JP2004061021A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator capable of grasping an operating state of an automatic ice maker and the number of made ices, and providing a constant storage amount of ice. <P>SOLUTION: The refrigerator 1 is provided with an ice making chamber 82 making and storing ice, a refrigerating chamber 81 cooling and storing food or the like, a control means 102 by a micrcomputer for cooling, and a communication means 101 for outputting a loaded condition controlled by the control means 102 as state data to outside of the refrigerator and capable of inputting a control command as control data into the control means 102 from the outside of the refrigerator. It is provided with an automatic ice making means 104 capable of making ice every certain time, and a magnet switch 90 detecting an ice separating action of the automatic ice making means 104. The loaded condition of the refrigerator is outputted as ice separating timing data to the outside of the refrigerator by using the communication means 101 at timing of the ice separating action detected by the magnet switch 90. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly to control of an automatic ice maker of a home refrigerator.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in order to know the state in a refrigerator, the thing which displayed the temperature in a refrigerator in front of a door, for example is known. However, in the refrigerator having such a configuration, the user cannot check the temperature in the refrigerator unless the user approaches the refrigerator.
[0003]
Therefore, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-147080, there has been proposed a refrigerator having communication means capable of transmitting / receiving information to / from the refrigerator and controlling the refrigerator even at a place away from the refrigerator. Specifically, data communication with the refrigerator is performed by remote control using a wireless remote controller provided with a display such as a liquid crystal panel. With such a configuration, the user does not need to approach the refrigerator each time to operate, and the usability is improved.
[0004]
Here, an example of control of a conventional refrigerator will be described.
As shown in FIG. 9, a conventional refrigerator includes a control unit 102 including a microcomputer for controlling cooling of a refrigerator, a compressor 103 serving as a cooling unit, an automatic ice making machine 104 serving as an automatic ice making unit, Each room heater 105 for compensating the temperature zone, each room thermistor 106 for detecting the temperature of each room, an ice making thermistor 107, an ice making room door switch 108, and the like are connected.
[0005]
The control means 102 controls the ON / OFF of the compressor 103 and the ON / OFF of each room heater 105 and the cooling rate of the duty ratio in response to the input condition of each room thermistor 106. Further, the control means 102 detects the timing of completion of ice making by the ice making thermistor 107 and causes the automatic ice making machine 104 to perform the ice releasing operation to control the ice making.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional configuration, although the temperature of the refrigerator or the freezer is displayed as the control state of the refrigerator, there is a problem that the detailed state of the automatic ice maker cannot be grasped.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and is intended to provide a refrigerator capable of grasping the operation state of an automatic ice maker and the number of ice made and making the amount of stored ice constant. It is intended to provide.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention relates to a refrigerator, an ice-making room for making ice and storing the ice, a refrigerator for cooling and storing foods and the like, cooling control means by a microcomputer, and a load state controlled by the cooling control means. And a communication unit that can output the control command in the cooling control unit as control data from outside of the refrigerator and output the state data to the outside, and the communication unit includes, for example, a wireless device including a display such as a liquid crystal panel. Automatic ice making that is provided in both the refrigerator main body and the remote controller and enables data communication between the remote control and the refrigerator main body and that can make ice at regular intervals. Means and a magnetic switch as ice release detecting means for detecting the ice release operation of the automatic ice making means. Alternatively, it is provided with a tact switch or the like, and outputs the load state of the refrigerator as de-icing timing data to the outside of the refrigerator using the communication means in accordance with the timing of the de-icing operation detected by the magnet switch or the tact switch or the like. It is a feature.
[0009]
By providing the communication means in both the refrigerator main body and the remote controller and enabling data communication between the refrigerator main body and the remote controller, communication of setting information relating to an automatic ice maker and cooling control can be performed even from a place remote from the refrigerator. In addition, data information based on the set operation result and the state of the ice making room can be displayed on the remote control main body.
[0010]
In the present invention, it is preferable that the communication unit is configured to be connectable to a network. For example, by implementing the TCP / IP protocol in the communication means, it becomes possible to communicate via the Internet. Therefore, the same as the remote control from a mobile phone, a portable information terminal, a personal computer, or the like connected to the Internet from an outside location or the like. In addition, communication of setting information relating to an automatic ice maker and cooling control can be performed, and data information and the state of the ice making room based on the set operation results can be displayed on the device.
[0011]
Also, the present invention provides the automatic ice making means in an independent ice making room having an opening / closing door, further comprising a door opening / closing detecting means for detecting door opening / closing of the ice making chamber, wherein the door opening / closing information detected by the door opening / closing detecting means is provided. Is preferably output outside the warehouse as door opening / closing data using the communication means.
[0012]
Further, the present invention provides the automatic ice making means in an independent ice making room, further comprising ice making mass detecting means for detecting the mass of ice stored in the ice making room, wherein the ice mass detected by the ice making mass detecting means is provided. Preferably, the information is output outside the refrigerator as ice storage mass data using the communication means.
[0013]
Also, the present invention provides the automatic ice making means, comprising: a quick ice making control means capable of shortening an ice making time by a microcomputer to shorten an interval between the ice removing operation and the next ice removing operation; It is preferable to input a command from the outside as quick ice making data using the communication means.
[0014]
Also, the present invention calculates the number of ices from the ice release timing data, the door opening / closing data or the ice storage mass data, and changes a control command in the rapid ice making control means so as to keep the number constant. It is preferable to input the control data from outside the storage.
[0015]
Further, according to the present invention, in the ice making room provided with the automatic ice making means, the stored ice is in a full ice state exceeding a certain number, or the water in the water supply tank for supplying the automatic ice making means is depleted and the ice removing operation is stopped. It is preferable to output the state of being out of the refrigerator as ice release stop data.
[0016]
Further, in the present invention, it is preferable that, in the ice making room provided with the automatic ice making means, a state in which water in a water supply tank for supplying the automatic ice making means has not been replaced for a long time is output to the outside as water exchange data.
[0017]
The present invention also provides the automatic ice making means with ice making stop control means capable of stopping a de-icing operation of the automatic ice making means by a user operation, and the automatic ice making means is provided with the ice making stop means by the ice making stop control means. It is preferable that the state in which the operation is stopped is output to the outside of the refrigerator as ice making stop data.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
1 to 5 show an example of an embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a configuration of an automatic ice maker of a refrigerator according to a first example of the present embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 3 is an example of a timing chart for making the amount of ice stored in the ice making chamber constant, wherein FIG. 3A is a normal ice making timing, FIG. 3B is a timing for making an ice cream, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an apparatus configuration of the refrigerator main body. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the communication means on the main body side of the refrigerator, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the monitoring communication means on the remote control side of the refrigerator.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment has a refrigerator compartment 81 configured to store foods and the like at an upper portion of the refrigerator 1 main body, and makes ice at a lower portion of the refrigerator compartment 81 and stores the ice. A chamber 82 is configured.
[0020]
The refrigerating room 81 is provided with a water supply tank 83, a water supply pump 84, a water supply pipe 85, and an ice making heater 86.
The ice making chamber 82 is provided with an ice making motor 87, an ice making tray 88, an ice storage lever 89, an ice storage case 810, and an ice mass sensor 811.
The ice mass sensor 811 is embedded below the ice storage case 810 and measures the mass of ice.
[0021]
Inside the ice making motor 87, a magnet switch 90 is provided as ice separating operation detecting means for detecting the rotation angle of the motor via a gear or the like (not shown).
[0022]
Next, a case where the user uses automatic ice making will be described.
First, water is put in the water supply tank 83. It is assumed that the ice making is completed when a certain period of time has elapsed and the temperature detected by an ice making thermistor (not shown) installed near the bottom of the ice making tray 88. Therefore, the ice making tray 88 is rotated by the ice making motor 87 to drop ice into the ice storage case 89. Here, dropping ice from the ice tray 88 into the ice storage case 89 is referred to as “ice separation”. The timing at which the ice falls is referred to as “ice release timing”.
When the ice tray 88 rotates, the timing of ice separation is detected by the magnet switch 90.
[0023]
Then, after the ice tray 88 returns to the horizontal position, the water in the water supply tank 83 is sucked up by the water supply pump 84, and the ice tray is heated by the ice making-related heater 86, and is supplied through the water supply pipe 85 which is compensated to a temperature not freezing. 88 is supplied with water. This is called "water supply".
[0024]
Thereafter, the ice removal and the water supply are repeated every predetermined time.
However, when the amount of ice stored in the ice storage case 810 increases, the ice storage lever 89 that operates simultaneously with the rotation of the ice tray 88 at the time of de-icing hits the ice in the ice storage case 810, and the ice tray 88 further rotates. Because it disappears, it cannot be iced. This state is called “full ice”. This full ice state is one of the ice release stop states described later.
[0025]
When the water in the water supply tank 83 runs out and the water is not supplied to the ice tray 88 even when the water is pumped up by the water supply pump 84, the ice making thermistor detects the absence of water. This is called "water drainage". This out-of-water condition is one of ice-stop conditions described later.
[0026]
In addition, in the series of operations of the automatic ice making, a control of stopping immediately after the ice is released without supplying water is referred to as “ice making stop”.
Further, by increasing the operation rate (the ratio of the ON time) of the 103 compressor described later or increasing the number of revolutions, the time required for completion of ice making, that is, the ice making after a certain time elapses, is detected by the ice making thermistor. The quick ice making that shortens the time required for completion is called "isogi ice making".
[0027]
Next, an example in which the amount of ice stored by the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment is made constant will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2 is a timing chart of ice making with the number of ices on the vertical axis and the time axis on the horizontal axis, where (a) shows normal ice making timing and (b) shows miso ice making timing.
[0028]
In the normal ice making timing of FIG. 2 (a), ice is made at a certain time interval indicated by a solid line arrow below the horizontal axis, and the "ice storage amount when not in use" is indicated by a dotted line in a stepwise manner. It is shown. When ice is used at random time intervals at the ice use timing indicated by the wavy arrow on the upper side of the horizontal axis, the ice storage amount indicated by the solid line is obtained, and the ice storage amount becomes zero at the time t1 hatched in the figure.
[0029]
On the other hand, at the timing of the ice making of FIG. 2B, the automatic ice making is performed by using "Isogi ice making", so that the timing of the ice making shown by the solid line arrow below the horizontal axis becomes the ice making time interval. Is shortened. The “non-use ice storage amount” is shown in a step-like manner with a dashed dotted line. When ice is used at random time intervals at the ice use timing indicated by the wavy arrow above the horizontal axis (the same timing as in FIG. 2A), the ice storage amount indicated by the solid line is obtained, but the ice storage amount becomes zero. No.
[0030]
Next, control of the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 3, the refrigerator 1 includes a control unit 102 including a microcomputer for controlling cooling of the refrigerator, a compressor 103 serving as a cooling unit, and an automatic ice making machine, as in the conventional refrigerator (see FIG. 9). It has an automatic ice maker 104 as a means, each room heater 105 for compensating the temperature zone of each room, each room thermistor 106 for detecting the temperature of each room, an ice making thermistor 107, an ice making room door switch 108, and the like. The control means 102 detects the rotation of the compressor 103, the automatic ice maker 104, the heaters 105 of the respective chambers, the thermistors 106 for detecting the temperature of the respective chambers, the ice making thermistor 107, the ice making chamber door switch 108, and the ice tray 88. A magnet switch 90 is connected as a de-icing operation detecting means.
[0031]
The control means 102 controls the ON / OFF of the compressor 103 and the ON / OFF of each room heater 105 and the cooling rate of the duty ratio in response to the input condition of each room thermistor 106. Further, the control means 102 detects the timing of completion of ice making by the ice making thermistor 107 and causes the automatic ice making machine 104 to perform the ice releasing operation to control the ice making.
[0032]
As a first example of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the refrigerator 1 is provided with a communication unit 101 and is configured to be connectable to a network.
The communication means 101 performs bidirectional data communication (for example, serial communication using a UART) with the control means 102, and constantly performs communication processing relating to ice making at a certain fixed interval as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
[0033]
Note that the certain interval is one cycle of the main routine process of the control means 102, for example, every 25 msec. This interval may be longer if the timing of the ice-removal operation described later can be detected in real time.
[0034]
Next, the operation of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart. The operation of the refrigerator 1 is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG.
If the determination in each step is “YES”, the data for the item is set in the data packet shown in FIG. Conversely, if "NO", no data is set.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 4, in the ice making operation of the automatic ice maker 104 of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment, first, in S1, the data communication is initialized by starting the ice making control of the automatic ice maker, and the process proceeds to S2. In S2, it is determined whether the ice making is stopped. If "NO", the process proceeds to S3. If "YES", data is set for the ice stopping, and the process proceeds to S6 because the ice making operation is not performed.
[0036]
Next, in S3, it is determined whether or not rapid ice making is in progress. If "NO", the flow proceeds to S4. If "YES", data is set for rapid ice making and the flow proceeds to S4. Then, in S4, it is determined whether or not the ice removal is stopped. If "NO", the process proceeds to S5, and if "YES", data is set for the time when the ice removal is stopped, and the process proceeds to S6.
[0037]
Next, in S5, it is determined whether or not it is the ice release timing. If “NO”, the process proceeds to S6, and if “YES”, data is set for the ice release timing, and the process proceeds to S6. Then, in S6, it is determined whether or not the door is open. If "NO", the process proceeds to S7, and if "YES", the data is set for the door open, and the process proceeds to S7.
[0038]
Then, it is determined whether or not there is a change in ice mass in S7. If “NO”, the process proceeds to S8, and if “YES”, data is set for the change in ice mass, and the process proceeds to S8.
[0039]
In the data communication of the ice making control in S8, communication is actually performed using a UART (serial communication), Ethernet (registered trademark) (LAN), or I2C bus (serial communication) network described later.
[0040]
Then, in the all data clear & wait time in S9, the buffer storing the data packet of the data communicated in S8 is cleared, the process waits until a certain time, and returns to S2. Hereinafter, the processing is repeatedly performed based on the flowchart.
[0041]
Next, the operation of the remote controller according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart.
The operation of the remote controller is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG.
It should be noted that if the data for the item is "YES" in the judgment of each step from the data packet P0 (see FIG. 7) described later, it is displayed on the screen, and if it is "NO", it is not displayed on the screen.
[0042]
First, as shown in FIG. 5, data communication is initialized at the start of ice making communication at S10, and the process proceeds to S11. At S11, it is determined whether or not ice making is stopped. If "NO", the process proceeds to S12. If "YES", a screen display indicating that the ice making is stopped is performed, and since the ice making operation is not performed, the process proceeds to S15.
[0043]
Next, in S12, it is determined whether or not rapid ice making is in progress. If "NO", the process proceeds to S13, and if "YES", a screen display for rapid ice making is made and the process proceeds to S13. Then, it is determined in S13 whether or not the ice removal is being stopped. If “NO”, the process proceeds to S14. If “YES”, a screen display indicating that the ice removal is stopped is performed, and the process proceeds to S15.
[0044]
Next, in S14, it is determined whether or not it is the ice release timing. If “NO”, the process proceeds to S15. If “YES”, the ice number is added to the ice release timing, and the process proceeds to S15. Then, in S15, it is determined whether or not the door is open. If "NO", the process proceeds to S16. If "YES", the number of ices for the door open is subtracted, and the process proceeds to S16.
[0045]
Then, it is determined whether or not there is a change in ice mass in S16. If “NO”, the process proceeds to S17. If “YES”, the number of ices is calculated for the change in ice mass, and the process proceeds to S17. In S17, it is determined whether or not the number of ices is expected to become 0 after a certain period of time. If “NO”, the process proceeds to S18, and if “YES”, a quick ice making request process is performed and the process proceeds to S18.
[0046]
In the screen display of the ice number in S18, the ice number is displayed on the screen as the calculation result of the ice number in S14, S15, and S16, and the process proceeds to S19.
In recording each data in S19, each data in S11 to S18 is recorded as a communication history of monitoring / control in a recording unit or a storage unit (not shown), and the process returns to S10. Hereinafter, the processing is repeatedly performed based on the flowchart.
[0047]
Next, a second example of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
6 and 7 show a second example according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the refrigerator and the remote monitoring control system according to the second example, and FIG. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a communication data packet exchanged over a network using the communication means according to the embodiment.
[0048]
As shown in FIG. 6, the refrigerator 21 of the second embodiment replaces the communication unit 101 of the first embodiment with an external communication unit 109 having a unit capable of converting to the TCP / IP protocol, so that the unit is physically located at a remote place. Is connected by Ethernet (registered trademark) or the like so that data communication can be performed with the monitoring communication unit 201 of the external monitoring and control apparatus 2.
[0049]
The external monitoring control device 2 includes a monitoring communication unit 201, a display unit 202, an operation unit 203, and a recording unit 204.
Further, the external monitoring and control device 2 can record the history of monitoring and control operations by the recording means 204, confirm the current state, and issue a control instruction.
[0050]
In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, a header conforming to the TCP / IP protocol is added to the head of the header P1 of the communication data packet P0. In the drawing, reference symbol P2 is ice making stop data, P3 is oisoki ice making data, P4 is ice breaking stop data, P5 is ice breaking timing data, P6 is door opening data, and P7 ice mass data.
According to this, for example, if there is an Internet terminal, the refrigerator 21 can be monitored and controlled from anywhere in the world using the Internet.
[0051]
Next, a third example of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration in which operation means is provided inside the main body of the refrigerator according to the third embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 8, the refrigerator 31 of the third embodiment is obtained by replacing the communication unit 101 of the first embodiment with an internal communication unit 110 which is a serial communication unit in the device.
[0052]
The refrigerator 31 is integrally formed with a panel unit 4 including a panel communication unit 401, a panel display unit 402, a panel operation unit 403, and a panel recording unit 404. The in-compartment communication unit 110 is connected to the panel communication unit 401 of the panel unit 4 via an I2C bus (serial communication) so that data communication is possible.
[0053]
In the panel unit 4, a history of monitoring and control of the display contents of the panel display unit 402 and the operation contents of the panel operation unit 403 is recorded in the panel recording unit 404, and the current state can be confirmed and a control instruction can be given. is there.
In the case of the third embodiment, an address or the like conforming to the I2C bus is added to the head of the header P1 of the communication data packet P0 shown in FIG.
[0054]
With such a configuration, according to the third embodiment, for example, by providing a liquid crystal panel and an operation panel on the door or cabinet of the refrigerator 31 main body, it is possible to easily monitor and control from there.
[0055]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the refrigerator described in claims 1 to 9 of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
That is, according to the present invention, by monitoring the ice release timing data for the ice release operation of the automatic ice making machine, the ice volume (number) can be counted and displayed on the remote controller, so that the user can open the ice making room door. The user can easily check without looking at the refrigerator.
[0056]
Further, according to the present invention, the amount of ice used can be estimated by monitoring the opening and closing of the door of the ice making room independent of the refrigerator body as door opening / closing data, and the estimated amount of use is subtracted from the volume of ice. The estimated current number can be displayed on the remote controller. As a result, the user can easily confirm without opening the door of the ice making room and looking at the refrigerator without approaching the refrigerator.
[0057]
Further, according to the present invention, the amount of ice used can be measured by monitoring the ice storage mass data with respect to the mass of ice stored in the ice making room, and the used amount estimated from the volume of the ice is subtracted. Since the current number can be displayed on the remote controller more accurately, the user can easily confirm without opening the door of the ice making room and without approaching the refrigerator.
[0058]
Further, according to the present invention, since the volume of the ice in the ice making room of the refrigerator, the estimated current number or the current number is displayed on the remote control, if the user intends to use the ice, the ice previously displayed on the remote control main body is displayed. By confirming the number of pieces and controlling the snoring ice making mode easily without approaching the refrigerator, it is possible to shorten the interval of the ice removing operation so as not to run out of ice and to increase the volume of ice in a short time.
[0059]
Further, according to the present invention, since the volume of the ice in the ice-making room of the refrigerator, the estimated current number or the current number is displayed on the remote controller, the past transition history of the number displayed on the remote controller main body is calculated, and By controlling the mode, it is possible to maintain a constant amount of ice from the relationship between supply and demand so that there is no excess or deficiency of ice when the user uses ice.
[0060]
Further, according to the present invention, the full ice state or the out-of-water state of the automatic ice making machine is displayed on the remote controller as ice release stop data, and the user can grasp that the ice making operation is stopped. Or replenish the water in the water tank.
[0061]
Further, according to the present invention, the state in which the water in the water supply tank of the automatic ice maker has not been replaced for a long time is displayed on the remote controller as water exchange data, and the maintenance information is notified to the user, so that the ice maker is always kept clean. be able to.
Further, according to the present invention, since the ice removing operation of the automatic ice making machine can be stopped or the ice making stop mode can be set by remote control operation, the power consumption can be reduced when it is not necessary to keep the ice in the ice making room at a constant amount. Reduction can be achieved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an automatic ice maker of a refrigerator according to a first example of the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an example of a timing chart for making the amount of ice stored in an ice-making room of the refrigerator constant, in which (a) is a normal ice-making timing, and (b) is a timing chart at the time of a snoring ice-making.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the refrigerator main body.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of a communication unit on the main body side of the refrigerator.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the monitoring communication means on the remote control side of the refrigerator.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a refrigerator and a remote monitoring control system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a communication data packet exchanged over a network using the communication unit according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the present invention, which is provided with operating means inside the main body of the refrigerator.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of a conventional refrigerator.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 21, 31 Refrigerator 2 External monitoring and control device 4 Panel unit 81 Refrigeration room 82 Ice making room 90 Magnet switch 101 Communication means 102 Control means 103 Compressor 104 Automatic ice maker 104a Ice release operation detecting part 105 Ice making thermistor 108 Ice making room door switch 109 External communication means 110 Internal communication means 201 Monitoring communication means 202 Display means 203 Operation means 204 Recording means 401 Panel communication means 402 Panel display means 403 Panel operation means 404 Panel recording means

Claims (9)

An ice-making chamber for making ice and storing the ice, a refrigerator for cooling and storing foods and the like, cooling control means by a microcomputer, and outputting a load state controlled by the cooling control means as state data outside the refrigerator. A refrigerator comprising a communication means capable of inputting a control command in the cooling control means as control data from outside the refrigerator,
Automatic ice making means that can make ice at regular intervals,
Ice removing operation detecting means for detecting the ice removing operation of the automatic ice making means,
A refrigerator, wherein the load state of the refrigerator is output to the outside of the refrigerator as ice release timing data using the communication means in accordance with the timing of the ice release operation detected by the ice release operation detection means. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit is configured to be connectable to a network. The automatic ice making means is provided in an independent ice making room having an opening / closing door, and includes a door opening / closing detecting means for detecting the opening / closing of the ice making room door,
The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the door opening / closing information detected by the door opening / closing detecting means is output to the outside of the refrigerator as door opening / closing data using the communication means. The automatic ice making means is provided in an independent ice making room, and comprises ice making mass detecting means for detecting the mass of ice stored in the ice making room,
The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ice mass information detected by the ice making mass detection means is output to the outside of the refrigerator as ice storage mass data using the communication means. The automatic ice making means includes a rapid ice making control means capable of shortening an ice making time by a microcomputer and shortening an interval between an ice removing operation and a next ice removing operation,
The refrigerator according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a control command in the quick ice making control means is input from outside the refrigerator as quick ice making control data using the communication means. From the ice release timing data, the door opening / closing data or the ice storage mass data, the number of ices is calculated, and a control command in the quick ice making control means is set as rapid ice making control data from outside the refrigerator so as to keep the number constant. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the input is performed. In the ice making room in which the automatic ice making means is provided, the stored ice is in a full ice state exceeding a certain number, or a state in which the water in a water supply tank for supplying the automatic ice making means is depleted and the ice removing operation is stopped. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the data is output outside the refrigerator as ice stop data. 7. A water exchange data output from a water supply tank for supplying water to the automatic ice making means, which has not been replaced for a long time, to the outside of the refrigerator in the ice making room provided with the automatic ice making means. The refrigerator according to any one of the above. The automatic ice making means includes ice making stop control means capable of stopping the ice removing operation of the automatic ice making means by a user operation,
8. The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein the ice making stop control means outputs a state in which the automatic ice making means is in a state of stopping the ice releasing operation to the outside of the refrigerator as ice making stop data.

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