AU2019420355B2

AU2019420355B2 - Refrigerator

Info

Publication number: AU2019420355B2
Application number: AU2019420355A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Makito TOMIMURA; Yasunari Yamato
Original assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Current assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Priority date: 2019-01-11
Filing date: 2019-01-11
Publication date: 2022-06-30
Anticipated expiration: 2039-01-11
Also published as: TWI717938B; AU2019420355A1; JP7038856B2; WO2020144847A1; CN113227685B; JPWO2020144847A1; CN113227685A; SG11202104529VA; TW202026578A

Abstract

This refrigerator is provided with a storage chamber, a door opening/closing detection unit, a memory unit, and a control unit, wherein the control unit: calculates an arbitrarily-defined day-number average value from a door opening/closing count stored in the memory unit in each arbitrarily-defined unit of time; calculates an immediately-preceding total value by using as a start point each unit of time, in the arbitrarily-defined day-number average value; calculates an immediately-following total value by using, as a start point, each unit of time, in the arbitrarily-defined day-number average value; and determines, on the basis of the immediately-preceding total value and/or the immediately-following total value, an interval which is defined by a preset time duration and in which the frequency of opening/closing of the storage chamber is low.

Description

Technical Field

[0001]

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator that includes a storage compartment having a door designed to open and close and storing stored items at adjusted temperatures, as well as a door opening-closing detector. Background

[0002]

A refrigerator may store a number of times at which a drawer of an ice-making

compartment is opened every hour for seven days, adds up the numbers of times for every time periods, and changes its ice-making capacity in response to the number of door-opening times per unit-time length. For instance, during a time period when the

number of door-opening times is small, such as less than five times per hour, the refrigerator determines that an amount of ice usage is small and operates at a low ice-making capacity. During a time period when the number of door-opening times is medium, such as five times or greater and less than 15 times per hour, the

refrigerator operates at a medium ice-making capacity. During a time period when the number of door-opening times is large, such as 15 times or greater per hour, the refrigerator operates at a high ice-making capacity. In this way, the refrigerator

operates in response to a user's usage conditions to reduce waste in cooling (see Patent Literature 1).

[0003] Another refrigerator may divide 24 hours a day into predetermined time zones,

e.g., one-hour intervals, and counts a number of times a door of the refrigerator is opened and closed for every time zone. The refrigerator determines a time zone in which a user does not open the refrigerator, a time zone in which the user opens the

refrigerator, and a time zone in which the user opens the refrigerator with low

frequency and defrosts during the time zone in which the user does not open the refrigerator (see Patent Literature 2).

Patent Literature

[0004]

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.

2017-15344

Patent Literature 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.

HE105-248756

[0005]

According to a method of operating the refrigerator in response to the user's usage conditions based on the number of door-opening times by the technique of Patent Literature 1, a number of times the drawer is opened and closed is recorded even in the middle of the night when the user, for example, happens to get up after

falling asleep and opens and closes the refrigerator. This makes the refrigerator unable to set a substantial time zone, e.g., about six hours, during which the user opens the refrigerator with low frequency. This also presents a possibility that a controlled task required to be performed over a plurality of hours, e.g., four hours, is interrupted halfway.

[0006]

According to the technique of Patent Literature 1, a threshold used to

determine a level of door-opening frequency is specified depending on the number of door-opening times. As a result, if different users have different absolute values of the numbers of door-opening times in daily life, the threshold may not provide

intended accuracy. For instance, let us assume that a user A opens the drawer at maximum five times or so per unit-time length. Meanwhile, let us assume that the

number of times a user B opens the drawer per unit-time length reaches up to 15 times or so. When the number of door-opening times being 10 times or greater is determined as high door-opening frequency by a specified threshold, the door opening frequency of the user A can be constantly determined as low throughout a day. When the door-opening frequency changes per unit-time length, an operating state of the refrigerator changes moment by moment. This can contribute to a

deterioration in energy consumption performance.

[0007]

According to a method of operating the refrigerator in response to the user's usage conditions based on the number of door-opening times by the technique of Patent Literature 2, families such as double-income households where a day worker and a night worker coexist, which have been common in recent years, open and close the refrigerator door in no small numbers even at nighttime. As a result, in some cases, it is difficult to find a time period made up of a plurality of hours in which the user does not open the refrigerator. This creates a possibility that defrosting or similar operation performed during a time zone in which the user does not open the refrigerator cannot be performed throughout a day.

[0008] These problems arise from inability of the refrigerator to predict a time period

with low door-opening frequency based on the user's living conditions.

[0009] The present invention, in some embodiments, may provide a refrigerator

capable of predicting a time period in which a user opens the refrigerator with low

frequency based on the user's living conditions. Summary

[0010]

A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a storage compartment including a door designed to open and close and being configured to cool and preserve stored items; a door opening-closing detector to detect opening and closing of the door of the storage compartment; a storage unit to receive data about opening and closing of the door detected with the door opening closing detector and store a number of times the door is opened and closed per given unit-time length for a given number of days; and a controller, wherein the controller

calculates an average value for the given number of days that is an average of numbers of times the door is opened and closed each given unit-time length for the given number of days from numbers of door opening-closing times stored for every given unit-time lengths in the storage unit, the controller calculates a latest-time

lengths total value that is a sum of the average values for the given number of days of the numbers of door opening-closing times for latest time lengths specified from a starting point of each unit-time length for every unit-time length, the controller calculates an immediately following-time-lengths total value that is a sum of the average values for the given number of days of the numbers of door opening-closing times for immediately following time lengths specified from a starting point of each unit-time length for every unit-time length, and the controller determines a sectioned zone of specified time lengths in which the storage compartment is opened and closed with low frequency based on one of or both of the latest-time-lengths total value and the immediately following-time-lengths total value.

[0011]

In the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller determines a sectioned zone of the specified time lengths in which the

storage compartment is opened and closed with low frequency based on one of or both of the latest-time-lengths total value and the immediately following-time-lengths

total value. Thus, the controller can predict a given time period in which a user

opens the compartment door with low frequency based on the user's living conditions. Brief Description of Drawings

[0012]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are hereinafter described, by

way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator according to Embodiment

1 of the present disclosure.

[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is an elevation view illustrating the refrigerator according to

Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.

[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating the refrigerator according

to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.

[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a controller according to

Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.

[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a control process according to

Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.

[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a graph illustrating a control result 1 according to Embodiment

1 of the present disclosure.

[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a graph illustrating a control result 2 according to Embodiment

1 of the present disclosure.

[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a graph illustrating a control result 3 according to Embodiment

1 of the present disclosure.

[Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a graph illustrating special temperature control according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.

[Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the special temperature control

according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.

[Fig. 11] Fig. 11 is a graph illustrating redoing of the special temperature control

according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.

[Fig. 12] Fig. 12 is a graph illustrating temperature equalization control

according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Detailed Description

[0013]

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, identical or equivalent elements are denoted by identical reference numerals, and this applies to the full text of the specification. In

cross-sectional views, hatching is omitted as appropriate for the sake of visibility. Forms of constituent elements shown in the full text of the specification are merely

examples and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the appended claims.

[0014]

UJvvjolol I

P00117 Embodiment 1. Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator 1 according to

Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is an elevation view illustrating the

refrigerator 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.

[0015] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the refrigerator 1 includes a refrigerator

compartment 121, an ice-making compartment 122, a freezer compartment 123, a

freezer compartment 124, and a vegetable compartment 125. The freezer

compartment 123 switches between a refrigeration temperature range around -18

degrees C and a mild refrigeration temperature range around -7 degrees C. The

refrigerator compartment 121, the ice-making compartment 122, the freezer

compartment 123, the freezer compartment 124, and the vegetable compartment 125

are each a storage compartment 12 including a door designed to open and close and

being configured to cool and preserve stored items such as food. The refrigerator 1

may include at least one of the storage compartments 12. When the refrigerator 1

includes a plurality of the storage compartments 12, the plurality of the storage

compartments 12 may be disposed in any manner.

[0016]

The refrigerator 1 includes a door switch 131 configured to be turned on or off

in response to opening or closing of the door of any of the refrigerator compartment

121, the ice-making compartment 122, and the freezer compartment 123. The

refrigerator 1 includes a drawer switch 132 configured to be turned on or off in

response to opening or closing of the drawer of the freezer compartment 124. The

refrigerator 1 includes a drawer switch 133 configured to be turned on or off in

response to opening or closing of the drawer of the vegetable compartment 125.

The door switch 131, the drawer switch 132, and the drawer switch 133 constitute a

door opening-closing detector 13 used to detect opening and closing of the door of

any of the storage compartments 12.

[0017]

UJvvjolol I

P00117 Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating the refrigerator 1 according to

Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 3, the refrigerator 1

includes the door opening-closing detector 13 to detect opening and closing of the

door of any of the storage compartments 12. The refrigerator 1 has a storage unit

111 to receive door-opening signals sent from the door opening-closing detector 13

and store a number of times the door is opened and closed per unit-time length for a

given number of days. The refrigerator 1 includes a controller 11. The controller 11

includes the storage unit 111. The refrigerator 1 includes a cooling unit 14 to cool

the plurality of the storage compartments 12. The refrigerator 1 includes a defrosting

heater 15 to defrost the cooling unit 14.

[0018] <Controller 11> Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the controller 11 according to Embodiment

1 of the present disclosure. The controller 11 is responsible for controlling parts

including a drive device for the cooling unit 14 and the defrosting heater 15. As

shown in Fig. 4, the controller 11 is a processing circuit including a microcomputer

that has a central processing unit (CPU), memory such as read only memory (ROM)

and random-access memory (RAM), and an input/output device such as an I/O port.

The storage unit 111 is formed in the RAM.

[0019]

The controller 11 calculates a 7-days average value that is an average of

numbers of times the door is opened and closed each hour for seven days one hour

by one hour from numbers of door opening-closing times stored for every one hours

in the storage unit 111. The 7-days average value maybe an average value for a

given number of days, the seven days may be the given number of days, and the

every one hours may be every given unit-time lengths. The controller 11 calculates a

latest-hours total value that is a sum of the 7-days average values of the numbers of

door opening-closing times for the latest six hours that are hours specified from a

starting point of each hour for every one hour. The controller 11 calculates an

immediately following-hours total value that is a sum of the 7-days average values of

UJvvjolol I

P00117 the numbers of door opening-closing times for the immediately following six hours

that are hours specified from a starting point of each hour for every unit-time length.

The controller 11 determines a sectioned zone of six hours in which the user opens

and closes any of the storage compartments 12 with low frequency based on one of

or both of the latest 6-hours total value and the immediately following 6-hours total

value.

[0020]

Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a control process according to Embodiment 1 of

the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 5, the controller 11 stores the number of

door opening-closing times for every unit-time length in the storage unit 111 in step

S1. The controller 11 divides a day by one hour into a total of 24 blocks from a 0th

block to a 23rd block and stores the numbers of door-opening times for the respective

blocks by door into the storage unit 111. The controller 11 executes the step S1 until

data is stored for seven days. When the period for which the data is stored exceeds

seven days, the controller 11 overwrites an oldest piece of the data in sequence to

store new data in the storage unit 111. By repeating data storing of step S1, the

controller 11 always stores the numbers of door opening-closing times for every one

hours for latest seven days by storage compartment in the storage unit 111.

[0021]

Preferably, the unit-time length by which a day is divided is basically one hour

and data is stored accordingly. This enables the refrigerator to satisfactorily infer the

user's living conditions. However, if door opening-closing frequency needs to be

analyzed in more detail, the unit-time length may be specified as 30 minutes or so. If

door opening-closing frequency is analyzed in a broader way with consideration given

to a memory capacity of the storage unit 111, the unit-time length may be specified as

eight hours or so.

[0022]

In step S2, the controller 11 calculates a 7-days average value of door opening

closing times for every one hour.

UJvvjolol I

P00117

[0023]

The controller 11 stores the numbers of door-opening times for 24 hours from

the 0th block to the 23rd block a day by a unit-time length of one hour. At a time

when the controller 11 finishes storing the number of door-opening times for the 23rd

block on one day into the storage unit 111 and shifts to a storage location of the 0th

block on the following day, the controller 11 adds up the number of times each of the

storage compartments 12 is opened in every block.

[0024]

Specifically, the controller adds up the numbers of times the respective doors of

the refrigerator compartment 121, the ice-making compartment 122, the freezer

compartment 123, the freezer compartment 124, and the vegetable compartment 125

are opened in the 0th block. The controller performs similar calculations for the

remaining 1st block to the 23rd block.

[0025]

Next, the controller 11 multiplies 7-days average values calculated previously

from data in the 0th block to the 23rd block for seven days by 6, adds the numbers of

door-opening times calculated a moment ago for the latest one day to the multiplied

values block by block, and divides block-by-block results of the addition by 7. The

controller 11 stores results of this calculation as latest 7-days average values in the

storage unit 111.

[0026]

In preparation for a time when the controller shifts from the 23rd block on one

day to the 0th block on the following day for the first time after turning-on of the power

to the refrigerator 1, initial 7-days average values are specified in the storage unit 111

in advance. Preferably, all the initial values are basically specified as 0. However, initial 7-days average values may be specified by referring to, for example, market

data about door opening-closing frequency at ordinary households.

[0027]

The initial values may be specified as numbers of opening-closing times, such

as 10,000 times, that cannot occur in actual applications. However, initial values that

UJvvjolol I

P00117 deviate substantially from values in actual applications require extra time until actual door-opening frequency can be estimated and thus are unfavorable.

[0028]

In step S3, the controller 11 calculates a latest-hours total value that is a sum of

7-days average values of the numbers of door-opening times for the latest six blocks

or six hours that are hours specified from a starting point of each block. In this

example, after a time period with low door-opening frequency is estimated, the

controller executes a control process, described later, that spans up to six hours in

the time period. Thus, the specified hours are six hours.

[0029]

Fig. 6 is a graph illustrating a control result 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the

present disclosure. Fig. 7 is a graph illustrating a control result 2 according to

Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Fig. 8 is a graph illustrating a control result

3 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.

[0030]

With reference to Fig. 7, the latest-hours total value will be described. In Fig.

7, the horizontal axis shows each unit-time length from the 0th block to the 23rd

block, and the vertical axis shows a 7-days average value of the numbers of door

opening times for each unit-time length. A latest 6-hours total value on the 0th block

is 3 times, which is a sum of the 7-days average values in the six blocks in total,

namely 0 door-opening times in the starting-point 0th block, 0 door-opening times in

the first preceding 23rd block, 0 door-opening times in the second preceding 22nd

block, 0 door-opening times in the third preceding 21st block, 0 door-opening times in

the fourth preceding 20th block, and 3 door-opening times in the fifth preceding 19th

block. The controller performs similar calculations for the remaining 1st block to the

23rd block to calculate latest 6-hours total values for all the 24 blocks.

[0031]

In step S4, the controller 11 compares the latest-hours total values calculated

above and determines whether or not a number of minimums out of the numbers of

door opening-closing times is one. When one minimum is present out of the

UJvvjolol I

P00117 numbers of door opening-closing times, the controller transitions to step S5. When a plurality of minimums are present out of the numbers of door opening-closing times,

the controller transitions to step S6.

[0032]

In step S5, the controller 11 determines that a zone of latest six hours specified

from a starting point of a block where one minimum of door opening-closing times

exists, i.e., from the sixth preceding block through the first preceding block, is a time

period in which the user opens the refrigerator 1 with low frequency. In other words, as shown in Fig. 6, the controller 11, when the latest 6-hours total value on the 3rd

block is only one minimum, determines that the six hours from the sixth preceding

21st block to the 2nd block, the first block previous to the 3rd block, are a time zone in

which the user opens the refrigerator 1 with low frequency. In other words, when

only one minimum latest-hours total value is present, the controller 11 sets a start

time of the 3rd block, one first unit-time length in which the minimum latest-hours total

value is calculated, as a reference point and determines that a period between six

hours before the start time of the 3rd block and the start time of the 3rd block is a

zone in which the user opens and closes any of the storage compartments 12 with

low frequency.

[0033]

In step S6, the controller 11 calculates an immediately following-hours total

value that is a sum of 7-days average values for the immediately following six blocks

or six hours that are a given period specified from a starting point of each block.

Specifically, as shown in Fig. 7, an immediately following 6-hours total value on the

th block is calculated as 11 times, which is a sum of the 7-days average values in

the six blocks in total, namely 0 door-opening times in the starting-point 0th block, 0

door-opening times in the first following 1st block, 0 door-opening times in the second

following 2nd block, 0 door-opening times in the third following 3rd block, 3 door

opening times in the fourth following 4th block, and 8 door-opening times in the fifth

following 5th block. The controller 11 performs similar calculations for the remaining

UJvvjolol I

P00117 1st block to the 23rd block to calculate immediately following 6-hours total values for

all the 24 blocks.

[0034]

In step S7, the controller 11 determines whether or not a number of maximums

out of the immediately following 6-hours total values in two or more blocks where

minimum latest 6-hours total values are present is one. When one maximum is

present out of the numbers of door opening-closing times, the controller transitions to

step S5. When a plurality of maximums are present out of the numbers of door

opening-closing times, the controller transitions to step S8.

[0035]

In step S5 to which the controller has transitioned from step S7, the controller

11 determines that a zone of latest six hours, a given period specified from a starting

point of a block where one maximum immediately following 6-hours total value exists,

out of the two or more blocks where minimum latest 6-hours total values are present,

i.e., from the sixth preceding block through the first preceding block, is a time period

in which the user opens the refrigerator 1 with low frequency. In other words, in an

example of Fig. 7, the latest 6-hours total values in the 1st block through the 3rd block

are minimum 0 times and the immediately following 6-hours total value in the 3rd

block out of the three blocks is maximum 22 times. Thus, with the 3rd block set as a

starting point, the controller determines that the six hours from the sixth preceding

21st block to the first preceding 2nd block are a time zone in which the user opens

the refrigerator 1 with low frequency. In other words, when the plurality of the

minimum latest-hours total values are present and one maximum immediately

following-hours total value is present, the controller 11 sets the start time of the 3rd

block, one second unit-time length in which the maximum immediately following-hours

total value is calculated, as a reference point and determines that a period between

six hours before the start time of the 3rd block and the start time of the 3rd block is a

zone in which the user opens and closes any of the storage compartments 12 with

low frequency.

[0036]

UJvvjolol I

P00117 In step S8, when a plurality of maximum immediately following 6-hours total

values are present in two or more blocks in which minimum latest 6-hours total values

are present, the controller 11 sets a unit-time length of a block that is earliest and

lowest in serial number out of the blocks in each day as a starting point and

determines a time period in which the user opens the refrigerator 1 with low

frequency. In an example of Fig. 8, the unit-time length in which the minimum latest

6-hours total value and the maximum immediately following 6-hours total value are

present is the 6th block and the 18th block. In this case, the controller sets the 6th

block, which is earliest and lowest in serial number out of the blocks in the day, as a

starting point and determines a time zone in which the user opens the refrigerator 1

with low frequency. In other words, when the plurality of the minimum latest-hours

total values are present and the plurality of the maximum immediately following-hours

total values are present, the controller 11 sets a start time of the 6th block, one third

unit-time length in which the maximum immediately following-hours total value is

calculated, which is earliest and lowest in serial number out of the two or more blocks

where maximum immediately following 6-hours total values are present, as a

reference point and determines that a period between six hours before the start time

of the 6th block and the start time of the 6th block is a zone in which the user opens

and closes any of the storage compartments 12 with low frequency.

[0037]

As described above, Fig. 6 shows a case in which only one unit-time length

where one minimum latest 6-hours total value is present exists. Fig. 7 shows a case

that is expected to occur at highest probability in which unit-time lengths where a

plurality of minimum latest 6-hours total values and only one maximum immediately

following 6-hours total value are present exist. Fig. 8 shows a case in which two or

more unit-time lengths where a plurality of minimum latest 6-hours total values and a

plurality of maximum immediately following 6-hours total values are present exist.

[0038]

As described above, the controller predicts changes in level of door-opening

frequency by focusing on latest-hours total values to find a time until which the

UUJcolcol I

P00117 refrigerator 1 is opened with lowest frequency and immediately following-hours total

values to find a time from which the refrigerator 1 is opened with highest frequency.

This enables the refrigerator to accurately determine a time period in which the user opens the refrigerator with low frequency. Even if different households that use the

refrigerators are active during different time periods a day, the controller predicts

door-opening frequency based on the amount of change in number of door-opening

times. Thus, the controller can infer the user's living conditions without problems.

Specifically, let us assume that a user A gets up and starts to open a refrigerator 1 at

7 am and goes to bed at 10 pm on a day, while a user B gets up and starts to open a

refrigerator 1 at 9 pm on a day and goes to bed at 1 pm on the following day. In this

case, since the controller determines frequency at which the refrigerator 1 is opened

by focusing on the amount of change in number of door-opening times, the controller

determines, for example, that a time period in which the user A opens the refrigerator

with low frequency is from 0 am to 6 am on the following day and that a time period in

which the user B opens the refrigerator with low frequency is from 2 pm to 8 pm.

[0039]

In step S9, the controller 11 executes temperature equalization control, which is

described later, as special control in the determined time period with low door

opening frequency.

[0040]

Fig. 9 is a graph illustrating special temperature control according to

Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. The special temperature control is an

example of control that the controller executes in a living time period other than the

determined time period with low door-opening frequency. In other words, the special

control is control designed to prevent start of the special temperature control in the

time period with low door-opening frequency.

[0041]

As shown in Fig. 9, the special temperature control is executed first to adjust

temperature in the storage compartment 12 to a first set temperature, such as -3

UUJcolcol I

P00117 degrees C, that is higher than a temperature for normal temperature control, such as

7 degrees C, during a certain length of time such as 100 minutes by a temperature

control unit (not shown) used to adjust temperature in each of the storage

compartments 12. The special temperature control is then executed to adjust the

temperature in the storage compartment 12 to a second set temperature, such as -11

degrees C, that is lower than the temperature for normal temperature control, such as

-7 degrees C, during a certain length of time such as 120 minutes. In this way, the

special temperature control is designed to change the temperature in the storage

compartment 12 to two different temperatures over two or more unit-time lengths.

By such special temperature control, food undergoes supercooling and is frozen.

[0042]

The normal temperature, the first set temperature, and the second set

temperature are in a refrigeration temperature range lower than or equal to 0 degrees

C. The first set temperature is higher than a normal set temperature such as a mild

refrigeration temperature of -7 degrees C and is set in a range between -5 degrees C

and 0 degrees C that is higher or equal to a temperature at which food starts freezing.

In this example, the first set temperature is -3 degrees C. The second set

temperature is set at a temperature lower than the normal temperature and is -11

degrees C in this example.

[0043]

The control execution time lengths and the set temperatures described herein

are preferable values selected to allow the controller to enter supercooling control

with high accuracy. However, the values may be changed to suit a cooling capacity

of the refrigerator 1 or other conditions. The controller redoes the special

temperature control in response to door opening and closing. This allows the special

temperature control to start at a time when food is loaded in conjunction with door

opening and closing.

[0044]

When the refrigerator 1 starts operating, the normal temperature control is

executed. When the drawer of the freezer compartment 123 of the storage

UJvvjolol I

P00117 compartments 12 is opened and closed in a living time period, the special temperature control is executed in response to opening and closing of the drawer of

the freezer compartment 123 in the living time period other than the determined time period with low door-opening frequency. After the special temperature control is

finished, the normal temperature control is again executed.

[0045]

Fig. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the special temperature control according to

Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 10, the special

temperature control starts in a living time period other than the time period that is

determined as a time period with low door-opening frequency.

[0046]

In step S91, when the drawer of the freezer compartment 123 is opened and

closed in the living time period other than the determined time period with low door

opening frequency, the controller 11 cools the freezer compartment to a first set

temperature of -3 degrees C to maintain the freezer compartment at the first set

temperature different from a normal temperature of -7 degrees C for a certain length

of time such as 100 minutes.

[0047]

In step S92, the controller 11 determines whether or not the drawer is opened

and closed while the freezer compartment is cooled to the first set temperature.

When the drawer is opened and closed, the controller returns to step S91 to redo the

special temperature control from start. Redoing of the special temperature control

will be described later. When the special temperature control is redone, the

controller stores for what amount of time the freezer compartment has been

maintained at the first set temperature. When the drawer is not opened and closed, the controller transitions to step S93.

[0048]

In step S93, the controller 11 determines whether or not the certain length of

time such as 100 minutes has elapsed. When the certain length of time has

UJvvjolol I

P00117 elapsed, the controller transitions to step S94. When the certain length of time has not elapsed, the controller returns to step S92.

[0049]

In step S94, the controller 11 cools the freezer compartment to a second set

temperature of -11 degrees C to maintain the freezer compartment at the second set

of time such as 120 minutes continuously from the state at the first set temperature.

[0050] In step S95, the controller 11 determines whether or not the drawer is opened

and closed while the freezer compartment is cooled to the second set temperature.

special temperature control from start. When the special temperature control is

redone, the controller stores for what amount of time the freezer compartment has

been maintained at the first set temperature and the second set temperature. When

the drawer is not opened and closed, the controller transitions to step S96.

[0051] In step S96, the controller 11 determines whether or not the certain length of

time such as 120 minutes has elapsed. When the certain length of time has

elapsed, the controller transitions to step S97. When the certain length of time has

not elapsed, the controller returns to step S95.

[0052] In step S97, the controller 11 determines whether or not a redo of the special

temperature control exists. When a redo exists, the controller transitions to step

S98. In step S98, the controller executes the temperature equalization control

described later in a next time period that is determined as a time period with low door

opening frequency. When no redo exists, the controller finishes the special

temperature control and transitions to the normal temperature control.

[0053] <Redoing special temperature control>

UJvvjolol I

P00117 Fig. 11 is a graph illustrating redoing of special temperature control according

to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 11, when the door

opening-closing detector 13 detects opening and closing of the drawer of the freezer

compartment 123 during special temperature control, the controller redoes the special

temperature control from start. The redone special temperature control extends into

the 6-hours period determined as a time period with low door-opening frequency.

[0054] In other words, when the drawer is opened and closed again after a period of

minutes, for example, following the start of special temperature control, the

controller redoes the special temperature control from start. The controller again

cools the storage compartment 12 to maintain the storage compartment at the first set

temperature for the certain length of time and then maintain the storage compartment

at the second set temperature for the certain length of time.

[0055] <Temperature equalization control>

Fig. 12 is a graph illustrating temperature equalization control according to

Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 12, when the special

temperature control is redone one time or more, the temperature in the freezer

compartment 123, which is a storage compartment 12, differs from the normal

temperature. Hence, the controller executes the temperature equalization control to

maintain the temperature in the freezer compartment 123, a storage compartment 12,

in a range of temperatures lower than the normal temperature such that a 1-day

average temperature in the freezer compartment 123, a storage compartment 12, is

similar to the normal temperature. The temperature equalization control is executed

in the 6-hours period determined as a time period with low door-opening frequency.

The temperature equalization control is equivalent to special control.

[0056] Since the special temperature control is executed at a plurality of times in a

living time period other than the determined time period with low door-opening

frequency, the special temperature control is repeated. As a result, the temperature

UJvvjolol I

P00117 in the freezer compartment 123, a storage compartment 12, is maintained at the first

set temperature higher than the normal temperature. In this case, the controller

calculates an average temperature during the living time period for a day, and when

the average temperature is higher than the normal temperature, the temperature

equalization control is executed in a next time period with low door-opening frequency

to cool the freezer compartment to the second set temperature lower than the normal

temperature such that the average temperature for the day is identical to the normal

temperature. When the refrigerator transitions to a time zone outside the time period

with low door-opening frequency after execution of the temperature equalization

control, the controller changes the set temperature to the normal temperature. This, even when the special temperature control is executed at a plurality of times a day,

enables the controller to maintain the temperature in the freezer compartment 123, a

storage compartment 12, at a temperature identical to the normal temperature. This

enables the refrigerator to steadily maintain a food preservation period traceable to

preservation temperature.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 12, the special temperature control is executed at a plurality of

times in the living time period and the temperature equalization control is executed in

the next time period with low door-opening frequency. When the special temperature

control is repeated in the living time period, the average temperature for the day is the

normal temperature. This requires the temperature equalization control to be

executed to keep the storage compartment at the second set temperature in the next

period with low door-opening frequency.

[0058] <Method of calculating temperature equalization control time>

In any time zone where the freezer compartment is at the first set temperature

in a living time period, in response to opening and closing of the drawer again in a

period in which the first set temperature is selected, the special temperature control is

redone from start. An amount of elapsed time from a point of time at which the

special temperature control starts before being redone to a point of time at which the

UJvvjolol I

P00117 redone special temperature control starts is defined as an extended time. When the

special temperature control is executed at a plurality of times and is redone at a

plurality of times in the living time period, any extended time is added up.

[0059] The extended time is reset at a time, for example, when the period sifts from

the living time period to the time period with low door-opening frequency or when the

period shifts from the time period with low door-opening frequency to the living time

period.

[0060]

In response to opening and closing of the drawer again in a period in which the

second set temperature is selected, the special temperature control is redone from

start. An amount of time remaining after subtraction of time for which the freezer

compartment is actually at the second set temperature by the special temperature

control before being redone from time for which the freezer compartment is originally

scheduled to be at the second set temperature is defined as an absent time. When

the special temperature control is executed at a plurality of times and is redone in a

period in which the second set temperature is selected at a plurality of times in the

living time period, any absent time is added up.

[0061]

The absent time is reset at a time, for example, when the period sifts from the

living time period to the time period with low door-opening frequency or when the

period.

[0062]

A method of calculating time for which temperature equalization control is

executed in a next time period with low door-opening frequency based on the

extended time and the absent time will be described.

[0063]

First, an area determined by multiplying a difference between the first set

temperature and a reference temperature by the extended time is defined as Al.

UJvvjolol I

P00117 Next, an area determined by multiplying a difference between the reference

temperature and the second set temperature by the absent time is defined as A2.

[0064] Regarding a length of time for which the freezer compartment is at the second

set temperature in the next time period with low door-opening frequency, an area

determined by multiplying the difference between the reference temperature and the

second set temperature by time X for which the temperature equalization control is

executed, i.e., the length of time for which the freezer compartment is at the second

set temperature, is defined as B.

[0065]

With regard to Al, A2, and B acquired by these calculations, the time X for

which the temperature equalization control is executed is determined such that the

sum of Al and A2 is equal to B. According to the method of calculation described

above, the time X for which the temperature equalization control is executed in Fig.

12 is calculated. First, the difference between the first set temperature and the

reference temperature is a difference between -3 degrees C and -7 degrees C and

thus is 4 degrees Kelvin. The difference between the reference temperature and the

second set temperature is a difference between -7 degrees C and -11 degrees C and

thus is 4 degrees Kelvin. In other words, a relationship among Al, A2, and B in this

example can be determined only by operating time. Accordingly, Al is 50 minutes

and thus is 50, A2 is two pieces of 115 minutes and thus is 230, and B is 50 + 230 =

280. Hence, according to the method of calculation described above, the time X for

which the temperature equalization control is executed is 280 minutes, i.e., 4 hours

and 40 minutes.

[0066]

In Embodiment 1, the 6-hours period with low door-opening frequency is

calculated to enable temperature equalization control in relation to special

temperature control. In Embodiment 1, the temperature equalization control is

designed to cool the freezer compartment at the second set temperature lower than

the normal temperature for 4 hours and 40 minutes within the 6-hours period with low

UJvvjolol I

P00117 door-opening frequency, which is an example of a small time allowance. However, on condition that a user does not favor the storage compartment 12 in a state of low

temperature as a result of having been cooled at the second set temperature when

the time period with low door-opening frequency ends, a constraint may be placed to

execute the temperature equalization control for only four hours when the calculated

control time exceeds, for example, four hours. If cooling the freezer compartment is

expected to take, for example, eight hours because of a control specification, the

controller may determine an 8-hours period with low door-opening frequency,

whereas the controller in Embodiment 1 determines the 6-hours period with low door

opening frequency.

[0067]

According to Embodiment 1, the refrigerator 1 includes the storage compartment 12 including a door designed to open and close and being configured to

cool and preserve stored items such as food. The refrigerator 1 includes the door

opening-closing detector 13 to detect opening and closing of the door of the storage

compartment 12. The refrigerator 1 has the storage unit 111 to receive data about

opening and closing of the door detected with the door opening-closing detector 13

and store the number of times the door is opened and closed per given unit-time

length for a given number of days. The refrigerator 1 includes the controller 11.

The controller 11 calculates an average value for the given number of days that is an

average of numbers of times the door is opened and closed each given unit-time

length for the given number of days from numbers of door opening-closing times

stored for every given unit-time lengths in the storage unit 111. The controller 11

calculates a latest-time-lengths total value that is a sum of the average values for the

given number of days of the numbers of door opening-closing times for latest time

lengths specified from a starting point of each unit-time length for every unit-time

length. The controller 11 calculates an immediately following-time-lengths total value

that is a sum of the average values for the given number of days of the numbers of

door opening-closing times for immediately following time lengths specified from a

UJvvjolol I

P00117 starting point of each unit-time length for every unit-time length. The controller 11 determines a sectioned zone of specified time lengths in which the storage

compartment 12 is opened and closed with low frequency based on one of or both of

the latest-time-lengths total value and the immediately following-time-lengths total

value.

[0068] According to this configuration, the controller can update the average values for

the given number of days whenever 24 hours elapse, grasp the number of times the

door is opened and closed for every time zone such that the grasped number adapts

to changes in the user's living conditions, and predict a time period in which the user

opens the refrigerator with low frequency based on the user's living conditions. The

time period with low door-opening frequency is predicted by focusing on the amount

of change in number of door opening-closing times rather than an absolute value of

the number of door opening-closing times. Thus, the controller can accurately

predict a given period with low door-opening frequency even if the absolute value of

the number of times the door of the refrigerator 1 is opened and closed differs

depending on the household and the user's living conditions differ from ordinary living

conditions.

[0069] According to this configuration, the controller can set a substantial time zone

with low door-opening frequency. This prevents a controlled task required to be

performed over a plurality of hours from being interrupted halfway.

[0070]

According to this configuration, the controller does not specify a threshold used

to determine the number of door-opening times being, for example, 10 times or

greater as high door-opening frequency. Thus, the door-opening frequency of a user

who opens the door at maximum five times or so per unit-time length is not constantly

determined as low throughout a day. An operating state of the refrigerator does not

change moment by moment when the door-opening frequency changes per unit-time

UJvvjolol I

P00117 length. As a result, the energy consumption performance of the refrigerator does not

deteriorate.

[0071]

This configuration enables the controller to find a time period made up of a

plurality of hours in which the user does not open the refrigerator 1. This contributes

to a reduction in cases in which the temperature equalization control, defrosting, or

other special control performed during a time zone in which the user does not open

the refrigerator 1 cannot be performed throughout a day.

[0072]

According to Embodiment 1, the controller 11, when one minimum of the latest

time-lengths total value is present, sets a start time of one first unit-time length in

which the minimum latest-time-lengths total value is calculated, as a reference point

and determines that a period between the specified time lengths before the start time

of the first unit-time length and the start time of the first unit-time length is a zone in

which the storage compartment 12 is opened and closed with low frequency.

[0073]

According to this configuration, the controller can update the average values for

to changes in the user's living conditions, and calculate a minimum of the latest-time

lengths total values for every unit-time lengths. Thus, the controller can grasp a

zone of latest time lengths specified from a starting point of the first unit-time length

where the one minimum exists is a time period in which the user opens the

refrigerator 1 with low frequency. As a result, the controller can find that the user

opens the refrigerator 1 with lowest frequency in a time zone before the first unit-time

length and opens the refrigerator 1 with highest frequency in a time zone from the first

unit-time length by accurately grasping changes in level of door-opening frequency.

Hence, even if the detector detects opening and closing of the door, for example, in a

midnight period where the door-opening frequency is generally low, the controller

invariably determines the midnight period as a time period with low door-opening

UJvvjolol I

P00117 frequency. Consequently, when the temperature equalization control is required to

be executed over a plurality of unit-time lengths at midnight, the controller can

execute the temperature equalization control in a time period determined as a time

period with low door-opening frequency.

[0074]

According to Embodiment 1, the controller 11, when a plurality of minimums of

the latest-time-lengths total values are present and one maximum of the immediately

following-time-lengths total value is present, sets a start time of one second unit-time

length in which the maximum immediately following-time-lengths total value is

calculated as a reference point and determines that a period between the specified

time lengths before the start time of the second unit-time length and the start time of

the second unit-time length is a zone in which the storage compartment 12 is opened

and closed with low frequency.

[0075]

According to this configuration, the controller can calculate immediately

following-time-lengths total values as well as latest-time-lengths total values and

when a plurality of minimums of the latest-time-lengths total values are present and

one maximum of the immediately following-time-lengths total value is present, grasp

that a period between the specified time lengths before the start time of the second

unit-time length in which the maximum immediately following-time-lengths total value

is calculated and the start time of the second unit-time length is a time period with low

door-opening frequency. As a result, the controller can find that the user opens the

refrigerator 1 with lowest frequency in a time zone before the second unit-time length

and opens the refrigerator 1 with highest frequency in a time zone from the second

frequency. Consequently, when the temperature equalization control is required to

UJvvjolol I

P00117 execute the temperature equalization control in a time period determined as a time period with low door-opening frequency.

[0076]

According to Embodiment 1, the controller 11, when a plurality of minimums of

the latest-time-lengths total values are present and a plurality of maximums of the

immediately following-time-lengths total values are present, sets a start time of one

third unit-time length in which the maximum immediately following-time-lengths total

value earliest out of the plurality of the maximum immediately following-time-lengths

total values is calculated as a reference point and determines that a period between

the specified time lengths before the start time of the third unit-time length and the

start time of the third unit-time length is a zone in which the storage compartment 12

is opened and closed with low frequency.

[0077]

According to this configuration, the controller can calculate immediately

when a plurality of minimums of the latest-time-lengths total values are present and a

plurality of maximums of the immediately following-time-lengths total values are

present, grasp that a period between the specified time lengths before the start time

of the third unit-time length in which the maximum immediately following-time-lengths

total value earliest and lowest in serial number out of the plurality of the maximum

immediately following-time-lengths total values is calculated and the start time of the

third unit-time length is a time period with low door-opening frequency. As a result, the controller can find that the user opens the refrigerator 1 with lowest frequency in a

time zone before the third unit-time length and opens the refrigerator 1 with highest

frequency in a time zone from the third unit-time length by accurately grasping

changes in level of door-opening frequency. Hence, even if the detector detects

opening and closing of the door, for example, in a midnight period where the door

opening frequency is generally low, the controller invariably determines the midnight

period as a time period with low door-opening frequency. Consequently, when the

temperature equalization control is required to be executed over a plurality of unit

UJvvjolol I

P00117 time lengths at midnight, the controller can execute the temperature equalization

control in a time period determined as a time period with low door-opening frequency.

[0078]

According to Embodiment 1, the controller 11 executes temperature

equalization control or other special control during a plurality of successive unit-time

lengths in a time period determined as a zone in which the storage compartment 12 is

opened and closed with low frequency.

[0079]

According to this configuration, even if the detector detects opening and closing

of the door, for example, in a midnight period where the door-opening frequency is

generally low, the controller invariably determines the midnight period as a time

period with low door-opening frequency. Consequently, when special control such

as the temperature equalization control is required to be executed over a plurality of

unit-time lengths at midnight, the special control can be executed in a time period

determined as a time period with low door-opening frequency without being

interrupted by opening and closing of the door at midnight.

[0080] According to Embodiment 1, the controller 11 executes special temperature

control to maintain temperature in the storage compartment 12 at a first set

temperature different from a normal temperature during a certain length of time and

afterward at a second set temperature different from the first set temperature during a

certain length of time. The special control is designed to prevent start of the special

temperature control in a time zone in which the storage compartment 12 is opened

and closed with low frequency.

[0081] According to this configuration, when the special temperature control apart

from the special control is assigned for a plurality of unit-time lengths, the special

temperature control can be executed in a period other than the determined time

period with low door-opening frequency.

[0082]

UUJcolcol I

P00117 According to Embodiment 1, when the door is opened and closed during the

special temperature control, the controller 11 redoes the special temperature control

from start.

[0083]

The special temperature control needs to be continuously executed to optimally

cool stored items such as food. According to this configuration, when the door is

opened and closed during the special temperature control, the special temperature

control is redone from start. This enables cooling of stored items such as food

optimally and with high quality.

[0084]

According to Embodiment 1, when the special temperature control is redone

from start, the controller 11 executes temperature equalization control to adjust the

temperature in the storage compartment 12 for a day to the normal temperature by

keeping the storage compartment 12 at the second set temperature in a next time

zone in which the storage compartment 12 is opened and closed with low frequency.

The special control is equivalent to the temperature equalization control.

[0085]

According to this configuration, when the temperature equalization control

equivalent to the special control is assigned for a plurality of unit-time lengths, the

temperature equalization control can be executed in a time period determined as a

time period with low door-opening frequency. The temperature equalization control

is executed when the temperature in the storage compartment 12 at present differs

from the normal temperature in the storage compartment 12 as a result of redoing of

the special temperature control from start. The temperature equalization control

equalizes the temperature in the storage compartment 12 with the normal

temperature to maintain the storage compartment 12 at an optimum temperature for

cooling stored items such as food.

[0086]

According to Embodiment 1, the controller 11 determines a living time period

other than a time zone in which the storage compartment 12 is opened and closed

UJvvjolol I

P00117 with low frequency and executes the special temperature control in the living time

period.

[0087]

The special temperature control needs to be continuously executed

immediately after opening and closing of the door of the storage compartment 12 to

optimally cool stored items such as food. According to this configuration, the special temperature control is executed in the living time period, in which the door of the

storage compartment 12 is opened and closed. This enables cooling of stored items

such as food optimally and with high quality.

[0088]

According to Embodiment 1, the controller 11 redoes the special temperature

control from start during a period extending from the living time period into a time

[0089]

According to this configuration, when the special temperature control cannot be

completed within the living time period, the special temperature control extends into a

subsequent time period determined as a time period with low door-opening frequency.

This enables cooling of stored items such as food optimally and with high quality

owing to execution of the special temperature control before the stored items such as

food are damaged by long-term storage.

[0090] Embodiment 2.

In Embodiment 2, the controller performs defrosting as special control in a

given period that is determined as a time period with low door-opening frequency in

Embodiment 1.

[0091]

The controller starts defrosting in a determined time zone in which a user

opens the storage compartment 12 with low frequency. This enables defrosting

while a rise in temperature in the storage compartment 12 is inhibited. In

Embodiment 1, with consideration given to the possibility that the time of temperature

UJvvjolol I

P00117 equalization control reaches six hours, the controller calculates latest 6-hours total values and immediately following 6-hours total values of 7-days average values to determine a 6-hours period with low door-opening frequency. However, defrosting and control executed before and after defrosting in Embodiment 2 require

approximately three hours. Thus, in Embodiment 2, the controller calculates latest

3-hours total values and immediately following 3-hours total values of 7-days average

values to determine a 3-hours period with low door-opening frequency.

[0092]

In each of Embodiments 1 and 2, the given periods specified for the latest

hours total values, the immediately following-hours total values, and the time zone

with low door-opening frequency are preferably a common period. However, the

specified given periods may be different periods. Conventionally, defrosting starts, for example, in response to an operating time of a compressor or a refrigerator 1 or in

response to a value detected with a temperature detection unit used to detect

temperature of a cooling unit 14.

[0093] Unfortunately, a determined period in which defrosting is scheduled to start

may be daytime in which the user opens the refrigerator with high frequency. This

case causes temperature in a storage compartment 12 to rise excessively.

[0094]

Another case is that defrosting is scheduled to be performed in a period in

which the user does not open and close the refrigerator door. This prevents a rise in

temperature in the storage compartment 12. However, when defrosting is scheduled

to be performed in a time period with zero door opening-closing frequency, a time at

which defrosting is necessary does not sometimes coincide with a time period with

zero door opening-closing frequency that changes depending on the user. This

creates a possibility that defrosting cannot be performed appropriately.

[0095] To address these problems, the controller in Embodiment 2, in common with

the controller in Embodiment 1, uses a method of determining a time period with low

UJvvjolol I

P00117 door-opening frequency. This enables extraction of a fairly substantial time zone

with low door-opening frequency. This, even if opening and closing of the door is

detected during the time zone, enables defrosting while the possibility of causing an

excessive rise in temperature in the storage compartment 12 is reduced.

[0096] <Effects of Embodiment 2>

According to Embodiment 2, the refrigerator 1 includes the defrosting heater 15 to defrost the cooling unit 14. The special control is equivalent to defrosting of the

cooling unit 14 performed by the defrosting heater 15.

[0097]

According to this configuration, the controller predicts a time period with low

door-opening frequency and is thereby able to extract a fairly substantial time zone

detected during the time zone with low door-opening frequency, enables defrosting

while an excessive rise in temperature in the storage compartment 12 is inhibited.

[0098] Embodiment 3.

The controller in Embodiment 3, based on a given period with low door-opening

frequency that is determined in Embodiment 1, specifies morning, daytime, evening,

and midnight time periods and controls operation to suit the time periods.

[0099] In Embodiment 3, the controller specifies the given period with low door

opening frequency as a 6-hours period. The controller defines the 6-hours period

with low door-opening frequency as a midnight period and determines the midnight

period as a period in which the user opens the refrigerator 1 with low frequency and is

asleep in general. The controller defines six hours from an end point of the midnight

period as a morning period, and similarly defines six hours from an end point of the

morning period as a daytime period and a period from an end point of the daytime

period to a starting point of the midnight period as an evening period. Why the six

UJvvjolol I

P00117 hours are specified is because a possibility that a day is divided into four 6-hours

periods as an ordinary living pattern is taken into consideration.

[0100]

Specifically, a description will be given with an example in which a day is

divided by one hour unit into 24 blocks from the 0th block to the 23rd block. When

six hours from the 18th block to the 23rd block are determined as a time zone with

low door-opening frequency in Embodiment 1, the time zone is defined as a midnight

period.

[0101]

The time zone with lowest door-opening frequency is generally expected to be

a bedtime regardless of the user. Thus, the controller assumes the time zone as a

midnight period and subsequently defines a time zone from the 0th block, an end

point of the midnight period, to the 5th block, a point of six hours later, as a morning

period and a time zone from the 6th block, an end point of the morning period, to the

11th block, a point of six hours later, as a daytime period and similarly defines a time

zone from the 12th block to the 17th block as an evening period.

[0102]

As a day is defined as a series of the morning, the daytime, the evening, and

the midnight periods in this way, the controller enables the refrigerator 1 to operate

with increased cooling capacity from the midnight period in expectation of a rise in

temperature in the storage compartment 12 in the morning period, if the user, for

example, uses frozen food for a packed lunch with increased frequency, i.e.,

frequency with which the freezer compartment 124 of the refrigerator 1 is opened and

closed is on the rise in the morning period.

[0103]

When the opening and closing of the freezer compartment 124 is not detected

in the morning period in actuality, the controller may learn this detected result and

may determine whether or not to allow the refrigerator to operate with increased

cooling capacity in the midnight period next time with consideration given to the

detected result.

UJvvjolol I

P00117

[0104]

Similarly, it is possible that the user prepares a water bottle in the morning

period using a large amount of manufactured ice. Thus, the refrigerator 1 operates such that the ice-making compartment starts making ice in the midnight period to

complete ice making in the morning period.

[0105] In expectation of a rise in number of times a drink is taken out in the daytime

period, in which the atmospheric temperature rises to a highest point on a day, the

refrigerator 1 operates such that cooling performance of the refrigerator compartment

121 increases one hour or a given period before the end point of the morning period.

When the opening and closing of the ice-making compartment 122 is not detected in

the daytime period in actuality after operation, the controller may learn this detected

result and may determine whether or not to allow the refrigerator to cool the

compartment in preparation for ice making in the morning period next time with

consideration given to the detected result.

[0106]

In expectation that the user who goes shopping in the daytime period opens

and closes the storage compartments 12 of the refrigerator 1 after coming back from

shopping, the refrigerator 1 may operate with improved cooling performance such that

the storage compartments remain in a range of temperatures lower than a

temperature set in advance. When the temperature throughout the daytime period is

lower than the set temperature by 1 degree C or a given degree at the end point of

the daytime period, the controller may learn this result and may determine whether or

not to allow the refrigerator to operate with improved cooling performance in

expectation of shopping in the daytime period next time.

[0107]

When the controller determines that the user finishes preparing dinner and

clearing the table and enters a time for amusement and preparation in a second half

of the evening time before going to bed, the refrigerator 1 may operate such that

cooling capacity of the storage compartments 12 is lowered during this period. This

UJvvjolol I

P00117 helps improve energy-saving performance. When the opening and closing of the

door of any of the storage compartments 12 is detected at five times or any given

number of times per one hour during this period, the controller may learn this result

and may determine whether or not to allow the refrigerator to operate with lowered

cooling capacity in the second half of the evening time.

[0108]

In Embodiment 3, the morning, the daytime, the evening, and the midnight

periods are defined. However, a day may be divided into a plurality of time periods

represented by general symbols like A, B, C, and D.

[0109]

In Embodiment 3 described above, the controller defines a time period with low

door-opening frequency as the midnight period, defines the morning, the daytime, and

the evening periods subsequent to the midnight period, and sets these periods as a

basis to predict the user's living conditions. This enables the refrigerator 1 to

optimally operate based on information predicted for every time period in advance.

[0110]

Next, a description will be given of a controller configured to determine whether

or not to execute special temperature control suitable for a living pattern of a day such

as a holiday even if the door opens and closes in a time period on the day that is

different from a time period in which the door opens and closes on days of a usual

living pattern.

[0111]

When the special temperature control is executed, the storage unit 111 stores

history data about the special temperature control for every four 6-hours periods into

which a day is divided, such as the morning, the daytime, the evening, and the

midnight periods defined as above or every time periods represented by general

symbols like A, B, C, and D. When the special temperature control is executed one

or more times in each of the morning, the daytime, and the evening periods of the

four periods, the controller determines that an activity is present in the every three

time periods from the morning to the evening and controls the refrigerator to prevent

UJvvjolol I

P00117 the special temperature control from being executed in the midnight period with low

door-opening frequency because of low likelihood of the door opening and closing

even if the opening and closing of the door is detected in the midnight period.

[0112]

Meanwhile, when the special temperature control is not executed at all in at

least one of the morning, the daytime, and the evening periods on a day, the

controller determines that no activity is present in at least one time period from the

morning to the evening on the day and it is possible for the door to open and close

even in the midnight period, which is usually determined as a time period with low

door-opening frequency. When the opening and closing of the door is actually

detected in the midnight period, the special temperature control is executed.

[0113] In this way, even when the living pattern is different from the usual pattern, the

controller automatically determines a time at which the special temperature control is

executed based on results of predicted door-opening frequency and history data

about the special temperature control and thereby executes the special temperature

control. This enables the refrigerator to provide optimum temperature control at a

suitable time without manual operation by the user.

[0114]

According to Embodiment 3, the special control provides operation with a

cooling capacity different from the cooling capacity during normal operation.

[0115] According to this configuration, in a time period with low door-opening

frequency, the refrigerator 1 can operate with a cooling capacity different from the

cooling capacity during normal operation. This enables preservation of stored items

such as food in the storage compartment 12 optimally and with high quality.

[0116]

According to Embodiment 3, the controller 11 defines a time zone in which the

storage compartment 12 is opened and closed with low frequency as a midnight period of six hours and determines every six hours from the end point of the midnight period as morning, daytime, and evening periods in sequence. Thecontroller 11 controls the refrigerator with a predetermined cooling capacity suitable for each of the midnight, the morning, the daytime, and the evening periods.

[0117]

According to this configuration, the controller defines a time period with low

door-opening frequency as the midnight period and defines time periods subsequent to the midnight period as the morning, the daytime, and the evening periods in

sequence. Thus, a day can be divided into sections that are set as a basis to predict the user's living conditions. This enables the refrigerator 1 to optimally operate

based on information predicted for each of the midnight, the morning, the daytime,

and the evening periods in advance.

[0118]

Embodiments 1 to 3 of the present disclosure may be combined or may each be applied to a part of another embodiment.

[0118a]

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context

requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0118b]

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information

derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as

an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication

(or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general

knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Reference Signs List

[0119]

1 refrigerator 11 controller 12 storage compartment 13

door opening-closing detector 14 cooling unit 15 defrosting heater 111

storage unit 121 refrigerator compartment 122 ice-making compartment 123

freezer compartment 124 freezer compartment 125 vegetable

compartment 131 doorswitch 132 drawerswitch 133 drawer switch

36a

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION AREAS FOLLOWS:

[Claim 1] A refrigerator comprising:

a storage compartment including a door designed to open and close and being configured to cool and preserve stored items; a door opening-closing detector to detect opening and closing of the door of the storage compartment;

a storage unit to receive data about opening and closing of the door detected with the door opening-closing detector and store a number of times the door is

opened and closed per given unit-time length for a given number of days; and

a controller,

wherein the controller calculates an average value for the given number of

days that is an average of numbers of times the door is opened and closed each given unit-time length for the given number of days from numbers of door opening

closing times stored for every given unit-time lengths in the storage unit,

the controller calculates a latest-time-lengths total value that is a sum of the

average values for the given number of days of the numbers of door opening-closing

times for latest time lengths specified from a starting point of each unit-time length for

every unit-time length,

the controller calculates an immediately following-time-lengths total value that

is a sum of the average values for the given number of days of the numbers of door

opening-closing times for immediately following time lengths specified from a starting

point of each unit-time length for every unit-time length, and

the controller determines, from among sectioned zones each being a sectioned zone of specified time lengths in which the storage compartment is opened and

closed, a sectioned zone in which the storage compartment is opened and closed with low frequency based on one of or both of the latest-time-lengths total value and

the immediately following-time-lengths total value.
[Claim 2]

The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the controller, when one minimum of the latest-time-lengths total value is present, sets a start time of one first unit-time length in which the minimum latest-time-lengths total value is calculated, as a reference point and determines that a period between the specified time lengths before the start time of the first unit-time length and the start time of the first unit-time length is a zone in which the storage compartment is opened and closed with low frequency.
[Claim 3]

The refrigerator of either of claim 1 or 2, wherein the controller, when a plurality

of minimums of the latest-time-lengths total values are present and one maximum of

the immediately following-time-lengths total value is present, sets a start time of one

second unit-time length in which the maximum immediately following-time-lengths

total value is calculated as a reference point and determines that a period between the specified time lengths before the start time of the second unit-time length and the

start time of the second unit-time length is a zone in which the storage compartment

is opened and closed with low frequency.
[Claim 4]

The refrigerator of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the controller, when a

plurality of minimums of the latest-time-lengths total values are present and a plurality

of maximums of the immediately following-time-lengths total values are present, sets

a start time of one third unit-time length in which the maximum immediately following

time-lengths total value earliest out of the plurality of the maximum immediately

following-time-lengths total values is calculated as a reference point and determines

that a period between the specified time lengths before the start time of the third unit

time length and the start time of the third unit-time length is a zone in which the

storage compartment is opened and closed with low frequency.
[Claim 5]

The refrigerator of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the controller executes

special control during a time period determined as a zone in which the storage

compartment is opened and closed with low frequency.
[Claim 6]

The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein the controller executes special temperature control to maintain temperature in the storage compartment at a first set temperature different from a normal temperature during a certain length of time and afterward at a second set temperature different from the first set temperature during a certain length of time, and wherein the special control is designed to prevent start of the special temperature control in a time zone in which the storage compartment is opened and closed with low frequency.
[Claim 7]

The refrigerator of claim 6, wherein when the door is opened and closed during

the special temperature control, the controller redoes the special temperature control

from start.
[Claim 8]

The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein when the special temperature control is

redone from start, the controller executes temperature equalization control to adjust

the temperature in the storage compartment for a day to the normal temperature by

keeping the storage compartment at the second set temperature in a next time zone

in which the storage compartment is opened and closed with low frequency, and

wherein the special control is equivalent to the temperature equalization

control.
[Claim 9]

The refrigerator of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the controller determines a

living time period other than a time zone in which the storage compartment is opened

and closed with low frequency and executes the special temperature control in the

living time period.
[Claim 10]

The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein the controller redoes the special

temperature control from start during a period extending from the living time period

into a time zone in which the storage compartment is opened and closed with low

frequency.
[Claim 11] The refrigerator of claim 5, comprising a defrosting heater to defrost a cooling unit, wherein the special control is equivalent to defrosting of the cooling unit performed by the defrosting heater.
[Claim 12] The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein the special control provides operation with a cooling capacity different from a cooling capacity during normal operation.
[Claim 13] The refrigerator of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the controller defines a time zone in which the storage compartment is opened and closed with low frequency as a midnight period of six hours and determines every six hours from an end point of the midnight period as morning, daytime, and evening periods in sequence, and the controller controls the refrigerator with a predetermined cooling capacity suitable for each of the midnight, the morning, the daytime, and the evening periods.