JP2008039197A - Storage - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve reliability of a storage by keeping an environment inside of a storage compartment under a specific condition by preventing an environment creating means from being continuously operated or continuously stopped on the basis of a result of the detection in such a state that the detection output of a wireless detecting means cannot be obtained. <P>SOLUTION: As this storage comprises a monitoring means 35 for monitoring receiving states of wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, 30, a refrigerator is not stopped even when any signal of the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, 30 in the refrigerator is lost, by performing an emergency operation mode set by a first storing means 36 in advance when receiving intervals of the signals from the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, 30 by an information reading device 31 become abnormal within N time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention detects an environment such as a temperature or humidity in a storage chamber with a wireless temperature sensor, a wireless humidity sensor, or the like provided in the storage chamber, and operates the device based on the output thereof. The present invention relates to a storage equipped with a control device that maintains the environment at set conditions.

  In recent years, a wireless sensor in which a sensor for measuring temperature, humidity, and the like and a wireless transmission unit are integrated has been proposed. As a conventional device using this type of wireless sensor, there is known a system in which wireless sensors are arranged in a plurality of locations, and measurement values (detection values) obtained by these are centrally managed (for example, , See Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a device control system described in Patent Document 1 and using a wireless temperature sensor.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the temperature sensor 1 and the humidity sensor 2 constitute a sensor unit 3, and necessary information is selected by the switch 4 and input to the A / D converter 5. The first CPU 6 inputs a signal from the A / D converter 5, outputs an information signal to the wireless transmission unit 7, and transmits from the transmission antenna 8. In addition, the power supply to each component is performed from the power supply 9, and the several radio | wireless temperature sensor transmitters 10, 11, and 12 which comprised the above component are arrange | positioned.

  The main device 13 is provided with a receiving antenna 14, receives information radio waves from the wireless temperature sensor transmitters 10, 11, and 12, and sends these information signals to the second CPU 16 via the wireless receiver 15. Is entered. From the second CPU 16, signals for controlling the main device 13 according to the information content are sent to the first load 18, the second load 19, and the third load 20 via the load control means 17. Is output.

  The operation of the device configured as described above and using the wireless temperature sensor will be described below.

  First, information (temperature and humidity) detected by the temperature sensor 1 and the humidity sensor 2 of the sensor unit 3 is selected by the switch 4 and necessary information is input to the A / D converter 5 as an analog signal. Next, the A / D converter 5 converts the signal from analog to digital and outputs information to the first CPU 6. In the first CPU 6, the ID code of the wireless temperature sensor transmitter 10 is added to the information data, and the transmission data is transmitted to the main body device 13 as a radio wave of a predetermined frequency via the wireless transmission unit 7 and the transmission antenna 8. .

On the main device 13 side, information data transmitted from each of the wireless temperature sensor transmitters 10, 11, 12 is detected by the receiving antenna 14, the radio signal is converted into a digital signal by the wireless receiving unit 15, and the second CPU 16 Output. The second CPU 16 determines the optimum control method as a device from the location where the wireless temperature sensor transmitters 10, 11, 12 are installed and the information data thereof, and controls the load control device 17 to control each load 18. , 19 and 20 are operated.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 8-6955

  However, if the above conventional configuration is used for a consumer device with a lot of wiring such as a refrigerator, there is a merit that the wiring is reduced and the sensor can be mounted at a free place. When the radio wave is interrupted, the device itself cannot be controlled, or it is operated based on erroneous data due to communication abnormality, causing the device to malfunction. .

  For example, in the case of a refrigerator using a wireless temperature sensor as internal temperature data, if the wireless temperature sensor malfunctions, the internal temperature of the refrigerator cannot be cooled to a predetermined temperature, which may cause malfunction as a refrigerator. Can be considered.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and performs a proper operation even if the wireless temperature sensor is abnormal. In the case of a refrigerator using the wireless temperature sensor, the wireless temperature sensor installed in the refrigerator An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator capable of cooling the inside of the refrigerator cabinet to a predetermined temperature even if the signal of the signal is interrupted.

  In order to solve the above conventional problems, the storage of the present invention confirms the reception status from the wireless detection means such as a wireless temperature sensor, and is stored in advance when the wireless detection means is determined to be abnormal. In the specific mode, for example, a cooling operation is performed for a refrigerator, and a heating operation is performed for a warm storage.

  Therefore, even when reception from the wireless detection unit cannot be performed due to some reason, it is possible to control the operation of the device in a specific mode set in advance and maintain the storage chamber in a predetermined environmental state.

  As an example of the operation content in the specific mode, intermittent operation of the environment creation means by time control can be given as an example.

  Since the storage of the present invention is configured to detect the environmental state by wireless detection means and wirelessly output the result, wiring for signal transmission can be reduced, the circuit configuration can be simplified, If the radio signal reception does not reach within the predetermined time, the operation of the device is controlled in a specific mode set in advance without judging that there is an abnormality. It can also be solved that the storage function cannot be performed due to the change, and the reliability of the storage can be improved.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a storage body formed of a heat insulating housing with a door is formed in the storage body, and a storage room for storing articles, and the storage room has a predetermined humidity, temperature, etc. Environmental creation means for setting environmental conditions; environmental condition setting means for setting the environmental conditions; wireless detection means for detecting an environmental condition in the storage room and outputting a detection result wirelessly; and the wireless detection An operation control means for controlling the operation of the environment creation means so that the detection output of the means and the setting information of the environmental condition setting means are input, and the storage chamber is in a condition set by the environmental condition setting means, The operation control means is provided with a storage means for storing a specific mode in which the environmental condition in the storage room is set to a specific condition, and a monitoring means for receiving the output status of the wireless detection means, and within a preset time in front When reception by the monitoring unit is not obtained, in which so as to operate the environmental creation means the specific mode.

  By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the environment creation means from being continuously operated or continuously stopped based on the previous detection result without obtaining the detection output of the wireless detection means. The environment can be maintained under certain conditions and the reliability of the storage can be improved.

  The invention according to claim 2 operates the environment creation means in the specific mode when recognizing that the reception by the monitoring means is not received after the previous reception or after a predetermined time has elapsed since the door opening / closing operation. It is what I did.

  With this configuration, it is possible to specify the timing of operation switching to the specific mode, and it is possible to stably perform operation control of the environment creation means.

  The invention according to claim 3 is provided with a plurality of the storage chambers, respectively provided with wireless detection means in at least two of the storage chambers, and the number of receptions from each wireless detection means by the monitoring means is the previous number. The environment creation means is operated in the specific mode when it is recognized that the predetermined number of times has elapsed after receiving the output from the wireless detection means or after any of the door opening / closing operations. It is what I did.

  By adopting such a configuration, when the number of receptions is less than the predetermined number, it is recognized as a transmission failure of any of the wireless detection means, and an environment is created so that the storage chamber is in a specific mode of environmental conditions. In order to control the means, each storage room can be maintained in an appropriate range of environments.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of the storage chambers are provided, wireless detection means are provided in at least two of the storage chambers, respectively, and the setting means for the specific mode stored in the storage means is determined by the monitoring means. This is the detection output content from the wireless detection means on the receiving side.

  By setting it as this structure, the environmental condition of the store room of the side maintained in the appropriate range can be made into a setting condition, and each store room can be maintained in a proper range.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the storage means includes a volatile memory, and the setting conditions for the specific mode are written to the volatile memory.

  By adopting such a configuration, it becomes possible to retain the data in the specific mode even if a power failure occurs due to a lightning strike or the like, and after the power supply is restored, the previous environment creation operation can be started again.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, output signals from the plurality of wireless detection means include an identification code of the wireless detection means.

  By this, it can classify | categorize as the information for every said radio | wireless detection means, and it becomes possible to control an environment creation means according to the environment of a store room.

  The invention according to claim 7 is provided with notifying means for notifying that the environment creating means is operating in the specific mode, whereby notifying the user that the operation of the storage is not in the normal mode. Can be quickly moved to maintenance and inspection work. Moving quickly to such work is useful for hygiene in a storehouse that manages foods and the like.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the same constituent elements as those described in the conventional example will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of the refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the refrigerator in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a control configuration block diagram of the wireless temperature sensor of the refrigerator in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation contents of the information reading device and the monitoring means of the refrigerator in the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, the refrigerator includes a first refrigerator compartment 22, a second refrigerator compartment 23, and a freezer compartment 24, which are partitioned by a partition wall in a refrigerator main body 21 made of a heat-insulating housing, each functioning as a storage compartment. A first refrigerator compartment door 25 corresponding to the first refrigerator compartment 22, a second refrigerator compartment door 26 corresponding to the second refrigerator compartment 23, and a freezer compartment door 27 corresponding to the freezer compartment 24. Each has. And by closing each corresponding door, it is sealed so that the cool air in the storage chamber does not touch the outside of the storage chamber.

  Further, an alarm device 40 described later is provided on the front surface of the refrigerator compartment door 25.

  As is well known, the refrigeration cycle 33 (FIG. 2) for generating cold air is composed of a closed circuit of a compressor, a condenser, a capillary tube, and an evaporator (all not shown) and is mounted inside the refrigerator main body 21. ing. This refrigeration cycle corresponds to the environment creation means of the present invention.

  In the first refrigerator compartment 22, a first wireless temperature sensor 28, in the second refrigerator compartment 23, a second wireless temperature sensor 29, and in the freezer compartment 24, a third wireless temperature sensor 28 is provided. Wireless temperature sensors 30 are embedded at arbitrary positions, respectively. These wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, and 30 may be movable as a place instead of being embedded as necessary.

  Each of the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, and 30 corresponds to the wireless detection means of the present invention. As is well known, the structure of the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, and 30 is a sensor unit that detects temperature and the electrical signal captured from the sensor unit is data. The main components are an output unit that outputs radio waves every predetermined time and a power supply unit (battery) that is a drive source, and the data output from the output unit identifies which sensor it is An identification code is provided for this purpose. A detailed description of each wireless temperature sensor 28, 29, 30 will be described later.

  Further, the information reading device 31 that receives information while receiving the transmission signals of the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, and 30 while identifying the wireless temperature sensor is at an arbitrary position in the first refrigerator compartment 22. It is buried in. In the first embodiment, the information reading device 31 is provided in the first refrigerating chamber 22. However, as long as the signals from the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, and 30 can be received, It may be embedded at any location.

  Next, the structure which controls the indoor state of a refrigerator is demonstrated with the functional block diagram of FIG. The refrigerator in the first embodiment includes a monitoring unit 35 that monitors the data reception state from the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, and 30 received by the information reading device 31, the inside of the refrigerator compartments 22 and 23, and the inside of the freezer compartment 24. Control means 32 for controlling the operation of environment creation equipment (refrigeration cycle 33, cold air circulation means 34) for creating a temperature environment is provided.

  The environment creation means corresponds to a refrigeration cycle 33 and a cold air circulation means 34 such as a blower fan or an electric damper, as is well known.

  The monitoring unit 35 includes a first storage unit 36 including a non-volatile memory (a memory in which data is not lost even when the power is turned off, as represented by an EEPROM or a PROM), and the like, for example, the refrigerator compartment door 25. 26, a timer 37 for starting the counting operation starting from the opening / closing operation of the freezer compartment door 27 or a signal from the information reading device 31. Here, a description will be given assuming that the counting operation is started after the previous reception, that is, the signal from the information reading device 31 as a starting point.

  The monitoring unit 35 has a function of individually determining the reception status of data from each of the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, 30, and the wireless temperature sensor is at an interval of data transmitted from each of the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, 30. Whether any of the transmission operations 28, 29 and 30 is abnormal is monitored.

  When the monitoring unit 35 recognizes that the transmission intervals from the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, 30 are performed within a predetermined time, each wireless temperature sensor 28, 29, 30 transmits normally. It is determined that the operation is performed, and the normal operation mode (operation mode set by the user) is selected.

  Here, the first storage means 36 stores the received data read by the information reading device 31 in addition to updating and storing the data of the normal operation mode by the user every time it is changed, and is further set as an initial value Data on the emergency operation mode (fixed mode) is stored in advance. This emergency operation mode corresponds to the specific mode of the present invention.

  Therefore, the reception data read by the information reading device 31 is stored in the first storage means 36 as input information.

  The control means 32 reads the input information stored in the first storage means 36 and the information on the normal operation mode, performs arithmetic processing based on the information, and the inside of each refrigerator compartment 22, 23 and freezer compartment 24 is optimal. The operation of the refrigeration cycle 33 and the cold air circulation means 34 is controlled so that the state is maintained.

  In addition, if the timer 37 cannot receive any of the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, and 30 within a predetermined time, a reception failure occurs for any of the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, and 30. The emergency operation mode is selected.

  When the emergency operation mode is selected, the data of the emergency operation mode (fixed mode) stored in the first storage means 36 is read into the control means 32, and the refrigeration cycle 33 and the cold air circulation means 34 are read along the data. Is operated, and the alarm device 40 informs the user that it is in the emergency operation mode. Since the alarm device 40 may have a known configuration using sound or light as a medium, the description thereof is omitted.

  As specific operation contents of the emergency operation mode, intermittent operation by time control of the refrigeration cycle 33 and the cold air circulation means 34 is preferable. As an example, control is performed so that the refrigeration cycle 33 is intermittently operated at predetermined time intervals, cold air is supplied to the freezer compartment 24 in conjunction with the operation of the refrigeration cycle 33, and If the cold air circulation means 34 is controlled so that the amount of cold air supplied is less than the amount of cold air supplied to the freezer compartment 24, a temperature lower than that of the refrigerator compartments 22 and 23 can be obtained in the freezer compartment 24.

  In this emergency operation mode, the control contents of all the storage rooms in the refrigerator compartments 22 and 23 and the freezer compartment 24 are changed due to poor reception from any one of the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29 and 30, but the received data is identified. Since the code can identify the wireless temperature sensor that has received poorly, only the storage room may be in the emergency operation mode.

  In this control, an example will be described. If any one of the refrigerator compartments 22 and 23 having a relatively high temperature is poorly received, the cold air circulation means of the corresponding refrigerator compartment is intermittently operated by time control and the cold air is intermittently supplied. In the case of reception failure in the freezer compartment 24, the contents conform to the control for changing the control contents of all the storage rooms as described above.

  Since the control is performed as described above, the information reading device 31, the monitoring unit 35, the control unit 32, and the like are configured as a control circuit including a microprocessor.

  Next, the configuration of the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, 30 will be described with reference to the control configuration block diagram of FIG. In this description of the configuration, the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, and 30 may have the same configuration although the characteristics are slightly different depending on the storage room to be installed. Explained.

  As shown in the figure, the wireless temperature sensor 28 includes a sensor unit 3, an A / D converter 5, a first CPU 6, a wireless transmission unit 7, a transmission antenna 8, and a power source (a power source (the drive source)). Battery) 9.

  The sensor unit 3 includes a gas sensor 3a that detects the gas concentration in the storage chamber in addition to the temperature sensor 1 and the humidity sensor 2 of FIG. 7, and these detection data are used as conventional room information for each storage chamber. Similar to the temperature sensor, it is taken into the A / D converter 5, converted into data, passed through the first CPU 6 and the wireless transmission unit 7, and periodically as a wireless signal from the transmission antenna 8, for example, information on the freezer compartment 24. If this is the case, the information is sent to the information reading device 31 every minute, if the information is in the refrigerator compartment 22 every 2 minutes, and if the information is in the refrigerator compartment 23, it is sent every 3 minutes.

  The power supply 9 also supplies power to each component as in the conventional case. The first CPU 6 includes a flash memory CPU having a storage unit. The CPU storage unit has an identification code corresponding to the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, and 30. The individual wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, 30 can be discriminated.

  In the wireless temperature sensor 28, the A / D converter 5, the first CPU 6, the wireless transmission unit 7, and the like are configured by a circuit including a microprocessor.

  With respect to the refrigerator configured as described above, switching operation between the normal operation mode and the emergency operation mode depending on the presence or absence of reception failure will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, normal operation mode data stored in the first storage unit 36 of the monitoring unit 35 (information selected and set by the user, or information such as temperature, humidity, gas concentration of each room set at the time of factory shipment) ) Is transferred to the control means 32 (STEP 1), and the cooling operation of the refrigerator is performed in the initial operation mode based on the initial value of the reference setting information (STEP 2). This initial operation mode is the content of the initial operation start in the normal operation mode.

  Simultaneously with the start of the cooling operation, a measurement operation for a predetermined time that is important for the operation of determining whether to receive from the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, 30 is started (STEP 3, STEP 4). This predetermined time is set as a time that does not cause such a malfunction, because in the unlikely event that normal operation cannot be performed, a temperature change occurs in each storage chamber, leading to a deterioration in the quality of the stored product. Therefore, here, as an example, the predetermined time of the refrigerator compartments 22 and 23 is 10 minutes, and the predetermined time of the freezer compartment 24 is 5 minutes.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the information reading device 31 has received the transmission data of the detection results periodically transmitted from the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, and 30 (STEP 5).

  Here, the description continues when the information reading device 31 is normally receiving transmissions from the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, and 30. The transmission / reception data is described as temperature for convenience.

  In the initial state, since transmission from each of the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, 30 is not performed, the elapse of a predetermined time is confirmed (STEP 6). As described above, the transmission cycle of the wireless temperature sensor 30 in the freezer compartment 24 is every one minute, the transmission cycle of the wireless temperature sensor 28 in the refrigerator compartment 22 is every two minutes, and the transmission of the wireless temperature sensor 29 in the refrigerator compartment 23 is transmitted. The period is every 3 minutes. Further, since the predetermined time is set to 5 minutes for the freezer compartment 24 and 10 minutes for the refrigerator compartments 22 and 23 as described above, the respective wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, and 30 are passed before this time elapses. The second and subsequent transmissions are performed.

  Therefore, STEP3 to STEP6 are repeatedly performed until the above-described respective period times elapse, and when the period time elapses, reception by the information reading device 31 is confirmed (STEP5). It is determined whether the signal received here is periodically transmitted without delay, that is, whether it is transmitted within the time measured in STEP 4 (STEP 7). Since the result is transmitted within a predetermined time in this case, it is stored in the first storage means 36 as predetermined transmission data (STEP 8), and is transferred to the control means 32 as control data (STEP 9).

  The control means 32 controls the operation of the refrigeration cycle 33 and the cold air circulation means 34 based on the data and the data at STEP 1, and the inside of the refrigerator compartments 22 and 23 and the inside of the freezer compartment 24 are determined by the data at STEP 1. The normal operation mode is performed so as to become an environment (STEP 10). In STEP 10, the emergency operation canceling process and the alarm 40 canceling process are also performed at the same time.

  At the same time as the normal operation mode is performed, the predetermined time measurement performed in STEP 4 is reset, and the timer 37 is initialized (STEP 11).

  Here, the transmission data confirmed in STEP 5 is determined individually according to the identification code and the transmission cycle included in the output data of each wireless temperature sensor 28, 29, 30.

  Thereafter, if the reception at the information reading device 31 is continuously performed, the processing operations of the above STEP 3 to STEP 5 and STEP 5 to STEP 11 are continuously performed, and each storage chamber is maintained in a predetermined environment in the normal operation mode. Is done.

  In this state, a case where the wireless temperature sensor 28 has not been received due to external noise or the like will be described here.

  In such a case, the determination in STEP 5 is different, and the flow from STEP 6 to STEP 3 is repeated until the next reception of the wireless temperature sensor 28 is confirmed in STEP 5 as in the initial description. During this time, the refrigerator is controlled in the normal operation mode.

  And if reception of the wireless temperature sensor 28 is confirmed in STEP5 within the above-mentioned predetermined time, it will transfer to STEP7 again and normal operation mode will be continued.

  In this case, the other refrigerating room 23 and the freezing room 24 are normally received, and the reception of the refrigerating room 22 is received again within a predetermined time, so that the normal operation is continued without being interrupted.

  These operations are not limited to the wireless temperature sensor 28, and are similarly performed for the remaining wireless temperature sensors 29 and 30.

  Next, a description will be given of a case where, in the normal operation mode, the power supply 9 of the wireless temperature sensor 28 has a defect such as a voltage drop, which hinders control of a specific storage room (refrigeration room 22).

  In such a case, since the transmission of the wireless temperature sensor 28 cannot be continuously received by the information reading device 31, the flow from STEP3 to STEP6 is repeated until the predetermined time in STEP4 elapses. In the meantime, the refrigerator is operated in the normal operation mode.

  Eventually, when a predetermined time (10 minutes) corresponding to the wireless temperature sensor 28 has elapsed, the determination in STEP 6 is different, and the operation data is changed by the control means 32. Specifically, first, it is confirmed whether the current operation of the refrigerator is the emergency operation mode (STEP 12). Here, since the operation has been performed based on the environmental condition data of the normal operation mode, the data of the emergency operation mode written in the first storage means 36 is taken into the control means 32 (STEP 13), and the control is performed. The means 32 controls the refrigeration cycle 33 and the cold air circulation means 34 based on the emergency operation mode data, and as a result, the emergency operation mode is executed from the normal operation mode (STEP 14).

  In this STEP 14, the normal operation is canceled along with the execution of the emergency operation mode, and at the same time, the alarm unit 40 is activated by the control means 32 to notify the user that the normal operation is not performed.

  Hereinafter, the emergency operation is continued until reception is confirmed by the information reading device 31 in STEP 5, and during that time, the flow from STEP 3 to STEP 6, STEP 12, and STEP 14 is continued, and the non-reception timer 37 is reset. There is nothing.

  These operations are not limited to the wireless temperature sensor 28, and are similarly performed for the remaining wireless temperature sensors 29 and 30.

  The contents of the emergency operation mode in the first embodiment can be performed by intermittent operation of the refrigeration cycle 33 and the cold air circulation means 34 by time control as described above.

  If the transmission of the wireless temperature sensor 28 can be confirmed in STEP 5 for some reason during the emergency operation mode, the process proceeds to STEP 7 as described above, and it is confirmed whether the reception is within a predetermined time. The In this case, since the time measurement in STEP 4 has been continuous until then, the process proceeds from STEP 7 to STEP 11 and the timer 37 is once reset.

  Accordingly, since the initial reception again after the predetermined time has elapsed is predicted that the control in the refrigerator compartment 22 or the operation of the wireless temperature sensor 28 is not particularly stable, the timer 37 is reset once and the emergency operation mode is set. To continue.

  Then, returning to STEP 3, when a predetermined time is started and reception from the wireless temperature sensor 28 is confirmed in STEP 5, the process proceeds to STEP 7, but in this case, it is a continuous reception confirmation after returning from reception failure. , The operation proceeds to STEP8, the emergency operation mode and the operation of the alarm device 40 are canceled in STEP10, and the refrigerator is operated in the normal operation mode.

  Thereafter, the timer 37 is initialized in STEP 11 as described above, and the normal operation mode is continuously performed.

  Possible causes of the shift to the emergency operation mode include circuit breakage or disconnection due to the battery running out of the power source 9 of the wireless temperature sensor 28, dropping of the wireless temperature sensor 28, or impact during loading / unloading of stored items. Etc. are considered. When such a factor occurs, in any case, the reception confirmation in STEP 5 cannot be performed, so that the emergency operation mode continues and the normal operation mode is not restored.

  However, if the emergency operation is permanently continued, the alarm device 40 is also activated, so that the user can be urged to perform maintenance and inspection. Therefore, it is possible to suppress deterioration of stored product freshness and the like.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, 30 by the information reader 31 are provided by including the monitoring unit 35 that monitors the reception status of each of the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, 30. When reception of signals from each of them becomes impossible within a predetermined time, the emergency operation mode can be performed by setting the first storage means 36 in advance. Therefore, even if the signal of any of the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, and 30 in the refrigerator is interrupted, the refrigerator can be operated without stopping.

  Further, since the first storage means 36 is a non-volatile memory, it is possible to retain data from the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, and 30 even if a power failure occurs due to a lightning strike, etc. The cooling operation can be continued.

  In addition, the first CPU 6 can be configured by a CPU or the like having a storage unit with a flash memory, and can store a unique recognition code or the like in the storage unit of the CPU. The received data can be distinguished. As a result, the room information can be distinguished according to the received data, and erroneous reception can be prevented beforehand.

  In the first embodiment, the environmental condition setting in the emergency operation mode is intermittent operation by time control of the refrigeration cycle 33 and the cold air circulation means 34. For example, the wireless temperature sensor 28 provided in each storage room, If any of the data 29 and 30 cannot be normally received, the environment of the storage room in which the deficiency has occurred may be controlled based on the environmental condition setting value of the storage room that can be normally received.

  For example, if reception of the refrigerator compartment 22 is inadequate, the cold air circulation means 34 is controlled in conjunction with the temperature control of the refrigerator compartment 23 based on the temperature control of the freezer compartment 24 having the lowest set temperature, thereby The chamber 22 can be controlled in an environment close to the normal operation mode. Such control can also be performed in conjunction with the environmental condition maintenance control of the refrigerator compartment 22 even when the reception of the refrigerator compartment 23 is inadequate.

  Further, when reception of the freezer compartment 24 is inadequate, the operation time of the freezing cycle is intermittently operated at a time setting that can sufficiently obtain the freezing temperature. By controlling the supply amount of the cold air with the set intermittent operation, the freezer compartment 24 and the refrigerator compartments 22 and 23 can be controlled in an environment close to the normal operation mode.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the temperature is mainly described as the environmental condition in the storage chamber. However, the humidity and gas concentration in the storage chamber can be controlled similarly as the environmental condition. If so, the intermittent operation cycle of the dehumidifying / humidifying means (not shown) is controlled, and in the case of gas concentration, the intermittent operation cycle of the concentration adjusting means (not shown) is controlled.

  In addition, the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, and 30 have been described so as to monitor the indoor temperature. However, the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, and 30 are not limited to being used indoors, and can be used as external wireless temperature sensors that monitor the outside air temperature. . As is well known, such an outside air temperature can be used to prevent overcooling at a low outside air temperature (low room temperature) such as in winter or at night, that is, so-called overcooling.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the counting operation of the timer 37 is configured to start the counting operation with the signal from the information reading device 31 as a starting point. However, the opening / closing of a generally provided door is detected. It is also possible to use a signal from a door switch that turns on the interior lamp when the door is opened, and can be controlled to be reset by the opening operation and to start the counting operation by the closing operation. As an example, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, if a processing step is set between STEP 4 and STEP 5, if the door is opened, the timer is initialized and then returned between STEP 2 and STEP 3, and if it is closed, the process proceeds to STEP 5. Good.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the refrigerator in the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation contents of the information reading device and the monitoring means of the refrigerator in the second embodiment. Here, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the first embodiment, any of the plurality of wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, 30 could not be confirmed for reception within a predetermined time (5 minutes for the freezer compartment 24 or 10 minutes for the refrigerator compartment 22, 23). In this case, the operation of the refrigeration cycle 33 and the cold air circulation means 34 is controlled to be switched from the normal operation mode to the emergency operation mode. However, in the second embodiment, the wireless temperature sensor is received within a regular time. If it can be confirmed that the number of times is normal, the normal operation mode is determined and if the predetermined number of times is not reached, reception failure of one of the wireless temperature sensors occurs and the emergency operation mode is performed. The control content is different from that of the first embodiment in that the control is not switched to the emergency operation until the time elapses.

  In FIG. 5, the monitoring unit 35 according to the second embodiment monitors the data reception status from the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, 30 received by the information reading device 31, and the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, 30 are monitored. A counter 38 that stores the number of receptions that can be confirmed from transmission, and a non-volatile memory (a memory that does not lose its data even when the power is turned off, as represented by EEPROM, PROM, etc.) A storage unit 39 and a timer 37a for measuring the set time are provided.

  The monitoring means 35 checks the number of receptions stored in the counter 38 within a predetermined time measured by the timer 37a, compares it with the number stored in advance as a normal value, and based on the result, the normal operation mode ( It has a function of selecting an operation mode set by the user) or an emergency operation mode (fixed mode) and giving a mode instruction to the control means 32.

  Here, the second storage means 39 stores the received data read by the information reading device 31 in addition to updating and storing the data of the normal operation mode by the user every time it is changed, and is further set as an initial value Data on the emergency operation mode (fixed mode) is stored in advance. This emergency operation mode corresponds to the specific mode of the present invention. Specifically, the contents of the emergency operation mode described in the first embodiment are implemented.

  The timer 37a measures a certain time and is set to 6 minutes for convenience of explanation here.

  Therefore, if each transmission of the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, 30 can be normally received by the information reading device 31, the information of the freezer compartment 24 and the first refrigerator compartment 22 within the predetermined time (6 minutes). 3 times of information and 2 times of information of the second refrigerator compartment are counted, and a total of 11 times of reception is stored in the counter 38.

  Further, as the emergency operation mode, an intermittent operation by time control of the refrigeration cycle 33 and the cold air circulation means 34 will be described as an example as in the first embodiment.

  With respect to the refrigerator configured as described above, switching operation between the normal operation mode and the emergency operation mode depending on the presence or absence of reception failure will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, normal operation mode data stored in the second storage unit 39 of the monitoring unit 35 (information selected and set by the user, or information such as temperature, humidity, gas concentration of each room set at the time of factory shipment) ) Is passed to the control means 32 (STEP 21), and the cooling operation of the refrigerator is performed in the initial operation mode based on the initial value of the reference setting information (STEP 22). This initial operation mode is the content of the initial operation start in the normal operation mode.

  Simultaneously with the start of the cooling operation, a measurement operation for a predetermined time that is important for the operation of determining whether to receive from the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, 30 is started (STEP 23, STEP 24). This predetermined time is set as a time that does not cause such a malfunction, because in the unlikely event that normal operation cannot be performed, a temperature change occurs in each storage chamber, leading to a deterioration in the quality of the stored product. Therefore, here, as an example, the predetermined time is assumed to be 6 minutes as described above in order to give priority to maintaining the quality of the freezer compartment 24.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the information reading device 31 has received the transmission data of the detection results periodically transmitted from the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, and 30 (STEP 25).

  Here, the description continues when the information reading device 31 is normally receiving transmissions from the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, and 30. The transmission / reception data is described as temperature for convenience.

  In the initial state, since transmission from each of the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, 30 is not performed, the passage of a predetermined time is confirmed (STEP 27). As described above, the transmission cycle of the wireless temperature sensor 30 in the freezer compartment 24 is every one minute, the transmission cycle of the wireless temperature sensor 28 in the refrigerator compartment 22 is every two minutes, and the transmission of the wireless temperature sensor 29 in the refrigerator compartment 23 is transmitted. The period is every 3 minutes. Further, since the predetermined time is set to 6 minutes as described above, the second and subsequent transmissions are performed from each of the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, and 30 before this time elapses.

  Accordingly, STEP 23 to STEP 5 and STEP 27 are repeatedly performed until the predetermined time described above, and the number of receptions confirmed in STEP 25 is stored in the counter 38 each time (STEP 26).

  When the predetermined time (6 minutes) elapses, the number of receptions is confirmed (STEP 28). If normal, a total of 11 times are stored. In this case, the information (temperature etc.) of each room transmitted from each wireless temperature sensor 28, 29, 30 is written in the second storage means 39 in order to execute normal operation mode. Then (STEP 29), the data is subsequently transferred to the control means 32 as control data (STEP 30).

  The control means 32 controls the operation of the refrigeration cycle 33 and the cold air circulation means 34 based on the data and the data at STEP 21, and the inside of the refrigerator compartments 22 and 23 and the inside of the freezer compartment 24 are determined by the data at STEP 21. The normal operation mode is performed so as to become an environment (STEP 31). In this STEP 31, although it is not operating at this time, the emergency operation canceling process and the alarm 40 canceling process are also performed simultaneously.

  At the same time as the normal operation mode is performed, the predetermined time measurement performed in STEP 24 is reset, and the timer 37a is initialized (STEP 32).

  Here, the transmission data confirmed in STEP 25 may be counted in STEP 26 while being individually determined according to the identification code and the transmission cycle included in the output data of each wireless temperature sensor 28, 29, 30.

  Thereafter, if the reception by the information reading device 31 is continuously performed, the processing operations of the above STEP 23 to STEP 32 are continuously performed, and each storage chamber is maintained in a predetermined environment in the normal operation mode.

  In this state, a case where the wireless temperature sensor 28 has not been received due to external noise or the like will be described here.

  In such a case, the determination in STEP 25 is different, the processing of STEP 26 is not performed, the process proceeds to STEP 27, and the passage of a predetermined time is confirmed. Thereafter, when reception of the wireless temperature sensor 28 is performed without any influence, the reception is confirmed in STEP 25 as in the initial description, and the flow from STEP 26 to STEP 33 is repeated. During this time, the refrigerator is controlled in the normal operation mode.

  When the predetermined time measurement in STEP 27 is completed, the number of receptions is confirmed in STEP 28. This time, since it is not counted once due to factors such as external noise, it is determined as “Emergency operation” in STEP 28, and the process proceeds to STEP 33.

  Accordingly, the emergency operation mode is performed. That is, the data of the emergency operation mode stored in the second storage means 39 is taken into the control means 32 (STEP 34), the normal operation mode is canceled and the emergency operation mode is switched, and the alarm device 40 operates. (STEP 35).

  Then, the timer 37a and the counter 38 are initialized, and the subsequent storage rooms are cooled in the emergency operation mode.

  Hereinafter, the emergency operation is continued until the number of times of reception by the information reading device 31 is confirmed in STEP 28, and during that time, the flow of STEP 23 to STEP 28, STEP 33 to STEP 35, and STEP 32 continues, and the timer 37a and the counter 38 is reset each time.

  These operations are not limited to the wireless temperature sensor 28, and the remaining wireless temperature sensors 29 and 30 are similar because the reception count number is less than the set number when reception is not confirmed for some reason. Is to be done.

  Then, if the transmission from each of the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, 30 is normally received by the information reading device 31 within the next predetermined time (6 minutes), the confirmation in STEP 28 is determined as “normal”. Then, the process proceeds to STEP 29, the normal operation mode is restored, and the operation of the alarm device 40 is also released, and the timer 37a and the counter 38 are initialized to prepare for the next detection.

  As described above, in the case of a temporary abnormality, when the number of receptions set in STEP 28 is confirmed, the normal operation mode is restored, so that the environment in each storage chamber becomes abnormal and damages the stored items. This is also prevented.

  However, if any of the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, 30 is permanently out of battery, such as when the battery is dead, the emergency operation mode described in the above-described temporary reception failure may occur. This is continued until a maintenance inspection is performed by the user.

  However, if the emergency operation is permanently continued, the alarm device 40 is also activated, so that the user can be urged to perform maintenance and inspection. Therefore, it is possible to suppress deterioration of stored product freshness and the like.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, 30 by the information reader 31 are provided by including the monitoring unit 35 that monitors the reception status of each of the wireless temperature sensors 2, 29, 30. When the sum of the number of receptions of signals from each of them is less than the predetermined number and it is determined that “reception is abnormal”, the emergency operation mode is performed in accordance with the data set in the second storage unit 39 in advance. Even if any of the signals 28, 29 and 30 is interrupted, the refrigerator can be operated without stopping.

  In addition, since the second storage means 39 is a non-volatile memory, it is possible to retain data from the wireless temperature sensors 28, 29, and 30 even if a power failure occurs due to a lightning strike, etc. The cooling operation can be continued.

  As described above, the storage according to the present invention is not only implemented for household or commercial refrigerators, but also stores such as storages and warm storages that obtain indoor information and perform optimal operation, and air conditioners, etc. In this way, the present invention can be applied to devices that maintain a predetermined space in a predetermined environment.

The block diagram of the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 of this invention Functional block diagram of the refrigerator in the first embodiment Control block diagram of wireless temperature sensor of refrigerator in the first embodiment The flowchart which shows the operation | movement content of the information reader of a refrigerator and the monitoring means in Embodiment 1 Functional block diagram of the refrigerator in the second embodiment of the present invention The flowchart which shows the operation | movement content of the information reader of a refrigerator and the monitoring means in Embodiment 2 Block diagram of a device control system using a conventional wireless temperature sensor

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Refrigerator main body 28 1st radio | wireless temperature sensor 29 2nd radio | wireless temperature sensor 30 3rd radio | wireless temperature sensor 31 Information reader 32 Control means 33 Refrigeration cycle 34 Cold air circulation means 35 Monitoring means 36 1st memory | storage means 37 Timer 37a Timer 38 Counter 39 Second storage means

Claims (7)

  A storage body formed of a heat insulating housing with a door, a storage room formed in the storage body, and storing articles, and an environment creation means for making the storage room an environmental condition such as a predetermined humidity and temperature, Environmental condition setting means for setting the environmental conditions; wireless detection means for detecting an environmental condition in the storage room and outputting a detection result wirelessly; detection output of the wireless detection means and environmental condition setting The operation control means for controlling the operation of the environment creating means so that the setting information of the means is input and the storage chamber is in a condition set by the environmental condition setting means is provided, and the operation control means includes the storage chamber. Storage means for storing a specific mode in which the environmental condition is set to a specific condition and monitoring means for receiving the output status of the wireless detection means are provided, and reception by the monitoring means is obtained within a preset time. When not, reservoir which is adapted to operate the environmental creation means the specific mode.   2. The environment creation unit according to claim 1, wherein the environment creation unit is operated in the specific mode when it is recognized that the reception by the monitoring unit is not received after the previous reception or after a predetermined time has elapsed since the door opening / closing operation. Storage.   A plurality of the storage rooms are provided, wireless detection means are provided in at least two of the storage rooms, respectively, and the number of receptions from the respective wireless detection means by the monitoring means is after the output reception from the previous wireless detection means Or the environment creation means is operated in the specific mode when it is recognized that a predetermined time has elapsed after the opening / closing operation of any one of the doors and the predetermined number of times has not been reached. Storage.   A plurality of the storage rooms are provided, wireless detection means are provided in at least two of the storage rooms, respectively, and the setting conditions of the specific mode stored in the storage means are determined from the wireless detection means on the side on which the monitoring means has received. The storage according to claim 3, wherein the detected output contents are as follows.   The storage according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the storage unit includes a volatile memory, and the setting condition of the specific mode is written in the volatile memory.   The storage according to claim 5 or 6, wherein identification signals of the wireless detection means are included in output signals from the plurality of wireless detection means.   The storage as described in any one of Claim 1 to 7 which provided the alerting | reporting means which alert | reports that the said environment creation means is operating in specific mode.

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