JP2003050078A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator in which leakage of chill is decreased and power consumption is reduced. SOLUTION: The refrigerator comprises a storage chamber, a door for opening/closing the front side of the storage chamber, a timer for counting the time when the door is opened, and means for displaying the counted time.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator which detects opening of a door and notifies the opening.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a refrigerator, as means for informing that a door is opened, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-42577 has been proposed.
As disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (hereinafter referred to as Prior Art 1), the opening of a door is detected and a sound is emitted.

That is, when the freezer compartment door or the refrigerating compartment door is opened, the door detection device operates, and after a lapse of a certain time (about 30 seconds), the voice storage device operates and a corresponding word (for example, "door "Open. Please close.") Is output from the speaker and is repeated. The output from the door detection device disappeared when both doors were closed.

Conventionally, a refrigerator having a display means for displaying information such as the operating status of the refrigerator on the front surface of the refrigerator door has been considered.

An example of such a conventional technique is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
There is a publication of 0-274923. This publication describes that energy saving is achieved by providing a liquid crystal display configured by using liquid crystal having a memory property.

Further, conventionally, there is a refrigerator in which an operation display portion is provided on the surface of an opening / closing door and various switches and a lamp for displaying a switching state of a storage room are provided on the operation display portion. Such a refrigerator is disclosed, for example, in JP-A-11-118.
No. 312, JP-A-2000-88445 and the like.

[0007]

However, in the configuration of the above-mentioned prior art 1, when a certain time elapses when the user forgets to close the door, a warning is automatically generated by voice. Therefore, the device does not urge the user to open and close the door in a time shorter than a predetermined warning start time.

In the prior art with this structure, if the fixed time is shortened, the user will be warned even during normal use, which will give the user an unpleasant feeling and significantly impair the usability. The problem arises.

On the other hand, if the warning time is set to a long time, the doors are unnecessarily opened to increase, and the cold air in the refrigerator leaks to the outside, impairing the freshness of the items stored in the refrigerator, or Since the temperature rises to cool it, there arises a problem that power consumption increases.

That is, in the above-mentioned prior art, the door opening time, which is different depending on the user and the usage situation, is dealt with.
No consideration was given to the reduction of wasteful opening time.

Further, in the technique described in the prior art 2,
The display means merely displays the name of the contents in the refrigerator, the contents stored in the refrigerator, the date, the time, etc., and displays the information on the operating status of the refrigerator to improve the accuracy of maintenance and inspection. No consideration was given to improving serviceability.

A first object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator which can reduce unnecessary door opening time and power consumption.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator which can improve serviceability.

[0014]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The above object is to provide a storage room,
The refrigerator is provided with a door that opens and closes the front of the storage room, a timer that counts the time when the door is open, and a display unit that displays the counted time.

Further, the storage room, a door for opening and closing the front of the storage room, and a timer for counting the time when the door is opened are provided, and the counted time when the door is closed. It is achieved by a refrigerator equipped with a display means for displaying.

Further, the counted time is stored, and the display means is achieved by displaying the stored time for a predetermined time after the door is closed.

The second object is to detect the opening of the door, the timer for counting the opening time of the door based on the output from the detecting means, and a preset period. It is achieved by having a storage unit that accumulates and stores the time counted by the timer, and the display unit has a function of displaying the accumulated time stored by the storage unit.

Further, the storage means is achieved by accumulating and storing the time counted by the timer in a plurality of different predetermined periods.

The first purpose is to provide a plurality of storage chambers, a plurality of doors provided in front of these storage chambers for opening and closing these storage chambers, and a detection means for detecting the opening and closing of these doors. A timer that counts the time when the plurality of doors are opened based on the output from the detection means, and the first opened door is opened by the timer. The time until the last closed door is closed is counted, and this is achieved by a refrigerator equipped with a display means for displaying this time.

Further, the display means displays the time counted by the timer until the first opened door and the last closed door among the plurality of simultaneously opened doors are closed. It is achieved by displaying it as the opening time.

Further, a plurality of storage chambers and a plurality of doors provided in front of these storage chambers for opening and closing these storage chambers,
Detection means for detecting the opening and closing of these doors, a timer for counting the time when each of the plurality of doors is opened based on the output from this detection means, and each of the plurality of doors counted by this timer It is achieved by a refrigerator having a storage unit for storing the opening time and having a display unit for displaying the opening time of the last closed door among the plurality of doors opened at the same time.

The second object is achieved by the storage means accumulating and storing the time when each of the plurality of doors counted by the timer is opened during a predetermined period. It

Further, the display means is achieved by displaying the opened time of each of the plurality of doors accumulated and stored in the storage means.

[0024]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing the overall configuration of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a display panel provided on the door of the refrigerator shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a substrate arranged inside the display panel shown in FIG. 4 is shown in FIG.
3 is a front view showing the configuration of an information display unit of the display panel shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of control means for adjusting the display on the display panel of the refrigerator shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the refrigerator shown in FIG.

FIG. 1 schematically shows the appearance of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, in the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment, an outer portion thereof is roughly configured by a box body, and a plurality of storage chambers are provided vertically inside the box body. These storage rooms are provided with a refrigerating room 2 at the uppermost stage, a vegetable room 3 below that, a switching chamber 4 below that, and a freezing chamber 5 at the lowest stage. The switching chamber 4 is a storage chamber in which the internal temperature can be adjusted to a plurality of temperature bands, and for example, the refrigerating chamber temperature band 2 to
4 ℃, vegetable room temperature zone 3-4 ℃, low temperature room temperature zone 1-3 ℃,
It is a part that can be set to a temperature range such as an ice greenhouse temperature range of 0 to 1 ° C and a freezing room temperature range of 18 ° C or less. Also,
Doors for opening and closing these storage rooms are arranged on the front side of the refrigerator in these storage rooms. Among these, in front of the vegetable compartment 3, the switching compartment 4 and the freezing compartment 5, there is arranged a drawer type door which can be moved in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator and can be pulled out by pushing the handle. On the other hand, a revolving door rotatably supported by a hinge that pivotally supports one end side in the left-right direction of the refrigerator is arranged in front of the refrigerating compartment.

On the other end side of the door of the refrigerating chamber (the side opposite to the side where the hinge is provided), there is attached a handle which extends in the vertical direction and can be reached by the hand. An operation panel 50 provided so as to be able to operate the operation of the refrigerator is provided above. This operation panel 50
Has a function of displaying the upper part of the operating state of the refrigerator and adjusting the operation of the refrigerator.

Further, the refrigerator of this embodiment is equipped with sensors 11 to 14 which are detection means capable of detecting the opening and closing of the door of each room. For example, the opening / closing detection sensor 1 for the refrigerator door
1, a detection sensor 12 that detects the opening and closing of the vegetable compartment door, a detection sensor 13 that detects the opening and closing of the switching compartment door, and a detection sensor 14 that detects the opening and closing of the freezer compartment door. The signals output by these detection sensors are sent to the control device 10 that adjusts the operation of the refrigerator of this embodiment. The control device 10 is also connected to the operation panel 50 so that the user can operate the operation panel 50.
The control panel 50 receives a command signal input to the control panel 50 or transmits a signal for displaying information on the operating condition of the refrigerator on the control panel 50.

The operation panel 50 has buttons 121a to 121k arranged corresponding to the switches 81 to 88 provided on the operation board 80 shown in FIG. 3 arranged inside the panel member 50a made of resin or the like. And a display unit 100 capable of displaying liquid crystal information as a symbol or a pattern.

Buttons 121a to 121 on the operation panel 50
k is a button for adjusting the operation of the refrigerating room, the freezing room, and the switching room, respectively. When the user operates this button, a command to operate the refrigerator is issued by the control device 1
It is output to 0. As this button, a speed cooling button 121a, a speed freezing button 121b, and a speed defrosting button 121c are provided. Furthermore, the switching button 121d for setting the temperature of the switching chamber, the setting button 121e for the timer function, the temperature setting button 121f for the refrigerating room, the freezing room temperature setting button 121g, and the setting button 12 for the ice making operation.
1h is provided.

The substrate 80 shown in FIG. 3 is provided with a plurality of switches 81 to 88 corresponding to the buttons 121a to 121k on the surface facing the panel member 50a side. These switches are a speed cooling switch 81 for operating a fan (not shown) for cooling food in the refrigerating compartment, a speed defrosting switch 82 for operating a fan (not shown) for defrosting food in the refrigerating compartment, and a compression. The speed of the machine (not shown) is maximally rotated to freeze the food in the freezer compartment, the speed freezing switch 83, the switching room setting switch 84 for setting the switching room, and the setting, start, and reset of the timer function. It comprises a timer switch 85, a refrigerating compartment temperature setting switch 86 for setting the refrigerating compartment temperature, a freezing compartment temperature setting switch 87 for setting the freezing compartment temperature, and an ice making switch 88 for switching between stop, temporary stop and operation of ice making. There is.

When the speed cooling switch 81 is pressed, the speed cooling display section 101 of the display section 100 lights up. Each time you press it again, you can specify left, center, and right in the order of cooling locations. Pressing the switch further stops the speed cooling operation.

Further, it also has a child lock function which is a function for preventing a child from mischief.

This child lock function is distinguished from the speed cooling operation by continuously pressing the speed cooling switch 81 for a predetermined period (for example, 3 seconds). During this child lock, the child lock display 104 of the display unit 100 lights up.

When the speed decompression switch 82 is pressed, the speed decompression display section 101 of the display section 100 lights up. Each time you press it again, you can specify left, center, and right in the order of cooling locations. Pressing the switch further stops the speed defrosting operation.

The speed decompression switch 82 is
It also has the function of operating to reduce the power consumption of the refrigerator. This function is distinguished from the speed defrosting operation by pressing and holding the speed defrosting switch 82 for several seconds (for example, 3 seconds), and the energy saving display 103 of the display unit 100 is turned on during this operation.

When the speed freezing switch 83 is pressed, the speed freezing display section 102 of the display section 100 lights up. The speed freezing switch 83 also has a function of setting ON / OFF of audio output.

This voice output on / off setting function is distinguished from the speed refrigeration operation by pressing and holding the speed refrigeration switch 83 for several seconds (for example, 3 seconds). When the voice output is off, the display unit 100 is turned off. The voice output display 106 turns off.

The change-over chamber setting switch 84 can change over seven temperature zones of the change-over chamber display section 105: frozen, soft frozen, partial, ice temperature, chilled, refrigerated, and wine.

The timer setting switch 85 uses 7 segments for displaying the temperature of the freezing room or the refrigerating room, and displays the minutes in the refrigerating room temperature display 7 segment section 110 and the seconds in the freezing room temperature display 7 segment section 112. I do. After pressing the timer setting switch 85, the refrigerator temperature setting switch 8
6 is pressed to set the minute, and the freezer compartment temperature setting switch 87 is pressed to set the second.

After that, when the timer setting switch 85 is pressed again, counting of the set timer time is started. When the timer setting switch 85 is pressed again, the set timer time is reset.

The refrigerating compartment temperature setting switch 86 sets the temperature setting of the refrigerating compartment in five steps from weak to strong. By repeatedly pressing the refrigerating compartment temperature setting switch 86, the cursor of the refrigerating compartment setting display unit 109 (weak to strong) moves. As described above, the refrigerator compartment temperature setting switch 86 also serves as the minute setting switch of the timer. Freezer temperature setting switch 8
No. 7 sets the freezer compartment temperature setting in five stages from weak to strong.
By repeatedly pressing the freezer compartment temperature setting switch 87, the cursor of the freezer compartment setting display section 111 (weak to strong) moves. As described above, this freezer compartment temperature setting switch 87 is
Also serves as the second setting switch for the timer. The ice-making setting switch 88 is for switching the ice-making stop, temporary stop, and operation, and when repeatedly pressed, the ice-making stop 11 displayed.
3, (temporary) 114, ice-making operation state no display is switched. This ice making setting switch 88 also functions as an ice making cleansing switch, and by pressing and holding for several seconds (for example, 5 seconds), the ice making machine can be cleaned. The cleansing indicator 115 lights up while the ice making is being cleaned. Next, the door open accumulated time display will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of control means for adjusting the display on the display panel of the refrigerator shown in FIG. The operation board 80 includes an operation unit microcomputer 90, a display unit 100 made of a liquid crystal, a non-volatile memory 92 for storing the door open accumulated time, and the switches 81 to 88 described above. As described above, the outputs from the detection sensors 11 to 14, which are means for detecting opening / closing of the door, are transmitted to the control device 10. That is, the control device 10 monitors the open / closed state of the refrigerator door using the detection sensor.

The output of the door opening / closing detection sensor is the control device 1
0, and is transmitted to the operation microcomputer provided on the substrate 80 by communication or wiring. The operation microcomputer 90 on the substrate 80 includes a liquid crystal display unit 100 and a nonvolatile memory 9
2. It is connected to the operation switches 81 to 88. The operation microcomputer 90 includes a timer for counting the opening / closing time of the door, the operation time of the compressor that constitutes the refrigerating cycle of the refrigerator, and the like. This timer may be provided in the control device 10. The control device 10 also includes rewritable storage means (volatile memory) for storing the operating time.

The memory, which is the storage means, records the operation of the refrigerator such as the button operation of the operation panel 50 and the opening and closing of the door, and the operation history.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the operation unit microcomputer 9
The IC-related components such as 0 and the nonvolatile memory 92 are mounted on the back surface of the display unit 100. With this configuration,
The mounting area of the operation board 80 can be reduced.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the operation for displaying the opening time of the door. In the present embodiment, the door open / close detection sensors 11 to 14 detect the “open” state of any door of the refrigerator, and the detection output is transmitted to the control device 10.
The door opening time is counted by the timer and stored in the volatile memory.

Step 601 is a door opening / closing detection sensor 1.
1 to 14 are the states in which the open / closed state of the door is monitored. Opening and closing of the door is detected by the sensors 11 to 14 (step 602). Further, if it is determined in step 603 that the door is in the open state, a timer for counting the opening time of the door is started and the door is opened. In step 604, the open time counted by the timer is transmitted to the display unit 100 and displayed.
Further, in step 605, the counted opening time of the door is added to and stored in the volatile memory. That is, the opening time of the door is stored in addition to the opening time until then, and the door opening time accumulated by this is stored.
This operation may be performed before or simultaneously with the transmission of the count to the display unit 100. After that, the process returns to step 601 and the opening / closing of the door is monitored by the detection sensor that detects the opening / closing state of the door.

Further, when it is determined in step 606 that all the doors are closed, the open / closed state of the door in the immediately preceding loop is determined. The door "opens" just before this step
If it is determined that the state is in the state, the process proceeds to step 607,
If it is determined to be in the "closed" state, the process proceeds to step 608. When the door is opened in the immediately preceding loop, the accumulated door opening time stored in the volatile storage means (memory) is transmitted to the display unit 100, and a predetermined time (for example, the present implementation It is displayed for 5 seconds in the example).

Further, in step 608, it is judged whether or not all the doors are "closed" for a predetermined time (in this embodiment, 6 hours). If it is determined that it has not continued, the process returns to step 601.
If it is determined that it is continuing, step 609
Then, the accumulated door opening time stored in the volatile storage means (memory) is transmitted to and written in the nonvolatile storage means (memory) on the substrate 80. Further, in step 610, the accumulated door opening time on the volatile storage means is deleted or set to be overwritable.

When the state of the door changes from "open" to "closed", the control device 10 sends a command signal to the operation unit microcomputer 90, and the accumulated information on the opening time of the door stored in the volatile storage means. To send. In the display unit 100, the transmitted information of the opening time in minutes is displayed in the refrigerating room temperature display 7 segment unit 110, and the information in seconds is displayed in the freezing chamber temperature display 7 segment unit 112 for several seconds (for example, 5 seconds). At the same time, the door opening time 107 of the display unit 100 is turned on or blinked so that the user can clearly recognize the contents of the display unit 100.

The time when the door is opened may be displayed not only by a numerical value but also by a design such as a clock or a graph or a color.

If the door is in the "closed" state for several hours (for example, 6 hours) continuously, it is determined that the date has been changed, and the data in the volatile storage means in the control device 10 is determined. Is transmitted to the operation unit microcomputer 90 so that the data in the volatile memory can be cleared or overwritten. These storage means may be a semiconductor memory or a recording medium on a disk.

In this embodiment, the operation unit microcomputer 90 rewrites the received accumulated door opening time data in the data storage location of the nonvolatile memory 92 for one day. As a result, the data of the door opening time accumulated for the latest one day is constantly updated, and the display panel 50 is provided with a function that allows the user to call the data at any time. Keeps fresh doors open for a long time,
It is possible to raise awareness of suppressing power consumption. Also,
Even if the refrigerator function is reset due to a power failure or the like, it is possible to retain the accumulated door opening time.

When the door state is "open", the information on the current door opening time counted by the control device 10 is
Real-time display is performed by the refrigerating compartment temperature display 7 segment unit 110 of the display unit 100 on a minute-by-minute basis and the freezer compartment temperature display 7 segment 112 by the unit of second display. Further, at the same time, the door opening time 107 of the display unit 100 is turned on or blinked for h to clarify the contents of the display 100 and at the same time to distinguish it from the accumulated door opening time for one day, so that the user can easily Can be understood.

By inputting a command to the display panel 50, the storage location of the door open accumulated time of the non-volatile memory 92 can be set not only for one day but for several days (for example, three days). Good. Further, when several hours (for example, 6 hours) continuously pass through all the doors in the “closed” state, it is determined that the date has been changed, and the nonvolatile memory 9
2, the data of the time information stored one day before is rewritten as the data of the time information of two days ago and the data of the time information of two days ago is rewritten as the data of the time information of three days ago. Also, 3
The data of the time information before the day is set so that it can be cleared or overwritten.

With the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to store the door opening time accumulated for several days (for example, three days) from the present in the latest state at all times, and for service and maintenance. At that time, it becomes easy to call, and fault diagnosis using data and judgment of the state of the refrigerator can be performed accurately.

Then, the above-mentioned refrigerating room temperature setting switch 8
By simultaneously pressing 6 and the freezer compartment temperature setting switch 87 for several seconds (for example, 3 seconds), it is possible to display the integrated door opening time for a preset period (for example, 3 days) on the display unit 100. Also good.

With the configuration of the present embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained. By displaying the accumulated door opening time for the set period or time on the operation panel, the user can be conscious of suppressing cold air leak due to useless door opening, and as a result, It is possible to reduce power consumption of the refrigerator and improve freshness.

Further, by displaying the current opening time of the door during the opening of the door, the user can be notified in real time of the opening of the door for a long time, thereby further reducing the useless opening of the door. Awareness of what to do can be raised, and power consumption can be reduced and freshness can be improved.

If the door is not opened and closed during the set time, the refrigerator has a function of determining that the time or the number of days for storing the door open accumulated time has elapsed and clearing the data in the memory section. By doing so, the door open accumulated time can be updated every day without using a 24-hour timer. Also, by mounting IC-related components such as the operation unit microcomputer and the non-volatile memory on the back surface of the display unit, the mounting area of the operation board can be reduced.

Further, the door open accumulated time is set to a unit of one day, and the door opened accumulated time for the set number of days is stored, so that the door open accumulated for several days when a service person or the like repairs the refrigerator. It is possible to display the time and confirm whether or not the door is abnormally opened to improve serviceability.

In the above embodiment, the opening / closing time of the door is displayed on the display unit 1.
By displaying this on 00, the user was informed of the opening / closing time of the door. However, even if the opening / closing time of the door is notified by voice using a speaker provided on the substrate 80 shown in FIG. The same effect as can be obtained.

Next, a second embodiment of the refrigerator according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing the outline of the structure of the refrigerator according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the outline of the structure of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 7. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the refrigerating compartment door is composed of a main door and an auxiliary door attached to the lower center of the main door. Further, between the vegetable compartment and the freezing compartment below it, an ice making room having an ice making device and a container for storing ice therein and a switching room are arranged in parallel.

That is, in FIG. 7, the refrigerator 701 is provided with a plurality of storage chambers arranged vertically in the inside of the box body as described above, the refrigerating chamber 702 is at the uppermost stage, and the vegetable chamber 703 is below it. A switching chamber 705 is arranged below, and a freezing chamber 705 is arranged below it. Furthermore, the vegetable room 70
3 and the freezing compartment 705, an ice making compartment 706 is arranged adjacent to the switching compartment 704. Doors for opening and closing the storage compartments are provided on the front side of the refrigerators in these storage compartments, and include a vegetable compartment 703, a switching compartment 704, and a freezing compartment 70.
5. In front of the ice making chamber 706, drawer type doors 709, 710, 711 that can be pulled out to the front side of the refrigerator by a handle.
712 is provided. As these drawer doors are pulled out, the containers placed in the storage chamber are also pulled out forward. Further, the refrigerating compartment 702 is provided with a rotary main door 707 as in the first embodiment, and opens and closes the front side of the refrigerating compartment. Further, the main door 707 is provided with an auxiliary door 708 for opening and closing an opening portion provided in the door and through which stored items in the refrigerating compartment 702 can be taken out. The auxiliary door 708 has one end in the left-right direction of the refrigerator pivotally supported by a hinge arranged on the main door 707.

On the front surface of the main door 707 above the auxiliary door 708 on the refrigerator front side, as in the first embodiment,
An operation panel is provided. On this operation panel,
As described above, a display unit capable of displaying information such as a liquid crystal display capable of displaying information on the operating state of the refrigerator, and a display unit provided with buttons / switches by which a user can adjust the operation of the refrigerator are provided. There is.

The refrigerator of this embodiment is also provided with detection sensors 714 to 720 capable of detecting the open / closed state of the door. Reference numeral 714 indicates opening and closing of the refrigerating compartment main door, 715 indicates opening and closing of the refrigerating compartment auxiliary door, 716 indicates the vegetable compartment door, 717 indicates the switching compartment door, 718 indicates the freezing compartment door, and 719 indicates the opening and closing state of the ice making compartment door. It is a detection sensor for detecting. Further, the refrigerator of the present embodiment is provided with a control device 713 which receives outputs from these detection sensors and is connected to the operation panel so as to be capable of transmitting and receiving signals, and the control device 713 is shown in FIG.
The operation of the compressor 806, which constitutes the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator 701, and the fans 802 and 804 arranged inside and outside the refrigerator shown in FIG. It controls appropriately so that.

In FIG. 8, a vegetable room 703 and a switching room 70
A partition wall 808 having a heat insulating material for partitioning and partitioning the partition wall 4 and the ice making chamber 706 is arranged. Above the partition wall 807, a refrigerator compartment 702 and a vegetable compartment 703 are arranged in the vertical direction of the refrigerator from above, and a cold air passage 801 and a fan 802 for circulating the air in these compartments are provided. That is, the cold air cooled by the refrigerator / vegetable room cooler 803 is cooled by the cold room / vegetable room fan 802 to rotate.
1 is supplied. The cold air supplied to the cold air passage 801 flows into a space between the shelf plates provided in the refrigerating chamber from a passage provided in the refrigerating chamber and having an opening communicating the cold air passage 801 and the refrigerating chamber 702, The inflowing cold air flows toward the front side of the refrigerator. And the refrigerator compartment door 70
The refrigerating compartment space between the pocket provided on the surface of the refrigerating compartment of 7,708 and the front end of the shelf is lowered. The partition 8 that divides the descending cold air into the refrigerator compartment 702 and the vegetable compartment 703
It flows into the vegetable compartment from the opening provided in 09.

The refrigerating compartment 70 that has flowed into the space between the container in the vegetable compartment 703 and the compartment 808 through the opening of the compartment 809.
The cold air from 2 flows through the space as a passage, and a part of the air flows toward the front of the container. Then, the space between the front surface of the container and the door 704 descends, flows into the space between the container and the partition formed below the container, and flows toward the rear of the container. On the other hand, a part of the cool air flowing into the vegetable compartment from the refrigerating compartment flows from the upper part of the container toward the space behind the container, and flows downward in the space between the rear surface of the container and the inner wall surface of the vegetable compartment 703. A cold air circulation path is formed from the rear of the vegetable compartment at the rear of the container to flow out of the vegetable compartment 703 and return to the cooler 803.

The cool air cooled by the freezer / switching chamber cooler 805 flows into the switching chamber 704, the freezing chamber 705, and the ice making chamber 712 by the rotation of the fan 804. A circulation flow path is formed in which the cool air supplied from the cooler 805 cools the container arranged inside each storage chamber and the inside of the container and returns to the cooler.

That is, in this embodiment, two circulation channels are formed above and below the partition 808.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged front view of the operation panel portion of the refrigerator shown in FIG. This operation panel section 90
1 includes a display unit 902 for displaying and notifying information, and an operation button / switch 903 that can be operated by a user and can adjust the operation of the refrigerator 701. The result of the operation of the button 903 is displayed on the display unit 902 and reflected. This display unit 902 is different from the refrigerator shown in FIG.
The buttons 903 are arranged vertically, and the buttons 903
Are arranged in the left-right direction of the refrigerator below the display unit 902. Further, this panel 901 is used for the auxiliary door 70.
It is provided just above the upper edge of 8, and is close to the eye level of the user, so that the user can recognize the displayed information more accurately and easily. It has the advantage of being easy to operate.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the operation panel and control means of the refrigerator shown in FIG. As shown in this figure, the opening / closing sensors 714 to 719 of the doors of the respective rooms are connected so that the outputs thereof are transmitted to and transmitted to the control device 713. In addition, the control device 713
Is a display unit 902 of the operation panel 901 and operation buttons 90.
3 is connected so that signals can be exchanged. Further, the control device 713 is connected to the power supply unit 807 for supplying electric power to the refrigerator 701 shown in FIG.

Inside the control device 713, a signal output device 1001 for transmitting a signal to the outside of the device, a storage device 1002 such as a semiconductor memory or a disk device for storing data, a door opening time or a set period. Timers A, B, R, F1003, 10 for counting or timing
04, 1005, 1006 are arranged. Further, the arithmetic processing unit 1007 is connected to these devices and a timer, receives the output from the sensor and the signal for operating the button 903, and outputs a corresponding control signal to the output device 10.
The processing such as output from 01 is performed by calculation. Also,
The output of the time information counted by the timers 1003 to 1006 is output from the output device 1001 to the panel 902. Further, the arithmetic processing unit 1007 processes the signal for operating the button / switch 903, the history of the operation of the refrigerator 701, and the signals for storing the outputs of the timers 1003 to 1006 in the storage unit 1002.

Further, the timer A 1003 has a refrigerator 701.
Count the time after the first of the multiple doors opened. In addition, in this embodiment, when a plurality of doors are opened at the same time, or when any one of the doors is opened, the display unit 9
In 02, the opening time of the door after the first door is opened is displayed. This display may be performed in units of seconds or minutes, and information such as rounding up fractions may be processed and displayed for notification. In addition, the notification of the opening time of the door in the present embodiment is not limited to the display of numerical values, and may be notified by an image, a color, a pattern, or may be notified by voice.

The timer B1004 measures and counts a predetermined time, for example, 24 hours. In the present embodiment, when it is determined that the time measured by the timer B has timed out and ended, the information stored in the storage unit 1002 is erased or set to be erasable.

The flow of the operation for displaying the opening time of the door will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, as an example, a refrigerating compartment main door 707, an auxiliary door 708, and a freezing compartment door 71.
When it is determined that any one of the doors 1 has been opened, the door opening time is counted and displayed from the time when the first opened door is opened. Of course, even when the other vegetable compartment 703, the switching compartment 704, and the ice making compartment 706 are opened, the same display is possible, and this case is also included in the scope of the present invention. For example, when the refrigerating compartment main door 707 is first opened and then the freezing compartment door 711 is opened, the opening time of the door is displayed on the display portion 902 until the last of these doors is closed. Is displayed.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of the refrigerator operation for displaying the door opening time by the control means of the refrigerator shown in FIG. In this case, the same operation is performed when the auxiliary door 708 and the freezer compartment door 711 are first opened.

At step 1101, the opening / closing of the door is monitored to detect the opening of the door by using the detection outputs from the door opening / closing detection sensors 714 to 719 as in FIG.
When it is detected in step 1102 that the main door 707 for detecting the open / closed state of the main door 707 of the refrigerating room is detected, it is determined in step 1103 whether or not the timer A1003 is started. If already started, the process proceeds to step 1105. If the timer A1003 is not started yet, the timer A1003 is started and step 11
Go to 05. In step 1105, timer A1003
Is counted and the opening time of the door is measured. In step 1106, the time counted and counted is transmitted to the display unit 902 and displayed. In step 1107, the counted time is added and stored in the volatile storage means (rewritable memory) in the storage means 1002. That is, the counted times are integrated and stored. This operation may be performed before step 1106 or at the same time. After this step, the process returns to step 1102 to detect the opening / closing of the door.

When the opening of the main door is not detected in step 1102, the opened state of the auxiliary door 708 is detected and determined in step 1108. If it is determined that the auxiliary door is opened, the process proceeds to step 1103, and the timer A1
Check whether 003 has started or not, and check timer A1003
Use to count the opening time of the door.

If the opening of the auxiliary door 708 is not detected in step 1108, step 110
9, the open state of the freezer compartment door 711 is detected, and when the open state is not detected, it is determined that all the doors are closed, and the process proceeds to step 1110. If it is determined that the freezer compartment door 711 is open, step 110
Go to 3.

In step 1110, it is determined that all the doors are not opened, and the open / closed state of the door in the immediately preceding loop is determined. Also in this case, when it is determined that the door is "closed", the process returns to step 1101 and the opening / closing of the door is monitored. When it is determined that any of the doors has been opened in the immediately preceding loop, the accumulated door opening time stored in the volatile storage unit of the storage unit 1002 is transmitted to the display unit 902 and displayed. That is, the displayed integrated time is the time obtained by integrating the time when any door is open.

Next, at step 1112, the timer A10
03 is stopped and reset, and the process returns to step 1101.
At this time, when the last door is closed, the opening time of the door being displayed on the display unit 902 is not immediately switched to the accumulated time and is not displayed. The display may be continuously displayed for a predetermined time and then switched. By doing so, the user can be clearly informed and recognized of the opening time of the door at that time. After that, the accumulated door opening time is displayed for a predetermined time, for example, 5 seconds.

As in the case of FIG. 5, when it is determined that the closed state has continued for a predetermined time (for example, 6 hours), the accumulated time information stored in the volatile storage means is rewritten. You may take action. That is, the information may be stored in another non-volatile storage means, or the information in the volatile storage means may be set to be overwritable or deleted.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the time display on the panel corresponding to the opening and closing of each door. (A) is a display when all the doors are closed. At this time, the panel display portion 902
Does not show the opening time of the door, and the numerical value shows the temperature of the storage room, for example, the refrigerating room, which is shown to be selected by the display tag. FIG. 7B shows a display when it is detected that the main door 707 of the refrigerating compartment is opened. In this figure, step 110 of FIG.
The timer A1003 is started at 2, 1103 and counting is started. At this time, in the display portion 902,
The tag of the refrigerating room is lit to clearly indicate that the opened room is the refrigerating room, and "door open" is displayed by blinking. Furthermore, during the opening corresponding to steps 1105 to 1107 in FIG. 11, the counted opening time is displayed in minutes or seconds. (D) shows the case where the refrigerating compartment door is closed, and the accumulated time of opening the door is displayed in step 1111. At this time, the display of "door open" is erased. In this embodiment, the main door 707 and the auxiliary door 70 of the refrigerator compartment
When 8 are opened simultaneously, whichever is opened first, the same display is obtained. The same applies regardless of which one is closed first.

FIG. 13C shows the display when the opening of the freezer compartment door 711 is detected. The timer A 1003 is started in steps 1103 and 1104 of FIG. Further, in the display unit 902, the refrigerating room tag is turned on and “door open” is displayed in the field below the tag. In FIG. 13 (e),
When the freezer compartment door 711 is "closed", the opening time of the door is displayed. Step 11 of FIG.
From 05 to 1107, the opening time of the freezer compartment door 711 and the accumulated door opening time are displayed.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display on the display unit 902 when the freezer compartment door 711 is opened while the refrigerating compartment doors 707 and 708 are opened. In this case, FIG. 13 (b)
As described above, the time when the refrigerating room main door 707 and the auxiliary door 708 are open is displayed with the door open. At this time, "door open" is displayed in the column below the illuminated refrigerator compartment tag. FIG. 14A shows a state in which the freezer compartment door 711 is opened 20 seconds after the refrigerator compartment main door 707 or the auxiliary door 708 is opened. At this time, the display does not change and the counting continues. This is the timer A100 of FIG.
Steps 1105 and 110 in which 3 is counted
Equivalent to 6. FIG. 14B shows a display 902 in the case where the refrigerating compartment door 707 or the auxiliary door 708 is opened 25 seconds later and only the freezing compartment door 711 is in the “open” state. Here, "door open" is displayed in the column below the illuminated freezer compartment tag, counting continues, and the display increases from 25 seconds. This corresponds to steps 1105 and 1106 in FIG. 11 in the state where the refrigerating compartment door is closed and only the freezing compartment door 711 is opened and the timer A1003 continues counting. Next, the freezer door 7
When 11 is closed, the accumulated door opening time is displayed in steps 1110 and 1112.

The flow of the operation for displaying the accumulated door opening time will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 15 to 17. Figure 1
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a flow of display operation of accumulated door opening time of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 7. In step 1201, power supply to the refrigerator is started, or the operation button 9
It is detected that the timer button of 03 is pressed for 3 seconds. If detected in step 1201, step 120
At 2, the timer B1004 is started. If not detected, the process proceeds to step 1203.

At step 1203, the refrigerating room main door 707.
The presence or absence of the opening of the is detected. If the opening is not detected, the process proceeds to step 1213. In step 1204, the door 70
When it is determined that 7 is open, the timer R for the refrigerator compartment
Whether or not 1005 has started is determined. Timer R10
If 05 is not started yet, it is started in step 1205, and if it is already started, the process proceeds to step 1206. In steps 1206 and 1207, timer R100
5 is counted, and the counted result is stored in the storage device 1002.
The volatile storage means therein stores the accumulated opening time of the refrigerator door. In step 1208, the freezer compartment door 71
Open / close of 1 is detected. When it is determined that the door 711 is in the “open” state, the process proceeds to step 1216. If it is determined to be in the “closed” state, the process proceeds to step 1209. Step 1
At 208 and 1210, it is confirmed whether or not the timer A 1003 is started, and if not started, it is started.
In steps 1211 to 1213, the timer A1003 is counted as in FIG. 11, and the counting result is displayed on the display unit 902.

At step 1214, the refrigerator compartment main door 707 is provided.
Is closed, the open / closed state of the auxiliary door 708 is detected, and if it is determined to be open, the process proceeds to step 1204. Also in the example of FIG. 12, the opening time of the auxiliary door 708 is counted as the opening time of the refrigerating room main door 707.

In step 1215, the open / close state of the freezer compartment door 711 is detected while the refrigerating compartment main door and the auxiliary door are closed to make a determination. If it is determined that the door 711 is closed, the process proceeds to step 1220. In steps 1216 and 1217, when it is determined that the freezer compartment door 711 is in the open state, it is determined whether or not the freezer compartment timer F1006 is started, and if not started, the routine is started in step 1217. Step 121 if started
Go to 8. In steps 1218 and 1219, the timer F
1006 is counted and the count result is stored in the storage device 100.
The volatile storage means in 2 stores the accumulated opening time of the freezer compartment door. In step 1208, the freezer compartment door 7 is opened while the refrigerator compartment doors 707 and 708 are opened.
Even when the opening of 11 is detected, steps 1216-1
The process of 219 is performed, and simultaneously with the counting of the opening time of the refrigerating compartment door, the opening time of the freezing compartment door is also counted. The subsequent steps are the same as in the case of FIG.
The number 03 is counted, displayed, and accumulated and stored in the memory in the storage device 1002.

At step 1220, if it is determined that all the doors are closed, it is determined whether the doors are opened or closed in the immediately preceding loop. If the door is in the “open” state, in step 1221 the accumulated and stored opening time of the door opened immediately before is transmitted to and displayed on the display unit 902. Then, in step 1222, timer A,
The R, F 1003, 1005, 1006 are turned off and reset, and the process returns to step 1203.

As shown in FIG. 5, step 1220.
In the previous loop, if it is determined that the door has not been opened, if it is determined that the door has been in the “closed” state for a predetermined time, or timer B has timed out. If detected, the storage device 1002
The information on the accumulated opening time of each room door stored in the volatile storage means may be rewritten in the nonvolatile storage means. Further, in the present embodiment, the cumulative time of opening every one day (24 hours) is stored. The display unit 902 stores the accumulated opening time of each room door in different periods such as a plurality of days.
May be displayed on the screen. At this time, the user
Operation panel 9 for the period to accumulate and store the door opening time
The number may be set by inputting the 01 button / switch 903 or the like.

Further, by operating the operation panel, the cumulative time of opening each day is displayed, or a plurality of days (for example, 1
You may be allowed to display the accumulated time of (week). Furthermore, by operating the operation panel, the accumulated opening time for each different storage room door may be displayed. In addition, after the last door is closed, the accumulated opening time of the door in a plurality of periods may be displayed.

An example of a display corresponding to the flow of the operation shown in FIG. 12 is shown in FIG. The displays of FIGS. 13A to 13C and FIGS. 14A and 14B are the same as those in the operation flow of FIG. 11. In FIGS. 13D and 13E, the accumulated opening time of the door of the storage room in which the door is finally closed is displayed. Further, FIG. 13A is a display when the refrigerating room main door and the auxiliary doors 707 and 708 are closed last, and the numerical values are those of the door 7 during the time when the timer B is counting.
It is the accumulated opening time of 07,708. Similarly, FIG. 13B is a view showing a state in which the accumulated opening time of the freezing compartment door 711 when the freezing compartment door 711 is finally closed is displayed.

FIGS. 15 to 17 are diagrams exemplifying an operation pattern for displaying the accumulated opening time of the door according to the operation flow of FIG. In FIG. 15, the first opened door is the refrigerator main door 707, FIG. 16 is the case where the first opened door is the auxiliary door 708, and FIG. 17 is the first opened door is the freezer compartment door. 711 is the case. Example 2
Then, from the opening of the door that was opened first, timer A1003
Starts (counting), and the timer A stops counting when the last closed door is closed. Then, after the last door is closed, the accumulated opening time of the last door is displayed for a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds). Figure 1
Although 6 shows the opening time of the auxiliary door, the opening time of the refrigerating room main door may be displayed as in the embodiment as shown in FIG.

As described above, with the configuration of this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

According to this embodiment, the time when any of the doors of the refrigerator is open is continuously displayed on the display panel. Therefore, the user can be alerted to the useless opening of the door, and the useless opening can be psychologically suppressed. In addition, useless cold air leakage to the outside of the refrigerator is suppressed, the freshness of food is maintained, and power consumption is suppressed.

Furthermore, during the set period of time or number of days, the accumulated time of opening any door of the refrigerator is displayed on the operation panel. With this configuration, the user becomes aware of the fluctuations in the opening and closing time of the door for consecutive periods, and the attention to reduce the unnecessary opening time of the door is continuously aroused. Therefore, energy saving can be promoted more actively.

Further, in the above embodiment, when the door is not opened or closed for the set time, or when the time measuring means (timer B) for measuring a predetermined period of time is finished, it is stored in the storage means. It has a function to set the accumulated door opening time data so that it can be deleted or rewritten. In addition, the data stored in the volatile storage means is stored in the non-volatile storage means. As a result, the user can call the data of the door opening time as needed, and the user can be encouraged to reduce power consumption and maintain freshness.

In addition, it is possible to obtain data for confirming the past usage of the refrigerator during maintenance and maintenance.
The maintainability and service of the refrigerator can be improved. For example, the door open accumulated time is set to a unit of one day, and the door open accumulated time for a set number of days is stored to display the door opened accumulated time for several days when a service person or the like repairs the refrigerator. Then, it is possible to improve the serviceability by checking whether the door is abnormally opened. Further, in the present embodiment, even when a plurality of doors are opened at the same time, the time from the opening of the first opened door to the closing of the last closed door is detected and the time between them is displayed. As a result, the time when the actual cold air leaks can be accurately displayed to the user, and the freshness of food and the reduction in power consumption can be improved.

Further, since the accumulated open time of the last closed door is displayed, the user can easily know the open time of each room and the cool air leakage time. This also draws the user's attention and can contribute to maintaining the freshness of food and reducing power consumption.

[0102]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a refrigerator in which leakage of cold air is reduced and power consumption is reduced.

Further, it is possible to provide a refrigerator whose serviceability can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the overall configuration of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a display panel provided on a door of the refrigerator shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a substrate arranged inside the display panel shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a configuration of an information display unit of the display panel shown in FIG.

5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of control means for adjusting the display on the display panel of the refrigerator shown in FIG.

6 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the refrigerator shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing the outline of the structure of the refrigerator according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the outline of the structure of the refrigerator shown in FIG.

9 is an enlarged front view showing an operation panel portion of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 7. FIG.

10 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an operation panel and control means of the refrigerator shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flow of refrigerator operation for displaying a door opening time by the control means of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a flow of display operation of accumulated door opening time of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a time display of a panel corresponding to opening and closing of each door.

FIG. 14 shows a state in which the refrigerator compartment doors 707 and 708 are opened,
It is a figure which shows the display of the display part 902 when the freezer compartment door 711 is opened.

15 is a diagram exemplifying an operation pattern for displaying the accumulated opening time of the door according to the operation flow of FIG.

16 is a diagram exemplifying a pattern of an operation for displaying the accumulated opening time of the door according to the operation flow of FIG.

17 is a diagram exemplifying an operation pattern for displaying the accumulated opening time of the door according to the operation flow of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

50 ... Operation panel, 80 ... Operation board, 81-88 ... Operation switch, 89 ... Buzzer 90 ... Operation part microcomputer, 91 ... Door opening / closing detection device, 92 ...
Non-volatile memory, 100 ... Entire display unit.

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Takeshi Wakatabe             800 Tomita, Ohira-cho, Shimotsuga-gun, Tochigi             Hitachi Co., Ltd., Cooling & Heat Division (72) Inventor Atsushi Ishibashi             1-280, Higashikoigakubo, Kokubunji, Tokyo             Design Research Laboratory, Hitachi, Ltd. F-term (reference) 3L045 AA02 LA18 MA15 NA16

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A refrigerator comprising a storage room, a door for opening and closing the front of the storage room, a timer for counting the time during which the door is open, and a display means for displaying the counted time. 2. A storage room, a door that opens and closes the front of the storage room, and a timer that counts the time when the door is open, and the counted time when the door is closed. And a display means for displaying. 3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the counted time is stored, and the display means displays the stored time for a predetermined time after the door is closed. 4. A detection means for detecting the opening of the door, the timer for counting the time during which the door is open based on the output from the detection means, and the timer for a preset period. 4. The storage means for accumulating and storing the accumulated time, the display means having a function of displaying the accumulated time and the stored time stored by the storage means. refrigerator. 5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the storage means integrates and stores the times counted by the timer in a plurality of different predetermined periods. 6. A plurality of storage chambers, a plurality of doors provided in front of these storage chambers for opening and closing these storage chambers, a detecting means for detecting opening / closing of these doors, and an output of the detecting means. And a timer for counting the time when the plurality of doors are opened based on the timer, and the first opened door of the plurality of doors opened simultaneously by the timer is opened and the last closed door is A refrigerator equipped with a display means for counting the time until it is closed and displaying this time. 7. The display means displays the time counted by the timer until the first opened door and the last closed door of the plurality of simultaneously opened doors are closed. The refrigerator according to claim 6, which is displayed as the opening time of the refrigerator. 8. A plurality of storage chambers, a plurality of doors provided in front of these storage chambers for opening and closing these storage chambers, a detection means for detecting opening / closing of these doors, and an output of the detection means. Based on a timer that counts the time when each of the plurality of doors is opened based on the timer, and a storage unit that stores the time when each of the plurality of doors counted by the timer is stored, the timer is opened simultaneously. A refrigerator equipped with display means for displaying the time when the last closed door of the plurality of doors is opened. 9. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein the storage unit accumulates and stores the time when each of the plurality of doors counted by the timer is opened during a predetermined period. 10. The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein the display means displays the opened time of each of the plurality of doors accumulated and stored in the storage means.