Cooling box

Abstract

To promote evaporation of deposited frost and dew even when a cooling storage is left for a long period of time while operation is stopped.SOLUTION: A built-in refrigerator 100 includes a compressor 131, a condenser 132, a fan 137, and a control part 150. Control unit 150 is capable of switching between a standby mode in which the inside of the cooling chamber is not cooled and a cooling mode in which the inside of the cooling chamber is cooled, and regularly drives fan 137 also in the standby mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to refrigerator technology. [Background technology]

[0002] Refrigerators that can be stored in structures such as stationary storage furniture have been known for some time. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-161565 (Patent Document 1) discloses a refrigerator for use in a kitchen storage unit. According to Patent Document 1, the refrigerator includes an outer case that is installed in the installation space of the kitchen storage unit, and a storage unit that is inserted into and removed from the outer case. A power switch is provided on the front of the side wall of the outer case. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-161565 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the power to the refrigerator is turned off, the frost and dew that has accumulated on the heat exchanger cannot evaporate, and if the power is turned off for an extended period of time, this frost and dew may cause mold to grow or dust to adhere.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to promote evaporation of frost and dew that has formed on a refrigerator even when the refrigerator is left stopped operating for a long period of time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a built-in refrigerator comprising a compressor, a condenser, a fan, and a control unit. The control unit is capable of switching between a standby mode in which the interior of the refrigerator is not cooled and a cooling mode in which the interior of the refrigerator is cooled, and periodically drives the fan even in the standby mode. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, even if the refrigerator is left stopped for a long period of time, evaporation of frost and dew that has adhered thereto can be promoted. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a front perspective view showing a refrigerator stored in a storage shelf according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator with the door open according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a rear perspective view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment with the heat-insulating box and inner box removed. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 3 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 3 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a front view showing an operation unit of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a front view showing an operation unit of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating correspondence relationship data according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. The names and functions of these components are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[0010] <About the refrigerator> In this disclosure, the term "cooling cabinet" generally refers to a cabinet that has an internal space (storage compartment) that is kept at a temperature lower than the outside air temperature and can lower the temperature of stored items. The cooling cabinet may be, for example, a refrigerator or a freezer. The cooling cabinet may have only one storage compartment, or may have multiple storage compartments. When the cooling cabinet has multiple storage compartments, the multiple storage compartments may include at least two of a refrigerator compartment, a freezer compartment, a vegetable compartment, a chilled compartment, a partial compartment, etc. [First embodiment] <Overall configuration of the refrigerator>

[0011] Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment is a product that can be stored in a built-in storage shelf 90.

[0012] 2 to 4, refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment is mainly composed of a heat-insulating box body 110. Heat-insulating box body 110 forms a storage space of refrigerator 100.

[0013] Hereinafter, the surface on which the door 111 is provided will be referred to as the front or front surface of the refrigerator 100. Using the front surface as a reference, the surfaces of the refrigerator 100 will be referred to as the top surface, side surface, back surface, and bottom surface based on the positions where the refrigerator 100 would be when installed on the storage shelf 90. Furthermore, the left-right direction of the refrigerator 100 when viewed from the front (the horizontal direction perpendicular to the up-down direction) when the refrigerator 100 is placed on the storage shelf 90 will be referred to as the left-right direction of the refrigerator 100. Furthermore, the up-down direction of the refrigerator 100 when the refrigerator 100 is placed on an installation surface (the vertical direction perpendicular to the left-right direction) will be referred to as the up-down direction of the refrigerator 100. Furthermore, the side located on the left side when viewed from the front side of the refrigerator 100 will be referred to as the left side of the refrigerator 100, and the side located on the right side when viewed from the front side of the refrigerator 100 will be referred to as the right side of the refrigerator 100.

[0014] The refrigerator 100 is provided with a drawer-type door 111. A lower case 112 and an upper case 113 are attached to the door 111. The lower case 112 and the upper case 113 are configured to slide in the front-to-rear direction as the door 111 opens and closes. More specifically, in this embodiment, slide members 115 are fixed to both left and right sides of the rear of the door 111. The other ends of the left and right slide members 115 are fixed to the sides of the inner box 102. In this way, the door 111 is configured to slide in the front-to-rear direction by extending one end of the left and right slide members 115. The left and right slide members 115 support the upper end portions of the left and right side surfaces of the lower case 112 and the lower end portions of the left and right side surfaces of the upper case 113.

[0015] In this embodiment, heat exhaust holes 111X, 111X are provided on the left and right sides of the upper end of the front surface of door 111 for expelling air flowing from a condenser fan, which will be described later.

[0016] In this embodiment, an operation unit 160 for a user to input various commands to refrigerator 100 is provided at the rear of the center of the upper edge of the front of door 111 on the left and right sides. The configuration of operation unit 160 will be described later.

[0017] 5 to 8, in refrigerator 100, compressor 131 is disposed at the rear lower part of inner box 102 that constitutes storage chamber 105. Evaporator 132 is disposed in front of and above compressor 131, with back plate 106 sandwiched therebetween.

[0018] A heat dissipation condenser 133 is connected to the compressor 131. The refrigerant flowing through the condenser 133 passes through the outside of the back plate 106, the top surface and front surface of the heat insulating box 110, etc., and then flows through the dryer 134 and capillary tube 135 into the evaporator 132. The refrigerant leaving the evaporator 132 passes through the accumulator 136 and then returns to the compressor 131.

[0019] A heater 117 is disposed around the evaporator 132 to melt frost on the evaporator 132. In this embodiment, the heater 117 is controlled to be turned on periodically or based on the temperature of the evaporator 132 to melt the frost on the evaporator 132. A drain pan 118 that stores defrosted water from the evaporator 132 and the like are disposed to the side of the compressor 131.

[0020] Here, a condensation fan 137 (not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) is disposed above the drain pan 118. The condensation fan 137 is used to cool the compressor 131 and the condenser 133 by creating an air flow at the rear of the refrigerator 100.

[0021] In particular, in this embodiment, condenser fan 137 creates an air flow above drain pan 118, which can also contribute to the rapid evaporation of water accumulated in drain pan 118.

[0022] The air heated by the compressor 131 and the water vapor from the drain pan 118 are passed through the back and top of the heat insulating box 110 by the condenser fan 137, and are exhausted from the heat exhaust holes 111X, 111X of the door 111 while cooling the condenser 133 and the like.

[0023] An internal fan 120 is disposed in front of the evaporator 132 via the partition wall surface 103. The negative pressure of the internal fan 120 causes air in the storage chamber 105 to flow below the evaporator 132 through the intake port 122Y. The air is cooled while rising near the evaporator 132. The cooled air descends after climbing over the partition wall surface 103, passes through the fan 120 from rear to front, and is blown out from the outlets 122L and 122R. In this embodiment, the cooled air that has passed through the fan 120 rises while moving forward, and finally flows into the storage chamber 105 from the outlets 122L and 122R. <Refrigerator control panel>

[0024] Next, the operation unit 160 of the refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 4, the operation unit 160 according to this embodiment is provided on the back side of the upper side of the door 111.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 9, the operating unit 160 according to this embodiment is provided with a magnetically operated door switch 161 in the center for detecting whether the door 111 is open or closed.

[0026] The operation unit 160 is provided with a switching button 162 for switching modes. Each time the switching button 162 is pressed, the mode switches between refrigeration mode, freezing mode, and standby mode. The operation unit 160 is also provided with a light 164 indicating that the mode is refrigeration mode, and a light 165 indicating that the mode is freezing mode.

[0027] The operation unit 160 is provided with an adjustment button 163 for changing the operating intensity. Each time the adjustment button 163 is pressed, the set temperature of the storage compartment 105 is changed to higher (low), standard (medium), or lower (high). The operation unit 160 is provided with a light 166 for indicating the operating intensity.

[0028] <About standby mode> In this disclosure, "standby mode" refers to a state in which the refrigerator's power plug is inserted into an outlet and power is on, but cooling operation is not in progress. Built-in equipment typically has its wiring on the back, hidden from the user, so the installation procedure involves inserting the power plug and then placing the refrigerator body into the built-in space. It is undesirable for installers if the compressor or condenser fan starts rotating immediately after power is applied. Similarly, it is desirable for the equipment to be stopped when it is removed, so a standby mode is provided.

[0029] Furthermore, small refrigerators are likely to be used as spare refrigerators rather than as a primary purpose for users, so it is expected that standby mode will be used as a means of pausing cooling during the winter. <Refrigerator control configuration>

[0030] Next, a functional configuration of refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment will be described. Referring to Figure 10, refrigerator 100 includes control unit 150, internal temperature sensor 155, operation unit 160, compressor 131, condenser fan 137, internal fan 120, etc.

[0031] Control unit 150 includes CPU 151 and memory 152, and controls each part of refrigerator 100. For example, CPU 151 controls the ON / OFF and rotation speed of compressor 131, and the ON / OFF and rotation speed of condenser fan 137 and internal fan 120, in accordance with a control program, while referring to data in memory 152 and measurements from internal temperature sensor 155.

[0032] Furthermore, CPU 151 switches the operation mode in accordance with a mode switching command input to switching button 162. In refrigeration mode, CPU 151 performs refrigeration operation and turns on light 164 indicating the refrigeration mode. In freezing mode, CPU 151 performs freezing operation and turns on light 164 indicating the freezing mode. In refrigeration mode and freezing mode, CPU 151 turns on light 166 according to the operation intensity.

[0033] In particular, in this embodiment, in the standby mode, CPU 151 stops compressor 131 and turns off lights 164, 165, and 166. In the standby mode, CPU 151 is programmed to periodically, for example, every few hours, drive condenser fan 137 and internal fan 120 at low rotation speeds that result in low noise for only a few minutes.

[0034] By operating the internal fan 120 even in the standby mode, if frost has formed on the evaporator 132 in the refrigeration mode or the freezing mode, the frost can be easily melted, and water droplets can be easily dropped into the drain pan 118.

[0035] By operating the condenser fan 137, even if water has accumulated in the drain pan 118 in the refrigeration mode or freezing mode and the refrigerator switches to standby mode, the operation of the condenser fan 137 makes it easier to evaporate the water. In other words, it makes it easier to dry the back part of the refrigerator 100 by eliminating the state in which water has accumulated over a long period of time, making it possible to suppress the growth of mold and mildew.

[0036] The refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment is set to standby mode when shipped. That is, when the refrigerator 100 is installed and powered on for the first time, the control unit 150 is configured to start the standby mode.

[0037] In this embodiment, the control unit 150 determines that the door 111 is closed when it detects a magnet installed on the back side of the door 111 via the door switch 161, and determines that the door 111 is open when it does not detect the magnet on the door 111 via the door switch 161. Therefore, when the door switch 161 detects a magnet, i.e., when the door 111 is supposed to be closed, and a predetermined operation is performed on the operation unit 160, the control unit 150 may transition to a maintenance mode or a service mode. For example, when the switch button 162 is pressed and held while the door switch 161 detects a magnet, the control unit 150 may transition to a standby mode in which the condenser fan 137 is not driven. This operation can be achieved, for example, by an installer operating the operation unit 160 while the door 111 is open and bringing a handheld magnet close to the door switch 161. This mode ensures the safety of the installer when removing the refrigerator. [Second embodiment]

[0038] In the above embodiment, no display or lighting is performed to indicate the standby mode. However, a configuration may also be adopted in which the standby mode is actively notified to the user. For example, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 , a light 167 and a speaker 168 for indicating that the standby mode is in effect may be provided in the operation unit 160. The control unit 150 may then turn on the light 167 during standby mode, or output a sound from the speaker 168 indicating that the standby mode is in effect while the interior fan 120 and the condenser fan 137 are being driven during standby mode. In this case, the speaker 168 is mounted on the operation unit 160, which is close to the user, to make the sound easy to hear. [Third embodiment]

[0039] In the above embodiment, the standby mode is started when the power is turned on, but the present invention is not limited to such a uniform control.

[0040] For example, it is preferable that CPU 151 of control unit 150 stores the most recent operating mode in nonvolatile memory 152. In this way, when power is restored after a power outage, CPU 151 of control unit 150 references memory 152, reads out the most recent operating mode, and resumes that operating mode. That is, in refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment, if a power outage occurs during refrigeration mode, it resumes refrigeration mode after recovery, if a power outage occurs during freezing mode, it resumes freezing mode after recovery, and if a power outage occurs during standby mode, it resumes standby mode after recovery. [Fourth embodiment]

[0041] Furthermore, not only the history of refrigeration operation or freezing operation but also the control method in standby mode corresponding to the refrigeration operation or freezing operation may be stored in memory 152. As shown in Fig. 13, memory 152 stores correspondence data 1521 between the period of the most recent cooling operation (refrigeration operation or freezing operation) and the period during which internal fan 120 and condenser fan 137 are driven in standby mode.

[0042] In this embodiment, CPU 151 of control unit 150 executes the following process in accordance with the program stored in memory 152. When switching from refrigeration mode or freezing mode to standby mode, CPU 151 reads the operation history from memory 152. CPU 151 references correspondence data 1521 to identify the period during which drying operation is required that corresponds to the period of cooling operation. CPU 151 drives internal fan 120 and condensation fan 137 for a few minutes every few hours until the period during which drying operation is required has elapsed. Note that internal fan 120 and condensation fan 137 do not need to be operated in sync at all times.

[0043] It is also preferable to prepare the correspondence relationship between the refrigeration operation period and the standby mode period and the correspondence relationship between the freezing operation period and the standby mode period separately or for each season. [summary]

[0044] In the above embodiment, a built-in refrigerator is provided that includes a compressor, a condenser, a fan, and a control unit. The control unit can switch between a standby mode in which the refrigerator is not cooled and a cooling mode in which the refrigerator is cooled, and periodically drives the fan even in the standby mode.

[0045] Preferably, the control unit initiates the standby mode when power begins to be supplied.

[0046] Preferably, the control unit includes a memory for storing the previous operating mode, and the control unit resumes the previous operating mode when power begins to be supplied.

[0047] Preferably, the control unit includes a memory for storing an operation history, and when the operation mode is switched to the standby mode, the control unit controls the driving of the fan based on history information related to the cooling mode.

[0048] Preferably, the refrigerator further includes a display unit, and the control unit causes the display unit to display a predetermined message when in the standby mode.

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

[0050] 90: Storage shelf 100: Refrigerator 102: Inner box 103: Partition wall 105: Storage room 106: Back plate 110: Insulated box 111: Door 111X: Heat exhaust hole 112: Lower case 113: Upper case 115: Slide member 117: Heater 118: Drain pan 120: Internal fan 122X: Air outlet 122Y: Intake port 131: Compressor 132: Evaporator 133: Capacitor 134: Hair dryer 135: Capillary tube 136: Accumulator 137: Condenser fan 150: Control unit 151:CPU 152: Memory 1521: Correspondence data 155: Temperature sensor inside the cabinet 160:Operation unit 161: Door switch 162: Switch button 163: Adjustment button 164: Refrigerated Light 165: Frozen Light 166: Intensity Light 167: Standby Light 168: Speaker

Claims

1. A compressor; A condenser; With fans, A built-in refrigerator comprising: The control unit is capable of switching between a standby mode in which the interior of the refrigerator is not cooled and a cooling mode in which the interior of the refrigerator is cooled, and periodically drives the fan even in the standby mode.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the control unit initiates the standby mode when power begins to be supplied.

3. The control unit includes a memory for storing the previous operation mode, The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit resumes the previous operating mode when power starts to be supplied.

4. The control unit includes a memory for storing an operation history, The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls the driving of the fan based on history information relating to a cooling mode when the refrigerator enters the standby mode.

5. Further comprising a display unit, The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit displays a predetermined message on the display unit in the standby mode.

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