Refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator capable of improving the performance of a cooling function.SOLUTION: The refrigerator in this embodiment includes a first storage chamber, a second storage chamber, a first cooler for cooling the first storage chamber, a second cooler for cooling the second storage chamber, a compressor, a three-way valve capable of carrying refrigerant from the compressor to one of the first cooler and the second cooler, and a control part for controlling the three-way valve to cool the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber alternately in a normal mode, and for, when there is a command for change over from the normal mode to a special mode to suppress a temperature change of the second storage chamber, if the first storage chamber is being cooled, carrying the refrigerant to the second cooler and performing control to cool it while making the flow amount of the refrigerant in the second cooler lower than in the normal mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a refrigerator. [Background technology]

[0002] A refrigerator including a cold air passage that supplies cold air to a plurality of storage units and a blower provided in the cold air passage is known. However, further improvement in the cooling function of the refrigerator is expected. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-134908 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator capable of improving the performance of a cooling function. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A refrigerator according to an embodiment includes a first storage compartment, a second storage compartment, a first cooler, a second cooler, a compressor, a three-way valve, and a control unit. The first cooler cools the first storage compartment. The second cooler cools the second storage compartment. The three-way valve is capable of flowing refrigerant from the compressor to either the first cooler or the second cooler. The control unit controls the three-way valve to alternately cool the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment in a normal mode, and when a command is issued to switch from the normal mode to a special mode that suppresses a temperature change in the second storage compartment and the first storage compartment is being cooled, controls to flow refrigerant to the second cooler and to cool the second cooler at a flow rate lower than that in the normal mode. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the refrigerator according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1 taken along line F2-F2. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a refrigeration cycle device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the inside of the refrigerator according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a cold air passage portion for refrigeration and its surroundings according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a part of a functional configuration of the refrigerator according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of changes in temperature inside a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment in a normal mode according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of changes in temperature inside the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment in a special mode of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for components having the same or similar functions. The duplicated description of the components may be omitted. In this application, "based on XX" means "based on at least XX" and may include a case where the component is based on another element in addition to XX. Furthermore, "based on XX" is not limited to a case where XX is directly used, but may include a case where the component is based on a calculation or processing performed on XX. In this application, "XX or YY" is not limited to a case where either XX or YY is used, but may include a case where both XX and YY are used. This also applies to a case where there are three or more selective elements. "XX" and "YY" are any element (for example, any information). In this application, "rotation speed" means the number of rotations per unit time (i.e., rotation speed).

[0008] <Embodiment> (Overall configuration of refrigerator) Fig. 1 is a front view showing a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment. The refrigerator 1 includes a housing 10 and a plurality of doors 20, for example, as shown in Fig. 1.

[0009] The housing 10 has an upper wall 10a, a lower wall 10b, left and right side walls 10c and 10d, and a rear wall 10e (see FIG. 2). The upper wall 10a and the lower wall 10b extend in the horizontal direction. The left and right side walls 10c and 10d rise upward from the left and right ends of the lower wall 10b and connect to the left and right ends of the upper wall 10a. The rear wall 10e rises upward from the rear end of the lower wall 10b and connects to the rear end of the upper wall 10a. The housing 10 includes an inner box 10i that forms the inner surface of the housing 10, an outer box 10j that is located outside the inner box 10i and forms the outer surface of the housing 10, and a foam insulation material 10k such as foamed urethane that is provided between the inner box 10i and the outer box 10j (see FIG. 2), and has thermal insulation properties.

[0010] A plurality of storage compartments 11 are provided inside the housing 10. The plurality of storage compartments 11 include, for example, a refrigerator compartment 11A, a chilled compartment 11Aa, a vegetable compartment 11B, an ice-making compartment 11C, a small freezer compartment 11D, and a main freezer compartment 11E. In this embodiment, the refrigerator compartment 11A is arranged at the top, the vegetable compartment 11B is arranged below the refrigerator compartment 11A, the ice-making compartment 11C and the small freezer compartment 11D are arranged below the vegetable compartment 11B, and the main freezer compartment 11E is arranged below the ice-making compartment 11C and the small freezer compartment 11D. However, the arrangement of the storage compartments 11 is not limited to the above example. The housing 10 has an opening on the front of each storage compartment 11 that allows food to be put in and taken out.

[0011] The chilled compartment 11Aa is disposed below at least a part of the refrigerator compartment 11A. In this embodiment, the chilled compartment 11Aa is disposed below a part of the refrigerator compartment 11A. The chilled compartment 11Aa is at least partially partitioned from the refrigerator compartment 11A by a shelf, a wall, or the like. The chilled compartment 11Aa is cooled to a lower temperature than the refrigerator compartment 11A because it is located below the refrigerator compartment 11A and cold air can easily flow in thereto, and because it is located closer to a refrigeration cooler 62 (described later) than the refrigerator compartment 11A. The refrigerator 1 may be equipped with a partial compartment that can be cooled to a partial temperature zone (approximately -4°C to -2°C) and a temperature switchable compartment that can switch the set temperature zone between the refrigerator temperature zone and the freezer temperature zone.

[0012] The housing 10 has first and second partitions 15, 16 (see FIG. 2). The first and second partitions 15, 16 are, for example, partition walls that are approximately horizontal. The first partition 15 is located between the refrigerator compartment 11A and the chilled compartment 11Aa and the vegetable compartment 11B, and separates the refrigerator compartment 11A and the chilled compartment 11Aa from the vegetable compartment 11B. The second partition 16 is located between the vegetable compartment 11B and the ice making compartment 11C and the small freezer compartment 11D, and separates the vegetable compartment 11B from the ice making compartment 11C and the small freezer compartment 11D.

[0013] The multiple storage compartments 11 are closed so as to be openable and closable by multiple doors 20. The multiple doors 20 include, for example, left and right refrigerator compartment doors 20Aa, 20Ab that close the opening of refrigerator compartment 11A, vegetable compartment door 20B that closes the opening of vegetable compartment 11B, ice making compartment door 20C that closes the opening of ice making compartment 11C, small freezer compartment door 20D that closes the opening of small freezer compartment 11D, and main freezer compartment door 20E that closes the opening of main freezer compartment 11E.

[0014] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F2-F2 of refrigerator 1 shown in Fig. 1. Refrigerator 1 includes, for example, a plurality of shelves 30, a plurality of containers 40, a cold air passage section 50, a cooling section 60, and a control device 70, as shown in Fig. 2.

[0015] The shelves 30 are arranged at different heights in the refrigerator compartment 11A. The containers 40 include first and second chilled compartment containers 41, 42 housed in the chilled compartment 11Aa, first and second vegetable compartment containers 43, 44 housed in the vegetable compartment 11B, an ice compartment container (not shown) housed in the ice compartment 11C, a small freezer container 46 housed in the small freezer compartment 11D, and first and second main freezer containers 47, 48 housed in the main freezer compartment 11E.

[0016] The first chilled compartment container 41 is the lower container of the two-tiered chilled compartment containers 41, 42. The second chilled compartment container 42 is the upper container of the two-tiered chilled compartment containers 41, 42. The second chilled compartment container 42 is located above the first chilled compartment container 41. The first and second chilled compartment containers 41, 42 can each be pulled out independently forward. It is noted that only one chilled compartment container may be placed in the chilled compartment 11Aa.

[0017] The cold air passage section 50 includes a cold air passage section 51 for refrigeration and a cold air passage section 52 for freezing. The cold air passage section 51 for refrigeration is provided in the housing 10 and extends vertically along the rear wall 10e. The cold air passage section 51 for refrigeration forms a space D1, which is a passage through which cold air (air) flows, near the rear wall 10e of the housing 10. For example, the cold air passage section 51 for refrigeration is a cover attached to the rear wall 10e of the housing 10 and forms the space D1 between itself and the rear wall 10e of the housing 10.

[0018] The cold air passage 51 for refrigeration has a plurality of first cold air outlets 51a, a plurality of second cold air outlets 51b (see FIG. 4), a first cold air return port 51c, and a second cold air return port 51d. The first cold air outlets 51a open to the refrigerator compartment 11A and supply cold air cooled by a refrigeration cooler 62 described later to the refrigerator compartment 11A. Each of the first cold air outlets 51a is disposed at a height between two shelves 30 adjacent vertically. The second cold air outlets 51b open to the chilled compartment 11Aa and supply cold air cooled by a refrigeration cooler 62 described later to the chilled compartment 11Aa. The first cold air return port 51c opens to the bottom surface of the chilled compartment 11Aa and guides the cold air that has been warmed by passing through the chilled compartment 11Aa toward the space D1. The second cool air return port 51d opens into the vegetable compartment 11B, and guides the cool air that has been warmed by passing through the refrigerator compartment 11A and the vegetable compartment 11B to the space D1.

[0019] The freezing cold air passage section 52 is provided in the housing 10 and extends vertically along the rear wall 10e. The freezing cold air passage section 52 forms a space D2, which is a passage through which cold air (air) flows, near the rear wall 10e of the housing 10. The freezing cold air passage section 52 has a cold air outlet 52a and a cold air return port 52b. The cold air outlet 52a opens into the ice making chamber 11C, the small freezing chamber 11D, or the main freezing chamber 11E, and supplies cold air cooled by a freezing cooler 64 described later to the ice making chamber 11C, the small freezing chamber 11D, or the main freezing chamber 11E. The cold air return port 52b opens into the lower part of the main freezing chamber 11E, and guides the cold air warmed by passing through one or more of the ice making chamber 11C, the small freezing chamber 11D, and the main freezing chamber 11E to the space D2.

[0020] The cooling unit 60 includes, for example, a compressor 61, a refrigeration cooler 62 (an example of a first cooler), a refrigeration blower 63, a freezing cooler 64 (an example of a second cooler), and a freezing blower 65. The refrigeration cooler 62 and the refrigeration blower 63 are arranged in the space D1. The refrigeration cooler 62 is supplied with a refrigerant compressed by the compressor 61 and cools the cold air flowing through the space D1. When the refrigeration blower 63 is driven, the cold air cooled by the refrigeration cooler 62 is supplied from the first cold air outlet 51a and the second cold air outlet 51b to the refrigerator compartment 11A and the chilled compartment 11Aa, respectively. A part of the cold air that has passed through the refrigerator compartment 11A or the chilled compartment 11Aa flows into the vegetable compartment 11B. Then, the cold air that has been heated in one or more of the refrigerator compartment 11A, the chilled compartment 11Aa, and the vegetable compartment 11B returns to the space D1 through the cold air return port 51c or the cold air return port 51d.

[0021] Refrigeration cooler 64 and refrigeration blower 65 are disposed in space D2. Refrigeration cooler 64 is supplied with refrigerant compressed by compressor 61 and cools the cold air flowing through space D2. When refrigeration blower 65 is driven, the cold air cooled by refrigeration cooler 64 is supplied from cold air outlet 52a to the freezer compartments (ice-making compartment 11C, small freezer compartment 11D, main freezer compartment 11E), and the air warmed in the freezer compartments returns to space D2 from cold air return port 52b.

[0022] The control device 70 has a circuit board and electronic components mounted on the circuit board. The control device 70 includes a control unit 100 (see FIG. 6) described later. The control unit 100 comprehensively controls the entire refrigerator 1. For example, the control unit 100 controls the operations of the above-mentioned three-way valve 83, the compressor 61, the refrigeration blower 63, the freezing blower 65, and the like. The details of the control unit 100 will be described later.

[0023] (Refrigeration cycle equipment) Next, the cooling section 60 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a refrigeration cycle device 80 according to an embodiment. The cooling section 60 has a refrigeration cycle device 80 including the above-mentioned compressor 61, the refrigeration cooler 62, and the refrigeration cooler 64. In the refrigeration cycle device 80, the compressor 61, the condenser 81, the dryer 82, the three-way valve 83, the refrigeration capillary tube 84, the refrigeration capillary tube 85, the refrigeration cooler 62, and the refrigeration cooler 64 are connected in a ring shape in the order of the flow of the refrigerant. The condenser 81 and the dryer 82 are connected in this order to the high-pressure discharge port of the compressor 61 via a connection pipe 86. The three-way valve 83 is connected to the discharge side of the dryer 82.

[0024] The three-way valve 83 has one inlet to which the dryer 82 is connected and two outlets. The refrigeration capillary tube 84 and the refrigeration cooler 62 are connected in sequence to one of the two outlets of the three-way valve 83. The refrigeration cooler 62 is connected to the compressor 61 via a refrigeration suction pipe 87, which is a connecting pipe. The freezing capillary tube 85 and the refrigeration cooler 64 are connected in sequence to the other of the two outlets of the three-way valve 83. The refrigeration cooler 64 is connected to the compressor 61 via a refrigeration suction pipe 88, which is a connecting pipe. A check valve 89 is provided between the refrigeration cooler 64 and the compressor 61 to prevent the refrigerant from the refrigeration cooler 62 from flowing back to the refrigeration cooler 64 side. Under the control of the control unit 100, the three-way valve 83 can allow the refrigerant to flow from one inlet to one of two outlets, or can allow the refrigerant to flow from one inlet to both outlets simultaneously.

[0025] Next, the flow of the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle device 80 will be described. First, the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle device 80 is compressed by the compressor 61 to become a high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant, and flows through the flow path A. This gaseous refrigerant is dissipated heat by the condenser 81 to become a medium-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant. After that, the liquid refrigerant, from which impurities such as dirt and moisture have been removed by passing through the dryer 82, enters only the refrigeration capillary tube 84, only the refrigeration capillary tube 85, or both the refrigeration capillary tube 84 and the refrigeration capillary tube 85 while being throttled and controlled by the three-way valve 83.

[0026] When the liquid refrigerant enters the refrigeration capillary tube 84, the medium-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant in the refrigeration capillary tube 84 is depressurized while exchanging heat with the refrigerant in the refrigeration suction pipe 87. The depressurized refrigerant evaporates while passing through the refrigeration cooler 62, thereby cooling the refrigeration cooler 62. When the liquid refrigerant enters the freezing capillary tube 85, the medium-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant in the freezing capillary tube 85 is depressurized while exchanging heat with the refrigerant in the freezing suction pipe 88. The depressurized refrigerant evaporates while passing through the refrigeration cooler 64, thereby cooling the refrigeration cooler 64.

[0027] After that, the refrigerant that has cooled the refrigeration cooler 62 and has become a gaseous refrigeration cooler 62 at low temperature and low pressure flows into the refrigeration suction pipe 87. The temperature of the refrigerant gas immediately after flowing into the refrigeration suction pipe 87 is low (for example, around -10°C). This refrigerant gas exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the refrigeration capillary tube 84 while passing through the refrigeration suction pipe 87, and is finally heated to about room temperature. Then, this refrigerant gas is sucked into the compressor 61 again, and the circulation of the refrigerant that has cooled the refrigeration cooler 62 is completed. In addition, the refrigerant that has cooled the refrigeration cooler 64 and has become a gaseous refrigerant at low temperature and low pressure flows into the refrigeration suction pipe 88. The temperature of the refrigerant gas immediately after flowing into the refrigeration suction pipe 88 is low (for example, around -30°C). This refrigerant gas exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the refrigeration capillary tube 85 while passing through the refrigeration suction pipe 88, and is finally heated to about room temperature. Then, this refrigerant gas is sucked back into the compressor 61, completing the circulation of the refrigerant that has cooled the refrigeration cooler 64.

[0028] In the above-mentioned refrigeration cycle apparatus 80, the three-way valve 83 is controlled by the control unit 100 described later to select one or both of the flow path B and the flow path C. The flow path B is a flow path that supplies the refrigerant to the refrigeration cooler 62. The flow path C is a flow path that supplies the refrigerant to the refrigeration cooler 64. These two flow paths B and C join at a joining point D. The refrigerant flows from the joining point D in the direction of the arrow E and returns to the compressor 61.

[0029] 4 is a front view showing the inside of the refrigerator 1 of the embodiment. As described above, the refrigerating cold air passage section 51 has a plurality of first cold air outlets 51a and a plurality of second cold air outlets 51b. The plurality of first cold air outlets 51a open to the refrigerator compartment 11A. The plurality of second cold air outlets 51b open to the chilled compartment 11Aa.

[0030] 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the refrigeration cold air passage section 51 and its surroundings in the embodiment. The refrigeration blower 63 is disposed in the refrigeration cold air passage section 51. The refrigeration blower 63 is, for example, an axial flow fan, and includes an impeller 63a that can rotate around an axis A, and a support structure 63b that supports the impeller 63a. The refrigeration blower 63 is disposed below the second cold air outlet 51b. The refrigeration blower 63 can send out the cold air in the space D1 cooled by the refrigeration cooler 62 upward.

[0031] (Control-related functional configuration) Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing a part of the functional configuration of the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment. The control device 70 includes a control unit 100 configured with a computer having a microcomputer, a timer, and the like. The control unit 100 controls the entire refrigerator 1. Details of the control performed by the control unit 100 will be described later. As shown in Fig. 6, in addition to the above-mentioned refrigeration blower 63, freezer blower 65, compressor 61, and three-way valve 83, for example, a refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 111, a chilled compartment temperature sensor 112, a freezer compartment temperature sensor 113, an external temperature sensor 114, an operation panel unit 115, and a memory unit 116 are connected to the control unit 100.

[0032] The refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 111 is provided in the refrigerator compartment 11A and detects the air temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11A (hereinafter, may be referred to as the "refrigerator compartment temperature"). The chilled compartment temperature sensor 112 is provided in the chilled compartment 11Aa and detects the air temperature in the chilled compartment 11Aa (hereinafter, may be referred to as the "chilled compartment temperature").

[0033] The freezer temperature sensor 113 is provided in, for example, the main freezer 11E and detects the air temperature in the main freezer 11E (hereinafter, may be referred to as the "freezer temperature"). The external temperature sensor 114 detects the environmental temperature outside the housing 10 (for example, the room temperature where the refrigerator 1 is installed).

[0034] The operation panel unit 115 accepts user operations to instruct switching of the set temperature zone and control mode of each storage compartment 11. The memory unit 116 stores information necessary for operating the refrigerator 1. The memory unit 116 stores, for example, mode settings and upper and lower limit values ​​of the set temperature zone, which will be described later.

[0035] (Processing performed by refrigerator 1) Next, the process performed by the refrigerator 1 will be described. The control unit 100 controls "refrigeration operation" and "freezing operation" as the process performed by the refrigerator 1. "Refrigeration operation" refers to an operation in which the three-way valve 83 is switched to supply refrigerant from the compressor 61 to the refrigeration cooler 62, thereby cooling the refrigerator compartment 11A. Also, "freezing operation" refers to an operation in which the three-way valve 83 is switched to supply refrigerant from the compressor 61 to the refrigeration cooler 64, thereby cooling the main freezing compartment 11E.

[0036] The control unit 100, for example, switches between a normal mode and a special mode described later, and controls refrigeration operation and freezing operation, so that the temperatures in the storage chambers 11 (refrigeration chamber 11A, chilled chamber 11Aa, vegetable chamber 11B) in the refrigeration temperature zone and the chilled temperature zone, and the temperatures in the storage chambers 11 (ice-making chamber 11C, small freezer chamber 11D, main freezer chamber 11E) in the freezing temperature zone are kept in their respective set temperature zones, and the cooling efficiency is improved. The storage chambers 11 (refrigeration chamber 11A, chilled chamber 11Aa, vegetable chamber 11B) in the refrigeration temperature zone and the chilled temperature zone are an example of the "first storage chamber". The storage chambers 11 (ice-making chamber 11C, small freezer chamber 11D, main freezer chamber 11E) in the freezing temperature zone are an example of the "second storage chamber". Hereinafter, the "refrigeration temperature zone" and the "chilled temperature zone" may be collectively referred to as the "refrigeration temperature zone". Moreover, the storage compartment 11 in the refrigerating temperature range and the storage compartment 11 in the chilled temperature range may be referred to as a refrigerating compartment 11a, and the storage compartment 11 in the freezing temperature range may be referred to as a freezing compartment 11b.

[0037] (Normal mode) Here, the normal mode and the special mode will be described. First, the normal mode will be described. The normal mode is a mode in which the refrigerator compartment 11a (an example of a first storage compartment) and the freezer compartment 11b (an example of a second storage compartment) are alternately cooled. In the normal mode, the control unit 100 controls the refrigerator compartment 11a and the freezer compartment 11b to be alternately cooled. In addition, the operation panel unit 115 sets the selected mode in response to an operation performed by the user on the operation panel unit 115 to select the normal mode or the special mode, and generates a command indicating the selected mode to make the control unit 100 recognize the mode. Then, the operation panel unit 115 transmits the generated command to the control unit 100. The control unit 100 can recognize the switching between the normal mode and the special mode (i.e., whether the set mode is the normal mode or the special mode) by this command.

[0038] Specifically, when cooling the refrigerator compartment 11a, the control unit 100 controls the three-way valve 83 so that the refrigerant flows from the inlet of the three-way valve 83 to the outlet connected to the refrigerator cooler 62 via the refrigerator capillary tube 84, and does not flow to the outlet connected to the refrigerator cooler 64 via the freezing capillary tube 85. This control by the control unit 100 cools the refrigerator compartment 11a, and does not cool the freezer compartment 11b. Also, when cooling the freezer compartment 11b, the control unit 100 controls the three-way valve 83 so that the refrigerant flows from the inlet of the three-way valve 83 to the outlet connected to the refrigerator cooler 64 via the freezing capillary tube 85, and does not flow to the outlet connected to the refrigerator cooler 62 via the refrigerator capillary tube 84. This control by the control unit 100 cools the freezer compartment 11b, and does not cool the refrigerator compartment 11a.

[0039] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the change in the inside temperatures of the refrigerator compartment 11a and the freezer compartment 11b in the normal mode of the embodiment. In the normal mode, the control unit 100 controls the three-way valve 83 so as to alternately cool the refrigerator compartment 11a and the freezer compartment 11b. As a result of this control by the control unit 100, as shown in FIG. 7, during the period in which the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11a is decreasing (in the example shown in FIG. 7, the period in which the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11a is cooled from about 4°C to about 0°C), the temperature in the freezer compartment 11b rises from about -22°C to about -18°C, and during the period in which the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11a is increasing (in the example shown in FIG. 7, the period in which the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11a is increased from about 0°C to about 4°C), the temperature in the freezer compartment 11b falls from about -18°C to about -22°C (i.e., the freezer compartment 11b is cooled from about -18°C to about -22°C).

[0040] (Special mode) Next, the special mode will be described. The special mode is a mode that suppresses temperature changes in the freezer compartment 11b. In the special mode, when cooling the refrigerator compartment 11a, the control unit 100 performs control to cool the refrigerator compartment 11a for a shorter period of time than the period for cooling the refrigerator compartment 11a in the normal mode at the same temperature. Also, in the special mode, when cooling the freezer compartment 11b, the control unit 100 performs control to cool the freezer compartment 11b by suppressing temperature changes in the freezer compartment 11b for a longer period of time than the period for cooling the freezer compartment 11b in the normal mode at the same temperature.

[0041] Specifically, when cooling the refrigerator compartment 11a, the control unit 100 controls the three-way valve 83 so that the refrigerant flows from the inlet of the three-way valve 83 to the outlet connected to the refrigerator cooler 62 through the refrigerator capillary tube 84, and does not flow to the outlet connected to the refrigerator cooler 64 through the freezing capillary tube 85. In addition, in the special mode, in order to cool the refrigerator compartment 11a in a shorter period than in the normal mode at the same temperature, the control unit 100 controls the rotation speed of the compressor 61 so that the rotation speed is higher than the rotation speed of the compressor 61 in the normal mode at the same temperature. Note that as the rotation speed of the compressor 61 increases, the flow rate of the refrigerant increases. Also, as the rotation speed of the compressor 61 decreases, the flow rate of the refrigerant decreases. Therefore, in this case, the flow rate of the refrigerant in the refrigerator cooler 62 is higher than in the normal mode at the same temperature. In this way, an operation in which the control unit 100 controls the flow rate of the refrigerant in the refrigerator cooler 62 to be higher than in the normal mode at the same temperature is an example of the first operation.

[0042] Specifically, when cooling the freezing chamber 11b, the control unit 100 controls the three-way valve 83 to flow the refrigerant from the inlet of the three-way valve 83 to both the outlet connected to the refrigeration cooler 62 via the refrigeration capillary tube 84 and the outlet connected to the refrigeration cooler 64 via the refrigeration capillary tube 85. When cooling the freezing chamber 11b, the control unit 100 controls the rotation speed of the compressor 61 so that the rotation speed is lower than the rotation speed of the compressor 61 in the normal mode at the same temperature (for example, to the minimum rotation speed of the compressor 61). In this case, the flow rate of the refrigerant in the refrigeration cooler 64 is lower than that in the normal mode at the same temperature. In this way, the operation in which the control unit 100 controls the flow rate of the refrigerant in the refrigeration cooler 64 to be lower than that in the normal mode at the same temperature is an example of the second operation. Incidentally, these controls performed by the control unit 100 when cooling the freezing chamber 11b are based on the idea that "the less refrigerant flowing into the refrigeration cooler 64, the more the temperature drop in the freezing chamber 11b can be suppressed (i.e., the freezing chamber 11b can be cooled slowly while suppressing temperature changes)."

[0043] 8 is a diagram showing an example of the change in the inside temperatures of the refrigerator compartment 11a and the freezer compartment 11b in the special mode of the embodiment. In the special mode, when the control unit 100 cools the refrigerator compartment 11a, the control unit 100 controls the compressor 61 to a higher rotation speed than the rotation speed of the compressor 61 in the normal mode at the same temperature, and controls the three-way valve 83 so that the refrigerant flows from the inlet of the three-way valve 83 to the outlet connected to the refrigerator cooler 62 through the refrigerator capillary tube 84, and does not flow to the outlet connected to the freezer cooler 64 through the freezer capillary tube 85. As a result of this control by the control unit 100, as shown in FIG. 8, during the period when the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11a falls (in the example shown in FIG. 8, the period when the refrigerator compartment 11a is cooled from about 3°C ​​to about -2°C), the temperature in the freezer compartment 11b rises from about -22°C to about -20°C.

[0044] In addition, in the special mode, when the control unit 100 cools the freezer compartment 11b, it controls the compressor 61 to a lower rotation speed than the rotation speed of the compressor 61 in the normal mode at the same temperature, and controls the three-way valve 83 so that the refrigerant flows from the inlet of the three-way valve 83 to both the outlet connected to the refrigerating cooler 62 via the refrigerating capillary tube 84 and the outlet connected to the refrigerating cooler 64 via the refrigerating capillary tube 85. By this control by the control unit 100, as shown in Fig. 8, during the period when the temperature in the refrigerating compartment 11a rises (in the example shown in Fig. 8, during the period when the temperature in the refrigerating compartment 11a rises from about -2°C to about 3°C), the inside of the freezer compartment 11b is cooled from about -20°C to about -22°C. In the special mode, the control unit 100 alternates between an operation (an example of a first operation) in which the control unit 100 causes the refrigerant to flow only through the refrigeration cooler 62 and controls the flow rate of the refrigerant in the refrigeration cooler 62 to be greater than in the normal mode at the same temperature, and an operation (an example of a second operation) in which the refrigerant flows through both the refrigeration cooler 62 and the refrigeration cooler 64 and controls the flow rate of the refrigerant in the refrigeration cooler 64 to be less than in the normal mode at the same temperature.

[0045] The control unit 100 performs feedback control such as PID (Proportional Integral Differential) control based on the detection results of the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11a detected by the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 111 and the temperature in the freezer compartment 11b detected by the freezer compartment temperature sensor 113, thereby keeping the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11a and the temperature in the freezer compartment 11b between the upper and lower limits of the set temperature range.

[0046] In addition, when the temperature in the freezing chamber 11b exceeds a predetermined temperature in the special mode, the control unit 100 may control the three-way valve 83 to flow the refrigerant from the inlet of the three-way valve 83 to the outlet connected to the refrigeration cooler 64 via the refrigeration capillary tube 85, and not to flow the refrigerant to the outlet connected to the refrigeration cooler 62 via the refrigeration capillary tube 84. The control unit 100 may change the setting from the special mode to the normal mode. For example, the control unit 100 may change the setting of the mode by generating a command indicating the mode and transmitting the generated command to the operation panel unit 115.

[0047] Furthermore, in the special mode, when the rotation speed of the compressor 61 exceeds a predetermined rotation speed, the control unit 100 may control the three-way valve 83 to flow the refrigerant from the inlet of the three-way valve 83 to the outlet connected to the refrigeration cooler 64 via the refrigeration capillary tube 85, and not to flow the refrigerant to the outlet connected to the refrigeration cooler 62 via the refrigeration capillary tube 84. The control unit 100 may change the setting from the special mode to the normal mode.

[0048] (advantage) The refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment has been described above. The refrigerator 1 includes a refrigerator compartment 11a (an example of a first storage compartment), a freezer compartment 11b (an example of a second storage compartment), a refrigerator cooler 62 (an example of a first cooler) for cooling the refrigerator compartment 11a, a freezer cooler 64 (an example of a second cooler) for cooling the freezer compartment 11b, a compressor 61, a three-way valve 83 capable of flowing a refrigerant from the compressor 61 to either the refrigerator cooler 62 or the freezer cooler 64, and a control unit 100 that controls the three-way valve 83 to alternately cool the refrigerator compartment 11a and the freezer compartment 11b in a normal mode, and controls the refrigerator compartment 11a to flow a refrigerant to the freezer cooler 64 and to cool the refrigerator compartment 11a by lowering the flow rate of the refrigerant in the freezer cooler 64 to be lower than that in the normal mode when a command is given to switch from the normal mode to a special mode for suppressing a temperature change in the freezer compartment 11b. In this refrigerator 1, in the special mode, the control unit 100 performs control to cool the refrigerator by lowering the flow rate of the refrigerant in the freezing cooler 64 compared to the normal mode. This allows the rotation speed of the compressor 61 to be reduced. As a result, the refrigerator 1 can improve the cooling efficiency. In other words, the refrigerator 1 can improve the performance of the cooling function.

[0049] <First Modification of the Embodiment> Next, refrigerator 1 according to a first modified example of the embodiment will be described. In refrigerator 1 according to the first modified example of the embodiment, in addition to or instead of controlling compressor 61 to reduce the flow rate of refrigerant in freezing cooler 64 in the special mode, control unit 100 may control the rotation speed of freezing blower 65 (an example of a blower fan) in freezing compartment 11b (an example of a second storage compartment) to a lower rotation speed than the rotation speed of freezing blower 65 in freezing compartment 11b in the normal mode at the same temperature in freezing compartment 11b.

[0050] (advantage) In the refrigerator 1 of the first modified example of this embodiment, the control unit 100 controls the rotation speed of the freezing blower 65 (an example of a blower fan) in the special mode to be lower than the rotation speed of the freezing blower 65 in the freezing chamber 11b in the normal mode at the same temperature in the freezing chamber 11b, thereby controlling the flow rate of the refrigerant in the freezing cooler 64 to be lower than that in the normal mode. This allows the rotation speed of the freezing blower 65 to be reduced. As a result, the refrigerator 1 can improve the cooling efficiency. In other words, the refrigerator 1 can improve the performance of the cooling function.

[0051] <Second Modification of the Embodiment> Next, a refrigerator 1 according to a second modification of the embodiment will be described. In the refrigerator 1 according to the second modification of the embodiment, the control unit 100 may, in the special mode, cause the refrigerant to flow to the refrigeration cooler 62 (an example of a first cooler) during defrosting of the freezing cooler 64 (an example of a second cooler). Specifically, for example, the control unit 100 may, in the special mode, cause the three-way valve 83 to control the refrigerant to flow from the inlet of the three-way valve 83 to the outlet connected to the refrigeration cooler 62 via the refrigeration capillary tube 84 and not to flow to the outlet connected to the freezing cooler 64 via the freezing capillary tube 85 during defrosting of the freezing cooler 64.

[0052] (advantage) The refrigerator 1 according to the second modification of this embodiment can cool the refrigerator compartment while the second cooler is defrosting, and as a result, the second cooler can be quickly restored from the defrosted state. In other words, the refrigerator 1 can improve the performance of the cooling function.

[0053] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims, as well as in the scope and spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1...refrigerator, 10...casing, 11a...refrigerator compartment (first storage compartment), 11b...freezer compartment (second storage compartment), 50...cold air passage section, 51...refrigerator cold air passage section, 51a...first cold air outlet, 51b...second cold air outlet, 60...cooling section, 61...compressor, 62...refrigerator cooler, 63...refrigerator blower, 64...freezer cooler, 65...freezer blower, 83...three-way valve, 92...upper passage section, 93...middle ceiling wall section (wall section), 93a...first curved section, 93b...second curved section (inclined section), 100...control section, 111...refrigerator compartment temperature sensor, 112...chilled compartment temperature sensor, 114...external temperature sensor.

Claims

1. A first storage chamber; A second storage chamber; a first cooler for cooling the first storage chamber; A second cooler that cools the second storage chamber; A compressor; a three-way valve that allows a refrigerant to flow from the compressor to either the first cooler or the second cooler; a control unit that controls the three-way valve so as to alternately cool the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber in a normal mode, and when a command is given to switch from the normal mode to a special mode in which a temperature change in the second storage chamber is suppressed and the first storage chamber is being cooled, controls to cause a refrigerant to flow through the second cooler and to cool the second cooler by lowering the flow rate of the refrigerant therethrough as compared to the normal mode; A refrigerator equipped with

2. The control unit is When there is a command to switch from the normal mode to a special mode for suppressing a temperature change in the second storage chamber, in the case where the first storage chamber is being cooled, the cooling period of the first storage chamber is shortened and the flow rate of the refrigerant in the first cooler is increased as compared to the normal mode at the same temperature, and then the refrigerant is caused to flow in the second cooler, and the flow rate of the refrigerant in the second cooler is reduced as compared to the normal mode at the same temperature.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1.

3. The special mode is a first operation in which the control unit controls a flow rate of the refrigerant in the first cooler to be greater than a flow rate of the refrigerant in the first cooler in the normal mode by making the rotation speed of the compressor higher than a rotation speed of the compressor in the normal mode at the same temperature; a second operation in which the control unit controls a flow rate of the refrigerant in the second cooler to be less than a flow rate of the refrigerant in the second cooler in the normal mode by making the rotation speed of the compressor lower than a rotation speed of the compressor in the normal mode at the same temperature; 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1 .

4. The three-way valve is A refrigerant may be flowed through both the first cooler and the second cooler; The control unit is In the second operation, the three-way valve is controlled so as to allow the refrigerant to flow from the compressor to both the first cooler and the second cooler. The refrigerator according to claim 3.

5. The control unit is When the temperature in the second storage chamber exceeds a predetermined temperature in the special mode, the three-way valve is controlled so that the refrigerant flows only through the second cooler, and the special mode is switched to the normal mode.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1.

6. The control unit is When the rotation speed of the compressor exceeds a predetermined rotation speed in the special mode, the three-way valve is controlled so that the refrigerant flows only through the second cooler, and the special mode is switched to the normal mode.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1.

7. The control unit is In the special mode, a rotation speed of the blower fan of the second storage compartment is controlled to a rotation speed lower than a rotation speed of the blower fan of the second storage compartment in the normal mode at the same temperature in the second storage compartment.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1.

8. The control unit is In the special mode, a refrigerant is caused to flow through the first cooler during defrosting of the second cooler.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1.

9. The first operation is An operation in which a refrigerant flows only through the first cooler, The second operation is An operation in which a refrigerant flows through both the first cooler and the second cooler, The control unit is In the special mode, the first operation and the second operation are repeatedly controlled. The refrigerator according to claim 3.

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