Cooling device

Abstract

To provide a cooling device which can inhibit a negative pressure from being generated in a storage chamber without forming a vent hole in a gasket of a storage chamber door.SOLUTION: A cooling device according to an embodiment includes: a cooler for generating cool air; a control unit which can perform defrosting operation for heating and removing frost adhering to the cooler; a defrosting water receiving part which receives defrosting water generated from the cooler by the defrosting operation; a drain passage which is connected to the defrosting water receiving part and discharges the defrosting water received by the defrosting water receiving part; and a drain passage heating unit which is provided closer to the drain passage side than the defrosting water receiving part and may heat at least a portion at the defrosting water receiving part side of the drain passage. The control unit causes the drain passage heating unit to perform heating at least in a time period from the end of the defrosting operation to the start of the next defrosting operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention relates to a cooling device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in a cooling device such as a refrigerator or freezer, after a storage compartment door that opens and closes the opening of the storage compartment is opened and closed, the warm air inside the storage compartment is cooled and contracts, which can create a negative pressure inside the storage compartment and make it difficult to open the storage compartment door.

[0003] Therefore, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, a configuration has been devised in which a vent is formed in a gasket provided on the back side of the storage chamber door to prevent negative pressure from building up inside the storage chamber. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-82472 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with the configuration of Patent Document 1, warm outside air flows into the storage chamber through the vent holes in the gasket, making it difficult to maintain the temperature inside the storage chamber low.

[0006] Therefore, this embodiment provides a cooling device that can prevent the inside of the storage chamber from becoming negative pressure even without forming an air vent in the gasket of the storage chamber door. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The cooling device of this embodiment comprises a cooler that generates cold air, a control unit capable of performing a defrosting operation that heats and removes frost that has adhered to the cooler, a defrost water receiving unit that receives defrost water generated from the cooler by the defrosting operation, a drainage channel connected to the defrost water receiving unit and that discharges the defrost water received in the defrost water receiving unit, and a drainage channel heating unit that is located on the drainage channel side of the defrost water receiving unit and is capable of heating at least the portion of the drainage channel that is on the defrost water receiving unit side, and the control unit performs heating using the drainage channel heating unit at least between the end of the defrosting operation and the start of the next defrosting operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of a freezer according to a first embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of a freezer according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a front view schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of a gutter-shaped member and its surrounding area according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a control system for a freezer according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of control of the defrosting operation by the control unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of control of the defrosting operation by the control unit according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of control of the defrosting operation by the control unit according to the third embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of control of the defrosting operation by the control unit according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a control system for a freezer according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting a waiting time according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of setting the heating capacity of a drainage channel heater according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 12]FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a control system for a freezer according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a configuration example of a protrusion and its surrounding area according to a seventh embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an example of the internal configuration of a drainage channel according to a seventh embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, a number of embodiments of the cooling device will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that substantially the same elements in the number of embodiments will be given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0010] (First embodiment) The freezer 1 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is an example of a cooling device, and is configured to have one storage compartment inside a freezer body 10 that is a vertically long rectangular box with an open front. In the following description, the open side of the freezer body 10 will be referred to as the front side of the freezer 1, and the side opposite the opening will be referred to as the rear side of the freezer 1. Furthermore, the up-down direction of the freezer 1 will be the up-down direction relative to the direction of gravity when the freezer 1 is installed on the floor or the like in the orientation illustrated in Figure 2. Furthermore, the left-right direction when viewing the freezer 1 from the front will be referred to as the left-right direction of the freezer 1, i.e., the width direction, and the front-to-back direction of the freezer 1 will be referred to as the depth direction of the freezer 1.

[0011] The freezer 1 is mainly composed of a freezer body 10. The freezer body 10 is a rectangular box with an open front and insulating properties. As shown in FIG. 2, the freezer body 10 is mainly composed of an outer box 10a made of steel plate and an inner box 10b made of synthetic resin. Between the outer box 10a and the inner box 10b, an insulating material such as rigid foamed urethane, which is an example of a foam insulating material, or a vacuum insulating panel, which is an example of an insulating member, is provided.

[0012] The freezer main body 10 has a storage compartment 11 for storing items. The storage compartment 11 is configured to be switchable between a refrigerated temperature range and a freezing temperature range. The refrigerated temperature range is, for example, a temperature range of about 1 to 5°C. On the other hand, the freezing temperature range is, for example, a temperature range of -18°C or below. The refrigerated temperature range is a temperature range suitable for storing items in a refrigerated state. The freezing temperature range is a temperature range suitable for storing items in a frozen state. The storage compartment 11 may be divided into multiple compartments in the vertical or horizontal direction of the freezer 1 by shelves or storage containers not shown.

[0013] The freezer 1 includes a back member 12, a door 13, an operation display device 14, and the like. The back member 12 is made of, for example, synthetic resin. The back member 12 is located behind the storage chamber 11, between the storage chamber 11 and the inner box 10b. The back member 12 forms part of the back surface of the storage chamber 11. The door 13 is an example of a storage chamber door, and is formed by, for example, filling a heat insulating material inside a frame member made of metal or synthetic resin. The back member 12 has an air outlet 121. The air outlet 121 is formed so as to penetrate the back member 12 in the thickness direction. Multiple air outlets 121 can be provided. An air inlet 122 is provided below the air outlet 121. The air inlet 122 is located, for example, in the lower part of the back member 12, between the back member 12 and the inner box 10b.

[0014] Door 13 is configured as, for example, a single-wing door, and opens and closes the front opening of storage chamber 11. A gasket (not shown) is provided on the back side of door 13. The gasket (not shown) is formed in a rectangular frame shape that surrounds the opening of storage chamber 11 when door 13 is closing the opening, and is able to close the opening of storage chamber 11 in an airtight manner. Door 13 may also be a hinged door that opens and closes like a double door. It is preferable that the gasket (not shown) does not have, for example, an air vent, and is configured to be able to prevent outside air from flowing into storage chamber 11 when door 13 is closing the opening of storage chamber 11.

[0015] The operation and display device 14 is provided, for example, on the front side of the top surface of the freezer body 10. The operation and display device 14 may also be provided, for example, on the surface of the door 13. The operation and display device 14 includes an operation unit and a display unit (not shown), and accepts input operations by the user regarding the operation of the freezer 1 and displays the input operation details and the operation status. The input operations regarding the operation of the freezer 1 include an operation to switch to refrigeration operation, which maintains the temperature range of the storage compartment 11 in the refrigeration temperature range, or to freezing operation, which maintains the temperature range of the freezer 1 in the freezing temperature range. The input operations regarding the operation of the freezer 1 also include an operation to set the cooling strength within the storage compartment 11, in other words, the cooling strength of the cooler 22, which will be described later. In other words, the operation and display device 14 functions as an example of a cooling strength setting unit that can set the cooling strength of the cooler 22. In this case, the operation and display device 14 is configured to be able to set the cooling strength of the cooler 22 in multiple levels, for example, three levels: "strong," "medium," and "weak."

[0016] The freezer 1 includes a refrigeration cycle 20. The refrigeration cycle 20 is well-known and therefore not shown in detail. However, it includes a compressor 21, a cooler 22, and a condenser and expansion valve (not shown). The compressor 21 is located, for example, in a machine compartment formed at the bottom of the freezer 1. The compressor 21 compresses a refrigerant used to cool the storage compartment 11. The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 21 is supplied to the cooler 22 via a condenser (not shown). The cooler 22 then cools the surrounding air to generate cold air, which then cools the storage compartment 11. When the compressor 21 is stopped, no refrigerant is supplied to the cooler 22, and cooling of the storage compartment 11 is stopped. By adjusting the drive frequency of the compressor 21 in response to a setting operation via the operation and display device 14, the cooling intensity of the cooler 22 can be varied in multiple stages, as described above.

[0017] Cooler 22 is provided behind storage chamber 11 together with blower 23. Cooler 22 and blower 23 have the function of generating cold air for cooling storage chamber 11 and supplying the cold air into storage chamber 11. In other words, blower 23 blows the cold air generated by cooler 22 into storage chamber 11. The cooling strength within storage chamber 11 can also be changed in multiple stages by adjusting the rotation speed of blower 23. Cooler 22 has a refrigerant pipe 221 and a plurality of cooling fins 222. The refrigerant pipe 221 and the plurality of cooling fins 222 are made of, for example, aluminum.

[0018] The refrigerant supplied from the compressor 21 flows through the refrigerant pipe 221. The refrigerant pipe 221 is formed to snake in the left-right direction and is configured in multiple stages in the up-down direction. The refrigerant pipe 221 is configured so that the refrigerant flows, for example, from the bottom to the top. In this case, the inlet through which the refrigerant flows into the refrigerant pipe 221 is provided at the bottom of the cooler 22, and the outlet through which the refrigerant flows out of the refrigerant pipe 221 is provided at the top of the cooler 22.

[0019] The multiple cooling fins 222 are composed of plate-shaped members that extend in the up-down and front-rear directions. Refrigerant pipes 221 are attached to and pass through the cooling fins 222. The cooling fins 222 function as heat dissipation sections. The multiple cooling fins 222 are divided into multiple stages in the up-down direction. The multiple cooling fins 222 that make up each stage are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, a cold air path 31 is formed between the back member 12 and the inner box 10b. The cold air path 31 is located on the rear side of the storage chamber 11. A cooler 22 and a blower 23 are provided in the cold air path 31. The cold air path 31 is a passage for supplying the cold air generated by the cooler 22 into the storage chamber 11. The cold air that flows into the cold air path 31 is blown by the blower 23 and passes through the cold air path 31. In the cold air path 31, the cooler 22 is located upstream of the blower 23. In other words, the blower 23 is located downstream of the cooler 22. The downstream side means the downstream side in the air flow of the cold air path 31, and the upstream side means the upstream side in the air flow of the cold air path 31.

[0021] The cold air generated by cooler 22 passes through cool air path 31 and flows out from outlet 121 into storage chamber 11. Then, the cold air that has cooled storage chamber 11 is returned to cooler 22 from inlet 122 together with moisture contained in the air and stored items in storage chamber 11. In this case, outlet 121 is used to supply the cold air flowing through cool air path 31 into storage chamber 11. Inlet 122 is used to return to cooler 22 the air that has been supplied into storage chamber 11 via outlet 121 and that has passed through storage chamber 11, moisture contained in stored items, and the like.

[0022] As illustrated in FIG. 3 , the freezer 1 includes a gutter-shaped member 100 below the cooler 22 in the cold air path 31. The gutter-shaped member 100 is an example of a defrost water receiving portion and is a component for receiving defrost water generated from the cooler 22 during a defrosting operation, which will be described later. The gutter-shaped member 100 is formed in the shape of a container with an open top. A drainage channel 101 is connected to the bottom surface of the gutter-shaped member 100. In this case, the drainage channel 101 is connected to the center portion of the bottom surface of the gutter-shaped member 100 in the left-right direction. The bottom surface of the gutter-shaped member 100 is inclined downward toward the drainage channel 101. The drainage channel 101 is led to, for example, an evaporation tray (not shown) provided in a machine room of the freezer 1. The drainage channel 101 is configured to be able to discharge the defrost water received in the gutter-shaped member 100 to the evaporation tray (not shown).

[0023] The freezer 1 also includes a drainage channel heater 102. The drainage channel heater 102 is an example of a drainage channel heating unit, and is configured by spirally winding a heater wire 102a, which is a heat source, around the drainage channel 101. The freezer 1 also includes a defrosting heater 103 below the cooler 22 and above the gutter-shaped member 100. The defrosting heater 103 is configured to be able to heat the cooler 22 during a defrosting operation, which will be described later. The drainage channel heater 102 is provided as a heater separate from the defrosting heater 103. The drainage channel heater 102 may be a heater with a lower output than the defrosting heater 103, a heater with a higher output than the defrosting heater 103, or a heater with an output equivalent to that of the defrosting heater 103.

[0024] The drainage channel heater 102 is provided closer to the drainage channel 101 than the gutter-shaped member 100, i.e., lower than the gutter-shaped member 100, and is configured to be able to heat at least the portion of the drainage channel 101 on the gutter-shaped member 100 side, in this case, mainly the upper portion. The drainage channel heater 102 has a greater number of turns or linear density of the heater wire 102a in the gutter-shaped member 100 side, i.e., the upper portion, of the drainage channel 101, than in the lower portion of the drainage channel 101, i.e., the opposite side to the gutter-shaped member 100. Therefore, the drainage channel heater 102 is configured to be able to heat the portion of the drainage channel 101 on the gutter-shaped member 100 side more strongly than the portion of the drainage channel 101 opposite to the gutter-shaped member 100. In other words, the drainage channel heater 102 is configured to be able to heat the portion of the drainage channel 101 on the gutter-shaped member 100 side to a higher temperature than the portion of the drainage channel 101 opposite to the gutter-shaped member 100.

[0025] The control unit 40 illustrated in FIG. 4 is mainly composed of, for example, a microcomputer, and can control the overall operation of the freezer 1 based on a control program, setting information, and the like. The operation and display device 14, the compressor 21, the blower 23, the drainage channel heater 102, the defrosting heater 103, and the like are electrically connected to the control unit 40. The control unit 40 can execute a defrosting operation in which frost adhering to the cooler 22 is heated and removed by energizing the defrosting heater 103. Defrost water generated from the cooler 22 during the defrosting operation falls into a gutter-shaped member 100 located below the cooler 22. The control unit 40 can also execute a defrosting operation in which ice formed in the drainage channel 101 and the surrounding area of ​​the drainage channel 101 is heated and melted or de-iced by energizing the drainage channel heater 102.

[0026] Next, an example of control of the defrosting operation by the control unit 40 will be described. As illustrated in Fig. 5, in this case, the control unit 40 executes a defrosting operation in which the drainage channel heater 102 is switched from an off state to an on state during the defrosting operation in which the defrost heater 103 is switched from an off state to an on state. This makes it possible to maintain the drainage channel 101 and its surrounding areas in a heated state during the defrosting operation. This makes it possible to prevent defrost water generated during the defrosting operation from freezing in the drainage channel 101. Furthermore, the control unit 40 also executes the defrosting operation at least during the period from the end of the defrosting operation to the start of the next defrosting operation.

[0027] The control unit 40 may perform the defrosting operation for the entire period from the end of a defrosting operation to the start of the next defrosting operation, or may perform the defrosting operation for a portion of the period from the end of a defrosting operation to the start of the next defrosting operation. The control unit 40 may perform the defrosting operation only once between the end of a defrosting operation and the start of the next defrosting operation, or may perform the defrosting operation multiple times. When performing the defrosting operation multiple times, the duration of each defrosting operation may be the same or different. The defrosting operation may be performed repeatedly at regular intervals or irregular intervals.

[0028] In the freezer 1 exemplified above, the drainage channel 101 is provided below the cooler 22, i.e., in the cool air path 31 that communicates with the storage compartment 11, connecting the storage compartment 11 to the outside of the freezer. According to this configuration example, when a user opens the door 13, outside air can be drawn into the storage compartment 11 through the drainage channel 101. Therefore, even without forming a vent in a gasket (not shown) provided on the door 13, negative pressure in the storage compartment 11 can be prevented, and the door 13 can be opened without requiring much force. Even if outside air is drawn into the storage compartment 11 through the drainage channel 101, the outside air passes through the cool air path 31 and is introduced into the storage compartment 11. That is, the outside air can be cooled by the cooler 22 before being introduced into the storage compartment 11. Therefore, a user-friendly freezer 1 can be provided that can maintain a low temperature inside the storage compartment 11 by preventing warm outside air from flowing into the storage compartment 11, and allows the user to easily open the door 13.

[0029] However, drainage channel 101 is located near cooler 22, which is a cooling source, and is therefore in an environment where it is easily cooled, and therefore there is a risk that defrosted water will freeze in drainage channel 101 and its surrounding area, causing blockage of drainage channel 101. If drainage channel 101 is blocked, it will be difficult to introduce outside air into storage chamber 11 through drainage channel 101, and there is a risk that door 13 will become difficult to open.

[0030] Therefore, according to the freezer 1 of the present disclosure, the control unit 40 first executes a defrosting operation during a defrosting operation that generates defrost water, thereby preventing the defrost water generated during the defrosting operation from freezing in the drainage channel 101 and its surrounding areas.

[0031] Furthermore, the control unit 40 executes at least one defrosting operation between the end of a defrosting operation and the start of the next defrosting operation. In other words, the control unit 40 is configured to execute the defrosting operation during a period in which defrosted water may remain in the drainage channel 101 or its surrounding areas after the end of a defrosting operation.

[0032] According to this configuration example, even if defrosted water remains in drainage channel 101 or its surrounding area after the defrosting operation, the defrosted water can be prevented from freezing in drainage channel 101 or its surrounding area. This makes it possible to maintain a state in which drainage channel 101 is not blocked by ice, that is, a state in which outside air can be introduced through drainage channel 101, and more reliably prevents door 13 from becoming difficult to open.

[0033] Furthermore, according to the chiller 1, the drainage channel heater 102 is configured to be able to heat the portion of the drainage channel 101 on the gutter-shaped member 100 side more strongly than the portion of the drainage channel 101 opposite the gutter-shaped member 100. According to this configuration example, the portion of the drainage channel 101 closer to the cooler 22, i.e., the portion where defrost water is likely to freeze, can be heated intensively, and the freezing of the defrost water in the drainage channel 101 can be more effectively prevented.

[0034] (Second embodiment) According to the control example of the defrosting operation illustrated in FIG. 6 , the control unit 40 executes the defrosting operation during the period between the end of the defrosting operation and the start of the next defrosting operation, and while the compressor 21 is being driven. That is, while the compressor 21 is being driven, cooling is being performed by the cooler 22. Therefore, if defrosted water remains in the drainage channel 101 or its surrounding areas, the defrosted water is likely to freeze. Therefore, by executing the defrosting operation while the compressor 21 is being driven, i.e., while cooling is being performed by the cooler 22, it is possible to more effectively prevent defrosted water from freezing in the drainage channel 101 or its surrounding areas. Furthermore, by limiting the period during which the drainage channel heater 102 is switched on to the period during which the compressor 21 is being driven, it is possible to prevent the period during which the drainage channel heater 102 is energized from becoming longer, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0035] (Third embodiment) According to the control example of the defrosting operation illustrated in Fig. 7, the control unit 40 constantly executes the defrosting operation, including the period from the end of the defrosting operation to the start of the next defrosting operation. That is, once the power supply to the freezer 1 is turned on, the control unit 40 continues to execute the defrosting operation until the power supply is turned off. According to this control example, after the power supply to the freezer 1 is turned on, the drainage channel 101 and its surrounding area are constantly heated. Therefore, it is possible to constantly and continuously prevent defrost water from freezing in the drainage channel 101 and its surrounding area.

[0036] (Fourth embodiment) According to the control example of the defrosting operation illustrated in Fig. 8, the control unit 40 executes the defrosting operation after a predetermined waiting time T has elapsed since the end of the defrosting operation. Here, immediately after the end of the defrosting operation, the temperature of the cooler 22 is at least higher than during cooling, and therefore, even if defrosted water remains in the drainage channel 101 or its surrounding areas, the defrosted water is unlikely to freeze. However, after a certain amount of time has elapsed since the end of the defrosting operation, the temperature of the cooler 22 drops below the freezing point, and therefore, if defrosted water remains in the drainage channel 101 or its surrounding areas, the defrosted water is more likely to freeze.

[0037] Therefore, by performing the defrosting operation after a predetermined standby time T has elapsed since the end of the defrosting operation, that is, when the temperature of the cooler 22 has dropped to nearly freezing, it is possible to more effectively prevent the defrosted water from freezing in the drainage channel 101 and its surrounding areas. Furthermore, by not performing the defrosting operation before the predetermined standby time T has elapsed since the end of the defrosting operation, that is, at a stage when the possibility of the defrosted water freezing is low, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the freezer 1.

[0038] The above-mentioned predetermined standby period T can be changed and set as appropriate. For example, the standby period T should be set to a time shorter than the time it takes for the temperature of the drainage channel 101 and its surrounding area to reach below freezing after the defrosting operation is completed. More specifically, if it takes, for example, three hours for the temperature of the drainage channel 101 and its surrounding area to reach below freezing after the defrosting operation is completed, the standby period T should be set to, for example, two hours. This allows the defrosting operation to be started before the remaining defrost water actually starts to freeze.

[0039] 9, the control unit 40 may further include an outside air temperature sensor 41 and an outside air humidity sensor 42, and may be configured to set the standby time T based on at least one of the cooling strength of the cooler 22 set by the operation display device 14, the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 41, and the outside air humidity detected by the outside air humidity sensor 42. The outside air temperature sensor 41 is an example of an outside air condition detection unit, and may be disposed, for example, on the surface of the freezer body 10, and may detect the temperature around the freezer 1 as the state of the outside air of the freezer 1. The outside air humidity sensor 42 is an example of an outside air condition detection unit, and may be disposed, for example, on the surface of the freezer body 10, and may detect the humidity around the freezer 1 as the state of the outside air of the freezer 1.

[0040] 10 shows an example of setting the standby time T based on the cooling strength of the cooler 22, the temperature of the air outside the freezer 1, and the humidity of the air outside the freezer 1. In this case, the control unit 40 sets the standby time T to be shorter as the cooling strength of the cooler 22 is higher. In other words, the higher the cooling strength of the cooler 22, the higher the possibility of freezing occurring in the drainage channel 101 and its surrounding areas. Therefore, by shortening the standby time T as the cooling strength of the cooler 22 is higher, it is possible to more effectively prevent defrost water from freezing in the drainage channel 101 and its surrounding areas.

[0041] Furthermore, the control unit 40 sets the standby time T to be shorter as the temperature of the air outside the freezer 1 is higher. That is, when the temperature of the air outside the freezer 1 is high, for example, in summer, the amount of moisture contained in the air is high, and if such humid air enters the storage chamber 11, the possibility of freezing occurring in the drainage channel 101 and its surrounding areas increases. Therefore, by shortening the standby time T as the temperature of the air outside the freezer 1 is higher, it is possible to more effectively prevent the defrost water from freezing in the drainage channel 101 and its surrounding areas.

[0042] Furthermore, the control unit 40 sets the standby time T to be shorter as the humidity of the air outside the freezer 1 increases. That is, when the humidity of the air outside the freezer 1 is high, the amount of moisture contained in the air is large. If such humid air enters the storage chamber 11, the possibility of freezing occurring in the drainage channel 101 and its surrounding areas increases. Therefore, by shortening the standby time T as the humidity of the air outside the freezer 1 increases, it is possible to more effectively prevent defrost water from freezing in the drainage channel 101 and its surrounding areas. Note that the setting example of the standby time T illustrated in FIG. 10 is merely an example, and can be appropriately changed and implemented depending on various parameters, such as the capacity of the storage chamber 11, the cooling capacity of the cooler 22, and the heat generation performance of the drainage channel heater 102.

[0043] (Fifth embodiment) According to the control example of the de-icing operation shown in Figure 11, the control unit 40 is configured to be able to set the heating capacity of the drainage channel heater 102 based on at least one piece of information from the cooling strength of the cooler 22 set by the operation display device 14, the temperature of the outside air detected by the outside air temperature sensor 41, and the humidity of the outside air detected by the outside air humidity sensor 42.

[0044] In this case, the control unit 40 can change the heating capacity of the drain channel heater 102 by adjusting the power supply rate of the drain channel heater 102. That is, by increasing the power supply rate of the drain channel heater 102, the control unit 40 can increase the heating capacity of the drain channel heater 102, i.e., the amount of heat generated from the drain channel heater 102. Also, by decreasing the power supply rate of the drain channel heater 102, the control unit 40 can decrease the heating capacity of the drain channel heater 102, i.e., the amount of heat generated from the drain channel heater 102.

[0045] The control unit 40 sets a higher power supply rate for the drain channel heater 102 as the cooling intensity by the cooler 22 increases. That is, the higher the cooling intensity by the cooler 22, the higher the possibility of freezing occurring in the drain channel 101 and its surrounding areas. Therefore, by setting a higher power supply rate for the drain channel heater 102 as the cooling intensity by the cooler 22 increases, it is possible to more effectively prevent defrosted water from freezing in the drain channel 101 and its surrounding areas.

[0046] Furthermore, the control unit 40 sets a higher power supply rate for the drain channel heater 102 as the temperature of the air outside the freezer 1 increases. That is, when the temperature of the air outside the freezer 1 is high, for example in summer, the air contains a lot of moisture, and if such humid air enters the storage chamber 11, the possibility of freezing occurring in the drain channel 101 and its surrounding areas increases. Therefore, by setting a higher power supply rate for the drain channel heater 102 as the temperature of the air outside the freezer 1 increases, it is possible to more effectively prevent defrost water from freezing in the drain channel 101 and its surrounding areas.

[0047] Furthermore, the control unit 40 sets a higher power supply rate for the drain channel heater 102 as the humidity of the air outside the freezer 1 increases. That is, when the humidity of the air outside the freezer 1 is high, the amount of moisture contained in the air increases. If such humid air enters the storage chamber 11, the possibility of freezing occurring in the drain channel 101 and its surrounding areas increases. Therefore, by setting a higher power supply rate for the drain channel heater 102 as the humidity of the air outside the freezer 1 increases, it is possible to more effectively prevent defrost water from freezing in the drain channel 101 and its surrounding areas. Note that the setting example of the power supply rate for the drain channel heater 102 illustrated in FIG. 11 is merely an example, and can be changed as appropriate depending on various parameters, such as the capacity of the storage chamber 11, the cooling capacity of the cooler 22, and the heat generation performance of the drain channel heater 102.

[0048] (Sixth embodiment) 12, the control unit 40 further includes a door-open detection sensor 43. The door-open detection sensor 43 is configured, for example, with a switch that switches on or off when the door 13 is opened, or a switch that switches on or off when the door 13 is closed, and is capable of detecting whether the door 13 is open. When the door-open detection sensor 43 detects that the door 13 is opened while the drainage channel heater 102 is energized, the control unit 40 stops heating by the drainage channel heater 102. In other words, when the door 13 is opened while the defrosting operation is being performed, the control unit 40 stops the defrosting operation.

[0049] The heating operation by the drainage channel heater 102 is an operation to prevent freezing in the drainage channel 101 and its surrounding areas, or to thaw the frozen state if freezing has occurred in the drainage channel 101 and its surrounding areas, thereby ensuring a path for introducing outside air, with the aim of preventing the door 13 from becoming difficult to open. Therefore, if the door 13 is open, there is less need to continue heating by the drainage channel heater 102. Therefore, by stopping heating by the drainage channel heater 102 when the door 13 is open, it is possible to prevent the de-icing operation from being unnecessarily continued.

[0050] The control unit 40 may be configured to continue the heating operation by the drain channel heater 102 even when the door 13 is open. That is, even if the door 13 can be opened, it is possible that the drain channel 101 is actually blocked or partially blocked by ice. Therefore, by continuing the heating operation by the drain channel heater 102 for at least several minutes to several tens of minutes even when the door 13 is opened, if the drain channel 101 is blocked by ice, the blockage can be resolved.

[0051] (Seventh embodiment) 13, the freezer 1 is provided with a protrusion 170 in a portion of the drainage channel 101 where the heater wire 102a of the drainage channel heater 102 is denser than in other portions. The protrusion 170 is made of a thermally conductive material such as a metal material or a resin material. Note that, since metal materials generally have higher thermal conductivity than resin materials, it is preferable to form the protrusion 170 from a metal material.

[0052] As illustrated in FIG. 14 , the protrusions 170 protrude from the inner circumferential surface of the drainage channel 101 toward the axis of the drainage channel 101. A plurality of protrusions 170, four in this case, are provided within the drainage channel 101. The protrusions 170 are arranged so as to face each other in the radial direction of the drainage channel 101. The tips of the protrusions 170 are spaced apart from the tips of the opposing protrusions 170. That is, the length of the protrusions 170 is shorter than the radius of the drainage channel 101.

[0053] According to this configuration example, heat generated from the drain channel heater 102 can be efficiently transmitted to the axial center side of the drain channel 101 via the protrusion 170. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively prevent the defrost water from freezing in the drain channel 101, and if the defrost water is frozen in the drain channel 101, it is possible to more effectively thaw the frozen state.

[0054] 13, the protrusion 170 is disposed at a height position between the heater wires 102a of the drainage channel heater 102 that are wound spirally around the outer circumferential surface of the drainage channel 101. According to this configuration example, heat can be transferred to the protrusion 170 from both the heater wire 102a above and the heater wire 102a below the protrusion 170. Therefore, the heat generated by the drainage channel heater 102 can be transferred to the protrusion 170 more efficiently, which makes it possible to more effectively suppress freezing in the drainage channel 101 and more effectively eliminate the frozen state in the drainage channel 101.

[0055] The number of protrusions 170 can be changed as appropriate and may be one, two, three, or five or more. The protrusions 170 may be positioned at the same height as the heater wire 102a of the drainage channel heater 102. The protrusions 170 may be separate components from the drainage channel 101, or may be integrally formed with the drainage channel 101. A separate cylindrical intermediate member may be interposed between the gutter-shaped member 100 and the drainage channel 101, and the protrusions 170 may be provided on the inner circumferential surface of this intermediate member. If the intermediate member is made of a metal material, the protrusions 170 may also be made of a metal material. If the intermediate member is made of a resin material, the protrusions 170 may also be made of a resin material. However, the intermediate member and the protrusions 170 may be made of different materials.

[0056] (Other embodiments) The present embodiment is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and extensions can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the freezer 1 may be configured by appropriately combining several embodiments selected from the above-described embodiments.

[0057] 5, 6, and 8, when the control unit 40 controls the drainage channel heater 102 so that it is not constantly energized, the control unit 40 may switch the drainage channel heater 102 to the OFF state while the defrost heater 103 is switched to the ON state. That is, the heat generated by the defrost heater 103 can heat the drainage channel 101 and its surrounding area, thereby preventing or eliminating freezing. Therefore, by controlling the drainage channel heater 102 to the OFF state while the defrost heater 103 is ON, it is possible to reduce power consumption while preventing or eliminating freezing in the drainage channel 101 and its surrounding area.

[0058] Furthermore, the drainage channel 101 may be made of resin or metal. If the drainage channel 101 is made of a metal material such as aluminum, heat transfer in the drainage channel 101 can be promoted, so that freezing can be sufficiently suppressed or eliminated even if the output of the drainage channel heater 102 is reduced. Therefore, power consumption during de-icing operation can be reduced.

[0059] Furthermore, the entire drainage channel 101 may be formed integrally with the gutter-shaped member 100. Alternatively, a portion of the drainage channel 101 may be formed integrally with the gutter-shaped member 100. More specifically, a portion of the drainage channel 101 facing the gutter-shaped member 100 may be formed integrally with the gutter-shaped member 100, and the remaining portion of the drainage channel 101 may be connected as a separate part to the portion of the drainage channel 101 formed integrally with the gutter-shaped member 100. In this configuration example, the gutter-shaped member 100 and the portion of the drainage channel 101 formed integrally with the gutter-shaped member 100 may be formed from a metal material. According to this configuration example, heat generated by the defrost heater 103 is more easily transferred to the metallic gutter-shaped member 100 and the portion of the drainage channel 101, thereby making it easier to suppress and eliminate freezing. Furthermore, by providing the above-mentioned protrusion 170 in a part of the drainage channel 101 formed integrally with the metal gutter-shaped member 100, a configuration can be realized in which heat is more easily transferred to the protrusion 170.

[0060] Furthermore, at least the inner circumferential surface of the drainage channel 101 and the surface of the peripheral portion of the drainage channel 101 may be coated with a material capable of promoting the discharge of water. According to this configuration example, defrost water is less likely to remain inside the drainage channel 101 and the peripheral portion of the drainage channel 101. Therefore, freezing inside the drainage channel 101 and the peripheral portion of the drainage channel 101 can be further suppressed. Note that examples of the material capable of promoting the discharge of water include a hydrophilic material, a water-repellent material, and a hydrophobic material.

[0061] Furthermore, the drainage channel heating section is not limited to the drainage channel heater 102 configured by winding the heater wire 102a, but may be any other heating body or heating element as long as it can heat the drainage channel 101.

[0062] The freezer 1 may also be configured to include at least one of the operation and display device 14, the outside air temperature sensor 41, and the outside air humidity sensor .

[0063] Furthermore, the standby time T and the power supply rate of the drain channel heater 102 can be set based on at least one of the information on the cooling strength of the cooler 22, the temperature of the outside air of the freezer 1, and the humidity of the outside air of the freezer 1, or can be set by combining these information appropriately. That is, for example, the standby time T and the power supply rate of the drain channel heater 102 can be set based on table data with the vertical axis representing the humidity of the outside air and the horizontal axis representing the cooling strength. Furthermore, the standby time T and the power supply rate of the drain channel heater 102 can also be set using information other than the cooling strength of the cooler 22, the temperature of the outside air of the freezer 1, and the humidity of the outside air of the freezer 1.

[0064] Furthermore, this embodiment is not limited to the freezer 1 having one storage compartment, but can also be applied to a freezer or refrigerator having other storage compartments such as a refrigerator compartment, a freezer compartment, a vegetable compartment, an ice maker compartment, etc. Furthermore, this embodiment is not limited to a freezer or a refrigerator, but can also be applied to other cooling devices.

[0065] Although several embodiments of 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 embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, etc. can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] In the drawing, 1 indicates a freezer (cooling device), 11 indicates a storage compartment, 13 indicates a door (storage compartment door), 14 indicates an operation display device (cooling intensity setting unit), 21 indicates a compressor, 22 indicates a cooler, 40 indicates a control unit, 41 indicates an outside air temperature sensor (outside air condition detection unit), 42 indicates an outside air humidity sensor (outside air condition detection unit), 100 indicates a gutter-shaped member (defrost water receiving unit), 101 indicates a drainage channel, and 102 indicates a drainage channel heater (drainage channel heating unit).

Claims

1. a cooler for generating cold air; a control unit capable of performing a defrosting operation to heat and remove frost adhering to the cooler; a defrost water receiving portion for receiving defrost water generated from the cooler during the defrosting operation; a drainage channel connected to the defrost water receiving section and configured to discharge the defrost water received in the defrost water receiving section; a drainage channel heating unit that is provided on the drainage channel side of the defrost water receiving unit and that is capable of heating at least a portion of the drainage channel on the defrost water receiving unit side; Equipped with The control unit performs heating by the drainage channel heating unit at least during the period from the end of the defrosting operation to the start of the next defrosting operation.

2. Further, a compressor is provided to supply a refrigerant to the cooler. The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs heating by the drainage channel heating unit during a period from when the defrosting operation ends until when the next defrosting operation starts and when the compressor is driven.

3. a storage chamber cooled by the cold air generated by the cooler; a storage chamber door that opens and closes the opening of the storage chamber; Furthermore, The cooling device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit stops heating by the drainage channel heating unit when the storage compartment door is open.

4. The cooling device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit constantly performs heating by the drainage channel heating unit, including a period from when the defrosting operation ends until when the next defrosting operation starts.

5. The cooling device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit executes heating by the drainage channel heating unit after a predetermined standby time has elapsed since the defrosting operation was completed.

6. The cooling system further includes at least one of a cooling intensity setting unit that can set the cooling intensity of the cooler and an outside air condition detection unit that can detect the state of outside air, The cooling device according to claim 5, wherein the control unit is capable of setting the waiting time based on at least one of the cooling intensity set by the cooling intensity setting unit and the outside air condition detected by the outside air condition detection unit.

7. The cooling system further includes at least one of a cooling intensity setting unit that can set the cooling intensity of the cooler and an outside air condition detection unit that can detect the state of outside air, The cooling device described in claim 1, wherein the control unit is capable of setting the heating capacity of the drainage channel heating unit based on at least one of the cooling intensity set by the cooling intensity setting unit and the outside air condition detected by the outside air condition detection unit.

8. The cooling device according to claim 1 , wherein the drainage channel heating unit is configured to heat a portion of the drainage channel on the side of the defrost water receiving portion more strongly than a portion of the drainage channel opposite to the defrost water receiving portion.

Images