JPS61252469A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

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 freezer and refrigerator compartments.
It has been considered to be able to selectively switch to either a refrigerator compartment specification or a chilled compartment specification in which the temperature is maintained at an intermediate temperature between these specifications. 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. However, 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 the ability to 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.
The cold air lifting control device to be closed is provided with 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 includes a cold air spot control device. A control circuit is provided that switches the temperature in the specification switching chamber into multiple stages by controlling the drive of the device, the auxiliary fan device, the heater, and the auxiliary cooler, and also executes quick freezing operation and thawing operation in the specification switching chamber. It is structured as follows.

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

In FIGS. 2 to 4, reference numeral 1 denotes a refrigerator body, inside which, from the top, there are freezer compartments 2. Specification switching room 3 and refrigerator room 4
are separated by partition walls 5 and 6, respectively. A cooler chamber 8 partitioned 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. Reference numeral 11 denotes a large number of blow-off holes formed in the partition plate 7, through which the inside of the freezer compartment 2 and the upper part of the cooler chamber 8 are communicated with each other. Further, 12 is 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.
2, 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 cooler chamber 8 is connected through this duct 14.
The lower part of the refrigerator compartment 2 and the specification switching compartment 3 are communicated with each other, and the refrigerator compartment 4 and the cooler compartment 8 are also communicated via a duct (not shown). Thus, when the fan device 10 is driven, the cold air in the cooler chamber 8 is transferred to the freezer compartment 2. It is configured so that it can be supplied to the specification switching chamber 3 and the refrigerator compartment 4, respectively. Reference numeral 15 denotes an electromagnetic damper which is a cold air device provided to open and close the cold air outlet 13, and is driven when energized to open the cold air outlet 13, and when the power is cut off. When the drive is stopped, the cold air outlet 13 is closed by the force of a spring (not shown). Reference numeral 16 denotes a partition plate installed at the back of the specification switching room 3 so as to have a predetermined space between it and the electromagnetic damper 15, and this partition plate has a plurality of ventilation holes positioned so as to be offset from the electromagnetic damper 15. 1
6a is formed. 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 when driven, cool air from the cold air outlet 13 is sent through the ventilation hole 16a. 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, and 19 is a heater attached to this auxiliary cooling fJl device 18. 20, 21, and 22 are the freezer door, switching room door, and refrigerator door, respectively. Note that, as is well known, the operation of the cooler 9 and the fan device 10 is controlled according to the temperature inside the refrigerator v2. Further, although not shown, a temperature control damper for adjusting the amount of cold air supplied to the refrigerator compartment 4 is also provided in the duct communicating from the cooler compartment 8 to the inside of the cold faWJ. It is controlled by a bellows-type heat-sensitive device that detects the temperature inside.

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 on the front surface of the switching room door 21, for example, which turns on contacts (da) and 23 (d and a) when the specification switching room 3 is used as a freezing room, and similarly switches the specification switching room 3 into the chilled state. When used as a room or a refrigerator, the contact points (d-b') or the contact points (d-c) are turned on, respectively. Such changeover switch 2
3 is connected as shown in the figure between the positive power terminal Vcc and the ground terminal via resistors 24, 25, and 26, and the fixed contacts a, b, and c are connected depending on the switching state. The logic value “1” is set on any of the lines Lt, L21, and L3.
” signal is output.

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. 28 is a thermistor, for example, as a temperature sensor installed in the specification switching chamber 3 to detect the temperature, and this is a thermistor with a resistor 2 between the positive power terminal +VCC and the earth terminal.
9 are connected in series, and from a common connection point n between the resistor 29 and the resistor 29, a detection signal Sa of a voltage level corresponding to the temperature in the specification switching chamber 3 is output. 30 is a first voltage dividing circuit that outputs a first reference signal Sr for refrigerator compartment specifications, and a resistor 31.30 is connected between the positive power supply terminal +VCC and the ground terminal.
32 and a variable resistor 33 are connected in series, and the first reference signal Sr is outputted from the sliding terminal of the variable resistor 33 as a signal corresponding to the set temperature Tr for the refrigerator compartment specifications.

Reference numeral 34 denotes a comparator circuit provided to receive the detection signal Sa and the first reference signal Sr at an inverting input terminal (-) and a non-inverting input terminal (+), respectively, and this is a comparison circuit that is provided to receive the detection signal Sa and the first reference signal Sr at the inverting input terminal (-) and non-inverting input terminal (+), respectively.
It is configured to output a low level signal when a and Sr have the relationship 3a>3r, and output a high level signal when the relationship Sa≦Sr. Therefore, the inverter 35 provided to receive the output of the comparison circuit 3-4 corresponds to the detection signal Sa.

When the temperature in the specification switching chamber 3 rises above the set temperature Tr for the refrigerator compartment specification corresponding to the first standard A word 3r, a logic value "1" signal is output, and the temperature is lower than the set temperature lr. A logic value rOJ signal is output when the voltage drops to . Note that the comparator circuit 34 is provided with a feedback resistor 36 for providing hysteresis, so that a well-known differential is applied in this type of temperature control when the output of the comparator circuit 34 and the output of the inverter 35 are inverted. There is. In addition, 37 is a second voltage divider circuit that outputs a second reference signal SC for chilled room specifications, and a resistor 38° 39 and a variable resistor 40 are connected in series between the positive power supply terminal CC and the ground terminal. The second reference signal SC is transmitted from the sliding terminal of the variable resistor 40 to the set temperature T for the chilled room specification.
c (Tc<Tr). 4
Reference numeral 1 denotes a comparison circuit provided to receive the detection signal Sa and the second reference signal SC at an inverting input terminal (-) and a non-inverting input terminal (+), respectively.
and SC are configured to output a low level signal when Sa>SC, and to output a high level signal when Sa≦SC. Therefore, the inverter 42 installed to receive the output of the comparison circuit 41 detects that the temperature in the specification switching chamber 3 has risen to exceed the set temperature Tc for the chilled sky corresponding to the second reference signal SC. A logic value "1" signal is sometimes output, and a logic value "0" signal is output when the temperature drops below the opening set temperature TC. Note that the comparison circuit 41 is provided with a feedback resistor 43 for providing hysteresis.
A differential is applied at the time when the output of the inverter 1 and the output of the inverter 42 are inverted. Also, 1st.
Variable resistance 33°4 in the second voltage divider circuit 30.37
An operation knob (not shown) for adjusting the resistance value of 0 is arranged, for example, on the switching chamber door 21 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 includes AND circuits 45, 46, and 44. OR circuit 47 is connected to line L1. It is constructed by connecting to each output terminal of L2, L3 and 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 through a resistor 49 and the other end is connected to the ground terminal; 50 is an output of a common connection point between this switch 48 and the resistor 49; The output of this inverter 50 is inverted to a logic value "1" signal when the quick freezing operation switch 48 is turned on.

51 is a D flip-flop that receives the output of the inverter 50 at its clock terminal CK, and its reset output terminal 0.
is connected to the data input terminal, so that D
The output from the set output terminal Q of the flip 70 knob 51 is a logic value "1" signal and a logic value rOJ signal every time the output of the inverter 50 rises (every time the quick freezing operation switch 4.8 is turned on). 52 is a defrosting operation switch whose one end is connected to the positive power supply terminal Vcc via a resistor 53 and whose 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 GK, and its reset output terminal 0 is connected to the data input terminal.Therefore, the output from the set output terminal Q of the D flip-flop 55 is as follows. , each time the output of the inverter 54 rises (every time the defrosting operation switch 52 is turned on), it is inverted between a logic value "1" signal and a logic value "0" signal. In addition, each of the above D flip-flops 51
．． 55 is reset to a state in which a "0" signal is output from the set output terminal Q when the input to its reset terminal R rises. 56 is a timer circuit that starts a timer operation for a certain period of time when the 1J signal is input to the reset terminal R, and outputs a 1 signal from the output terminal P when the timer operation ends. . 56a is 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 the 1J signal is output from the D flip-flop 51; a relay 59 and a transistor that are energized when the transistor 58 is turned on; 58 and a flywheel diode 60 for protection.In this case, although not shown, when the Jv-59 mentioned above is energized, the compressor for the refrigeration cycle is forcibly driven, and the auxiliary cooler is The solenoid valve for supplying refrigerant to the auxiliary cooler 18 is now driven, and the auxiliary cooler 18 is now in a cooling operation.

61 is a drive circuit for the heater 19, which is a transistor 62.61 that is turned on when a "1" signal is output from the D flip 70 knob 55. The structure includes 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 1
9 is energized. 65 is a drive circuit for the auxiliary fan device 17, which is turned on when a "1" signal is output from the D flip 70 knob 51.55 and when a "1" signal is output to the line L1. The structure includes a transistor 66, a relay 67 that is energized when the transistor 66 is turned on, and a flywheel diode 68 for protecting the transistor 66. When the relay 67 is energized, the auxiliary fan device 17 is
The fan motor 17a of the fan motor 17a is energized.

Further, 69 is a damper drive circuit, which energizes and drives the electromagnetic damper 15 when the "1" signal is input, and cuts off the power to the electromagnetic damper 15 when the rOJ signal is input. The structure is such that the drive is stopped and the drive is stopped. 70 is a power-on reset circuit for resetting the D flip-flops 51 and 55 when the power is turned on. Then, the switching circuit 44 described above.
D flip-flop 51.55. Timer circuit 56° drive circuit 57, 61, 65. The damper drive circuit 69 and the power-on reset circuit 70 include OR circuits 71 to 74 . AND
Connected as shown to circuits 75, 76 and inverters 77, 78.

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, the power-on reset circuit 7
A "1" signal is output from the inverter 78 connected to the D flip-flop 51.
55 is reset. Therefore, in this state, a "0" signal is output from the set output terminal Q of the D flip-flop 51.55, the output of the inverter 77 is inverted to a "1" signal, and the AND circuit 76 is inverted from the switching circuit 44. It exhibits a state in which output is allowed to pass.

(I) When using the specification switching room 3 as a freezing room...
... In this case, the contacts (da) of the changeover switch 23 are turned on. Then, a "1" signal is output to the line L1, and the damper drive circuit 69, which receives this "1" signal via the OR circuit 47 and the AND circuit 76, energizes and drives the electromagnetic damper 15, and also outputs the NJ multiplied signal OR. Since the transistor 66 in the drive circuit 65 received via the circuit 74 turns on and energizes the relay 67, the electromagnetic damper 15 is forced to be in the open state (cold air outlet 13 is open). The auxiliary fan device 17
is now driven. Therefore, when the refrigeration cycle is in operation, cold air flows from the cooler chamber 8 to the specification switching chamber 3.
The cold air is continuously supplied into the interior of the chamber through the cold air outlet 13, and the cold air is supplied to the specification switching chamber 3 by an auxiliary fan unit N17.
At this time, the operation of the refrigeration cycle is controlled according to the temperature in the freezer compartment 2, so as a result, the interior of the specification switching compartment 3 is the same as the freezer compartment 2. As a result, the specification switching chamber 3 comes to function as a freezing chamber.

(I) When using the specification switching chamber 3 as a chilled chamber...
In this case, the contacts (d and b) of the changeover switch 23 are turned on. Then, a "1" signal is output to the 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, the inverter 4
2 outputs a "1" signal and passes through the AND circuit 45, so the "1" signal is sent to the OR circuit 47 and the AN
The damper drive circuit 69 receives the power through the D circuit 76 and energizes the electromagnetic damper 15 to open the cold air outlet 13. Therefore, cold air is supplied from the cold air outlet 13 into the specification switching chamber 3, and the internal temperature thereof is reduced. When the temperature in the specification switching chamber 3 decreases to below the set temperature TC, the output of the inverter 42 is reversed to the rOJ signal, so the damper drive circuit that receives this "0" signal 69, the electromagnetic damper 15 is cut off and the cold air outlet 13 is closed. The above operations are repeated until the cold air outlet 13 is closed by the electromagnetic damper 15.
By controlling the opening/closing state of the specification switching chamber 3, the temperature inside the specification switching chamber 3 is maintained at the set temperature TC for the chilled chamber specification, so that the specification switching chamber 3 functions as a chilled chamber. Become. In this case, the transistor 66 in the drive circuit 65 is not turned on, and the auxiliary fan device 17 remains stopped.

(III) When using the specification switching room 3 as a refrigerator room・
In this case, the contacts (d and c) of the changeover switch 23 are turned on. Then, a "1" signal is output to the 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
However, since a "1" signal is output and passes through the AND circuit 46, the "1" signal is outputted to the OR circuit 47 and the AND circuit 46.
The damper drive circuit 69 receiving the electric power through the circuit 76 energizes the electromagnetic damper 15 to open the cold air outlet 13 . Therefore, cold air is supplied from the cold air outlet 13 into the specification switching chamber 3, and the internal temperature thereof is reduced. In response to such a temperature drop in the specification switching chamber 3, when the temperature drops below the set temperature Tr, the output of the inverter 35 decreases to r.
Since the rOJ signal is inverted, the damper drive circuit 69 receiving the rOJ signal disconnects the electromagnetic damper 15 and closes the cold air outlet 12. 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.

(IV) When performing quick freezing operation in specification switching room 3...
... In this case, the quick freezing operation switch 48 is turned on.

Then, the output of the set output terminal Q of the D-flip 70 knob 51 is inverted to a "1" signal, so the transistor 58 in the drive circuit 57 that receives the "1" signal is turned on to energize the relay 59. Therefore, the refrigeration cycle compressor (not shown) is forcibly driven, and the solenoid valve (not shown) for supplying refrigerant to the auxiliary cooler 18 is driven. Cooling operation of the auxiliary cooler 18 is performed. Also, at this time, the "1" signal from the D flip-flop 51 is output from the OR circuit 71.
74 to the drive circuit 65 to drive the auxiliary fan device 17, and the "1" signal is supplied to the OR circuit 7
1. Since it is applied to the damper drive circuit 69 via the AND circuit 75, the electromagnetic damper 15 is driven and the cold air outlet 1
3 is released. Therefore, the inside of the specification switching chamber 3 is rapidly cooled by both the auxiliary cooler 18 and the cold air from the cold air outlet 13, and the food and other stored items placed on the auxiliary cooler 18 are Rapid freezing operation is performed to quickly freeze the liquid. 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 after that, the When the timer operation ends after a period of time, a "1" signal is output from the output terminal P of the timer circuit 56 and the D flip 70 knob 51 is reset, so that the drive circuit 57, 65 and the damper drive circuit The supply of the "1" signal to 69 is stopped, and the driving of the electromagnetic valve, the auxiliary fan device 17, and the electromagnetic damper 15 is stopped, and the quick freezing operation is ended. Incidentally, 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 changes as follows.
Since the signal is reversed to "0", the quick freezing operation is stopped.

(V) When performing a defrosting operation in the specification switching chamber 3 In this case, the defrosting operation switch 52 is turned on. Then, the output of the set output terminal Q of the D flip 70 knob 55 becomes "1".
Since the signal is inverted, the transistor 62 in the drive circuit 61 that receives the "1" signal turns on and energizes the relay 63, thereby energizing the heater 19.

Also, the "1" signal from the D flip-flop 55 is OR
It is applied to the drive circuit 65 via the circuits 71 and 74 to drive the auxiliary fan device 17, and at this time, "0" is output from the set output terminal Q of the D flip-flop 51.
Since the signal is being output, a “0” signal is given from the AND circuit 75 to the damper drive circuit 69, and the electromagnetic damper 15
is stopped, and the cold air outlet 13 is in a VF6 chained 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.
Thus, a thawing operation is performed in which the frozen products stored in the specification switching chamber 3 are quickly thawed. On the other hand, when the "1" signal is output from the flip 7-day knob 55 as described above, the timer circuit 56 that receives the "1" signal at the reset terminal R starts the timer operation, and after that, the When the timer operation is finished after the elapse of time, a "1" signal is output from the output terminal P of the timer circuit 56, and the signal D
Since the flip-flop 55 is reset, the supply of the "1" signal to the drive circuits 61 and 65 is stopped, and the driving of the heater 19 and the auxiliary fan device 17 is stopped, thereby ending the defrosting operation. Furthermore, when the thawing operation switch P52 is turned on during the thawing operation, the output from the set output terminal Q of the D flip-flop 55 is reversed to a "0" signal in response to the turning on, so the thawing operation is stopped. Ru.

In each case (IV) and (V) above, when the quick freezing operation switch 48 is turned on, the D flip-flop 55 is reset, and the thawing operation switch 5 is turned on.
An interlock circuit is formed in which the D flip-flop 51 is reset when the D flip-flop 51 is turned on.
Thus, the rapid freezing operating state and the thawing operating state are configured so that they do not appear at the same time.

Further, in the above embodiment, the electromagnetic damper 15 is provided as the cold air control device, but the present invention is not limited to this, and dampers or shutters of other configurations may also be adopted.
In short, it is sufficient if there is a function to adjust the amount of cold air supplied from the cold air outlet 13. Furthermore, in the above example,
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 explanation, the specification switching chamber can be selected from various cooling room specifications such as a freezing chamber, a refrigerator compartment, and a chilled chamber, and the specification switching chamber can be used for rapid freezing operation. It can also be used as a room for storage and thawing operations, making it possible to greatly diversify the functions of the specification switching room.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is an electrical configuration diagram, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the whole, FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the main part, and FIG. FIG. In the figure, 1 is the refrigerator body, 2 is the freezer compartment, 3 is the specification switching compartment,
4 is a refrigerator room, 8 is a cooler room, 9 is a cooler, 1o is a fan device, 13 is a cold air outlet, 15 is an electromagnetic damper (cold air amount control device), 17 is an auxiliary fan device, 18 is an auxiliary cooler,
19 is a heater, 23 is a changeover switch, 27 is a temperature control section, 44 is a changeover circuit, 48 is a quick freezing operation switch, 5
2 is a defrosting operation switch, 57, 61, and 65 are drive circuits, 69 is a damper drive circuit, and A is a control circuit device. Applicant: Toshiba Corporation JP (2nd, 3rd, 1PJ4)

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 increases the temperature in the specification switching chamber. A heater according to the specification, an auxiliary cooler provided so that stored items can be placed in the specification switching chamber, and a drive of the cold air amount control device, the auxiliary fan device, the auxiliary cooler, and the heater are controlled so that the specification is changed according to the specifications. 1. A refrigerator comprising a control circuit device that switches the temperature within a switching chamber into a plurality of stages and executes quick freezing operation and thawing operation within the specification switching chamber.