refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator that can prevent freezing (malfunction) of dampers and other components, as well as condensation inside the refrigerator compartment, even when the outside temperature is close to the target temperature of the refrigerator compartment. [Solution] The refrigerator 1 comprises a refrigerator compartment 21, an outside air temperature sensor 101, a control unit 130, a door 21X that opens and closes the opening of the refrigerator compartment 21, and a condensation prevention heater 210 provided in the partition separating the inside and outside of the door 21X. The control unit 130 temporarily activates the heater 210 when the outside air temperature measured by the outside air temperature sensor 101 is below a predetermined threshold.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigerator including a heater disposed on a partition plate of a double-opening door, sensors such as an outside air temperature sensor, and a control device that controls energization of the heater based on the outside air temperature and the like detected by the sensors, and suppresses dew condensation on the partition plate.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a refrigerator, when the outside air temperature is close to the target temperature of the refrigerating chamber (for example, about 0 to 8°C) and there is no need to cool the refrigerating chamber (for example, when the outside air temperature is 16°C or lower), the damper provided in the cold air passage for supplying cold air to the refrigerating chamber may be closed and may not operate for a long time. If the state where the damper is closed continues for a long time, there is a risk that the damper will freeze due to the cold air on the side opposite to the refrigerating chamber of the damper and become unable to open and close. In addition, the period during which no air flow occurs in the refrigerating chamber becomes longer, and dew condensation in the refrigerating chamber is likely to occur.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator capable of preventing freezing (malfunction) of a damper or the like and dew condensation in the refrigerating chamber even when the outside air temperature is close to the target temperature of the refrigerating chamber by controlling a dew condensation prevention heater provided on a door.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A refrigerator according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a refrigerator compartment, an outside air temperature sensor, a control unit, a door for opening and closing the opening of the refrigerator compartment, and a condensation prevention heater provided in a partition separating the inside and outside of the door. The control unit temporarily activates the condensation prevention heater when the ambient temperature measured by the ambient temperature sensor is below a predetermined threshold. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, it is possible to provide a refrigerator that can prevent freezing (malfunction) of dampers and other components, as well as condensation inside the refrigerator compartment, even when the outside air temperature is close to the target temperature of the refrigerator compartment. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing a longitudinal cross-section of the refrigerator according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration relating to the control of a refrigerator in an embodiment. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows an example of control in a refrigerator according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows another example of control in the refrigerator of the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, identical parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same.

[0010] <Overall configuration of the refrigerator> First, the overall configuration of the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

[0011] In this disclosure, “refrigerator” means any appliance that has an internal space (cooling chamber) at a temperature lower than the ambient temperature and is capable of lowering the temperature of its contents. A refrigerator may be, for example, a freezer. A refrigerator may have only one cooling chamber or may have multiple cooling chambers. If a refrigerator has multiple cooling chambers, the multiple cooling chambers may include at least two of the following: a refrigerator, a freezer, a vegetable compartment, a chilled compartment, a partial freezing compartment, etc.

[0012] Refrigerator 1 includes an insulated box 10 as an insulating structure for insulating each storage space from the surroundings. The insulated box 10 includes an insulating layer, an outer box that forms the outer shape of refrigerator 1, an inner box that forms the storage space (inner wall) of refrigerator 1, and an insulating layer placed between the outer box and the inner box. The insulation layer includes foamed insulation and vacuum insulation. Foamed insulation can be made, for example, from foamed polyurethane (rigid urethane foam). Vacuum insulation is a thin sheet or plate-shaped insulation material.

[0013] In this specification, the side on which the doors (refrigerator door 21X, vegetable door 22X, freezer door 23X) are located (the opening side of the insulated box 10) is referred to as the front (or front) of the refrigerator 1. Based on the front and the arrangement of the refrigerator 1 in its normal state, each side of the refrigerator 1 is referred to as the rear, top, bottom, and side. The direction perpendicular to the front and rear is referred to as the front-to-back direction, the direction perpendicular to the top and bottom is referred to as the up-and-down direction, and the direction perpendicular to both sides is referred to as the width direction. The orientation of each component constituting the refrigerator 1 may also be expressed based on this arrangement of the refrigerator 1.

[0014] The storage space formed by the insulated box 10 may be divided by a horizontally extending partition into an upper refrigerator compartment (refrigerator compartment 21), a middle refrigerator compartment (vegetable compartment 22), and a lower freezer compartment 23. In this way, the insulated box 10 has refrigerator compartments (refrigerator compartment 21, vegetable compartment 22, etc.). However, the arrangement of each compartment is not limited to this.

[0015] The refrigerator compartment 21 is provided with a double-opening (butterfly-opening, French door type) refrigerator door 21X that is divided into left and right sections. The vegetable compartment 22 is provided with a drawer-type vegetable compartment door 22X. The freezer compartment 23 is provided with a drawer-type freezer compartment door 23X.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 2, in the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment, a cooling mechanism 129 such as an evaporator 124, a fan 125, and a damper 126 is disposed behind the freezer compartment 23 provided in the lower section. Further, a compressor 121, a condenser (not shown), etc. are disposed in a machine room 120 outside the heat-insulating box body 10, and the evaporator 124, the fan 125, etc. are disposed in a cooling chamber 128 located behind the inside of the heat-insulating box body 10.

[0017] The refrigerator 1 includes a control unit 130 (see FIG. 3) described later. The control unit 130 controls each unit of the refrigerator 1 such as the cooling mechanism 129. That is, when the control unit 130 drives the compressor 121, the operation of the refrigeration cycle is started, and the refrigerant circulates within the cycle. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 121 is condensed while releasing heat in the condenser. Subsequently, the high-temperature refrigerant expands in the expansion valve to become low-temperature and is sent to the evaporator 124. The refrigerant flowing into the evaporator 124 becomes low-temperature by adiabatic expansion, exchanges heat with the air flowing through the cooling chamber 128, evaporates while absorbing heat, becomes a gaseous refrigerant, and is sent to the compressor 121. In this way, by circulating the refrigerant and operating the refrigeration cycle, cold air that has exchanged heat with the evaporator 124 is generated.

[0018] As described above, the evaporator 124 is disposed in the cooling chamber 128 provided on the rear side of the refrigerator 1. The cooling chamber 128 is disposed between each storage space and the rear surface of the heat insulation box 10. In the cooling chamber 128, in addition to the evaporator 124, a fan 125 is provided. The fan 125 is provided to circulate air between the cooling chamber 128 and each storage space. That is, during operation of the refrigeration cycle or the like, the fan 125 sends the cold air generated by the evaporator 124 to each storage space via a cold air passage 127 such as a cold air duct or an outlet, and returns the cold air supplied to each storage chamber to the cooling chamber 128.

[0019] In the present embodiment, a damper 126 is provided between the fan 125 and the outlets to the refrigerating chamber 21 and the vegetable chamber 22. In accordance with an instruction from the control unit 130, when cold air is to be sent to the refrigerating chamber 21 or the vegetable chamber 22 (when it is necessary to cool the refrigerating chamber 21 or the vegetable chamber 22), the damper 126 is opened. On the other hand, when cold air is not sent to the refrigerating chamber 21 or the vegetable chamber 22 (when it is not necessary to cool the refrigerating chamber 21 or the vegetable chamber 22), that is, when cold air is sent only to the freezing chamber 23, the damper 126 is closed in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 130.

[0020] When the refrigerator 1 includes a refrigerating chamber (the refrigerating chamber 21 or the vegetable chamber 22) and a freezing chamber 23, the damper 126 may be provided, for example, at a cold air connection portion between the refrigerating chamber (the refrigerating chamber 21 or the vegetable chamber 22) and the freezing chamber 23 (see FIG. 2). In this case, particularly, since the damper 126 is likely to freeze when it does not operate for a long time due to the cold air on the freezing chamber 23 side opposite to the refrigerating chamber of the damper 126, it is useful to perform control by the refrigerator of the present disclosure.

[0021] Basically, the fan 125 operates in synchronization with the compressor 121. The air volume of the fan 125 may be changed according to the opening and closing of the damper 126 and the state of each storage chamber.

[0022] <Configuration related to control of refrigerator> Next, the configuration of the refrigerator control system of the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 3.

[0023] The refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment includes a refrigerator compartment 21, an outside air temperature sensor 101, a control unit 130, and a heater 210.

[0024] (Outside air temperature sensor) The outside air temperature sensor 101 is a sensor capable of measuring the temperature of the outside air (the air outside the refrigerator 1). The sensor may be composed of a thermistor or the like.

[0025] In the refrigerator 1 shown in Figure 1, the outside air temperature sensor 101 is located on the top surface of the insulated casing 10 of the refrigerator 1. The top surface of the insulated casing 10 is suitable for measuring the outside air temperature because heat generated from the refrigerator 1 is less likely to accumulate on the top surface of the insulated casing 10 due to other installed objects. However, the installation position of the outside air temperature sensor 101 is not particularly limited as long as it is a position where the outside air temperature can be measured.

[0026] (heater) The heater 210 is a condensation prevention heater installed in the partition that separates the inside and outside of the door (refrigerator door 21X) that opens and closes the opening of the refrigerator compartment 21. In Figure 1, the heater 210 is a condensation prevention heater provided on the open end of the double-opening refrigerator compartment door 21X (the side surfaces that face each other when the left and right refrigerator compartment doors 21X are closed). The condensation prevention heater may also be provided on a partition plate provided on at least one of the left and right refrigerator compartment doors 21X, or, in configurations without a partition plate, it may be provided on or near a gasket (partition) on the side surfaces that face each other when the left and right refrigerator compartment doors 21X are closed. However, the placement of the heater is not limited to this; for example, in the case of a single-opening or drawer-type door, the heater may be installed on the opening side of the refrigerator compartment 21.

[0027] Existing heaters installed in refrigerators for other purposes, such as the heater 210 (condensation prevention heater) shown in Figure 1, can be used as heaters to solve the problems of this disclosure. In this case, freezing (malfunction) of dampers 126, etc., and condensation inside the refrigerator can be prevented when the outside temperature is low, without adding a separate dedicated heater. In addition, a new heater may be provided to solve the problems described in this disclosure, separate from the existing heater.

[0028] (Control Unit) Referring to Figure 4, the control unit 130 temporarily activates the heater 210 (steps S3 to S5) when the ambient temperature measured by the ambient temperature sensor 101 is below a predetermined threshold and the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 21 is below the target temperature (step S2).

[0029] The threshold value mentioned above is not particularly limited, but it should be set based on experience or experimentation to a temperature at which freezing of dampers or condensation inside the refrigerator compartment may occur. The threshold value is, for example, a predetermined temperature higher than the target temperature of the refrigerator compartment (for example, a predetermined temperature within the range of 0 to 8°C), specifically, for example, 16°C.

[0030] "Temporarily activating the heater 210" means activating the heater 210 (step S3), then stopping the heater 210 after a predetermined time (T2) has elapsed (step S4) (step S5), as shown in Figure 4.

[0031] By temporarily activating the heater 210, the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 21 rises, so the control unit 130 opens the damper 126 so that cold air is sent into the refrigerator compartment 21 to cool it down. This prevents freezing (malfunction) of dampers and other components, as well as condensation inside the refrigerator compartment, even when the outside temperature is within or below the target temperature for the refrigerator compartment.

[0032] Furthermore, in order to prevent the damper from freezing, it is conceivable to control the system to simply temporarily open the damper 126 when the outside air temperature is close to the target temperature of the refrigerator compartment 21 (a state where the refrigerator compartment 21 does not need to be cooled) for a long period of time. However, simply opening the damper 126 would cause the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 21 to drop below the target temperature. Therefore, by deliberately activating the heater 210 temporarily to slightly raise the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 21, and then opening the damper 126, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 21 from dropping below the target temperature, thereby preventing freezing (malfunction) of the damper and other components, as well as condensation inside the refrigerator compartment. While the heater 210 is operating, the damper 126 may be opened continuously or intermittently. Opening the damper 126 introduces cold air into the refrigerator compartment 21, but because the heater 210 is operating, the cold air introduced into the refrigerator compartment 21 is warmed, suppressing a drop in the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 21. In particular, in this embodiment, since the condensation prevention heater installed near the opening of the refrigerator compartment 21 is operated, it is away from the contents of the refrigerator compartment 21, thus preventing the contents of the refrigerator compartment 21 from being directly heated by the heater 210. Also, generally, the space between the opening of the refrigerator compartment 21 and the refrigerator compartment door 21X is considered a passage for cold air running vertically, so a cold air passage is secured for the cold air warmed by the heater 210 to return to the cooling compartment 128, making it less likely for the heat from the heater 210 to accumulate in a part of the refrigerator compartment 21. Therefore, temperature unevenness and condensation in specific locations within the refrigerator compartment 21 can be effectively suppressed.

[0033] As shown in Figure 4, the control unit 130 may temporarily activate the heater 210 at predetermined intervals (T1) (step S1) if the ambient temperature is below a threshold (step S2) (steps S3 to S5).

[0034] Furthermore, if the refrigerator 1 is equipped with a damper 126 located in the cold air passage 127 leading to the refrigerator compartment 21, the control unit 130 may temporarily activate the heater 210 (steps S3 to S5) after a predetermined time (T1) has elapsed since the command to close the damper 126 was issued (step S1), if the outside air temperature is below a threshold (step S2).

[0035] The operating conditions of the heater 210, such as the operating time (predetermined time T2 in step 4), operating frequency (predetermined time T1 in step S1), and energization rate (heating intensity), may be constant or may be changed according to parameters such as ambient temperature.

[0036] For example, the lower the ambient temperature measured in step S2, the shorter the predetermined period (T1) may be set. Alternatively, the lower the ambient temperature measured in step S2, the longer the predetermined period (T2) may be set.

[0037] Furthermore, the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment may also include a refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 211 attached to the inner surface (inner wall) of the insulated box 10 (inner box). In this case, the operating conditions of the heater 210, such as the operating time, operating frequency, and energization rate (heating intensity), may be changed according to the temperature inside the refrigerator. Alternatively, without setting a predetermined temperature (T2), for example, as shown in Figure 5, if the temperature inside the refrigerator compartment 21 measured by the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 211 exceeds the target temperature of the refrigerator compartment 21 after the heater has been activated (step S3) (or if it reaches a temperature predetermined to be higher than the target temperature) (step S4'), the damper 126 may be considered to have been opened and the heater 210 may be stopped (step S5).

[0038] If the refrigerator 1 is equipped with a sensor (door sensor 212) capable of detecting the opening and closing of the refrigerator compartment door 21X, the operating conditions of the heater 210 may be changed according to the number of times the door is opened and closed before and after the start of operation of the heater 210. For example, the more frequently the refrigerator door 21X is opened and closed, the more frequently the heater 210 may be operated (shorter the predetermined period (T1)). Alternatively, for example, the heater 210 may be configured to start operating when the refrigerator door 21X is closed after it has been open for a predetermined period of time or longer.

[0039] Furthermore, if the refrigerator 1 is equipped with a sensor (outside humidity sensor 102) capable of measuring the humidity of the outside air, the operating conditions of the heater may be changed according to the outside humidity. For example, the higher the outside humidity, the more frequently the heater 210 may be operated (the predetermined period (T1) may be shortened).

[0040] Next, with reference to Figure 3, one embodiment of the configuration for controlling the refrigerator 1 will be described.

[0041] The control unit 130 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 131, memory 132, timers, various interfaces, and various circuits. The CPU 131 executes the programs stored in memory 132, thereby performing various processes described later. Memory 132 is implemented using various RAMs and ROMs, and stores programs executed by the CPU 131, data generated by the execution of programs by the CPU 131, data input via the operation unit 140, data received from servers via routers and the internet, temperature data for outside air, the refrigerator compartment 21, the vegetable compartment 22, the freezer compartment 23, etc., heater control history data, and various other data necessary for control according to this embodiment.

[0042] The operation unit 140 is implemented by buttons and / or a touch panel, and receives commands from the user and inputs those commands to the control unit 130. The display 145 outputs characters, images, etc., based on signals from the control unit 130. The display 145 may simply be an LED light or the like. For example, the display 145 and the operating unit 140 constitute a touch panel 149.

[0043] The communication interface 160 is implemented by an antenna for wireless communication and a connector for wired communication. The control unit 130 uses the communication interface 160 to exchange various data with other devices such as servers and communication terminals via routers or the internet. For example, the control unit 130 sends operation details, environmental information, voice data, and power saving mode execution history to the server via the communication interface 160, and receives operation commands and voice data from the server.

[0044] The speaker 170 outputs voice messages, warning sounds, etc., based on voice data from the control unit 130. In this embodiment, the control unit 130 outputs voice received from the server via the communication interface 160 and voice stored in the memory 132 from the speaker 170.

[0045] The cooling mechanism 129 mainly includes a compressor 121, a condenser, a capillary tube, an evaporator 124, a fan 125, a damper 126, and the like. The compressor 121 and fan 125 change their ON / OFF state and rotation speed according to instructions from the control unit 130. As described above, the damper 126 opens and closes in accordance with instructions from the control unit 130.

[0046] The outside air temperature sensor 101 measures the temperature of the outside air and inputs the measurement result to the control unit 130. The outside air humidity sensor 102 measures the humidity of the outside air and inputs the measurement result to the control unit 130. The refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 211 measures the temperature inside the refrigerator compartment and inputs the measurement result to the control unit 130.

[0047] The door sensor 212 detects whether the refrigerator door 21X is open or closed and inputs the detection result to the control unit 130. The interior light 213 turns on and off based on a signal from the control unit 130. Specifically, the control unit 130 issues a control instruction based on a signal from the door sensor 212, such that the interior light 213 turns on when the refrigerator door 21X is open and turns off when the refrigerator door 21X is closed.

[0048] The heater 210 operates or stops based on signals from the control unit 130. Specifically, the control unit 130 controls the operation of the heater 210 (ON / OFF control, etc.) as described above, based on signals (measurement results, etc.) received from the outside air temperature sensor 101 and other sensors (outside air humidity sensor 102, refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 211, door sensor 212, etc.). For example, similar to the above, the control unit 130 may temporarily activate the heater 210 at predetermined intervals (T1) (step S1) if the ambient temperature is below a threshold (step S2) (steps S3 to S5).

[0049] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of this disclosure is indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims are intended to be included. Configurations obtained by combining the configurations of the different embodiments described herein are also included in the scope of this disclosure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0050] 1: Refrigerator 10: Insulated box 101: Outdoor temperature sensor 102: Outdoor humidity sensor 120: Machine room 121: Compressor 122: Condenser 123: Capillary tube 124: Evaporator 125: Fan 126: Damper 127: Cold air passage 128: Cooling room 129: Cooling mechanism 130: Control Unit 131:CPU 132: Memory 140:Operation unit 145: Display 149: Touch panel 160: Communication Interface 170: Speaker 21: Refrigerator 21X: Refrigerator door 210: Heater 211: Refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 212: Door Sensor 213: Interior light 22: Vegetable compartment 22X: Vegetable compartment door 23: Freezer 23X: Freezer door

Claims

1. It comprises a refrigerator compartment, an outside air temperature sensor, a control unit, a door for opening and closing the opening of the refrigerator compartment, and a condensation prevention heater provided in the partition separating the inside and outside of the door. The control unit temporarily activates the condensation prevention heater when the ambient temperature measured by the ambient temperature sensor is below a predetermined threshold, in a refrigerator.

2. The refrigerator is equipped with a damper located in the cold air passage leading to the refrigerator compartment. The control unit, The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the damper is opened while the condensation prevention heater is in operation.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein if the outside air temperature is below the threshold after a predetermined time has elapsed since the command to close the damper was issued, the condensation prevention heater is temporarily activated.

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