Refrigerator

Abstract

To enable suitably freezing in a refrigerator controlled by one operation.SOLUTION: A refrigerator includes: a freezing chamber; a refrigerating chamber; a compressor for compressing a refrigerant; an evaporator for generating cool air by using the refrigerant; a fan for sending cool air to the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber; a first temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the freezing chamber; and a control unit for controlling the compressor and the fan. A damper is not provided in a cool air passage from the evaporator to the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber. When a temperature of the freezing chamber is higher than a permissible maximum temperature in a state that the compressor is driven, the control unit lowers a rotation frequency of the fan.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to refrigerators. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigerator that is provided with a compressor and does not have a damper in the cold air passage. Such a refrigerator is sometimes called a "one-control refrigerator." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-169376 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a demand for optimal freezing in a single-control refrigerator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The refrigerator disclosed herein includes a freezer compartment, a refrigerator compartment, a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, an evaporator for generating cold air using the refrigerant, a fan for sending the cold air to the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment, a first temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the freezer compartment, and a control unit for controlling the compressor and the fan. No damper is provided in the cold air passage from the evaporator to the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment. When the temperature of the freezer compartment is higher than the maximum allowable temperature while the compressor is running, the control unit reduces the rotation speed of the fan. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to perform suitable freezing in a single-controlled refrigerator. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating control of a compressor and a fan according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 5 is a flowchart showing control by a control unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating control of a compressor and a fan according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing control by a control unit according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their names and functions are also the same. [First embodiment]

[0009] Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a refrigerator 1. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the refrigerator 1.

[0010] 1, the refrigerator 1 includes a housing 10. The housing 10 includes a refrigeration compartment 11 and a freezer compartment 12.

[0011] The refrigerator compartment 11 refers to a compartment that is cooled to a temperature lower than room temperature when the set temperature is in a temperature range higher than 0°C, and the set temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 is usually preferably 1°C or higher and 5°C or lower. The freezer compartment 12 refers to a compartment that is cooled to a temperature lower than room temperature when the set temperature is in a temperature range lower than 0°C, and the set temperature of the freezer compartment 12 is usually -10°C or lower, preferably -15°C or lower, and is usually set to, for example, -18°C.

[0012] The refrigerator 1 further includes a refrigerant circuit 20. The refrigerant circuit 20 includes a compressor 21, an evaporator 22, and a refrigerant pipe 23 that connects the compressor 21 and the evaporator 22 to form the refrigerant circuit 20. In the refrigerant circuit 20, air is cooled in the evaporator 22 to generate cold air. In the refrigerator 1, the portion where the evaporator 22 is located and that generates cold air is referred to as a cold air generating unit 30.

[0013] The temperature of the cold air generated in the cold air generating unit 30 can be controlled by the output of the compressor 21. The higher the output of the compressor 21, the lower the temperature of the cold air generated. In this embodiment, the compressor 21 is inverter-controlled, so the output of the compressor 21 can be controlled by the operation rate of the compressor 21 (the proportion of the period during which the compressor is on per unit period).

[0014] The cold air generated in the cold air generating unit 30 is supplied to the refrigerator compartment 11 and the freezer compartment 12, respectively.

[0015] Specifically, a cold air flow path 41 is connected to the cold air generating unit 30. In this embodiment, the cold air flow path 41 supplies cold air from the cold air generating unit 30 to the freezer compartment 12 and the refrigerator compartment 11, and then returns the cold air to the cold air generating unit 30 again.

[0016] The refrigerator 1 is provided with a fan 50 for sending the cold air generated by the cold air generating unit 30 to the freezer compartment 12 and the refrigerator compartment 11 via the cold air flow path 41. The higher the rotation speed of the fan 50, the higher the flow rate of the cold air sent to the cold air flow path 41, the freezer compartment 12, and the refrigerator compartment 11.

[0017] In refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment, cooling components such as evaporator 22 and a cooling compartment are provided in the upper part of the back surface. Freezer compartment 12 is provided in the upper part, and refrigerator compartment 11 is provided in the lower part. That is, freezer compartment 12 is provided on the upstream side of cold air flow path 41, and refrigerator compartment 11 is provided on the downstream side of cold air flow path 41.

[0018] The refrigerator 1 of this embodiment is a so-called one-control refrigerator in which no damper is provided in the cold air flow path 41. In this refrigerator 1, a temperature sensor 11a is provided in the refrigerator compartment 11, and the compressor 21 and the fan 50 are controlled based on the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 (refrigerating temperature) detected by the temperature sensor 11a. To prevent freezing in the refrigerator compartment 11, the set temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 is set to a temperature higher than 0°C (for example, 1°C to 8°C). In the refrigerator 1, the compressor 21 and the fan 50 are controlled so that the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 is within a range higher than the set temperature. The temperature of the freezer compartment 12 changes in accordance with the control of the compressors 21 and 50.

[0019] In addition, in the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment, a temperature sensor 12a is also provided in the freezer compartment 12. As will be described below, the compressor 21 and the fan 50 are controlled not only based on the temperature of the refrigeration compartment 11 but also based on the temperature (refrigeration temperature) of the freezer compartment 12 detected by the temperature sensor 12a. Note that the temperature sensor 12a may be, for example, a temperature sensor disposed in the freezer compartment 12 and directly detecting the temperature inside the freezer compartment 12. The temperature sensor 12a may also be a temperature sensor (defrost thermistor) provided in the refrigerator 1 and detecting the temperature of an area where a heater 24 for heating the evaporator 22 for defrosting is provided. Even if the temperature sensor is a defrost thermistor, the temperature related to the temperature of the freezer compartment 12 can be measured because the temperature of the area where the defrost thermistor is provided correlates with the temperature of the freezer compartment 12 except during defrosting.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 2, the refrigerator 1 includes a control unit 60. The control unit 60 controls each mechanism of the refrigerator 1. For example, the control unit 60 controls the output (operation rate and rotation speed) of the compressor 21 and the rotation speed of the fan 50 based on operation commands received via the operation unit 70 and measurement values of the temperature sensors 11a and 12a.

[0021] In this embodiment, the control unit 60 controls the compressor 21 and the fan 50 so that the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 is, for example, 5°C (first set temperature) or less and 1°C (second set temperature) or more. In addition to this condition, the control unit 60 controls the compressor 21 and the fan 50 so that the temperature of the freezer compartment 12 is -15°C (third set temperature) or less and -20°C (fourth set temperature) or more. It is preferable that the first set temperature is the maximum allowable cooling temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11, the second set temperature is the target minimum cooling temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 (e.g., one set temperature), the third set temperature is the maximum allowable cooling temperature of the freezer compartment 12, and the fourth set temperature is the target minimum cooling temperature of the freezer compartment 12 (e.g., another set temperature).

[0022] In this embodiment, in order to maintain refrigerator compartment 11 and freezer compartment 12 in the above-mentioned preferred temperature range while suppressing power consumption, control shown in FIG. 3 is performed.

[0023] (1) Even when the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 is lower than the second set temperature and the temperature of the freezer compartment 12 is higher than the third set temperature, the control unit 60 sets the rotation speed of the fan 50 to a low value (second rotation speed) while maintaining the rotation speed of the compressor 21 at the normal value (first rotation speed). More specifically, by lowering the rotation speed of the fan without increasing the rotation speed of the compressor 21, the amount of air flowing through the evaporator is reduced, and the temperature of the cold air discharged from the evaporator is lowered. At this time, the temperature of the cold air becomes sufficiently colder than that of the center of the freezer compartment, making it possible to efficiently lower the temperature of the freezer compartment 12.

[0024] (2) When the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 is higher than the first set temperature and the temperature of the freezer compartment 12 is higher than the third set temperature, the control unit 60 sets the rotation speed of the fan 50 to a low value (second rotation speed) while maintaining the rotation speed of the compressor 21 at the normal value (first rotation speed). More specifically, by lowering the rotation speed of the fan without increasing the rotation speed of the compressor 21, the amount of air flowing through the evaporator is reduced, and the temperature of the cold air discharged from the evaporator is lowered. At this time, the temperature of the cold air becomes sufficiently colder than the center of the freezer compartment, making it possible to efficiently lower the temperatures of the freezer compartment 12 and the refrigerator compartment 11.

[0025] (3) When the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 is higher than the first set temperature and the temperature of the freezer compartment 12 is lower than the third set temperature, the control unit 60 sets the rotation speed of the fan 50 to a high value (third rotation speed) while maintaining the rotation speed of the compressor 21 at the normal value (first rotation speed).

[0026] (4) When the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 is lower than the second set temperature and the temperature of the freezer compartment 12 is lower than the third set temperature, the control unit 60 stops the compressor 21 and the fan 50.

[0027] The control of the control unit 60 according to this embodiment will be described in more detail below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0028] First, the control unit 60 acquires the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 from the temperature sensor 11a of the refrigerator compartment 11 (step S102). The control unit 60 determines whether the temperature is higher than the first set temperature (step S104). If the temperature is higher than the first set temperature (YES in step S104), the control unit 60 drives the compressor 21 at a normal rotation speed (step S106).

[0029] The control unit 60 acquires the temperature of the freezer compartment 12 from the temperature sensor 12a of the freezer compartment 12 (step S112). The control unit 60 determines whether the temperature is higher than a third set temperature (step S114). If the temperature is higher than the third set temperature (YES in step S114), the control unit 60 drives the fan 50 at a rotation speed lower than normal (step S118).

[0030] If the temperature is lower than the third set temperature (NO in step S114), control unit 60 drives fan 50 at the normal rotation speed while keeping compressor 21 driven at the normal rotation speed (step S120).

[0031] On the other hand, if the temperature of refrigerator compartment 11 is lower than the first set temperature (NO in step S104), control unit 60 acquires the temperature of freezer compartment 12 from temperature sensor 12a of freezer compartment 12 (step S122). Control unit 60 determines whether the temperature is higher than the third set temperature (step S124). If the temperature is higher than the third set temperature (YES in step S124), control unit 60 drives compressor 21 at a normal rotation speed (step S126) while driving fan 50 at a rotation speed lower than normal (step S128).

[0032] If the temperature of freezing compartment 12 is also lower than the third set temperature (NO in step S124), control unit 60 turns off compressor 21 (step S130) and also turns off fan 50 (step S132).

[0033] Note that the control unit 60 may control the fan 50 to increase its rotation speed when the temperature of the freezer compartment 12 drops below a fourth set temperature (e.g., −20° C.), which is the minimum allowable temperature, after reducing the rotation speed of the fan 50. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 3 , the control unit 60 may set the fan 50 to low when the temperatures of the refrigerator compartment 11 and the freezer compartment 12 are both high, and then increase the rotation speed of the fan 50 (return the rotation speed of the fan 50 to normal) when the temperature of the freezer compartment 12 drops below the fourth set temperature. Furthermore, the control unit 60 may control the fan 50 to increase its rotation speed when the temperature of the freezer compartment 12 drops below the maximum allowable temperature after reducing the rotation speed of the fan 50. Alternatively, the control unit 60 may control the fan 50 to increase its rotation speed when the temperature of the freezer compartment 12 drops below the minimum allowable temperature after reducing the rotation speed of the fan 50. [Second embodiment]

[0034] In the above embodiment, if the answer to step S114 is YES, the rotation speed of fan 50 is reduced while maintaining the driving of compressor 21. However, as shown in Fig. 5, (1) when the temperature of refrigerator compartment 11 is higher than the first set temperature and the temperature of freezer compartment 12 is also higher than the third set temperature, control unit 60 may set the rotation speed of compressor 21 to a higher value (fourth rotation speed) while setting the rotation speed of fan 50 to a lower value (second rotation speed).

[0035] The control of the control unit 60 according to this embodiment will be described in more detail below with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 6. The CPU constituting the control unit 60 periodically executes the processing shown in Fig. 6 in accordance with a program stored in memory.

[0036] First, the control unit 60 acquires the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 from the temperature sensor 11a of the refrigerator compartment 11 (step S102). The control unit 60 determines whether the temperature is higher than the first set temperature (step S104). If the temperature is higher than the first set temperature (YES in step S104), the control unit 60 drives the compressor 21 at a normal rotation speed (step S106).

[0037] The control unit 60 acquires the temperature of the freezing compartment 12 from the temperature sensor 12a of the freezing compartment 12 (step S112). The control unit 60 determines whether the temperature is higher than a third set temperature (step S114). If the temperature is higher than the third set temperature (YES in step S114), the control unit 60 drives the compressor 21 at a higher rotation speed (step S216) and drives the fan 50 at a lower rotation speed than normal (step S118).

[0038] If the temperature is lower than the third set temperature (NO in step S114), control unit 60 drives fan 50 at the normal rotation speed while keeping compressor 21 driven at the normal rotation speed (step S120).

[0039] If the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 is lower than the first set temperature (NO in step S104), the control unit 60 acquires the temperature of the freezer compartment 12 from the temperature sensor 12a of the freezer compartment 12 (step S122). The control unit 60 determines whether the temperature is higher than the third set temperature (step S124). If the temperature is higher than the third set temperature (YES in step S124), the control unit 60 drives the compressor 21 at a normal rotation speed (step S126) while driving the fan 50 at a rotation speed lower than normal (step S128).

[0040] If the temperature of freezing compartment 12 is also lower than the third set temperature (NO in step S124), control unit 60 turns off compressor 21 (step S130) and also turns off fan 50 (step S132). [Third embodiment]

[0041] In addition to the above-described embodiment, the rotation speed of compressor 21 may be increased when the temperature of freezer compartment 12 remains higher than the third set temperature for a long period of time. For example, in FIGS. 4 and 6, when the temperature of freezer compartment 12 is higher than the third set temperature (YES in step S114), a timer is started and fan 50 is driven at a rotation speed lower than normal (step S128). Then, when the temperature of freezer compartment 12 does not fall below the third set temperature even after a predetermined time, such as five minutes, has elapsed, control unit 60 drives compressor 21 at a rotation speed higher than normal and fan 50 at a rotation speed lower than normal. After a predetermined time, such as five minutes, has elapsed, control unit 60 repeats the process shown in FIGS. 4 and 6.

[0042] It is preferable that the control unit 60 also performs the same control if the answer is YES in step S124. [Fourth embodiment]

[0043] In addition to the above-described embodiment, the rotation speed of compressor 21 may be increased when the temperature of refrigerator compartment 11 or freezer compartment 12 remains high for a long period of time. For example, in FIGS. 4 and 6, when the temperature of freezer compartment 12 is higher than the third set temperature (YES in step S114), a timer is started and fan 50 is driven at a rotation speed lower than normal (step S128). Then, after a predetermined time, for example, 30 minutes, has elapsed, control unit 60 determines whether or not the following conditional expression (1) is satisfied: (TF1-TF0) / (TR1-TR0)<(TF2-TF0) / (TR2-TR0)...(1) however, TR0: Second set temperature of the refrigerator compartment TR1: Refrigerator compartment temperature before reducing fan speed TR2: Refrigerator compartment temperature after a specified time has elapsed since the fan speed was reduced TF0: The fourth set temperature of the freezer TF1: Freezer temperature before reducing fan speed TF2: Freezer temperature after a specified time has elapsed since the fan speed was reduced is.

[0044] When the above conditional expression (1) is satisfied, the control unit 60 drives the compressor 21 at a higher rotation speed than normal, while driving the fan 50 at a lower rotation speed than normal. Regardless of whether the rotation speed of the compressor 21 is increased or not, the control unit 60 repeats the processing shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 6 after a predetermined time, for example, five minutes, has elapsed.

[0045] It is preferable that the control unit 60 also performs the same control if the answer is YES in step S124. [Fifth embodiment]

[0046] In addition to the above-described embodiment, the rotation speed of compressor 21 may be increased when the temperature of refrigerator compartment 11 or freezer compartment 12 remains high for a long period of time. For example, in FIGS. 4 and 6, when the temperature of freezer compartment 12 is higher than the third set temperature (YES in step S114), a timer is started and fan 50 is driven at a rotation speed lower than normal (step S128). Then, after a predetermined time, for example, 5 minutes, has elapsed, control unit 60 determines whether or not the following conditional expression (1) is satisfied: (TR1-TR0) / (TF1-TF0)<(TR2-TR0) / (TF2-TF0)...(1) however, TR0: Maximum allowable temperature for refrigerator compartment TR1: Refrigerator compartment temperature before reducing fan speed TR2: Refrigerator compartment temperature after a specified time has elapsed since the fan speed was reduced TF0: Maximum allowable temperature of freezer compartment TF1: Freezer temperature before reducing fan speed TF2: Freezer temperature after a specified time has elapsed since the fan speed was reduced is.

[0047] When the above conditional expression (1) is satisfied, the control unit 60 drives the compressor 21 at a higher rotation speed than normal, while driving the fan 50 at a lower rotation speed than normal. Regardless of whether the rotation speed of the compressor 21 is increased or not, the control unit 60 repeats the processing shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 6 after a predetermined time, for example, five minutes, has elapsed.

[0048] It is preferable that the control unit 60 also performs the same control if the answer is YES in step S124.

[0049] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. Furthermore, configurations obtained by combining the configurations of the different embodiments described in this specification are also included in the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1: Refrigerator 11: Refrigerator compartment 11a: Temperature sensor 12: Freezer 12a: Temperature sensor 21: Compressor 22: Evaporator 41: Cold air flow path 50: Fan 60: Control section

Claims

1. A freezer and A refrigerator compartment and a compressor for compressing the refrigerant; an evaporator for generating cold air using the refrigerant; a fan for sending the cold air to the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment; a first temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the freezer compartment; a control unit for controlling the compressor and the fan, A refrigerator in which a damper is not provided in a cold air passage from the evaporator to the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment, The refrigerator, wherein when the temperature of the freezer compartment is higher than a maximum allowable temperature while the compressor is operating, the control unit reduces the rotation speed of the fan.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit increases the rotation speed of the compressor when the temperature of the freezer compartment remains higher than an allowable maximum temperature even after the rotation speed of the fan is reduced.

3. a second temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the refrigerator compartment; 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the control unit increases the rotation speed of the compressor when the temperature of the freezer compartment is higher than a maximum allowable temperature and the temperature of the refrigerator compartment is higher than a tolerance value that is higher than the maximum allowable temperature.

4. a second temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the refrigerator compartment; The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit increases the rotation speed of the compressor when the following conditional expression (1) is satisfied: (TF1-TF0) / (TR1-TR0)<(TF2-TF0) / (TR2-TR0)...(1) however, TR0: One set temperature of the refrigerator compartment TR1: The temperature of the refrigerator compartment before the rotation speed of the fan is reduced TR2: The temperature of the refrigerator compartment after a predetermined time has elapsed since the rotation speed of the fan was reduced TF0: Other set temperatures for the freezer TF1: The temperature of the freezer compartment before reducing the rotation speed of the fan TF2: The temperature of the freezer compartment after a predetermined time has elapsed since the rotation speed of the fan was reduced is.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit increases the rotation speed of the fan when the temperature of the freezer compartment becomes lower than the maximum allowable temperature after reducing the rotation speed of the fan.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit increases the rotation speed of the fan when the temperature of the freezer compartment becomes lower than a minimum allowable temperature of the freezer compartment after reducing the rotation speed of the fan.

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