Refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator that can comprise a storage chamber capable of switching cooling modes, without causing an increase in cost.SOLUTION: A refrigerator according to an embodiment comprises: a cooler for generating cold air; a basic storage chamber capable of being cooled to a predetermined basic temperature zone by the cold air generated by the cooler; a special storage chamber capable of being cooled so as to be switched to a plurality of predetermined special temperature zones by the cold air generated by the cooler; a cold air supply passage capable of supplying the cold air generated by the cooler, to the basic storage chamber and the special storage chamber; a switching part capable of switching the cold air supply passage between a first state in which the cold air is supplied to the special storage chamber, and a second state in which the cold air is supplied to the basic storage chamber and the special storage chamber; and a control part for controlling the switching part. The control part regulates the switching part so that the amount of the cold air supplied to the basic storage chamber is larger than the amount of the cold air supplied to the special storage chamber when the cold air supply passage is switched to the second state by the switching part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a refrigerator.

Background Art

[0002] For example, the refrigerator disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a temperature switching chamber whose cooling temperature can be switched, and is configured to adjust the amount of air supplied to this temperature switching chamber by a damper.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, if the temperature switching chamber is to be cooled to a lower temperature than other storage chambers, instead of restricting the supply of cold air to the temperature switching chamber by a damper as described above, it is necessary to rather promote the supply of cold air to the temperature switching chamber. Therefore, the damper as described above is unnecessary. That is, for example, when the temperature switching chamber is cooled and used at a lower temperature than other storage chambers, it is not necessary to provide the refrigerator with the damper as described above, and providing such an unnecessary damper causes the cost of the refrigerator to increase unnecessarily.

[0005] The present embodiment provides a refrigerator that can include a storage chamber whose cooling mode can be switched without causing an increase in cost.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The refrigerator according to this embodiment includes a cooler that generates cold air, a storage chamber that is cooled by the cold air generated by the cooler, a basic storage chamber that can be cooled to a predetermined basic temperature range, a storage chamber that is cooled by the cold air generated by the cooler, a special storage chamber that can be switched to and cooled in a plurality of predetermined special temperature ranges, a cold air supply path that can supply the cold air generated by the cooler to the basic storage chamber and the special storage chamber, a switching unit that can switch the cold air supply path between a first state of supplying cold air to the special storage chamber and a second state of supplying cold air to the basic storage chamber and the special storage chamber, and a control unit that controls the switching unit. When the switching unit switches the cold air supply path to the second state, the control unit adjusts the switching unit so that the amount of cold air supplied to the basic storage chamber is greater than the amount of cold air supplied to the special storage chamber.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a refrigerator will be described with reference to the drawings. The refrigerator 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 forms a plurality of storage chambers 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 inside a rectangular box-shaped heat insulating box body 11 that constitutes its outer shell. Inside the storage chambers 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, it is possible to store various stored items such as foods. Although detailed illustration is omitted, the heat insulating box body 11 has a configuration in which a heat insulating material is provided between an inner box and an outer box. As the heat insulating material constituting the heat insulating box body 11, various heat insulating materials such as, for example, a vacuum heat insulating panel, foamed urethane, and a heat insulating molded body formed of a heat insulating material can be applied.

[0009] In this case, the storage chamber 12 is a refrigerating chamber maintained within the temperature range of the refrigerating temperature zone. Hereinafter, the storage chamber 12 may be referred to as the "refrigerating chamber 12". The refrigerating temperature zone is an example of a predetermined basic temperature zone, and the refrigerating chamber 12 is an example of a basic storage chamber. In this case, the storage chamber 13 is a vegetable chamber maintained within the temperature range of the refrigerating temperature zone. Hereinafter, the storage chamber 13 may be referred to as the "vegetable chamber 13". In this case, the storage chamber 14 is an ice-making chamber maintained within the temperature range of the freezing temperature zone. Hereinafter, the storage chamber 14 may be referred to as the "ice-making chamber 14". In this case, the storage chamber 15 is a small freezing chamber maintained within the temperature range of the freezing temperature zone. Hereinafter, the storage chamber 15 may be referred to as the "small freezing chamber 15". In this case, the storage chamber 16 is a large freezing chamber maintained within the temperature range of the freezing temperature zone. Hereinafter, the storage chamber 16 may be referred to as the "large freezing chamber 16".

[0010] The refrigerating chamber 12 is the storage chamber provided at the uppermost part among the plurality of storage chambers 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 provided in the refrigerator 10. The vegetable chamber 13 is provided below the refrigerating chamber 12 and is located approximately at the central part in the vertical direction of the heat insulating box body 11. The ice-making chamber 14 and the small freezing chamber 15 are provided below the vegetable chamber 13 and are arranged along the lateral direction of the refrigerator 10 inside the heat insulating box body 11. The large freezing chamber 16 is provided below the ice-making chamber 14 and the small freezing chamber 15 inside the heat insulating box body 11. The large freezing chamber 16 is the storage chamber provided at the lowermost part among the plurality of storage chambers 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 provided in the refrigerator 10.

[0011] The refrigerator compartment 12 has a rectangular opening at its front. The front opening of the refrigerator compartment 12 is configured to be opened and closed by storage compartment doors that can pivot in the left - right direction, specifically, two refrigerator compartment doors 12D[R] and 12D[L] of the so - called double - door type. That is, the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 12 is configured to be opened and closed by at least two storage compartment doors, in this case, the right refrigerator compartment door 12D[R] and the left refrigerator compartment door 12D[L]. Note that the refrigerator compartment door may be a single storage compartment door that opens and closes the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 12. Also, the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 12 may be configured to be opened and closed by a plurality of three or more storage compartment doors.

[0012] The right refrigerator compartment door 12D[R] and the left refrigerator compartment door 12D[L] have the same vertical dimension but different horizontal dimensions. In this case, the horizontal dimension of the right refrigerator compartment door 12D[R] is longer than the horizontal dimension of the left refrigerator compartment door 12D[L]. When the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 12 is closed by the right refrigerator compartment door 12D[R] and the left refrigerator compartment door 12D[L], the left end of the right refrigerator compartment door 12D[R] is located to the left of the center line of the refrigerator 10 in the left - right direction, and the right end of the left refrigerator compartment door 12D[L] is also located to the left of the center line of the refrigerator 10 in the left - right direction.

[0013] A vertical partition plate 12S is provided at the right end of the left refrigerator compartment door 12D[L] so as to be foldable. The vertical partition plate 12S shields the gap between the right refrigerator compartment door 12D[R] and the left refrigerator compartment door 12D[L] when the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 12 is closed by the right refrigerator compartment door 12D[R] and the left refrigerator compartment door 12D[L]. Thereby, the vertical partition plate 12S prevents the cold air inside the refrigerator compartment 12 from flowing out through the gap between the right refrigerator compartment door 12D[R] and the left refrigerator compartment door 12D[L].

[0014] The vegetable compartment 13 has a rectangular opening at its front. The front opening of the vegetable compartment 13 is opened and closed by a storage compartment door that is movable in the front-rear direction, namely, a so-called drawer-type vegetable compartment door 13D. The ice-making compartment 14 has a rectangular opening at its front. The front opening of the ice-making compartment 14 is opened and closed by a storage compartment door that is movable in the front-rear direction, namely, a so-called drawer-type ice-making compartment door 14D. The small freezer compartment 15 has a rectangular opening at its front. The front opening of the small freezer compartment 15 is opened and closed by a storage compartment door that is movable in the front-rear direction, namely, a so-called drawer-type small freezer compartment door 15D. The large freezer compartment 16 has an opening at its front. The front opening of the large freezer compartment 16 is opened and closed by a storage compartment door that is movable in the front-rear direction, namely, a so-called drawer-type large freezer compartment door 16D.

[0015] As also illustrated in FIG. 2, in the refrigerator compartment 12, a partitioned compartment 18 partitioned by a partition plate 17 is provided. In this case, the partitioned compartment 18 is provided at the lower part in the refrigerator compartment 12. Since the partitioned compartment 18 is provided in the refrigerator compartment 12, it can be cooled to a refrigerating temperature range in the same manner as in the refrigerator compartment 12. However, the inside of the partitioned compartment 18 can also be cooled to a special temperature range different from the refrigerating temperature range. The special temperature range may be entirely a temperature range lower than the refrigerating temperature range, or a part of it may overlap with the refrigerating temperature range.

[0016] In the partitioned compartment 18, a plurality of small compartments capable of accommodating stored items, in this case, an upper chilled compartment 18A and a lower chilled compartment 18B are provided. In the upper chilled compartment 18A and the lower chilled compartment 18B, storage containers capable of accommodating stored items are respectively provided so as to be pullable in the front-rear direction. The upper chilled compartment 18A and the lower chilled compartment 18B are examples of basic storage compartments, and their cooling modes cannot be switched.

[0017] In addition, a switching chamber 19 is provided in the compartment 18 as a chamber capable of accommodating stored items. The switching chamber 19 is also provided with a storage container capable of accommodating stored items in a pull-out manner in the front-rear direction. The switching chamber 19 is an example of a special storage chamber and can be switched to a plurality of cooling modes with different cooling modes. Note that the refrigerator 10 may be configured such that the upper chilled chamber 18A and the lower chilled chamber 18B can also switch the cooling mode.

[0018] In this case, the upper chilled chamber 18A is provided in the upper region within the compartment 18. The upper chilled chamber 18A is a long chamber along the left-right direction of the refrigerator 10. The lower chilled chamber 18B and the switching chamber 19 are provided in the lower region within the compartment 18. The lower chilled chamber 18B and the switching chamber 19 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction below the upper chilled chamber 18A. In this case, when viewed from the front side of the refrigerator 10, the lower chilled chamber 18B is arranged on the left side of the lower region within the compartment 18, and the switching chamber 19 is arranged on the right side of the lower region within the compartment 18. Note that, when viewed from the front side of the refrigerator 10, the lower chilled chamber 18B may be arranged on the right side of the lower region within the compartment 18, and the switching chamber 19 may be arranged on the left side of the lower region within the compartment 18.

[0019] In the lower region within the compartment 18, a water supply tank 20 is accommodated in a pull-out manner in the front-rear direction on the left side of the lower chilled chamber 18B. The water supply tank 20 is a tank capable of storing water for ice making. Although detailed illustration is omitted, the water stored in the water supply tank 20 is supplied to the ice maker in the ice making chamber 14 through a water supply pipe by a pump.

[0020] The upper tilting chamber 18A, the lower tilting chamber 18B, and the switching chamber 19 each have a different size of accommodation space for storing items. In this case, the size of the accommodation space in the upper tilting chamber 18A is the largest among the plurality of chambers 18A, 18B, and 19. The size of the accommodation space in the lower tilting chamber 18B is the smallest among the plurality of chambers 18A, 18B, and 19. The size of the accommodation space in the switching chamber 19 is smaller than that in the upper tilting chamber 18A and larger than that in the lower tilting chamber 18B. Note that the size relationship of the accommodation spaces of the plurality of chambers 18A, 18B, and 19 can be appropriately changed and implemented.

[0021] A plurality of shelf members 12T are detachably provided in the refrigerator compartment 12. Items can be placed on the upper surface of the shelf member 12T. The partition plate 17 is provided as a component different from these shelf members 12T. However, the partition plate 17 can also be defined as a component that functions as the lowermost shelf member in the refrigerator compartment 12, and items can also be placed on the upper surface of the partition plate 17.

[0022] When the left refrigerator door 12D[L] closes the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 12 and the right refrigerator door 12D[R] opens the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 12 at an opening angle of, for example, 90 degrees or more, the storage container in the lower tilting chamber 18B cannot be pulled forward, but the storage container in the switching chamber 19 can be pulled forward.

[0023] When the right refrigerator door 12D[R] closes the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 12 and the left refrigerator door 12D[L] opens the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 12 at an opening angle of, for example, 90 degrees or more, the storage container in the switching chamber 19 cannot be pulled forward, but the storage container in the lower tilting chamber 18B can be pulled forward.

[0024] A cold air duct 21 is provided on the rear wall surface inside the refrigerator compartment 12. In this case, the cold air duct 21 extends along the vertical direction of the refrigerator 10. A plurality of cold air outlets for blowing out cold air are provided on the front surface of the cold air duct 21 inside the refrigerator compartment 12, inside the upper chilled compartment 18A, inside the lower chilled compartment 18B, and inside the switching compartment 19, respectively. The cold air duct 21 constitutes all or at least a part of a cold air supply path 34 described later.

[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the refrigerator 10 includes a refrigerating cooler 31 and a refrigerating blower 32. In this case, the refrigerating cooler 31 and the refrigerating blower 32 are arranged inside a refrigerating cooler compartment 33 provided at the rear side of the vegetable compartment 13. The refrigerating cooler 31 is an example of a first cooler. The refrigerating cooler 31 constitutes a well-known refrigeration cycle mechanism together with a compressor 51 and the like, and can generate cold air in a refrigerating temperature range for cooling the inside of the refrigerator compartment 12, the inside of the vegetable compartment 13, and the inside of the partitioned compartment 18. The refrigerating blower 32 can blow the cold air in the refrigerating temperature range generated by the refrigerating cooler 31 into the refrigerator compartment 12 and the partitioned compartment 18 through the cold air supply path 34.

[0026] According to the refrigerator 10, the partitioned compartment 18 is provided at the lower part inside the refrigerator compartment 12, and thus exists at a position closer to the refrigerating cooler compartment 33 than the refrigerator compartment 12. Therefore, cold air at a lower temperature than that inside the refrigerator compartment 12 is easily supplied into the partitioned compartment 18, and thus the inside of the partitioned compartment 18 can be cooled to a lower temperature than the inside of the refrigerator compartment 12.

[0027] The vegetable compartment 13 communicates with the inside of the refrigerator compartment 12 including the partitioned compartment 18 through a communication path (not shown). Therefore, the cold air supplied into the refrigerator compartment 12 or the partitioned compartment 18 is then supplied into the vegetable compartment 13 through the communication path (not shown). Then, the cold air supplied into the vegetable compartment 13 is returned into the refrigerating cooler compartment 33 and is cooled again by the refrigerating cooler 31, and then supplied into the refrigerator compartment 12 or the partitioned compartment 18.

[0028] As described above, the cold air supply path 34 is configured to be able to supply the cold air generated by the refrigerating cooler 31 into the refrigerator compartment 12 which is an example of the basic storage compartment, into the upper chilled compartment 18A, and into the lower chilled compartment 18B. Further, the cold air supply path 34 is configured to be able to supply the cold air generated by the refrigerating cooler 31 into the switching compartment 19 which is an example of the special storage compartment. Note that the cold air supply path 34 may be configured to directly supply cold air into the vegetable compartment 13 without passing through the refrigerator compartment 12 or the partitioned compartment 18.

[0029] Further, the refrigerator 10 includes a freezing cooler 41 and a freezing blower 42. In this case, the freezing cooler 41 and the freezing blower 42 are arranged in a freezing cooler chamber 43 provided at the rear side of the ice making compartment 14, the small freezing compartment 15, and the large freezing compartment 16. The freezing cooler 41 is an example of a second cooler. The freezing cooler 41 constitutes a well-known refrigeration cycle mechanism together with a compressor 51 and the like, and is capable of generating cold air in a freezing temperature range for cooling the inside of the ice making compartment 14, the small freezing compartment 15, and the large freezing compartment 16. The ice making compartment 14, the small freezing compartment 15, and the large freezing compartment 16 are all examples of storage compartments other than the basic storage compartment and the special storage compartment. The freezing blower 42 is capable of blowing the cold air in the freezing temperature range generated by the freezing cooler 41 into the ice making compartment 14, the small freezing compartment 15, and the large freezing compartment 16 via a cold air supply path 44.

[0030] Then, the cold air supplied into the ice making compartment 14, the small freezing compartment 15, and the large freezing compartment 16 is returned to the freezing cooler chamber 43 and is cooled again by the freezing cooler 41, and then supplied into the ice making compartment 14, the small freezing compartment 15, and the large freezing compartment 16. As described above, the cold air supply path 44 is configured to be able to supply the cold air in the freezing temperature range generated by the freezing cooler 41 into the ice making compartment 14, the small freezing compartment 15, and the large freezing compartment 16.

[0031] The above-described cold air supply path 34 includes a refrigerating compartment supply path 34a capable of supplying cold air into the refrigerating compartment 12, an upper chilled compartment supply path 34b capable of supplying cold air into the upper chilled compartment 18A, a lower chilled compartment supply path 34c capable of supplying cold air into the lower chilled compartment 18B, and a switching chamber supply path 34d capable of supplying cold air into the switching chamber 19. And the cold air supply path 34 includes one damper 35 common to the refrigerating compartment supply path 34a, the upper chilled compartment supply path 34b, and the lower chilled compartment supply path 34c, but is configured not to include the damper 35 in the switching chamber supply path 34d. The damper 35 is an example of a switching unit.

[0032] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the damper 35 is configured to include a flap 35b in its main body 35a. Further, the damper 35 includes an opening 35c in its main body 35a, which is opened and closed by the flap 35b. The flap 35b is configured to be rotatable by a motor (not shown) provided in the damper 35. According to the refrigerator 10, by appropriately adjusting the opening degree of the flap 35b in the damper 35, the cold air supply path 34 can be switched to at least a first state and a second state.

[0033] The first state is a state in which the damper 35 fully closes the opening 35c with the flap 35b. When the cold air supply path 34 is switched to the first state, the cold air in the refrigerating temperature range generated by the refrigerating cooler 31 is not supplied into the refrigerating compartment 12, the upper chilled compartment 18A, and the lower chilled compartment 18B, but is supplied into the switching chamber 19. Therefore, by switching the cold air supply path 34 to the first state, the refrigerator 10 can promote the supply of cold air into the switching chamber 19 and increase the cooling intensity in the switching chamber 19.

[0034] The second state is the state in which the damper 35 opens the opening 35c by the flap 35b. When the cold air supply passage 34 is switched to the second state, the cold air in the refrigerating temperature range generated by the refrigerating cooler 31 is supplied into the refrigerating chamber 12, the upper chilled chamber 18A, and the lower chilled chamber 18B, and is also supplied into the switching chamber 19. Therefore, the refrigerator 10 can suppress the supply of cold air into the switching chamber 19 and weaken the cooling intensity in the switching chamber 19 by switching the cold air supply passage 34 to the second state.

[0035] Note that when the cold air supply passage 34 is switched to the first state, the cold air is not supplied into the refrigerating chamber 12, the upper chilled chamber 18A, and the lower chilled chamber 18B, so there is a risk that the cooling in these storage chambers 12, 18A, 18B becomes insufficient. Therefore, when the refrigerator 10 increases the cooling intensity in the switching chamber 19, it is preferable to switch the cold air supply passage 34 to the first state on the condition that the refrigerating chamber 12, the upper chilled chamber 18A, and the lower chilled chamber 18B are sufficiently cooled within the target temperature range, more preferably near the lower limit temperature of the target temperature range. Thereby, when increasing the cooling intensity in the switching chamber 19, it is possible to suppress the cooling in the refrigerating chamber 12, the upper chilled chamber 18A, and the lower chilled chamber 18B from becoming insufficient.

[0036] Further, when the refrigerator 10 switches the cold air supply passage 34 to the second state by the damper 35, by appropriately adjusting the opening degree of the flap 35b in the damper 35, the ratio between the total amount of cold air supplied into the refrigerating chamber 12, the upper chilled chamber 18A, and the lower chilled chamber 18B and the total amount of cold air supplied into the switching chamber 19 can be changed.

[0037] Specifically, in the state where the cold air supply passage 34 is switched to the second state, the smaller the opening degree of the flap 35b in the damper 35, the larger the total amount of cold air supplied into the switching chamber 19 can be made compared to the total amount of cold air supplied into the refrigerating chamber 12, the upper chilled chamber 18A, and the lower chilled chamber 18B. Thereby, the switching chamber 19 can be cooled to a temperature range lower than that of the refrigerating chamber 12, the upper chilled chamber 18A, and the lower chilled chamber 18B.

[0038] On the other hand, in the state where the cold air supply passage 34 is switched to the second state, the larger the opening degree of the flap 35b in the damper 35, the smaller the total amount of cold air supplied into the switching chamber 19 can be made compared to the total amount of cold air supplied into the refrigerator compartment 12, the upper chilled chamber 18A, and the lower chilled chamber 18B. Thereby, the inside of the switching chamber 19 can be cooled to a temperature range higher than those of the refrigerator compartment 12, the upper chilled chamber 18A, and the lower chilled chamber 18B.

[0039] Further, in the state where the cold air supply passage 34 is switched to the second state, when the opening degree of the flap 35b in the damper 35 is fully opened, cold air can be evenly supplied into the refrigerator compartment 12, the upper chilled chamber 18A, the lower chilled chamber 18B, and the switching chamber 19. Thereby, the refrigerator compartment 12, the upper chilled chamber 18A, the lower chilled chamber 18B, and the switching chamber 19 can be cooled to a similar temperature range.

[0040] Also, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the refrigerator 10 includes a control device 61. The control device 61 is an example of a control unit and is mainly configured by, for example, a microcomputer. The control device 61 controls the operations of various components of the various drive systems provided in the refrigerator 10, such as the refrigeration blower 32, the freezing blower 42, and the compressor 51, based on, for example, a control program and various setting information. Thereby, the control device 61 can control the overall operation of the refrigerator 10.

[0041] Also, the opening and closing control of the flap 35b by the above-described damper 35, in other words, the switching control for switching the cold air supply passage 34 between the first state and the second state, and the opening degree adjustment control of the damper 35 in the state where the cold air supply passage 34 is switched to the second state are also performed by the control device 61. The control device 61 can adjust the amount and intensity of the cold air supplied into the refrigerator compartment 12, the upper chilled chamber 18A, the lower chilled chamber 18B, and the switching chamber 19, respectively, by appropriately adjusting the opening degree of the flap 35b in the damper 35.

[0042] More specifically, when the control device 61 switches the cold air supply passage 34 to the second state by the damper 35, the control device 61 can adjust the opening degree of the flap 35b in the damper 35 so that the total amount of cold air supplied into the refrigerator compartment 12, the upper chilled compartment 18A, and the lower chilled compartment 18B is larger than the total amount of cold air supplied into the switching compartment 19. Thereby, cold air can be preferentially supplied into the refrigerator compartment 12, the upper chilled compartment 18A, and the lower chilled compartment 18B rather than the switching compartment 19. Therefore, the refrigerator compartment 12, the upper chilled compartment 18A, and the lower chilled compartment 18B can be efficiently cooled to the target temperature range, and the energy-saving performance of the entire refrigerator 10 can be improved.

[0043] Also, when the control device 61 switches the cold air supply passage 34 to the second state by the damper 35, the control device 61 can adjust the opening degree of the flap 35b in the damper 35 so that the total amount of cold air supplied into the switching compartment 19 is larger than the total amount of cold air supplied into the refrigerator compartment 12, the upper chilled compartment 18A, and the lower chilled compartment 18B. Thereby, cold air can be preferentially supplied into the switching compartment 19 rather than the refrigerator compartment 12, the upper chilled compartment 18A, and the lower chilled compartment 18B. Therefore, the switching compartment 19 can be efficiently cooled to the target temperature range, and the energy-saving performance of the entire refrigerator 10 can be improved.

[0044] Also, as described above, the control device 61 can adjust the amount of cold air supplied into the switching compartment 19 by appropriately adjusting the opening degree of the flap 35b in the damper 35. Thereby, the control device 61 can switch the cooling of the switching compartment 19 to a plurality of cooling modes. The cooling modes that can be realized in the switching compartment 19 are, for example, a refrigeration mode, a chilled mode, a partial mode, a freezing crystal mode, and the like. Note that the cooling modes that can be realized in the switching compartment 19 are not limited to these cooling mode types.

[0045] The refrigeration mode is a mode in which the inside of the switching chamber 19 is cooled to a predetermined refrigeration temperature range, for example, a temperature range of about 3°C to 5°C. The refrigeration temperature range is an example of the basic temperature range, and its temperature range can be appropriately changed and set. The refrigerator 10 can cool the inside of the switching chamber 19 in the refrigeration mode by setting the opening degree of the flap 35b in the damper 35 to the fully open state, that is, 100%. That is, the refrigeration mode is a mode in which the inside of the switching chamber 19 is cooled to a temperature range similar to that in the refrigerating chamber 12, the upper chilled chamber 18A, and the lower chilled chamber 18B.

[0046] The chilled mode is a mode in which the inside of the switching chamber 19 is cooled to a predetermined chilled temperature range, for example, a temperature range of about 0°C to 3°C. The chilled temperature range is an example of a special temperature range different from the basic temperature range, and its temperature range can be appropriately changed and set. The refrigerator 10 can cool the switching chamber 19 in the chilled mode by adjusting the opening degree of the flap 35b in the damper 35 to any opening degree between, for example, 50% and 100%.

[0047] The partial mode is a mode in which the inside of the switching chamber 19 is cooled to a predetermined partial temperature range, for example, about -1°C to -3°C. The partial temperature range is an example of a special temperature range different from the basic temperature range, and its temperature range can be appropriately changed and set. The refrigerator 10 can cool the switching chamber 19 in the partial mode by adjusting the opening degree of the flap 35b in the damper 35 to any opening degree between, for example, 0% and 50%.

[0048] The ice crystal mode is a mode in which the inside of the switching chamber 19 is cooled to a predetermined ice crystal temperature range. The ice crystal temperature range is an example of a special temperature range different from the basic temperature range, and its temperature range can be appropriately changed and set. The ice crystal mode is a cooling mode that alternately repeats a period of cooling to the upper limit temperature of the ice crystal temperature range, which is, for example, around 1°C, and a period of cooling to the lower limit temperature of the ice crystal temperature range, which is, for example, around -5°C. According to the ice crystal mode, a period in which the cooling of the moisture contained in the stored items is promoted and a period in which it stagnates are alternately repeated. Therefore, for example, an ice film can be formed on the surface of stored items containing moisture such as meat, and the stored items can be stored without freezing the inside of the stored items.

[0049] The upper limit temperature in the ice crystal mode can be realized, for example, by adjusting the opening degree of the flap 35b in the damper 35 to an opening degree around the opening degree in the chilled mode described above. Also, the lower limit temperature in the ice crystal mode can be realized, for example, by adjusting the opening degree of the flap 35b in the damper 35 to a fully closed state, that is, an opening degree of 0 percent.

[0050] The control device 61 can realize the ice crystal mode by adjusting the opening degree of the flap 35b in the damper 35 so that the temperature fluctuation range inside the switching chamber 19 is larger than the temperature fluctuation ranges inside the refrigerating chamber 12, the upper chilled chamber 18A, and the lower chilled chamber 18B.

[0051] Also, when the control device 61 switches the cold air supply passage 34 to the second state by the damper 35, it is possible to reduce the driving amount of the refrigerating blower 32 compared to when the cold air supply passage 34 is switched to the first state by the damper 35. Thereby, the amount and wind speed of the cold air supplied into the refrigerating chamber 12, the upper chilled chamber 18A, the lower chilled chamber 18B, and the switching chamber 19 can be reduced, and the stored items can be protected from drying.

[0052] Further, when the control device 61 switches the cold air supply passage 34 to the second state by the damper 35, it is possible to increase the driving amount of the refrigeration blower 32 compared to the case where the cold air supply passage 34 is switched to the first state by the damper 35. Thereby, the amount of cold air and the wind speed supplied into the refrigerator compartment 12, the upper chilled compartment 18A, the lower chilled compartment 18B, and the switching compartment 19 can be increased, and the stored items can be rapidly frozen.

[0053] Note that the driving amount of the refrigeration blower 32 is, for example, the rotation speed or rotation time of a fan (not shown) provided in the refrigeration blower 32. The control device 61 can adjust the blowing ability of the refrigeration blower 32 by appropriately changing the driving amount of the refrigeration blower 32.

[0054] Also, when the control device 61 switches the cold air supply passage 34 to the second state by the damper 35, it is possible to reduce the driving amount of the compressor 51 compared to the case where the cold air supply passage 34 is switched to the first state by the damper 35. Thereby, the humidity of the cold air supplied into the refrigerator compartment 12, the upper chilled compartment 18A, the lower chilled compartment 18B, and the switching compartment 19 can be increased, and the stored items can be protected from drying.

[0055] Further, when the control device 61 switches the cold air supply passage 34 to the second state by the damper 35, it is possible to increase the driving amount of the compressor 51 compared to the case where the cold air supply passage 34 is switched to the first state by the damper 35. Thereby, the humidity of the cold air supplied into the refrigerator compartment 12, the upper chilled compartment 18A, the lower chilled compartment 18B, and the switching compartment 19 can be decreased, and the stored items can be rapidly frozen.

[0056] Note that the driving amount of the compressor 51 is, for example, the rotation speed or rotation time of a compressor motor (not shown) provided in the compressor 51. The control device 61 can adjust the refrigerant compression ability of the compressor 51, in other words, the cooling ability of the refrigeration cooler 31, by appropriately changing the driving amount of the compressor 51.

[0057] Further, the control device 61 can function the switching chamber 19 as a rapid cooling chamber for rapidly cooling stored items by switching the cold air supply passage 34 to the first state by the damper 35, or by switching the cold air supply passage 34 to the second state by the damper 35 and adjusting the opening degree of the damper 35 so that the total amount of cold air supplied to the switching chamber 19 becomes larger than the total amount of cold air supplied into the refrigerator compartment 12, the upper chilled chamber 18A, and the lower chilled chamber 18B.

[0058] Further, the control device 61 can function the switching chamber 19 as a rapid thawing chamber for rapidly thawing stored items by reducing the driving amount of the compressor 51 and increasing the driving amount of the refrigerating blower 32 to vigorously supply air into the switching chamber 19 while cold air is being supplied into the switching chamber 19. Note that the control device 61 can also function the switching chamber 19 as a rapid thawing chamber by reducing the driving amount of the compressor 51 without changing the driving amount of the refrigerating blower 32 while cold air is being supplied into the switching chamber 19. Further, the control device 61 can also function the switching chamber 19 as a rapid thawing chamber by increasing the driving amount of the refrigerating blower 32 without changing the driving amount of the compressor 51 while cold air is being supplied into the switching chamber 19.

[0059] Further, the control device 61 is capable of performing a defrosting operation for removing frost adhering to the refrigerating cooler 31. And the control device 61 can adjust the humidity in the refrigerator compartment 12, the upper chilled chamber 18A, the lower chilled chamber 18B, and the switching chamber 19 by controlling the damper 35 during the execution of the defrosting operation.

[0060] That is, by performing the defrosting operation, air containing moisture generated by defrosting, that is, high-humidity air, is generated around the refrigerating cooler 31. Therefore, by appropriately supplying such high-humidity air into the refrigerator compartment 12, the upper chilled chamber 18A, the lower chilled chamber 18B, and the switching chamber 19 by the refrigerating blower 32, the humidity in these storage chambers 12, 18A, 18B, 19 can be adjusted.

[0061] At this time, the control device 61 can change the ratio between the total amount of high-humidity air supplied into the refrigerator compartment 12, the upper chilled compartment 18A, and the lower chilled compartment 18B, and the total amount of high-humidity air supplied into the switching compartment 19 by appropriately adjusting the opening degree of the damper 35 during the defrosting operation.

[0062] That is, the control device 61 can, for example, make the total amount of high-humidity air supplied into the refrigerator compartment 12, the upper chilled compartment 18A, and the lower chilled compartment 18B more or less than the total amount of high-humidity air supplied into the switching compartment 19. Thereby, the control device 61 can make the humidity in the refrigerator compartment 12, the upper chilled compartment 18A, and the lower chilled compartment 18B different from the humidity in the switching compartment 19.

[0063] Further, the control device 61 can maintain the same humidity in the refrigerator compartment 12, the upper chilled compartment 18A, the lower chilled compartment 18B, and the switching compartment 19 by adjusting the total amount of high-humidity air supplied into the refrigerator compartment 12, the upper chilled compartment 18A, and the lower chilled compartment 18B to an amount equivalent to the total amount of high-humidity air supplied into the switching compartment 19.

[0064] In addition, the control device 61 can select whether to supply high-humidity air into the refrigerator compartment 12, the upper chilled compartment 18A, and the lower chilled compartment 18B. That is, the control device 61 can select to supply high-humidity air into the refrigerator compartment 12, the upper chilled compartment 18A, and the lower chilled compartment 18B by keeping the damper 35 open. On the other hand, the control device 61 can select not to supply high-humidity air into the refrigerator compartment 12, the upper chilled compartment 18A, and the lower chilled compartment 18B by keeping the damper 35 closed.

[0065] In addition, the humidity of the air generated during the defrost operation is high at the initial stage of the defrost operation and becomes lower towards the end stage. Therefore, for example, the control device 61 supplies the air around the refrigerating cooler 31 into the refrigerating chamber 12, the upper chilled chamber 18A, and the lower chilled chamber 18B at the initial stage of the defrost operation, and stops supplying the air around the refrigerating cooler 31 into the refrigerating chamber 12, the upper chilled chamber 18A, and the lower chilled chamber 18B when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the defrost operation. That is, the control device 61 may select whether to supply the air into the refrigerating chamber 12, the upper chilled chamber 18A, and the lower chilled chamber 18B according to the humidity of the air generated during the defrost operation.

[0066] Note that the defrost operation can be performed, for example, by switching the direction in which the refrigerant flows in the refrigeration cycle mechanism to the opposite direction to the normal direction and operating the refrigerating cooler 31 as a heater. Alternatively, the defrost operation can be performed, for example, by operating the refrigerating blower 32 at a driving amount higher than the normal driving amount with the driving of the compressor 51 stopped or the driving amount reduced in the refrigeration cycle mechanism. Alternatively, the defrost operation can be performed by combining operating the refrigerating cooler 31 as a heater and operating the refrigerating blower 32 at a driving amount higher than the normal driving amount. Further, the refrigerator 10 may be configured to be capable of performing a defrost operation also for the refrigerating cooler 41.

[0067] According to the refrigerator 10 according to the present disclosure, a cold air supply path 34 is provided that can supply the cold air generated by the refrigerating cooler 31 into the refrigerating chamber 12, the upper chilled chamber 18A, the lower chilled chamber 18B, and the switching chamber 19. Further, according to the refrigerator 10, this cold air supply path 34 is in a first state in which cold air is not supplied into the refrigerating chamber 12, the upper chilled chamber 18A, and the lower chilled chamber 18B, but cold air is supplied to the switching chamber 19, and a second state in which cold air is supplied into the refrigerating chamber 12, the upper chilled chamber 18A, the lower chilled chamber 18B, and the switching chamber 19. And a damper 35 that can be switched to, is provided. And this damper 35 is provided in the supply path 34a for the refrigerating chamber, the supply path 34b for the upper chilled chamber, and the supply path 34c for the lower chilled chamber, and is not provided in the supply path 34d for the switching chamber.

[0068] According to this configuration example, by switching the cold air supply path 34 to the first state by the damper 35, the cooling intensity of the switching chamber 19 can be increased. On the other hand, by switching the cold air supply path 34 to the second state by the damper 35, the cooling intensity of the switching chamber 19 can be weakened. Therefore, even if the damper 35 is not provided in the supply path 34d for the switching chamber, the cooling intensity of the switching chamber 19 can be controlled, that is, the cooling mode in the switching chamber 19 can be switched. Thereby, the switching chamber 19 whose cooling mode can be switched can be provided without causing a cost increase. That is, at least, the cost increase can be suppressed by the amount that the damper in the supply path 34d for the switching chamber is not required.

[0069] Further, according to the refrigerator 10, as coolers, a refrigerating cooler 31 that generates cold air supplied into the refrigerating chamber 12, the upper chilled chamber 18A, the lower chilled chamber 18B, and the switching chamber 19, and an ice making chamber 14, a small freezing chamber 15, and a large freezing chamber 16 are provided. And a refrigerating cooler 41 that generates the cold air to be supplied into the inside. That is, the refrigerator 10 has a configuration including two coolers.

[0070] Here, in a refrigerator that generates cold air for cooling a storage chamber in the refrigerating temperature range and cold air for cooling a storage chamber in the freezing temperature range with a single cooler, the single cooler generates cold air for the freezing temperature range. Then, in the storage chamber in the freezing temperature range, the generated cold air for the freezing temperature range is directly supplied to cool the inside of the storage chamber to the freezing temperature range. On the other hand, in the storage chamber in the refrigerating temperature range, the supply amount of the generated cold air for the freezing temperature range is suppressed to cool the inside of the storage chamber to the refrigerating temperature range.

[0071] When considering applying the technical idea of the present disclosure, that is, a configuration example without a damper in the switching chamber supply path for supplying cold air to the switching chamber, to a refrigerator configured as described above, cold air in the freezing temperature range will be directly supplied into the switching chamber. Therefore, the inside of the switching chamber will be cooled to the freezing temperature range, that is, the inside of the switching chamber will be cooled excessively more than necessary.

[0072] Therefore, the technical idea of the present disclosure is suitable for the refrigerator 10 provided with the two coolers 31 and 41 as described above. However, the present disclosure does not exclude refrigerators provided with a single cooler as described above. Therefore, the technical idea of the present disclosure may be applied to a refrigerator provided with a single cooler.

[0073] Further, according to the refrigerator 10, the control device 61 can adjust the opening degree of the damper 35 so that the temperature fluctuation range in the switching chamber 19 is larger than the temperature fluctuation ranges in the refrigerating chamber 12, the upper chilled chamber 18A, and the lower chilled chamber 18B. And by adjusting the opening degree of the damper 35 so that the temperature fluctuation range in the switching chamber 19 is larger than the temperature fluctuation ranges in the refrigerating chamber 12, the upper chilled chamber 18A, and the lower chilled chamber 18B, for example, it is possible to realize a special cooling mode such as storing the stored items without freezing the inside of the stored items.

[0074] Further, according to the refrigerator 10, the control device 61 can control the refrigeration blower 32, and when the damper 35 switches the cold air supply passage 34 to the second state, the drive amount of the refrigeration blower 32 can be increased or decreased compared to the case where the damper 35 switches the cold air supply passage 34 to the first state. In this configuration example, for example, when the drive amount of the refrigeration blower 32 is reduced, the amount of cold air and the wind speed supplied into the refrigerator compartment 12, the upper chilled compartment 18A, the lower chilled compartment 18B, and the switching compartment 19 can be reduced, and the stored items can be protected from drying. On the other hand, for example, when the drive amount of the refrigeration blower 32 is increased, the amount of cold air and the wind speed supplied into the refrigerator compartment 12, the upper chilled compartment 18A, the lower chilled compartment 18B, and the switching compartment 19 can be increased, and the stored items can be rapidly frozen.

[0075] Further, according to the refrigerator 10, the control device 61 can control the compressor 51, and when the damper 35 switches the cold air supply passage 34 to the second state, the drive amount of the compressor 51 can be increased or decreased compared to the case where the damper 35 switches the cold air supply passage 34 to the first state. In this configuration example, for example, when the drive amount of the compressor 51 is reduced, the humidity of the cold air supplied into the refrigerator compartment 12, the upper chilled compartment 18A, the lower chilled compartment 18B, and the switching compartment 19 can be increased, and the stored items can be protected from drying. On the other hand, for example, when the drive amount of the compressor 51 is increased, the humidity of the cold air supplied into the refrigerator compartment 12, the upper chilled compartment 18A, the lower chilled compartment 18B, and the switching compartment 19 can be reduced, and moisture can be removed from the stored items and they can be rapidly frozen.

[0076] Further, according to the refrigerator 10, the control device 61 can execute a defrosting operation for removing frost adhering to the refrigeration cooler 31, and by controlling the opening degree of the damper 35 during the execution of the defrosting operation, the humidity inside the refrigerator compartment 12, the upper chilled compartment 18A, the lower chilled compartment 18B, and the switching compartment 19 can be adjusted. According to this configuration example, by utilizing the air containing moisture generated by the defrosting operation, the humidity inside the refrigerator compartment 12, the upper chilled compartment 18A, the lower chilled compartment 18B, and the switching compartment 19 can be appropriately adjusted, and the stored items can be cooled while being given an appropriate degree of moisture.

[0077] Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and expansions can be made without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the cold air supply path 34 may be configured such that each of the refrigerator compartment supply path 34a, the upper chilled compartment supply path 34b, and the lower chilled compartment supply path 34c is provided with a damper 35, instead of being provided with a single damper 35 common to the refrigerator compartment supply path 34a, the upper chilled compartment supply path 34b, and the lower chilled compartment supply path 34c. Further, for example, a configuration may be adopted in which a damper 35 common to the refrigerator compartment supply path 34a and the upper chilled compartment supply path 34b is provided, and another damper 35 is provided for the lower chilled compartment supply path 34c.

[0078] Also, the switching chamber 19 may be provided outside the partitioning chamber 18 within the refrigerator compartment 12 instead of within the partitioning chamber 18. Further, the switching chamber 19 may be provided within a storage compartment other than the refrigerator compartment 12. Further, the switching chamber 19 may be configured as an independent storage compartment separate from the refrigerator compartment 12, the vegetable compartment 13, the ice making compartment 14, the small freezer compartment 15, and the large freezer compartment 16. Further, the basic storage compartment is not limited to the refrigerator compartment 12, and may be other storage compartments.

[0079] Although the embodiments according to the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented merely as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, changes, etc. can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0080] In the drawings, 10 denotes a refrigerator, 12 denotes a refrigerating compartment (basic storage compartment), 18A denotes an upper chilled compartment (basic storage compartment), 18B denotes a lower chilled compartment (basic storage compartment), 19 denotes a switching compartment (special storage compartment), 31 denotes a refrigerator cooler (cooler, first cooler), 32 denotes a refrigerator blower (blower), 34 denotes a cold air supply passage, 35 denotes a damper (switching unit), 42 denotes a freezer cooler (cooler, second cooler), 51 denotes a compressor, and 61 denotes a control device (control unit).

Claims

1. A cooler for generating cold air, A storage chamber cooled by the cold air generated by the cooler, which is a basic storage chamber capable of being cooled to a predetermined basic temperature range, A storage chamber cooled by the cold air generated by the cooler, which is a special storage chamber capable of being switched to and cooled in a plurality of predetermined special temperature ranges, A cold air supply path through which the cold air generated by the cooler can be supplied to the basic storage chamber and the special storage chamber, A switching unit capable of switching the cold air supply path between a first state in which cold air is supplied to the special storage chamber and a second state in which cold air is supplied to the basic storage chamber and the special storage chamber, A control unit for controlling the switching unit, Comprising, When the control unit switches the cold air supply path to the second state by the switching unit, a refrigerator that adjusts the switching unit so that the amount of cold air supplied to the basic storage chamber is greater than the amount of cold air supplied to the special storage chamber.

2. As the cooler, A first cooler for generating cold air supplied to the basic storage chamber and the special storage chamber, A second cooler for generating cold air supplied to storage chambers other than the basic storage chamber and the special storage chamber, The refrigerator according to claim 1, comprising.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the control unit adjusts the switching unit so that the temperature fluctuation range of the special storage chamber is larger than the temperature fluctuation range of the basic storage chamber.

4. Further comprising a blower for blowing the cold air generated by the cooler, The control unit can further control the blower, and when the switching unit switches the cold air supply path to the second state, the driving amount of the blower is smaller than when the switching unit switches the cold air supply path to the first state. The refrigerator according to claim 1.

5. Further comprising a compressor for compressing the refrigerant supplied to the cooler, The control unit can further control the compressor, and when the switching unit switches the cold air supply path to the second state, the driving amount of the compressor is smaller than when the switching unit switches the cold air supply path to the first state. The refrigerator according to claim 1.

6. The control unit can execute a defrosting operation for removing frost adhering to the cooler, and adjusts the humidity of the basic storage chamber by controlling the switching unit during the execution of the defrosting operation. The refrigerator according to claim 1.

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