JP2010151330A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem wherein a change of a refrigerator operating mode for achieving an appeal to customers cannot be accurately made owing to a fall in illuminance detecting accuracy by shading with the motion of human hands, stuck paper, or the like when installing an illuminance detecting means in the front face of a refrigerator body to detect illuminance around the front face of the refrigerator. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of detection ranges at least partially different from one another are provided as a detection range detected by the illuminance detecting means 8, 18, 28. Even if a light receiving part of the illuminance detecting means is shaded, therefore, since the plurality of detection ranges are provided, illuminance is detected in the other detection range. Illuminance detecting accuracy is thereby improved, and the illuminance is accurately detected. Malfunction caused particularly by a disturbance factor is prevented, and the change or the like of the refrigerator operating mode based on a detected illuminance level is surely made. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator in which illuminance detection means such as an optical sensor for detecting ambient brightness is installed on the surface of a main body.

Conventionally, this type of refrigerator is provided with a light detection element on the surface of the door to detect the brightness of the surroundings, and in the case of darkness, the number of rotations of a compressor and a fan motor is controlled to perform a power saving operation (for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 62-93671

  However, in the conventional configuration, the specific location and the detection range of the mounting position of the light detection element are not clear, and depending on the mounting position, the light receiving portion of the light detection element may be attached to the front surface of the paper or a person on the refrigerator door. When standing, etc., when the light is shielded, there is a problem that the detection accuracy is greatly reduced.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a refrigerator capable of accurately detecting illuminance on the front surface of the refrigerator and performing a reliable control operation using the detected illuminance level.

  In order to solve the conventional problems, the refrigerator of the present invention includes a refrigerator main body, and an illuminance detection unit that is provided on a front surface of the refrigerator main body and detects brightness in the vicinity of the front surface of the refrigerator main body. The detection ranges to be detected include a plurality of detection ranges that are at least partially different from each other.

  Even if the light receiving part of the illuminance detection means may be shielded from light by this configuration, the illuminance detection can be performed by other detection ranges because it has a plurality of detection ranges. The illuminance can be detected accurately. In particular, it is possible to prevent malfunctions due to disturbance factors, and it is possible to reliably change the refrigerator operation mode according to the detected illuminance level.

  The refrigerator of this invention can provide the refrigerator provided with the illumination intensity detection means which improved the illumination intensity precision.

  The invention according to claim 1 includes a refrigerator main body, and an illuminance detection unit that is provided on a front surface of the refrigerator main body and detects brightness near the front surface of the refrigerator main body, and a detection range detected by the illuminance detection unit is By providing a plurality of detection ranges that are at least partially different from each other, the light receiving unit of the illuminance detection means is shielded from light even when a memo, flyer, or the like is pasted around the operation board. Even if it happens, since a plurality of detection ranges are provided, illuminance detection can be performed by other detection ranges, so that the accuracy of illuminance detection can be improved and the illuminance can be detected accurately. In particular, it is possible to prevent malfunctions due to disturbance factors, and it is possible to reliably change the refrigerator operation mode according to the detected illuminance level.

  In the invention according to claim 2, a plurality of illuminance detection means are provided at positions separated from each other on the front surface of the refrigerator main body, whereby the light receiving portion of one illuminance detection means is shielded from light. Even when there is a light, since it has a plurality of detection ranges, illuminance detection can be performed by other detection ranges, so that the accuracy of illuminance detection can be improved and illuminance can be detected accurately. In particular, it is possible to prevent malfunctions due to disturbance factors, and it is possible to reliably change the refrigerator operation mode according to the detected illuminance level.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the illuminance detection means includes a movable part, and the illuminance detection means detects a plurality of detection ranges that differ depending on the operation of the movable part. Even if the light is shielded from light, since it has multiple detection ranges, it can detect illuminance by other detection ranges, so it can improve the accuracy of illuminance detection and accurately Can be detected. In particular, it is possible to prevent malfunctions due to disturbance factors, and it is possible to reliably change the refrigerator operation mode according to the detected illuminance level.

  The invention according to claim 4 includes an operation board provided on the front surface of the refrigerator body, and at least one of detection ranges detected by the plurality of illuminance detection means includes a range including the upper part of the operation board. As a result, there is an illuminance detection means on the upper side, so that the distance from the lighting device is reduced, and light is not blocked by an obstacle, so that illuminance detection can be performed with high reliability.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those of the conventional example or the embodiments described above, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a front view of the refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, there is a door for each storage room on the front surface of the refrigerator body 1, and a refrigeration room door 2, an ice making room door 3, a switching room door 4, a freezing room door 5, and a vegetable room door 6 are laid out in order from the top. ing. An operation board 7 is disposed in the vicinity of the center of the refrigerator compartment door 2, which is the uppermost storage room, and an illuminance detection means 8 is provided on the vertical axis extension line of the operation board 7 and above it. Illuminance detection means 18 is provided below the room door 2. Illuminance detection means 8 and 18 can be specifically configured by using an optical sensor using a photodiode or phototransistor as a base element. As described above, in the present embodiment, the illuminance detection means includes a plurality of detection ranges, and the detection range of the illuminance detection means 8 and the detection range of the illuminance detection means 18 are different from each other. Yes.

  The illuminance detection means 8 is located above the center line 2a in the vertical direction of the refrigerator compartment door 2 and is divided into three equal parts in the height direction of the refrigerator compartment door 2, that is, in the vertical direction, the central compartment 2c, and the lower compartment 2d. The upper section 2b, which is the section located at the highest position in the case, is provided.

  The illuminance detection means 18 is provided on the opposite side of the illuminance detection means 8 via the center line 2a in the height direction of the refrigerator compartment door 2, that is, the vertical direction. That is, the illuminance detection means 8 is provided above the center line 2a in the vertical direction of the refrigerator compartment door 2, and the illuminance detection means 18 is provided below the center line 2a in the vertical direction of the refrigerator compartment door 2. Is provided.

  Furthermore, the illuminance detection means 18 is provided on the opposite side of the illuminance detection means 8 via the center line 1a in the left-right direction of the refrigerator body. That is, the illuminance detection means 8 is provided in the left region with respect to the center line 1a in the left-right direction of the refrigerator body, and the illuminance detection means 18 is provided in the region on the right side with respect to the center line 1a in the left-right direction of the refrigerator body. Is provided.

  The layout of the door is a typical one and is not limited to this layout.

  About the refrigerator comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  First, the illuminance detection means 8 attached to the front surface of the refrigerator main body 1 detects the illuminance level around the refrigerator due to solar radiation or irradiation of indoor lighting equipment. The detected illuminance level is input to the control means (not shown) of the refrigerator body 1 and, if it is smaller than a predetermined value determined in advance, it is determined that there is no nighttime or human activity, and the operation of the refrigerator is slightly improved in cooling performance. Switch to the saved power saving mode. When the illuminance level becomes larger than the specified value, the operation is returned to the normal mode.

  At this time, if the light receiving surface of the illuminance detecting means 8 is blocked, accurate illuminance detection becomes impossible, and switching to the power saving mode and returning to the normal mode cannot be performed. In general, the light shielding factor may be a paper surface or the like on the surface of the refrigerator door 2 or the presence of an obstacle. However, in the present embodiment, even when some of the detection ranges are shielded from light, since there are a plurality of detection ranges, illuminance detection can be performed using other detection ranges. The detection accuracy can be improved, and the illuminance can be detected accurately. In particular, it is possible to prevent malfunctions due to disturbance factors, and it is possible to reliably change the refrigerator operation mode according to the detected illuminance level. Further, since the illuminance detection means 8 is provided on the upper part of the refrigerator compartment door 2 which is the uppermost storage room, it is not easily shielded by the user, and the operation board with a very low possibility of attaching a leaflet or the like. Since the illuminance detection means 8 is installed above the vertical axis 7, the possibility that the detection range is shielded from light becomes lower, and the possibility that the illuminance detection cannot be performed can be reduced.

  That is, the operation board 7 is a display unit for confirming the operation state of the refrigerator such as a change in temperature setting or a current temperature setting, and this display unit is a gaze of a woman of average height assumed to be a general user. Since the operation board 7 is arranged above the height of the eyes of a woman of average height, it can be shielded from light when the user stands on the front. Can be reduced.

  In addition, by providing a plurality of illuminance detection means on the opposite side via the center line 2a in the height direction of the refrigerator compartment door 2, that is, the vertical direction, the user particularly stuck paper such as a leaflet on the front side of the refrigerator. Even in this case, by providing both the upper side and the lower side, the detection range detected by the illuminance detection means can be arranged so as to be greatly different. The possibility of being shielded from light can be reduced.

  Moreover, since the illumination intensity detection means 18 was provided in the lower end part of the refrigerator door 2, when the opening and closing of the switching room door 4 which is a storage room door provided in the lower part of the refrigerator door 2 is considered, it is psychological for a user. Since it is considered that the possibility of attaching paper such as a flyer is lower, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the front surface of the illuminance detection means is shielded from light by attaching the paper.

  Furthermore, the illuminance detection means 18 is provided on the opposite side of the illuminance detection means 8 via the center line 1a in the left-right direction of the refrigerator body.

  In this way, the location of the illuminance detection means is greatly shifted in the left-right direction, so that the detection range detected by the illuminance detection means can be greatly different, and one user stands on the front of the refrigerator. Even in this case, the front side of the plurality of illuminance detection means is prevented from being shielded at the same time. In other words, when an average female figure of an average figure assumed to be the main user stands on the front of the refrigerator, the illuminance detection is performed so that the illuminance detection means 18 and the illuminance detection means 8 are not positioned on the front side. Since the distance in the left-right direction between the means 18 and the illuminance detection means 8 is separated, even when one user stands on the front of the refrigerator, it is possible to prevent the front side of the plurality of illuminance detection means from being shielded at the same time. Detection accuracy can be improved.

  The illuminance detection means 18 is provided on the hinge side of the refrigerating room door 2 which is a revolving door, whereby the hinge portion of the revolving door different from the position where the user stands when the refrigerating room door 2 is opened and closed. By providing at least one of a plurality of light shielding means in the vicinity, the possibility of light shielding when the user stands on the front of the refrigerator is further reduced.

  In addition, since the illuminance detection means 8 is provided immediately above the operation board 7 as a display unit, the user tends to avoid sticking on the refrigerator door surface in a state where the display unit is psychologically hidden. For this reason, it is inevitably possible to reduce the possibility that the illuminance detection means 8 provided immediately above the operation board 7 is shielded from light by a sticker or the like.

  The illuminance detection means 8 is located above the center line 2a in the height direction of the refrigerator compartment door 2 and in the upper compartment 2b, the central compartment 2c, and the lower compartment 2d divided into three equal parts in the height direction of the refrigerator compartment door 2. In this case, it is provided in the upper section 2b, which is a section located at the highest position in the case, so that it may be shielded from light when the user stands in front of the illuminance detection means 8 as described above. It is possible to reduce the possibility that the illuminance detection means 8 is shielded from light by a sticker or the like.

  In addition, by providing the illuminance detection means 8 at the upper part of the refrigerator in this manner, in an environment where a home refrigerator is generally installed, illumination is provided near the ceiling of the room (or kitchen) located above the refrigerator. For example, the illuminance detection means 8 performs illumination when detecting that the illumination is turned off when there is no user or when the illumination is turned on when the user is nearby. It is possible to improve the detection accuracy of the illuminance by the illumination of the room.

  Furthermore, in order to reduce the possibility of such light shielding, it is more effective to provide a notification means for informing the user that the illuminance detection is being performed by LED illumination or the like in the vicinity of the illuminance detection means 8. is there.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since the illuminance detection means 8 is arranged on the vertical axis of the operation board 7 and above it, a disturbance factor due to paper sticking to the refrigerator door, light shielding from the lighting device, or the like. Can be eliminated, and an appeal such as a power saving mode by highly accurate illuminance detection can be realized.

(Embodiment 2)
2A is a configuration diagram of an operation board of the refrigerator in the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2B is a top view of the refrigerator in the second embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above, and FIG. 2C is an implementation of the present invention. It is the side view which looked at the refrigerator in Form 2 from the horizontal direction.

  In the present embodiment, detailed description of the same parts in the configuration of the refrigerator in the first embodiment is omitted. Further, in the present embodiment, another embodiment of the configuration of the operation board that is the display unit of Embodiment 1 and the illuminance detection means is described, and the configuration of the refrigerator and the illuminance detection means of Embodiment 1 above The same technical idea can be applied to the arrangement configuration and its effects.

  In FIG. 2A, a plurality of operation switches 9 for adjusting the set temperature and switching the operation mode are disposed below the operation board 7. On the upper part of the operation switch 9, a plurality of indicator lamps 10 configured by, for example, LEDs for displaying the state set by the operation switch 9 are arranged. Further, an illuminance detection means 28 having a movable part is disposed on the upper part of the indicator lamp 10, and is configured on one board of the operation board 7 together with the operation switch 9 and the indicator lamp 10.

  Further, in this way, the illuminance detection means 28 having a movable part is configured integrally with the operation board 7.

  About the refrigerator comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  In the present embodiment, the operation switch 9, the indicator lamp 10, and the illuminance detection means 28 are arranged on the operation board 7 that is a single board, and the illuminance detection means 28 is positioned above the operation switch 9. Therefore, since the illuminance detection means 28 is arranged above the operation switch 9 that is operated by a person using a hand, the illuminance detection means 28 can be prevented from being blocked by human movement, and driving troubles due to erroneous detection of illuminance can be eliminated. can do.

  Further, since the illuminance detection means 28 includes a movable part, for example, when a movable part movable in the left-right direction is provided, a detection range that is at least partially different in the left-right direction as shown in FIG. 2B. It is possible to detect the illuminance in both detection ranges A and detection range B.

  In this way, the location where the illuminance detecting means 28 is arranged is greatly shifted in the left-right direction, so that the detection range detected by the illuminance detecting means 28 can be arranged so as to be greatly different. Even when standing, the front side of a plurality of detection ranges is prevented from being shielded at the same time. That is, when an adult female with an average figure assumed to be the main user stands on the front side of the refrigerator, even if the adult woman stands on the left or right side of the illuminance detection means 28, the movable part is left and right. Since the head can be swung, it is possible to prevent the front side of a plurality of detection areas from being shielded at the same time, and to further improve detection accuracy.

  In addition, when a movable part that is movable in the vertical direction is provided as shown in FIG. 2C, the illuminance in both the detection ranges of the detection range C and the detection range D, which are at least partially different in the vertical direction, is detected. Therefore, for example, when the user stands on the front side of the illuminance detection means 28 in order to operate the operation switch 9, the illuminance in the detection range D, which is the lower area, is the presence of the user. However, in the detection range C, which is the upper region, the illuminance is detected in the range above the user's height, thereby preventing light from being blocked due to the presence of the user. In other words, even when an average female figure of an average figure assumed to be the main user stands on the front of the refrigerator, the movable part can swing up and down, so that the front side of multiple detection areas at the same time Can be prevented from being shielded, and the detection accuracy can be further improved.

  In other words, the operation switch 9 that is an operation unit that performs operations such as temperature setting of the refrigerator by touching the user is provided below the indicator lamp 10 that is a display unit and the illuminance detection means 28, so that a person can Even when the operation switch 9 is operated, the display unit is not hidden by a hand, and further, there is an effect that it is possible to prevent the illuminance detection means 28 from being shielded by human movement.

  Further, the indicator lamp 10 is provided with notifying means for notifying the user that the illuminance is being detected by LED illumination or the like in the vicinity of the illuminance detecting means 28, and the illuminance is provided immediately above the indicator lamp 10. By providing the detection means 28, it is possible to effectively appeal to the user that illuminance detection is being performed, so the possibility of reducing the possibility of being blocked by a sticker or the like is greatly reduced. Is possible.

  Further, since the illuminance detection means 28 is configured integrally with the operation board 7, the user tends to avoid sticking on the refrigerator door surface in a state where the operation board 7 is hidden psychologically. In particular, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the illuminance detection means 28 provided immediately above the operation board 7 is shielded from light by a sticker or the like, and further, a connection harness between the operation board 7 and the illuminance detection means 28 is unnecessary. Thus, the illuminance detection means 28 can be provided with a resource-saving and simple configuration.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 3 is a control flowchart for detecting the illuminance of the refrigerator in the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, in the configuration of the refrigerator in the first and second embodiments, detailed description of the same parts is omitted.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, the control method of the illumination intensity detection means as described in Embodiment 1 and 2 is demonstrated, Comprising: The structure of the refrigerator of the said Embodiment 1 and 2 and the arrangement configuration of illumination intensity detection means, The same technical idea can be applied to the effect.

  The operation will be described below with reference to FIG.

  First, in the operation state in the main control flow, it is determined whether the illuminance detection means 8 performs the illuminance detection as step 1, and if detection is performed, the logic proceeds to step 2, otherwise the logic is returned to the main control flow. . Next, in step 2, it is determined whether or not the indicator lamp 10 is lit. If the indicator lamp 10 is lit, the logic advances to step 3 to turn off the indicator lamp 10, and if not, the logic advances to step 4. In step 4, the illuminance detection means 8 detects the illuminance and returns the logic to the main control flow.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when illuminance detection is performed by the illuminance detection means 8, the indicator lamp 10 is completely turned off, so that the leakage illuminance from the indicator lamp 10 is not erroneously detected and is accurate. Illuminance detection can be performed.

  The refrigerator according to the present invention can be implemented and applied to control in which an illuminance detection means is provided in a household or commercial refrigerator and the operation mode is switched to a power saving operation or the like using the result.

Front view of the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 of the present invention The block diagram of the operation board of the refrigerator in Embodiment 2 of this invention The top view which looked at the refrigerator in Embodiment 2 of this invention from upper direction The side view which looked at the refrigerator in Embodiment 2 of this invention from the horizontal direction Control flow chart of illuminance detection of the refrigerator in Embodiment 3 of the present invention

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator body 2 Refrigeration room door 3 Ice making room door 4 Switching room door 5 Freezing room door 6 Vegetable room door 7 Operation board 8, 18, 28 Illuminance detection means 9 Operation switch 10 Indicator light

Claims (4)

  A plurality of illuminance detection means for detecting brightness in the vicinity of the front surface of the refrigerator main body provided on the front surface of the refrigerator main body and the refrigerator main body, and the detection ranges detected by the illuminance detection means are different from each other at least in part. Refrigerator equipped with a detection range.   The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of illuminance detection means are provided at positions separated from each other on the front surface of the refrigerator body.   The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the illuminance detection means includes a movable part, and the illuminance detection means detects a plurality of detection ranges at different locations depending on the operation of the movable part.   The operation board provided on the front surface of the refrigerator main body, and at least one of the detection ranges detected by a plurality of illuminance detection means detects a range including the upper part of the operation board. A refrigerator according to claim 1.

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