CN108375268B

CN108375268B - Refrigerator with a door

Info

Publication number: CN108375268B
Application number: CN201711273752.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 伊藤穗高
Original assignee: Toshiba Lifestyle Products and Services Corp
Current assignee: Toshiba Lifestyle Products and Services Corp
Priority date: 2017-01-31
Filing date: 2017-12-06
Publication date: 2023-01-03
Anticipated expiration: 2037-12-06
Also published as: CN108375268A; JP6872916B2; JP2018123997A

Abstract

The invention provides a refrigerator capable of freely controlling the opening degree of a door. A refrigerator (1) is provided with: a door (15), wherein the door (15) is configured at the opening part of the refrigerator main body; an opening/closing device (31), wherein the opening/closing device (31) changes the opening of the door; a distance detection device (32), the distance detection device (32) being provided to the door, for obtaining a detection value corresponding to a distance between the door and the user; and an opening degree control device (33), wherein the opening degree control device (33) controls the opening degree by the opening and closing device (31) so that the detection value approaches a predetermined target value.

Description

Refrigerator with a door

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a refrigerator.

Background

Some conventional refrigerators include: if the door is touched, the door is opened. Such a refrigerator includes a sensor for detecting a change in capacitance value in the door, and when the sensor detects that a user touches the door, the door is automatically opened by an actuator such as a solenoid.

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2016-14484

Patent document 2: japanese patent laid-open No. 2001-33150

Disclosure of Invention

However, the conventional refrigerator cannot control the opening degree of the door. Therefore, when the articles accommodated in the pocket (pocket) of the door are light, a large amount of outside air may flow into the refrigerator due to the door being opened excessively, which may increase the temperature in the refrigerator and power consumption. In addition, if the opening degree is too small, the following problem occurs: it is difficult to store and take out food and the like.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a refrigerator capable of freely controlling the opening degree of a door.

The refrigerator of the embodiment is provided with: a refrigerator main body; a door disposed at an opening of the refrigerator main body; an opening/closing device that changes an opening degree of the door; a distance detection device provided to the door for obtaining a detection value corresponding to a distance between the door and a hand of a user; and an opening degree control device that controls the opening degree by the opening/closing device so that the detection value approaches a predetermined target value.

According to the above configuration, the opening degree of the door can be freely controlled. This allows the user to open and close the door with a small force and to freely change the opening degree. In addition, even when the articles accommodated in the pocket portion at the inner side of the door are heavy, the opening degree of the door can be freely changed.

Preferably, the detection value is a value of a static capacitance between the door and a hand of a user.

Preferably, the opening degree control device decreases the opening degree when the static capacitance value is higher than the target value, and increases the opening degree when the static capacitance value is lower than the target value.

Preferably, the opening degree control means starts the control of the opening degree when the capacitance value exceeds a predetermined threshold value before the start of the control of the opening degree.

Preferably, the refrigerator includes: a lighting device provided to the door; and an illumination control device that turns on the illumination device when the static capacitance value exceeds the predetermined threshold value.

Preferably, the opening degree control device ends the control of the opening degree when a change amount of the electrostatic capacity value per predetermined unit time after the control of the opening degree is started exceeds a predetermined value.

Preferably, the opening degree control means ends the control of the opening degree when a length of time during which the capacitance value is regarded as constant is longer than a predetermined length after the start of the control of the opening degree.

Preferably, the opening degree control device ends the control of the opening degree when a drive current flowing through a motor used in the opening/closing device exceeds a predetermined current value after the control of the opening degree is started.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of the opening/closing device 31.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an opening and closing control operation of the refrigerating compartment door.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the refrigerating chamber door is opened and closed following the hand of the user.

Description of reference numerals:

1\8230, a refrigerator 15 \8230, a refrigerating chamber door (door) 31 \8230, an opening and closing device 32 \8230, a distance detection device 33 \8230, an opening control device 34 \8230, a lighting device 35 \8230, a lighting control device 311 \8230, a stepping motor 312 \8230, a speed reduction gear 313 \8230, and a fixed gear.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. A main body of a refrigerator 1 shown in fig. 1 is constituted by a heat insulating box body 3 (also referred to as a refrigerator main body), the heat insulating box body 3 is constituted by sandwiching a vacuum heat insulating material between an inner box and an outer box, and the heat insulating box body 3 is constituted by: an upper surface plate portion 5 constituting an upper surface wall as a ceiling wall; a bottom plate 7 constituting a bottom wall; a left plate-like portion 9 constituting a left side wall; a right plate-like portion 11 constituting a right side wall; and a rear plate-like portion 13 constituting a rear wall.

In fig. 1, the right plate-like portion 11, the rear plate-like portion 13, and the bottom plate-like portion 7 are hidden behind the back. When the upper plate-like portion 5, the bottom plate-like portion 7, the left plate-like portion 9, the right plate-like portion 11, and the rear plate-like portion 13 are collectively described, they are simply referred to as plate-like portions.

Further, a split-type refrigerating chamber door 15 (hereinafter simply referred to as a door as appropriate), a drawer-type vegetable chamber door 17, a drawer-type ice making chamber door 19, a drawer-type first freezing chamber door 21, and a drawer-type second freezing chamber door 23 are attached to an opening portion of the front surface of the heat insulating box 3 surrounded by the plurality of plate-shaped portions at the upper, lower, left, right, and back portions. Further, the second freezing compartment door 23 is provided in parallel beside the ice-making compartment door 19. Further, a refrigerating chamber, a vegetable chamber, an ice making chamber, a first freezing chamber and a second freezing chamber are provided in the heat insulating box 3 on the inner sides of the refrigerating chamber door 15, the vegetable chamber door 17, the ice making chamber door 19, the first freezing chamber door 21 and the second freezing chamber door 23.

In addition, an opening/closing device 31 (actuator) is provided in the vicinity of the upper hinge portion of each of the split refrigerating compartment doors 15. The opening/closing device 31 can freely change the opening degree of the refrigerating chamber door 15 as well as open and close the refrigerating chamber door 15. For example, when the free end of the refrigerating chamber door 15 opposite to the hinge portion is in contact with the heat insulation box 3, that is, when the door is closed, the opening degree is set to 0%, and when the free end of the refrigerating chamber door 15 is farthest from the heat insulation box 3, that is, when the door is fully opened, the opening degree is set to 100%.

The opening/closing device 31 includes a stepping motor 311, a reduction gear 312, and a fixed gear 313.

The fixed gear 313 is fixed to a portion (hereinafter, referred to as a rotating shaft 151) that becomes a shaft when the refrigerating chamber door 15 rotates. When the fixed gear 313 is rotated, the rotating shaft 151 and the refrigerating chamber door 15 are also rotated, and thus the opening degree of the refrigerating chamber door 15 is changed.

If the stepping motor 311 performs forward rotation (CW), the reduction gear 312 transmits the rotational motion to the fixed gear 313 while slowing the rotational speed, thereby increasing the opening degree. On the other hand, if the stepping motor 311 performs reverse rotation (CCW), the reduction gear 312 transmits the rotational motion to the fixed gear 313 while slowing down the rotational speed, thereby reducing the opening degree.

Further, since the reduction gear 312 reduces the rotation speed, even if there is a storage object in the pocket portion inside the refrigerating chamber door 15, a sufficient force for rotating the refrigerating chamber door 15 is generated.

The description is continued returning to fig. 1.

As indicated by reference numeral 32, a distance detection device (hereinafter referred to as a distance detection device 32) capable of obtaining a detection value according to the distance between the door and the user is provided at a position on the front surface of each refrigerating chamber door 15 that can be touched by the user. Specifically, the distance detection device 32 detects a capacitance value between the door and the user as a detection value. The electrostatic capacity value increases if the distance between the door and the user is shortened, and decreases if the distance between the door and the user is increased, and therefore, the electrostatic capacity value can be used as a detection value corresponding to the distance between the door and the user.

The refrigerator 1 further includes an opening degree control device 33, and the opening degree control device 33 controls the opening degree by the opening and closing device 31 so that the detection value approaches a predetermined target value. The target value is, for example, a value corresponding to a distance (for example, about 10 cm) by which the user can sense that the refrigerating chamber door 15 is being rotated remotely, and is set in advance in the opening degree control device 33. The opening degree control device 33 feedback-controls the opening degree by the opening/closing device 31 using the difference between the detection value and the target value. The opening degree control device 33 is schematically shown in the drawing, and the opening degree control device 33 is disposed in the heat insulation box body 3 (refrigerator main body) and not in the refrigerating chamber door 15. The distance detection device 32 and the opening degree control device 33 are electrically connected to the hinge portion of the refrigerating chamber door 15 by wiring. The opening/closing device 31 and the distance detection device 32 are electrically connected by a wire provided in the heat insulation box 3 (refrigerator main body).

In addition, an illumination device 34 is provided at a position of the distance detection device 32 of each refrigerating chamber door 15. For example, a substrate on which a light emitting diode constituting the illumination device 34 is mounted is disposed inside the refrigerating compartment door 15, and when the illumination device 34 is turned on, light of the light emitting diode passes through a glass plate disposed on the surface of the refrigerating compartment door 15 and is emitted to the outside. The refrigerator 1 includes an illumination control device 35 that turns on and off the illumination device 34. The illumination control device 35 is schematically shown in the drawing, and the illumination control device 35 is disposed in the heat insulation box body 3 (refrigerator main body) and not in the refrigerating chamber door 15. The lighting device 34 and the lighting control device 35 are electrically connected to the hinge portion of the refrigerating chamber door 15 by wiring. The opening degree control device 33 and the illumination control device 35 are electrically connected by a wire provided in the heat insulation box 3 (refrigerator main body).

Next, the opening and closing control operation of the refrigerating compartment door 15 will be described with reference to the flowchart of fig. 3.

The distance detection device 32 always detects a capacitance value (hereinafter referred to as a capacitance value X) between the refrigerating compartment door 15 and the user, and notifies the opening degree control device 33 of the detection result. At present, the lighting device 34 is turned off before the control of the opening degree is started.

The opening degree controller 33 determines whether or not the notified capacitance value X exceeds a predetermined threshold value Xmin (S1), and if not (S1: NO), returns to step S1. The threshold Xmin is set to a value corresponding to, for example, about 10cm, as in the case of the target value.

If the predetermined threshold Xmin is exceeded (S1: YES), the process proceeds to step S3, in which the opening degree of the refrigerating compartment door 15 is controlled, and in step S3, a lighting instruction is transmitted to the lighting control device 35, so that the lighting control device 35 lights the lighting device 34 (S3). Thus, when the user brings a hand or the like close to the position of the distance detection device 32 of the refrigerating chamber door 15 and makes the distance smaller than the distance corresponding to the threshold Xmin, the control of the opening degree is started and the illumination device 34 is turned on. By turning on the illumination device 34, it is possible to notify the user that the opening degree control is being executed.

In the control process, the opening degree control device 33 compares the notified capacitance value X with the target value Xs (S5). As described above, the target value Xs is set to a value corresponding to, for example, about 10 cm.

When the capacitance value X is lower than the target value Xs (X < Xs), the opening degree is increased (S7), and when the capacitance value X is higher than the target value (X > Xs), the opening degree is decreased (S9).

In step S7, the opening degree control device 33 transmits a drive signal for a constant time to rotate the stepping motor 311 shown in fig. 2 in the forward direction (CW), thereby increasing the opening degree. Further, the length of time for which the driving signal is transmitted may be set to correspond to the difference between X and Xs.

On the other hand, in step S9, the opening degree control device 33 sends a drive signal for a constant time to cause the stepping motor 311 shown in fig. 2 to perform reverse rotation (CCW), thereby decreasing the opening degree. Further, the length of time for which the driving signal is transmitted may be set to correspond to the difference between X and Xs.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the refrigerating chamber door is opened and closed following the hand of the user. Fig. 4 is a view of the refrigerator viewed from above.

In a case where it is noticed that the user who has lit the lighting device 34 takes his or her hand or the like away from the refrigerating chamber door 15, the electrostatic capacity value becomes lower than the target value, and therefore, the opening degree increases, that is, the refrigerating chamber door 15 approaches to the hand as shown in fig. 4 (a). That is, the refrigerating chamber door 15 follows the movement of the hand. With the refrigerating chamber door 15 closed, the refrigerating chamber door 15 is caused to open. When the hand is stopped, the refrigerating chamber door 15 is also stopped.

On the other hand, in the case where the user brings the hand close to the refrigerating chamber door 15, the electrostatic capacity value becomes higher than the target value, and therefore, the opening degree is decreased, that is, the refrigerating chamber door 15 is away from the hand as shown in fig. 4 (b). That is, the refrigerating chamber door 15 follows the movement of the hand. When the hand is stopped, the refrigerating chamber door 15 is also stopped. When the refrigerating chamber door 15 is far from the hand, the refrigerating chamber door 15 is closed soon.

In this way, the distance between the user's hand and the refrigerating chamber door 15 can be kept constant, that is, the refrigerating chamber door 15 can be made to follow the hand movement, and the opening and closing of the refrigerating chamber door 15 can be performed. For example, in the case where the user's hand is occupied by an article to be received in the refrigerator, it is convenient to be able to open the refrigerating chamber door 15 by bringing the elbow or the like close to the distance detecting device 32.

Further, if the refrigerator door 15, which is light in weight of the stored items in the pocket, is pushed and opened by a solenoid as in the related art, the refrigerator door 15 is opened violently. It is difficult for a user with weak strength to block the refrigerating chamber door 15, thereby being inconvenient. Therefore, by performing the opening degree control, the refrigerating chamber door 15 can be freely opened and closed with a minimum force, and convenience is improved.

Further, if the refrigerating chamber door 15 is pushed and opened as in the conventional art, the refrigerating chamber door 15 is excessively opened, and the temperature in the refrigerator rises to a desired temperature or higher due to the escape of cold air.

The explanation is continued with reference back to fig. 3.

If the capacitance value X matches the target value Xs (S5: X = Xs), or after the degree of opening is adjusted in steps S7 and S9, the process proceeds to step S11. In step S11, the opening degree controller 33 compares a change amount Δ of the electrostatic capacity value per predetermined unit time (hereinafter referred to as a change amount of the electrostatic capacity value) with a predetermined value Δ th (S11). The value Δ th is set in advance to a value corresponding to the hand speed when the user moves the hand away from the door, for example.

When it is determined that the amount of change Δ exceeds the value Δ th (Δ > Δ th), the process proceeds to step S13, where the control of the opening degree is ended, and at step S13, an off instruction is transmitted to the illumination control device 35, and the illumination control device 35 turns off the illumination device 34 (S13). After the lighting device 34 is turned off, the process returns to step S1.

For example, if the user wants to open the refrigerating chamber door 15 and operate the hand, and the opening degree reaches a desired opening degree, the user wants to take out an article placed in the refrigerator and leaves the hand from the refrigerating chamber door 15, and therefore it is determined YES in S1. This ends the control of the opening degree and turns off the lighting device 34. By turning off the lighting device 34, the user can be notified of the end of the opening degree control.

In addition, it is assumed that if the control is continued even in a case where the user takes the hand off the refrigerating chamber door 15, the drive current continues to flow in the stepping motor 311 of fig. 2, so that the possibility of occurrence of a failure increases. Therefore, in the embodiment, by ending the control when Δ > Δ th, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of such a failure as described above.

In the case where the control is ended during the opening of the refrigerating chamber door 15, the opening degree is kept constant. Thus, even when a portion other than the distance detection device 32 of the refrigerating chamber door 15 is inadvertently touched, the refrigerating chamber door 15 does not operate, and food can be easily stored and taken out.

On the other hand, the refrigerating chamber door 15 during opening can be freely operated. For example, the connection between the reduction gear 312 and the fixed gear 313 in fig. 2 is cut off. Thus, even if the opened refrigerating chamber door 15 is not noticed and touched, it is possible to prevent injury or the like due to the operation of the refrigerating chamber door 15. The cooling chamber door 15 can be closed by holding a portion of the cooling chamber door 15 other than the distance detection device 32 by hand.

When the opening degree control device 33 determines in step S11 that the amount of change Δ is less than or equal to the value Δ th (Δ ≦ Δ th), the length T of time during which the capacitance value is regarded as constant is measured, and the measured time is compared with the length Tth of the prescribed time (S15). Here, the capacitance value X, which is successively notified, is stored in advance, the length T of a time period during which the variation of the capacitance value X is within a predetermined range, that is, considered to be constant, is measured, and the measured time period is compared with the length Tth of the time period (S15). Tth is set to be shorter than the longest time for which the drive current is caused to flow in the stepping motor 311 shown in fig. 2, for example.

If the length T of time is determined to be equal to or less than Tth (T ≦ Tth), the control is continued and the process returns to step S5.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the length of time T exceeds Tth (T > Tth), the process proceeds to step S13, where the control of the opening degree is ended, and at step S13, an off instruction is transmitted to the lighting control device 35 to turn off the lighting device 34 (S13). After the lighting device 34 is turned off, the process returns to step S1.

For example, when the user leans on the refrigerating chamber door 15 after the refrigerating chamber door 15 is closed, T > Tth is determined and control is ended.

If the control is not finished, the drive current continues to flow in the stepping motor 311 of fig. 2, and the possibility of occurrence of a failure increases. Therefore, in the embodiment, by ending the control when Δ > Δ th, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of such a failure as described above.

The opening degree control device 33 may monitor a drive current flowing through the motor (stepping motor 311) of the opening/closing device 2, and may terminate the control when the drive current exceeds a predetermined current value. For example, if a very large force is applied to the refrigerating chamber door 15, there is a possibility that the driving current rises, and therefore, the control is ended in this case, whereby the malfunction of the motor can be prevented in advance. The current value is set to be lower than the maximum current value flowing in the stepping motor 311, for example.

Further, since the lighting device 34 is turned off before the control of the opening degree is started and after the control is ended, and the lighting device 34 is turned on after the control is started and during the control, the user can know the state of the opening degree control by the lighting device 34.

As described above, the refrigerator according to the embodiment includes: distance detection means 32 for obtaining a detection value corresponding to a distance between the door and the hand of the user; and an opening degree control device 33 that controls the opening degree by the opening/closing device 31 so that the detection value (X) approaches a predetermined target value (Xs), and thus can freely control the opening degree of the door. This allows the user to open and close the door with a small force and to freely change the opening degree. In addition, even when the articles accommodated in the pocket portion inside the door are heavy, the opening degree of the door can be freely changed.

Further, since the detection value (X) is the capacitance value X between the door and the hand of the user, the opening degree of the door can be freely controlled by the capacitance value X.

Further, since the opening degree controller 33 decreases the opening degree when the capacitance value X is higher than the target value Xs, and increases the opening degree when the capacitance value X is lower than the target value Xs, the opening degree of the door can be freely controlled by such control.

Further, since the opening degree control device 33 starts the control of the opening degree when the static capacitance value X exceeds the predetermined threshold value Xmin before the start of the control of the opening degree, the control of the opening degree of the door can be started by such control.

Further, since the illumination device 34 is provided in the door and the illumination control device 35 turns on the illumination device 34 when the capacitance value X exceeds the predetermined threshold value Xmin, it is possible to notify the user of information that the opening degree control is being executed.

Further, since the opening degree control device 33 ends the control of the opening degree when the amount of change Δ of the static capacitance value X per predetermined unit time after the start of the control of the opening degree exceeds the predetermined value Δ th, the control of the opening degree of the door can be ended by such control. In addition, a malfunction of the stepping motor 311 can be prevented.

Further, after the opening degree control is started, when the length T of the time during which the capacitance value X is regarded as constant is longer than the predetermined length Tth, the opening degree control device 33 ends the opening degree control. In addition, malfunction of the stepping motor 311 can be prevented.

Further, since the opening degree control device 33 ends the control of the opening degree when the drive current flowing through the motor 311 used in the opening/closing device 31 exceeds a predetermined current value after the start of the control of the opening degree, it is possible to prevent a failure of the motor 311.

In the present embodiment, the opening degree of the open-type refrigerating chamber door 15 is controlled, but the opening degree of the drawer-type door may be controlled. Further, the control may be started or ended by turning on or off a switch that can be operated by a user. For example, a touch switch may be provided to the refrigerating chamber door 15, control is started when the switch is touched, and then the distance between the refrigerating chamber door 15 and the user is kept constant. In this case, the illumination device 34 and the illumination control device 35 are not indispensable and may be omitted.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments are presented as examples, and it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The new embodiment can be implemented in other various ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the scope equivalent thereto.

Claims

1. A refrigerator is characterized in that a refrigerator body is provided with a refrigerator door,

the refrigerator is provided with:

a refrigerator main body;

a door disposed at an opening portion of the refrigerator main body;

an opening/closing device that changes an opening degree of the door;

a distance detection device provided to the door for obtaining a detection value corresponding to a distance between the door and a hand of a user; and

an opening degree control device for controlling the opening degree by the opening/closing device so that the detection value approaches a predetermined target value,

the opening degree control means feedback-controls the opening degree by the opening and closing means using a difference between the detection value and the target value,

the detection value is a value of electrostatic capacity between the door and a hand of a user,

the opening degree control device decreases the opening degree when the static capacitance value is higher than the target value, and increases the opening degree so that the door follows the movement of the user's hand when the static capacitance value is lower than the target value,

the opening degree control device terminates the control of the opening degree when a change amount of the capacitance value per predetermined unit time after the start of the control of the opening degree exceeds a predetermined value.

2. A refrigerator is characterized in that a refrigerator body is provided with a refrigerator door,

the refrigerator is provided with:

a refrigerator main body;

a door disposed at an opening of the refrigerator main body;

an opening/closing device that changes an opening degree of the door;

the opening degree control means ends the control of the opening degree when a length of time during which the capacitance value is regarded as constant is longer than a predetermined length after the start of the control of the opening degree.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2,

the opening degree control device starts the control of the opening degree when the capacitance value exceeds a predetermined threshold value before the start of the control of the opening degree.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3,

the refrigerator is provided with:

a lighting device disposed at the door; and

and an illumination control device that turns on the illumination device when the static capacitance value exceeds the predetermined threshold value.

5. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 4,

the opening degree control device terminates the control of the opening degree when a drive current flowing through a motor used in the opening and closing device exceeds a predetermined current value after the control of the opening degree is started.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 3,

the opening degree control device ends the control of the opening degree when a drive current flowing through a motor used in the opening/closing device exceeds a predetermined current value after the control of the opening degree is started.