JPH0351988B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to a refrigerator equipped with a specification switching chamber that allows selection of various cooling chamber specifications, such as a freezing chamber, a refrigerating chamber, and a so-called chilled chamber.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems] In recent years, refrigerators have been provided with a specification switching chamber in addition to the existing freezing and refrigerating compartments, and this specification switching chamber can be used to switch between freezer compartment specifications, refrigerator compartment specifications, or these specifications. It is being considered to be able to selectively switch to any of the chilled chamber specifications in which the temperature is maintained at an intermediate temperature. However, such a specification switching chamber only performs a single function according to each specification when switched to each specification, and requiring a separate specification switching chamber requires a large manufacturing cost. The problem was that it lacked functionality and wasted a lot of money.

[Object of the Invention] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its object is to provide a refrigerator that has effects such as being able to extremely diversify the functions of the specification switching chamber.

[Summary of the Invention] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a refrigerator provided with a specification switching chamber that receives cold air blown from a cooler from a fan device through a cold air outlet, in which the cold air outlet is opened and closed. cold air amount control device,
and a heater for raising the temperature in the specification switching chamber, and an auxiliary cooler for placing stored items in the specification switching chamber, and further the cold air amount control device, the auxiliary fan device, the heater, and the auxiliary cooling. The system is configured to include a control circuit device which switches the temperature in the specification switching chamber into a plurality of stages by controlling the drive of the device, and also executes a quick freezing operation and a thawing operation within the specification switching chamber.

[Embodiment of the Invention] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In FIGS. 2 to 4, 1 is a refrigerator body, and inside thereof, a freezing chamber 2, a specification switching chamber 3, and a refrigerating chamber 4 are formed in order from the top, separated by partition walls 5 and 6, respectively. There is. A cooler chamber 8 partitioned off by a partition plate 7 is formed at the back of the freezer compartment 2, and a cooler 9 is housed in this cooler chamber 8, as well as a fan device having a fan motor 10a. 10 are arranged. 11 is the partition plate 7
This air outlet 11 is a large number of air outlet holes formed in the
The inside of the freezer compartment 2 and the upper part of the cooler compartment 8 are communicated with each other via. Reference numeral 12 denotes a duct provided on the back wall of the refrigerator body 1, and a cold air outlet 13 facing into the specification switching chamber 3 is formed at the bottom of this duct 12. The inside of the specification switching chamber 3 and the lower part of the cooler chamber 8 are communicated with each other. Furthermore, there is also a duct 14 inside the partition wall 5.
is formed, and the lower part of the cooler chamber 8 is communicated with the inside of the freezing chamber 2 and the inside of the specification switching chamber 3 through this duct 14, and the inside of the refrigerator chamber 4 and the inside of the cooler chamber 8 are communicated with each other. The cooling air in the cooler chamber 8 can be supplied to the freezer compartment 2, specification switching compartment 3, and refrigerator compartment 4, respectively, when the fan device 10 is driven. It is configured. Reference numeral 15 denotes an electromagnetic damper serving as a cold air amount control device provided to open and close the cold air outlet 13. This is driven when energized to open the cold air outlet 13, and is driven when power is cut off. When it is stopped, the cold air outlet 13 is closed by the force of a spring (not shown). 16 is an electromagnetic damper 15 located at the back of the specification switching chamber 3.
This is a partition plate installed so as to have a predetermined space between the two and has a plurality of ventilation holes 16a positioned so as to be offset from the electromagnetic damper 15. Reference numeral 17 denotes an auxiliary fan device having a fan motor 17a, which is disposed at the back of the partition plate 16 so as to face the ventilation hole 16a, and cool air from the cold air outlet 13 is directed through the ventilation hole 16a according to the drive of the auxiliary fan device. It is configured to forcibly circulate within the specification switching chamber 3 via the. 18 is a flat plate-shaped auxiliary cooler disposed at the bottom of the specification switching chamber 3;
9 is a heater attached to this auxiliary cooler 18. Reference numerals 20, 21, and 22 are a freezer compartment door, a switching compartment door, and a refrigerator compartment door, respectively. Incidentally, as is well known, the operation of the cooler 9 and the fan device 10 is controlled according to the temperature within the freezer compartment 2. Although not shown, a temperature control damper is also provided in the duct communicating from the cooler chamber 8 to the refrigerator compartment 4 to adjust the amount of cold air supplied to the refrigerator compartment 4. It is controlled by a bellows-type heat-sensitive device that detects the temperature inside 4.

FIG. 1 shows only the configuration of a control circuit device A related to the gist of the present invention among the electrical configurations of the refrigerator, and this will be explained below. It goes without saying that the functions of the control circuit device A may be replaced by a microcomputer program. That is, 23 is a changeover switch placed, for example, on the front surface of the switching room door 21, and when the specification switching room 3 is used as a freezing room, contacts (da) are turned on, and the specification switching room 3 is also turned on when the specification switching room 3 is chilled. A contact point (d-
b) or between the contacts (d and c). Such a changeover switch 23 has a positive power terminal +Vcc
and the ground terminal as shown in the figure via resistors 24, 25, 26, and each fixed contact a, b, c is connected according to the switching state of the line.
A logic value "1" signal is output to any one of L ₁ , L ₂ , and L ₃ .

Reference numeral 27 denotes a temperature control section for controlling the temperature inside the specification switching chamber 3 when the specification switching chamber 3 is used as a chilled room or a refrigerating room, and this will be explained below. Reference numeral 28 denotes a thermistor, for example, as a temperature sensor installed in the specification switching chamber 3 to detect the temperature thereof, and this is connected through a resistor 29 in series between the positive power terminal +Vcc and the earth terminal. , and outputs a detection signal Sa having a voltage level corresponding to the temperature in the specification switching chamber 3 from a common connection point n between the resistor 29 and the resistor 29. 30 is a first signal that outputs a first reference signal Sr for refrigerator compartment specifications.
This voltage divider circuit consists of resistors 31, 32 and a variable resistor 33 connected in series between the positive power supply terminal +Vcc and the ground terminal, and the first reference signal Sr is input from the sliding terminal of the variable resistor 33. Output as a signal corresponding to the set temperature Tr for refrigerator compartment specifications. 34
are inverting input terminal (-) and non-inverting input terminal (+)
A comparison circuit is provided to receive the detection signal sa and the first reference signal Sr, respectively, and outputs a low level signal when both the input signals Sa and Sr have a relationship of sa>Sr. , and is configured to output a high level signal when the relationship Sa≦Sr holds. Therefore, such comparison circuit 34
an inverter 35 provided to receive the output of
, a logic value "1" signal is output when the temperature in the specification switching chamber 3 corresponding to the detection signal Sa rises beyond the set temperature Tr for the refrigerator compartment specification corresponding to the first reference signal Sr. When the temperature drops below the set temperature Tr, a logic value "0" signal is output. Note that the comparator circuit 34 is provided with a feedback resistor 36 for providing hysteresis, so that when the output of the comparator circuit 34 and the output of the inverter 35 are inverted, a well-known differential occurs in this type of temperature control. It is given. Also, 3
7 is a second voltage divider circuit that outputs a second reference signal Sc for chilled room specifications, and is made up of resistors 38, 39 and a variable resistor 40 connected in series between the positive power supply terminal +Vcc and the ground terminal. , outputs the second reference signal Sc from the sliding terminal of the variable resistor 40 as a signal corresponding to the set temperature Tc (Tc<Tr) for chilled room specifications. Reference numeral 41 denotes a comparator circuit provided to receive the detection signal Sa and the second reference signal Sc at the inverting input terminal (-) and the non-inverting input terminal (+), respectively.
It is configured to output a low level signal when the relationship Sa>Sc is established, and to output a high level signal when the relationship Sa≦Sc. Therefore, from the inverter 42 installed to receive the output of the comparison circuit 41, the temperature in the specification switching chamber 3 rises to exceed the set temperature Tc for the chilled chamber corresponding to the second reference signal Sc. When this occurs, a logic value "1" signal is output, and when the temperature drops below the set temperature Tc, a logic value "0" signal is output.
The comparator circuit 41 is provided with a feedback resistor 43 for providing hysteresis, which provides a differential at the time when the output of the comparator circuit 41 and, in turn, the output of the inverter 42 is inverted. Further, an operation knob (not shown) for adjusting the resistance values of the variable resistors 33 and 40 in the first and second voltage dividing circuits 30 and 37 is, for example, the
1 is arranged in line with the changeover switch 23.

On the other hand, 44 is a switching circuit provided to receive the output from the changeover switch 23 and the output from the temperature control section 27, which connects the AND circuits 45, 46 and the OR circuit 47 to the lines _L1 , _L2 , _L3. It is also configured by connecting to each output terminal of the inverters 35 and 42 as shown. 48 is a quick freezing operation switch whose one end is connected to the positive power supply terminal +Vcc via a resistor 49 and the other end is connected to the ground terminal; 50 receives the output from the common connection point between this switch 48 and the resistor 49; This is an inverter connected as follows, and this inverter 5
The output of 0 is inverted to a logic value "1" signal when the quick freezing operation switch 48 is turned on. Reference numeral 51 denotes a D flip-flop which receives the output of the inverter 50 at its clock terminal CK, and its reset output terminal is connected to the data input terminal D. Therefore, the output from the set output terminal Q of the D flip-flop 51 is connected to the inverter. Each time the output of 50 rises (every time the rapid freezing operation switch 48 is turned on), it is inverted between a logic value "1" signal and a logic value "0" signal. 52 is a defrosting operation switch whose one end is connected to the positive power terminal +Vcc via the resistor 53 and the other end is connected to the ground terminal;
54 is an inverter connected to receive the output of the common connection point between this switch 52 and the resistor 53, and the output of this inverter 54 becomes a logic value "1" signal when the defrosting operation switch 52 is turned on. Invert. 55 is a D flip-flop which receives the output of the inverter 54 at its clock terminal CK, and its reset output terminal is connected to the data input terminal D.
Therefore, the output from the set output terminal Q of the D flip-flop 55 becomes a logic value "1" signal every time the output of the inverter 54 rises (every time the defrosting operation switch 52 is turned on). and a logical “0” signal. Each of the D flip-flops 51 and 55 is reset to a state in which a "0" signal is output from the set output terminal Q when the input to the reset terminal R rises. 56 is a timer circuit which starts a timer operation for a certain period of time when a "1" signal is input to the reset terminal R, and outputs a "1" signal from the output terminal P when the timer operation ends. .
Reference numeral 56a denotes an integrating circuit, which delays the "1" signal applied to the reset terminal R of the timer circuit 56 by a certain amount of time. 57 is a drive circuit for the auxiliary cooler 18, which includes a transistor 58 that is turned on when a "1" signal is output from the D flip-flop 51, a relay 59 that is energized in response to turning on of this transistor 58, and a transistor. 58 and includes a flywheel diode 60 for protection. In this case, although not shown, when the relay 59 is energized, the compressor for the refrigeration cycle is forcibly driven, and the solenoid valve for supplying refrigerant to the auxiliary cooler 18 is driven. Therefore, the auxiliary cooler 1
No. 8 cooling operation is performed. 6
1 is a drive circuit for the heater 19, which includes a transistor 62 that is turned on when a "1" signal is output from the D flip-flop 55, and a relay 63 that is energized when the transistor 62 is turned on.
and a flywheel diode 64 for protecting the transistor 62, and when the relay 63 is energized, the heater 19 is energized. Reference numeral 65 designates a drive circuit for the auxiliary fan device 17, which includes a transistor 66 that is turned on when a "1" signal is output from the D flip-flops 51 and 55 and when a "1" signal is output to the line _L1 . , this transistor 6
The fan motor 17a of the auxiliary fan device 17 is energized when the relay 67 is energized. It's getting old. Further, 69 is a damper drive circuit, which energizes and drives the electromagnetic damper 15 when a "1" signal is input, and drives the electromagnetic damper 15 when a "0" signal is input. The structure is such that the power is cut off and the drive is stopped. Reference numeral 70 indicates the D flip-flops 51 and 55 when the power is turned on.
This is a power-on reset circuit for resetting the The switching circuit 44, D flip-flops 51, 55, timer circuit 56, drive circuits 57, 61, 65, damper drive circuit 69, and power-on reset circuit 70 described above are connected to the OR circuit 71.
~74, AND circuits 75, 76 and inverter 7
7 and 78 as shown in the figure.

According to the configuration of this embodiment described above, the specification switching room 3 can be selectively used as a freezing room, a chilled room, or a refrigerating room. It is possible to perform a thawing operation that thaws frozen foods relatively quickly, and its operation will be explained below.

That is, when the power is turned on, a "1" signal is output from the inverter 78 connected to the power-on reset circuit 70, and the D flip-flops 51 and 55 are reset by this "1" signal. Therefore, in this state, the D flip-flop 5
A "0" signal is output from the set output terminal Q of 1 and 55, and the output of the inverter 77 is inverted to a "1" signal, and the AND circuit 76 outputs the signal from the switching circuit 4.
4 is allowed to pass through.

() When using the specification switching compartment 3 as a freezing compartment... In this case, the contact of the switching switch 23 (d-
a) Turn on the interval. Then, a “1” signal is output to line L ₁ , and this “1” signal is ORed.
The damper drive circuit 69 that receives the signal via the circuit 47 and the AND circuit 76 energizes and drives the electromagnetic damper 15 and sends the "1" signal to the OR circuit 74.
Since the transistor 66 in the drive circuit 65 that receives the cold air through the circuit turns on and energizes the relay 67, the electromagnetic damper 15 is forcibly held in an open state (cold air outlet 13 is open). At the same time, the auxiliary fan device 17 comes to be driven. Therefore, when the refrigeration cycle is in operation, cold air from the cooler chamber 8 is continuously supplied into the specification switching chamber 3 through the cold air outlet 13, and the auxiliary fan device 17 supplies the cold air to the specification switching chamber 3. It is forcibly circulated within the switching chamber 3, and at this time, the operation of the refrigeration cycle is controlled according to the temperature inside the freezing chamber 2, so as a result, the inside of the specification switching chamber 3 becomes the freezing chamber. 2, and the specification switching chamber 3 comes to function as a freezing chamber.

() When using the specification switching chamber 3 as a chilled chamber... In this case, the contact of the switching switch 23 (d-
b) Turn on the interval. Then, a "1" signal is output to line _L2 , and the AND circuit 45 that receives this "1" signal allows the output from the inverter 42 in the temperature control section 27 to pass through. At this time, if the temperature in the specification switching chamber 3 is higher than the set temperature Tc for the chilled chamber specification, a "1" signal is output from the inverter 42 and passes through the AND circuit 45.
The damper drive circuit 69 receives the signal via the OR circuit 47 and the AND circuit 76, and energizes the electromagnetic damper 15 to open the cold air outlet 13. For this reason, cold air is supplied into the specification switching chamber 3 from the cold air outlet 13, thereby reducing the internal temperature. When the temperature in the specification switching chamber 3 drops below the set temperature Tc, the output of the inverter 42 becomes "0".
Since the signal is reversed, the electromagnetic damper 15 is cut off by the damper drive circuit 69 that receives this "0" signal, and the cold air outlet 13 is closed. By repeating the above operations and controlling the opening/closing state of the cold air outlet 13 by the electromagnetic damper 15, the temperature in the specification switching chamber 3 is maintained at the set temperature Tc for the chilled chamber specification. As a result, the interior of the specification switching chamber 3 functions as a chilled chamber. In this case, the transistor 66 in the drive circuit 65 is not turned on, and the auxiliary fan device 17 remains stopped.

() When using the specification changeover chamber 3 as a refrigerator room... In this case, the contact point of the changeover switch 23 (d-
c) Turn on the interval. Then, a "1" signal is output to line _L3 , and the AND circuit 46 that receives this "1" signal allows the output from the inverter 35 in the temperature control section 23 to pass through. At this time, if the temperature in the specification switching chamber 3 is higher than the set temperature Tr for the refrigerator compartment specification, the inverter 35 outputs a "1" signal and this is
In order to pass through the AND circuit 46, the damper drive circuit 69 which receives the "1" signal via the OR circuit 47 and the AND circuit 76 energizes the electromagnetic damper 15 to open the cold air outlet 13. Therefore, cold air is supplied into the specification switching chamber 3 from the cold air outlet 13, and the internal temperature thereof decreases. When the temperature in the specification switching chamber 3 drops below the set temperature Tr, the output of the inverter 35 is reversed to a "0" signal, so the damper receiving this "0" signal The electromagnetic damper 15 is cut off by the drive circuit 69, and the cold air outlet 12 is closed. By repeating the above operations and controlling the opening/closing state of the cold air outlet 13 by the electromagnetic damper 15, the temperature in the specification switching chamber 3 is maintained at the set temperature Tr for the refrigerator compartment specification. As a result, the interior of the specification switching chamber 3 functions as a refrigerating chamber. In this case as well, the auxiliary fan device 17 remains stopped.

() When performing quick freezing operation in the specification switching room 3... In this case, turn on the quick freezing operation switch 48. Then, since the output of the set output terminal Q of the D flip-flop 51 is inverted to a "1" signal, the drive circuit 57 receiving the "1" signal
Since the transistor 58 in the refrigeration cycle is turned on and the relay 59 is energized, the compressor (not shown) for the refrigeration cycle is forcibly driven, and the solenoid valve for supplying refrigerant to the auxiliary cooler 18 is driven. (not shown) comes to be driven, thereby performing cooling operation of the auxiliary cooler 18. Also, at this time, the "1" signal from the D flip-flop 51 is applied to the OR circuits 71 and 7.
4 to the drive circuit 65 to drive the auxiliary fan device 17, and the "1" signal is given to the damper drive circuit 69 via the OR circuit 71 and the AND circuit 75, so that the electromagnetic damper 15 The cold air outlet 13 is opened by being driven. Therefore, inside the specification switching chamber 3, the auxiliary cooler 1
The cooling air is rapidly cooled by both the cold air from the auxiliary cooler 18 and the cold air outlet 13, and a quick freezing operation is performed in which food and other stored items placed on the auxiliary cooler 18 are quickly frozen. It will be done. Therefore, when the "1" signal is output from the D flip-flop 51 as described above,
The timer circuit 56 that receives the "1" signal at the reset terminal R starts the timer operation, and when the timer operation is finished after a certain period of time has passed, the output terminal P of the timer circuit 56 is reset.
Since the D flip-flop 51 is reset by outputting a "1" signal from the drive circuit 57,
65 and the damper drive circuit 69, and the driving of the electromagnetic valve, the auxiliary fan device 17, and the electromagnetic damper 15 is stopped, thereby ending the quick freezing operation. Note that when the quick freezing operation switch 48 is turned on during the quick freezing operation, the output from the set output terminal Q of the D flip-flop 51 is reversed to a "0" signal in response to the turning on, so the quick freezing operation is stopped. be done.

() When performing thawing operation in specification switching chamber 3...
... In this case, the thawing operation switch 52 is turned on. Then, since the output of the set output terminal Q of the D flip-flop 55 is inverted to a "1" signal, the transistor 62 in the drive circuit 61 that receives the "1" signal turns on and energizes the relay 63. The heater 19 is now energized. In addition, D flip-flop 55
The “1” signal from
7 is driven, and at this time, since a "0" signal is output from the set output terminal Q of the D flip-flop 51, the AND circuit 7 is driven.
5 gives a "0" signal to the damper drive circuit 69 to stop driving the electromagnetic damper 15,
The cold air outlet 13 is in a closed state. Therefore, the temperature inside the specification switching chamber 3 is raised by the heater 19, and the internal air is forcibly circulated by the auxiliary fan device 17. A thawing operation is performed to quickly thaw frozen products. On the other hand, as mentioned above, the flip-flop 55
When a "1" signal is output from the reset terminal R, the timer circuit 56 that receives the "1" signal at the reset terminal R starts the timer operation, and after a certain period of time has elapsed, the timer operation is ended. Then, a “1” signal is output from the output terminal P of the timer circuit 56, and the D flip-flop 5
5 is reset, the drive circuits 61 and 6
The supply of the "1" signal to No. 5 is stopped, the driving of the heater 19 and the auxiliary fan device 17 is stopped, and the defrosting operation is thus ended. Note that when the thawing operation switch 52 is turned on during the thawing operation, the D flip-flop 5 is turned on in response to the turning on.
Since the output from the set output terminal Q of No. 5 is reversed to a "0" signal, the defrosting operation is stopped.

In each of the above cases () and (), when the quick freezing operation switch 48 is turned on, D
An interlock circuit is formed in which when the flip-flop 55 is reset and the thawing operation switch 52 is turned on, the D flip-flop 51 is reset, thereby preventing the quick freezing operation state and the thawing operation state from appearing at the same time. It is configured.

Further, in the above embodiment, the electromagnetic damper 15 is provided as the cold air amount control device, but the structure is not limited to this, and dampers or shutters of other configurations can also be adopted. It would be good if there was a function to adjust the amount of cold air supplied. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the heater 19 may be used not only for the defrosting operation but also for the defrosting operation of the auxiliary cooler 18.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, as is clear from the above description, the specification switching chamber can be selected from various cooling chamber specifications such as a freezing chamber, a refrigerator compartment, and a chilled chamber, and the specification switching chamber can be rapidly changed. It can also be used as a chamber for freezing operation and thawing operation, thereby making it possible to greatly diversify the functions of the specification switching chamber.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is an electrical configuration diagram, FIG. 2 is an overall vertical sectional view, and FIG.
The figure is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the main part. In the figure, 1 is the refrigerator body, 2 is the freezer compartment, 3 is the specification switching compartment, 4 is the refrigerator compartment, 8 is the cooler compartment, 9 is the cooler, 10 is the fan device, 13 is the cold air outlet, 15
1 is an electromagnetic damper (cold air amount control device), 17 is an auxiliary fan device, 18 is an auxiliary cooler, 19 is a heater, 2
3 is a changeover switch, 27 is a temperature control unit, 44 is a switching circuit, 48 is a switch for quick freezing operation, 52 is a switch for thawing operation, 57, 61, and 65 are drive circuits, 69 is a damper drive circuit, and A is a control circuit. Show the device.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A specification switching chamber that receives cold air blown from the cooler by a fan device through a cold air outlet, a cold air amount control device that opens and closes the cold air outlet, and a specification switching chamber that is provided to increase the temperature in the specification switching chamber. The specification switching is performed by controlling the drive of the heater, the auxiliary cooler provided so that stored items can be placed in the specification switching chamber, the cold air amount control device, the auxiliary fan device, the auxiliary cooler, and the heater. 1. A refrigerator comprising a control circuit device that switches the indoor temperature in multiple stages and executes a quick freezing operation and a thawing operation in the specification switching room.