room 8 is provided in the upper part of the refrigerator 10.
  • the machine room 8 houses components constituting the refrigeration cycle, such as a compressor 9 and a dryer that removes moisture in the refrigeration cycle.
  • the location of the machine room 8 is not limited to the upper part of the refrigerator 10, but may be determined as appropriate depending on the location of the refrigeration cycle, etc., and may be placed in other areas such as the lower part of the refrigerator 10. It may be placed in
  • a cooling chamber 11 is provided on the back side of the freezer compartment 6 and vegetable compartment 7 in the lower area of the refrigerator 10.
  • the cooling chamber 11 includes a cooler 12, which is a component of a refrigeration cycle that generates cold air, and a cooling fan 13 that blows the cold air generated by the cooler 12 to each storage chamber (3, 4, 5, 6, 7). is provided.
  • the cold air generated by the cooler 12 is supplied to each storage compartment by flowing through an air path 18 connected to each storage compartment by a cooling fan 13.
  • a damper 19 is provided in the air passage 18 connected to each storage chamber, and each storage chamber is maintained within a predetermined temperature range by controlling the rotation speed of the compressor 9 and the cooling fan 13 and controlling the opening and closing of the damper 19. Ru.
  • a defrosting heater 14 is provided at the lower part of the cooling chamber 11 to defrost frost and ice adhering to the cooler 12 and its surroundings.
  • a drain pan 15, a drain tube 16, and an evaporating dish 17 are provided below the defrosting heater 14, and are configured to evaporate moisture generated during defrosting. Note that the cooling chamber 11 corresponds to the "cooling section" of the present disclosure.
  • the refrigerator 10 is equipped with an operation section 47 (see FIG. 3, which will be described later).
  • the user can issue various commands to the refrigerator 10 using the operation unit 47 (for example, setting the temperature of each storage compartment, quenching command, thawing command, ice making stop command, etc.).
  • the operation section 47 has a display section that notifies the occurrence of an abnormality.
  • the refrigerator 10 may be configured to include a wireless communication section, connect to a wireless LAN network, and input various commands from a user's external terminal.
  • the refrigerator 10 may be configured to include a voice recognition section so that the user can input voice commands.
  • FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the freezing/thawing chamber 5 in the refrigerator 10 of FIG. 1.
  • the freezing/thawing chamber 5 is a freezer that maintains stored items such as foods stored in the freezing/thawing chamber 5 in a freezing temperature range, and when a thawing command for the stored items is input in the refrigerator 10, a dielectric It becomes a thawing chamber that performs thawing process by heating.
  • the cold air generated in the cooler 12 flows through air channels provided on the back side and the top side of the freezing/thawing chamber 5 so as to maintain the same freezing temperature range as the freezing chamber 6. 18 and is introduced into the freezing/thawing chamber 5 through a plurality of cold air introduction holes 20 provided on the top surface of the freezing/thawing chamber 5.
  • a damper 19 is provided in the air passage 18 leading from the cooling chamber 11 to the freezing/thawing chamber 5, and by controlling the opening and closing of the damper 19, the freezing/thawing chamber 5 is maintained at a predetermined freezing temperature range, and stored stored items are maintained at a predetermined freezing temperature range. is stored frozen.
  • a cold air exhaust hole 21 is formed on the back side of the freezing/thawing chamber 5.
  • the cold air introduced into the freezing/thawing chamber 5 to cool the inside of the freezing/thawing chamber 5 returns from the cold air exhaust hole 21 through the return air passage 34 to the cooling chamber 11 and is recooled by the cooler 12. That is, in the refrigerator 10 of the first embodiment, the cold air generated by the cooler 12 is circulated.
  • the top surface, back surface, both side surfaces, and bottom surface that constitute the inner surface of the storage space are formed of an inner surface member 32 made of a resin material molded from an electrically insulating material.
  • a door 29 is provided at the front opening of the freezing/thawing chamber 5, and when the door 29 is closed, the storage space of the freezing/thawing chamber 5 is sealed.
  • a storage case 31 with an open top is provided on the back side of the door 29, and when the door 29 is opened and closed in the front-back direction, the storage case 31 moves back and forth at the same time. It is configured to do this.
  • the forward opening operation of the door 29 facilitates loading and unloading of stored items such as food into the storage case 31.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the dielectric heating mechanism provided in the refrigerator 10 of FIG. 1.
  • the dielectric heating mechanism in the first embodiment includes an oscillation circuit 22 that receives power from a power supply section 48 and forms a predetermined high-frequency signal, a matching circuit 23, an oscillation electrode 24, a counter electrode 25, and a control section 50. There is.
  • the oscillation circuit 22 configured using a semiconductor element is miniaturized and is provided in the machine room 8 of the refrigerator 10.
  • the oscillation circuit 22 is electrically connected to the matching circuit 23 by a coaxial cable.
  • the matching circuit 23 is arranged in an electrode holding area 30 (see FIG. 2), which is a space on the back side of the freezing/thawing chamber 5.
  • the oscillation circuit 22 and the matching circuit 23 serve as a high-frequency electric field forming section for forming a high-frequency electric field applied between the oscillation electrode 24 and the counter electrode 25.
  • the oscillation electrode 24 is a flat electrode arranged on the top side of the freezing/thawing chamber 5.
  • the counter electrode 25 is a flat electrode disposed on the bottom side of the freezing/thawing chamber 5.
  • the oscillation electrode 24 and the counter electrode 25 are arranged to face each other across the storage space of the freezing/thawing chamber 5, and the opposing interval is set at a predetermined interval.
  • the oscillation electrode 24 and the counter electrode 25 are arranged substantially parallel to each other.
  • substantially parallel refers to a state of essentially parallel, but includes errors due to variations in processing accuracy.
  • the oscillation electrode 24 is provided on one side of the storage space, and the counter electrode 25 is provided on the other side of the storage space with the storage space in between.
  • the matching circuit 23 on the back side, the oscillation electrode 24 on the top side, and the counter electrode 25 on the bottom side, which constitute the dielectric heating mechanism, are covered with an inner surface member 32 to reliably prevent burntness due to contact with stored items. be able to.
  • the oscillation electrode 24 is provided on the top surface of the storage space of the freezing/thawing chamber 5, and the counter electrode 25 is provided on the bottom surface of the storage space of the freezing/thawing chamber 5.
  • the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and may be any configuration in which the oscillation electrode 24 and the counter electrode 25 face each other with a storage space interposed therebetween; A similar effect can be achieved by placement.
  • the freezing/thawing chamber 5 has a configuration in which cold air from the cooler 12 is introduced from the top side of the freezing/thawing chamber 5 through the air passage 18.
  • an oscillating electrode 24 is disposed on the lower surface of the air passage 18, and cold air from the cooling chamber 11 flows over the oscillating electrode 24.
  • a heat insulating box body is formed by an outer box 1, an inner box 2, and a heat insulating material 40 filled and foamed between them, and a space in which a storage chamber is formed in this heat insulating box body is It does not have high dimensional accuracy.
  • an area that becomes the air passage 18 is formed on the top surface side, so this area that becomes the air passage 18 becomes a space that can absorb dimensional variations in the insulation box. .
  • the oscillation circuit 22 outputs a high frequency voltage.
  • the oscillation circuit 22 outputs a high-frequency voltage, an electric field is formed between the oscillation electrode 24 to which the oscillation circuit 22 is connected and the counter electrode 25, and the oscillation electrode 24 and the counter electrode 25 of the freezing/thawing chamber 5 are connected to each other.
  • a dielectric storage material placed in a storage space between the two is dielectrically heated.
  • the matching circuit 23 adjusts so that the load impedance formed by the oscillation electrode 24, the counter electrode 25, and the stored items stored in the freezing/thawing chamber 5 matches the output impedance of the oscillation circuit 22.
  • the matching circuit 23 minimizes reflected waves of the output electromagnetic waves by matching impedances.
  • the dielectric heating mechanism in the first embodiment is provided with a reflected wave detection section 51 that detects reflected waves returning from the oscillation electrode 24 toward the oscillation circuit 22. Therefore, the oscillation circuit 22 is electrically connected to the oscillation electrode 24 via the reflected wave detection section 51 and the matching circuit 23.
  • the control unit 50 determines the ratio of the reflected wave output to the electromagnetic wave output (reflectance) based on the electromagnetic wave output from the oscillation circuit 22 after impedance matching in the matching circuit 23 and the reflected wave detected by the reflected wave detection unit 51. is calculated, and various controls are performed as described later based on the calculation results.
  • the dielectric heating mechanism in the first embodiment is provided with a capacitance sensor 33 that detects the capacitance of a preserved object such as food.
  • the reflected wave detection section 51 or the capacitance sensor 33 can detect a phase change of the preserved object, and corresponds to the "phase change detection section" of the present disclosure.
  • the control unit 50 controls the oscillation circuit 22 based on signals from the operation unit 47 for user's setting operations, the temperature sensor 49 for detecting the temperature inside the refrigerator, etc. and drives and controls the matching circuit 23.
  • the control unit 50 is composed of a CPU, and executes a control program stored in a memory such as a ROM to perform various controls.
  • the high-frequency electric field forming section of the oscillation circuit 22 and matching circuit 23 is placed in a freezing/thawing chamber. It may also be arranged in the electrode holding area 30 on the back side of 5.
  • the temperature sensor (temperature detection unit) 49 is a sensor that can measure the surface temperature and center temperature of the preserved object.
  • a thermistor or a thermopile can be used as the temperature sensor 49.
  • a thermistor or thermopile is placed where no electric field is generated.
  • the temperature sensor 49 may be a thermometer that can measure the temperature inside the freezing/thawing chamber 5.
  • a supercooled state refers to a state in which a phase change of a preserved material does not occur even when the preserved material is cooled to a freezing point or lower, that is, a state in which the preserved material is not solidified even if the temperature is below the freezing point.
  • FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between temperature at the surface and center of a preserved object and time when freezing the preserved object.
  • the stored items in the freezing/thawing chamber 5 are cooled and irradiated with high frequency waves by the high frequency electric field generator.
  • the stored item When the stored item is cooled, the moisture in the stored item turns into ice crystals and the stored item is frozen, but the ice crystals are melted by irradiation with high frequency waves. For this reason, the phase change of the preserved material does not proceed even if the temperature drops below the freezing point, which is the temperature at which the preserved material begins to freeze.
  • This state is a supercooled state, and is shown from time t1 to t2 in FIG. In a supercooled state, the phase change of the preserved material does not proceed, so both the surface temperature and the center temperature of the preserved material continue to fall.
  • the supercooled state is canceled because ice crystals grow rapidly.
  • the temperature of the preserved material rapidly rises to near the freezing point due to the heat of coagulation (time t2 in FIG. 4), and the preserved material begins to freeze.
  • a preserved material begins to freeze it is meant that the water in the preserved material begins to undergo a phase change from a liquid phase to a solid phase.
  • the surface and center of the preserved object can have the same depth of supercooling.
  • the temperature of the preserved material gradually decreases.
  • the time required to complete freezing (from time t2 to time t3 and from time t2 to time t4 in FIG. 4) can be shortened.
  • the time for separation into two phases, a liquid phase and a solid phase is shortened, and water movement can be suppressed to reduce cell destruction.
  • the time required to complete freezing is shorter at the surface than at the center.
  • FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the freezing process in the refrigerator 10.
  • FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram showing the state of each element in the freezing process of FIG. 5. Freezing processing in refrigerator 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.
  • Each step shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is performed by the CPU of the control unit 50 executing a control program stored in a memory such as a ROM.
  • step S11 it is determined whether there is an object to be stored in the freezing/thawing chamber 5 (step S11).
  • the presence or absence of a preserved object in the freezing/thawing chamber 5 is determined based on the reflectance detected by the reflected wave detection section 51 or the capacitance of the preserved object detected by the capacitance sensor 33.
  • the control unit 50 determines that the stored item has been placed in the freezing/thawing chamber 5 based on the change in reflectance (Yes in step S11). When the control unit 50 determines that there is no stored item in the freezing/thawing chamber 5 (No in step S11), step S11 is repeated.
  • Cold air from the cooler 12 is introduced into the freezing/thawing chamber 5 from the time when it is determined that the stored material has been put into the freezing/thawing chamber 5, or even before it is put into the freezing/thawing chamber 5, and each step described below is executed. During this time, the freezing/thawing chamber 5 is constantly cooled.
  • step S12 it is determined whether or not the preserved item has not yet started freezing (step S12). Whether or not the preserved material has not yet started freezing is determined based on reflectance or capacitance.
  • the reflectance of a preserved material differs depending on whether the preserved material is in a liquid phase or a solid phase.
  • reflectance R2 is detected when the preserved object is before freezing (liquid phase state)
  • reflectance R3 is detected when the preserved object is after freezing (solid phase state). While the preserved object is frozen, that is, while the liquid phase and the solid phase are mixed, the reflectance gradually decreases from reflectance R2, and when the preserved object is completely frozen, it shows a reflectance R3.
  • the control unit 50 determines whether or not the preserved object has not yet started freezing based on the detected reflectance. Specifically, when the reflected wave detection unit 51 detects the reflectance R2, it is determined that the preserved object has not started freezing, and when the reflected wave detection unit 51 detects a value smaller than the reflectance R2, It is determined that freezing has started.
  • step S12 the control unit 50 starts irradiation with high frequency waves (step S13).
  • step S13 the control unit 50 cools the object and irradiates the object with high frequency waves to bring the object into a supercooled state. If the preservation object has already started freezing (No in step S12), the process ends. If freezing of the preserved material has started, the preserved material is frozen only by cooling without irradiation with high frequency. In the example shown in FIG. 6, high frequency irradiation is started at time t12.
  • the high-frequency irradiation When the high-frequency irradiation is started, the temperature of the preserved object decreases to below the freezing point f1 while the reflectance is maintained at the reflectance R2, and the preserved object enters a supercooled state.
  • the high-frequency energy applied to the ice in the preserved object becomes greater than the high-frequency energy applied to the water in the preserved object.
  • the high frequency to be irradiated for example, a high frequency in a frequency band of 6 MHz or more and 300 MHz or less can be adopted.
  • the temperature of the stored item can be lowered while melting the ice crystals with high frequency waves.
  • the high-frequency energy given to water is smaller than the energy to ice, so by adjusting the high-frequency output, the temperature of the stored material can be lowered because the water is less likely to be heated by the high-frequency waves. Therefore, by irradiating high frequency waves before the start of freezing of the preserved object, the preserved object can be stably brought into a supercooled state, and the depth of supercooling can be increased.
  • step S14 it is determined whether the temperature of the preserved object is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value f2 that is lower than the freezing point f1 of the preserved object (step S14). Based on the value detected by the temperature sensor 49, the control unit 50 determines whether the temperature of the preserved object is below a predetermined threshold value f2. Based on the fact that the temperature of the preserved object is equal to or lower than the predetermined threshold value f2 (Yes in step S14), the control unit 50 stops irradiating the high frequency wave to the preserved object (step S15). That is, the control unit 50 stops irradiating the high frequency wave to the preserved object based on the temperature of the preserved object detected by the temperature sensor 49.
  • step S15 the control unit 50 stops irradiating the high frequency wave to the preserved material while continuing to cool the preserved material, thereby allowing the phase change of the preserved material to proceed. If the temperature of the preserved object is equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold (No in step S14), step S14 is repeated. That is, high-frequency irradiation is continued until the temperature of the preserved object falls below the predetermined threshold value f2. In the example of FIG. 6, the temperature of the stored object falls below the predetermined threshold value f2 at time t13, and high-frequency irradiation is stopped.
  • the temperature of the stored object falls below a predetermined threshold while remaining in the supercooled state, it can be determined that the desired supercooling depth has been achieved.
  • the time from the start of freezing of the preserved material to the completion of freezing can be shortened, and cell destruction can be suppressed.
  • the temperature of the preserved object rapidly rises to around the freezing point f1. This is because the supercooled state of the preserved material was released by stopping the high-frequency irradiation, and the moisture in the preserved material began to solidify, causing the temperature to rise due to the heat of solidification. Once the supercooled state has been released, the stored item will begin to freeze, and its temperature will gradually drop. When freezing of the preserved material begins, water and ice coexist in the preserved material. For this reason, the temperature of the stored material decreases relatively slowly. Further, as freezing of the preserved object is started, the reflectance of the preserved object gradually decreases from the reflectance R2.
  • the temperature of the stored items is lowered while melting the ice crystals of the stored items, thereby bringing the stored items into a supercooled state. be able to.
  • bringing the preserved object into a supercooled state it is possible to shorten the time from when the supercooled state is released until the freezing of the preserved object is completed. If the time required to complete freezing of the preserved material is shortened, it is possible to prevent the moisture in the center of the preserved material from moving to the surface and cell destruction.
  • the supercooling depth can be increased while melting ice crystals.
  • the start and completion of a phase change of a preserved object is detected based on the reflectance of the preserved object, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
  • the start and end of phase change of the preserved object may be detected based on the capacitance of the preserved object detected by the capacitance sensor 33.
  • the present invention is not limited to this.
  • the high-frequency irradiation may be stopped based on a predetermined period of time having elapsed since the start of the high-frequency irradiation of the preserved object.
  • control unit 50 operates in a first irradiation mode in which the stored object is irradiated with high frequency waves in order to measure the reflectance, and in a second irradiation mode in which the stored object is irradiated with high frequency waves at a higher output than the first irradiation mode.
  • the high frequency electric field forming section may be driven.
  • the high-frequency electric field forming unit forms a high-frequency electric field applied between the oscillation electrode and the counter electrode and irradiates the stored object with high-frequency waves
  • the present invention is not limited to this.
  • an antenna or the like may irradiate the preserved object with high frequency waves.
  • Embodiment 2 A refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be explained. Note that in the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly explained. In the second embodiment, the same or equivalent configurations as those in the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, descriptions that overlap with those in the first embodiment will be omitted.
  • FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the freezing process in the refrigerator 10 according to the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 8 is a waveform diagram showing the state of each element in the freezing process of FIG. 7.
  • the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the control unit 50 drives the cooling chamber 11 in the first cooling mode and the second cooling mode.
  • steps S21 and S23 to S26 are the same processes as steps S11 and S12 to S15 of FIG. 5, so a description thereof will be omitted.
  • the control unit 50 drives the cooling chamber 11 in the first cooling mode and the second cooling mode having a higher cooling capacity than the first cooling mode.
  • the cooling capacity can be increased by making the rotation speed of the cooling fan 13 higher than the rotation speed of the cooling fan 13 in the first cooling mode.
  • the cooling capacity can be increased by, for example, lowering the temperature of the cold air generated by the cooler 12 than the temperature of the cold air in the first cooling mode.
  • the cooling capacity can be increased by making the rotation speed of the compressor 9 higher than the rotation speed of the compressor 9 in the first cooling mode.
  • the control unit 50 drives the cooling chamber 11 in the first cooling mode (step S22). For example, if the second cooling mode is in effect at the time when the stored items are put into the freezing/thawing chamber 5, or if the cooling operation is stopped, the control unit 50 drives the cooling chamber 11 in the first cooling mode. do. If the first cooling mode is already in place at the time when the stored material is put into the freezing/thawing chamber 5, the control unit 50 continues the first cooling mode. In the example of FIG. 8, the control unit 50 drives the cooling chamber 11 in the first cooling mode even before the stored items are put into the freezing/thawing chamber 5.
  • step S23 it is determined whether the preserved item has not yet started freezing.
  • the process for determining whether or not the preserved material has not yet started freezing is the same as in the first embodiment. If the stored object is not yet to start freezing (No in step S23), the process proceeds to step S27, and the control unit 50 drives the cooling chamber 11 in the second cooling mode.
  • the case where the preserved material has not yet started freezing means that freezing of the preserved material has already begun.
  • the preserved object is frozen by switching to the second cooling mode with high cooling capacity without irradiating high frequency waves.
  • steps S24 to S26 are executed. The processing in steps S24 to S26 is the same as steps S13 to S15 in the first embodiment.
  • the control unit 50 drives the cooling chamber 11 in the second cooling mode.
  • Step S27 the cooling mode is switched from the first cooling mode to the second cooling mode at time t23.
  • the control unit 50 drives the cooling chamber 11 in the first cooling mode, and irradiates the high-frequency wave while continuing to cool the preserved object.
  • the cooling chamber 11 is driven in the second cooling mode.
  • the control unit 50 determines whether freezing of the preservation object is completed (step S28). Whether or not freezing of the preserved material is completed can be determined based on the reflectance of the preserved material. When freezing of the preserved object starts, the reflectance gradually decreases from reflectance R2 indicating that the preserved object has not yet started freezing. The example in FIG. 8 shows that freezing of the preserved material starts from time t23 to time t24, and the phase change of the preserved material gradually progresses. When all the water in the preserved material turns into ice, that is, when the phase change of the preserved material is completed (time t24 in FIG. 8), the reflectance becomes constant at reflectance R3. The control unit 50 determines that freezing of the preserved object is completed based on the fact that the reflectance detected by the reflected wave detection unit 51 is a predetermined value R3.
  • step S28 When the control unit 50 determines that the freezing of the preserved object is completed (Yes in step S28), the control unit 50 switches the cooling mode to the first cooling mode (step S29).
  • the first cooling mode which has a lower cooling capacity than the second cooling mode, contributes to power saving of the refrigerator 10. If the control unit 50 determines that freezing of the preservation object is not completed (No in step S28), step S28 is repeated. That is, the control unit 50 drives the cooling chamber 11 in the second cooling mode until the freezing of the preserved object is completed, and when the freezing of the preserved object is completed, it drives the cooling chamber 11 in the first cooling mode.
  • FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the freezing process in the refrigerator 10 according to the first modification of the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 10 is a waveform diagram showing the state of each element in the freezing process of FIG. 9.
  • the control unit 50 may start irradiating the object with high frequency waves before the object starts freezing and when the object is in a supercooled state.
  • the control unit 50 determines whether the preserved object has not yet started freezing and is in a supercooled state, based on the reflectance and temperature of the preserved object. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 50 irradiates the preserved object with high frequency when the temperature of the preserved object is below the freezing point f1 and the reflectance is R2. In the example of FIG. 10, high frequency waves are irradiated from time t32.
  • the desired supercooling depth can be reached more quickly. That is, it is possible to shorten the time from when the stored material is put into the freezing/thawing chamber 5 until the desired supercooling depth is reached.
  • the time from time t21 when the stored material is put into the freezing/thawing chamber 5 to time t23 when the desired supercooling depth is reached is length L1.
  • the time t31 when the stored item is put into the freezing/thawing chamber 5 until the time t33 when the desired supercooling depth is reached is The time has a length L2.
  • the time required to reach the supercooling depth is shorter for length L2 in FIG. 10 than for length L1 in FIG. This is because by irradiating high frequency waves after the stored material is in a supercooled state, the time required to reach a desired supercooling depth can be shortened. Therefore, the time required to complete freezing (time from time t31 to time t34) can be shortened.
  • control unit 50 may maintain the first cooling mode without switching to the second cooling mode after stopping high-frequency irradiation.
  • FIG. 11 is a waveform diagram showing the state of each element of the freezing process in the refrigerator according to the second modification of the second embodiment.
  • the control unit 50 may change the output of high frequency waves irradiated to the preserved object based on the temperature of the preserved object detected by the temperature sensor 49.
  • the control unit 50 sets the high frequency output to HIGH until the temperature of the stored object reaches a predetermined threshold f3 (from time t42 to time t43).
  • the control unit 50 sets the high frequency output to LOW, which is smaller than HIGH, until the temperature of the stored item falls below the predetermined threshold f3 and reaches the predetermined threshold f2 (from time t43 to time t44).
  • the control unit 50 can change the high frequency output applied to the preserved object between HIGH and LOW.
  • control unit 50 may maintain the first cooling mode without switching to the second cooling mode after stopping high-frequency irradiation.
  • control unit 50 changes the output of high frequency waves applied to the preserved object by changing the output voltage of the high frequency waves
  • present invention is not limited to this.
  • the output of high frequency waves irradiated onto the preserved object may be changed.
  • the output of the high frequency wave irradiated onto the preserved object may be changed by changing the duty ratio of the high frequency wave based on the temperature of the preserved object. More specifically, the output may be adjusted so that the duty ratio of the high frequency becomes smaller as the temperature of the stored object decreases.
  • FIG. 12 is a waveform diagram showing the state of each element of the freezing process in the refrigerator according to the third modification of the second embodiment.
  • the control unit 50 starts irradiating the stored object with high frequency waves before the freezing of the stored object begins and when the stored object is in a supercooled state, and controls the storage based on the temperature of the stored object detected by the temperature sensor 49.
  • the output of the high frequency wave irradiated onto the object may be changed.
  • control unit 50 may maintain the first cooling mode without switching to the second cooling mode after stopping high-frequency irradiation.
  • FIG. 13 is a waveform diagram showing the state of each element of the freezing process in the refrigerator according to the fourth modification of the second embodiment.
  • Modifications 2 and 3 an example has been described in which the high-frequency output is reduced from HIGH to LOW as the temperature of the preserved object decreases. The output may be increased from LOW to HIGH.
  • control unit 50 sets the high frequency output to LOW until the temperature of the stored item falls to a predetermined threshold value f3 (for example, ⁇ 4° C.) (from time t52 to time t53).
  • the control unit 50 sets the high frequency output to HIGH during a period from when the temperature of the stored item falls below the predetermined threshold value f3 until it falls to the predetermined threshold value f2 (from time t53 to time t54).
  • the stored item is supercooled, ice crystals will hardly form when the temperature of the stored item is below -4°C, but ice crystals will not form when the stored item's temperature is between -4°C and -10°C.
  • the probability of occurrence of For example, in a temperature range where ice crystals are less likely to form, the high-frequency output can be set to LOW, and when the temperature of the stored item is in a temperature range where ice crystals are more likely to form, the high-frequency output can be increased to more effectively ice the product. Crystals can be melted. Therefore, it is possible to more stably bring the stored product into a supercooled state.
  • the control unit 50 starts irradiating the stored item with high frequency waves before the freezing of the stored item starts and when the stored item is in a supercooled state, and controls the temperature of the stored item. Based on the temperature of the stored item detected by the sensor 49, the output of high frequency waves applied to the stored item may be changed.
  • control unit 50 may maintain the first cooling mode without switching to the second cooling mode.
  • Embodiment 3 A refrigerator according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described. Note that in the third embodiment, the points that are different from the second embodiment will be mainly explained. In Embodiment 3, the same or equivalent configurations as in Embodiment 2 will be described with the same reference numerals. Furthermore, in the third embodiment, descriptions that overlap with those in the second embodiment will be omitted.
  • FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the freezing process in the refrigerator 10 according to the third embodiment.
  • FIG. 15 is a waveform diagram showing the state of each element in the freezing process of FIG. 14.
  • Embodiment 3 differs from Embodiment 2 in that the control unit 50 stops high-frequency irradiation based on the start of freezing of the preserved object.
  • steps S21 to S24 and S26 to S29 are the same processes as steps S21 to S24 and S26 to S29 of FIG. 7, so a description thereof will be omitted.
  • the control unit 50 stops the irradiation of high frequency waves based on the fact that the supercooled state of the preserved object is released during the irradiation of high frequency waves to the preserved object.
  • the control unit 50 stops high-frequency irradiation when the detected reflectance is lower than the reflectance R2 indicating that the preserved object is in a liquid phase state (step S251).
  • S26 In the example of FIG. 15, a decrease in reflectance is detected at time t63, and high-frequency irradiation is stopped.
  • the cooling mode is switched from the first cooling mode to the second cooling mode (step S27), similarly to the second embodiment.
  • high frequency waves are irradiated at a predetermined duty ratio, but the duty ratio may be changed based on the temperature or reflectance of the preserved object, for example. Alternatively, the high frequency output may be changed based on the temperature or reflectance of the stored object.
  • control unit 50 may start irradiating the high frequency wave to the preserved object before the freezing of the preserved object is started and when the preserved object is in a supercooled state.
  • control unit 50 may maintain the first cooling mode without switching to the second cooling mode.
  • the refrigerator of the present invention has a configuration that can freeze, store, and thaw preserved items to the desired state, so it has a configuration that increases the added value of the refrigerator and has a high cost. It has market value.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
  • Control Of High-Frequency Heating Circuits (AREA)
  • Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)

Abstract

La présente divulgation concerne un réfrigérateur comprenant : au moins un compartiment de stockage comportant un espace de stockage pouvant recevoir et refroidir un objet conservé ; une unité de refroidissement destinée à refroidir l'espace de stockage et l'objet conservé ; une électrode oscillante disposée dans l'espace de stockage ; une électrode opposée disposée dans l'espace de stockage et opposée à l'électrode oscillante ; une unité de formation de champ électrique à haute fréquence destinée à former un champ électrique à haute fréquence à appliquer entre l'électrode oscillante et l'électrode opposée, afin d'émettre une haute fréquence sur l'objet conservé ; et une unité de commande destinée à commander l'unité de refroidissement et l'unité de formation de champ électrique à haute fréquence. L'unité de commande effectue une commande destinée à émettre la haute fréquence sur l'objet conservé pendant le refroidissement de l'objet conservé, et après que l'objet conservé a atteint un état sous-refroidi, à arrêter l'émission de la haute fréquence sur l'objet conservé pendant que le refroidissement de l'objet conservé continue, afin de permettre le déroulement d'un changement de phase de l'objet conservé.
PCT/JP2023/004628 2022-03-15 2023-02-10 Réfrigérateur WO2023176233A1 (fr)

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2008530497A (ja) * 2005-02-15 2008-08-07 コントロール・デヴァイシス・インコーポレーテッド 氷を検出し製造するための方法および装置
JP2018179478A (ja) * 2017-04-21 2018-11-15 ダイキン工業株式会社 冷却装置
JP2020067216A (ja) * 2018-10-23 2020-04-30 パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 冷蔵庫およびその制御方法

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2008530497A (ja) * 2005-02-15 2008-08-07 コントロール・デヴァイシス・インコーポレーテッド 氷を検出し製造するための方法および装置
JP2018179478A (ja) * 2017-04-21 2018-11-15 ダイキン工業株式会社 冷却装置
JP2020067216A (ja) * 2018-10-23 2020-04-30 パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 冷蔵庫およびその制御方法

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