JP3437764B2 - Refrigerator control method - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of controlling a refrigerator having a refrigerating evaporator and a freezing evaporator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In this type of refrigerator having a refrigerating evaporator for cooling a refrigerating compartment or a plurality of compartments to a refrigerating temperature zone and a freezing evaporator for cooling a freezing compartment, a refrigerant flow is A three-way valve is provided in the passage to switch the passage. And, from one output side of this three-way valve is connected to a refrigerating evaporator via a refrigerating capillary tube,
From another output side, it is connected to a freezing evaporator via a freezing capillary tube.

[0003]

In the three-way valve that switches the refrigerant flow paths, it is difficult to completely eliminate leakage due to its structure. Therefore, when the three-way valve is switched to flow the refrigerant only to the refrigerating evaporator, there is a problem that the leakage also flows to the refrigerating evaporator due to the leakage of the three-way valve, causing a loss.

Further, even when the refrigerant flows through the refrigerating evaporator, the refrigerant flows to the freezing capillary tube side due to the leakage at the three-way valve, and the whole refrigerant does not flow to the refrigerating evaporator. There was a problem that loss would occur due to leakage.

In view of the above problems, the present invention allows all the refrigerant to flow to the refrigerating evaporator when the refrigerating chamber is cooled even if there is a leak in the valve for switching the refrigerant flow paths.
Further, the present invention provides a method of controlling a refrigerator in which all the refrigerant flows into the freezing compartment when the freezing compartment is cooled so that the refrigerating / freezing compartments can be individually cooled.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a refrigerator, comprising: a compressor, a condenser, a refrigerating throttle mechanism, a refrigerating evaporator corresponding to a plurality of refrigerating compartments, and a freezing. The cooling mechanism and the freezing evaporator for the freezing temperature zone corresponding to the freezer compartment are connected in a ring to form the refrigerant flow path, and the refrigerant mechanism switches the refrigerant flow path to perform refrigeration via the refrigeration expansion mechanism. In a refrigerator in which the refrigerant is allowed to flow through the evaporator for freezing and the evaporator for freezing, or the refrigerant is allowed to flow only to the evaporator for freezing via the throttle mechanism for freezing, Increase resistance and send to refrigerating evaporator for refrigeration.
Equipped with an air blower, a blower for refrigeration for a certain period of time after cooling in the refrigeration chamber
If you continue to operate the
Temperature Temperature of the inlet portion of the use evaporators during operation of the refrigerating fan
If the temperature drops further or does not rise above a certain temperature,
Operate the valve mechanism on the opposite side for a certain period of time, then close the valve mechanism.
It is characterized in that the twisting operation is performed once or more .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for a refrigerator, which includes a compressor, a condenser, a refrigerating diaphragm mechanism, a refrigerating evaporator corresponding to a plurality of refrigerating compartments, a freezing diaphragm mechanism, and a freezing compartment. Refrigerating evaporator is connected to form a refrigerant flow path annularly, the refrigerant flow path is switched by the valve mechanism to flow the refrigerant through the refrigerating evaporator and the freezing evaporator via the refrigerating expansion mechanism, In a refrigerator in which the refrigerant is allowed to flow only to the freezing evaporator via the freezing throttling mechanism, a temperature sensor is arranged at the inlet of the refrigerating evaporator, and when the refrigerating room is not cooled, the temperature sensor is used to cool the refrigerating evaporator. the temperature of the inlet portion is measured, when the measured temperature does not rise above a predetermined temperature, to operate the valve mechanism to the opposite side, a closing operation subsequent valve mechanism to carry out one or more times, refrigerated in the refrigerating evaporator Equipped with a blower for the refrigerator
A place where the refrigeration blower is continuously operated for a certain period of time after the end of cooling
, The inlet of the refrigeration evaporator after the refrigeration blower has finished operating.
Temperature drops below the operating temperature of the refrigeration blower
Or, if the temperature does not rise above a certain temperature, keep the valve mechanism for a certain time.
Operate on the opposite side and then close the valve mechanism once or more.
It is characterized in that in the performed on.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for a refrigerator, which includes a compressor, a condenser, a refrigerating diaphragm mechanism, a refrigerating evaporator corresponding to a plurality of refrigerating compartments, a freezing diaphragm mechanism, and a freezing compartment. Refrigerating evaporator for the freezing temperature zone is connected to form a refrigerant flow path, and the refrigerant flow path is switched by the valve mechanism to pass through the refrigerating evaporator and the freezing evaporator through the refrigerating throttle mechanism. In a refrigerator in which the refrigerant is allowed to flow, or the refrigerant is allowed to flow only to the freezing evaporator through the freezing restriction mechanism, the freezing restriction mechanism has a larger flow path resistance than the refrigeration restriction mechanism, and the refrigeration chamber is not cooled. Sometimes the temperature of the refrigeration evaporator inlet is measured.
If the measured temperature does not rise above a certain temperature,
In addition, after the cooling in the refrigerating room is completed, the blower for refrigeration is
When operating with or after operation of the refrigeration blower
The inlet temperature drops below the operating temperature of the refrigeration blower
Refrigerated if it does or does not rise above a certain temperature
Does the evaporator temperature rise above a certain temperature?
It is characterized by defrosting with a heater until it becomes necessary to dispose of it .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for a refrigerator, which includes a compressor, a condenser, a refrigerating diaphragm mechanism, a refrigerating evaporator corresponding to a plurality of refrigerating compartments, a freezing diaphragm mechanism, and a freezing compartment. Refrigerating evaporator is connected to form a refrigerant flow path annularly, the refrigerant flow path is switched by the valve mechanism to flow the refrigerant through the refrigerating evaporator and the freezing evaporator via the refrigerating expansion mechanism, In a refrigerator in which the refrigerant is allowed to flow only to the freezing evaporator via the freezing throttling mechanism, a temperature sensor is arranged at the inlet of the refrigerating evaporator, and when the refrigerating room is not cooled, the temperature sensor is used to cool the refrigerating evaporator. Measure the temperature of the inlet part, and if the measured temperature does not rise above a certain temperature, operate the valve mechanism to the opposite side and then close the valve mechanism one or more times, for refrigeration when the refrigerating room is not cooled Evaporator inlet temperature
If the measured temperature does not rise above a certain temperature,
Also, continue to use the refrigeration blower for a certain period of time after cooling the refrigeration room
Operating in cold air, or when the refrigeration blower is out of operation
Later the inlet temperature is lower than the operating temperature of the refrigeration blower.
If it is lowered or does not rise above a certain temperature, cool it down.
Does the temperature of the storage evaporator rise above a certain temperature?
The heater is characterized by defrosting until it is necessary to cool it .

The control method of the refrigerator according to claim 5 is characterized in that the compressor is stopped when defrosting is performed by the heater.
According to claim 3 or claim 4, Claim
The control method of the refrigerator of 6 corresponds to a compressor, a condenser, a refrigerating throttle mechanism, a refrigerating evaporator for refrigerating temperature zones corresponding to a plurality of refrigerating compartments, a freezing throttling mechanism, and a freezing compartment. Refrigerating evaporator is connected to form a refrigerant flow path annularly, the refrigerant flow path is switched by the valve mechanism to flow the refrigerant through the refrigerating evaporator and the freezing evaporator via the refrigerating expansion mechanism,
In a refrigerator in which the refrigerant is allowed to flow only to the freezing evaporator via the freezing throttle mechanism, a temperature sensor is arranged at the inlet of the refrigerating evaporator, and the temperature sensor is provided when the refrigerant flows only to the freezing evaporator. When the detected temperature of is not higher than the reference temperature, it is judged that the valve mechanism is abnormal, and it is switched to the state where the refrigerant flows only to the freezing evaporator, and at the same time, the defrost heater for the refrigeration evaporator is energized. It has a feature.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a refrigerator, wherein the compressor is stopped when the defrosting heater is energized by repeating a cycle in which the refrigerant is alternately flown to the refrigerating evaporator and the freezing evaporator for several cycles. characterized in that so as to perform the defrosting
It is according to claim 6. The refrigerator control method according to claim 8 is the method for controlling the refrigerator according to claim 6 or 7 , characterized in that when the valve mechanism is judged to be abnormal, an alarm means is provided.

[0012] The method of the refrigerator according to claim 9, when the defrosting heater continues several cycles is energized, claim 6 or, characterized in that so as to notification by the warning means
Or claim 7. The control method for a refrigerator according to claim 10 , wherein when the defrost heater is energized by continuing the cycle of alternately flowing the refrigerant through the refrigerating evaporator and the freezing evaporator for several cycles, defrosting is performed. deeds, further claim 6 Symbol of if the detected temperature of the temperature sensor is about 0 ℃ below is characterized in that so as to notification by the warning means
The ones listed. When a refrigerator of claim 1, 3, since the increased flow path resistance refrigeration throttle mechanism relative refrigerating diaphragm mechanism, when cooling the refrigerating compartment even when there is a leak in the valve mechanism, It is possible to flow all the refrigerant to the refrigerating evaporator, and to cool the freezer compartment, it is possible to flow all the refrigerant to the freezer compartment.

According to the refrigerator control method of claims 2 and 4 , the valve mechanism is closed at least once so that dust in the valve mechanism can be removed and valve leakage can be prevented. You can

Further, defrosting is performed at the temperature detected by the temperature sensor to prevent inconvenience due to valve leakage, and when defrosting with the heater, the compressor is stopped to ensure defrosting. I am going to do it. Furthermore, by installing temperature sensors at the inlet and outlet of the refrigerating evaporator and measuring the temperature at both the inlet and outlet, it is possible to detect both valve leakage and the end of defrosting. can do.

According to the sixth aspect of the refrigerator control method, ice balls are easily generated when the refrigerant leaks to the refrigerating evaporator. However, by energizing the defrosting heater for the refrigerating evaporator. , It is possible to prevent the surrounding parts and the like from being broken by the ice balls and prevent unnecessary repairs.

Further, in a predetermined case, the alarm means is used to notify that the valve mechanism is abnormal, so that a defect in the valve mechanism can be detected at an early stage to prevent the occurrence and growth of icing, and to prevent a normal condition. The user can be notified of the failure to restore functionality.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (First Embodiment) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

First, the overall construction of the refrigerator of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the refrigerator 10 according to the present embodiment as seen from the front, and FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view as seen from the side.

The cabinet 12 which is the main body of the refrigerator 10.
From the top, the refrigerator compartment 14, vegetable compartment 16, temperature switching compartment 1
8. Freezing room 22 is provided. Also, the temperature switching chamber 1
An ice making chamber 20 is provided on the left side of 8. A heat insulating partition 24 is disposed between the vegetable compartment 16, the temperature switching compartment 18, and the ice making compartment 20.

The refrigerator compartment 14 is provided with a refrigerator compartment door 14a which is opened and closed by a hinge. Also, this refrigeration room 1
A chilled chamber 26 that maintains the temperature inside the chamber at around 0 ° C. is provided in the lower part of 4.

The vegetable compartment 16 is provided with a pull-out type vegetable compartment door 16a, and a vegetable container 28 can be pulled out together with the door. The vegetable container 28 is covered with a crisper cover 29.

The temperature switching chamber 18 is provided with a drawer type temperature switching chamber door 18a, and together with this door, the temperature switching chamber container 30.
Can be withdrawn.

The freezing compartment 22 also has a drawer type freezing compartment door 22a.
Is provided, and the freezing container 32 can be pulled out together with this door.

As shown in FIG. 9, the ice making chamber 20 is provided with an ice making device 34 near its ceiling, and an ice storage container 36 is provided below the ice making device 34.

The ice making device 34 comprises an ice tray 38, a drive unit 40 for rotating it, and an ice detection lever 42 for detecting the amount of ice in the ice storage container 36. A tank 44 that supplies water to the ice tray 38 is provided on the left side of the chilled chamber 26.

Next, the structure and arrangement of the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator 10 will be described.

First, the compressor 46, as shown in FIG.
It is provided in the machine room 48 provided at the bottom of the cabinet 12, that is, in the lower rear part of the freezer compartment 22.

The refrigerator 10 has two evaporators for refrigeration and freezing.
The refrigerating evaporator 50 is provided behind the vegetable compartment 16 and the freezing evaporator 52 is provided at the upper rear portion of the freezing compartment 22. A refrigeration blower 54 is provided above the refrigeration evaporator 50, and a freezing blower 56 is provided above the freezing evaporator 52. Also, the refrigeration evaporator 5
A defrost heater 96 is provided below 0. A defrost heater 98 is provided below the freezing evaporator 52.

By the way, the left side wall and the bottom plate of the temperature switching chamber 18 have a heat insulating structure. As a result, the temperature switching chamber 1
Even if the internal temperature of 8 is set to the same temperature as the refrigerating room, it is not affected by the temperature of the freezing room 22 and the like existing in the surroundings. Further, since the back plate of the temperature switching chamber 18 also has the heat insulating structure, it is not affected by the temperature from the freezing evaporator 52.

FIG. 10 shows an outline of the arrangement of the refrigerating cycle apparatus, and FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the refrigerant flow path. Hereinafter, based on FIG. 10 and FIG.
The flow of the refrigerant will be described.

The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 46 is the muffler 5
8, the heat radiating pipe 60, the condenser 62, the dew proof pipe 64, and the dryer 66 to reach the three-way valve 68. In the three-way valve 68, the refrigerant flow path is branched, one heads for the refrigeration capillary tube 70, and the other heads for the freezing capillary tube 72. From the refrigerating capillary tube 70 to the refrigerating evaporator 50 described above, it becomes one with the outlet side of the freezing capillary tube 72, and reaches the refrigerating evaporator 52 described above. Then, it returns to the compressor 46 through the accumulator 74 and the suction pipe 76.

Here, the mounting positions of the devices not described above in the refrigerator 10 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 10, the condenser 62 is bent a plurality of times to form a plate shape, and is arranged below the bottom of the freezer compartment 22 as shown in FIG. Further, the accumulator 74 is attached to the right side of the freezing evaporator 52.

Next, the flow of cold air in the refrigerating cycle having the above structure will be described with reference to FIG. 9 of the refrigerator 10.

First, the flow of cold air cooled by the refrigerating evaporator 50 will be described.

The cool air cooled by the refrigerating evaporator 50 is sent from the front side of the refrigerating blower 54 to the refrigerating branch space 78 located behind the vegetable compartment 16. The upper part of the refrigerating branch space 78 is connected to a refrigerating duct 80 provided on the back surface of the refrigerating chamber 14, and cold air is sent to the refrigerating duct 80. The refrigerating duct 80, as shown in FIG.
It is divided into two at the lower part of the refrigerating chamber 14 and has a substantially U-shape. Cooling air outlets 82 are provided on the front surface of the refrigerating duct 80 at predetermined intervals, and cold air is blown into the refrigerating chamber 14 from these air outlets 82. The cold air that has cooled the refrigerating chamber 14 flows under the chilled chamber 26 and the tank 44 (see FIG. 9), and flows into the return ducts 84 provided on the left and right of the refrigerating blower 54 and the refrigerating evaporator 50 to cool and evaporate. Bowl 5
It is blown out below 0. Then, the cold air is cooled again by the refrigerating evaporator 50 and reaches the position of the refrigerating blower 54.

On the other hand, from the refrigerating branch space 78, the vegetable compartment 1
6 is blown out along the crisper cover 29, and the vegetable compartment 1
Cool 6 (see FIG. 9). This cold air is a vegetable container 28
Flows from the front to the back of the bottom of the return opening 8
It reaches 8 and is circulated to the refrigerating evaporator 50.

Next, the flow of cold air cooled by the freezing evaporator 52 will be described.

The cold air cooled by the freezing evaporator 52 reaches the freezing branch space 90 by the freezing blower 56.
The upper part of the freezing branch space 90 communicates with the ice making device 34, and the cold air is blown from the upper part to the ice making device 34. Further, the lower part of the freezing branch space 90 communicates with the hole 33 that is opened in the back plate of the freezing container 32 of the freezing chamber 22 and the upper surface of the freezing container 32, and cold air flows from this lower part to the freezing container 32.
Blow toward the inside.

Cold air that has cooled the ice making chamber 20 flows to the front surface of the freezing chamber 22, and cold air that has cooled the inside of the freezing container 32 of the freezing chamber 22 flows to the front surface of the freezing chamber 22. Then, this cold air flows downward along the front surface of the freezing container 32 and reaches the return duct 92 through the bottom portion. The cold air flowing into the return duct 92 circulates in the freezing evaporator 52.

As shown in FIG. 5, a damper device 94 for sending cold air to the temperature switching chamber 18 is provided on the right side of the freezing branch space 90, and the temperature switching chamber 18 is opened and closed by opening and closing the damper device 94. The amount of cold air to be sent to is adjusted and the temperature inside the refrigerator is adjusted. The cool air that has cooled the temperature switching chamber 18 flows from the bottom of the temperature switching chamber 18 into the return duct 95 leading to the freezing evaporator 52 and circulates in the freezing evaporator 52.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the three-way valve 68, which has a so-called solenoid structure including a coil 102, a magnet 104, a plunger 106 and the like. A pin 108 is provided below the plunger 106, and the coil 108 is excited to drive the pin 108 downward so that the valve body 11
0 is driven downward against the spring 112. In this state, the refrigerant flows from the dryer side to the refrigerating evaporator (R evaporator) side. Further, when the plunger 106 returns, the valve body 110 returns upward and the refrigerant flows from the dryer side to the freezing evaporator (F evaporator) side. In the figure, reference numeral 116 is a refrigeration valve seat, and 118 is a freezing valve seat.

The three-way valve 68 for switching the refrigerant flow path has a certain amount of leakage due to its structure and because minute dust during the refrigeration cycle may be caught between the valve body 110 and the valve seats 116 and 118. Will be done.

Therefore, in this embodiment, there is a difference in the throttle amount of the refrigerant between the refrigerating capillary tube 70 and the freezing capillary tube 72 provided in the refrigerant flow passage shown in FIG.

That is, when it is desired to cool the refrigerating chamber 14 by making the refrigeration capillary tube 70 connected to the refrigeration evaporator 50 smaller than the refrigeration capillary tube 72 connected to the freezing evaporator 52. The refrigerant can flow to the refrigerating evaporator 50 and to the freezing evaporator 52 when cooling the freezing compartment 22.

For example, since it is desired to cool the refrigerating chamber 14, the three-way valve 68 is connected to the refrigerant passage through the passage connected to the refrigerating evaporator 50.
When there is a leak on the freezing capillary tube 72 side connected to the freezing evaporator 52 when switching by
Since the freezing capillary tube 72 is tighter than the squeezing amount of the refrigeration capillary tube 70, it is difficult for the refrigerant to flow to the freezing capillary tube 72 side, and the refrigerant flows to the refrigeration evaporator 50 side.

On the contrary, since it is desired to cool the freezing compartment 22, when the refrigerant flow path is switched to the flow path connected to the freezing evaporator 52 by the three-way valve 68, leakage occurs in the refrigeration capillary tube 70 connected to the refrigeration evaporator 50. If there is, the refrigerant flows through the refrigerating evaporator 50 because the refrigeration capillary tube 70 is less throttled than the freezing capillary tube 72, but the refrigeration blower 54 is stopped, so the refrigerant is The heat is not exchanged in the refrigerating evaporator 50, but is combined with the refrigerant passing through the freezing capillary tube 72 directly connected to the freezing compartment 22, and the freezing evaporator 52 evaporates and exchanges heat.

As described above, in this embodiment, even when the three-way valve 68 has a leak, the refrigerating evaporator 5 is cooled when the refrigerating chamber is cooled.
In addition, most of the refrigerant can be made to flow to the freezing evaporator 52 when the freezer compartment is cooled, each refrigeration / freezing section can be individually cooled, and loss can be prevented.

(Second Embodiment) As described in the previous embodiment (see FIG. 1), the refrigerant flowing in the freezing evaporator 52 passes through the refrigerating capillary tube 70 and the freezing capillary tube 72. There is a possibility that both of those that have passed through will flow in. At this time, the refrigerant flowing to the freezing evaporator 52 passes through the two capillary tubes 70 and 72, and is relatively throttled compared to the case where only the freezing capillary tube 72 flows into the freezing evaporator 52. Becomes loose,
Depending on the amount of leakage, the refrigerant evaporation temperature may become high.

In such a case, the temperature of the refrigerating evaporator 50 should rise to about 0 ° C. or higher during the cooling, but it can be detected when the temperature is lower than this. One of the possibilities of leakage in the three-way valve 68 is that when the valve body 110 is moved and pressed against the valve seats 116 and 118, dust in the refrigeration cycle is trapped between them, and the valve body 110 and the valve seat 116, It is conceivable that there is a gap between 118.

In this case, the valve body 110 is opened for a certain period of time, for example, 10 seconds, the refrigerant is flown between the valve body 110 and the valve seats 116 and 118, dust is washed away, and the valve body 110 is moved again to move the valve seat 116, By pressing against 118, the adhesion can be enhanced. This control is performed by the control unit 120 shown in FIG. Note that this operation may be repeated several times (2 to 3 times).

(Third Embodiment) By the way, when the refrigerating compartment cooling state is switched to the non-cooling state, the refrigerating blower 54 is kept for a certain time (for example, 5 minutes)
When continuously operated, the refrigerating evaporator 50 is installed in the refrigerating chamber 14.
It is heated by the air in the cabinet and rises to around 0 ° C.

However, if there is a leak on the refrigerating capillary tube 70 side connected to the refrigerating evaporator 50 and the refrigerating blower 54 stops, the temperature of the refrigerating evaporator 50 decreases. In such a case, the valve leakage is eliminated by moving the valve element 110 as in the first embodiment.

(Fourth Embodiment) When valve leakage is detected in the refrigerating evaporator 50 as in the second and third embodiments, it is possible that the frost on the refrigerating evaporator 50 cannot be removed. There is a nature. In such a case, the defrost heater 96 of the refrigerating evaporator 50 is energized, and the control unit 120 performs defrosting until the evaporator temperature rises to a constant temperature (for example, 12 ° C.).

(Fifth Embodiment) In the fourth embodiment, when defrosting the refrigerating evaporator 50, in order to ensure defrosting, the compressor 46 is stopped before defrosting. I am going to do it.

(Sixth Embodiment) Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. In general, when defrosting is performed, the outlet temperature of the refrigerating evaporator 50 slowly rises, and therefore it is necessary to measure the temperature in order to detect the end of defrosting. Therefore, the temperature sensors 122 and 124 are installed as shown in FIG. 1 so that the temperatures of both the inlet and outlet pipes of the refrigerating evaporator 50 can be measured. Both the valve leak detection and the defrost weight can be detected by the outputs of the temperature sensors 122 and 124.

(Seventh Embodiment) In the seventh embodiment, a member for connecting the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe of the refrigerating evaporator 50 is attached, and a temperature sensor is attached to the member, whereby the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe are connected. The temperature of both pipes is measured.

(Eighth Embodiment) By the way, the valve (three-way valve 6
8) Compressor 4 which is the main part of the refrigerator at the design stage of itself
In order to suppress the failure rate to the same as that of 6, long-term reliability tests are also conducted, and the structure is such that it can withstand as a major component of a refrigerator with a long product life.

However, if the three-way valve 68 fails and the refrigerant flows through the refrigerating evaporator 50, the refrigerating evaporator 50 will be described.
If ice builds up at the entrance of the product and it grows, it may destroy surrounding parts, etc., and it cannot be detected until a functional failure occurs, and many parts must be replaced at the time of repair.

Therefore, in the following embodiment, an embodiment in which a valve failure is detected early will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the refrigerant flows through the freezing evaporator 52, the refrigerant does not flow through the refrigerating evaporator 50, and the refrigerating blower 54 is operated to operate the refrigerating evaporator 5.
Zero is a positive temperature, and natural defrosting is also possible.

However, for some reason, the refrigerating evaporator 50
If the refrigerant leaks into the cold storage evaporator 50, the inlet portion of the refrigerating evaporator 50 is cooled, the surrounding water vapor collects and becomes ice, and an ice ball is generated at the inlet portion of the refrigerating evaporator 50. This ice ball will grow and eventually destroy surrounding parts and inner boxes. At this point, repair costs and time will be considerable.

Therefore, the temperature sensor 122 as a defrosting sensor attached to the inlet of the refrigerating evaporator 50 detects the temperature of the inlet of the refrigerating evaporator 50, and the output of the temperature sensor 122 is used for refrigerating. The evaporator 50 is defrosted.

6 and 7 are views showing a method of mounting the temperature sensor 122. The temperature sensor 122 is press-fitted into a fixture 126 made of aluminum or copper having a substantially U-shaped cross section so as to be in close contact. I'm trying to fix it. Fixture 12
A locking portion 128 is integrally formed along the longitudinal direction at one end side of the fixing member 6. By fixing the capillary tube 70 for refrigeration to the locking portion 128 by winding it, the fixing member 1
The temperature sensor 122 is attached to the refrigerating capillary tube 70 side via 26.

The temperature sensor 122 may be attached and fixed together with the refrigeration capillary tube 70 with an aluminum tape.

Here, the temperature of the inlet portion of the refrigerating evaporator 50 is monitored by the temperature sensor 122 from the time when the refrigerant starts flowing to the freezing evaporator 52, and if the detected temperature does not reach 0 ° C. or higher, the three sides are detected. It is determined that the valve 68 is out of order. And
As shown in FIG. 1, the alarm lamp 130 is controlled by the control unit 120.
Is turned on or flashed to notify the user. This state is shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, point A is the point of time when the alarm lamp 130 notifies.

(Ninth Embodiment) In the ninth embodiment, the three-way valve 68 is used in the eighth embodiment.
From the time point (point B in FIG. 2) at which the refrigerant is switched to flow into the freezing evaporator 52 after it is determined that the defrost heater 9 has failed.
6 is energized to prevent freezing at the inlet of the refrigerating evaporator 50.

The defrosting heater 96 is used when the flow of the refrigerant is switched to the refrigerating evaporator 50, and when the compressor 4 is used.
When any one of the stop conditions of 6 is reached, the power supply is stopped.

(Tenth Embodiment) In the ninth embodiment, the cycle in which the refrigerant is alternately supplied to the refrigerating evaporator 50 and the freezing evaporator 52 is three cycles in succession as shown in FIG. When the defrost heater 96 is energized, it is determined that freezing has grown and could not be melted, and the compressor (comp) 46 is forcibly forced to switch to the next refrigerating evaporator 50 (point A in FIG. 3). Stop and defrost heater 96
I try to defrost.

In this case also, the alarm lamp 130 is used for notification.

(Eleventh Embodiment) In the eleventh embodiment, in the tenth embodiment, after the compressor 46 is stopped and defrosting is performed, the temperature sensor is cooled when the refrigerating evaporator 52 is cooled next time. When the detected temperature of 122 is not 0 ° C. or higher (point A in FIG. 4), the alarm lamp 13
The notification is made at 0.

As for the alarm lamp 130, an LED (light emitting diode) is provided on the temperature adjusting dial portion provided on the front surface of the refrigerator door or inside the refrigerator, and is turned on or blinked. For a refrigerator not provided with an LED, a buzzer or the like may be sounded when the door is opened to notify the user of the abnormality by voice.

[0073]

As described above, according to the present invention , the refrigerant passages connected to the three-way valve are provided with different throttles, so that even if there is a valve leak, when the refrigerating chamber is cooled, all the refrigerant is stored in the refrigerating evaporator. When cooling the freezing compartment, all the refrigerant flows into the freezing compartment, and when the cooling compartment is desired to be cooled, it is possible to bypass the refrigerating compartment and prevent the loss of the refrigerant flowing to the freezing evaporator. This allows the refrigerant to flow into the refrigerating evaporator during cooling of the refrigerating chamber and allows the refrigerant to flow into the refrigerating evaporator during cooling of the freezing chamber, thereby individually and reliably cooling the refrigerating / freezing compartments.

When the refrigerant flows into the refrigerating evaporator when the refrigerating chamber is not cooled, the valve is opened / closed, and when frost is formed, defrosting is performed by the heater. Inconvenience can be prevented.

Further, by detecting the defect of the three-way valve at an early stage by the temperature sensor, it is possible to notify the user of the failure in order to prevent the occurrence and growth of icing and to restore the normal function. It cannot be discovered until a functional failure occurs, and many parts are no longer replaced during repairs.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram that also serves as a refrigerant channel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a control method.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing another control method.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing still another control method.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a three-way valve.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a temperature sensor attached to a refrigeration capillary tube.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a case where a temperature sensor is attached to a refrigerating capillary tube.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the refrigerator 10 according to the present embodiment as seen from the front.

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view seen from the side.

FIG. 10 is a layout view of each device constituting the refrigeration cycle.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 refrigerator 14 Refrigerator 22 Freezer 46 compressor 50 Refrigerator evaporator 52 Freezing evaporator 54 Refrigerator blower 62 condenser 68 three-way valve 70 Capillary tubes for refrigeration 72 Freezing capillary tube 122 Temperature sensor 124 Temperature sensor 130 alarm lamp

Continuation of the front page (72) Minoru Tenmei Minoru No. 1-6 Ota Toshiba-cho, Ibaraki-shi, Osaka (56) References Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-61815 (JP, A) Actual Development Sho-49-66077 (JP, U) Actual development 57-121871 (JP, U) Actual development 59-172977 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F25D 11/02 F25D 21 / 08

Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] 1. A compressor, a condenser, a refrigeration throttle mechanism,
A refrigerating evaporator corresponding to a plurality of refrigerating compartments, a freezing throttle mechanism, and a refrigerating evaporator for a refrigerating temperature zone corresponding to a freezing compartment are annularly connected to form a refrigerant flow path. In the refrigerator in which the refrigerant flow is switched through the refrigerating evaporator and the freezing evaporator through the refrigerating throttle mechanism, or the refrigerant is allowed to flow only through the freezing evaporator through the refrigerating throttle mechanism, The freezing throttle mechanism has a larger flow path resistance than the refrigeration throttle mechanism, the refrigeration evaporator is equipped with a refrigeration blower, and the refrigeration blower is continuously operated for a certain period of time after the refrigeration chamber is cooled.
That case, the temperature of the inlet portion of the refrigerating evaporator after termination operation of the refrigerating blower
If the temperature drops below the operating temperature of the refrigeration blower
If the temperature does not rise above a certain temperature , operate the valve mechanism on the opposite side for a certain time, and then close the valve mechanism at least once.
Refrigerator and said that you are. 2. A compressor, a condenser, a refrigeration throttle mechanism,
Refrigerating evaporators corresponding to multiple refrigerating compartments, a freezing throttle mechanism, and a freezing evaporator corresponding to freezing compartments are annularly connected to form a refrigerant passage, and a valve mechanism switches the refrigerant passages. In the refrigerator in which the refrigerant is allowed to flow through the refrigerating evaporator and the freezing evaporator via the refrigerating throttle mechanism, or the refrigerant is allowed to flow only to the freezing evaporator via the refrigerating restrictor mechanism, A temperature sensor is installed at the inlet, and the temperature sensor measures the temperature at the inlet of the refrigerating evaporator when there is no cooling in the refrigerating room.If the measured temperature does not rise above a certain temperature, the valve mechanism is operated on the opposite side. After that, the valve mechanism is closed once or more, the refrigerating evaporator is equipped with a refrigerating blower, and the refrigerating blower is continuously operated for a certain period after the cooling of the refrigerating chamber is completed.
That case, the temperature of the inlet portion of the refrigerating evaporator after termination operation of the refrigerating blower
If the temperature drops below the operating temperature of the refrigeration blower
If the temperature does not rise above a certain temperature , operate the valve mechanism on the opposite side for a certain time, and then close the valve mechanism at least once.
A method for controlling a refrigerator characterized in that 3. A compressor, a condenser, a refrigeration throttle mechanism,
A refrigerating evaporator corresponding to a plurality of refrigerating compartments, a freezing throttle mechanism, and a refrigerating evaporator for a refrigerating temperature zone corresponding to a freezing compartment are annularly connected to form a refrigerant flow path. In the refrigerator in which the refrigerant flow is switched through the refrigerating evaporator and the freezing evaporator through the refrigerating throttle mechanism, or the refrigerant is allowed to flow only through the freezing evaporator through the refrigerating throttle mechanism, The freezing throttle mechanism has a larger flow path resistance than the refrigeration throttle mechanism, and the temperature at the inlet of the refrigerating evaporator is measured when the refrigerating chamber is not cooled.
However , if the measured temperature does not rise above a certain temperature , the refrigeration blower is continued for a certain period of time after the cooling in the refrigeration chamber is completed.
When operated in, or the temperature of the inlet portion after completion operation refrigerating blower
If the temperature drops below the operating temperature of the refrigeration blower or
If the temperature of the refrigerating evaporator does not rise above a certain temperature , does it rise above a certain temperature?
A refrigerator characterized by performing defrosting with a heater until it is necessary to cool the refrigerator. 4. A compressor, a condenser, a refrigeration throttle mechanism,
Refrigerating evaporators corresponding to multiple refrigerating compartments, a freezing throttle mechanism, and a freezing evaporator corresponding to freezing compartments are annularly connected to form a refrigerant passage, and a valve mechanism switches the refrigerant passages. In the refrigerator in which the refrigerant is allowed to flow through the refrigerating evaporator and the freezing evaporator via the refrigerating throttle mechanism, or the refrigerant is allowed to flow only to the freezing evaporator via the refrigerating restrictor mechanism, A temperature sensor is installed at the inlet, and the temperature sensor measures the temperature at the inlet of the refrigerating evaporator when there is no cooling in the refrigerating room.If the measured temperature does not rise above a certain temperature, the valve mechanism is operated on the opposite side. Then, the valve mechanism is closed at least once, and the temperature at the inlet of the refrigerating evaporator is measured when the refrigerating chamber is not cooled.
However , if the measured temperature does not rise above a certain temperature , the refrigeration blower is continued for a certain period of time after the cooling in the refrigeration chamber is completed.
When operated in, or the temperature of the inlet portion after completion operation refrigerating blower
If the temperature drops below the operating temperature of the refrigeration blower or
If the temperature of the refrigerating evaporator does not rise above a certain temperature , does it rise above a certain temperature?
A method of controlling a refrigerator, characterized in that a heater is used to defrost until it becomes necessary to cool the refrigerator. 5. The method of controlling a refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the compressor is stopped when the heater is used for defrosting. 6. A compressor, a condenser, a refrigeration throttle mechanism,
A refrigerating evaporator corresponding to a plurality of refrigerating compartments for a refrigerating temperature zone, a freezing throttle mechanism, and a freezing evaporator corresponding to a freezing compartment are annularly connected to form a refrigerant flow path. In the refrigerator in which the refrigerant flow is switched through the refrigerating evaporator and the freezing evaporator through the refrigerating throttle mechanism, or the refrigerant is allowed to flow only through the freezing evaporator through the refrigerating throttle mechanism, A temperature sensor is installed at the inlet of the refrigerating evaporator, and when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor does not exceed the reference temperature when the refrigerant flows only to the freezing evaporator, the valve mechanism is judged to be abnormal, and the freezing evaporator A method of controlling a refrigerator, characterized in that the defrosting heater for the refrigerating evaporator is energized at the same time that the refrigerant is switched to a state in which the refrigerant flows. 7. The defrosting is performed by stopping the compressor when the defrost heater is energized by continuing the cycle of alternately flowing the refrigerant through the refrigerating evaporator and the freezing evaporator for several cycles. The method for controlling a refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein: 8. The method of controlling a refrigerator according to claim 6 or 7 , wherein when the valve mechanism is judged to be abnormal, an alarm means is provided to notify. 9. The method of controlling a refrigerator according to claim 6 or 7 , wherein when the defrost heater is energized for several consecutive cycles, the alarm means gives an alarm. 10. When the defrost heater is energized after several cycles of alternately flowing the refrigerant through the refrigerating evaporator and the freezing evaporator, the compressor is stopped to defrost the temperature sensor. 7. The method of controlling a refrigerator according to claim 6 , wherein when the detected temperature is about 0.degree.