JPH0356395B2 - - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Industrial Application Field] The present invention provides a thawing chamber in a refrigerator that is controlled at a wide temperature range from low to high temperatures, and the thawing chamber is controlled at a wide range of temperatures from low to high temperatures. This relates to a temperature control device that controls at a set temperature, and is configured to operate a second heating means when the thawing chamber does not reach the set temperature within a certain period of time by the first heating means.

[Conventional technology] Conventionally, the thawing chamber of a refrigerator uses a dedicated fan to guide cold air cooled by a cooler into the thawing chamber to a temperature of 3°C.
After the air of about 100 ml was applied to the items to be thawed, it was returned to the cooler.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] As mentioned above, the thawing chamber of conventional refrigerators uses a dedicated fan to circulate air at about 3 degrees Celsius over the thawed items, so the thawing time is short. Not only is it extremely inconvenient because it is long, but there is also the problem that the odor of the food to be thawed will be diffused into the refrigerator. In order to shorten the thawing time, the applicant has already proposed a method in which the heat source is led from the heat generating part of the refrigeration cycle to the thawing chamber via a heat pipe. The problem was that the required amount of heat could not be obtained because the operating time became shorter.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the control temperature that can be set can be selected from a wide range from low to high temperatures, and can be used not only for thawing, but also for refrigeration,
A multifunctional thawing chamber that can also be used for storing vegetables, etc. is provided, and a first heating means is provided to transfer heat from the high temperature section of the compressor to the thawing chamber, thereby shortening the thawing time for high temperature thawing and compressing. When the machine stops operating for a long time and the outside air temperature becomes so low that it cannot be used as a heat source (for example, 15 degrees Celsius or less), the second heating means is used to control the thawing chamber temperature to the set temperature. More specifically, a thawing chamber that is controlled at a wide range of temperatures from low to high temperatures is provided inside the refrigerator, and the amount of cold air sent from the cooler to the thawing chamber is controlled by opening and closing an electromagnetic damper. a cooling means to control, a first heating means to control the amount of heat transferred from the high temperature section of the compressor to the thawing chamber via the heat pipe by opening and closing of a solenoid valve, and an amount of heat of the first heating means. a second heating means that is energized when there is a shortage; a blower fan that is turned on and off in conjunction with the operation of the first and second heating means; a temperature setting means that sets a set temperature in the thawing chamber; Temperature detection means detects the temperature inside the thawing chamber, and based on the outputs of the temperature setting means and temperature detection means, the opening and closing of the electromagnetic damper is controlled when the set temperature is low, and the opening and closing of the electromagnetic damper is controlled when the set temperature is high. The apparatus includes temperature control means for controlling the inside of the thawing chamber to a set temperature by controlling opening and closing of an electromagnetic damper and a solenoid valve, on and off of a blower fan, and on and off of a second heating means.

[Function] When the set temperature is set to a low temperature (for example, -5°C to 8°C), the inside of the thawing chamber is controlled to the set temperature by opening and closing the electromagnetic damper based on the temperature control means, and can be used for refrigeration. Set temperature to high temperature (e.g. 30
℃), the temperature inside the thawing chamber is controlled to the set temperature by opening and closing a solenoid valve based on the temperature control means, but even if the outside temperature is low and a certain period of time has elapsed after turning on the first heating means. When the set temperature is not reached, the second heating means is turned on and the temperature is controlled to the set temperature, which can be used for high-temperature thawing.

[Embodiment] FIGS. 1 to 5 show an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is a refrigerator main body. The refrigerator main body 1 has a freezer compartment 2, first and second refrigerator compartments 3 and 4, a thawing compartment 5 whose temperature is controlled over a wide range from low to high temperatures, and a vegetable compartment 6, which are separated by partition walls.
It is divided into. A cooler 7 and a fan 8 for circulating cold air are provided at the back of the freezer compartment 2, and the fan 8 circulates the cold air cooled by the cooler 7 to the freezer compartment 2, first and second refrigerator compartments. 3, 4, the defrosting chamber 5 and the vegetable compartment 6, and is configured to return to the cooler 7. That is, the freezer compartment 2
The cold air sent inside returns to the cooler 7 via the first ventilation passage 9, and the cold air cooled by the cooler 7 is further passed through the bypass passage 10 to the second ventilation passage 11.
from this second ventilation path 11 to the first
The cold air sent to the refrigerator compartment 3 branches from the second ventilation path 11 and is sent to the second refrigerator compartment 4, and then the third ventilation path 1
2 to the cooler 7. The cold air branched from the second ventilation path 11 and sent to the vegetable compartment 6 is sent to the second refrigerator compartment 4 via the fourth ventilation path 13, and then sent to the second refrigerator compartment 4 via the fifth ventilation path 14. 1
It is sent to the refrigerator compartment 3 and returns to the cooler 7 via the third ventilation path 12.

Further, the fan 8 transfers the cold air cooled by the cooler 7 to the bypass path 10 and the second ventilation path 1.
1 and is configured to be sent to the thawing chamber 5 via a cold air outlet 15. The cold air outlet 15
There is an electromagnetic damper 1 that opens and closes this cold air outlet 15.
6 is provided, and this electromagnetic damper 16 is composed of a solenoid 16a controlled by an electric signal and a damper flap 16b as an on-off valve.

A compressor 17 constitutes a cold air cycle with the cooler 7, and one side of a heat pipe 18 is connected to a high temperature section 17a such as an oil cooler of the compressor 17. The other side of the heat pipe 18 is coupled to a heat exchanger 19 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 disposed on the back side of the thawing chamber 5,
In the middle of the heat pipe 18, a solenoid valve 20 whose opening and closing is controlled by an electric signal is inserted.
A heating means 43 is configured. The heat exchanger 19 of the first heating means 43 is integrally provided with an electric heater 45 which is a second heating means. Further, a thawing chamber fan 46 is provided between the first and second heating means 43 and 45 and the thawing chamber 5. The electromagnetic valve 20 and the defrosting chamber fan 46 are connected in parallel as shown in FIG. 5, and one end is connected to the power plug 4.
7 and the other end is connected to the other end of a power plug 47 via a first relay 48, and a series circuit of an electric heater 45, which is the second heating means, and a second relay 49 is connected to the electromagnetic valve. 20 and thawing chamber fan 4
6 is connected in parallel with the electromagnetic damper 1.
6 and a third relay 50 are connected to the power plug 47.

A first container 21 for accommodating objects to be thawed and objects to be refrigerated is placed in the thawing chamber 5. This first container 21 is formed integrally with a second container 23 placed in the second refrigerating compartment 4 through a connecting portion 22 . The connecting portion 22 connecting the first and second containers 21 and 23 connects the second refrigerator compartment 4 and the thawing compartment 5.
It is removably engaged with an engagement groove 25 formed in a partition wall 24 that partitions.

The thawing chamber 5, the first refrigerating chamber 3, and the freezing chamber 2 include:
A thawing room temperature sensor 26, a refrigerating room temperature sensor 27, and a freezing room temperature sensor 28 are provided to detect the respective indoor temperatures. Furthermore, a cooler temperature sensor 29 for detecting the temperature of the cooler 7 is fixed to the cooler 7, and a defrosting end sensor 30 is provided near the cooler 7.

A control panel 31 is provided on the outside of the upper part of the refrigerator main body 1, and the control panel 31 is provided with an outside temperature sensor 32 for detecting outside air temperature. As shown in FIG. 4, the control panel 31 is made up of a display and operation section 33 and a control section 34 which are connected to each other.

The display operation section 33 has a high temperature display (for example,
The first, second, and third setting switches 35, 36, and 37 for setting the temperature (around 30℃) and the first low temperature (for example, -2℃
fourth and fifth selection switches 38 and 39 for selecting a temperature (around +3°C) and a second low temperature (for example, around +3°C);
The sixth setting switch 40 is used to set a medium temperature (for example, around 10 degrees Celsius) suitable for storing southern vegetables, etc., and the temperature in the freezer compartment 2 is set to a low temperature (for example, -15 degrees
℃), medium (e.g. -18℃), and strong (e.g. -21℃) seventh setting switch 41
and is provided.

The control unit 34 controls the outside temperature sensor 32 and the freezing room temperature sensor 2 in the same manner as conventional freezer control.
8. The compressor 17 and the fan 8 are adjusted based on the detection signals from the defrosting end sensor 30, the cooler temperature sensor 29, and the refrigerator room temperature sensor 27, and the setting signal from the seventh setting switch 41 of the display operation section 33. It is configured to control the temperatures in the freezer compartment 2, the first and second refrigerator compartments 3 and 4, and the vegetable compartment 6 to a set temperature.

The control unit 34 further includes the display operation unit 3
The setting temperature of the timer 42 for setting the defrosting time is set based on the setting signals from the first, second, and third setting switches 35, 36, and 37 for setting the high temperature of No. 3 and the detection signal from the defrosting room temperature sensor 26. t ₅ , t ₃ , and t ₁ respectively, and control the temperature inside the thawing chamber 5 to a high temperature setting by controlling the opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve 20 during the set time;
fourth and fifth setting switches 38 for setting the second low temperature;
39 and a detection signal from the thawing room temperature sensor 26, the electromagnetic damper 16 is opened and closed to control the temperature inside the thawing chamber 5 to a low temperature setting; and a medium temperature setting. Based on the setting signal from the sixth setting switch 40 and the detection signal from the thawing room temperature sensor 26, the electromagnetic damper 16 and the electromagnetic valve 20 are controlled to open and close to adjust the temperature inside the thawing chamber 5 to the medium temperature setting temperature. In addition, when any one of the first to sixth setting switches 34 to 40 is pressed, the pressed switch is turned on to display this. Furthermore, the timer 42 is configured to output a signal when a predetermined time has elapsed after the first heating time t ₀ is turned on.

Next, the operation of the embodiment will be explained using the characteristic diagram of FIG. 7 and the flowchart of FIG. 8.

First, low temperature control will be explained.

First, the first low temperature control will be explained. Fourth setting switch 3 for setting the first low temperature on the display operation section 33
When 8 is pressed, the setting signal is sent to the control section 34. The control unit 34 lights up the pressed fourth setting switch 38 to display it, and also controls the opening and closing of the electromagnetic damper 16 based on the setting signal and the detection signal from the defrosting room temperature sensor 26, thereby opening and closing the electromagnetic damper 16. The amount of cold air cooled by the fan 7 and sent by the fan 8 flowing into the thawing chamber 5 is controlled. As a result, the temperature inside the thawing chamber 5 is controlled to a first low temperature (for example, around -2° C.) and can be used for refrigeration. That is, the temperature T in the thawing chamber 5 is the set temperature.
If it is higher than the upper limit temperature (for example, -1℃) of the control width of Tl ₁ (for example, -2℃), the electromagnetic damper 16
When the solenoid valve 20 is opened and the solenoid valve 20 is closed, it is cooled and the temperature T decreases.
As a result, when T reaches the lower limit temperature of the control width of Tl ₁ (for example, -3°C), the electromagnetic damper 16 also closes, and from now on, by opening and closing the electromagnetic damper 16, the thawing chamber 5
The temperature T within is controlled within a control range centered around the set temperature Tl ₁ .

Next, the second low temperature control will be explained. Basically, it operates in the same manner as the first low temperature control, and the temperature inside the thawing chamber 5 is controlled to a second low temperature (for example, around 3° C.), so that it can be used for refrigeration. That is, if the temperature T in the thawing chamber 5 is lower than the lower limit temperature (for example, 2 degrees Celsius) of the control range of the set temperature Tl ₂ (for example, 3 degrees Celsius), the cooling is stopped by closing the electromagnetic damper 16 and the solenoid valve 20, and the temperature T rises. As a result, if T reaches the upper limit temperature of the control width of Tl ₂ (for example, 4°C), then
The electromagnetic damper 16 is opened and cooled. Thereafter, by opening and closing the electromagnetic damper 16, the temperature T in the thawing chamber 5 is controlled within a control range centered on the set temperature _Tl2 .

Second, medium temperature control will be explained.

When the sixth setting switch 40 of the display operation section 33 is pressed, the setting signal is sent to the control section 34,
The determination timer 42b is set to _t0 (about 20 minutes). Further, the control unit 34 turns on the pressed sixth setting switch 40, and controls the opening and closing of the electromagnetic damper 16 and the electromagnetic valve 20 based on this setting signal and the detection signal from the defrosting room temperature sensor 26.
The temperature inside the thawing chamber 5 is controlled to a medium temperature (for example, around 10° C.) and can be used for storing southern vegetables. That is, if the temperature T in the thawing chamber 5 is lower than the lower limit temperature (for example, 8 degrees Celsius) of the control range of the set temperature Tm (for example, 10 degrees Celsius) as shown in FIG. 6, the cooling is stopped by closing the electromagnetic damper 16. , solenoid valve 20 opens,
Heat pipe 18 from high temperature section 17a of compressor 17
The amount of heat is transferred to the heat exchanger 19 via the heat exchanger 19, where it is heated and the temperature T rises. As a result, when T reaches the upper limit temperature of the control width of Tm (for example, 12° C.), the electromagnetic damper 16 opens and the electromagnetic valve 20 opens, and cooling is achieved by the inflow of cold air. Thereafter, when T reaches the lower limit temperature of the control range of Tm (e.g. 8 degrees Celsius), the electromagnetic damper 16 is closed and the electromagnetic valve 20 is opened, and the air is transferred from the high temperature section 17a of the compressor 17 to the heat exchanger 19 via the heat pipe 18. Heat is transferred and heated. Therefore, from now on, the temperature T is controlled within a control range around the set temperature Tm by opening and closing the electromagnetic damper 16 and the electromagnetic valve 20. However, in the above process, if the thawing chamber temperature T does not reach the set temperature Tm even after the elapse of _t0 set by the determination timer 42b, the periodic timer 42c is set (for example, 12
time), and in addition to opening the solenoid valve 20, the electric heater 45 is turned on and the first and second heating means 4
The temperature T in the defrosting chamber is increased by the amount of heat released from 3 and 45.

This allows T to reach the upper limit temperature of Tm (e.g. 12
℃), heating is stopped by closing the solenoid valve 20 and turning off the electric heater 45, and the temperature T falls. In addition, T is the lower limit temperature of the control width of Th (8°C)
When the temperature is reached, the solenoid valve 20 opens and the solenoid heater 45
It turns on and heats up. Thereafter, the temperature T in the thawing chamber 5 is controlled within a control range around the set temperature Tm by opening and closing the solenoid valve 20 and turning the electromagnetic heater 45 on and off.

Thirdly, high temperature control will be explained.

t At ₁₀ o'clock, press the first setting switch 3 on the display operation section 33.
When 5 is pressed, the setting signal is sent to the control section 34. The control unit 34 lights up the first setting switch 35 that has been pressed, and also indicates that "defrosting?" is "YES" and that the object to be thawed is "500g?" is "YES".
Therefore, the setting value of the timer 42a becomes _t5 corresponding to 500g, and the determination timer 42b is set to _t0 (for example, 20 minutes). This determination timer 42
During the time t ₀ set by b, the control unit 34
controls the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 20 based on the setting signal and the detection signal from the defrosting room temperature sensor 26, and
The high temperature section 17a of the compressor 17 which is the heating means 43 of
The amount of heat transferred from the heat pipe 18 to the heat exchanger 19 is controlled to perform heating. As a result, the temperature inside the thawing chamber 5 rises to a high temperature for thawing (for example, 30
It can be used for high temperature thawing. That is, if the temperature T in the thawing chamber 5 at _t10 is lower than the lower limit temperature (for example, 28 degrees Celsius) of the control width of the set temperature Th (for example, 30 degrees Celsius) as shown in FIG. From the high temperature section 17a of the compressor 17 to the heat exchanger 1 via the heat pipe 18,
The amount of heat is transferred to 9, where it is heated and the temperature T rises. At t ₂₀ , when T reaches the upper limit temperature of the control width of Th (for example, 32° C.) as shown by the broken line, heating is stopped by closing the solenoid valve 20, and the temperature T decreases. Also, after t _20:00 , when T reaches the lower limit temperature (28℃) of the control width of Th, the solenoid valve 2
0 is open and heated. Therefore, after _t20 , the temperature T in the thawing chamber 5 is controlled within a control range around the set temperature Th by opening and closing the solenoid valve 20.

However, in the above process, when the defrosting chamber temperature T does not reach the set temperature Th even at t ₃₀ o'clock when t ₀ o'clock has elapsed which is set by the discrimination timer 42b, the solenoid valve 20 is opened. In addition, the electric heater 45 is turned on and the first and second heating means 4
The temperature T in the defrosting chamber is increased by the amount of heat released from 3 and 45.

If T reaches the upper limit temperature of the control width of Th (for example, 32°C) at _t40 , the solenoid valve 20 closes,
Heating is stopped when the electric heater 45 is turned off, and the temperature T decreases. Further, after time _t40 , when T reaches the lower limit temperature (28° C.) of the control width of Th, the solenoid valve 20 is opened and the electric heater 45 is turned on to heat up. Therefore, after _t40 , the temperature T in the thawing chamber 5 is controlled within a control range around the set temperature Th by opening and closing the solenoid valve 20 and turning on and off the electric heater 45, as shown in FIG. be done.

At ₅₀ o'clock, when the established time for defrosting has passed from ₁₀ o'clock _t5 , the high temperature control is canceled based on the time-up output of the timer 42, and the first setting switch 35 is turned off.
goes out, and the fourth setting switch 38
is turned on and the set temperature in the thawing chamber 5 returns to the set temperature Tl ₁ of the first low temperature control. Therefore, after _t50 , the temperature T in the thawing chamber 5 is controlled within a control range around the set temperature _Tl1 by opening and closing the electromagnetic damper 16.

2nd and 3rd setting switch 3 of display operation section 33
6 and 37 are pressed, the pressed switch lights up in the same manner as described above, and the set values of the timer 42 are set to t3, _t3 , which corresponds to 300g, 100g, etc.
t ₁ , and during this set time t ₃ and t ₁ , the solenoid valve 20
is controlled to open and close, and the temperature inside the thawing chamber 5 is controlled to a high temperature for high-temperature thawing.

In the embodiment described above, the thawing chamber 5 is not provided with a cold air outflow passage communicating with the first and second refrigerator compartments 3, 4, etc.
Although the odor of the food to be defrosted in the thawing chamber 5 is prevented from spreading to other chambers, a cold air outflow passage communicating with the refrigerator chambers 3, 4, etc. is provided to promote the flow of cold air. You can also do this.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, the present invention provides a thawing chamber that is controlled at a wide range of temperatures from low to high temperatures in the refrigerator, and a cooling means that controls the amount of cold air sent from the freezing chamber to the thawing chamber. The temperature of the thawing chamber is controlled by a first heating means that transmits heat from the high temperature part of the compressor to the thawing chamber, and a second heating means that operates when the first heating means alone is insufficient in heat. The thawing chamber is configured to control the set temperature within a wide range from low to high temperatures.Therefore, this thawing chamber can be used for storing regular foods (low temperature control), for storing southern vegetables (medium temperature control), and for high temperature thawing. Since it can be used for multiple functions (high temperature control), it is extremely convenient, and the number of rooms in the refrigerator can be reduced as much as possible, simplifying the structure. In particular, when this thawing chamber is used for high-temperature thawing, the heat of the high-temperature section of the compressor, which is the first heating means, is used to enable high-temperature thawing in the thawing chamber, and when the outside air temperature is low (for example, 15°C).
(below), when the compressor is in a resting state for a long time and does not serve as a heat source, the second heating means consisting of an electric heater is used for heating, so the thawing time can be shortened. Furthermore, since the second heating means operates to the minimum necessary extent, no energy is wasted.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 5 show an embodiment of the defrosting chamber temperature control device for a refrigerator according to the present invention.
Figures a and b are a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator and a front view with the door removed. Figures 2 and 3 are side and front views of the heat pipe. Figures 4 and 5 are block diagrams of the defrosting chamber temperature controller. and electrical circuit diagrams, Figures 6 and 7.
The figure is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the on/off operations of the electromagnetic damper, the electric heater, and the electromagnetic valve and the temperature change in the thawing chamber, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the present invention. 1...Refrigerator body, 5...Defrosting chamber, 7...Cooler, 8...Fan, 16...Electromagnetic damper, 17...
... Compressor, 17a ... High temperature section, 18 ... Heat pipe, 19 ... Heat exchanger, 20 ... Solenoid valve, 26
...Defrosting room temperature sensor, 34...Control unit, 45...
Electric heater, 46... thawing chamber fan.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A refrigerator in which cold air is generated by a refrigeration cycle equipped with a cooler and a compressor, and the cold air is sent to a freezer compartment, a refrigerator compartment, etc. via a ventilation path by a fan, comprising: A thawing chamber is provided within which the temperature can be controlled over a wide range of temperatures from low to high temperatures, and temperature setting means is provided for setting the set temperature in the thawing chamber to at least one of a plurality of temperatures, low and high. , a temperature detection means for detecting the temperature inside the thawing chamber is provided, and a temperature control means is provided for controlling the temperature inside the thawing chamber to the set temperature based on the set temperature by the temperature setting means and the detected temperature by the temperature detecting means. , this temperature control means includes: a ventilation passage connecting the thawing chamber and the cooler;
A cooling means comprising an electromagnetic damper provided between the ventilation passage and the thawing chamber to control the inflow of cold air, a heat exchanger provided within the thawing chamber, and a space between the heat exchanger and the compressor. A first heat pipe consisting of a heat pipe that thermally couples the
a second heating means that operates to radiate heat when the first heating means is insufficient in heat; a thawing chamber fan provided adjacent to the heat exchanger; the temperature setting means and the temperature setting means; coupled to a detection means;
The control unit is configured to control the cooling means, the first and second heating means, and the thawing chamber fan based on the set temperature and the detected temperature, and the control unit: When the set temperature is low, , the electromagnetic damper is opened when the detected temperature exceeds the set temperature, and the electromagnetic damper is closed when the detected temperature falls below the set temperature, and when the set temperature is high, the detected temperature is equal to the set temperature. When the detected temperature exceeds a set temperature, the solenoid valve is closed, the solenoid damper is opened and the thawing chamber fan is stopped, and when the detected temperature falls below a set temperature, the solenoid valve is opened and the solenoid damper is closed. At the same time, the thawing chamber fan is operated, and further,
When the detected temperature does not reach the set temperature even after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the second heating means is activated, and thereafter the second heating means is activated with the opening of the solenoid valve. Room temperature control device. 2. The thawing chamber temperature control device for a refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the second heating means comprises an electric heater integrated with the heat exchanger of the first heating means. 3. The second heating means is provided with a timer that is activated when the set temperature is not reached after a certain period of time has passed after the first heating means is turned on.
The thawing chamber temperature control device for a refrigerator according to item 1 or 2.