Refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator that can keep the degree of freshness even after food in a freezing temperature zone is thawed.SOLUTION: A refrigerator comprises a low-temperature chamber capable of being set to a plurality of temperature zone modes. The low-temperature chamber can be set to a partial freezing mode for cooling to a partial freezing temperature, and a thawing mode for cooling to a thawing temperature. When a load frozen to a freezing temperature is housed in the low-temperature chamber, and it is set to the thawing mode, it is operated in the thawing mode for a predetermined time, and operated in the partial freezing mode after the predetermined time elapses.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator.

Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1, after cooling a storage section for a first hour in a first temperature range for freezing food, the storage section is cooled for a second hour in a predetermined second temperature range while keeping the food in a thawed state, and then the storage section is cooled or heated in a third temperature range according to the purpose of use of the food, and the cooling section is controlled according to a control pattern including this.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides a refrigerator capable of maintaining freshness even after thawing food in a freezing temperature range.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The refrigerator in the present disclosure includes a low-temperature chamber that can be set to a plurality of temperature range modes, and the low-temperature chamber can be set to a semi-freezing mode for cooling to a semi-freezing temperature and a thawing mode for cooling to a thawing temperature. A load frozen at a freezing temperature is stored in the low-temperature chamber. When the thawing mode is set, it operates in the thawing mode for a predetermined time, and after the predetermined time has elapsed, it operates in the semi-freezing mode.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] The refrigerator in the present disclosure thaws food in a freezing temperature range to a semi-freezing temperature range and maintains it in the semi-freezing temperature range even after thawing, so that the freshness of the food can be maintained.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0009] [1-1. Configuration of the Refrigerator] The configuration of the refrigerator will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 which is the a-a sectional view of FIG. 1. The refrigerator body 1 with an opening at the front is provided, and this refrigerator body 1 is composed of a metal outer box 2, an inner box 3 made of hard resin, and a foam heat insulating material 4 filled by foam between the outer box 2 and the inner box 3. A plurality of storage chambers are partitioned and formed by partition plates 5, 6, etc., and the inside is filled with the foam heat insulating material 4.

[0010] In addition, each storage chamber of the refrigerator body 1 adopts the same heat insulation configuration as the refrigerator body 1. The refrigerating chamber door 7 which rotates from above is a double-opening type opening and closing door. When viewed from the front of FIG. 1, the left door 7a of the refrigerating chamber is rotatably supported by a hinge not shown, and the right door 7b of the refrigerating chamber is rotatably supported by a hinge not shown. Also, the drawer-type upper freezer door 8, the ice making chamber door 9, the drawer-type lower freezer door 10, and the drawer-type vegetable chamber door 11 are configured to be openable and closable in the front-rear direction.

[0011] The storage compartments formed within the refrigerator body 1 include a refrigerating compartment 14 at the uppermost part, an upper freezing compartment 15 provided below the refrigerating compartment 14, an ice-making compartment 16 provided beside the upper freezing compartment 15, a lower freezing compartment 17 below the upper freezing compartment 15 and the ice-making compartment 16, and a vegetable compartment 18 at the lowermost part. A plurality of shelf boards 19 are provided in the refrigerating compartment 14, and a low-temperature compartment 20 that can be set to multiple temperature zone modes is provided at the lower part inside the refrigerating compartment 14.

[0012] The above-mentioned refrigerating compartment 14 is a storage compartment for refrigerated storage. Specifically, it is usually set and cooled to 2 to 5 °C. Also, the low-temperature compartment 20 can be set to multiple temperature zone modes. In the case of the embodiment, the temperature inside the low-temperature compartment can be set to a chilled mode with a chilled temperature (about 0 to 2 °C), a semi-freezing mode with a semi-freezing temperature (about -1 to -5 °C), and a thawing mode with a semi-thawing temperature (about 0 to -4 °C).

[0013] The vegetable compartment 18 is a storage compartment whose temperature is set to be equal to or slightly higher than that of the refrigerating compartment 14. Specifically, it can be set to 3 to 7 °C and is cooled. Since this vegetable compartment 18 becomes highly humid due to the moisture emitted from stored foods such as vegetables, condensation may occur if it gets too cold locally. Therefore, by setting it to a relatively high temperature, the cooling capacity is reduced, and the occurrence of condensation due to excessive local cooling is suppressed.

[0014] Also, the ice-making compartment 16, the upper freezing compartment 15, and the lower freezing compartment 17 are storage compartments set to the freezing temperature zone, and are set and cooled to about -18 °C.

[0015] There is a cooling chamber 23 at the back of the lower freezing compartment 17. In this cooling chamber 23, a cooler 24 constituting the refrigeration cycle and a cooling fan 25 for supplying cold air to each of the above-mentioned compartments are installed above the cooler 24. Further, a defrosting means 26 (hereinafter referred to as a glass tube heater) composed of a glass tube heater or the like is provided below the cooler 24.

[0016] The cooler 24 forms an annular connection with the compressor 27, a condenser (not shown), a heat dissipation pipe for heat dissipation (not shown), and a capillary tube (not shown) in the machine room 31 formed at the upper part of the refrigerator body 1 to constitute a refrigeration cycle, and performs cooling by the circulation of the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 27.

[0017] Further, the cooling fan 25 is provided above the cooler 24, and supplies cold air to the refrigerating chamber 14, the upper freezing chamber 15, the lower freezing chamber 17, the ice making chamber 16, and the vegetable chamber 18 through the refrigerating chamber duct 28, the freezing chamber duct 29, an ice making chamber duct (not shown), and a vegetable chamber duct that are connected in series on the downstream side thereof, and cools these respective chambers.

[0018] Also, a control board 30 that controls the operation of the compressor 27 and the cooling fan 25, the energization control of the defrosting means 26, and the overall operation of temperature sensors (not shown) that control each chamber to the set temperature is arranged on the top surface portion 2a of the outer box 2 of the refrigerator body 1.

[0019] [1-2. Operation of the low-temperature chamber] The low-temperature chamber 20 is formed below the refrigerating chamber 14, and is partitioned from the refrigerating chamber 14 by a low-temperature chamber top surface wall 20a having a heat insulating material inside and a front opening / closing lid 20b.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the temperature behavior during the defrosting mode operation. In the embodiment, as a freezing process, the frozen load (frozen food) stored in the lower freezing chamber 17 is frozen at about -20°C. When this frozen load is stored in the low-temperature chamber 20 as a defrosting process and the operation is started in the defrosting mode, in the defrosting mode, the temperature is set to a temperature (about -2°C) that is about +1K higher than the "medium" set temperature (about -3°C) of the slightly frozen mode, and the amount of cold air sent from the cooler 24 to the low-temperature chamber 20 is controlled to open and close by a low-temperature chamber damper (not shown). The surface temperature of the frozen load rises to about -2°C of the set temperature in the defrosting mode, and the internal temperature of the frozen load rises as shown in FIG. 3. After 7 hours from the start of the defrosting mode, the defrosting is completed at a state of about -4°C.

[0021] Since the internal temperature of the load is maintained at about -4°C, drips such as meat do not melt, and the umami can be maintained.

[0022] After 7 hours have passed, the thawing mode is released, and the low-temperature chamber 20 enters the semi-freezing process, automatically changing to the semi-freezing mode with a set temperature range lower than that of the thawing mode.

[0023] After the thawing mode ends and it automatically changes to the semi-freezing mode, even if the thawed load is not immediately removed from the low-temperature chamber 20, it is maintained at the semi-freezing temperature of medium setting (about -3°C). Depending on the type of load ingredients, it can be stored in the low-temperature chamber 20 for about 7 days while maintaining freshness.

[0024] Also, inside the low-temperature chamber 20, in addition to the thawed load, there may be other loads stored in the semi-freezing temperature range. By changing to the semi-freezing temperature, it is also possible to maintain the freshness of other loads.

[0025] Figure 4 shows the flow when the low-temperature chamber 20 is operated in the thawing mode setting.

[0026] The low-temperature chamber 20 is operating in the normal operation (chilled mode or semi-freezing mode) (S1). The refrigerator doors 7a and 7b are opened (S2), and the operation panel (not shown) inside the refrigerator 14 is used to set the operation to the thawing mode (S3).

[0027] It is determined whether the normal operation state in S1 is operating in the semi-freezing mode (S4). If it is in the semi-freezing mode (YES), it is set to the thawing mode and the thawing mode operation is performed (S5). When a predetermined time has passed since the start of the thawing mode operation, in the case of the embodiment, 7 hours have passed (S6), a termination notice is given, the thawing mode is terminated (S7), and the operation is changed to the semi-freezing mode operation (S8).

[0028] Determine whether the normal operating state of S1 is operating in the semi-freezing mode (S4). If it is not in the semi-freezing mode (NO), that is, if it is in the chilled mode (S9), it is not set to the thawing mode (S10). Priority is given to the existing ingredients stored chilled in the low-temperature chamber 20, and a warning sound is emitted. If the user changes the temperature setting to the semi-freezing mode (S11), it returns to the thawing mode operation setting (S3), and the thawing mode operation from step S4 to step S5 becomes possible.

[0029] The thawing mode is set to a temperature (about -2°C) that is about +1K higher than the "medium" set temperature (about -3°C) of the semi-freezing mode. However, for the first 2 hours from the start of the thawing mode operation, it operates at the above temperature setting, and after that, the set temperature is set to -1.5°C, and the set temperature may be raised halfway.

[0030] Figure 5 shows the results of sensory evaluation when thawing each frozen ingredient according to the thawing mode. In the case of beef tenderloin with less fat and bonito tataki, the time for the internal temperature to reach -4°C is within 7 hours, and the level of ease of cutting with a kitchen knife in the sensory evaluation items was such that both could be thawed to a state where they could be cut. Also, since the thawing temperature was 0°C or lower, the amount of drip could be suppressed.

[0031] Also, in the case of pork belly with more fat and salmon, the time for the internal temperature to reach -4°C is reached earlier than that of beef tenderloin and bonito tataki. The sensory evaluation also reached a level where both could be easily cut with a kitchen knife. Also, since the thawing temperature was 0°C or lower, the amount of fat and drip could be suppressed.

[0032] In the embodiment, the thawing time was set to 7 hours, but in the case of ingredients with more fat, etc., the thawing time may be set to 5 hours, and the refrigerator thawing mode operation unit may be provided with a time selection mode.

[0033] Also, for a refrigerator capable of wireless communication, it may be possible to set the thawing mode from the terminal app, select either the thawing time, and enable the thawing mode setting.

[0034] Also, although the set temperature in the thawing mode was set to about -2°C, since the thawing mode is set at a temperature increased by about +1K with respect to the semi-freezing mode at the semi-freezing temperature (about -1 to -5°C), it may be set to about -4°C or higher and 0°C or lower.

[0035] In the embodiment, the low-temperature chamber 20 is provided as an internal chamber of the refrigerating chamber 14, but it may be configured as a storage chamber independent of the refrigerating chamber 14, or may be applied to a layout in which the lower freezing chamber 17 and the vegetable chamber 18 are vertically swapped in another storage chamber.

[0036] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in the present embodiment, a low-temperature chamber 20 capable of being set to a plurality of temperature zone modes is provided. The low-temperature chamber 20 can be set to a semi-freezing mode for cooling to the semi-freezing temperature and a thawing mode for cooling to the thawing temperature. A load frozen at the freezing temperature is stored in the low-temperature chamber 20. When set to the thawing mode, it operates in the thawing mode for a predetermined time, and after the elapse of the predetermined time, it operates in the semi-freezing mode.

[0037] With this configuration, the frozen load can be thawed to a state where it can be cut with a kitchen knife, the temperature change of the existing food in the low-temperature chamber can be suppressed, and the promotion of thawing can be achieved.

[0038] As in the present embodiment, the set temperature in the thawing mode is set to be equal to or higher than the semi-freezing temperature and 0°C or lower.

[0039] With this configuration, since the internal temperature of the thawed food is maintained at 0°C or lower, the outflow of the drip amount can be suppressed.

[0040] As in the present embodiment, the low-temperature chamber 20 is provided with a chiller mode setting for cooling to the chiller temperature. During operation in the chiller mode, if it is desired to change the setting to the thawing mode, the setting cannot be changed to the thawing mode, and it operates in the chiller mode.

[0041] With this configuration, the existing food stored in the chiller mode is prioritized, and the freezing of the existing food due to the thawing mode can be suppressed.

[0042] When operating in the thawing mode, if you want to change the setting to the chilling mode as in this embodiment, the setting can be changed to the chilling mode, interrupting the thawing mode and operating in the chilling mode.

[0043] With this configuration, since the setting is changed to the chilling mode in the temperature range of 0°C or higher by user operation, the thawing mode can be interrupted.

[0044] When operating in the thawing mode, if you want to change the setting to the semi-freezing mode as in this embodiment, the setting cannot be changed to the semi-freezing mode, and the operation is performed in the thawing mode.

[0045] With this configuration, since the set temperature in the thawing mode is within the range of the set temperature in the semi-freezing mode, the temperature impact on the stored food can be suppressed to a small level.

Industrial Applicability

[0046] As described above, the refrigerator according to the present disclosure can be suitably used for a refrigerator that thaws in the thawing mode of the low-temperature chamber and operates in the semi-freezing mode after a predetermined time has elapsed.

Explanation of Signs

[0047] 14 Refrigerating chamber 20 Low-temperature chamber

Claims

1. A refrigerator comprising a low-temperature chamber that can be set to a plurality of temperature zone modes, wherein the low-temperature chamber can be set to a semi-freezing mode for cooling to a semi-freezing temperature and a thawing mode for cooling to a thawing temperature, and a load frozen at a refrigeration temperature is stored in the low-temperature chamber. When the thawing mode is set, the refrigerator operates in the thawing mode for a predetermined time and then operates in the semi-freezing mode after the predetermined time has elapsed.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the set temperature of the thawing mode is set to be equal to or higher than the semi-freezing temperature and equal to or lower than 0°C.

3. The low-temperature chamber of the refrigerator according to claim 2 is provided with a chiller mode setting for cooling to a chiller temperature. During operation in the chiller mode, if it is desired to change the setting to the thawing mode, the setting cannot be changed to the thawing mode, and the refrigerator operates in the chiller mode.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein during operation in the thawing mode, if it is desired to change the setting to the chiller mode, the setting can be changed to the chiller mode, and the thawing mode is interrupted and the refrigerator operates in the chiller mode.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein during operation in the thawing mode, if it is desired to change the setting to the semi-freezing mode, the setting cannot be changed to the semi-freezing mode, and the refrigerator operates in the thawing mode.

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