CN116490738A

CN116490738A - Refrigerator and refrigerator control system

Info

Publication number: CN116490738A
Application number: CN202180075108.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 中村智裕; 中川雅至
Original assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-11-18
Filing date: 2021-10-20
Publication date: 2023-07-25
Also published as: JP2022080636A; WO2022107535A1

Abstract

The invention provides a refrigerator and a refrigerator control system capable of maintaining the cooling capacity of the refrigerator in the case of power failure for a long time even if an external power supply is not used. The refrigerator includes: a cooling unit for cooling the interior of the refrigerator; and a refrigerator control unit that, when a forecast regarding a cause of occurrence of a power failure has been issued for an area including a place where the refrigerator is installed, shifts an operation mode of the refrigerator from a first mode to a second mode in which an in-refrigerator temperature is lower than the first mode, wherein the refrigerator control unit performs cooling by the cooling unit so that a variation in the in-refrigerator temperature of the refrigerator is smaller than a variation in the in-refrigerator temperature of the refrigerator in the first mode when the operation mode of the refrigerator is the second mode.

Description

Refrigerator and refrigerator control system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a refrigerator control system.

Background

Patent document 1 discloses a building supply system capable of storing food in a refrigerator at the time of power failure. The building supply system includes a power supply vehicle connectable to a predetermined building, and a refrigerator to which power is supplied by the power supply vehicle when a power failure occurs in the predetermined building.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2018-078689

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

The invention provides a refrigerator and a refrigerator control system capable of maintaining cooling capacity of the refrigerator for a long time in a power failure even if an external power supply is not used.

Technical scheme for solving technical problems

The refrigerator of the present invention includes: a cooling unit for cooling the interior of the refrigerator; and a refrigerator control unit that, when a forecast regarding a cause of occurrence of a power failure has been issued for an area including a place where the refrigerator is installed, shifts an operation mode of the refrigerator from a first mode to a second mode in which an in-refrigerator temperature is lower than the first mode, wherein the refrigerator control unit performs cooling by the cooling unit so that a variation in the in-refrigerator temperature of the refrigerator is smaller than a variation in the in-refrigerator temperature of the refrigerator in the first mode when the operation mode of the refrigerator is the second mode.

In addition, the refrigerator control system according to the present invention is a refrigerator control system including a refrigerator and a server capable of communicating with the refrigerator, wherein the server transmits transition instruction information for causing a transition of an operation mode of the refrigerator from a first mode to a second mode lower in temperature than the first mode to the refrigerator when a forecast of a cause of occurrence of a power failure is issued to an area including a place where the refrigerator is installed, and causes the operation mode to transition from the first mode to the second mode when the transition instruction information is received, and cools a room of the refrigerator in the second mode so that a fluctuation in temperature in the refrigerator is smaller than a fluctuation in temperature in the refrigerator in the first mode.

The present specification includes the whole contents of Japanese patent application No. 2020-191823, which was filed on 18 days 11/2020.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

The refrigerator and the refrigerator control system of the present invention can reduce the temperature in the refrigerator before a power failure occurs, and can suppress variation in cooling capacity at the time of power failure due to variation in the time of power failure by suppressing variation in the temperature in the refrigerator and reducing the temperature in the refrigerator. Therefore, even if an external power supply is not used, the cooling capacity of the refrigerator can be maintained for a long time during a power failure.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a refrigerator control system.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the refrigerator.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a refrigerator, a refrigerator control server, and a terminal device.

Fig. 5 is a timing chart showing the state of each part of the refrigerator.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the refrigerator control system.

Fig. 7 is a graph comparing the variation of the temperatures (indoor temperatures) in the refrigerator and freezer compartments.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface displayed on the touch panel by the operation control unit.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the refrigerator control system.

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the refrigerator.

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator.

Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing the structures of a refrigerator, a refrigerator controller, and a terminal device.

Fig. 13 is a timing chart showing the state of each part of the refrigerator.

Fig. 14 is a diagram comparing the variation of the temperatures in the refrigerator and freezer compartments.

Detailed Description

(knowledge based on the present invention, etc.)

The above-described conventional technology can maintain the cooling capacity of the refrigerator at the time of power outage, but it is necessary to use an external power source such as a power supply vehicle. Here, it is conceivable that the temperature in the refrigerator is lowered before the power outage, but if the temperature in the refrigerator is lowered with a large fluctuation in the temperature, the cooling capacity at the time of the power outage varies depending on the time at which the power outage occurs, and therefore the cooling capacity may not be maintained for a long period of time at the time of the power outage depending on the time at which the power outage occurs.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a refrigerator and a refrigerator control system capable of maintaining the cooling capacity of the refrigerator for a long time during a power outage even without using an external power source.

The embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary detailed description may be omitted. For example, a detailed description of known matters or a repeated description of substantially the same structure may be omitted.

In addition, the drawings and the following description are provided to facilitate a full understanding of the invention by those skilled in the art, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

(embodiment 1)

Hereinafter, embodiment 1 will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 9.

(1-1. Structure)

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a refrigerator control system 1000.

The refrigerator control system 1000 is a system in which a device connected to the global network GN controls the refrigerator 1 via the global network GN. The global network GN includes a communication network such as the internet (the internet), a telephone network, and the like.

The refrigerator control system 1000 includes a refrigerator 1. In fig. 1, a refrigerator 1 is provided at a user P's home H. The refrigerator 1 includes a main casing 10 having an open front surface, and two storage chambers, namely a refrigerator chamber 11 and a freezer chamber 12, are formed in the main casing 10. A rotary door 11A is provided at an opening of the front surface of the refrigerator compartment 11. A drawer 12A for storing food is provided in the freezing chamber 12.

The house H corresponds to one example of the "place where the refrigerator is installed".

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a refrigeration cycle 157A of the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1.

The X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis are illustrated in FIG. 2. The X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis are orthogonal to each other. The Z axis represents the up-down direction. The X-axis and the Y-axis are parallel to the horizontal direction. The X-axis represents the left-right direction. The Y-axis represents the front-to-back direction. The positive direction of the X-axis indicates the right direction. The positive direction of the Y axis indicates the front. The positive direction of the Z axis indicates the upper direction.

As shown in fig. 2, a refrigerator compartment 11 and a freezer compartment 12 are formed in a main casing 10 of the refrigerator 1. The refrigerating chamber 11 is formed above the freezing chamber 12. The freezing chamber 12 is formed below the refrigerating chamber 11.

One cooler 154 of the refrigeration cycle 157A of the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 1 generates cool air for cooling each storage compartment of the refrigerator 1. This mode is called the single evaporator (1 evapotator) mode. As shown in fig. 3, in the refrigeration cycle 157A of embodiment 1, the compressor 151, the condenser 152, the capillary tube 153, and the cooler 154 are connected in a ring shape, and the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 151 is circulated to cool the interior of the refrigerator 1.

The refrigerator 1 includes a compressor 151 at an upper rear portion of the refrigerator compartment 11. The refrigerator 1 further includes a cooler 154, a cooling fan 155 for sending cool air generated by the cooler 154 to the refrigerator compartment 11 and the freezer compartment 12, and a damper 156 for adjusting the amount of cool air sent by the cooling fan 15, at the rear of the freezer compartment 12.

In the refrigerating chamber 11, a first discharge port 111A, a second discharge port 111B, and a third discharge port 111C are formed in the rear of the refrigerating chamber 11. The first discharge port 111A, the second discharge port 111B, and the third discharge port 111C are openings for discharging cool air generated by the cooler 154 to the space of the refrigerator compartment 11 accommodating food products, respectively. In addition, a refrigerating chamber cool air return port is formed in the refrigerating chamber 11 at the rear side in the refrigerating chamber 11. The refrigerating compartment cool air return opening is an opening for returning cool air discharged from the first discharge opening 111A, the second discharge opening 111B, and the third discharge opening 111C to the cooler 154.

In the freezing chamber 12, a fourth discharge port 111D and a fifth discharge port 111E are formed at the rear of the freezing chamber 12. The fourth discharge port 111D and the fifth discharge port 111E are openings for discharging cool air generated by the cooler 154 to the space of the freezing chamber 12 in which food is stored, respectively. In addition, a freezing chamber cold air return port is formed in the freezing chamber 12 at the rear of the freezing chamber 12. The freezing compartment cool air return port is an opening for returning cool air discharged from the fourth discharge port 111D and the fifth discharge port 111E to the cooler 154.

Returning to the explanation of fig. 1, the refrigerator 1 is communicatively connected to a communication device 2 provided in the user P's home H, and communicates with a refrigerator control server 3 via the communication device 2. The refrigerator control server 3 corresponds to one example of "server".

The communication device 2 is connected to the global network GN and communicates with the refrigerator control server 3 connected to the global network GN. The communication device 2 functions as an interface device for connecting the refrigerator 1 to the global network GN. In addition, when the terminal device 4 and the communication device 2 establish a communication connection, the communication device 2 functions as an interface device for connecting the terminal device 4 to the global network GN. The communication device 2 has a function related to a modem, a router function, a NAT (Network Address Translation ) function, and the like. The communication device 2 transmits data transmitted and received between the refrigerator 1 and the refrigerator control server 3 connected to the global network GN. In addition, the communication device 2 transmits data transmitted and received between the terminal device 4 that establishes a communication connection and the refrigerator control server 3 that is connected to the global network GN.

The refrigerator control system 1000 includes a terminal device 4 having a touch panel 42. The terminal device 4 is constituted by, for example, a smart phone or a tablet terminal, and is used by the user P of the refrigerator 1. The terminal device 4 is provided with an application program for controlling the operation (running) of the refrigerator 1. In the following description, an application program for controlling the operation of the refrigerator 1 is referred to as a "refrigerator control application" and is denoted by a reference numeral "413".

In fig. 1, a user P at home is indicated by a broken line, and a user P going out from home H is indicated by a solid line. When used by the user P at home, the terminal device 4 communicates with the refrigerator control server 3 connected to the global network GN via the communication device 2 or not via the communication device 2 according to the function of the refrigerator control application 413, and controls the operation of the refrigerator 1. In addition, when the terminal device 4 is used by the user P who is going out from the home H and cannot establish a communication connection with the communication device 2, the terminal device communicates with the refrigerator control server 3 connected to the global network GN without going through the communication device 2 according to the function of the refrigerator control application 413, and controls the operation of the refrigerator 1.

The refrigerator control system 1000 includes a refrigerator control server 3. The refrigerator control server 3 is a server device that controls the operation of the refrigerator 1, and is connected to the global network GN and communicates with the refrigerator 1, the terminal device 4, and the weather alarm server 5.

In each of the drawings, the refrigerator control server 3 is shown as one block, but this does not mean that the refrigerator control server 3 is constituted by a single server apparatus. For example, the refrigerator control server 3 may be configured to include a plurality of server devices having different processing contents. In the drawings, the refrigerator control server 3 and the weather alarm server 5 are illustrated as separate server devices, but the refrigerator control server 3 and the weather alarm server 5 may be configured as the same server device.

The weather alarm server 5 is a server device that provides weather alarm distribution information. The weather alarm issuing information is information indicating whether or not a weather alarm is issued to an area including the installation place of the refrigerator 1. The weather alarm is an alarm concerning the cause of occurrence of a power failure such as storm, storm snow, heavy rain, heavy snow, sea tide, flood, or sea wave. The alarm concerning the cause of the power failure corresponds to an example of the forecast concerning the cause of the power failure.

The weather alarm distribution information provided by the weather alarm server 5 may be provided in any area including the installation place of the refrigerator 1, and may be, for example, a primary subdivision area, a secondary subdivision area, or other areas.

In each figure, the weather alarm server 5 is shown as one box, but this does not mean that the weather alarm server 5 is constituted by a single server device. For example, the weather alarm server 5 may be configured to include a plurality of server devices having different processing contents.

Next, the configuration of the refrigerator 1, the refrigerator control server 3, and the terminal device 4 will be described.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the structures of the refrigerator 1, the refrigerator control server 3, and the terminal device 4.

First, the structure of the refrigerator 1 will be described.

The refrigerator 1 includes a refrigerator control section 13, a refrigerator communication section 14, a cooling section 15, and a sensor section 16.

The refrigerator control unit 13 includes: a refrigerator processor 130, which is a processor for executing programs such as a CPU and an MPU, and a refrigerator storage 131 control the respective parts of the refrigerator 1. The refrigerator control unit 13 reads a control program 1311 stored in the refrigerator storage unit 131 from the refrigerator processor 130, and executes various processes by cooperation of hardware and software.

The refrigerator storage portion 131 has a storage area for storing programs executed by the refrigerator processor 130 and data processed by the refrigerator processor 130. The refrigerator storage unit 131 stores various data such as a control program 1311 executed by the refrigerator processor 130 and setting data 1312 concerning setting of the refrigerator 1. The refrigerator storage portion 131 has a nonvolatile storage area. The refrigerator storage unit 131 may have a volatile storage area, and may constitute an operation area of the refrigerator processor 130.

The refrigerator communication unit 14 has communication hardware conforming to a predetermined communication standard, and communicates with devices connected to the global network GN according to the predetermined communication standard under the control of the refrigerator control unit 13. The refrigerator communication unit 14 communicates with the refrigerator control server 3 according to a predetermined communication standard. The communication standard used by the refrigerator communication unit 14 may be a wireless communication standard (for example, ieee802.11a/11b/11g/11n/11ac, bluetooth (registered trademark)), or a wired communication standard.

The cooling unit 15 includes a mechanism for cooling each storage compartment of the refrigerator 1, such as a compressor 151, a condenser 152, a capillary tube 153, a cooler 154, a cooling fan 155, and a damper 156, and cools each storage compartment of the refrigerator 1 under the control of the refrigerator control unit 13.

The sensor section 16 includes: the temperature sensor 161 that detects the temperature in the refrigerator 1, and various sensors such as an open/close sensor that detects the opening/closing of a door and a drawer provided in the refrigerator 1, output the detection values of the sensors to the refrigerator control unit 13 for each sensor. As shown in fig. 4, the sensor section 16 includes a refrigerator temperature sensor 161A and a freezer temperature sensor 161B as temperature sensors 161.

The refrigerator temperature sensor 161A is provided at a predetermined position of the refrigerator 11, for example, near the cold air return port of the refrigerator, and detects the temperature in the refrigerator 11.

The freezing chamber temperature sensor 161B is provided at a predetermined position of the freezing chamber 12, for example, near the freezing chamber cool air return port, and detects the temperature in the interior of the freezing chamber 12.

The refrigerator control unit 13 shifts the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to either one of a normal operation mode and a pre-cooling operation mode in which the temperature in the refrigerator 1 is lower than in the normal operation mode. The normal operation mode is an operation mode (operation mode) in which the temperature in the refrigerator 1 is higher than the power failure precooling operation mode.

The normal operation mode corresponds to an example of the "1 st mode", and the blackout precooling operation mode corresponds to an example of the "2 nd mode".

By switching to the pre-cooling operation mode before the occurrence of a power outage, the refrigerator 1 can be set such that the temperature in the refrigerator 1 is lower than in the normal operation mode before the occurrence of a power outage. Therefore, the refrigerator 1 can maintain the temperature in the refrigerator for a long period of time during a power outage, and can suppress a decrease in the freshness of food stored in the refrigerator 1 during the power outage.

The operation (work) of the refrigerator 1 in the normal operation mode and the pre-cooling operation mode will be described below with reference to fig. 5.

When receiving a transfer instruction information for transferring the operation mode to the pre-cooling operation mode from the refrigerator control server 3 via the refrigerator communication unit 14, the refrigerator control unit 13 transfers the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from the normal operation mode to the pre-cooling operation mode, and starts the pre-cooling operation. When receiving the end instruction information for ending the pre-cooling operation mode from the refrigerator control server 3 via the refrigerator communication unit 14, the refrigerator control unit 13 ends the pre-cooling operation and shifts the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from the pre-cooling operation mode to the normal operation mode.

Next, the structure of the refrigerator control server 3 will be described.

The refrigerator control server 3 includes a server control unit 30 and a server communication unit 31.

The server control unit 30 includes: a server processor 300, which is a processor for executing a program such as a CPU or MPU, and a server storage unit 310 control the respective sections of the refrigerator control server 3. The server control unit 30 reads out the control program 311 stored in the server storage unit 310 from the server processor 300, and executes various processes by cooperation of hardware and software.

The server storage unit 310 has a storage area for storing programs executed by the server processor 300 and data processed by the server processor 300. The server storage unit 310 stores various data such as a control program 311 executed by the server processor 300, setting data 312 concerning settings of the refrigerator control server 3, and a refrigerator control database 313. The server storage unit 310 has a nonvolatile storage area. The server storage unit 310 may have a volatile storage area, and may constitute an operation area of the server processor 300.

The refrigerator control database 313 is a database that holds various information on the operation control of the refrigerator 1. One record R stored in the refrigerator control database 313 has a user ID3131, refrigerator communication information 3132, terminal device communication information 3133, and installation location information 3134. In addition, one record R stored in the refrigerator control database 313 may also have one or more other kinds of information.

The user ID3131 is identification information for identifying the user P who uses the refrigerator control application 413, and is appropriately assigned to the user P who uses the refrigerator control application 413.

The refrigerator communication information 3132 is information for communicating with the refrigerator 1. The refrigerator communication information 3132 includes, for example, address information, security information, and the like of the refrigerator 1.

The terminal device communication information 3133 is information for communicating with the terminal device 4, and the terminal device 4 is provided with the refrigerator control application 413 used by the user P of the user ID3131 corresponding to the same record R. The terminal device communication information 3133 includes, for example, address information, security information, and the like of the terminal device 4.

The installation location information 3134 is information indicating the installation location of the refrigerator 1. In the present embodiment, since the installation place of the refrigerator 1 is the home H of the user P, the installation place information 3134 indicates the address, the zip code, and the like of the home H.

The server communication unit 31 includes communication hardware conforming to a predetermined communication standard, and communicates with devices connected to the global network GN according to the predetermined communication standard under the control of the server control unit 30. In the present embodiment, the server communication unit 31 communicates with the refrigerator 1, the terminal device 4, and the weather alarm server 5.

Next, the structure of the terminal device 4 will be described.

The terminal device 4 includes a terminal control section 40, a terminal communication section 41, and a touch panel 42.

The terminal control unit 40 includes a terminal processor 400 and a terminal storage unit 410, which are processors for executing programs such as a CPU and an MPU, and controls the respective units of the terminal device 4. The terminal control unit 40 reads out the control program 411 stored in the terminal storage unit 410 from the terminal processor 400, and performs various processes by cooperation of hardware and software. The refrigerator control application 413 can be installed in the terminal device 4 in advance. The refrigerator control application 413 is read from the terminal storage unit 410 by the terminal processor 400 and executed, thereby causing the terminal control unit 40 to function as the setting unit 401, the communication control unit 402, and the operation control unit 403. Details of these functional units (action units) will be described later.

The terminal storage section 410 has a storage area for storing a program executed by the terminal processor 400 and data processed by the terminal processor 400. The terminal storage unit 410 stores various data such as a control program 411 executed by the terminal processor 400, setting data 412 concerning settings of the terminal device 4, a refrigerator control application 413, and a user ID 3131. The terminal storage unit 410 has a nonvolatile storage area. The terminal storage unit 410 may have a volatile storage area, and may constitute an operation area of the terminal processor 400.

The terminal communication unit 41 includes communication hardware conforming to a predetermined communication standard, and communicates with devices connected to the global network GN according to the predetermined communication standard under the control of the terminal control unit 40. The terminal communication unit 41 communicates with the refrigerator control server 3 according to a predetermined communication standard in accordance with the function of the refrigerator control application 413. The communication standard used by the terminal communication unit 41 is a wireless communication standard.

The touch panel 42 includes a display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel, and a touch sensor provided overlapping or integrally with the display panel. The display panel displays various images under the control of the terminal control section 40. The touch sensor detects a touch operation and outputs the touch operation to the terminal control unit 40. The terminal control section 40 executes processing corresponding to a touch operation based on an input from the touch sensor.

As described above, the terminal control unit 40 functions as the setting unit 401, the communication control unit 402, and the operation control unit 403.

The setting unit 401 performs various settings concerning the functions of the refrigerator control application 413. For example, the setting unit 401 performs various settings concerning the functions of the refrigerator control application 413 by designating (set) the set value as a corresponding set item in application setting data stored in a predetermined storage area accessible to the refrigerator control application 413. The application setting data is data concerning the setting of the function of the refrigerator control application 413, and includes various setting items.

The setting unit 401 sets the installation place of the refrigerator 1. For example, the setting unit 401 displays a user interface for allowing the user P to input the address and the zip code of the user H on the touch panel 42, and sets the input address and zip code as the installation place of the refrigerator 1. The installation location information 3134 indicating the installation location of the refrigerator 1 set by the setting unit 401 is output to the communication control unit 402.

The communication control unit 402 controls the terminal communication unit 41 to receive and transmit various information from and to the refrigerator control server 3. When the setting location information 3134 is output from the setting unit 401, the communication control unit 402 adds the user 1D3131 stored in the terminal storage unit 410, and transmits the output setting location information 3134 to the refrigerator control server 3 via the terminal communication unit 41. When the refrigerator control server 3 receives the installation location information 3134 from the terminal device 4, the refrigerator control database 313 is referred to, and the installation location information 3134 included in the record R of the user ID3131 added to the received installation location information 3134 is updated to the received installation location information 3134.

When the end instruction information is acquired from the operation control unit 403, the communication control unit 402 transmits the end instruction information to the refrigerator control server 3 via the terminal communication unit 41. When transmitting the end instruction information to the refrigerator controller 3, the communication control unit 402 adds the user 1D3131 stored in the terminal storage unit 410 to the end instruction information.

When receiving an end instruction of the pre-cooling operation mode from the user P, the operation control unit 403 generates end instruction information and outputs the same to the communication control unit 402. The operation control unit 403 displays a user interface for inquiring whether to end the pre-cooling operation mode on the touch panel 42, and generates and outputs end instruction information when the user interface receives an instruction to end the pre-cooling operation mode.

(1-2. Action)

Next, operations of the refrigerator 1 and the refrigerator control system 1000 in embodiment 1 will be described.

First, the operation of each part of the refrigerator 1 in the normal operation mode and the pre-cooling operation mode will be described with reference to fig. 5.

Fig. 5 is a timing chart showing the state of each part of the refrigerator 1.

In fig. 5, a timing chart CA shows a state of the compressor 151. The timing chart CB shows the state of the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11. In addition, the timing chart CC shows the state of the temperature in the bank of the freezing chamber 12. In addition, the timing chart CD shows the open/closed state of the damper 156.

First, the operation of the refrigerator 1 in the normal operation mode will be described.

In fig. 5, the period from time T1 to time T2 is a period in which the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is the normal operation mode.

As shown in the timing chart CA of fig. 5, the refrigerator control unit 13 repeatedly sets the state of the compressor 151 to the stopped state and the low-speed rotation state in the normal operation mode. The stopped state is a state in which the compressor 151 is not rotationally driven. The low-speed rotation state is a state in which the rotation speed is lower than a high-speed rotation state described later and the rotation speed is higher than the stop state.

As shown in the timing chart CD of fig. 5, the refrigerator controller 13 repeatedly sets the damper 156 to the open state and the closed state according to the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 in the normal operation mode.

Specifically, the refrigerator controller 13 controls the frequency of opening and closing the damper 156 with respect to the in-compartment temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 so that the temperature difference between the damper 156 in the open state and the damper 156 in the closed state becomes α (K: kelvin). Alpha (K) is, for example, 2 (K).

The refrigerator control unit 13 sets the damper 156 to an open state and sets the compressor 151 to a low-speed rotation state when the target temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 in the normal operation mode (hereinafter referred to as the 1 st target temperature of the refrigerator compartment) is increased by α (K) based on the temperature detected by the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 161A. Thereby, the refrigerating compartment 11 and the freezing compartment 12 are cooled at the same time. During this cooling, the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 is lowered by the air blowing. On the other hand, in this cooling, the amount of air blown into the freezing chamber 12 is reduced compared to the case where the freezing chamber 12 is cooled alone, and therefore the temperature in the reservoir of the freezing chamber 12 rises. When the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 falls to the target temperature of the refrigerator compartment 1, the refrigerator control unit 13 closes the damper 156 to finish cooling the refrigerator compartment 11. By this end, the freezing chamber 12 starts to cool down alone. Thereby, the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 increases, and the temperature in the freezer compartment 12 decreases. When the temperature in the interior of the freezing compartment 12 drops to the target temperature of the freezing compartment 12 in the normal operation mode (hereinafter referred to as the 1 st target temperature of the freezing compartment), the refrigerator control section 13 brings the compressor 151 to a stopped state. Then, when the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 increases by α (K) from the target temperature of the refrigerator compartment 1 st, the refrigerator control unit 13 sets the damper 156 to an open state and sets the compressor 151 to a low-speed rotation state.

As described above, the refrigerator controller 13 controls the frequency of opening and closing the damper 156 with respect to the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 so that the temperature difference between the open state and the closed state of the damper 156 becomes α (K).

Next, a power failure precooling operation mode will be described.

In fig. 5, the period from time T2 to time T4 is a period in which the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is the power failure precooling operation mode.

As described above, the power outage pre-cooling operation mode includes the temperature decrease mode and the temperature maintenance mode.

The temperature reduction mode is a mode in which the temperature in each storage compartment of the refrigerator 1 is reduced as compared with the normal operation mode. In fig. 5, the period from time T2 to time T3 is a period in which the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is the temperature decrease mode.

As shown in the timing chart CA of fig. 5, the refrigerator control unit 13 sets the compressor 151 in a high-speed rotation state in the temperature reduction mode. The high-speed rotation state is a state driven at a higher rotation speed than the low-speed rotation state.

As shown in the timing chart CD of fig. 5, the refrigerator controller 13 sets the damper 156 to be in a state of repeatedly (repeatedly) opening/closing the damper according to the in-compartment temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 and the in-compartment temperature of the freezer compartment 12 in the power-off precooling operation mode.

Specifically, the refrigerator control unit 13 controls the frequency of opening and closing the damper 156 so that the temperature difference between the damper 156 in the open state and the damper 156 in the closed state becomes βk for the temperature in the refrigerator 11. Beta (K) is a lower temperature difference than alpha (K), for example 0.5 (K).

The refrigerator controller 13 sets the damper 156 to an open state, sets the compressor 151 to a high-speed rotation state, and cools the refrigerator 11 and the freezer 12. During this cooling, the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 is lowered by the air blowing. On the other hand, in this cooling, the amount of air blown into the freezing chamber 12 is reduced compared to the case where the freezing chamber 12 is cooled alone, and therefore the temperature in the reservoir of the freezing chamber 12 rises. When the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 falls to the target temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 in the pre-cooling operation mode (hereinafter referred to as the "refrigerator compartment 2 nd target temperature"), the refrigerator control unit 13 sets the damper 156 to the closed state based on the temperature detected by the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 161A, and ends the cooling of the refrigerator compartment 11. By this end, the freezing chamber 12 starts to be cooled alone. Thereby, the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 increases, and the temperature in the freezer compartment 12 decreases. The refrigerator control unit 13 reduces the temperature in the refrigerator of the freezing chamber 12 with the target temperature of the freezing chamber 12 in the power-off precooling operation mode (hereinafter referred to as the freezing chamber 2 nd target temperature). Here, since the temperature difference in opening and closing the damper 156 is reduced as compared with the normal operation mode, the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 increases by β (K) from the refrigerator compartment 2 nd target temperature before the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 12 reaches the refrigerator compartment 2 nd target temperature. The refrigerator controller 13 is triggered to cool the refrigerator compartment 11 and the freezer compartment 12 while opening the damper 156 again. The refrigerator controller 13 repeats this control in the temperature reduction mode until the temperature in the freezer compartment 12 falls to the 2 nd target temperature of the freezer compartment.

The 2 nd target temperature of the refrigerating chamber is, for example, a temperature 3 (K) lower than the 1 st target temperature of the refrigerating chamber. The freezing chamber 2 nd target temperature is, for example, a temperature 5 (K) lower than the freezing chamber 1 st target temperature.

As described above, the refrigerator control unit 13 controls the frequency of opening and closing the damper 156 so that the temperature difference between the open state and the closed state of the damper 156 becomes β (K) with respect to the temperature in the refrigerator 11. The refrigerator controller 13 also reduces the temperature in the freezer compartment 12 to the target temperature of the freezer compartment 2 by opening and closing the damper 156 with a temperature difference β (K) between the indoor temperatures of the refrigerator compartments 11 at a high frequency.

The refrigerator control unit 13 continues the temperature decrease mode until a transition trigger to the temperature maintenance mode occurs. The transition trigger is that a predetermined period of time has elapsed from the start of the temperature decrease mode, or that the refrigerating chamber 11 reaches the refrigerating chamber 2 nd target temperature and the freezing chamber 12 reaches the freezing chamber 2 nd target temperature.

When the former is triggered by the transition, the refrigerator control unit 13 starts counting a predetermined period from the start of the temperature reduction mode, and when the predetermined period has elapsed, transitions the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the temperature maintenance mode. The predetermined period is a period in which the temperatures in the refrigerating chamber 11 and the freezing chamber 12 can reach the target temperature in the pre-cooling operation mode.

In the latter case, the refrigerator controller 13 monitors the in-compartment temperature of the refrigerator 11 and the in-compartment temperature of the freezer compartment 12 based on the temperature detected by the refrigerator temperature sensor 161A and the temperature detected by the freezer temperature sensor 161B. The refrigerator control unit 13 shifts the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the temperature maintaining mode when the refrigerator 11 reaches the refrigerator 2 nd target temperature and the freezer 12 reaches the freezer 2 nd target temperature.

Next, a temperature maintenance mode will be described.

The temperature maintaining mode is a mode of maintaining the reduced in-house temperature in the temperature reducing mode. In fig. 5, the period from time T3 to time T4 is a period in which the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is the temperature maintaining mode.

As shown in the timing chart CA of fig. 5, the refrigerator control unit 13 sets the compressor 151 in a low-speed rotation state in the temperature maintenance mode. Here, by maintaining the low-speed rotation state of the compressor 151 in the temperature maintaining mode, the following effects are achieved. If the compressor 151 is repeatedly stopped and rotated, the variation in the temperatures in the refrigerating chamber 11 and the freezing chamber 12 increases, and the temperature cannot be maintained properly, and when the compressor is rotated at a high speed, the power consumption is high. Accordingly, in the temperature maintaining mode, by maintaining the state of the compressor 151 in the low-speed rotation state, the temperatures in the refrigerator compartment 11 and the freezer compartment 12 can be appropriately maintained, and an increase in power consumption can be suppressed.

As shown in the timing chart CD of fig. 5, the refrigerator controller 13 sets the damper 156 to be in a state of repeatedly opening and closing (open/close) according to either the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 or the temperature in the freezer compartment 12 in the power-off precooling operation mode.

Specifically, the refrigerator control unit 13 sets the damper 156 to an open state when the target temperature of the refrigerator 2 is increased by β (K) from the target temperature of the refrigerator 2, and sets the damper 156 to a closed state when the target temperature of the refrigerator 2 is reached, based on the temperature detected by the refrigerator temperature sensor 161A.

Specifically, the refrigerator control unit 13 sets the damper 156 to the closed state when the target temperature of the freezing chamber 2 increases by β (K) from the target temperature of the freezing chamber 2, and sets the damper 156 to the open state when the target temperature of the freezing chamber 2 is reached, based on the temperature detected by the freezing chamber temperature sensor 161B.

Next, an operation of the refrigerator control system 1000 regarding transition of the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 will be described.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the refrigerator control system 1000. In fig. 6, a flowchart FA shows the operation of the refrigerator control server 3, and a flowchart FB shows the operation of the refrigerator 1.

It is assumed that the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is a normal operation mode at the start time of the flowchart FB shown in fig. 6. In the flowchart FA shown in fig. 6, the server control unit 30 of the refrigerator control server 3 sets one record R among the records R stored in the refrigerator control database 313 as a processing target.

Referring to flowchart FA, server control unit 30 determines whether or not a weather alarm has been issued to the area including the installation place of refrigerator 1 (step SA 1).

For example, in step SA1, the server control unit 30 transmits information to the weather alarm server 5 via the server communication unit 31, and inquires whether or not a weather alarm is issued to an area including the installation place of the refrigerator 1. The interrogation is performed at regular intervals (e.g., every 10 minutes). At the time of inquiry, the information transmitted to the weather alert server 5 includes the installation location information 3134 included in the record R to be processed. The weather alert server 5 determines whether or not the weather alert is issued to the area including the installation location indicated by the installation location information 3134, which is included in the received information, based on, for example, a predetermined database associating (relating) the area with the presence or absence of the issue of the weather alert. When it is determined that the weather alarm has been issued, the weather alarm server 5 transmits weather alarm issuing information indicating that the weather alarm has been issued to the refrigerator control server 3 in response to the inquiry. When it is determined that the weather alarm is not issued, the weather alarm server 5 transmits weather alarm issue information indicating that the weather alarm is not issued to the refrigerator control server 3 in response to the inquiry. If the weather alarm issuing information received as a response to the inquiry indicates that the weather alarm has been issued, the server control unit 30 makes a positive determination in step SA 1. On the other hand, when the weather alarm issuing information received as a response to the inquiry indicates that the weather alarm has not been issued, the server control unit 30 makes a negative determination in step SA 1.

When the server control unit 30 determines that the weather alarm is not issued to the area including the installation place of the refrigerator 1 (step SA1: no), it ends the present process.

On the other hand, when the server control unit 30 determines that a weather alarm has been issued for the area including the installation place of the refrigerator 1 (yes in step SA 1), it transmits transition instruction information to the refrigerator 1 through the server communication unit 31 based on the refrigerator communication information 3132 included in the record R to be processed (step SA 2).

Referring to flowchart FB, refrigerator control unit 13 determines whether or not transfer instruction information has been received from refrigerator control server 3 via refrigerator communication unit 14 (step SB 1).

When determining that the transfer instruction information has not been received (step SB1: no), the refrigerator control unit 13 again executes the processing of step SB 1.

When it is determined that the transition instruction information has been received (yes in step SB 1), the refrigerator control unit 13 transitions the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from the normal operation mode to the temperature reduction mode of the pre-cooling operation mode (step SB 2).

Next, the refrigerator controller 13 determines whether or not a transition trigger has occurred (step SB 3).

When determining that the transition trigger has occurred (yes in step SB 3), the refrigerator control unit 13 transitions the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the temperature maintenance mode of the pre-cooling operation mode (step SB 4).

Next, the refrigerator control unit 13 determines whether or not the end instruction information is received from the refrigerator control server 3 via the refrigerator communication unit 14 (step SB 5).

Returning to the explanation of step SB3, when it is determined that the transition trigger has not occurred (step SB3: no), the refrigerator control unit 13 determines whether or not the end instruction information has been received from the refrigerator control server 3 via the refrigerator communication unit 14 (step SB 6).

Returning to the explanation of the flowchart FA, when the server control unit 30 transmits the transition instruction information to the refrigerator 1, it determines whether or not the issued weather alarm has been released (step SA 3).

For example, in step SA3, the server control unit 30 inquires of the weather alert server 5 whether or not a weather alert is issued to an area including the installation place of the refrigerator 1, as in step SA 1. If the weather alarm distribution information received from the weather alarm server 5 as a response to the inquiry indicates that the weather alarm has been distributed, the server control unit 30 makes a negative determination in step SA3, and if it indicates that the weather alarm has not been distributed, makes a positive determination in step SA 3.

When the server control unit 30 determines that the issued weather alarm is not released (step SA3: no), the process of step SA3 is performed again.

On the other hand, when the server control unit 30 determines that the issued weather alarm has been released (yes in step SA 3), it transmits the end instruction information through the server communication unit 31 based on the refrigerator communication information 3132 included in the record R to be processed (step SA 4).

Returning to the explanation of step SB5 of flowchart FB, when it is determined that the end instruction information has not been received (step SB5: no), refrigerator controller 13 again executes the processing of step SB 5.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the end instruction information has been received (yes in step SB 5), the refrigerator control unit 13 ends the power outage pre-cooling operation mode (step SB 7). In step SB7, the refrigerator control unit 13 shifts the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from the pre-cooling operation mode to the normal operation mode.

Returning to the explanation of step SB6, when it is determined that the end instruction information has not been received (step SB6: no), the refrigerator controller 13 again executes the process of step SB 3.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the end instruction information has been received (yes in step SB 6), the refrigerator control unit 13 ends the power outage pre-cooling operation mode (step SB 7).

As described above, when the weather alarm is issued, the refrigerator control system 1000 shifts the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from the normal operation mode to the pre-cooling operation mode. Accordingly, when the weather alarm is issued, the temperature in the refrigerator 1 is lowered, and therefore, the temperature in the refrigerator 1 can be lowered before the occurrence of a power outage. Therefore, even if an external power supply is not used, the refrigerating capacity of the refrigerator 1 can be maintained for a long period of time at the time of power failure.

The refrigerator controller 13 controls the frequency of opening and closing the damper 156 in the power failure pre-cooling operation mode so that the temperature difference between the temperatures in the refrigerator compartment 11 and the freezer compartment 12 between the open state and the closed state of the damper 156 becomes β (K). This can maintain the cooling capacity of the refrigerator 1 for a longer period of time during power failure.

The effect thereof will be described in detail with reference to fig. 7.

Fig. 7 is a diagram comparing the variation of the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 and the variation of the temperature in the freezer compartment 12. In fig. 7, a time chart CE shows the temperature in the refrigerator compartment. In fig. 7, a time chart CF shows the temperature in the freezer compartment 12.

In fig. 7, the period from time T5 to time T6 is a period in which the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is the normal operation mode, the period from time T6 to time T7 is a period in which the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is the temperature decrease mode, and the period from time T7 to time T8 is a period in which the temperature is maintained.

In the time chart CE, the solid line represents the variation (change) in the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 when the interior of the refrigerator compartment is cooled by the conventional cooling method. In the time chart CE, the broken line represents the variation in the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 when the inside of the refrigerator compartment is cooled by the cooling method of the present invention.

In the timing chart CF, the solid line represents the variation in the temperature in the freezer compartment 12 when the interior of the compartment is cooled according to the conventional cooling method. In the timing chart CF, the broken line indicates the variation in the temperature of the inside of the freezing chamber 12 when the inside of the chamber is cooled by the cooling method according to the present invention.

Here, the conventional cooling method is a method of controlling the open/close state of the damper 156 to reduce the temperature in the warehouse regardless of the temperature difference between when the damper 156 is in the open state and when the damper 156 is in the closed state.

As is clear from a comparison between the solid line and the broken line, in the power failure pre-cooling operation mode of the present invention, the variation in the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 and the temperature in the freezer compartment 12 can be suppressed as compared with the conventional cooling method.

Thus, compared with the conventional cooling method, the power failure pre-cooling operation mode of the present invention can suppress the occurrence of a difference in cooling capacity at the time of power failure due to a difference in the time of occurrence of power failure. This can maintain the cooling capacity of the refrigerator for a longer period of time at the time of power failure.

Specifically, in the conventional cooling method, a case where a power failure occurs at time TA shown in fig. 7 is compared with a case where a power failure occurs at time T7. When a power failure occurs at time T7, the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 approaches the target refrigerator compartment 2 nd temperature, and therefore the cooling capacity of the refrigerator compartment 11 can be maintained for a long period of time during the power failure. On the other hand, when a power failure occurs at time TA, the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 is close to the target temperature of the refrigerator compartment 1, that is, the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 is not sufficiently reduced, and therefore, the cooling capacity of the refrigerator compartment 11 cannot be maintained for a long period of time at the time of the power failure. This is because, when the conventional cooling method is adopted, the variation in the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 is large when the temperature is lowered. On the other hand, when the cooling method of the present invention is employed, since the temperature fluctuation can be suppressed, even if a power failure occurs at time TA, the cooling capacity of the refrigerating chamber 11 can be maintained for a long period of time even when the power failure occurs because the temperature in the refrigerating chamber 11 is sufficiently lowered.

Further, since the variation in the temperature in the reservoir can be suppressed, freezing in the vicinity of the first to third discharge ports 111A to 111C can be suppressed when the temperature in the reservoir is lowered.

In the operation of the refrigerator control system 1000 described above, the end trigger for ending the power outage pre-cooling operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is the end instruction information of the refrigerator 1 received based on the release of the weather alarm. However, the end trigger to end the power outage pre-cooling operation mode is not limited thereto.

Here, a plurality of other end triggers will be described.

< 1 st other end trigger >

In the configuration in which the power failure precooling operation mode is ended in accordance with the 1 st other end trigger, the refrigerator 1 includes a refrigerator operation section as a functional section. The refrigerator operation unit includes operation means such as an operation switch provided at a predetermined position, detects an operation of the operation means by the user P, and outputs a detection result to the refrigerator control unit 13. The refrigerator operation unit may have both an operation switch and a touch panel, or may have a touch panel instead of the operation switch. The refrigerator control unit 13 performs processing corresponding to an operation on the operation means, based on an input from the refrigerator operation unit.

The refrigerator control unit 13 determines that an end trigger has occurred and ends the pre-cooling operation mode when the user P operation received by the refrigerator operation unit is an operation indicating an end of the pre-cooling operation mode.

< 2 nd other end trigger >

In the configuration in which the power-off precooling operation mode is ended in accordance with the 2 nd other end trigger, the refrigerator 1 receives end instruction information from the terminal device 4 via the refrigerator control server 3.

When receiving an instruction to end the pre-cooling operation mode or an instruction to change the temperature in the library from the user P, the operation control unit 403 of the terminal device 4 outputs end instruction information to the communication control unit 402. The communication control unit 402 adds the user ID3131 stored in the terminal storage unit 410, and transmits the end instruction information output from the operation control unit 403 to the refrigerator control server 3 via the terminal communication unit 41.

When receiving the end instruction information from the terminal device 4 through the server communication unit 31, the server control unit 30 of the refrigerator control server 3 refers to the refrigerator control database 313, and determines the record R of the user 1D3131 included in the end instruction information. Then, the server control unit 30 transmits the end instruction information received from the terminal device 4 to the refrigerator 1 through the server communication unit 31, based on the refrigerator communication information 3132 included in the specified record R.

When receiving the end instruction information from the refrigerator control server 3 via the refrigerator communication unit 14, the refrigerator control unit 13 of the refrigerator 1 determines that the end trigger has occurred, and ends the power failure precooling operation mode.

In the operation of the refrigerator control system 1000, it may be determined whether or not any one of the end triggers shown in fig. 6, the 1 st other end trigger, and the 2 nd other end trigger has occurred, or whether or not any one of a plurality of end triggers has occurred. However, it is preferable that the end trigger of the power failure pre-cooling operation mode includes at least: the end trigger shown in fig. 6 is to receive end instruction information when the issued weather alarm is released. This is because, when the weather alarm is released, the refrigerator 1 can accurately end the pre-cooling operation mode, and unnecessary cooling in the refrigerator and increase in power consumption can be suppressed.

(1-3. Modification)

Next, a modification of embodiment 1 will be described.

In embodiment 1, the refrigerator control system 1000 is configured to automatically switch the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the pre-cooling operation mode when a weather alarm is issued. In the modification of embodiment 1, if a weather alarm is issued, the refrigerator control system 1000 inquires of the user P whether or not to switch the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the pre-cooling operation mode, and if the user P has instructed to switch to the pre-cooling operation mode after the inquiry, switches the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the pre-cooling operation mode.

The operation control unit 403 of this modification causes the touch panel 42 to display various user interfaces, and makes an inquiry as to whether to switch the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the pre-cooling operation mode, and receives an instruction to switch the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the pre-cooling operation mode.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface that the operation control unit 403 displays on the touch panel 42.

When the inquiry instruction information is received from the refrigerator control server 3, the operation control unit 403 displays the 1 st user interface UI1 on the touch panel 42 in the form of a push notification when the display screen of the touch panel 42 is the non-application screen (non-application screen) HAG. The inquiry instruction information will be described later. The non-application screen HAG represents, for example, a screen other than the application screen AG related to the refrigerator control application 413, such as a home screen.

The 1 st user interface UI1 comprises: the user P is asked about query information J1 as to whether or not to shift the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the blackout precooling operation mode. When the user P touches and operates the 1 st user interface UI1, the execution control section 403 shifts the display screen of the touch panel 42 from the non-application screen HAG to the application screen AG on which the 2 nd user interface UI2 is displayed. When the inquiry instruction information is received from the refrigerator control server 3, the operation control unit 403 displays the 2 nd user interface UI2 superimposed on the application screen AG without displaying the 1 st user interface UI1 on the touch panel 42 when the display screen of the touch panel 42 is the application screen AG.

The 2 nd user interface UI2 comprises: query information J1 for querying the user whether or not P has shifted the operation mode of refrigerator 1 to the blackout precooling operation mode. In addition, the 2 nd user interface UI2 includes a "YES" button B1 and a "NO" button B2. The yes button B1 is a software button for receiving an instruction from the user P to shift the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the pre-cooling operation mode. The no button B2 is a software button for receiving an instruction from the user P to not shift the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the pre-cooling operation mode.

When the user P touches the "no" button B2, the operation control unit 403 stops the display of the 2 nd user interface UI2 without shifting the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the pre-cooling operation mode. On the other hand, when the user P touches the "yes" button B1, the operation control section 403 shifts the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the pre-cooling operation mode, and displays the 3 rd user interface UI3 on the touch panel 42 instead of the 2 nd user interface UI2.

The 3 rd user interface UI3 comprises: operation start information J2 indicating that the refrigerator 1 starts the pre-cooling operation by switching the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the pre-cooling operation mode.

Next, the operation of the refrigerator control system 1000 according to this modification will be described.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the refrigerator control system 1000 according to the present modification. In fig. 9, a flowchart FC shows the operation of the terminal device 4, a flowchart FD shows the operation of the refrigerator control server 3, and a flowchart FE shows the operation of the refrigerator 1.

In fig. 9, the same steps as those in the flowchart shown in fig. 6 are denoted by the same step numbers, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

The start time of each flowchart shown in fig. 9 is the same as that of fig. 6, and the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is the normal operation mode. In the flowchart FD shown in fig. 9, the server control unit 30 of the refrigerator control server 3 sets any one record R as a processing target.

Referring to flowchart FD, when it is determined that a weather alarm has been issued (yes in step SA 1), server control unit 30 of refrigerator control server 3 transmits an inquiry instruction information for shifting the inquiry to the pre-cooling operation mode to terminal device 4 via server communication unit 31, based on terminal device communication information 3133 included in record R to be processed (step SD 1).

Referring to flowchart FC, communication control unit 402 of terminal device 4 determines whether or not the inquiry instruction information is received from refrigerator control server 3 by terminal communication unit 41 (step SC 1).

When determining that the inquiry instruction information is not received from the refrigerator control server 3 (step SC1: no), the communication control unit 402 performs the processing of step SC1 again.

When the communication control unit 402 determines that the inquiry instruction information has been received from the refrigerator control server 3 (yes in step SC 1), the operation control unit 403 causes the touch panel 42 to display the 1 st user interface UI1 or the 2 nd user interface UI2, and inquires whether the user P shifts the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the pre-cooling operation mode (step SC 2).

Next, the communication control unit 402 determines whether or not the alarm release information indicating that the weather alarm has been released is received from the refrigerator control server 3 by the terminal communication unit 41 (step SC 3).

The communication control unit 402 will be described later when the affirmative determination is made in step SC 3.

When the communication control unit 402 determines that the alarm release information has not been received from the refrigerator control server 3 (step SC3: no), the operation control unit 403 determines whether or not an instruction to shift the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the pre-cooling operation mode has been received from the user P (step SC 4). When the "yes" button B1 of the 2 nd user interface UI2 is touch-operated, the operation control section 403 makes an affirmative determination in step SC 4.

Next, when determining that the instruction to switch the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the pre-cooling operation mode is not received from the user P (step SC4: no), the operation control unit 403 determines whether or not the instruction to switch the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the pre-cooling operation mode is received from the user P (step SC 6). When the no button B2 of the 2 nd user interface UI2 is touch-operated, the operation control section 403 makes an affirmative determination in step SC 6.

When determining that the user P has not received the instruction to switch the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the pre-cooling operation mode (step SC6: no), the operation control unit 403 returns the process to step SC3, and makes the determination of step SC3 again.

On the other hand, when determining that the user P has received the instruction to not switch the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the pre-cooling operation mode (yes in step SC 6), the operation control unit 403 stops the display of the 2 nd user interface UI2 and ends the inquiry as to whether or not to switch the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the pre-cooling operation mode (step SC 7).

Returning to the explanation of step SC4, when receiving an instruction to shift the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the pre-cooling operation mode (yes in step SC 4), the operation control unit 403 transmits shift instruction information to the refrigerator control server 3 via the terminal communication unit 41 (step SC 5).

Referring to flowchart FD, server control unit 30 determines whether or not the transfer instruction information has been received from terminal device 4 via server communication unit 31 (step SD 2).

When determining that the transfer instruction information has not been received from the terminal device 4 via the server communication unit 31 (step SD2: no), the server control unit 30 determines whether or not the issued weather alarm has been released (step SD 3).

When determining that the issued weather alarm has been released (yes in step SD 3), the server control unit 30 transmits the alarm release information to the terminal device 4 via the server communication unit 31 based on the terminal device communication information 3133 included in the record R to be processed (step SG 4).

Referring to flowchart FC, when it is determined that communication control unit 402 has received the alarm release information (yes in step SF 3), operation control unit 403 stops the display of 1 st user interface UI1 and 2 nd user interface UI2, and ends the inquiry as to whether or not to shift the operation mode of refrigerator 1 to the pre-cooling operation mode (step SC 7).

Referring to flowchart FD, returning to the explanation of step SD3, when it is determined that the issued weather alarm is not released (step SD3: no), server control unit 30 again performs the process of step SD 2.

Returning to the explanation of step SD2, when it is determined that the transfer instruction information has been received from the terminal device 4 by the server communication unit 31 (yes in step SD 2), the server control unit 30 transmits the transfer instruction information received from the terminal device 4 to the refrigerator 1 by the server communication unit 31 based on the refrigerator communication information 3132 included in the record R to be processed (step SA 2).

In the present modification, the termination trigger for terminating the power outage pre-cooling operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is not limited to receiving termination instruction information from the refrigerator control server 3 in response to the release of the weather alarm. As in embodiment 1, the refrigerator controller 13 may determine whether or not any one of the end trigger shown in fig. 6, the 1 st other end trigger, and the 2 nd other end trigger has occurred, or may determine whether or not any one of a plurality of end triggers has occurred. However, for the same reasons as described in embodiment 1, it is preferable that the end trigger of the pre-cooling operation mode includes at least the end trigger shown in fig. 6, that is, the reception end instruction information is released according to the weather alarm.

(1-4. Effect, etc.)

As described above, the refrigerator 1 includes the cooling unit 15 that cools the interior (inside) of the refrigerator 1, and the refrigerator control unit 13 that shifts the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from the normal operation mode to the power failure precooling operation mode in which the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 is lower than the normal operation mode when an alarm about the cause of occurrence of power failure is issued to the area including the installation place of the refrigerator 1. When the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is the power failure pre-cooling operation mode, the refrigerator control unit 13 cools the refrigerator by the cooling unit 15 so that the variation in the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 is smaller than the variation in the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 in the normal operation mode.

In this way, the refrigerator 1 can reduce the temperature in the refrigerator 1 before the occurrence of a power outage, and by reducing the temperature in the refrigerator while reducing the variation in the temperature in the refrigerator, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a difference in cooling capacity at the time of a power outage due to the difference in the time of a power outage. Therefore, even if an external power supply is not used, the cooling capacity of the refrigerator 1 at the time of power failure can be maintained for a long period of time.

The cooling portion 15 includes a damper 156. The refrigerator control unit 13 controls the damper 156 to reduce the variation in the temperature in the refrigerator 1 in the pre-cooling operation mode from the variation in the temperature in the refrigerator 1 in the normal operation mode.

Thus, by controlling the damper 156, the cooling capacity of the refrigerator 1 at the time of power failure can be maintained for a long period of time even without using an external power source. Therefore, even when the refrigerator 1 is of the single evaporator type, the cooling capacity of the refrigerator 1 at the time of power failure can be maintained for a long period of time without using an external power supply.

The power failure precooling operation mode comprises the following steps: a temperature reduction mode for reducing the temperature in the refrigerator 1 from the temperature in the refrigerator in the normal operation mode; and a temperature maintaining mode for maintaining the reduced in-house temperature in the temperature reducing mode.

After the alarm about the cause of the power outage is issued, the alarm does not necessarily occur at the time of determining the power outage. Therefore, it is preferable that the temperature in the warehouse is lowered in the temperature lowering mode, and then the temperature is maintained in the temperature maintaining mode. Thus, by including the power outage pre-cooling operation mode in the temperature reduction mode and the temperature maintenance mode, it is possible to prepare for when a power outage of unknown cause occurs.

The refrigerator control unit 13 sets the rotation speed of the compressor 151 to be higher in the temperature reduction mode than in the temperature maintenance mode.

This makes it possible to quickly reduce the temperatures in the refrigerating chamber 11 and the freezing chamber 12 in the power-off precooling operation mode while suppressing the variation in the temperatures in the storage. Therefore, the temperature maintaining mode can be quickly shifted, and the cooling capacity of the refrigerator 1 at the time of power failure can be more reliably maintained for a long period of time.

The refrigerator control system 1000 includes a refrigerator 1 and a refrigerator control server 3 capable of communicating with the refrigerator 1. When a weather alarm regarding the cause of occurrence of a power outage is issued to an area including the installation place of the refrigerator 1, the refrigerator control server 3 transmits transition instruction information for transitioning the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from the normal operation mode to the power outage pre-cooling operation mode in which the temperature in the refrigerator 1 is lower than the normal operation mode to the refrigerator 1. Upon receiving the transition instruction information, the refrigerator 1 transitions the operation mode from the normal operation mode to the pre-cooling operation mode. The refrigerator 1 cools the inside of the refrigerator in the power-off precooling operation mode so that the variation in the inside temperature of the refrigerator 1 is smaller than the variation in the inside temperature of the refrigerator 1 in the normal operation mode.

This gives the same effect as the refrigerator 1.

The refrigerator control system 1000 includes a terminal device 4 capable of communicating with the refrigerator control server 3. When receiving an instruction to switch to the pre-cooling operation mode from the user P of the refrigerator 1, the terminal device 4 transmits switching instruction information to the refrigerator control server 3. When receiving the transfer instruction information, the refrigerator control server 3 transmits the received transfer instruction information to the refrigerator 1.

When the change of the temperature in the refrigerator 1 is received, the user P wants to end the power outage pre-cooling operation mode, and the possibility of changing the temperature in the refrigerator 1 from the temperature in the power outage pre-cooling operation mode to another temperature is high. Accordingly, the refrigerator 1 can end the power outage pre-cooling operation mode at a time desired by the user P. Further, since the user P can end the power-off pre-cooling operation mode by operating the terminal device 4, the user P can end the power-off pre-cooling operation mode at a desired timing even when the user P is not at the installation place of the refrigerator 1 such as the user H.

(embodiment 2)

Next, embodiment 2 will be described with reference to fig. 10 to 14.

In embodiment 2, the same components as those in embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

(2-1. Structure)

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 2. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a refrigeration cycle 157B of the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 2. In fig. 10, the same X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis as in fig. 2 are shown.

As shown in fig. 10, in a main casing 10 of a refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 2, a refrigerating chamber 11 and a freezing chamber 12 are formed in the same manner as in embodiment 1. The refrigerating compartment 11 and the freezing compartment 12 are partitioned in the main casing 10 to be located above and below by a heat insulating partition wall 17.

In the refrigeration cycle 157B of the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 2, the first cooler 154A generates cool air for cooling the refrigerator compartment 11, and the second cooler 154B generates cool air for cooling the freezer compartment 12. This mode is called, for example, a double evaporator (2 evapotator) mode. As shown in fig. 11, in the refrigeration cycle 157B of the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 2, the compressor 151, the condenser 152, the switching valve 158, the first capillary tube 153A, and the first cooler 154A are connected in a ring shape, and when the switching valve 158 is in a state of supplying the refrigerant to the first cooler 154A, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 151 is circulated to cool the refrigerating chamber 11. In the refrigeration cycle 157B of the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 2, the compressor 151, the condenser 152, the switching valve 158, the second capillary tube 153B, and the second cooler 154B are connected in a ring shape, and when the switching valve 158 is in a state of supplying the refrigerant to the second cooler 154B, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 151 is circulated to cool the freezing chamber 12.

The refrigerator 1 is provided with a compressor 151 at the rear upper portion of the refrigerating chamber 11. In addition, the refrigerator 1 includes a first cooler 154A and a first cooling fan 155A for delivering cool air generated by the first cooler 154A to the freezing chamber 12, rearward of the freezing chamber 12.

In the refrigerating compartment 11 of embodiment 2, a first discharge port 111A, a second discharge port 111B, a third discharge port 111C, and a refrigerating compartment cool air return port are formed in the rear side in the refrigerating compartment 11 as in embodiment 1.

In the freezing compartment 12 of embodiment 2, a second cooler 154B and a second cooling fan 155B that sends cool air generated by the second cooler 154B to the freezing compartment 12 are included in the rear side in the freezing compartment 12.

In the freezing compartment 12 of embodiment 2, a fourth discharge port 111D, a fifth discharge port 111E, and a freezing compartment cold air return port are formed in the rear of the freezing compartment 12.

Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing the structures of refrigerator 1, refrigerator control server 3, and terminal device 4 according to embodiment 2.

As can be seen from a comparison of fig. 4 and 12, the cooling unit 15 of embodiment 2 includes a mechanism for cooling each storage compartment of the refrigerator 1, such as a compressor 151, a condenser 152, a first capillary tube 153A, a second capillary tube 153B, a first cooler 154A, a second cooler 154B, a first cooling fan 155A, a second cooling fan 155B, and a switching valve 158. The cooling unit 15 cools each storage compartment of the refrigerator 1 under the control of the refrigerator control unit 13.

(2-2. Action)

Next, the operation of the refrigerator 1 and the refrigerator control system 1000 according to embodiment 2 will be described.

First, the operation of each part of the refrigerator 1 in the normal operation mode and the pre-cooling operation mode in embodiment 2 will be described with reference to fig. 13.

Fig. 13 is a timing chart showing the state of each part of the refrigerator 1.

In fig. 13, a timing chart CG shows a state of the compressor 151. The time chart CH shows the state of the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11. In addition, the timing chart CI shows the state of the in-bank temperature of the freezing chamber 12. In addition, the timing chart CJ shows the state of the switching valve 158.

In fig. 13, the period from time T9 to time T10 is a period in which the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is the normal operation mode.

As shown in the timing chart CG of fig. 13, the refrigerator control unit 13 repeatedly sets the state of the compressor 151 to a stopped state and a low-speed rotation state in the normal operation mode.

As shown in the timing chart CG of fig. 13, the refrigerator controller 13 switches the state of the switching valve 158 to any one of the refrigerator compartment supply state, the freezer compartment supply state, and the closed state in accordance with the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 and the temperature in the freezer compartment 12 in the normal operation mode.

The refrigerating chamber supply state is a state in which the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 151 is supplied to the first cooler 154A. In the refrigerating compartment supply state, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 151 is not supplied to the second cooler 154B.

The freezing chamber supply state is a state in which the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 151 is supplied to the second cooler 154B. In the freezing chamber supply state, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 151 is not supplied to the first cooler 154A.

The off state is a state in which the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 151 is not supplied to the first cooler 154A and the second cooler 154B.

Specifically, the refrigerator control unit 13 controls the state of the switching valve 158 such that the temperature difference between the state of the switching valve 158 in the refrigerator compartment supply state and the state other than the refrigerator compartment supply state becomes α (K) with respect to the in-compartment temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11.

Specifically, the refrigerator control unit 13 sets the state of the switching valve 158 to the refrigerator compartment supply state and sets the compressor 151 to the low-speed rotation state when the temperature detected by the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 161A increases by α (K) from the refrigerator compartment first target temperature. Thereby, the refrigerator compartment 11 is cooled, and the temperature in the compartment is lowered. On the other hand, when this cooling is performed, the freezing chamber 12 is not cooled, and therefore the temperature in the reservoir increases. When the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 has fallen to the first target temperature of the refrigerator compartment, the refrigerator control unit 13 sets the switching valve 158 to the freezer compartment supply state, and ends the cooling of the refrigerator compartment 11. Thus, the temperature in the refrigerator 11 increases, and the refrigerator control unit 13 sets the switching valve 158 to the freezer compartment supply state, thereby reducing the temperature in the freezer compartment 12. The refrigerator control unit 13 stops the compressor 151 when the temperature in the freezer compartment 12 falls to the first target temperature in the freezer compartment. After that, when the temperature in the refrigerator 11 increases by α (K) from the first target temperature of the refrigerator, the refrigerator control unit 13 sets the switching valve 158 to the refrigerator supply state and sets the compressor 151 to the low-speed rotation state.

Next, a power failure precooling operation mode will be described.

In fig. 13, the period from time T10 to time T12 is a period in which the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is the power failure precooling operation mode. In fig. 13, the period from time T10 to time T11 is a period in which the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is the temperature decrease mode.

As shown in the timing chart CG of fig. 13, in the temperature reduction mode, the refrigerator control unit 13 sets the compressor 151 to a high-speed rotation state.

As shown in the timing chart CG of fig. 13, the refrigerator control unit 13 controls the state of the switching valve 158 in accordance with the in-refrigerator temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 in the temperature reduction mode.

Specifically, the refrigerator control unit 13 sets the switching valve 158 to the refrigerator compartment supply state and sets the compressor 151 to the high-speed rotation state, thereby cooling the refrigerator compartment 11. During this cooling, the temperature in the reservoir of the freezing chamber 12 rises. The refrigerator control unit 13 sets the switching valve 158 to the freezer compartment supply state when the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 falls to the second target temperature of the refrigerator compartment based on the temperature detected by the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 161A, and ends cooling of the refrigerator compartment 11. By this end, the freezing chamber 12 starts to be cooled. Thereby, the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 increases and the temperature in the freezer compartment 12 decreases. The refrigerator controller 13 reduces the temperature in the freezer compartment 12 with the second target temperature of the freezer compartment as a target. Here, the temperature difference of the control switching valve 158 is reduced compared to the normal operation mode, and therefore, the in-compartment temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 is increased by β (K) from the refrigerator compartment second target temperature before the in-compartment temperature of the freezer compartment 12 reaches the freezer compartment second target temperature. The refrigerator control unit 13 is triggered by this, and again turns the switching valve 158 into the refrigerator compartment supply state, and again cools the refrigerator compartment 11. The refrigerator controller 13 repeats this control in the temperature reduction mode until the temperature in the freezer compartment 12 falls to the second target temperature of the freezer compartment.

The refrigerator control unit 13 continues the temperature decrease mode until the transition trigger described in embodiment 1 occurs.

Next, a temperature maintenance mode will be described.

As shown in the timing chart CG of fig. 13, the refrigerator control unit 13 sets the compressor 151 in a low-speed rotation state in the temperature reduction mode.

As shown in the timing chart CJ of fig. 13, the refrigerator controller 13 controls the state of the switching valve 158 in accordance with either the in-refrigerator temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 or the in-refrigerator temperature of the freezer compartment 12 in the power-off precooling operation mode.

Specifically, the refrigerator control unit 13 sets the switching valve 158 to the refrigerator-compartment supply state when the temperature detected by the refrigerator-compartment temperature sensor 161A increases by β (K) from the refrigerator-compartment second target temperature, and sets the switching valve 158 to the freezer-compartment supply state when the temperature reaches the refrigerator-compartment second target temperature.

Specifically, the refrigerator control unit 13 sets the switching valve 158 to the freezer compartment supply state when the temperature detected by the freezer compartment temperature sensor 161B increases by β (K) from the second target temperature of the freezer compartment, and sets the switching valve 158 to the refrigerator compartment supply state when the temperature reaches the second target temperature of the freezer compartment.

The operation of the refrigerator control system 1000 for switching the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is performed as shown in fig. 6 described in embodiment 1.

As described above, embodiment 2 can maintain the cooling capacity of the refrigerator 1 for a long period of time during a power outage, even without using an external power supply, as in embodiment 1.

In embodiment 2, the switching valve 158 is controlled in the power failure precooling operation mode, whereby the cooling capacity of the refrigerator 1 can be maintained for a longer period of time during power failure.

This effect will be described in detail with reference to fig. 14.

Fig. 14 is a diagram comparing the variation in the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 and the variation in the temperature in the freezer compartment 12. In fig. 14, a timing chart CK represents the in-store temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11. In fig. 14, a time chart CL shows the temperature in the bank of the freezing chamber 12.

In fig. 14, the period in which the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is the normal operation mode is the period from time T13 to time T14, the period in which the temperature is reduced is the period from time T14 to time T15, and the period in which the temperature is maintained is the period from time T15 to time T16.

In the timing chart CK, the solid line shows the variation in the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 when the interior is cooled according to the conventional cooling method. In the time chart CK, a broken line indicates a change in the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11 when the interior is cooled by the cooling method according to the present invention.

In the timing chart CL, the solid line represents the variation in the temperature of the freezing chamber 12 when the chamber is cooled according to the conventional cooling method. In the time chart CL, the broken line indicates the variation in the temperature in the bank of the freezing chamber 12 when the cooling method according to the present invention cools the room.

As a result, the cooling capacity of the refrigerator 1 at the time of power failure can be maintained for a longer period of time as in embodiment 1.

(2-3. Modification)

Similar to embodiment 1, embodiment 2 described above is configured to automatically switch the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the pre-cooling operation mode when a weather alarm is issued. In the modification of embodiment 2, as in the modification of embodiment 1, if a weather alarm is issued, a user P is asked whether to switch the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the pre-cooling operation mode, and after the inquiry, if the user P gives an instruction to switch to the pre-cooling operation mode, the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is switched to the pre-cooling operation mode.

Each device of the refrigerator control system 1000 according to the present modification performs the same operation as the modification of embodiment 1 described above.

(2-4. Effect, etc.)

According to the embodiment 2 and the modification of the embodiment 2 described above, the same effects as those of the embodiment 1 and the modification of the embodiment 1 described above are exhibited.

The cooling unit 15 includes a condenser 152, a first cooler 154A that generates cool air for the refrigerator, a second cooler 154B that generates cool air for the freezer, and a switching valve 158 that switches the supply destination of the refrigerant generated by the condenser 152 to the first cooler 154A or the second cooler 154B. The refrigerator control unit 13 controls the switching valve so that the variation in the temperature in the refrigerator 1 in the pre-cooling operation mode is smaller than the variation in the temperature in the refrigerator 1 in the normal operation mode.

Thus, by controlling the switching valve 158, the cooling capacity of the refrigerator 1 at the time of power failure can be maintained effectively for a long period of time even without using an external power source. Therefore, even when the refrigerator 1 is of the double-evaporator type, the cooling capacity of the refrigerator 1 at the time of power failure can be maintained for a long period of time without using an external power source.

(other embodiments)

As described above, the above-described embodiments and modifications are described as examples described in the present application. However, the technique of the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to embodiments in which changes, substitutions, additions, omissions, and the like are made. Further, the components described in the above embodiments and modifications may be combined to form a new embodiment.

Thus, other embodiments are exemplified below.

In the above-described embodiments and modifications, the refrigerator 1 is configured to start the power failure precooling operation mode by receiving the transition instruction information as a trigger. However, the triggering of the start of the power outage pre-cooling operation mode is not limited thereto. The refrigerator 1 may be configured such that a button for starting the pre-cooling operation mode is provided at a predetermined position, and when the user P operates the button, the pre-cooling operation mode is started. In this configuration, the refrigerator 1 continues for a predetermined period (for example, 24 hours) before the user P inputs an end instruction to the refrigerator 1 or after the start of the power failure precooling operation mode. Thus, even if the refrigerator 1 does not cooperate with the refrigerator control server 3 and the refrigerator control application 413, the user P can set the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the blackout precooling operation mode at a time when it is considered that a blackout is likely to occur.

In the above-described embodiment and modification, the case where the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is shifted from the normal operation mode to the pre-cooling operation mode has been described as an example, but the operation mode before shifting is not limited to the normal operation mode, and may be any operation mode other than the pre-cooling operation mode. In the above embodiments, the case where the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is shifted from the pre-cooling operation mode to the normal operation mode has been described as an example, but the operation mode to be shifted is not limited to the normal operation mode, and may be any operation mode other than the pre-cooling operation mode. Here, the operation mode other than the pre-cooling operation mode corresponds to an example of the "1 st mode".

For example, in the temperature reduction mode, the compressor 151 may be rotated at a higher speed, and the cooling fan 155, the first cooling fan 155A, and the second cooling fan 155B may be rotated at a higher speed than in the other modes.

For example, in the power failure pre-cooling operation mode of embodiment 1, the frequency of the opening/closing state of the damper 156 is controlled to suppress the variation in the temperature in the warehouse, but the opening degree of the damper 156 may be controlled to suppress the variation in the temperature in the warehouse. In the power failure precooling operation mode of embodiment 2, the frequency of switching the state of the switching valve 158 is controlled to suppress the variation in the in-tank temperature, but the opening degree of the switching valve 158 may be controlled to suppress the variation in the in-tank temperature.

In the above-described embodiments and modifications, weather alarms are exemplified as the alarms related to the cause of occurrence of the power outage, but the alarms related to the cause of occurrence of the power outage may be other than weather alarms such as earthquake alarms, flooding alarms, tsunami alarms, volcanic eruption alarms, and fire alarms. In this case, the cause of the power failure is other than weather. In this case, instead of the weather alarm server 5, a server device that provides information indicating whether or not an alarm other than a weather alarm is issued is connected to the global network GN, or the server device is connected in addition to the weather alarm server 5, and the refrigerator control server 3 inquires of the server device whether or not an alarm is issued.

The above embodiment and modification are configured to start the power failure pre-cooling operation mode in the refrigerator 1 with the release of the alarm as a trigger, but the trigger is not limited to the alarm, and may be an early warning about the cause of the power failure. The early warning has various early warning such as heavy rain early warning, flood early warning and the like, and the lightning early warning with high possibility of power failure can be used as trigger. The trigger is not limited to the alarm and the early warning, and may be a prediction about the cause of occurrence of another power failure. In this case, a server device that provides information indicating whether or not a forecast is issued is connected to the global network GN instead of the weather alarm 5, or in addition to the weather alarm 5, the refrigerator control server 3 inquires of the server device whether or not a forecast is issued. In this case, a server device that provides information indicating whether or not a forecast is issued is connected to the global network GN instead of or in addition to the alarm server other than the weather alarm, and the refrigerator controller 3 inquires of the server device whether or not a forecast is issued.

For example, in the above-described embodiments and modifications, the following configuration may be adopted: the refrigerator control server 3 adds the refrigerator 1D when transmitting the transition instruction information to the refrigerator 1, and causes the operation mode to shift to the blackout precooling operation mode only when the refrigerator ID added to the transition instruction information matches the refrigerator ID assigned to the refrigerator control server 1. The refrigerator ID is information for identifying the refrigerator 1, and is, for example, a manufacturing number.

For example, the types of compartments formed in the main casing 10 of the refrigerator 1 are not limited to the refrigerator 11 and the freezer 12, and other types of compartments such as an ice making compartment, a fresh freezer compartment, and a vegetable compartment may be formed. The number of doors provided in the opening portion of the front surface of the refrigerator compartment 11 may be plural. When the damper 156 is provided for each storage compartment, the refrigerator control unit 13 controls the damper 156 in order to suppress temperature fluctuations in each storage compartment, as in embodiment 1.

For example, the number of shelves in the refrigerator compartment 11 and the freezer compartment 12, the number of storage boxes, and other internal structures are not limited to fig. 2 and 10.

For example, one or more temperature sensors 161 may be provided in each storage compartment of the refrigerator 1.

For example, the functions of the refrigerator controller 13, the server controller 30, and the terminal controller 40 may be realized by a plurality of processors or semiconductor chips.

The respective portions shown in fig. 4 and 12 are examples, and the specific mounting manner is not particularly limited. That is, it is not necessarily required to install hardware corresponding to each part, and it is needless to say that a configuration may be adopted in which a program is executed by one processor to realize the functions of each part. In the above-described embodiments, a part of the functions implemented by software may be implemented as hardware, or a part of the functions implemented by hardware may be implemented by software. The specific detailed structures of the refrigerator 1, the refrigerator control server 3, and the other parts of the terminal device 4 may be arbitrarily changed within a range not departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, the step units of the operations shown in fig. 6 and 9 are divided according to the main processing contents in order to facilitate understanding of the operations of the respective devices of the refrigerator control system 1000, and may be divided into more step units according to the processing contents. The division may be performed so that one step unit includes more processes. The order of the steps may be changed appropriately within a range that does not hinder the gist of the present invention.

Further, since the above-described embodiments are used to exemplify the technology of the present invention, various changes, substitutions, additions, omissions, and the like can be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents.

Industrial applicability

As described above, the refrigerator and the refrigerator control system according to the present invention can be used to maintain the cooling capacity of the refrigerator in the event of a power failure.

Description of the reference numerals

1 refrigerator

3 refrigerator control server (Server)

4 terminal device

5 weather alarm server

11 refrigerator

12 freezing chamber

13 refrigerator control part

15 cooling part

151 compressor

152 condenser

154 cooler

154A first cooler

154B second cooler

156 air door

158 switching valve

1000 refrigerator control system

H family (setting place)

P users.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, comprising:

a cooling unit for cooling the interior of the refrigerator; and

a refrigerator control unit that, when a forecast regarding the cause of occurrence of a power failure is issued to an area including a place where the refrigerator is installed, shifts an operation mode of the refrigerator from a first mode to a second mode in which the temperature in the refrigerator is lower than the first mode,

the refrigerator control unit performs cooling by the cooling unit so that the variation in the temperature in the refrigerator is smaller than the variation in the temperature in the refrigerator in the first mode when the operation mode of the refrigerator is the second mode.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein:

the cooling portion includes a damper that,

the refrigerator control unit controls the damper to reduce a variation in the temperature of the refrigerator in the second mode compared to a variation in the temperature of the refrigerator in the first mode.

3. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein:

the cooling section includes: a condenser; a first cooler for generating cool air of the refrigerating chamber; a second cooler for generating cool air of the freezing chamber; and a switching valve for switching a supply destination of the refrigerant generated by the condenser to the first cooler or the second cooler,

the refrigerator control unit controls the switching valve such that a variation in the temperature of the refrigerator in the second mode is smaller than a variation in the temperature of the refrigerator in the first mode.

4. A refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein:

the second mode includes: a temperature reduction mode for reducing the temperature in the refrigerator from the temperature in the refrigerator in the first mode; and a temperature maintaining mode for maintaining the in-house temperature reduced in the temperature reducing mode.

5. The refrigerator of claim 4, wherein:

the refrigerator control unit sets the rotation speed of the compressor in the temperature reduction mode to be higher than that in the temperature maintenance mode.

6. A refrigerator control system comprising a refrigerator and a server capable of communicating with the refrigerator, the refrigerator control system characterized by:

the server transmits transition instruction information for transitioning an operation mode of the refrigerator from a first mode to a second mode having a lower temperature in the refrigerator than the first mode to the refrigerator when a forecast of a cause of occurrence of a power failure is issued to an area including a place where the refrigerator is installed,

and when the refrigerator receives the transfer instruction information, the operation mode is transferred from the first mode to the second mode, and in the second mode, the interior of the refrigerator is cooled so that the temperature variation in the refrigerator is smaller than the temperature variation in the refrigerator in the first mode.

7. The refrigerator control system of claim 6, wherein:

comprising a terminal device capable of communicating with said server,

The terminal device transmits the transfer instruction information to the server when receiving a transfer instruction to the second mode from the user of the refrigerator,

and the server sends the received transfer instruction information to the refrigerator when receiving the transfer instruction information.