JP2018017428A - refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator capable of reducing the possibility of dew condensation on the surface of a main body. SOLUTION: A refrigerator 1 is connected to a main body 2, a compressor 3 housed in the main body 2, a fan 4 for blowing air to the compressor 3, and a compressor 3, and is on a blowing path by the fan 4. A dew condensation determination unit that determines the possibility of dew condensation on the surface of the main body 2, the radiator pipe 8 that is connected to the condenser 5 and is embedded in the surface of the main body 2. When the dew condensation determination unit determines that dew condensation may occur, the compressor 3 controls the rotation direction of the fan 4 so that air is always blown from the condenser 5 toward the compressor 3. It is provided with a control unit that controls the rotation direction of the fan 4 so that air is blown from the condenser 5 to the condenser 5. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a refrigerator.

  The refrigerator has a refrigeration cycle composed of a compressor, a condenser, and the like, and a fan is provided to promote heat dissipation of the compressor. In such a refrigerator, since the compressor is generally hotter, efficient heat dissipation is performed by blowing air from the condenser toward the compressor (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 3831212

By the way, the refrigerator has a heat radiating pipe embedded in the surface of the main body, and prevents condensation on the surface of the main body by transferring heat generated in the refrigeration cycle to the main body through the heat radiating pipe.
However, when the heat is radiated too much, the temperature of the heat radiating pipe is lowered, and as a result, there is a high possibility that the surface of the main body is condensed.
Therefore, a refrigerator that can reduce the risk of condensation on the surface of the main body is provided.

  The refrigerator of the embodiment includes a main body, a compressor housed in the main body, a fan that blows air to the compressor, a condenser that is connected to the compressor and disposed on the air blowing path by the fan, A heat dissipation pipe that is connected to the condenser and embedded in the surface of the main body, a condensation determination unit that determines the possibility of condensation on the surface of the main body, and a fan that always blows from the condenser toward the compressor The rotation direction of the fan is controlled so that if the condensation determination unit determines that condensation may occur, the rotation direction of the fan is controlled so that air is blown from the compressor toward the condenser. And a control unit.

The figure which shows the structure of the refrigerator of embodiment typically The figure which shows the electric constitution of the refrigerator typically The figure which shows the flow of the process which controls the rotation direction of a fan The figure which shows typically the other example of the arrangement order of a compressor, a condenser, and a fan

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.
As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment includes a compressor 3, a fan 4, a condenser 5, an evaporating dish 6, and the like in a main body 2. The compressor 3, the fan 4, the condenser 5, and the evaporating dish 6 are accommodated in a machine room 7 provided in the lower part of the main body 2, for example. The compressor 3 and the condenser 5 constitute a known refrigeration cycle together with the evaporator 12 (see FIG. 2).

  In the present embodiment, the fan 4 uses an axial fan, and is disposed between the compressor 3 and the condenser 5. In other words, the compressor 3 and the condenser 5 are disposed in a blower path formed by the fan 4. For this reason, during normal operation, when the fan 4 rotates, as indicated by an arrow X, air flows from the condenser 5 toward the compressor 3, that is, an air flow occurs, and the compressor 3 whose temperature is relatively high during operation. Can be cooled. Hereinafter, the normal rotation direction of the fan 4 is referred to as normal rotation. On the other hand, as will be described in detail later, when the fan 4 rotates in the reverse rotation that is opposite to the normal rotation, the air is blown from the compressor 3 toward the condenser 5 as indicated by an arrow Y.

  In the refrigerator 1, a heat radiating pipe 8 is embedded in the surface of the main body 2. Specifically, the heat radiating pipe 8 is provided on the inner surface side of the outer box or the outer plate forming the surface of the main body 2 in a state of being in contact with or close to the inner surface side. The heat radiating pipe 8 is connected to the downstream side of the condenser 5 in the refrigerant flow, and transfers heat generated in the refrigeration cycle to the main body 2. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the dew condensation by the surface temperature of the main body 2 falling is suppressed. In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, while the front surface is opening as it is well-known in the main body 2, the storage chamber by which the opening is opened and closed by a door is provided. Moreover, the arrangement | positioning aspect of the heat radiating pipe 8 shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and the heat radiating pipe 8 is arrange | positioned also at the side surface of the main body 2, an upper surface, the front surface except opening. Further, the number of storage chambers is not limited to one and may be plural.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerator 1 includes a control unit 10 configured by, for example, a microcomputer. The control unit 10 includes a timer 11 (defrosting time acquisition unit) that functions as a time measuring unit that measures time, and condenses the compressor 3, the fan 4, the condenser 5, the evaporator 12, and the condenser 5. Condensation temperature sensor 13 (condensation temperature acquisition unit) for acquiring temperature, evaporator temperature sensor 14 (evaporator temperature acquisition unit) for acquiring temperature of evaporator 12, humidity sensor 15 (humidity acquisition unit) for detecting humidity, outside It is connected to an air temperature sensor 16 (outside air temperature acquisition unit), a water level sensor 17 (water level acquisition unit), and the like. In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, the control part 10 is connected also to the sensor, the interior lamp, etc. which acquire the temperature in a storage chamber.

Further, the control unit 10 includes a condensation determination unit 10 a that determines the possibility of condensation on the surface of the main body 2, a compressor rotation number acquisition unit 10 b that acquires the rotation number of the compressor 3, and a fan that acquires the rotation number of the fan 4. A rotation speed acquisition unit 10c is provided. In the present embodiment, the dew condensation determination unit 10a, the compressor rotation speed acquisition unit 10b, and the fan rotation speed acquisition unit 10c are realized by software by executing a program with a microcomputer.
As is well known, the refrigerator 1 having such a configuration drives a refrigeration cycle to refrigerate / freeze the storage chamber. The refrigerator 1 has a so-called defrosting function that removes frost adhering to the surface of the evaporator 12.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
As described above, since the compressor 1 normally has a higher temperature in the refrigerator 1, the refrigerator 1 performs efficient heat dissipation by sending air from the condenser 5 toward the compressor 3. However, if the heat is radiated too much, the temperature of the heat radiating pipe 8 is lowered, and as a result, the surface of the main body 2 is likely to be condensed. Therefore, the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment drives the fan 4 by forward rotation or reverse rotation, that is, the direction of air flow from the condenser 5 to the compressor 3 (at the time of forward rotation) or the compressor 3. By switching from the direction to the condenser 5 (during reverse rotation), the risk of condensation on the surface of the main body 2 is reduced.

Specifically, the refrigerator 1 repeatedly executes the determination process shown in FIG. 3 and determines whether the reverse rotation condition is satisfied when controlling the rotation of the fan 4 (S1). Here, the reverse rotation condition is a condition for determining the possibility of condensation on the surface of the main body 2, and in the present embodiment, the following conditions A to G are set.
Condition A: The humidity acquired by the humidity sensor 15 is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference humidity.
Condition B: The outside air temperature acquired by the outside air temperature sensor 16 is equal to or lower than a predetermined reference outside air temperature.

Condition C: The rotation speed of the compressor 3 acquired by the compressor rotation speed acquisition unit 10b is equal to or lower than a predetermined reference compressor rotation speed. In addition, if the rotation speed of the compressor 3 falls, a condensation temperature will also fall.
Condition D: The rotational speed of the fan 4 acquired by the fan rotational speed acquisition unit 10c is equal to or less than a predetermined reference fan rotational speed.

Condition E: The temperature of the condenser 5 acquired by the condensation temperature sensor 13 is equal to or lower than a predetermined reference condensation temperature.
Condition F: The defrosting time measured by the timer 11 is equal to or longer than a predetermined reference defrosting time.
Condition G: The water level in the evaporating dish 6 acquired by the water level sensor 17 is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference water level.

  When the refrigerator 1 determines that any one of the reverse rotation conditions is satisfied (S1: YES), the refrigerator 4 drives the fan 4 in the reverse rotation (S3). On the other hand, when it is determined that none of the reverse rotation conditions is satisfied (S1: NO), the refrigerator 1 drives the fan 4 in the normal rotation (S2). That is, the refrigerator 1 controls the rotation direction of the fan 4 based on whether the reverse rotation condition is satisfied.

  As described above, the refrigerator 1 determines the possibility of condensation based on whether or not the above-described reverse rotation condition is satisfied, and when it is determined that there is a possibility of condensation, the fan 4 is driven in reverse rotation. The air is sent from the compressor 3 toward the condenser 5. Thereby, in the case where there is a possibility of condensation, the heat radiation of the condenser 5 is suppressed, and more heat is transmitted to the heat radiating pipe 8 than when the fan 4 is driven in the forward rotation. It is suppressed that temperature falls. That is, the possibility of dew condensation on the surface of the main body 2 can be reduced.

According to the refrigerator 1 demonstrated above, the following effects can be acquired.
The refrigerator 1 is connected to the main body 2, the compressor 3 accommodated in the main body 2, the fan 4 that blows air to the compressor 3, and the compressor 3, and is arranged on the air blowing path by the fan 4. A condenser 5 that is connected to the condenser 5 and that is embedded in the inside of the surface of the main body 2, and a dew condensation determination unit 10a that determines the possibility of dew condensation on the surface of the main body 2. While the rotation direction of the fan 4 is controlled so that air is always blown from the condenser 5 toward the compressor 3, when the condensation determination unit 10 a determines that there is a possibility of condensation, the compressor 3 And a control unit 10 that controls the rotation direction of the fan 4 so as to be blown toward the condenser 5.

  As a result, when the fan 4 is driven in reverse rotation, air is blown from the compressor 3 toward the condenser 5, so that the heat radiation of the condenser 5 is suppressed, and the fan 4 is connected to the heat radiating pipe 8. More heat is transferred than when driven by rotation. Therefore, a decrease in the surface temperature of the main body 2 is suppressed, and the possibility that the surface of the main body 2 is condensed can be reduced.

  At this time, when the humidity is high (corresponding to the condition A), when the outside air temperature is low (corresponding to the condition B), when the condensation temperature indirectly acquired by the rotation speed of the compressor 3 or the fan 4 is low ( When the condensation temperature directly acquired by the condensation temperature sensor 13 is low (corresponding to the condition E), the surface of the main body 2 is condensed by driving the fan 4 in the reverse rotation. Can be suppressed.

Further, when the defrosting time is long (corresponding to the condition F), it is assumed that the amount of defrosting water, that is, the amount of water stored in the evaporating dish 6 is large, so the fan 4 is driven in reverse rotation. As a result, it is possible to suppress the surface of the main body 2 from condensing, and to promote evaporation of water in the evaporating dish 6 by blowing air toward the evaporating dish 6 provided below the condenser 5. It is possible to prevent water overflow. The same applies when the water level in the evaporating dish 6 obtained directly by the water level sensor 17 is high (corresponding to the condition G).
(Other embodiments)

  In the embodiment, conditions A to G are set, and when any one of them is established, it is determined that the surface of the main body 2 may be condensed. However, at least one of the conditions A to G is shown. It is sufficient that one condition is set, and it is not always necessary to set all the conditions A to G. Further, the conditions A to G may be set by combining a plurality of conditions instead of using each of them alone. For example, the condition A (humidity) and the condition B (outside temperature) are combined to change the reference humidity according to the outside temperature, or the condition A (humidity), the condition B (outside temperature), and the condition G (water level) are changed. In combination, the reference water level may be changed according to the outside air temperature and humidity.

Although the heat radiating pipe 8 is illustrated in the embodiment, a dew proof pipe may be used.
Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  In the drawings, 1 is a refrigerator, 2 is a main body, 3 is a compressor, 4 is a fan, 5 is a condenser, 6 is an evaporating dish, 8 is a heat radiating pipe, 10 is a control unit, 10a is a dew condensation determination unit, and 10b is a compressor. Rotational speed acquisition unit, 10c is a fan rotational speed acquisition unit, 11 is a timer (defrosting time acquisition unit), 13 is a condensation temperature sensor (condensation temperature acquisition unit), 14 is an evaporator temperature sensor (evaporator temperature acquisition unit), Reference numeral 15 denotes a humidity sensor (humidity acquisition unit), 16 denotes an outside air temperature sensor (outside air temperature acquisition unit), and 17 denotes a water level sensor (water level acquisition unit).

Claims (8)

The body,
A compressor housed in the body;
A fan for blowing air to the compressor;
A condenser connected to the compressor and disposed on a blowing path by the fan;
A heat dissipating pipe connected to the condenser and embedded in the surface of the main body,
A condensation determination unit for determining the possibility of condensation on the surface of the main body;
While the rotation direction of the fan is controlled so that air is always blown from the condenser toward the compressor, the condensation determination unit determines that there is a possibility that condensation will occur. A control unit for controlling the rotation direction of the fan so as to be blown toward the condenser;
A refrigerator comprising: It has a humidity acquisition unit that acquires humidity,
The dew condensation determination unit determines that dew condensation may occur on the surface of the main body when the humidity acquired by the humidity acquisition unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference humidity. The refrigerator described. It has an outside temperature acquisition unit that detects outside temperature,
The dew condensation determining unit determines that dew condensation may occur on the surface of the main body when the outside air temperature acquired by the outside air temperature acquiring unit is equal to or lower than a predetermined reference outside air temperature. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2. A compressor rotation speed acquisition unit for acquiring the rotation speed of the compressor;
The dew condensation determination unit may cause dew condensation on the surface of the main body when the rotation speed of the compressor acquired by the compressor rotation speed acquisition unit is equal to or lower than a predetermined reference compressor rotation speed. It determines with these, The refrigerator as described in any one of Claim 1 to 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. A fan rotation speed acquisition unit for acquiring the rotation speed of the fan;
The condensation determination unit determines that condensation may occur on the surface of the main body when the rotation speed of the fan acquired by the fan rotation speed acquisition unit is equal to or less than a predetermined reference fan rotation speed. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: A condensation temperature acquisition unit for acquiring the condensation temperature by the condenser;
The condensation determination unit determines that condensation may occur on the surface of the main body when the condensation temperature acquired by the condensation temperature acquisition unit is equal to or lower than a predetermined reference condensation temperature. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The refrigerator has a defrosting function,
A defrosting time acquisition unit that acquires the defrosting time when defrosting is performed,
The dew condensation determination unit determines that dew condensation may occur on the surface of the main body when the defrost time acquired by the defrost time acquisition unit is equal to or more than a predetermined reference defrost time. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the refrigerator is characterized in that: An evaporating dish provided at a lower portion of the condenser;
A water level acquisition unit for acquiring the water level in the evaporating dish,
The condensation determination unit determines that condensation may occur on the surface of the main body when the water level in the evaporating dish acquired by the water level acquisition unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference water level. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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