JP2006250485A - Refrigerator door device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator door device for opening the door of a refrigerator with slight operation in the order of touching the door while preventing a detecting error in operation by a plurality of users. <P>SOLUTION: The device comprises an electric door opening unit 7 for opening the door of the refrigerator when energized, a physical quantity sensor 9 for outputting a door opening signal when operated by a user, a sensitivity adjusting means 11 for adjusting the sensitivity of the physical quantity sensor 9, and a control means 10 for comparing the signal from the physical quantity sensor with a signal from the sensitivity adjusting means and controlling the energization of the electric door opening unit 7. Thus, the user opens the door with his operation in the order of touching the physical quantity sensor. The adjustment of sensitivity prevents a detecting error in operation by a plurality of users. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator door device including, for example, a door that opens and closes an opening of a refrigerator and an electric door opening unit that opens the door.

  In recent years, the size of refrigerators has increased significantly, and accordingly, the doors of refrigerator compartments have also increased in size. Such a refrigerator door is generally configured to hold its open / closed state by the attractive force of a magnet gasket. And when a door enlarges, since the total extension of a magnet gasket will become long, the tendency for the operating force required to open a door will come out will increase. If the operating force required to open the refrigerator door becomes large in this way, it will be a heavy burden for a weak person (woman, child or elderly person), so it is desirable to take measures, for example, electromagnetic An electric assist system that provides a door opening device that opens a door using an actuator such as a solenoid or a motor is conceivable.

  In the case of the electric assist type door opening device, a configuration in which the electric unit is energized to open the door by a user operating a door opening switch has been generally proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Moreover, there exists what was described in patent document 2 regarding operation of the switch for door opening. Instead of operating the door opening switch, the refrigerator door is opened by a combination of human body detection means and voice recognition means. That is, the door is automatically opened by a combination of the presence of instruction voice data for opening the refrigerator door by voice and the presence of a person in the predetermined area.
JP 2001-263923 A JP 2004-108604 A

  However, in the conventional refrigerator, when the door is opened, the direction in which the door switch is pushed and the direction in which the door is opened are reversed, and the user performs the operation of opening the door by hand (the operation of pushing the door switch) and the door at the same time. You are required to release your hands. In general, it is mainly during cooking that the door is frequently opened in the normal use state of the refrigerator. During the cooking process, the cook often has cooking seasonings or oil on his hands, so if he tries to open the door in such a state, the door switch should be covered with seasonings or oil. It will be dirty. As a means for opening the door without touching the door, it can be realized by combining a voice recognition device and a human body detection device, but each device is expensive and depends on the voice of each of a plurality of users. If the user who wants to open the door is different from the person who wants to open the door and the person in front of the refrigerator, problems such as the door not opening at the right time occur.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the conventional problems, and provides a refrigerator door device that is inexpensive and opens the refrigerator door with a light operation that touches the door, and that is not erroneously detected by a plurality of users. For the purpose.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a refrigerator door device according to the present invention includes a door that opens and closes an opening of a storage chamber provided in a refrigerator body, and an electric door opening unit that opens the door when energized. A physical quantity sensor that outputs a door opening signal when operated by a user, a sensitivity adjustment means for adjusting the sensitivity of the physical quantity sensor, and a signal of the physical quantity sensor and the sensitivity adjustment means, Control means for controlling energization to the door, the door of the refrigerator can be opened with a light operation that touches the door, and the sensitivity of the physical quantity sensor can be adjusted by the sensitivity adjustment means. Can prevent false detection.

  The door device of the refrigerator of the present invention can easily open the door even by a weak person (woman, child or elderly person) by driving the electric door opening unit with a light operation on the physical quantity sensor, and by simple sensitivity adjustment. There is an effect that malfunctions by a plurality of users can be prevented.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a door that opens and closes an opening of a storage room provided in a refrigerator body, an electric door opening unit that opens the door when energized, and when operated by a user. A physical quantity sensor that outputs a door opening signal; a sensitivity adjustment means that adjusts the sensitivity of the physical quantity sensor; and a control means that compares the signals of the physical quantity sensor and the sensitivity adjustment means and controls energization of the electric door opening unit. The refrigerator door can be opened with a light operation that touches the door, and the sensitivity of the physical quantity sensor can be adjusted by the sensitivity adjusting means, thereby preventing erroneous detection by a plurality of users.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the sensitivity adjusting means is provided in the operation unit for setting the operation state of the refrigerator, and the user easily adjusts the sensitivity of the physical quantity sensor. It is possible to prevent false detection by a plurality of users.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the sensitivity adjustment means is composed of a sensitivity adjustment mode setting means and a sensitivity setting means, and a physical quantity sensor other than the sensitivity adjustment mode is provided. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from changing the sensitivity unintended by the user.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sensitivity adjusting means is also used as an operating means for setting the operating state of the refrigerator, and a new sensitivity is provided. There is no need to provide an adjustment switch, etc., and the sensitivity of the physical quantity sensor can be adjusted without increasing the cost, thereby preventing erroneous detection by a plurality of users.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising sensitivity display means for displaying the sensitivity level set by the sensitivity adjustment means. The person can easily adjust the sensitivity while looking at the sensitivity level of the physical quantity sensor.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
1 and 2 show a front view of the refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention and a schematic perspective view of the refrigerator in a state where the refrigerator door is opened. 1 and 2, a refrigerator body 1 configured as a heat insulation box having a well-known structure has a refrigerator room 2, a vegetable room 3, an ice making room 4, a switching room 5 in which the internal temperature can be switched in a plurality of stages, a freezer The chamber 6 is provided in order from the top. The ice making chamber 4 and the switching chamber 5 are provided so as to be lined up on the left and right. Further, the switching chamber 5 is configured to be usable in various modes such as a freezing chamber, a chilled chamber, a refrigerated chamber, and a vegetable chamber according to switching of the internal temperature. In addition, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited by arrangement | positioning of the vegetable compartment 3, the ice making room 4, the switching room 5, and the freezer compartment 6 except having the refrigerator compartment 2 in the upper part.

  A hinged door 2a is provided on the front face of the refrigerator compartment 2, and the front of each of the vegetable compartment 3, the ice making compartment 4, the switching compartment 5 and the freezer compartment 6 is connected to a respective storage container (not shown). Draw-out type doors 3a, 4a, 5a and 6a are provided. A magnet gasket 2b is held at the periphery of the back surface of the door 2a for the refrigerator compartment 2 by being attracted to the refrigerator main body 2 (that is, the opening edge portion of the refrigerator compartment 2), thereby being kept closed. Moreover, although not shown in figure, the magnet gasket is attached also to the peripheral part of the back surface side of the other doors 3a, 4a, 5a, and 6a.

  Now, an electric door opening unit 7 for applying a force in the opening direction to the door 2a for the refrigerator compartment 2 is attached to the upper surface of the refrigerator body 1. As shown in FIG. 3 showing the cross-sectional structure of the upper part of the refrigerator, this electric door opening unit 7 is installed in a semi-embedded state in a recess 1a formed on the upper surface of the refrigerator body 1, and has a direct current inside. It has an electromagnetic solenoid 8 to be driven.

  The electromagnetic solenoid 8 is fixed in a coaxial manner to the plunger 8b, a coil unit 8a in which a coil formed in a cylindrical shape is resin-molded, a plunger 8b provided through the coil unit 8a. The main component is a push rod (protruding rod) 8c. The electromagnetic solenoid 8 is configured to urge the plunger 8b and the push rod 8c in the direction of the door 2a (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3) in the energized state (the coil unit is energized).

  In addition, a receiving member 2c with which the tip of the push rod 8c abuts is integrally provided at the upper edge of the door 2a for the refrigerator compartment 2. In the case of this configuration, when the electromagnetic solenoid 8 is energized and the plunger 8b and the push rod 8c are urged in the direction of the arrow A, the receiving member 2c is pressed by the push rod 8c, and the door 2a is accordingly moved to the magnet gasket. It is configured to open against the adsorption force of 2b.

  A physical quantity sensor 9 is provided on the front surface of the door 2a for the refrigerator compartment 2. This physical quantity sensor 9 converts a change in distortion or capacitance caused by the user touching the physical quantity sensor 9 into an electrical signal. FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the refrigerator door device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which 10 is a control means and 11 is a sensitivity adjustment means built in the refrigerator body 1. The sensitivity adjustment means includes a sensitivity adjustment mode setting means 11 a that sets a mode for adjusting the sensitivity of the physical quantity sensor 9 and a sensitivity setting means 11 b that sets the sensitivity of the physical quantity sensor 9. In addition, the control means 10 inputs an electrical signal from the physical quantity sensor 9 to determine the state of the physical quantity sensor 9, a signal from the sensor input detection means 10 a, and opening / closing the door 2 a for the refrigerator compartment 2. The door switch 12 that operates in conjunction, the signal of the first timer 10b that counts the energization time to the electric unit 7, and the sensitivity adjustment mode is set by the sensitivity adjustment mode setting means 11a and the sensitivity adjustment mode setting means 11a. The second timer 10c that counts the time from the time and the signal of the sensitivity setting means 11b are input, the determination means 10d that determines whether the electric door opening unit 7 is energized or disconnected, and the signal of the determination means 10d The electric door opening unit 7 is constituted by an energizing means 10e for controlling energization and disconnection of the electric door unit 7 and an electric disconnecting means 10f. The sensitivity of the physical quantity sensor 9 set by the sensitivity setting unit 11b is output from the determination unit 10d to the sensitivity display unit 13 and displayed.

  The operation of the refrigerator door device configured as described above will be described below.

  FIG. 5 is a control flowchart according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  First, in step S1 of FIG. 5, it is determined whether the sensitivity adjustment mode is set by inputting a signal from the sensitivity adjustment mode setting means 11a to the determination means 10d. If it is the sensitivity adjustment mode, the process proceeds to step S2, and if it is not the sensitivity adjustment mode, the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step 2, the second timer 10d starts counting as the sensitivity setting mode, and it is determined in step S3 whether a preset time (A) has elapsed. If it is determined in step S3 that the time (A) has elapsed, the sensitivity (K) of the physical quantity sensor 9 is set to the already set sensitivity (K = K (n-1)) in step S4, and the process proceeds to step S8. Proceed. When the sensitivity (K) is not set, the initial sensitivity (K = K0) is set. If the time (A) has not elapsed in step S3, an electric signal from the sensitivity setting means 11b is input in step S5 to determine whether there is a change in sensitivity (K). If the sensitivity (K) is changed, the sensitivity (K = K (n)) is set in step S6, the sensitivity (K) is displayed on the sensitivity display means 13 for a predetermined time in step S7, and the process proceeds to step S8. If there is no change in sensitivity (K) in step S5, the process proceeds to step S4.

  In step S8, the electrical signal (S) from the physical quantity sensor 9 is input, and in step S9, the sensitivity (K) is compared. If the electrical signal (S) from the physical quantity sensor 9 is larger than the sensitivity (K), it is determined that the physical quantity sensor 9 has been operated by the user (a signal for opening the door 2 has been input), and the process proceeds to step S10. In this case, it is determined that the physical quantity sensor 9 is not operated by the user (a signal for opening the door 2 is not input), and other refrigerator control (not described) is performed, and the control returns to the start.

  In step S10, the determination means 10d outputs a signal to the energization means 10e to energize the electric door opening unit 7 to energize the electric door opening unit 7.

  Thereby, the plunger 8b and the push rod 8c of the electromagnetic solenoid 8 are urged toward the door 2a, and the push rod 8c presses the receiving member 2c of the door 2a. As a result, the door 2a is opened against the attracting force of the magnet gasket 2b.

  And it progresses to step S11 and the determination means 10e determines whether the door switch 12 was turned on. Here, when the door switch 12 is turned on, that is, when the door 2a is opened, the process proceeds to step S12, and a signal is sent to the power disconnecting means 10f in order to cut off the power supply to the electric door opening unit 7 at the judging means 10e. Is output to stop energization of the electric door opening unit 7.

  On the other hand, when the door switch 12 is off in step S11, that is, when the door 2a is in the closed state, the process proceeds to step S13, and the determination means 10e starts energizing the electric door opening unit 7 and is determined in advance. It is determined whether the set time has elapsed.

  When the set time has not elapsed in step S13, the process returns to step S11. On the other hand, when the set time has elapsed in step S13, a signal is output to the power disconnecting means 10f so that the power supply to the electric door opening unit 7 is interrupted in step 12 determination means 10e. Stop energization, control other refrigerators (not explained), and return to the start of this control.

  As described above, the door 2a that opens and closes the opening of the refrigerator compartment 2 provided in the refrigerator body 1, and the electric opening that opens the door 2a by applying a force in the opening direction to the door 2a when energized. The door unit 7, a physical quantity sensor 9 that converts a change in distortion or capacitance caused by touching (operating) by a user into an electric signal, and a sensitivity adjustment mode setting unit that sets a mode for adjusting the sensitivity of the physical quantity sensor 9. 11a, sensitivity setting means 11b for setting the sensitivity of the physical quantity sensor 9, sensor input detection means 10a for determining the state of the physical quantity sensor 9 by inputting an electrical signal from the physical quantity sensor 9, and signals from the sensor input detection means 10a, The door switch 12 that operates in conjunction with the opening and closing of the door 2a for the refrigerator compartment 2, the signal of the first timer 10b that counts the energization time to the electric unit 7, and the sensitivity adjustment mode The second timer 10c that counts the time after the sensitivity adjustment mode is set by the mode setting means 11a and the sensitivity adjustment mode setting means 11a and the signal of the sensitivity setting means 11b are input, and the electric door opening unit 7 is energized. It is composed of a judgment means 10d for judging whether the power is cut off, a power supply means 10e for inputting the signal of the judgment means 10d and controlling the energization of the electric door opening unit 7 and the power interruption, and a power interruption means 10f, and sensitivity setting. By providing the sensitivity display means 13 for displaying the sensitivity of the physical quantity sensor 9 set by the means 11b, the door 2a of the refrigerator can be opened with a light operation of touching the door, and the physical quantity sensor 9 of the physical quantity sensor 9 can be opened by the sensitivity setting means 11b. Sensitivity can be adjusted and erroneous detection by a plurality of users can be prevented.

  In addition, when a sensor that can change an electric signal even in a non-contact state such as a capacitance is used as the physical quantity sensor 9, it is possible to detect the moment when the user is about to open the door by sensitivity. The door 2a of the refrigerator can be opened without touching the door.

  Further, by providing the sensitivity adjustment mode setting means 11a and the sensitivity setting means 11b, the sensitivity adjustment of the physical quantity sensor 9 in a mode other than the sensitivity adjustment mode can be prohibited, and the sensitivity unintended by the user can be prevented from being changed.

  Further, sensitivity display means 13 for displaying the sensitivity level set by the sensitivity adjustment means 11 is provided, and the user can easily adjust the sensitivity while looking at the sensitivity level of the physical quantity sensor.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an operation unit for setting the operation state of the refrigerator in the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a control flowchart of the same embodiment. The operation unit 100 notifies the refrigerator room temperature setting means 101, the freezer room temperature setting means 102, the switching room temperature setting means 103, the state of the refrigerator, and the like for setting the respective temperatures of the refrigerator room 2, the freezer room 6, and the switching room 5. The state display means 104, the quick deodorizing switch, the quick freezing switch 106, and the ice making stop switch 107, each of which sets and cancels the functions of the refrigerator such as quick deodorizing, quick freezing, and ice making stop. The refrigerator temperature setting means 101, the freezer temperature setting means 102, the switching room temperature setting means 103, the state display means 104 for notifying the state of the refrigerator, the quick deodorizing switch 105, the quick freezing switch 106, and the ice making stop switch 107 are operated. This is referred to as means 108. In the refrigerator door device of the second embodiment, the sensitivity adjustment mode setting means 11a in the first embodiment is used as the quick deodorization switch 105, the sensitivity setting means 11b is used as the quick freezing switch 106 (a switch for increasing the sensitivity) and the ice making stop switch 107 ( The configuration is the same except that the sensitivity display means 13 is also used as the status display means 104 for the switch for lowering the sensitivity. The same reference numerals are given to the configuration and the description thereof will be omitted, and the operation will be described below. Also, the operation is the same from step 8 to step 13, and therefore the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.

  First, in step S101 in FIG. 7, a signal from the rapid deodorization switch 105 (sensitivity adjustment mode setting means) is input to the determination means 10d to determine whether it is the sensitivity adjustment mode. In this case, in order to prevent erroneous determination from the input of the original rapid deodorization operation, it is determined that the sensitivity adjustment mode has been set when the rapid deodorization switch 105 is in the ON state for a certain time (about 3 seconds). If it is the sensitivity adjustment mode, the process proceeds to step S102, and if it is not the sensitivity adjustment mode, the process proceeds to step S103.

  In step 102, the second timer 10d starts counting as a sensitivity setting mode, and it is determined in step S103 whether a preset time (A) has elapsed. If it is determined in step S103 that the time (A) has elapsed, the sensitivity (K) of the physical quantity sensor 9 is set to the already set sensitivity (K = K (n-1)) in step S104, and the process proceeds to step S8. Proceed. When the sensitivity (K) is not set, the initial sensitivity (K = K0) is set. If the time (A) has not elapsed in step S103, an electric signal is input from the quick freezing switch 106 or the ice making stop switch 107 (both sensitivity setting means) in step S105, and the sensitivity (K) is changed. Determine if there is. Here, each time there is an electrical signal from the quick freeze switch 106, the sensitivity is increased by one step, and every time there is an electrical signal from the ice making switch 107, the sensitivity is decreased by one step. If there is a change in sensitivity (K), the sensitivity (K = K (n)) is set in step S106, the sensitivity (K) is displayed on the sensitivity display means 13 for a predetermined time in step S107, and the process proceeds to step S8. If there is no change in sensitivity (K) in step S105, the process proceeds to step S104.

  As described above, the quick deodorization switch 105 of the operation unit for setting the operation state of the refrigerator of the present embodiment is used as the sensitivity adjustment mode setting means, the quick freeze switch 106 (the switch for increasing the sensitivity) and the ice making stop switch 107 (the sensitivity is changed). With the configuration in which the switch for lowering) is used as the sensitivity setting means and the state display means 104 is also used as the sensitivity display means, there is no need to newly provide sensitivity adjustment mode setting means, sensitivity setting means, and sensitivity display means. Thereby, the door 2a of the refrigerator can be opened with a light operation that touches the door with an inexpensive configuration, the sensitivity of the physical quantity sensor 9 can be adjusted, and erroneous detection by a plurality of users can be prevented. Further, sensitivity adjustment of the physical quantity sensor 9 in modes other than the sensitivity adjustment mode can be prohibited, and it is possible to prevent the sensitivity unintended by the user from being changed. Further, the sensitivity display means (status display means 104) for displaying the sensitivity level set by the sensitivity adjustment means (quick freeze switch 106, ice making stop switch 107) allows the user to easily view the sensitivity level of the physical quantity sensor. The sensitivity can be adjusted.

  As described above, the door device of the refrigerator according to the present invention is a door without a great force even by a weak person (woman, child or elderly person) by driving the electric door opening unit by operating the door opening switch (physical quantity sensor). The door of the refrigerator can be opened with a light action that touches the door. Also, depending on the sensitivity adjustment, the refrigerator door can be opened simply by bringing the hand close to the door, and it can also be applied to applications such as devices that detect human movement and open the door.

Front view of the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 of the present invention The perspective view of the refrigerator which opened the door for refrigerator compartments in the embodiment Vertical sectional view around the electric door opening unit in the same embodiment Control configuration diagram in the same embodiment Control flowchart in the embodiment The figure which shows the operation part which sets the driving | running state of the refrigerator in Embodiment 2 of this invention. Control flowchart in the embodiment

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator main body 2a Door 7 Electric door opening unit 9 Physical quantity sensor 10 Control means 11 Sensitivity adjustment means 11a Sensitivity adjustment mode setting means 11b Sensitivity setting means 13 Sensitivity display means 100 Operation part 108 Operation means

Claims (5)

  A door that opens and closes an opening of a storage room provided in the refrigerator body, an electric door opening unit that opens the door when energized, and a physical quantity sensor that outputs a door opening signal when operated by a user; A refrigerator door device comprising: sensitivity adjusting means for adjusting sensitivity of the physical quantity sensor; and control means for comparing the signals of the physical quantity sensor and the sensitivity adjusting means to control energization to the electric door opening unit.   The refrigerator door device according to claim 1, wherein the sensitivity adjusting means is provided in an operation unit that sets an operation state of the refrigerator.   The refrigerator door device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensitivity adjustment means is configured by sensitivity adjustment mode setting means and sensitivity setting means.   The door device for a refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sensitivity adjusting means is also used as an operating means for setting an operating state of the refrigerator.   The refrigerator door device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising sensitivity display means for displaying a sensitivity level set by the sensitivity adjustment means.

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