JP2009250597A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator having a function preventing continuation of cooling more than necessary when an infrared ray sensor is broken. <P>SOLUTION: The refrigerator is provided with an automatic quick freezing control means 15 for enhancing cooling capacity by automatically performing continuous cooling operation by a cooling operation means 18 and completing the operation when detected food temperature becomes certain temperature or lower; a sensor failure detection means 19 for detecting failure of a non-contact sensor 2; and an automatic quick freezing stopping means 20 for preventing the automatic quick freezing operation when the failure is detected. Due to this configuration, waste cooling operation such as excessive cooling caused by wrong detection by the sensor 2 can be prevented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator that detects and controls the temperature of food without contact.

  Conventionally, in a refrigerator, in order to detect the temperature in the refrigerator, the temperature of the air in the refrigerator is measured with a thermistor or the like. However, in such a refrigerator, since the actual temperature of the food is not measured, it is not known whether the food can be cooled, and the food cannot be cooled to the target temperature. Therefore, conventionally, an infrared sensor has been provided to directly measure the temperature of food, and when the detected temperature reaches a set temperature, the cooling of the refrigerator is stopped (for example, see Patent Document 1). .

  FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the switching chamber in the conventional refrigerator described in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in this figure, an infrared sensor 2 is built in the ceiling surface 1. That is, a recess 3 is provided on the lower surface of the ceiling surface 1, and a circuit board 4 to which the infrared sensor 2 is attached is stored in the recess 3. A cover 5 is attached to prevent cold air from flowing into the infrared sensor 2. A mark 7 is provided on the bottom surface of the container 6 positioned in the visual field range (specifically, directly below) which is the detection range of the infrared sensor 2 to indicate that it is within the visual field range.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for cooling food in a switching room of a conventional refrigerator. In step 1, the door 50 of the switching chamber 22 is pulled out and the hot food S is stored in the container 52. In this case, the food S is placed immediately above the mark 64 of the container 52. Then, the door 50 is closed. In step 2, a set temperature for cooling the hot food S is set by the switch 42, and the process proceeds to step 3. In step 3, the switch 42 is operated to start rapid cooling. Then, the compressor 26 is driven and the damper 54 is opened, and cold air is supplied to the switching chamber 22 to start cooling the food S. In step 4, the infrared sensor 56 directly detects the surface temperature of the food S, the control unit 36 determines whether or not the detected temperature has reached the set temperature, and the temperature detected by the infrared sensor 56 is determined. It is displayed on the display unit 40 in real time. If the detected temperature does not reach the set temperature, the process returns to step 3, and if it reaches, the process proceeds to step 5. In step 5, since the food S has been cooled to the set temperature, the control unit 36 stops forced cooling. As a stopping method in this case, there are a case where the compressor 26, the R fan 30 and the F fan 34 are stopped, and a case where the damper 54 is closed. That is, when the other rooms are not cooled, the operation of the compressor 26 is continued and the damper 54 is closed. Then, the process proceeds to Step 6. In step 6, in order to notify that the food S has been cooled to the set temperature, it is displayed on the display unit 40, and further, a buzzer 39 is sounded to notify. Therefore, food can be put into a specific cooling chamber and the food can be easily cooled to a set temperature.
JP 2002-235976 A

  However, in the conventional configuration, when the infrared sensor fails, the temperature of the food cannot be accurately detected, and the food is sufficiently cooled, but the cooling is continued more than necessary or the food is cooled. However, there was a problem that forced cooling stopped.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and provides a refrigerator that performs control using a non-contact temperature sensor and prevents a useless cooling operation even if the non-contact temperature sensor fails. For the purpose.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the refrigerator of the present invention includes a non-contact temperature sensor that detects the temperature of food stored in the cabinet in a non-contact manner, a cooling operation unit that cools the inside of the cabinet, and a non-contact sensor. Sensor failure detection means for detecting a failure, and continuous operation is not performed when a failure is detected.

  Thus, when the continuous cooling operation is performed to cool the food in the refrigerator, if the non-contact temperature sensor breaks down, it can be used to perform a useless cooling operation.

  In addition, the refrigerator of the present invention, when detecting a failure of the non-contact temperature sensor, the integrated time in the quick freezing timer that measures the integrated time after the continuous operation is started by the automatic quick freezing control means has a fixed time. If it exceeds, the continuous operation is stopped, so even if the sensor breaks down, the automatic quick freezing operation for a certain period of time becomes possible.

  In addition, the refrigerator of the present invention is configured to stop the automatic quick freezing if the time when the temperature detected by the non-contact temperature sensor is equal to or higher than the threshold by the abnormal temperature measurement timer exceeds a certain time, Even when the detection output from the sensor cannot be determined as a failure, it is possible to prevent the useless cooling operation by stopping the continuous operation.

  Further, the refrigerator of the present invention prevents the cooling system from performing an extra operation because it prevents the automatic quick freezing operation with the non-contact temperature sensor when the cooling unit failure detection unit detects an abnormality of the cooling system. You can

  In addition, the refrigerator of the present invention notifies the user that there is a failure when the non-contact temperature sensor fails by the automatic quick freeze failure notification means, so that the user can know the cause of the failure of the automatic quick freeze operation. , You will be able to respond quickly, such as requesting repairs.

  Moreover, since the refrigerator of this invention can notify a user that it is out of order by voice | voice by a voice alerting | reporting means, it becomes possible to alert | report a failure state to a user in an easy-to-understand manner.

  In the refrigerator of the present invention, when the non-contact temperature sensor breaks down, the automatic quick freezing operation is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unnecessary cooling operation such as excessive cooling.

  In addition, since the refrigerator of the present invention measures the automatic quick freezing operation time, even if a sensor failure is detected during the automatic quick freezing operation, the quick freezing operation can be performed for a certain period of time and rapid cooling becomes possible.

  In addition, the refrigerator of the present invention stops the automatic quick freezing operation when the non-contact temperature sensor detects a temperature equal to or higher than the threshold value for a certain period of time during the automatic quick freezing operation. Even if it cannot be determined, it is possible to prevent unnecessary cooling operation.

  In addition, the refrigerator of the present invention prevents the automatic quick freezing operation by detecting an abnormality of the cooling system, so that the operation of the cooling system is not performed and the abnormality is not promoted. To.

  In addition, by notifying the user of the refrigerator of the present invention when the sensor is abnormal, it is possible for the user to notice that it is abnormal and to quickly respond to a repair request or the like.

  In addition, since the refrigerator of the present invention notifies the abnormal state by voice, it is possible to easily notify the user of the failure state.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a non-contact temperature sensor that detects the temperature of food put in the container in a non-contact manner, a cooling operation means that cools the interior of the refrigerator, and a temperature detected by the non-contact temperature sensor is a constant temperature. If it is above, an automatic quick freezing control means that performs continuous cooling operation operation with the cooling operation means to increase the refrigeration capacity, and stops the continuous cooling operation operation when the detected food temperature falls below a certain temperature; By providing a sensor failure detection means that detects failure of a non-contact sensor and an automatic quick freezing stop means that prevents continuous operation when a failure is detected, unnecessary cooling operation operations such as excessive cooling are prevented. You can

  The invention according to claim 2 is a quick freezing timer for measuring an accumulated time after the continuous operation is started by the automatic quick freezing control means, and a quick freezing timer when a sensor failure is detected during the continuous operation. Since the continuous operation is stopped when the measured accumulated time exceeds a certain time, the continuous operation is performed for a certain time, so even if the sensor breaks down during the automatic quick freezing operation, the food in the warehouse is rapidly removed. Can be cooled.

  The invention described in claim 3 is an abnormal temperature measurement timer that measures the time when the temperature detected by the non-contact temperature sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold temperature, and the time measured by the abnormal temperature measurement timer is a constant value. Since the continuous operation is stopped when the temperature exceeds the limit, useless cooling operation such as excessive cooling can be minimized even when it is not possible to determine whether or not the sensor has failed.

  The invention according to claim 4 is a cooling unit failure detection unit for detecting a failure of the cooling operation unit, and a continuous operation operation by the automatic quick freezing control unit when the cooling unit failure detection unit detects a failure in the cooling operation unit. Therefore, it is possible to prevent wasteful control without forcing the automatic quick freezing control operation despite the failure of the cooling operation means.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when a failure is detected by the sensor failure detection means or the cooling means failure detection unit, and the continuous operation by the automatic quick freezing control means is stopped, the automatic sudden notification that informs the user of the failure is provided. Since the frost failure notification means is provided, it is possible to notify the user when the sensor has failed and to quickly respond to a repair request or the like.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the voice notification means for notifying the user of the driving state by voice and the fact that the continuous operation is stopped by voice by the voice notification means when notifying the user of the failure by the automatic quick freezing failure notification means. Therefore, it is possible to give accurate information to the user even when the automatic quick freezing operation is stopped unexpectedly, and it is possible to convey the failure in an easy-to-understand manner by voice notification.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are given to the same components as those of the conventional example, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Reference numeral 8 denotes a refrigerator body, which includes a refrigerator compartment 9, a quick freeze compartment 10, an ice making room 11, a freezer compartment 12, and a vegetable compartment 13. An operation panel 14 for setting temperature control of the refrigerator compartment 9 is provided on the refrigerator compartment door 9. An infrared sensor 2 is attached to the top surface of the quick freezing chamber 10 to detect the surface temperature of the food S placed in the cabinet.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram in the present embodiment. The non-contact temperature sensor 2 is a sensor composed of an infrared sensor or the like. The automatic quick freezing control means 15 controls the cooling operation means 18 composed of the compressor 16 and the fan 17 based on the value detected by the non-contact temperature sensor 2, and automatically detects that the temperature is high. The quick freezing control which is the continuous operation of the compressor 16 is performed to cool the object rapidly. If the temperature detected by the non-contact temperature sensor 2 is lower than a predetermined temperature and it is determined that the object S is sufficiently cooled, the quick freezing control is stopped and installed in another freezer compartment. A normal cooling operation is performed by a value of a freezer compartment sensor (not shown) or the like. The sensor failure detection means 19 determines whether or not the non-contact temperature sensor 2 has a failure from the output value of the non-contact temperature sensor 2. When it is determined that the non-contact temperature sensor is malfunctioning, a signal is sent to the automatic quick freezing stop means 20 to end the quick freezing control by the automatic quick freezing control means 15. Further, when the sensor abnormality determination is made before the automatic quick freezing operation is started, the quick freezing control is not performed.

  FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart of the sensor failure detection means 19 in the present embodiment. The sensor failure detection means 19 receives the output value of the non-contact temperature sensor 2 as a voltage value (step 101). Next, it is determined whether or not the input voltage value is equal to or lower than the voltage value when the non-contact sensor 2 fails due to a predetermined short circuit (step 102). At this time, if the voltage is lower than that in the case of failure due to a short circuit, it is determined as abnormal. If the input value is larger than the short-circuit voltage, it is determined in step 103 whether or not the non-contact temperature sensor 2 is higher than the open-circuit voltage when the non-contact temperature sensor 2 is in an open state. At this time, if it is higher than the open circuit voltage, it is determined as abnormal, and if it is lower than the open circuit voltage, it is determined as normal.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram to which a quick freezing timer 21 is added. The quick freezing timer 21 measures the time from the start of the quick freezing operation, and sends a signal to the automatic quick freezing stopping means 20 when the predetermined free time is exceeded after the start of the quick freezing operation to stop the quick freezing operation.

  FIG. 5 is a time chart for explaining the operation of the quick freezing timer 21. At time 0, the temperature of the food placed in the cabinet is detected by the non-contact temperature sensor 2 and the automatic quick freezing operation is started. At this time, the quick freezing timer 21 also starts the timer operation. When the non-contact temperature sensor 2 fails at time T0 and the failure determination is made by the sensor failure detection means 19, the automatic quick freezing operation is not stopped and the operation is continued. When the time T has elapsed since the start of the automatic quick freezing operation, the quick freezing timer expires and the automatic quick freezing operation ends. If the failure of the non-contact temperature sensor is canceled during the timer count by the quick-freezing timer 21, the automatic quick-freezing operation is terminated by the output value from the non-contact temperature sensor.

  FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram to which an abnormal temperature measurement timer 22 is added. If the output voltage value of the non-contact temperature sensor 2 is less than the short-circuit voltage or greater than the open-circuit voltage, the sensor failure detection means 19 determines that the output is abnormal. Measure the time since the quick freeze operation started. The abnormal temperature measurement timer stores an input value from the non-contact temperature sensor 2 when the automatic quick freezing operation is started. When the automatic quick freezing operation by the automatic quick freezing operation control means 15 is started and the change width of the input value from the non-contact temperature sensor is smaller than a predetermined voltage value within a certain time, or the automatic quick freezing operation is started. When the input voltage value from the non-contact temperature sensor is equal to or greater than a certain value during a certain time, it is determined that the sensor is malfunctioning or the cooling operation means such as the compressor 16 is malfunctioning, and the automatic quick freezing operation is stopped.

  FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram in which a cooling unit failure detection unit 23 is added. An overcurrent at the time of operating the compressor 16 and a fan lock of the fan 17 are detected to detect a failure of the cooling operation means 18. When a failure is detected by the cooling means failure detection unit 23, a signal is sent to the automatic quick freezing stop means 20 in the same manner as the operation of the sensor failure detection means 19, and the quick freezing control by the automatic quick freezing control means 15 is terminated. . Further, when it is detected that the cooling operation means is out of order before the automatic quick freezing operation is started, the quick freezing control is not performed.

  FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram to which the automatic quick freezing failure notifying means 24 is added. The automatic quick freezing failure leaving means 24 includes an LED 25 and a buzzer 26 arranged on the operation panel 14. When the non-contact temperature sensor 2 breaks down and the automatic quick freezing operation is stopped by the automatic quick freezing stop means 20. Operate. For example, when a failure is detected, the LED 25 performs a blinking operation at a constant cycle to notify the user that the automatic quick freezing operation has been stopped. Further, by outputting the buzzer 26 periodically, it is possible to promptly notify the user that there is an abnormality.

  FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram in which the automatic quick freezing failure notifying means 24 is configured by the voice notifying means 27 instead of the buzzer 26 in the functional block diagram of FIG. The voice notification means stores a plurality of voice messages in advance in the semiconductor, and the automatic quick freeze stop means 20 voice notification means 27 guides a specific failure location when the non-contact temperature sensor fails. . For example, when the sensor has failed, a voice output indicating that the sensor has failed is performed. In addition, if a sensor breaks down during automatic quick freezing operation, a voice output such as “Automatic quick freezing has been stopped due to a sensor failure” is issued, and the user is notified of the reason for stopping the automatic quick freezing operation. It is possible to guide the failure specifically and easily.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the non-contact temperature sensor 2 that detects the temperature of the food stored in the storage in a non-contact manner, the cooling operation means 18 that cools the interior of the storage, and the non-contact temperature sensor 2. If the detected temperature is equal to or higher than a certain temperature, the cooling operation means 18 automatically performs a quick freezing operation which is a continuous cooling operation so as to increase the freezing capacity. When the detected food temperature falls below a certain temperature, the automatic quick freezing is performed. An automatic quick freezing control means 15 for ending the operation, a sensor failure detecting means 19 for detecting a failure of the non-contact sensor 2, and an automatic quick freezing operation for not performing the automatic quick freezing operation when a failure is detected. By providing the canceling means 20, it is possible to prevent unnecessary cooling operation such as excessive cooling due to erroneous detection of the sensor or the like.

  Further, in the present embodiment, even when a failure is detected by the sensor failure detection means 19 by the quick freezing timer 21, a constant quick freezing operation is possible, so the quick freezing operation is stopped without the food being sufficiently cooled. Therefore, the quick freezing operation can be prevented from continuing more than necessary.

  In the present embodiment, the temperature detected by the non-contact temperature sensor 2 is changed by the abnormal temperature measurement timer 22 that measures the time when the temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold temperature, although the sensor value is changed. If there is not much, it is determined that the sensor is malfunctioning or the cooling operation means 18 is malfunctioning, and the automatic quick freezing operation is stopped. Therefore, not only the determination based on the static output value of the sensor output but also the dynamic determination can be made. It is possible to expand the range of failure determination.

  In the present embodiment, when the cooling means failure detection unit 23 detects an abnormality in the cooling operation means 18, the cooling operation means 18 fails in order to prevent the non-contact temperature sensor 2 from performing the automatic quick freezing operation. However, it is possible to prevent the cooling operation means 18 from performing an unreasonable operation by controlling the automatic quick freezing operation.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the failure is detected by the sensor failure detecting means 19 and the continuous operation by the automatic quick freezing control means 15 is stopped, the automatic quick freezing failure notifying means 24 for notifying the user of the failure is provided. Since it is provided, it is possible to inform the user that there is a failure.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the voice notification means 27 can give the user accurate information even when the sensor malfunctions or the automatic quick freezing operation is unexpectedly stopped, and the contents of the malfunction are voiced. It can be communicated in an easy-to-understand manner by notification.

  Although this embodiment has been described for each function, there is no problem even if they are used in combination.

  As described above, the refrigerator according to the present invention can be applied not only to the refrigerator but also to a cooling device using a non-contact temperature sensor.

Overview of the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Functional block diagram of the embodiment Operation flowchart of sensor failure detection means of the embodiment Functional block diagram with the quick freeze timer added in the same embodiment Time chart explaining the operation of the quick freezing timer of the embodiment Functional block diagram with the abnormal temperature measurement timer added in the same embodiment Functional block diagram to which the cooling means failure detection unit of the embodiment is added Functional block diagram to which automatic quick freeze failure notification means of the embodiment is added Functional block diagram in which voice notification means is added to the automatic quick freezing failure notification means of the same embodiment Partially enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a switching chamber in a conventional refrigerator Flowchart for cooling food in a switching room of a conventional refrigerator

Explanation of symbols

2 Non-contact temperature sensor (infrared sensor)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Automatic quick-freezing control means 18 Cooling operation means 19 Sensor failure detection means 20 Automatic quick-freezing stop means 21 Quick-freezing timer 22 Abnormal temperature measurement timer 23 Cooling means failure detection part 24 Automatic quick-freezing failure notification means 27 Voice notification means

Claims (6)

  If the temperature detected by the non-contact temperature sensor is not less than a non-contact temperature sensor that detects the temperature of food stored in the chamber in a non-contact manner, a cooling operation means that cools the interior of the refrigerator, and the cooling Failure of the non-contact sensor and automatic quick freezing control means that the continuous cooling operation is performed by the operation means so as to increase the refrigeration capacity and the continuous cooling operation is stopped when the detected food temperature falls below a certain temperature. A refrigerator comprising a sensor failure detection means for detecting a fault, and an automatic quick freezing stop means for preventing continuous operation when a failure is detected by the sensor failure detection means.   A quick-frozen timer that measures the accumulated time after the continuous operation is started by the automatic quick-freezing control means, and a sensor failure is detected by the sensor failure detection means during continuous operation by the automatic quick-freezing control means. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the continuous operation is stopped when the accumulated time measured by the quick freezing timer exceeds a predetermined time.   When the temperature detected by the non-contact temperature sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold temperature, an abnormal temperature measurement timer that continuously measures when the time measured by the abnormal temperature measurement timer exceeds a certain value The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operation is stopped.   A cooling unit failure detection unit that detects a failure of the cooling operation unit, and a continuous operation operation by the automatic quick freezing control unit is not performed when a failure is detected by the cooling operation unit in the cooling unit failure detection unit. The refrigerator as described in any one of Claims 1-3.   An automatic quick freezing failure notifying means for notifying the user of a failure when detecting a failure by the sensor failure detecting means or the cooling means failure detecting unit and stopping the continuous operation by the automatic quick freezing control means is provided. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   A voice notification means for notifying a user of a driving state by voice, and a voice notification means for notifying a user of a failure by the automatic quick freezing failure notification means, the voice notification means notifying that continuous operation has been stopped by voice. Item 6. The refrigerator according to Item 5.