Ice slurry refrigerator

Abstract

This invention provides a technology for stably maintaining the temperature inside a storage chamber below the freezing point of a liquid. [Solution] An ice slurry refrigerator 100 is provided, comprising a storage compartment 102, a compressor 130, a fan 140, and a control unit 110. The control unit 110 continues to drive the fan 140 even after the compressor 130 is turned OFF.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an ice slurry refrigerator for maintaining a liquid in a supercooled state at a temperature below the freezing point of the liquid.

Background Art

[0002] A cooling cabinet is known that keeps a container holding a liquid beverage in a supercooled state at a temperature below the freezing point of the liquid. A liquid beverage in a supercooled state has a lower temperature than a beverage cooled in a normal refrigerator, and is thus useful, for example, as a beverage for cooling body temperature in midsummer.

[0003] In addition, when a supercooled liquid beverage is poured into a drinking container such as a glass, the liquid instantly turns into ice which is a solid phase to form a sherbet-like state, so that it can be suitably used, for example, as a luxury item such as soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus suitable for supercooling alcoholic beverages such as Japanese sake.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique for stably keeping the inside of a storage compartment at a temperature below the freezing point of a liquid.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In one aspect of the present disclosure, an ice slurry refrigerator is provided that includes a storage compartment, a compressor, a fan, and a control unit. The control unit continues to drive the fan even after turning off the compressor.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] In one aspect of this disclosure, a technique is provided for stably maintaining the temperature inside a storage chamber below the freezing point of a liquid. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a front perspective view of a refrigerator according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a refrigerator according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This graph shows the control of the compressor and cooling fan according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows the control by the control unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This graph shows the control of the compressor and cooling fan according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows the control by the control unit according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart showing another control method according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows the control by the control unit according to the third embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart showing the control by the control unit according to the fourth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, identical parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. <Overall configuration of the refrigerator>

[0010] First, referring to Figures 1 and 2, we will describe the configuration of a small refrigerator 100, which has one storage compartment and one door, as an example of an ice slurry refrigerator.

[0011] The refrigerator 100 is mainly composed of an insulated box 101. This insulated box 101 forms the storage compartment 102 of the refrigerator 100. The storage compartment 102 is provided with a number of shelves 103, 103 that extend horizontally. A door 104 is provided on the front of the storage compartment 102.

[0012] Furthermore, the temperature inside the storage compartment 102 is set to a temperature range that can maintain the contents 50, which contain liquids such as beverages, in a supercooled state. In other words, the refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment is a cooling device that can store the contents 50 in a supercooled state at a temperature below the freezing point of the liquid, while maintaining the liquid unfrozen, by circulating air (cold air) cooled by the evaporator inside the storage compartment 102.

[0013] Behind the rear panel 106 of the storage compartment 102, a cooling compartment 107 is provided. The cooling compartment 107 is equipped with an evaporator 150 and a cooling fan 140. Below the cooling compartment 107, outside the insulated box 101, is a machine room 108. The machine room 108 houses a compressor 130 and a condenser (not shown), among other things.

[0014] Furthermore, the machine room 108 is equipped with a control unit, as will be described later. This control unit controls each unit of the refrigerator 100. For example, the control unit drives the compressor 130, which starts the refrigeration cycle and allows the refrigerant to circulate within the refrigeration cycle. The high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 130 is condensed in the condenser while releasing heat. Subsequently, the high-temperature refrigerant expands in the evaporator 150 and becomes low-temperature. The low-temperature refrigerant in the evaporator 150 exchanges heat with the air circulating in the cooling chamber 107 by the cooling fan 140, evaporates while absorbing heat, becomes a gaseous refrigerant, and is sent back to the compressor 130.

[0015] In this manner, as the refrigerant circulates to operate the refrigeration cycle, cold air that has exchanged heat with the evaporator 150 is generated and sent to the storage compartment 102 by the cooling fan 140. <Functional Configuration of Refrigerator 100>

[0016] Next, one aspect of the configuration of the refrigerator 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The refrigerator 100 according to the present embodiment includes, as main components, a control unit 110, a compressor 130, a cooling fan 140, an operation unit 160, an internal compartment temperature sensor 182, and an evaporator temperature sensor 187.

[0017] The control unit 110 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a memory 112, a timer 113, various interfaces, a control board on which these components are mounted, and the like. The control unit 110 controls each part of the refrigerator 100.

[0018] More specifically, the CPU 111 executes programs stored in the memory 112 to control each part of the refrigerator 100 via the various interfaces.

[0019] The memory 112 is implemented by various types of RAM, various types of ROM, and the like, and stores programs executed by the CPU 111, data generated by the execution of the programs by the CPU 111, and various other data for stably maintaining the interior of the storage compartment 102 at a predetermined temperature.

[0020] The timer 113 measures the current date and time and inputs it to the CPU 111, or measures the elapsed time from a predetermined timing and inputs it to the CPU 111.

[0021] The operation unit 160 receives operations from a user and inputs them to the control unit 110.

[0022] The compressor 130 compresses and delivers the refrigerant. The compressor 130 is turned ON / OFF in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 110.

[0023] The cooling fan 140 sends the cool air from the cooling chamber 107 into the storage chamber 102. The cooling fan 140 is turned ON / OFF and its rotation speed is changed according to instructions from the control unit 110.

[0024] The internal temperature sensor 182 is located inside the storage compartment 102. The internal temperature sensor 182 measures the temperature inside the storage compartment 102 and inputs the measurement result to the control unit 110.

[0025] The evaporator temperature sensor 187 is positioned near the evaporator 150 or inside the cooling chamber 107. The evaporator temperature sensor 187 measures the temperature near the evaporator 150 or the temperature in the cooling chamber 107 and inputs the measurement result to the control unit 110.

[0026] With this configuration, the control unit 110 drives the compressor 130 when the temperature inside the storage chamber 102 reaches the upper limit temperature, as shown in Figure 4. Conversely, the control unit 110 stops the compressor 130 when the temperature inside the storage chamber 102 falls below the lower limit temperature.

[0027] In particular, in this embodiment, the control unit 110 continues to drive the cooling fan 140 even after the compressor 130 has been stopped. More specifically, when the compressor 130 is driven, the control unit 110 sets the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 to a low setting. When the compressor 130 is stopped, the control unit 110 sets the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 to a high setting. <Control of the control unit 110>

[0028] The following describes the control performed by the control unit 110 according to this embodiment. Specifically, the CPU 111 of the control unit 110 executes the following processes according to the control program of the memory 112.

[0029] Referring to Figure 5, the CPU 111 determines whether the internal temperature measured by the internal temperature sensor 182 has reached or exceeded the upper limit temperature (step S102).

[0030] When the internal temperature reaches the upper limit (if the answer is YES in step S102), the CPU 111 drives the compressor 130 (step S104). At the same time, the CPU 111 sets the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 to a lower level (step S106).

[0031] The CPU 111 determines whether the internal temperature measured by the internal temperature sensor 182 has reached or below the lower limit temperature (step S108).

[0032] If the internal temperature falls below the lower limit temperature (if the answer is YES in step S108), the CPU 111 stops the compressor 130 (step S110). At the same time, the CPU 111 increases the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 (step S112).

[0033] CPU 111 repeats the process from step S102.

[0034] Thus, in this embodiment, the refrigerator 100 continues to operate the cooling fan 140 even after the compressor 130 is stopped, thus eliminating temperature differences caused by differences in the cold air flow path while the compressor 130 is running, which can be caused by the placement of food. Furthermore, the temperature difference between the upper and lower air in the storage compartment 102 when the cooling fan 140 is stopped can also be reduced.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the motor rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 is set low when the compressor 130 is running. When the compressor 130 is running, the temperature of the evaporator 150 becomes low (-10°C or lower), so the cold air sent into the storage compartment 102 by the cooling fan 140 also becomes cold. At this time, if the motor rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 is increased to increase the airflow velocity, the temperature in areas where the cold air easily reaches will drop rapidly, and it is possible that there will be areas with a temperature lower than the temperature detected by the internal temperature sensor 182. In the refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment, liquids are stored in a supercooled state in which they remain unfrozen, so it is necessary to suppress the occurrence of areas with a temperature lower than the temperature detected by the internal temperature sensor 182. For this reason, by setting the motor rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 low when the compressor 130 is running, the airflow velocity of the cold air is reduced, preventing a rapid drop in the temperature inside the storage compartment 102. On the other hand, by increasing the motor rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 when the compressor 130 is stopped compared to when the compressor 130 is running, the temperature difference between the cooling chamber 107 and the temperature of each food item in the storage chamber 102 can be quickly reduced, making the internal temperature uniform. Furthermore, when the compressor 130 is stopped, the cold heat stored in the evaporator 150 can be quickly released into the storage chamber 102, preventing items 50 stored in locations where the cold heat from the evaporator 150 is relatively easily conducted, such as near the rear panel 106 or near the cold air outlet of the storage chamber 102, from being further cooled by the cold heat stored in the evaporator 150.

[0036] In other words, it is possible to achieve the uniformity of the internal temperature and the reduction of temperature fluctuations necessary to maintain a supercooled state. [Second Embodiment]

[0037] In the above embodiment, the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 was reduced when the compressor 130 was driven, and increased when the compressor 130 was stopped. In this embodiment, the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 is changed at an earlier timing than the ON / OFF switching of the compressor 130.

[0038] For example, as shown in Figure 6, in this embodiment, the control unit 110 sets the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 to a low setting a few minutes before driving the compressor 130, and sets the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 to a high setting a few minutes before stopping the compressor 130.

[0039] For more details, refer to Figure 7, whereupon the CPU 111 determines whether the internal temperature has reached or exceeded the upper limit temperature - α (step S202).

[0040] When the internal temperature reaches the upper limit temperature - α (if the answer is YES in step S202), the CPU 111 sets the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 to a lower value (step S204).

[0041] The CPU 111 determines whether the internal temperature has reached or exceeded the upper limit temperature (step S206).

[0042] When the internal temperature reaches the upper limit (if the answer is YES in step S206), the CPU 111 drives the compressor 130 (step S208).

[0043] The CPU 111 determines whether the internal temperature has reached or below the lower limit temperature + β (step S210).

[0044] If the internal temperature falls below the lower limit temperature + β (if the answer is YES in step S210), the CPU 111 increases the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 (step S212).

[0045] The CPU 111 determines whether the internal temperature sensor 182 has reached or below the lower limit temperature (step S214).

[0046] If the internal temperature falls below the lower limit temperature (if the answer is YES in step S214), the CPU 111 stops the compressor 130 (step S216).

[0047] CPU111 repeats the process from step S202.

[0048] Alternatively, referring to Figure 8, the CPU 111 may determine whether the internal temperature reached the upper limit temperature a few minutes before it did (step S302). For example, the CPU 111 can calculate the time when the internal temperature reaches the upper limit temperature from the slope of the change in internal temperature and determine whether it reached that time a predetermined time before it.

[0049] If the internal temperature is a few minutes away from reaching the upper limit temperature (if the answer is YES in step S302), the CPU 111 sets the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 to a lower value (step S304).

[0050] The CPU 111 determines whether the internal temperature has reached or exceeded the upper limit temperature (step S306).

[0051] When the internal temperature reaches the upper limit temperature (if YES in step S306), the CPU 111 drives the compressor 130 (step S308).

[0052] The CPU 111 determines whether the internal temperature has reached a certain point in time (step S310) before it reaches a lower limit temperature. For example, the CPU 111 can calculate the time when the internal temperature reaches the lower limit temperature from the slope of the change in internal temperature and determine whether it has reached a certain point in time before that time.

[0053] If the internal temperature is a few minutes away from reaching the lower limit temperature (if the answer is YES in step S310), the CPU 111 increases the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 (step S312).

[0054] The CPU 111 determines whether the internal temperature has reached or below the lower limit temperature (step S314).

[0055] If the internal temperature falls below the lower limit temperature (if the answer is YES in step S314), the CPU 111 stops the compressor 130 (step S316).

[0056] CPU 111 repeats the process from step S302.

[0057] As described above, in this embodiment, with the compressor 130 OFF, the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 is first reduced before the compressor 130 is turned ON. For example, if the ambient temperature is high or the temperature of the stored items is high, and the temperature inside the storage unit rises rapidly, it is conceivable that even if the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 is increased, the upper limit temperature may be reached before the temperature inside the storage unit becomes sufficiently uniform. Therefore, when the temperature inside the storage unit is close to the lower limit temperature, the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 is increased to prioritize reducing the unevenness in the temperature inside the storage unit. Then, once the temperature inside the storage unit has risen to a certain extent and the risk of the stored items freezing has decreased, the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 is reduced to allow time for the temperature inside the storage unit to become uniform.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by increasing the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 before the compressor 130 is turned off while the compressor 130 is ON, the amount of heat exchanged in the evaporator 150 can be increased, thereby raising the temperature of the evaporator 150. This prevents the cold heat stored in the evaporator 150 from being forcefully released into the storage area when the compressor 130 is turned OFF, and prevents the stored items near the outlet from freezing. [Third Embodiment]

[0059] In the above embodiment, the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 was changed in accordance with the ON / OFF timing of the compressor 130. However, the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 may be changed according to other conditions.

[0060] For example, when the internal temperature of the storage unit reaches a first predetermined temperature, the control unit 110 sets the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 to a lower setting. When the internal temperature of the storage unit reaches a second predetermined temperature, the control unit 110 sets the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 to a higher setting.

[0061] For example, as shown in Figure 4, the first predetermined temperature may be set to the same as the upper limit temperature for turning on the compressor 130, or the second predetermined temperature may be set to the same as the lower limit temperature for turning off the compressor 130.

[0062] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 6, the first predetermined temperature may be set to the upper limit temperature - α for turning on the compressor 130, or the second predetermined temperature may be set to the same as the lower limit temperature + β for turning off the compressor 130.

[0063] Alternatively, the control unit 110 may set the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 to a lower value when the temperature of the evaporator 150 exceeds a first predetermined temperature. Then, the control unit 110 may set the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 to a higher value when the temperature of the evaporator 150 falls below a second predetermined temperature.

[0064] It is preferable that the first predetermined temperature here is set to a temperature lower than the upper limit temperature inside the chamber for turning on the compressor 130. And it is preferable that the second predetermined temperature is set to a temperature around or slightly lower than the lower limit temperature inside the chamber for turning off the compressor 130. In this case, the control in this embodiment will be similar to that shown in Figure 6.

[0065] For more details, refer to Figure 9, whereupon the CPU 111 determines whether the temperature of the evaporator 150, as measured by the evaporator temperature sensor 187, has reached or exceeded the upper limit temperature - α inside the chamber (step S250).

[0066] When the temperature of the evaporator 150 reaches the upper limit temperature - α (if the answer is YES in step S250), the CPU 111 sets the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 to a lower value (step S204).

[0067] The CPU 111 determines whether the internal temperature has reached or exceeded the upper limit temperature (step S206).

[0068] When the internal temperature reaches the upper limit (if the answer is YES in step S206), the CPU 111 drives the compressor 130 (step S208).

[0069] The CPU 111 determines whether the temperature of the evaporator 150, as measured by the evaporator temperature sensor 187, has reached or below the lower limit temperature -γ inside the chamber (step S260).

[0070] If the temperature of the evaporator 150 falls below the lower limit temperature -γ inside the chamber (if the answer is YES in step S260), the CPU 111 sets the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 to a higher level (step S212).

[0071] The CPU 111 determines whether the internal temperature sensor 182 has reached or below the lower limit temperature (step S214).

[0072] If the internal temperature falls below the lower limit temperature (if the answer is YES in step S214), the CPU 111 stops the compressor 130 (step S216).

[0073] CPU111 repeats the process from step S202.

[0074] In this embodiment, when the temperature of the evaporator 150 falls below a threshold during the operation of the compressor 130, the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 is increased, thereby raising the temperature of the evaporator 150 and preventing the cold air discharge temperature from dropping too low. [Fourth Embodiment]

[0075] Alternatively, the control unit 110 sets the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 lower when the difference between the internal temperature and the evaporator temperature falls below a first predetermined value, and sets the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 higher when the difference between the internal temperature and the evaporator temperature falls above a second predetermined value. The second predetermined value is set to be greater than the first predetermined value. The control in this embodiment is similar to that shown in Figure 6.

[0076] Refer to Figure 10 for more details, the CPU 111 determines whether the internal temperature - evaporator temperature has reached or below a first predetermined value (step S402).

[0077] When the internal temperature - evaporator temperature falls below a first predetermined value (if the answer is YES in step S402), the CPU 111 sets the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 to a lower value (step S404).

[0078] The CPU 111 determines whether the internal temperature has reached or exceeded the upper limit temperature (step S406).

[0079] When the internal temperature reaches the upper limit temperature (if YES in step S406), the CPU 111 drives the compressor 130 (step S408).

[0080] The CPU 111 determines whether the internal temperature - evaporator temperature has reached a second predetermined value or higher (step S410).

[0081] When the internal temperature - evaporator temperature exceeds a second predetermined value (if the answer is YES in step S410), the CPU 111 sets the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 to a higher value (step S412).

[0082] The CPU 111 determines whether the internal temperature has reached or below the lower limit temperature (step S414).

[0083] If the internal temperature falls below the lower limit temperature (if the answer is YES in step S414), the CPU 111 stops the compressor 130 (step S416).

[0084] CPU 111 repeats the process from step S402.

[0085] In this embodiment, while the compressor 130 is stopped, the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 is reduced when the difference between the internal temperature and the temperature of the evaporator 150 approaches a threshold. Therefore, when the difference between the internal temperature and the temperature of the evaporator 150 is greater than or equal to a first predetermined value, that is, when the discharge temperature from the cooling fan 140 is greater than or equal to the internal temperature, the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 is set high in order to quickly raise the discharge temperature, i.e., the temperature of the evaporator 150. However, when the discharge temperature from the cooling fan 140 approaches the internal temperature, the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 is set low in order to allow time for the internal temperature to become uniform. Furthermore, if the difference between the internal temperature and the temperature of the evaporator 150 becomes greater than a second predetermined value while the compressor 130 is running, the temperature of the evaporator 150 has dropped too low, and even if the compressor 130 is stopped, there is a risk that the cold air will continue to be discharged due to the cold energy stored in the evaporator 150. Therefore, by setting the rotation speed of the cooling fan 140 to a high setting in advance, the temperature of the evaporator 150 is prevented from dropping too low, and the temperature of the air blown out from the cooling fan 140 is prevented from falling below the lower limit temperature when the compressor 130 is stopped. <Summary>

[0086] In the above embodiment, an ice slurry refrigerator is provided, comprising a storage compartment, a compressor, a fan, and a control unit. The control unit continues to operate the fan even after the compressor is turned off.

[0087] Preferably, the control unit increases the fan speed after the compressor is turned off compared to when the compressor is turned on.

[0088] Preferably, the control unit reduces the fan speed when the compressor is turned ON.

[0089] Preferably, the control unit starts increasing the fan speed before turning off the compressor.

[0090] In the above embodiment, an ice slurry refrigerator is provided, comprising a storage compartment, a compressor, an evaporator, a fan, a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the evaporator, and a control unit. The control unit increases the fan speed when the evaporator temperature is low and decreases the fan speed when the evaporator temperature is high.

[0091] In the above embodiment, an ice slurry refrigerator is provided, comprising a storage chamber, a compressor, an evaporator, a fan, a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the storage chamber, a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the evaporator, and a control unit. The control unit increases the fan speed when the temperature of the storage chamber and the temperature of the evaporator differ, and decreases the fan speed when the temperatures of the storage chamber and the evaporator approach each other.

[0092] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0093] 50: Containment 100: Refrigerator 101: Insulated box 102: Storage Room 103: Shelf 104: Door 106: Rear panel 107: Cooling room 108: Machine room 110: Control Unit 111: CPU 112: Memory 113: Timer 130: Compressor 140: Cooling fan 150: Evaporator 160:Operation unit 182: Internal temperature sensor 187: Evaporator temperature sensor

Claims

1. Storage room and Compressor and Fans, It includes a control unit, The control unit keeps the fan running even after the compressor is turned off, in an ice slurry refrigerator.

2. The control unit, The ice slurry refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the fan speed is increased after the compressor is turned off compared to when the compressor is turned on.

3. The ice slurry refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the control unit reduces the rotation speed of the fan when the compressor is turned ON.

4. The ice slurry refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the control unit starts increasing the rotation speed of the fan before turning off the compressor.

5. Storage room and Compressor and Evaporator and, Fans, A temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the evaporator, It includes a control unit, The control unit, When the temperature of the evaporator is low, increase the rotation speed of the fan. An ice slurry refrigerator that reduces the rotation speed of the fan when the temperature of the evaporator is high.

6. Storage room and Compressor and Evaporator and, Fans, A temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the storage chamber, A temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the evaporator, It includes a control unit, The control unit, When the temperature of the storage chamber and the temperature of the evaporator diverge, the fan speed is increased. An ice slurry refrigerator that reduces the rotation speed of the fan when the temperature of the storage chamber approaches the temperature of the evaporator.

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