CN117989788A - Refrigerator with a refrigerator body - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a refrigerator which is easy to eat food taken out from a storage room at regular time of catering. The refrigerator according to the embodiment includes a storage chamber, and performs cooling control of the storage chamber, wherein a target time from when the food is taken out of the storage chamber to when the food is consumed is presented according to a storage state or a feature of the food stored in the storage chamber.

Description

Refrigerator with a refrigerator body

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a refrigerator.

Background

Conventionally, foods stored in storage compartments such as a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment are used by being filled into lunch boxes. When used in this way, it is troublesome for the user to defrost food taken out of the storage room by a microwave oven or the like.

For this reason, for example, as described in patent document 1, the following means are also known: the food or the like taken out of the storage compartment is not thawed by a microwave oven, and is put into a lunch box or the like as it is, and is eaten after a certain time has elapsed.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication 2016-80318

Disclosure of Invention

However, in the case where the food taken out from the storage chamber is put in a lunch box or the like as it is, there is a possibility that the food is spoiled by overheating when actually consumed, or conversely, the food is not sufficiently thawed.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that can easily eat food taken out of a storage compartment at a timing of eating.

The refrigerator according to the embodiment includes a storage chamber, and performs cooling control of the storage chamber, wherein a target time from when the food is taken out of the storage chamber to when the food is consumed is presented according to a storage state of the food stored in the storage chamber.

According to the above configuration, the food taken out of the storage compartment can be easily consumed at the timing of eating and drinking.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a refrigerator.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the refrigerator.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram centering on the control section.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart of embodiment 1.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart of modification 5 of embodiment 1.

Fig. 6 is a display of a display unit according to modification 6 of embodiment 1.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart of modification 7 of embodiment 1.

Fig. 8 is a display of a display unit of modification 8 of embodiment 1.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart of modification 10 of embodiment 1.

Description of the reference numerals

10 … Refrigerator, 11 … housing, 12 … operating panel, 13 … operating portion, 14 … display portion, 15 … speaker, 20 … refrigerator, 21 … thermally insulated partition wall, 22 … vegetable compartment, 24 … placement shelf, 26 … chilled compartment, 27 small freezer compartment, 28 … freezer compartment, 30 … first cooler, 31 … duct, 32 … first fan, 33 … second cooler, 34 … second fan, 35 … defroster, 36 … mechanical compartment, 37 … compressor, 40 … control portion, 41 … storage portion, 42 … temperature sensor, 43 … door sensor, 44 … communication portion, 50 … refrigerator door, 51 2 refrigerator door, 52 … vegetable compartment door, 53 … ice making door, 54 … small freezer door, 55 freezer door.

Detailed Description

The embodiments are described based on the drawings. The following embodiments are examples, and the scope of the invention is not limited thereto. The following embodiments may be implemented in various other modes, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

1. Embodiment 1

Fig. 1 and 2 show a refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment. The refrigerator 10 has a heat insulating case 11 forming an outer contour. A communication unit 44 (see fig. 3) capable of communicating with an external terminal such as a smart phone is provided at a predetermined position of the housing 11.

The inside of the housing 11 is partitioned up and down by a heat insulating partition wall 21. Above the insulating partition wall 21 is a refrigerating space. The refrigerated space is maintained at a refrigerated temperature suitable for refrigerated storage. Further, below the heat-insulating partition wall 21 is a refrigerating space. The refrigerated space is maintained at a freezing temperature suitable for cryopreservation.

A plurality of storage compartments for storing foods (also referred to as food materials) are provided in the refrigerating space and the freezing space, respectively. Each storage chamber has an opening in the front, and a user can take out or put in food from the opening.

A refrigerating compartment 20 and a vegetable compartment 22 are provided in this order from above in the refrigerating space. A plurality of placement shelves 24 are provided in the refrigerator compartment 20. The periphery of the placement shelf 24 in the refrigerating chamber 20 is maintained at a refrigerating temperature in a range of, for example, 2 to 5 ℃. A fresh food compartment 26 is provided at a lower portion in the refrigerator compartment 20. The fresh food compartment 26 is a place where the temperature is maintained at a particularly low level, for example, 0 to 3 ℃.

The front opening of the refrigerating chamber 20 is opened and closed by a pair of left and right refrigerating chamber doors 50, 51 of the french type (split type). The refrigerating compartment door 50 at the left side is provided with the operation panel 12. The operation panel 12 is provided with an operation unit 13 and a display unit 14. The operation portion 13 is a portion for a user to operate the refrigerator 10. The display unit 14 is a unit for displaying desired information to a user.

The operation unit 13 displays various buttons. Examples of the buttons include a temperature setting button for setting the temperature of the storage chamber, a food information input button for inputting information related to food placed in the storage chamber (for example, the type of food, the amount of food, the packaging state of food, etc.), a time information input button for inputting information related to time (for example, the time when food is placed in the storage chamber, the time when food is stored in the storage chamber in advance, the time when food is taken out of the storage chamber, etc.), an environmental information input button for inputting information related to the environment (for example, the outside air temperature and humidity), an information input button after taking out for inputting information related to the environment after taking out food from the storage chamber (for example, the method of preserving food after taking out, the method of carrying, etc.), and various buttons such as a control button for issuing instructions related to control of the refrigerator (for example, instructions related to ice making and quick freezing).

The user of the refrigerator 10 inputs information for presenting a target time (a target time after taking out food from the storage chamber until eating the food) described later or instructs the refrigerator 10 to perform control by operating a button.

The display unit 14 is constituted by a liquid crystal display device, for example. The display unit 14 displays the target time, advice to the user, the operation state of the refrigerator 10, and the like. A speaker 15 is provided adjacent to the display unit 14 and emits a sound or a beep.

The vegetable compartment 22 is maintained at a temperature in the range of, for example, 4 to 7 ℃. A drawer-type container is accommodated in the vegetable compartment 22. The front opening of the vegetable room 22 is opened and closed by a drawer-type vegetable room door 52.

An ice making chamber (not shown) is provided on the upper left side of the refrigerating space. In addition, a small freezing chamber 27 is provided at the upper right side of the freezing space (right side of the ice making chamber). A freezing chamber 28 is provided below the ice making chamber and the small freezing chamber 27. Drawer-type storage containers are stored in the small freezing chamber 27 and the freezing chamber 28, respectively. The interior of the ice making chamber, the small freezing chamber 27, and the freezing chamber 28 is maintained at a freezing temperature in the range of, for example, -20 to-18 ℃ during normal operation.

The small freezing chamber 27 is an object storage chamber for storing food to be an object for presenting the target time. The volume of the small freezing chamber 27 is smaller than that of the freezing chamber 28, so that temperature adjustment is easier, and on the basis of this, the food placed therein can be cooled rapidly.

The front opening of the ice making chamber is opened and closed by a drawer-type ice making chamber door 53. The front opening of the small freezing chamber 27 is opened and closed by a drawer-type small freezing chamber door 54. The front opening of the freezing chamber 28 is opened and closed by a drawer-type freezing chamber door 55.

The back of the refrigerating space is provided with: a first cooler 30 that generates cool air; and a first fan 32 as an air blowing device for circulating the generated cool air. The cold air generated in the first cooler 30 is blown out into the refrigerating space through the duct 31 extending upward from the first cooler 30, and circulates in the refrigerating space. The cool air circulated in the refrigerating space is returned to the location of the first cooler 30.

In addition, a back of the refrigerating space is provided with: a second cooler 33 that generates cool air; and a second fan 34 as an air blowing device for circulating the generated cool air. The cool air generated in the second cooler 33 is blown out into the refrigerating space and returned to the location of the second cooler 33 after the refrigerating space circulates.

A defroster 35 is provided in the vicinity of the second cooler 33. When energized, the defroster 35 heats up, and thereby melts and removes (i.e., defrost) the frost adhering to the second cooler 33. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, for example, when cold air is generated in the second cooler 33 for a predetermined period of time, defrosting is performed by the defrosting device 35.

A machine room 36 is provided at the rear of the lower portion of the refrigerator 10. The machine chamber 36 houses a compressor 37, a condenser (not shown), and the like. The compressor 37, the condenser, the first cooler 30, the second cooler 33, and the like constitute a well-known refrigeration cycle device. The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 37 alternately flows through the first cooler 30 and the second cooler 33, and cold air is alternately generated in the first cooler 30 and the second cooler 33.

Temperature sensors 42 (see fig. 3) for measuring the temperatures of the storage chambers are provided in the refrigerating chamber 20, the vegetable chamber 22, the fresh food chamber 26, the ice making chamber, the small freezing chamber 27, and the freezing chamber 28, respectively. Further, door sensors 43 (see fig. 3) for monitoring the opening and closing of the doors are provided to the refrigerating compartment doors 50 and 51, the vegetable compartment door 52, the ice making compartment door 53, the small freezing compartment door 54, and the freezing compartment door 55, respectively.

As shown in fig. 3, the refrigerator 10 is provided with a control unit 40 and a storage unit 41. The control unit 40 is connected to a temperature sensor 42, a door sensor 43, an operation unit 13, a display unit 14, a speaker 15, a communication unit 44, a compressor 37, a first fan 32, a second fan 34, and the like. The control unit 40 controls the devices such as the compressor 37 or displays the display unit 14 based on the input from the operation unit 13, the measurement results of the temperature sensor 42 and the door sensor 43, and the like.

The storage unit 41 stores: information (control information) of control performed by the control unit 40, which is information used when determining a target time from when the food is taken out of the storage chamber until when the food is consumed.

Here, when determining the target time, use is made of: the estimated temperature of the food at the time of taking out from the storage chamber (in the present embodiment, the small freezing chamber 27), information on the environment in which the food is placed until the user takes out the food from the storage chamber, information indicating the degree to which the temperature of the food is maintained after taking out from the storage chamber, and the like.

As information used for estimating the temperature of the food at the time of taking out from the storage chamber, for example, information such as the storage time of the food can be given. Examples of the information that can improve the accuracy of the estimated temperature of the food when the food is taken out of the storage chamber include the temperature of the storage chamber (for example, the set temperature of the storage chamber, the temperature of the storage chamber actually measured, the temperature of the storage chamber input by the user, and the like), control information (for example, information on defrosting, information on the amount of cold air supplied to the storage chamber, and the like, as described later), information on the cooling easiness of the food (for example, information on the amount, type, processing state, storage state, and the like of the food), and the temperature of the food before the food is placed in the storage chamber.

Examples of the information of the environment in which the food is placed until the food is taken out of the storage room by the user include the temperature of the outside air (for example, the temperature of the outside air input by the user, the temperature of the outside air measured by the sensor, and the like), the humidity of the outside air (for example, the humidity of the outside air input by the user, the humidity of the outside air measured by the sensor, and the like), the information of the storage method of the food (for example, information of the storage method in which the food is placed in a lunch box, placed in a cold box, placed in a lunch box, and further placed in a cold box, the place is indoor, the place is outdoor (including being carried to the outside), and the like).

Further, as information indicating the degree to which the temperature of the food is maintained after the food is taken out of the storage chamber, there may be mentioned information about an increase in the temperature of the food (for example, information about the type, weight, shape, storage method, etc. of the food) and information about the state of the food when the food is consumed (for example, information about eating at normal temperature, eating in a cooled state such as semi-thawing, eating in a frozen state, etc.).

The storage unit 41 stores data used when determining the target time based on the above information. As such data, for example, a table showing the relationship between any 1 or more of the above information and the target time, a function in which any 1 or more of the above information is used as an independent variable and the target time is used as a dependent variable, and the like are stored in the storage unit 41.

The control information stored in the storage unit 41 includes at least information on defrosting after the food is placed in the storage chamber (for example, information on whether or not defrosting is performed and the number of times defrosting is performed), at least information on the amount of cold air supplied to the small freezing chamber 27 after the food is placed in the storage chamber (for example, information on the operation of the compressor 37, the first fan 32, and the second fan 34 (for example, information on the time series of the start, stop, and the rotational speed during operation)), and at least various information on the control (actually performed control) such as the monitoring result of the door sensor 43 after the food is placed in the storage chamber (for example, whether or not the door such as the small freezing chamber door 54 is opened or closed, and the number of times of opening and closing).

With the refrigerator 10 having the above configuration, the display unit 14 presents a target time until eating after the food is taken out from the small freezing chamber 27 according to the storage state of the food. In detail, the food is stored in the small freezing chamber 27 in advance. It is assumed that the food is stored in the small freezing chamber 27 for a long period of time so that the whole including the core of the food reaches the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 27.

The user operates the operation unit 13 and inputs a predetermined time (a predetermined time for taking out) for taking out the food from the small freezing chamber 27. Here, data indicating the relationship between the temperature of the food at the time of taking out from the small freezing chamber 27 and the time from the time when the food is taken out from the small freezing chamber 27 until the food reaches a state most suitable for eating is stored in the storage unit 41 in advance. The control unit 40 determines the target time based on the data and the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 27 (as described above, the set temperature is assumed to be the temperature of the food at the time of taking out). The control unit 40 adds the determined target time to the predetermined take-out time input from the operation unit 13, and determines a time optimal for eating (optimal eating time). The display unit 14 displays the optimal time for eating.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing a case where the control unit 40 determines that the target time is 4 hours based on the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 27 and the data of the storage unit 41.

As shown in fig. 4, when the user inputs 6 points as the scheduled take-out time, the control unit 40 determines the target time to be 4 hours based on the data or the like of the storage unit 41, and then determines the optimal eating time to be 10 points by adding 4 hours to the 6 points as the scheduled take-out time, and the display unit 14 displays the 10 points as the optimal eating time. Here, although the display unit 14 displays the optimal eating time, it can be said that the target time from the time when the food is taken out from the small freezing chamber 27 until the food is eaten is indirectly presented.

Similarly, when the user inputs 8 points as the scheduled time for extraction, the control unit 40 determines the optimal eating time as 12 points by adding 4 hours to the 8 points as the scheduled time for extraction, and the display unit 14 displays the 12 points as the optimal eating time. When the user inputs 10 points as the scheduled time for extraction, the control unit 40 determines the optimal eating time as 14 points by adding 4 hours to the 10 points as the scheduled time for extraction, and the display unit 14 displays the 14 points as the optimal eating time.

The user confirms the optimal eating time displayed on the display unit 14. Then, the user takes out the food from the small freezing chamber 27 at the scheduled take-out timing, and fills the food in the lunch box without performing a process such as thawing. When the user carries the lunch box and the best eating time is displayed, the user opens the lunch box to eat the food. At this time, the food is naturally thawed, and the temperature, softness, etc. are brought into a state most suitable for eating. Thus, according to the present embodiment, the food taken out of the small freezing chamber 27 is easily consumed at the timing of eating.

Various modifications can be made to embodiment 1. Any 1 of the modifications described below may be applied to the above-described embodiment, or any 2 or more may be applied to the above-described embodiment in combination.

Modification 1 of embodiment 1>

The object storage room for storing the food serving as the object of presenting the target time is not limited to the small freezing room 27. The storage chambers other than the small freezing chamber 27 (for example, the freezing chamber 28) of the freezing space may be defined as target storage chambers in advance, or any one of the storage chambers of the refrigerating space (for example, the fresh air cooling chamber 26) may be defined as target storage chambers in advance.

Modification 2 of embodiment 1>

The target storage room for storing the food to be the target of the presentation target time may be selectable by the user without being defined as any storage room in advance. Specifically, when the user performs a predetermined operation using the operation panel 12, a plurality of storage compartments provided in the refrigerator 10 are displayed on the display unit 14. The user selects a storage room intended to be used as a subject storage room from the displayed storage rooms. The user performs the method of using the small freezing chamber 27 according to the above embodiment with respect to the selected storage chamber.

Modification 3 of embodiment 1>

The arrangement and number of the storage compartments are not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the refrigerator may have only 1 storage chamber functioning as a refrigerating chamber, a freezing chamber, or both of them, and the storage chamber may be a target storage chamber for storing foods to be a target of the presentation target time.

Modification 4 of embodiment 1>

The optimal consumption time, target time, etc. may be prompted by voice from the speaker 15. The optimal eating time, the target time, and the like may be presented to an external terminal via the communication unit 44. The optimal eating time, the target time, and the like may be presented by any 2 or more of the display unit 14, the speaker 15, and the external terminal.

In addition, the operation unit 13 and the display unit 14 may be indistinct. Can be formed into the following structure: the display unit 14 displays buttons for operation and the like so that the display unit 14 also serves as the operation unit 13.

Modification 5 of embodiment 1

The control unit 40 may adjust the target time based on cooling control of the small freezing chamber 27 after the food is placed in the small freezing chamber 27 (preferably, cooling control of the small freezing chamber 27 from when the food is placed in the small freezing chamber 27 until confirmation of the target time).

Here, the cooling control of the small freezing chamber 27 refers to the entire control related to the cooling of the small freezing chamber 27, and includes a control by the control section 40, a matter measured or detected by various sensors (also referred to as monitors), and the like. Examples of the control by the control unit 40 include a set temperature of the freezing chamber 27, the presence or absence of defrosting, the number of times of defrosting performed, and the amount of cold air supplied to the small freezing chamber 27 (more specifically, at least one of the circulation time of the refrigerant flowing to the second cooler 33, the rotation time of the second fan 34, the rotation speed of the second fan 34, and the like). Examples of the items to be measured or detected by the various sensors include the actual temperature of the small freezing chamber 27 measured by the temperature sensor 42, the presence or absence of opening and closing of the small freezing chamber door 54 detected by the door sensor 43, and the number of times of opening and closing of the small freezing chamber door 54. At least a part of the information related to the cooling control is repeated with the "control information".

The information on the cooling control of the small freezing chamber 27 includes a case of being directly acquired from the control unit 40, a case of being acquired by various sensors provided in the refrigerator 10, a case of being acquired by an input from the operation unit 13 by a user, a case of being acquired from an external terminal via the communication unit 44, and the like.

As cooling control of the small freezing chamber 27, there are control of a direction in which food stored in the small freezing chamber 27 is cooled to a lower temperature or cooled more rapidly, and control of a direction in which food is cooled to a higher temperature or cooled more slowly. For example, when the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 27 is low, when the actual temperature is low, when defrosting is not performed, when the amount of cold air supplied to the small freezing chamber 27 is large, when the small freezing chamber door 54 is not opened or closed, it can be said that control of the direction in which food is cooled to a lower temperature or cooled more quickly is performed. In contrast, in the case where the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 27 is high, the actual temperature is high, the defrosting is performed, the amount of cold air supplied to the small freezing chamber 27 is small, the small freezing chamber door 54 is opened and closed several times, or the like, it can be said that control is performed in a direction in which food is cooled to a higher temperature or cooled more slowly.

First, as described above, the control unit 40 determines the target time based on the storage state of the food product (specifically, the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 27 as described with reference to fig. 4). The target time determined at this time is the assumed target time.

The control unit 40 adjusts the assumed target time based on the information of the cooling control of the small freezing chamber 27, and determines the final target time. Specifically, when the control is performed in a direction of cooling the food to a lower temperature or more quickly after the food is placed in the small freezing chamber 27, the control unit 40 performs any operation such as subtraction operation or division operation on the assumed target time, thereby determining a final target time shorter than the assumed target time. When the control is performed in a direction of cooling the food to a higher temperature or more gradually after the food is placed in the small freezing chamber 27, the control unit 40 determines a final target time longer than the assumed target time by performing any of addition, multiplication, and the like on the assumed target time.

The data for adjusting the target time from the assumed target time to the final target time is stored in the storage unit 41 in advance.

Fig. 5 shows a specific example of this modification. In the specific example shown in fig. 5, first, the user operates the operation unit 13, and inputs 6 points as the take-out scheduled time. Here, the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 27 after the food is put into the small freezing chamber 27 is set to-18 ℃. In this case, the control unit 40 sets the optimal eating time to 10 points by adding 4 hours, which is defined as the target time when the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 27 is-18 ℃, to 6 points which are the taking-out scheduled time.

However, in the case where the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 27 after the food is put into the small freezing chamber 27 is-10 ℃, control is performed such that the food reaches a higher temperature than when the set temperature is-18 ℃. In this case, the control unit 40 sets the 4 hours as the assumed target time, and performs subtraction to shorten the target time by 30 minutes based on the data of the storage unit 41, so that the final target time is set to 3 hours and 30 minutes. The control unit 40 adds 3 hours and 30 minutes to 6 points, which are the scheduled take-out times, and sets the optimal eating time to 9 points and 30 minutes.

In the same manner, when the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 27 after the food is placed in the small freezing chamber 27 is-5 ℃ higher than-18 ℃, the control unit 40 performs subtraction operation for shortening 4 hours, which is the assumed target time, by 1 hour based on the data of the storage unit 41, and the final target time is set to 3 hours. The control unit 40 adds 3 hours to 6 points, which are the scheduled take-out times, and sets the optimal eating time to 9 points.

The display unit 14 displays the optimal eating time corresponding to the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 27. In this way, the target time is adjusted based on the cooling control of the small freezing chamber 27 after the food is put into the small freezing chamber 27, so that the accuracy of the presented target time can be improved, and the user can be allowed to eat the food in a better state.

Modification 6 of embodiment 1

In modification 6, first, the control unit 40 determines the assumed target time in the same manner as in modification 5. Next, the control section 40 assumes: cooling control of the small freezing chamber 27 after the food is put into the small freezing chamber 27. Here, regarding the freezing control items (for example, the set temperatures) selected by the user or the like, the control unit 40 assumes a plurality of controls (for example, a plurality of set temperatures). Next, the control unit 40 determines the final target time for performing the adjustment based on the above assumption. The method of adjusting the assumed target time to be the final target time is the same as that of modification 5.

The display unit 14 distinguishes between cases corresponding to the cooling control of the small freezing chamber 27, and displays the target time in each case. The displayed content may be an optimal consumption time indirectly representing the target time.

Fig. 6 is a display example of the display unit 14 in the case where the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 27 after the food is placed in the small freezing chamber 27 is assumed to be any one of-18 ℃, -10 ℃ and-5 ℃ as in modification 5, and the control unit 40 adjusts the target time based on the assumption. In this example, the optimal consumption times for the temperatures set at-18 ℃, at-10 ℃ and at-5 ℃ are shown.

From this display, the user can know the optimal eating time corresponding to the difference in cooling control of the small freezing chamber 27.

Modification 7 of embodiment 1

The control unit 40 can acquire environmental information on the food after being taken out from the small freezing chamber 27 until the food is eaten, and adjust the target time based on the environmental information.

Here, the environmental information means all information of the environment in which the food is placed during the period from the time when the food is taken out from the small freezing chamber 27 until the time when the food is consumed. Examples of such environmental information include the temperature of the outside air, the humidity of the outside air, the method of carrying and storing the food (for example, placing the food in a lunch box and then placing the food in a cold box, or placing the food in a place where the lunch box is placed, for example, indoors or outdoors).

Such environmental information may be acquired by a sensor (for example, a sensor not shown for measuring the temperature and humidity of the outside air) provided in the refrigerator 10, by an input from the operation unit 13 by a user, or by the communication unit 44 from an external terminal.

Depending on the environment in which the food is placed until it is eaten after being taken out from the small freezing chamber 27, the time until the food reaches a state most suitable for eating varies. For example, in the case where the temperature of the outside air is high, and in the case where the lunch box in which the food is put is not put in the cold box, the food is quickly thawed. In addition, in the case where the temperature or humidity of the outside air is high, if a long time passes after the extraction from the small freezing chamber 27, there is a possibility that the food may be spoiled. In this case, the time until the food reaches a state most suitable for eating is short. Based on this, the control unit 40 adjusts the target time based on the environmental information from the time when the food is taken out from the small freezing chamber 27 until the food is consumed.

First, as described above, the control unit 40 determines the target time based on the storage state of the food product (specifically, the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 27 as described with reference to fig. 4). The target time determined at this time is the assumed target time.

The control unit 40 adjusts the assumed target time based on the environmental information, and determines the final target time. Specifically, when the environment in which the food is placed until the food is eaten after being taken out from the small freezing chamber 27 is an environment in which the time until the food reaches a state most suitable for eating is shortened, the control unit 40 performs any operation such as subtraction and division on the assumed target time to determine a final target time shorter than the assumed target time. When the environment in which the food is placed after the food is taken out from the small freezing chamber 27 and until the food is consumed is an environment in which the time until the food reaches a state most suitable for consumption is prolonged, the control unit 40 determines a final target time longer than the assumed target time by performing any of addition, multiplication, and the like on the assumed target time.

The data for adjusting the target time from the assumed target time to the final target time is stored in the storage unit 41 in advance.

In the specific example shown in fig. 7, first, the user operates the operation unit 13, and inputs 6 points as the time to take out. At this time, the assumed target time is set to 4 hours. The user operates the operation unit 13 and inputs the temperature of the outside air. Here, the temperature of the outside air was set to 30 ℃. Data indicating the relationship between the temperature of the outside air and the adjustment value of the target time is stored in the storage unit 41, and the assumed target time is not adjusted when the temperature of the outside air is 30 ℃. Therefore, the control unit 40 sets the final target time as it is for 4 hours, which is the assumed target time, and sets the optimal eating time to 10 points by adding the final target time to 6 points, which are the predetermined taking-out times. The display unit 14 displays 10 points, which are optimal eating times.

However, in the case where the temperature of the external air is 20 ℃ lower than 30 ℃, it takes more time until the food is thawed. In this case, the control unit 40 sets the 4 hours as the assumed target time, and performs addition operation to lengthen the target time by 2 hours based on the information of the storage unit 41, so that the final target time is set to 6 hours. The control unit 40 adds the 6 hours to 6 points, which are the scheduled take-out times, and sets the optimal eating time to 12 points. The display unit 14 displays 12 points, which are optimal eating times.

In the same way, when the temperature of the outside air is 10 ℃ lower than 30 ℃, the control unit 40 sets the 4 hours as the assumed target time, and then performs addition operation to lengthen the target time by 4 hours based on the data of the storage unit 41, thereby setting the final target time to 8 hours. The control unit 40 adds 8 hours to 6 points, which are the scheduled take-out times, and sets the optimal eating time to 14 points. The display unit 14 displays 14 points, which are optimal eating times.

In this way, the target time is adjusted based on the environmental information of the food placed until the food is consumed after being taken out from the small freezing chamber 27, so that the accuracy of the presented target time can be improved, and the user can be allowed to consume the food in a better state.

Modification 8 of embodiment 1

In modification 8, first, the control unit 40 determines the assumed target time in the same manner as in modification 7. Next, the control unit 40 assumes that the environmental information of the food is placed until the food is consumed after being taken out from the small freezing chamber 27. Here, as an environment in which food is placed, the control section 40 assumes a plurality of environments (for example, a plurality of outside air temperatures). Next, the control unit 40 determines the final target time for performing the adjustment based on the above assumption. The method of adjusting the assumed target time to be the final target time is the same as that of modification 7.

The display unit 14 distinguishes the case according to the environmental information, and displays the target time in each case. The displayed content may be an optimal consumption time indirectly representing the target time.

Fig. 8 is a display example of the display unit 14 in the case where the temperature of the outside air is assumed to be 30 ℃,20 ℃, and 10 ℃, and the control unit 40 adjusts the target time based on these assumptions. In this display example, optimal eating times at a set temperature of 30 ℃,20 ℃ and 10 ℃ are shown, respectively.

According to this display, the user can know the optimal eating time corresponding to the difference in the environment.

Modification 9 of embodiment 1

In modification 9, first, the control unit 40 determines the assumed target time based on the storage state of the food (specifically, the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 27 as described with reference to fig. 4) as described above. Next, the control unit 40 acquires information on characteristics of the food (for example, characteristics related to temperature such as ease of cooling the food, degree of low-temperature maintenance, temperature of the food when the food is placed in the storage room, purpose of use of the food, and the like), and adjusts the assumed target time based on the information to determine the final target time. The data used for this adjustment is stored in the storage unit 41 in advance. The display unit 14 displays the target time (final target time) or the optimal eating time.

Thus, the target time is adjusted based on the characteristics of the food, so that the accuracy of the presented target time can be improved, and the user can eat the food in a better state.

Here, as a specific example of modification 9, 2 specific examples will be described.

In the first specific example, the control unit 40 determines the assumed target time based on the storage state of the food. The control unit 40 acquires information on the cooling easiness of the food as a characteristic of the food, and adjusts the assumed target time based on the acquired information to determine the final target time. The display unit 14 presents the final target time for which adjustment is performed based on the information on the cooling easiness of the food.

The information on the cooling easiness is, for example, the amount (e.g., weight and volume) of the food, the type of the food (e.g., type of vegetables, meat, frozen processed food, rice ball, cake, etc.), the processing state of the food (e.g., processing state of cutting into pieces or slices in the case of meat), the storage state of the food in the small freezing chamber 27 (e.g., whether or not a container such as a lunch box is placed, the material of a container made of resin or metal, and the manner of whether or not a container such as a lid is placed), and the like. In order to present the present embodiment, information indicating the cooling easiness of the food and information indicating the relationship between the time after the food is taken out from the small freezing chamber 27 and the time until the food reaches the state most suitable for eating are stored in the storage unit 41 in advance.

As data showing the relationship between information on the cooling easiness of food and time until the food reaches a state most suitable for eating, for example, there are the following data: the more the amount of food, the longer the time until the most suitable state for eating is reached; and data of a predetermined time for each type of food.

When the user performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit 13, a screen for inputting information related to the cooling easiness is displayed on the display unit 14. In this screen, for example, 1 or more of an input field of the amount of food, an input field of the type of food, an input field of the processing state of food, an input field of the storage state of food, and the like are present. The user inputs information on the cooling easiness in the screen.

When information on the cooling easiness is input, the control unit 40 adjusts the previously determined assumed target time based on the input information and the data stored in the storage unit 41, and determines a final target time (target time from the time when the food is taken out from the storage chamber until the time when the food is consumed). The display unit 14 displays the determined target time.

In this way, the target time is adjusted based on the information on the cooling easiness of the food, so that the accuracy of the presented target time can be improved, and the user can eat the food in a better state.

In the second specific example, the control unit 40 determines the assumed target time based on the storage state of the food. The control unit 40 acquires information on the purpose of food use, and adjusts the assumed target time based on the acquired information to determine the final target time. The display unit 14 presents the final target time for which the adjustment based on the information of the purpose of food use is performed.

Examples of the purpose of food use include a purpose of eating after being carried in a lunch box and completely thawed, a purpose of eating after being semi-thawed in a household, and a purpose of use in outdoor barbecue. Further, as a food to be carried in a lunch box and to be eaten after being completely thawed, frozen food and the like are exemplified. Further, as foods for the purpose of achieving semi-thawing and eating in the home, snack foods and the like are mentioned. Further, as foods for the purpose of use in outdoor barbecue, meat and the like are mentioned. The data of the target time corresponding to the use purpose is stored in the storage unit 41 in advance.

The user operates the operation unit 13 at an arbitrary timing to input the purpose of food use. When the information of the purpose of use is input, the control unit 40 adjusts the previously determined assumed target time based on the input information and the data stored in the storage unit 41, and thereby determines the final target time (the target time after the food is taken out from the storage chamber until the food is consumed). The display unit 14 displays the determined target time.

In this way, the target time is adjusted based on the purpose of use, so that the accuracy of the presented target time can be improved, and the user can eat food in a better state.

Modification 10 of embodiment 1

The display portion 14 may prompt advice about the environment in which the food is placed after being taken out from the small freezing chamber 27 until being eaten.

For example, when the temperature of the outside air is higher than a predetermined temperature set in advance, or when the storage time of the food in the small freezing chamber 27 is shorter than a predetermined time set in advance, the display unit 14 displays a proposal to put the food in the cold box and to put the food in a cool place.

In particular, when there is an environmental-related matter that is not considered when determining the target time, it is preferable to propose a scheme for the environmental-related matter.

Fig. 9 shows a specific example of modification 10. In this specific example, first, as in one of the options in fig. 4, 6 points are input as the take-out scheduled time, and 10 points as the optimal eating time are displayed. In this specific example, after the optimal eating time is displayed, the content of inquiring the temperature of the outside air is displayed on the display unit 14.

If the user inputs a temperature of less than 20 ℃ for the inquiry, the display unit 14 displays that the food should be consumed at the optimal time. However, if the user inputs a temperature of 20 ℃ or higher and less than 30 ℃ for the inquiry, the display unit 14 displays contents of a recommendation to store food in a cool place in addition to the optimal time for eating. When the user inputs a temperature of 30 ℃ or higher for the inquiry, the display unit 14 displays the content of the food recommended to be placed in the cold box in addition to the optimal time for eating. According to the display, the user can store the food in a proper environment, and can eat the food at regular time of eating.

Modification 11 of embodiment 1

As the information of the storage time, the user may input a time taken out after several hours (or several hours from the current time if expressed otherwise) at the operation unit 13 instead of the predetermined time taken out of the storage chamber.

In this case, the control unit 40 also determines the target time based on the estimation that the temperature of the food product at the time of taking out from the small freezing chamber 27 is equal to the set temperature, and the display unit 14 displays the optimal eating time.

2. Embodiment 2

In embodiment 2, the target time is determined based on the storage time of the food product in the small freezing chamber 27. In addition, the storage time of the food is one of the storage states of the food. Embodiment 2 is an embodiment in which the target time is determined based on a storage time of several hours thereafter, and is an embodiment in which the user confirms the target time at the timing of placing food in the small freezing chamber 27.

The user operates the operation unit 13 at the timing of putting food into the small freezing chamber 27, and inputs a predetermined time (a predetermined time to take out) when food is taken out from the small freezing chamber 27 as information of the storage time. Here, the storage unit 41 stores in advance data indicating the relationship between 3 of the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 27, the storage time of the small freezing chamber 27, and the temperature of the food, and data indicating the relationship between the temperature of the food at the time of taking out the small freezing chamber 27 and the time from the time of taking out the food from the small freezing chamber 27 until the food reaches a state most suitable for eating.

After the user inputs, first, the control unit 40 estimates the temperature of the food at the time of taking out the food from the small freezing chamber 27 based on the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 27, the inputted scheduled time for taking out, the current time, and the data of the storage unit 41 (specifically, the data indicating the relationship among the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 27, the storage time in the small freezing chamber 27, and the temperature of the food).

Next, the control unit 40 determines a target time from the time when the food is taken out from the small freezing chamber 27 until the food is eaten, based on the estimated temperature of the food at the time of taking out and the data of the storage unit 41 (specifically, data indicating a relationship between the temperature of the food at the time of taking out and the time until the food is taken out from the small freezing chamber 27 until the state most suitable for eating is reached). The control unit 40 determines a time optimal for eating (optimal eating time) based on the determined target time and the predetermined time to be taken out inputted from the operation unit 13.

The display unit 14 displays the optimal time for eating. At this time, the display unit 14 displays the optimal eating time, but it can be said that the target time from the time when the food is taken out from the small freezing chamber 27 until the time when the food is eaten is indirectly presented.

In embodiment 2, any one or more of modification 1 to modification 10 of embodiment 1 may be modified. When there are a plurality of items to be input by the user, the input screen may be displayed so that the user can input a plurality of items on 1 input screen (the input screen is displayed on the display unit 14), or the input screen may be changed every time the user inputs 1 item.

In embodiment 2, as described in modification 11 of embodiment 1, the user may input, as information of the storage time, a time taken out after several hours (or several hours from the current time when the user is stored in another way) instead of the predetermined time taken out of the storage chamber in the operation unit 13.

3. Embodiment 3

In embodiment 3, the target time is determined based on the storage time of the food product in the small freezing chamber 27. Embodiment 3 is an embodiment in which a user performs an operation of confirming a target time at the timing of taking out food from the small freezing chamber 27, and determines the target time based on the storage time up to this point.

The user operates the operation unit 13 at the timing of taking out the food from the small freezing chamber 27, and inputs the time (storage start time) of putting the food into the small freezing chamber 27 as information of the storage time. Here, the storage unit 41 stores in advance data indicating the relationship between 3 of the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 27, the storage time in the small freezing chamber 27, and the temperature of the food, and data indicating the relationship between the temperature of the food at the time of taking out the small freezing chamber 27 and the time from the time of taking out the food from the small freezing chamber 27 until the food reaches a state most suitable for eating.

After the user inputs, first, the control unit 40 estimates the current temperature of the food, which is the time when the food is taken out from the small freezing chamber 27, based on the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 27, the storage start time, the current time, and the data of the storage unit 41 (specifically, data indicating the relationship among the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 27, the storage time in the small freezing chamber 27, and the temperature of the food).

Next, the control unit 40 determines a target time from the time when the food is taken out from the small freezing chamber 27 until the food is eaten, based on the estimated current temperature of the food and the data of the storage unit 41 (specifically, the data indicating a relationship between the temperature of the food at the time of taking out and the time until the food is taken out from the small freezing chamber 27 until the state most suitable for eating is reached). The control unit 40 adds the determined target time to the current time to determine a time optimal for eating (optimal eating time). The display unit 14 displays the optimal time for eating. At this time, the display unit 14 displays the optimal eating time, but it can be said that the target time from the time when the food is taken out from the small freezing chamber 27 until the time when the food is eaten is indirectly presented.

In embodiment 3, any one or more of modification 1 to modification 10 of embodiment 1 may be modified. When there are a plurality of items to be input by the user, the input screen may be displayed so that the user can input a plurality of items on 1 input screen (the input screen is displayed on the display unit 14), or the input screen may be changed every time the user inputs 1 item.

Further, as the information of the storage time, food may be stored in the small freezing chamber 27 for several hours instead of the storage start time. Instead of estimating the temperature of the food at the time of extraction by the control unit 40, the temperature of the food at the time of extraction may be measured by a temperature sensor (such a temperature sensor is located in the small freezing chamber 27, for example).

4. Embodiment 4

In embodiment 4, the target time is determined based on the storage time of the food product in the small freezing chamber 27. Embodiment 4 is an embodiment in which the target time is determined based on the storage time of several hours until the food is taken out from the small freezing chamber 27.

The user operates the operation unit 13 during storage of the food in the small freezing chamber 27, and inputs, as information on the storage time, a time when the food is placed in the small freezing chamber 27 (storage start time) and a predetermined time when the food is taken out from the small freezing chamber 27 (take-out predetermined time). Here, the storage unit 41 stores in advance data indicating the relationship between 3 of the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 27, the storage time in the small freezing chamber 27, and the temperature of the food, and data indicating the relationship between the temperature of the food at the time of taking out the small freezing chamber 27 and the time from the time of taking out the food from the small freezing chamber 27 until the food reaches a state most suitable for eating.

After the user inputs, first, the control unit 40 estimates the temperature of the food at the time of taking out the food from the small freezing chamber 27 based on the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 27, the storage start time, the scheduled take-out time, and the data of the storage unit 41 (specifically, data indicating the relationship among the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 27, the storage time in the small freezing chamber 27, and the temperature of the food).

Next, the control unit 40 determines a target time from the time when the food is taken out from the small freezing chamber 27 until the food is eaten, based on the estimated temperature of the food at the time of taking out and the data of the storage unit 41 (specifically, the data indicating a relationship between the temperature of the food at the time of taking out and the time until the time when the food is taken out from the small freezing chamber 27 until the state most suitable for eating is reached). The control unit 40 adds the determined target time to the predetermined take-out time to determine a time optimal for eating (optimal eating time). The display unit 14 displays the optimal time for eating. At this time, the display unit 14 displays the optimal eating time, but it can be said that the target time from the time when the food is taken out from the small freezing chamber 27 until the time when the food is eaten is indirectly presented.

In embodiment 4, any one or more of modification 1 to modification 10 of embodiment 1 may be modified. When there are a plurality of items to be input by the user, the input screen may be displayed so that the user can input a plurality of items on 1 input screen (the input screen is displayed on the display unit 14), or the input screen may be changed every time the user inputs 1 item.

Further, as the information of the storage time, food may be put into the small freezing chamber 27 several hours before the start of storage, or food may be taken out from the small freezing chamber 27 several hours after the start of storage instead of the predetermined time.

5. Embodiment 5

In embodiment 5, the target time is determined based on the storage time of the food product in the small freezing chamber 27. Embodiment 5 is an embodiment in which the user decides the target time at an arbitrary timing based on the storage time input from the operation unit 13.

Specifically, the user inputs the storage time of the food product in the small freezing chamber 27 at an arbitrary timing. Here, the arbitrary timing may be when food is placed in the small freezing chamber 27 or when food is not placed in the small freezing chamber 27. The storage unit 41 stores in advance data indicating the relationship between 3 of the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 27, the storage time in the small freezing chamber 27, and the temperature of the food, and data indicating the relationship between the temperature of the food at the time of taking out the small freezing chamber 27 and the time from the time of taking out the food from the small freezing chamber 27 until the time when the food reaches a state most suitable for eating.

After the user inputs, first, the control unit 40 estimates the temperature of the food at the time of taking out the food from the small freezing chamber 27 based on the storage time input by the user and the data of the storage unit 41 (specifically, data indicating the relationship between the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 27, the storage time in the small freezing chamber 27, and the temperature of the food). Next, the control unit 40 determines a target time for reaching a state most suitable for eating the food based on the estimated temperature of the food at the time of taking out and the data of the storage unit 41 (specifically, the data indicating the relationship between the temperature of the food at the time of taking out and the time until the state most suitable for eating is reached after taking out the food from the small freezing chamber 27). The display unit 14 displays the target time.

In embodiment 5, any one or more of modification 1 to modification 10 of embodiment 1 may be modified. When there are a plurality of items to be input by the user, the input screen may be displayed so that the user can input a plurality of items on 1 input screen (the input screen is displayed on the display unit 14), or the input screen may be changed every time the user inputs 1 item.

6. Embodiment 6

In embodiment 6, the control unit 40 determines the target time based on the storage state of the food. As a specific example, the control unit 40 determines the target time according to any one of the methods of embodiments 1 to 7 (except for modification examples 5 and 6 of embodiment 1). The control unit 40 presents cooling control appropriate for the determined target time.

As a more specific example, in embodiment 1, it is estimated that the food in the small freezing chamber 54 reaches the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 54, and the target time is determined. However, in the case where the storage time in the small freezing chamber 54 is less than the predetermined time and the food is not lowered to the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 54, or in the case where the progress of thawing of the food is rapid, the target time determined by the method of embodiment 1 may be too long.

Therefore, when it is determined that the storage time in the small freezing chamber 54 is shorter than the predetermined time (and therefore, the food is not lowered to the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 54) based on the operation of the operation unit 13 by the user, and when it is determined that the progress of thawing of the food is fast, the control unit 40 makes a prompt to propose to make the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 54 lower than the current temperature on the display unit 14.

Various modifications can be made to embodiment 6.

For example, the control unit 40 may acquire environmental information on food placed until the food is consumed after the food is taken out from the small freezing chamber 54, and may present cooling control adjusted according to the environmental information. The environmental information is the information described in modification 7 of embodiment 1.

More specifically, for example, in the case where it is proposed to make the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 54 lower than the current temperature as described above, and the temperature of the outside air acquired as the environmental information is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature (therefore, it is expected that the progress of thawing the food taken out of the small freezing chamber 54 is faster than normal), the control unit 40 proposes to make the decrease range of the set temperature larger than normal (that is, make the set temperature significantly lower than the current temperature).

In addition, for example, in the case where it is proposed to make the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 54 lower than the current temperature in the above-described manner, the user operates the operation portion 13 to input the food to be put into the cold box after taking out the food from the small freezing chamber 54. In this case, the control unit 40 proposes to make the decrease range of the set temperature smaller than that in the normal case (i.e., make the set temperature slightly lower than the current temperature).

In the present embodiment, the control unit 40 may present not only cooling control adjusted according to the environmental information but also control to present.

7. Embodiment 7

In embodiment 7, the control unit 40 determines the target time based on the storage state of the food. As a specific example, the control unit 40 determines the target time according to any one of the methods of embodiments 1 to 7 (except for modification examples 5 and 6 of embodiment 1). The control unit 40 performs cooling control suitable for the determined target time.

As a more specific example, in embodiment 1, it is estimated that the food in the small freezing chamber 54 reaches the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 54, and the target time is determined. However, in the case where the storage time in the small freezing chamber 54 is less than the predetermined time and the food is lowered to the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 54 or the progress of thawing of the food is fast, the target time determined by the method of embodiment 1 may be too long.

Therefore, when it is determined that the storage time in the small freezing chamber 54 is less than the predetermined time (and therefore, the food is not lowered to the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 54) based on the operation of the operation unit 13 by the user, and when it is determined that the progress of thawing of the food is fast, the control unit 40 makes the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 54 lower than the current temperature.

Various modifications can be made to embodiment 7.

For example, the control unit 40 may acquire environmental information on food placed until the food is consumed after the food is taken out from the small freezing chamber 54, and perform cooling control adjusted based on the environmental information. The environmental information is the information described in modification 7 of embodiment 1.

More specifically, for example, when the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 54 is set lower than the current temperature in the above-described manner, and when the temperature of the outside air acquired as the environmental information is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature (therefore, it is expected that the thawing of the food taken out of the small freezing chamber 54 proceeds faster than normal), the control unit 40 sets the decrease range of the set temperature to be larger than normal (that is, sets the set temperature to be significantly lower than the current temperature).

In addition, for example, in the case where it is proposed to make the set temperature of the small freezing chamber 54 lower than the current temperature as described above, the user operates the operation unit 13 to input and take out food from the small freezing chamber 54 and then put it into the cold box. In this case, the control unit 40 makes the decrease range of the set temperature smaller than that in the normal case (i.e., makes the set temperature slightly lower than the current temperature).

Claims (12)

1. A refrigerator having a storage chamber and performing cooling control of the storage chamber, characterized in that,

According to the storage state of the food stored in the storage chamber, a target time is presented until the food is consumed after the food is taken out from the storage chamber.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein,

Information on a storage time in the storage chamber as the storage state is acquired, and the target time based on the information on the storage time is presented.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein,

Information on the cooling easiness of the food is also acquired on the basis of the storage state, and the target time based on the information on the cooling easiness of the food is presented.

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

The target time is adjusted based on cooling control of the storage chamber after the food is put into the storage chamber.

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

The target time is indicated by distinguishing a case corresponding to the cooling control of the storage chamber after the food is put into the storage chamber.

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

The target time is adjusted based on environmental information after the food is taken out of the storage chamber until the food is consumed.

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

The target time is presented by distinguishing a case corresponding to environmental information from the time after the food is taken out from the storage chamber until the food is consumed.

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

A cooling control appropriate for the target time is prompted.

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

A cooling control suitable for the target time is implemented.

10. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein,

And acquiring environmental information from the storage room after the food is taken out until the food is consumed, and presenting cooling control adjusted according to the environmental information.

11. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein,

And acquiring environmental information from the storage chamber after the food is taken out until the food is consumed, and performing cooling control adjusted according to the environmental information.

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

Prompting advice regarding the environment after the food is taken out of the storage compartment until the food is consumed.