JP3938384B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator provided with a temperature switching chamber.

  In recent years, in addition to a freezing room and a refrigerating room, a refrigerator provided with a switching room that can be switched to a low temperature range such as freezing, refrigerating, partial, and chilled according to the user's application has been put on the market.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigerator in which the damper device is closed and the heater device is energized by the heater control means if the temperature of the switching chamber is lower than the set temperature. Thereby, when switching the switching chamber to a temperature range (partial or chilled) other than refrigeration and refrigeration, the refrigeration temperature can be reasonably maintained at an appropriate temperature.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-288440

  In recent years, where the living environment has changed significantly, more and more families have different times for their families to eat. Therefore, conventionally, a heat insulating box and a storage container have been used separately from the refrigerator. However, this has a problem that the frequency of the transfer of food becomes high and the storage place becomes complicated. Therefore, apart from general partial and chilled uses, it is desired to realize a high-temperature switching room such as temporary heat preservation of cooked foods and warm cooking in winter.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a highly convenient refrigerator by including a temperature switching chamber having a heat retaining function in addition to a general cooling storage function.

To achieve the above object, a refrigerator according to the present invention includes a cooling device that generates cool air, at least one storage room, and a temperature switching room that can switch the room temperature from a plurality of set temperatures to a set temperature selected by a user. A first introduction ventilation path for passing cold air to the temperature switching chamber, a first return ventilation path for passing air in the temperature switching chamber to the cooling device, and a rear part of the temperature switching chamber facing the storage A heater that raises the temperature of the temperature switching chamber, a discharge side facing the heater, a rear part of the temperature switching chamber, a fan motor that stirs the air in the temperature switching chamber, and cool air to the temperature A control unit that is introduced into the switching chamber and sets the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber to a low temperature side that cools and preserves stored items, and the heater sets the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber to a high temperature side that keeps the stored items warm. ,high temperature The minimum temperature of the set temperature is characterized in that the 50 ° C..

According to this configuration, the temperature switching chamber becomes a low-temperature chamber that can be frozen, partial, chilled, refrigerated, etc. by introducing cold air from the cooling device, while the heater is driven to temporarily keep the cooked food warm. It will be a hot room where you can cook in winter. For example, the cooked ingredients can be kept warm together with the pot and the container, and after the necessary amount has been taken out, the remaining portion can be stored frozen without changing the container. Further, when the fan motor is driven, the temperature can be switched quickly and the indoor temperature can be kept uniform. Further, by raising air to the surface of the heater, it is possible to prevent the heater surface temperature from rising.

  In the above refrigerator, the control unit sets a temperature increase rate during heating by the heater to 1.3 deg / min or more.

  In the refrigerator, a first damper that adjusts the amount of air that flows to the temperature switching chamber is provided in the first introduction ventilation path, and the amount of air that flows from the temperature switching chamber is set in the first return ventilation path. It is desirable to provide a second damper to be adjusted.

  According to this configuration, when the temperature switching chamber needs to be cooled, the first damper and the second damper are opened to circulate air between the cooling device. When the temperature switching chamber is cooled to the set temperature, the first damper is closed to prevent overcooling. The second damper does not have to be closed, but is preferably closed to prevent the outflow of cold air. On the other hand, when warming is necessary to keep the temperature in the temperature switching chamber, the first damper and the second damper are closed and the heater is driven. And if it heats to preset temperature, a heater will be stopped. Thus, by closing the second damper, the sealing property of the temperature switching chamber is improved, and the heat retaining property is improved. Further, it is possible to prevent the heated air that has flowed out from flowing backward into another room.

  As for the second damper, when the temperature switching chamber is used as a high temperature chamber, the odor transfer to the other storage chamber is a harmful effect. By closing the second damper, the odor to the food in the other storage chamber is reduced. Adhesion can be suppressed and storage stability is improved.

  In the refrigerator, the first damper and the second damper are opened when the temperature of the temperature switching chamber is set to the low temperature side, and the first damper and the second damper are set when the temperature of the temperature switching chamber is set to the high temperature side. It was decided to close the damper.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a highly convenient refrigerator by including a temperature switching chamber having a heat retaining function in addition to a general cooling storage function.

  Fig.1 (a) is a front view of a refrigerator, FIG.1 (b) is a right view of a refrigerator. The refrigerator 1 includes a plurality of storage rooms such as a refrigerator room, an ice making room, a vegetable room, a freezer room, and a chilled room. Refrigerator 1 has a refrigerator compartment 2 having a double door at the top, a temperature switching room 3 that can switch the room temperature in a range of about −15 ° C. to 80 ° C. on the left side of the center, an ice making room 4 on the right side of the center, and a vegetable on the lower left side. The freezing room 6 is arranged on the right side of the room 5 and the lower part. A chilled chamber 23 maintained at a chilled temperature zone (about 0 ° C.) is provided in the lower part of the refrigerator compartment 2. By providing the temperature switching chamber 3, for example, the cooked ingredients can be kept warm together with the pan and the container, and after the necessary amount is taken out, the remaining portion can be stored frozen without changing the container.

  FIG. 2 is a transparent view of FIG. In each room, a storage case and a storage shelf are provided for ease of use. FIG. 3 is a right side view of the vicinity of the temperature switching chamber. The temperature switching chamber 3 is surrounded by a partition 7 with the refrigerator compartment 2 on the upper surface, a partition 8 with the vegetable compartment 5 on the lower surface, an openable door 9 on the front surface, and a heat insulating wall 10 on the rear surface. A drawer-type storage case 11 is housed in the temperature switching chamber 3. Between the storage case 11 and the heat insulation wall 10, the 1st introduction ventilation path 12 which ventilates the cold air | gas generated with the evaporator mentioned later to the temperature switching chamber 3 is provided. The first introduction ventilation path 12 is provided with a first damper 13 that allows the temperature switching chamber 3 and the first introduction ventilation path 12 to communicate with each other. By opening and closing the first damper 13, the amount of air flowing from the first introduction ventilation path 12 to the temperature switching chamber 3 is adjusted.

  A fan motor 14 is provided in the first introduction ventilation path 12 between the first damper 13 and the temperature switching chamber 3. The fan motor 14 agitates the air in the temperature switching chamber 3 efficiently. The fan motor 14 may be provided in the temperature switching chamber 3. The fan motor 14 is preferably arranged so as to blow air on the surface of the heater 15 described later. This is because the surface temperature of the heater is lowered to improve safety. A heater 15 made of a glass tube heater that raises the temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 is provided in the back of the temperature switching chamber 3. The driving of the heater 15 is controlled by a control unit (not shown) provided outside the temperature switching chamber 3. The heater 15 may be a heat conduction heater such as an aluminum vapor deposition heater in addition to a heat radiation heater such as a glass tube heater.

  As the heater, a sheet-like aluminum vapor deposition heater is generally inexpensive. However, when the temperature switching chamber 3 is set to a high temperature for heat retention, the heat conduction method has a slow heating speed, and it takes a long time to pass the temperature range of 30 to 45 ° C., which is the growth temperature range of food poisoning bacteria. It is not preferable. Here, in order to increase the heating speed, the heater capacity may be increased, but there is a limitation on the heat resistant temperature (usually about 80 ° C.) of the peripheral parts to which the heater is attached. Further, the heat conduction method requires a wide heat dissipation surface, and the heat dissipation surface extends to the vicinity of the front of the temperature switching chamber 3, so that there is a risk of burns for the user.

  On the other hand, in the case of a heat radiation type heater, the heating speed is fast, which is advantageous for food hygiene. Moreover, since the volume is large, but the area is small, if it is arranged in the back of the temperature switching chamber 3 as shown in FIG.

  A temperature sensor 16 is provided on the inner wall of the temperature switching chamber 3. The temperature sensor 16 detects the temperature in the temperature switching chamber 3 and sends it to the controller. Based on this detected temperature, the control unit controls the driving of the heater 15, the opening / closing of the first damper 13, and the fan motor 14 to keep the temperature switching chamber 3 at the set temperature.

  FIG. 4 is a transparent view of the central portion and the lower portion of the refrigerator of FIG. 1A, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the cool air circuit of the refrigerator. In the figure, the arrows indicate the flow of cold air. A cooling device including a compressor (not shown) and an evaporator 17 is provided at the lower back of the refrigerator 10. A refrigerant such as isobutane is sealed in the evaporator 17. And a refrigerant | coolant vaporizes in the evaporator 17, the surrounding heat of the evaporator 17 is taken, ambient air is cooled, and it becomes cold air.

  A fan motor 18 for blowing cool air generated in the evaporator 17 to each chamber is provided on the back surface of the freezer chamber 6. The fan motor 18 and the temperature switching chamber 3 are communicated with each other through the first introduction ventilation path 12 as described above, and cool air flows in the direction of arrow A. A first return ventilation path 19 for ventilating the air in the temperature switching chamber 3 to the evaporator 17 is provided. A second damper 20 that communicates the temperature switching chamber 3 and the first return ventilation path 19 is provided on the temperature switching chamber 3 side of the first return ventilation path 19. By opening and closing the second damper 20, the air volume of the air exiting from the temperature switching chamber 3 is adjusted. At this time, the cold air flows in the direction of arrow B, merges with arrow D described later, and flows in the direction of arrow C.

  Further, the fan motor 18 and the ice making chamber 4 are communicated with each other through an air passage (not shown), and the ice making chamber 4 and the freezing chamber 6 are communicated with each other through an air passage (not shown). Then, the fan motor 18 blows cold air in the order of the ice making chamber 4 and the freezing chamber 6. A second return ventilation path 21 for ventilating the air in the freezer compartment 6 to the evaporator 17 is provided. A third damper 22 that communicates the freezer compartment 6 and the second return air passage 21 is provided on the free return chamber 21 side of the second return air passage 21. By opening and closing the third damper 22, the air volume of the air coming out of the freezer compartment 6 is adjusted.

  In addition, a second introduction ventilation path 24 for ventilating the cool air of the evaporator 17 to the chilled chamber 23 is provided. The second introduction ventilation path 24 is provided with a fourth damper 25 that allows the chilled chamber 23 and the second introduction ventilation path 24 to communicate with each other. By opening and closing the fourth damper 25, the amount of air flowing from the second introduction ventilation path 24 to the chilled chamber 23 is adjusted. At this time, the cold air flows in the direction of arrow E.

  In addition, a third introduction ventilation path 26 for ventilating the cool air of the evaporator 17 to the refrigerator compartment 2 is provided. The third introduction ventilation path 26 is provided with a fifth damper 27 that allows the refrigerator compartment 2 and the third introduction ventilation path 26 to communicate with each other. By opening and closing the fifth damper 27, the amount of air flowing from the third introduction ventilation path 26 to the refrigerator compartment 2 is adjusted. Furthermore, a fan motor 28 is provided in the third introduction ventilation path 26 on the refrigerator compartment 2 side of the fifth damper 27. The fan motor 28 agitates the air in the refrigerator compartment 2 efficiently. Note that the fan motor 28 may be provided in the refrigerator compartment 2. At this time, the cold air flows in the direction of arrow F.

  Moreover, the refrigerator compartment 2 and the chilled room 23, and the vegetable compartment 5 are connected by the ventilation path (not shown). The ventilation path from the refrigerator compartment 2 and the chilled compartment 23 is connected to an opening provided in the lower left of the back of the refrigerator compartment 2, and through this opening to the vegetable compartment 5 through the back of the temperature switching chamber 3. Yes. At this time, the cold air flows in the direction of arrow G. Further, the vegetable compartment 5 and the evaporator 17 are communicated with each other through a ventilation path (also used as the first return ventilation path 19). At this time, the cool air flows in the direction of arrow D, merges with the arrow B described above, and flows in the direction of arrow C.

  In addition, you may provide a damper in the vegetable compartment 5 side of the ventilation path which connects the vegetable compartment 5 and the evaporator 17. FIG. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the hot air from the temperature switching chamber 3 from flowing back into the vegetable chamber 5.

  Next, the temperature range that can be set in the temperature switching chamber 3 will be described. Usually, it can set to each temperature zone, such as refrigeration, partial, chilled, refrigeration, for example, -15 degreeC, -8 degreeC, 0 degreeC, 3 degreeC, and 8 degreeC like usual. In this case, the first damper 13 may be opened to introduce the cool air from the evaporator 17 into the temperature switching chamber 3. Furthermore, since the temperature switching chamber 3 includes the heater 15, the temperature switching chamber 3 can be kept at a high temperature, and can be used for temporarily maintaining cooked foods or cooking. Here, the high temperature is preferably as high as possible in order to prevent the propagation of various bacteria from the viewpoint of keeping food warm, and needs to be higher than 30 to 45 ° C. which is the growth temperature of main food poisoning bacteria. In consideration of this, the heater capacity tolerance and the temperature distribution in the temperature switching chamber 3 need to be set higher by about 5 ° C. Therefore, 50 degreeC can be made into the minimum temperature of heat retention.

  For sterilization of food poisoning bacteria, for example, enterohemorrhagic E. coli (pathogenic E. coli O157) requires heating at 75 ° C. for 1 minute. Therefore, by adding 5 ° C. in the same manner as described above, the maximum temperature of heat retention can be 80 ° C. as a guide. Here, considering that the heat-resistant temperature of resin parts generally used in refrigerators is 80 ° C., the maximum temperature for heat insulation can be determined as 80 ° C. From the above, considering the safe keeping of foods and the inexpensive design of peripheral parts, preventing the propagation of various bacteria, the set temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 for keeping warm can be set to 50 to 80 ° C.

For example, the heater 15 is intermittently energized using a glass tube heater (power consumption: about 190 W, surface area: about 10,990 mm ² ), and the fan motor 14 is a motor with an axial fan (air flow rate: about 0.4 m ³ / Is operated, the temperature switching chamber 3 (about 0.023 m ³ ) can be maintained at about 80 ° C. At this time, the maximum surface temperature of the heater 15 is about 250 ° C., and the surface temperature of the heater 15 is kept below the ignition point temperature (494 ° C.) of isobutane which is a flammable refrigerant. When the heater 15 is energized 100% at a rating of 190 W, the temperature switching chamber 3 rises to approximately 80 ° C. in 30 minutes. The heat insulation of the temperature switching chamber 3 after that can be achieved by intermittently operating the heater 15 at an energization rate of 15% (15 seconds ON, 85 seconds OFF).

  Therefore, even if isobutane, which is a flammable refrigerant, is used as the refrigerant sealed in the refrigeration cycle in consideration of the environment, even if isobutane leaks from the evaporator 17 or the like, the surface temperature of the heater 15 ignites isobutane. Since the temperature is kept below the point temperature (494 ° C.), there is no danger of explosion due to the heat generated by the heater 15, and a safer refrigerator for the user can be provided.

In addition, the test result regarding the sterilization of food poisoning bacteria is as follows. In the initial state, Escherichia coli 2.4 × 10 ³ CFU / ml, Staphylococcus aureus 2.0 × 10 ³ CFU / ml, Salmonella 2.1 × 10 ³ CFU / ml, Vibrio parahaemolyticus 1.5 × 10 ³ CFU / ml A sample containing Cereus 4.0 × 10 ³ CFU / ml was heated from 3 ° C. to 55 ° C. over 40 minutes, incubated at 55 ° C. for 3.5 hours, and then over 80 minutes from 55 ° C. to 3 ° C. The amount of each bacterium was examined again. As a result, all the bacteria were reduced to a level of 10 CFU / ml or less (not detected). From this experimental result, it can be said that there is a sufficient sterilization effect at 55 ° C. Therefore, 55 ° C. can be used as the set temperature for keeping the temperature in the temperature switching chamber 3.

  Next, operation control of each damper etc. is demonstrated. When the temperature switching chamber 3 needs to be cooled, the evaporator 17 and the fan motor 18 are driven, and the first damper 13 and the second damper 20 are opened. It returns to the evaporator 17 through the inside. At this time, when the fan motor 14 is driven, the fan motor 14 is quickly cooled, but it is not always necessary to drive it. When the temperature switching chamber 3 is cooled to the set temperature, the first damper 13 is closed to prevent overcooling. The second damper 20 does not need to be closed, but it is preferable to close the second damper 20 to prevent the outflow of cold air.

  On the other hand, when warming is required to keep the temperature in the temperature switching chamber 3, the first damper 13 and the second damper 20 are closed and the heater 15 is driven. And if it heats to preset temperature, the heater 15 will be stopped. During the heat insulation, the indoor temperature can be kept uniform by driving the fan motor 14. Further, the fan motor 14 can prevent an increase in the heater surface temperature, which is a weak point of the heat radiation type. In the conventional refrigerator, since the second damper 20 is not provided, the temperature switching chamber 3 and the evaporator 17 are always in communication, and air heated in the temperature switching chamber 3 flows out of the temperature switching chamber 3 by convection. The heating efficiency is significantly deteriorated. According to the present invention, by closing the second damper 20, the sealing property of the temperature switching chamber 3 is improved and the heat retaining property is improved. Moreover, it can prevent that the heated air which flowed out flows backward into the vegetable compartment 5 etc. Furthermore, when the temperature switching chamber 3 is used as a high temperature chamber, the second damper 20 is closed, so that the attachment of odor to food in other storage chambers can be suppressed, and the storage stability is improved.

  When the refrigerator compartment 2 needs to be cooled, the evaporator 17 and the fan motor 18 are driven, the fifth damper 27 is opened, and the air blown from the fan motor 18 passes the inside of the refrigerator compartment 2 to the vegetable compartment 5. It is done. When the refrigerator compartment 2 is cooled to the set temperature, the fifth damper 27 is closed to prevent overcooling. The cooling of the chilled chamber 23 may be similarly controlled by the fourth damper 25. In addition, when the temperature switching chamber 3 is set to the high temperature side, it is desirable to control the chilled chamber 23 to be supercooled. This is to prevent temperature rise in the chilled chamber 23 and the vegetable chamber 5 due to heat leakage from the temperature switching chamber 3.

  In addition, since a damper is not provided in the ventilation path (not shown) in which the fan motor 18 and the ice making chamber 4 communicate with each other, when the evaporator 17 and the fan motor 18 are driven, the ice making chamber 4 and the freezing chamber 6 are connected. Cold air is always blown. At this time, the third damper 22 is open. Here, the amount of air blown to the ice making chamber 4 varies depending on the open / closed state of the first damper 13, the fourth damper 25, and the fifth damper 27. When the fan motor 18 is stopped and the high temperature air is returned to the evaporator 17 when the temperature switching chamber 3 is switched from the high temperature side to the low temperature side, the third damper 22 is closed. . In order to switch the temperature switching chamber 3 from the high temperature side to the low temperature side, quick temperature switching is necessary, the fan motor 14 operates, and the air is forcibly blown from the temperature switching chamber 3 to the evaporator 17. At this time, when the fan motor 18 is not driven, the air from the temperature switching chamber 3 flows backward to the freezer compartment 6, so the third damper 22 is closed to prevent the freezer compartment 6 from rising in temperature.

  If the refrigerator of this invention is equipped with the temperature switching chamber, it can be utilized irrespective of a shape or a use.

(A) It is a front view of a refrigerator. (B) It is a right view of a refrigerator. It is a permeation | transmission figure of FIG.1 (b). It is a right side see-through view near the temperature switching chamber. It is a permeation | transmission figure of the center part and lower part vicinity of the refrigerator of Fig.1 (a). It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the cold air circuit of a refrigerator.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator 2 Refrigeration room 3 Temperature switching room 6 Freezing room 12 1st introduction ventilation path 13 1st damper 14 Fan motor 15 Heater 19 1st return ventilation path 20 2nd damper 21 2nd return ventilation path 22 2nd 3 damper 24 2nd introduction ventilation path 25 4th damper

Claims (4)

A cooling device for generating cold air;
At least one storage room;
A temperature switching room capable of switching the room temperature from a plurality of set temperatures to a set temperature selected by the user;
A first introduction ventilation path for passing cold air to the temperature switching chamber;
A first return ventilation path for ventilating the air in the temperature switching chamber to the cooling device;
A heater that is disposed at a rear portion of the temperature switching chamber facing the storage and raises the temperature of the temperature switching chamber;
A fan motor provided at a rear portion of the temperature switching chamber with a discharge side facing the heater, and stirring the air in the temperature switching chamber;
A control unit that introduces cold air into the temperature switching chamber to set the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber to a low temperature side that cools and preserves stored items, and uses the heater to set the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber to a high temperature side that keeps the stored items warm When,
And the minimum temperature of the set temperature on the high temperature side is 50 ° C.   2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the controller sets a temperature increase rate during heating by the heater to 1.3 deg / min or more. A first damper that adjusts the amount of air that flows to the temperature switching chamber is provided in the first introduction ventilation passage, and a second damper that adjusts the amount of air flowing from the temperature switching chamber to the first return ventilation passage. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerator is provided. The first damper and the second damper are opened when the indoor temperature of the temperature switching chamber is set to a low temperature side, and the first damper and the second damper are closed when the indoor temperature of the temperature switching chamber is set to a high temperature side. The refrigerator according to claim 3 .

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