KR100880483B1 - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerator is provided to improve the cooling efficiency by detecting the location of newly received food and forcing cooling air concentrically to the space. A refrigerator comprises a refrigerator body having a plurality of compartments, a cooling air discharge hole discharging the cool air to each compartment, an opening/closing device for selectively opening and closing each cooling air discharge hole, an RFID reader sensing a RFID tag attached to the food or container received in each compartment, a memory unit(40) storing identification information and location information of the food which are read out by the RFID reader, and a controller(30) which determines the acceptance and location of the new food by using the information read out by the RFID reader and controls the opening/closing device. The RFID reader includes an antenna(73) installed at each compartment and a switching unit(203) successively connected with each antenna.

Description

Refrigerator {Refrigerator}

This embodiment relates to a refrigerator.

In general, a refrigerator is a device for keeping food at a low temperature. The refrigerator includes a main body in which a storage compartment is formed and a door for selectively opening and closing the storage compartment. The storage compartment may be divided into a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment, and the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment may be selectively opened and closed by respective doors. The freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment are divided into a plurality of accommodation spaces.

Then, the user receives the food in each of the spaces. In general, several kinds of food are accommodated at the same time in each of the spaces.

However, according to the refrigerator according to the prior art, since the amount of food stored in each space cannot be accurately known, the same amount of cold air flows into each space regardless of the amount of food.

In such a case, there may be a problem in which excessive cold air is introduced in a space where food is small, and in the case of a space where food is large, there is a problem in that cold air is hardly transmitted as a whole. In addition, when a new food is stored, since the temperature of the space in which the new food is stored decreases by the temperature of the food before storage, there is a problem that affects the existing food.

The present embodiment is proposed to solve the problems as described above, to identify the location where the new food is accommodated to ensure that the cold air intensively discharged to the space where the new food is stored to improve the cooling efficiency of the food It is for the purpose of suggestion.

A refrigerator according to an embodiment for achieving the above object, the refrigerator body is formed by partitioning a plurality of accommodation spaces; A cold air outlet for discharging cold air into each of the accommodation spaces; An opening and closing device for selectively opening and closing each cold air discharge port; An RFID reader configured to detect an RFID tag attached to a food item stored in each accommodation space or a container containing the food item; A memory unit for storing unique information and location information of the food read by the RFID reader; And a controller for determining whether or not a new food is stored and the location using the information read from the RFID reader, and controlling the opening and closing device, wherein the RFID reader is an antenna installed in each accommodation space; It includes a switching unit sequentially connected to each antenna.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a refrigerator includes a refrigerator body in which a plurality of accommodation spaces are defined; A cold air outlet for discharging cold air into each of the accommodation spaces; An opening and closing device for selectively opening and closing each cold air discharge port; A pressure sensor provided in each accommodation space to sense pressure; And a control unit for determining whether to store the new food using the pressure value sensed by the pressure sensor, and controlling the opening and closing device to discharge cold air into the accommodation space where the stored food is located when the new food is stored. do.

According to yet another aspect, a refrigerator includes a refrigerator main body in which a plurality of accommodation spaces are formed; A cold air outlet for discharging cold air into each of the accommodation spaces; An opening and closing device for selectively opening and closing each cold air discharge port; A sensing device that independently detects food accommodated in the accommodation space for each accommodation space; A memory unit for storing a positional relationship between the respective accommodation spaces and the sensing device; And determining whether new food is stored in each of the accommodation spaces using the information detected by the sensing device, and controlling the opening and closing device to discharge cold air into the accommodation space in which the stored food is located when the new food is stored. A control unit is included.

According to the proposed embodiment, when the user stores a new food, the receiving position of the food is grasped, and since cold air is intensively introduced into the space where the food is stored, there is an effect of improving the cooling efficiency of the food.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a side sectional view showing an internal configuration of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, the refrigerator 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a main body 10 having a storage compartment formed therein and a door 11 for selectively opening and closing the storage compartment.

In detail, the storage compartment may generally be divided into a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment. Each of the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment is further divided into a plurality of storage spaces 12 by a plurality of shelves 12a.

The accommodation space 12 is partitioned back and forth with the cold air supply passage 12b by the rear wall 16 formed up and down. A fan 14 and a motor 15 are provided on the cold air supply passage 12b to allow air to flow through the evaporator 13 and the evaporator 13.

The rear wall 16 is provided with a plurality of cold air discharge ports 17 through which cold air is discharged into the accommodation spaces 12. Each of the cold air outlets 17 is provided with a damper 18 for selectively opening and closing the cold air outlet 17. Therefore, when the damper 18 is opened, air on the cold air supply passage 12b flows into the accommodation space 12 through the cold air discharge port 17.

In addition, the rear wall 16 is provided with a plurality of temperature sensors 19 for independently sensing the temperature of each accommodation space 12. At this time, the providing position of the temperature sensor 19 is not limited, and may be provided at any position for sensing the temperature of each accommodation space 12, respectively.

In addition, each of the receiving spaces 12 has an antenna 201 for transmitting and receiving with a radio frequency identification tag (RFID Tag) attached to the food accommodated in the accommodation space 12 or a container containing the food Is provided. Each antenna 201 independently recognizes an RFID tag located in each accommodation space 12.

Hereinafter, the position determination of the food stored in the accommodation space and the adjustment of the damper will be described in detail.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a view schematically illustrating a configuration of a switching unit according to a first embodiment.

2 and 3, the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment is attached to a control unit 30 for controlling the overall operation of the refrigerator, and a container for storing food or food stored in the refrigerator 1. An RFID reader (RFID Reader) 20 for recognizing the RFID tag (70), a memory unit (40) storing tag data read from the RFID reader (20), and the door (11) of the Door opening detecting unit 50 for detecting the opening, a damper driver 52 for operating the respective dampers 18, and a display unit 60 for displaying the contents of the tag data stored in the memory unit 40 ) Is included.

In detail, the RFID tag 70 is attached to a food or a container in which the food is accommodated. Here, the RFID tag 70 attached to the container stores the unique information of the food contained in the container, thereby allowing the container to accommodate the food corresponding to the unique information of the food contained in the RFID tag 70. In this case, if the RFID tag 70 is recognized, it is possible to determine the type of food contained in the container.

In addition, the RFID tag 70 includes an IC chip 71 that stores intrinsic information of a food, for example, the type of food, the country of origin of the food, the proper storage temperature of the food, and the IC chip 71. An antenna 73 is included to allow the recorded information to be radiated in a high frequency form.

The RFID reader 20 includes a plurality of antennas 201 for exchanging a high frequency signal with the RFID tag 70, and the plurality of antennas 201 sequentially receive the antennas of the RFID tag 70 ( 73, and a switching unit 203 for transmitting and receiving, and a data reading unit 205 for processing the information received by each of the antennas 201.

When the RFID reader 20 requests tag data transmission for the RFID tag 60, the RFID tag 60 sends tag data in the form of radio frequency to the RFID reader 20. It works by transmitting to).

In detail, each of the plurality of antennas 201 is disposed in the accommodation space 12. Each of the antennas 201 transmits and receives with the RFID tag 70 separately stored in the accommodation space 12.

The switching unit 203 includes a number of switches 203a corresponding to the respective antennas 201, and the switches 203a are sequentially switched under the control of the control unit 30.

That is, in FIG. 3, when the top first switch is closed, the first antenna is operated. After a certain time, the first switch is opened, and the next second switch is closed to operate the second antenna.

In this case, since the antennas 201 respectively provided to the accommodation spaces 12 are sequentially operated at time intervals, the positions of the accommodation spaces in which food is stored can be confirmed.

The memory unit 40 is matched with and stored in the accommodation space 12 in which the antennas 201 and 201 are installed. Therefore, when the signal of the RFID tag 70 is received at the first antenna, the controller 30 determines the position of the accommodation space in which the first antenna is installed.

In addition, the memory unit 40 stores the unique information and location information of the food already stored. Therefore, when a signal is received from the RFID tag 70 in the antenna 201 installed in one accommodation space and transmitted to the control unit 30, the control unit 30 may receive new food in comparison with previously stored information. It can be determined whether or not.

In addition, when there is a newly stored food, the food is additionally stored in the memory unit 40. When the food is taken out, the unique information of the food stored in the memory unit 40 is removed.

The door opening detecting unit 50 detects whether the door 11 is opened, and when the opening of the door 11 is detected by the door opening detecting unit 50, the control unit 30 stores the food. The switching unit 203 is operated to check whether or not.

That is, in this embodiment, in order to reduce power consumption due to unnecessary operation of the switching unit 203, for example, the switching unit 203 operates after the door 11 is opened.

When the damper driver 52 determines that the new food is stored in the controller 30, the damper driver 52 operates the damper 18 corresponding to the accommodation space 12 in which the new food is stored. Then, the damper 18 allows the cold air outlet 17 to be opened.

The display unit 60 displays not only the operating state of the refrigerator 1 but also the location and the unique information of the food. For example, the accommodation unit 12 may be displayed on the display unit 60, and the number and unique information of foods located in each accommodation space may be displayed.

Hereinafter, the operation of the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, it is determined whether the door 11 is opened by the door opening detecting unit 50 (S1). If it is determined that the door 11 is opened, the controller 30 causes the switching unit 203 to operate. Then, each switch 203a constituting the switching unit 203 is sequentially connected from the first antenna to the Nth antenna provided in each accommodation space 12 (S2). Hereinafter, a description will be given when one antenna is operated, and the operated antenna is referred to as an "operating antenna".

In detail, when a signal is transmitted from the operation antenna connected to the switch 203a, the RFID tag 70 stored in the accommodation space in which the operation antenna 201 is installed transmits the unique information of the food to the operation antenna 201. . Then, the unique information of the food is read from the data reading unit 205 and transmitted to the control unit 30.

Then, the controller 30 compares the unique information of the food transmitted from the operation antenna 201 with the information stored in the memory unit 40. That is, the controller 30 determines whether new food is stored in each accommodation space (S3). At this time, the comparison target information stored in the memory unit 40 is unique information of the food stored in the accommodation space where the operation antenna is located.

As a result of the comparison, if the unique information of the food transmitted from the operation antenna 201 is not stored in the memory unit 40, it is determined that the new food is stored in the control unit 30. The location information and the unique information of the newly stored food are stored in the memory unit 40.

Then, the temperature of the space in which the newly received food is accommodated by the temperature sensor 19 is sensed (S4). The controller 30 determines whether the difference between the proper storage temperature of the food contained in the RFID tag 70 and the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 19 is within a predetermined range (S5).

In detail, the user generally divides and stores food stored in the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment, but there are cases where the food is incorrectly stored due to the intention or carelessness of the user. In this case, the difference between the storage proper temperature of the food and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 19 exceeds a certain range. Therefore, the present embodiment is to determine whether the difference between the proper storage temperature of the food and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 19 is within a predetermined range in order to determine when the storage position of the food is wrong.

Of course, there is a difference in the proper storage temperature even between foods to be stored in the same storage compartment, this difference is included within the predetermined range.

As a result of the determination by the controller 30, if it is determined that the temperature difference is within a predetermined range, the damper 18 corresponding to the space in which the newly stored food is accommodated is opened to supply cold air to the space in which the food is newly stored (S7). ).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the temperature difference exceeds a predetermined range, a signal for inviting the food to be stored in another space is displayed on the display unit (S6). In other words, if a user incorrectly stores food, it is displayed to the outside so that the user can check it. Thereafter, the damper 18 corresponding to the space in which the newly received food is accommodated is opened so that the cold air is supplied to the newly received space (S7).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 3 that no new food is stored, the process returns to step 1. In this case, when the new food is not stored, it refers to a state in which the existing food is withdrawn or maintained, and when the existing food is withdrawn, the location information and the unique information of the food extracted from the memory unit 40. Is deleted.

After the above process, the next antenna of the operating antenna is operated, and the same process as described above.

In the above description, it is determined whether the new food is stored in the controller 30 in the process of operating any one antenna, and the process is repeated sequentially. In 30) it may be determined whether the new food is received.

5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment.

This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the structure of determining the storing position of the food. Therefore, hereinafter, the characteristic parts of the present embodiment will be described, and portions overlapping with the first embodiment will be referred to as the first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, the refrigerator according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of pressure sensors 110 installed in each accommodation space 12, and a plurality of communication units 120 transmitting information sensed by the pressure sensors 110. ), A main communication unit 130 for receiving signals from the plurality of communication units 120, a control unit 140 for controlling the operation of the damper 18 using information transmitted from the main communication unit 130, The memory unit 160 stores the pressure value sensed by the pressure sensor 110, and a damper driver 150 for driving the damper 18.

In detail, the pressure sensor 110 is preferably provided in plural in each accommodating space 12 in order to accurately detect the pressure of the food stored in each accommodating space 12. In addition, the pressure sensor 110 is preferably provided at the portion where the food is placed. For example, the pressure sensor 110 may be provided on a shelf 12a that partitions each accommodation space.

Each communication unit 120 transmits the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor installed in each accommodation space 12 to the main communication unit 130. That is, any one communication unit 120 may transmit the pressure value detected from one or more pressure sensors 110 to the main communication unit 130.

The plurality of communication units 120 and the main communication unit 130 may transmit and receive signals by wire or wirelessly.

By the above configuration, the pressure is sensed by the pressure sensor 110 installed in each accommodation space. The detected pressure is transmitted to the main communication unit 130 through the communication unit 120. Here, the communication between the communication unit and the main communication unit may be made, for example, when the door is opened.

In addition, the controller 140 compares the sensed pressure value with a previous pressure value stored in the memory unit 160, and operates the damper driver so that the damper 18 corresponding to the accommodation space having the increased pressure value is operated. 150). Then, the cold air discharge port 17 is opened by the damper 18 so that cold air is concentrated in the accommodating space where the food is newly stored.

1 is a side cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment.

2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a refrigerator according to the first embodiment;

3 is a view schematically showing the configuration of a switching unit according to the first embodiment;

4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment.

5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment;

Claims (10)

A refrigerator body in which a plurality of accommodation spaces are defined; A cold air outlet for discharging cold air into each of the accommodation spaces; An opening and closing device for selectively opening and closing each cold air discharge port; An RFID reader configured to detect an RFID tag attached to a food item stored in each accommodation space or a container containing the food item; A memory unit for storing unique information and location information of the food read by the RFID reader; And A control unit for determining whether or not the new food is stored and the location using the information read from the RFID reader and controlling the opening and closing device, The RFID reader is an antenna installed in each of the receiving space, And a switching unit sequentially connected to each of the antennas. The method of claim 1, The memory unit, the refrigerator is stored in advance the position information of the antenna connected to the switching unit and the accommodation space in which the antenna is installed. The method of claim 1, Further comprising a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of each accommodation space, When the new food is stored, the control unit determines whether the difference between the temperature detected by the temperature sensor and the appropriate storage temperature of the newly stored food falls within a predetermined range. The method of claim 3, wherein When the difference value exceeds a predetermined range, the refrigerator further comprises a display unit for displaying the excess information to the outside. The method of claim 1, Further comprising a door opening detecting unit for detecting the opening of the door to selectively open and close the receiving space, And the switching unit is operated by the control unit when the door is opened. A refrigerator body in which a plurality of accommodation spaces are defined; A cold air outlet for discharging cold air into each of the accommodation spaces; An opening and closing device for selectively opening and closing each cold air discharge port; A pressure sensor provided in each accommodation space to sense pressure; A plurality of communication units configured to transmit pressure values sensed by the pressure sensors; A main communication unit receiving pressure values from the plurality of communication units; And The refrigerator includes a control unit for determining whether the new food is stored using the pressure value sensed by the pressure sensor, and controlling the opening and closing device to discharge cold air into the accommodation space where the stored food is placed when the new food is stored. . The method of claim 6, And a plurality of communication units and the main communication unit communicate with each other when the door is opened. A refrigerator body in which a plurality of accommodation spaces are defined; A cold air outlet for discharging cold air into each of the accommodation spaces; An opening and closing device for selectively opening and closing each cold air discharge port; A sensing device that independently detects food accommodated in the accommodation space for each accommodation space; A memory unit for storing a positional relationship between the respective accommodation spaces and the sensing device; And It is determined whether new food is stored in each of the receiving spaces using the information detected by the sensing device, and when the new food is stored, controlling the opening and closing device to discharge cold air into the receiving space in which the food is stored. Refrigerator including a control unit. The method of claim 8, The sensing device includes an RFID reader that detects an RFID tag attached to a newly housed food or a container in which the food is stored. The RFID reader may include a plurality of antennas installed in each accommodation space, and a switching unit sequentially connected to the antennas. The method of claim 8, The sensing device is a refrigerator provided in each accommodation space is a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure applied from the food.

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