JP2015148440A - refrigerator system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator system capable of uniting suppression of food material deterioration and suppression of power consumption.SOLUTION: A refrigerator 10 includes storage chambers 11, 21, 31, sensors 13, 23, 33 which detect states in the storage chambers, a cooler 2 which cools the storage chambers, and a communication function part 5 which performs communication with a control circuit 4 and a user terminal 76. The control circuit 4 executes a power-saving operation in which power consumption of the cooler 2 is suppressed in accordance with a signal received from the user terminal 76 via the communication function part 5. The control circuit 4 produces information for causing a user to select contents of the power saving operation based on the states in the storage chambers detected by the sensors in accordance with demand of starting the power saving operation from an HEMS and informs the user of the information on the user terminal 76.

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator system including a control unit that suppresses power consumption.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a refrigerator provided with power saving means for performing power saving operation is known from the viewpoint of energy saving. Since the power saving operation leads to a decrease in the cooling performance of a part or all of the storage rooms of the refrigerator, in principle, it is contrary to ensuring the quality of food preservation. In addition to power-saving operation of the refrigerator, various power-saving measures may be taken. Specifically, as an ingenuity in how to use the refrigerator of the user, by buying and storing, the heat capacity of the stored food itself can be used to prevent the temperature of the food from rising, or a specific storage room of the refrigerator can be used. There are power saving measures such as saving power, raising the set temperature, and reducing door opening and closing.

  On the other hand, in recent years, when power is tight, required power saving levels and power saving methods have been diversified, such as periodic power outages and generally increasing electricity charges during times of high power consumption. A system called HEMS (Home Energy Management System) is also known. By using the HEMS, for example, the operation of each household electrical appliance in the house can be controlled from the outside, or a power saving instruction can be given to the household electrical appliance. As a result, it has become a social request to suppress the power consumption of equipment and shift the power consumption peak without degrading the quality of general life as much as possible. It is desirable that the refrigerator connected to the HEMS has a function of suppressing power consumption without degrading food as much as possible when receiving a power saving instruction by the HEMS.

  Under such a background, Patent Document 1 describes a device that monitors a plurality of indoor home appliances and controls power consumption so as not to exceed a predetermined value. Patent Document 2 describes a refrigerator that can grasp the operating condition of the refrigerator even in a remote place and that operates the refrigerator efficiently. Patent Document 3 describes a management device that transmits inventory information data of a refrigerator to an external terminal. Patent Document 4 describes a refrigerator that is provided with a cold storage material in a refrigerated storage chamber, performs appropriate cooling, and saves energy.

JP 2002-369383 A JP 2004-069231 A JP 2001-141350 A JP 2002-162148 A

  As described above, a refrigerator that performs a power saving operation is required to suppress power consumption without degrading food as much as possible when receiving a power saving instruction. In this regard, in the conventional technical level, as described in Patent Documents 1 to 4 described above, although there are technologies related to power saving operation and food storage status notification in the storage room, such a request cannot be satisfied. That is, in Patent Document 1, power saving instructions and control are performed, but there is no mention of means for performing power saving operation. In Patent Literature 2, it is determined whether or not the power saving operation is performed, but information such as the state of food storage in the storage chamber is not taken into account. In patent document 3, although the food storage condition in a storage room is alert | reported, it has nothing to do with power saving operation. In Patent Document 4, a power saving operation is performed using a cold storage material, but it is not related to an external control mode instruction or a food storage condition in the storage room.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an improved refrigerator system so as to achieve both the suppression of deterioration of food and the suppression of power consumption.

The refrigerator system according to the first invention is
A storage room;
Detecting means for detecting a state in the storage chamber;
A cooler for cooling the storage chamber;
A communication means for communicating with the user terminal;
Cooling control means for controlling the cooler and capable of carrying out a power saving operation that is an operation in which power consumption of the cooler is suppressed;
An informing means for informing a user of information indicating a target state to be reached in the storage room when the power saving operation is performed when there is a communication instructing the power saving operation from a device outside the refrigerator; ,
With
The cooling control unit performs the power saving operation according to a signal received from the user terminal via the communication unit after the notification by the notification unit is performed.

The refrigerator system according to the second invention is
A storage room;
Detecting means for detecting a state in the storage chamber;
A cooler for cooling the storage chamber;
A communication means for communicating with the user terminal;
Cooling control means for controlling the cooler and capable of carrying out a power saving operation that is an operation in which power consumption of the cooler is suppressed;
When there is a communication instructing the power saving operation from a device outside the refrigerator, the temperature difference between the storage chamber and the refrigerator, the heat ingress load with the door of the storage chamber closed, and the clogging state in the storage chamber are numerical values At least one of the normalized value, the cooling load increase amount due to air outside the refrigerator entering the storage room, the cooling load increase amount due to the increase in food storage amount, and the cooling load decrease amount due to a decrease in food storage amount Informing means for informing the user at the terminal;
With
The cooling control unit performs the power saving operation according to a signal received from the user terminal via the communication unit after the notification by the notification unit is performed.

The refrigerator system according to the third invention is
A storage room;
Detecting means for detecting a state in the storage chamber;
A cooler for cooling the storage chamber;
A communication means for communicating with the user terminal;
Cooling control means for controlling the cooler and capable of carrying out a power saving operation that is an operation in which power consumption of the cooler is suppressed;
When there is communication instructing the power saving operation from a device outside the refrigerator, a notification means for notifying a user of the predicted state in the storage room when the power saving operation is performed, on the user terminal,
With
The cooling control unit performs the power saving operation according to a signal received from the user terminal via the communication unit after the notification by the notification unit is performed.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION When trying to save power of a refrigerator, according to this invention, the information for making a user select the content of power saving operation can be alert | reported to a user, and the user can select the content of power saving operation appropriately. The user's judgment can be assisted so as to be able to do so. As a result, it is possible to achieve both suppression of food deterioration and reduction of power consumption.

It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the refrigerator and user terminal which the refrigerator system concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention has. It is typical sectional drawing of the refrigerator concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart of the routine which a control circuit performs in the refrigerator system concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the system configuration | structure of the refrigerator system concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is typical sectional drawing which shows the modification of the refrigerator which the refrigerator system concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention has. The user alerting | reporting sequence in Embodiment 2 of this invention is shown. The user alerting | reporting sequence in Embodiment 2 of this invention is shown. It is typical sectional drawing which shows the structure of the refrigerator which the refrigerator system concerning Embodiment 3 of this invention has. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the cool storage unit used with the refrigerator system concerning Embodiment 3 of this invention.

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator structure and a control method having a function for allowing a user to select a balance between a power saving level and a food deterioration level in cooperation with a communication function with a home network or the like. Hereinafter, although the household refrigerator which concerns on this invention is mainly demonstrated with reference to a cross-sectional schematic diagram, this invention is not limited by the specific cross-sectional shape described in this drawing.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
[Configuration of Apparatus and System of First Embodiment]
(Configuration of refrigerator 10)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating configurations of the refrigerator 10 and the user terminal 76 included in the refrigerator system A according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The refrigerator system A includes a refrigerator 10 and a user terminal 76. The refrigerator 10 includes a first door 11a, a second door 21a, and a third door 31a, and three storage rooms (first storage room 11, second storage room 21, and third storage room 31 that are opened and closed by the respective doors. ). A cold storage unit case 54 is attached to the upper part of the refrigerator 10.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the refrigerator 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the refrigerator 10 includes three storage rooms (a first storage room 11, a second storage room 21, and a third storage room 31). In FIG. 2, for convenience, the state in which the food F is stored in the second storage chamber 21 is illustrated. The refrigerator 10 is a blower type refrigerator, and is provided with a cooler 2 in a cold air passage of a storage room. A fan 3 is provided so that air circulates and passes through the cooler 2 and a storage room for storing food in a refrigerator. The refrigerator 10 is provided with a first damper 12, a second damper 22, and a third damper 32 in each storage room. This is because the temperature zones of the three storage rooms can be made different. The first damper 12, the second damper 22, and the third damper 32 are open / close dampers for introducing cold air. Each storage chamber is provided with a first sensor 13, a second sensor 23, and a third sensor 33, each of which includes a thermistor. Thus, in the refrigerator 10, a damper and a thermistor are provided in each storage chamber, and these are connected to the control circuit 4. Thereby, the amount of cool air flowing into the storage room can be adjusted so that the storage room air temperature becomes a predetermined temperature. In addition, you may provide the heater for defrost (not shown) for melt | dissolving the frost of a cooler regularly.

(Configuration of sensor unit)
The refrigerator 10 includes a first sensor 13, a second sensor 23, and a third sensor 33 in each storage room, and is configured to detect the internal state of each storage room. In FIG. 2, these sensors are schematically shown as a single configuration, but the actual configuration is not limited to such a configuration.

  In the present embodiment, each of the first sensor 13, the second sensor 23, and the third sensor 33 is provided as a sensor group including a plurality of sensors. The first sensor 13, the second sensor 23, and the third sensor 33 each include a temperature detection sensor. A thermocouple, thermistor, infrared sensor or the like may be used as a sensor for detecting temperature. The temperature of the air inside the refrigerator 10, the temperature of the components of the refrigerator 10, and the temperature of the food material itself in the storage chamber can be detected. Further, each of the first sensor 13, the second sensor 23, and the third sensor 33 includes a “sensor that detects the amount of articles accommodated in each storage chamber”. Specifically, the amount of food stored can be detected using a weight sensor, a camera, or the like placed in a door pocket or shelf. Since this type of detection technique is already known, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In addition, in FIG. 2, these sensors are described in the substantially back side of each store room. However, the position, detection target, and detection means are not particularly limited as long as the control according to the present embodiment can be performed.

(Structure of cool storage unit)
The refrigerator 10 can perform power saving operation control using a cold storage material. FIG. 2 also shows the hardware configuration of this product. Here, the cold storage unit 56 is built in the cold storage unit case 54 provided in the upper part of the refrigerator main body. The cold storage unit case 54 serves as an attachment portion for mounting and removing the cold storage unit 56. A cold storage unit damper 52 is provided in a portion of the refrigerator 10 facing the cold storage unit connection portion 51. The cold storage unit case 54 is provided with a cold storage unit connection part 51 and a cold storage material detection part 53.

  In addition, the cold storage unit case 54 can be attached to and detached from the refrigerator body, so that the cold storage unit case 54 can be shared with a refrigerator that does not have the cold storage unit. Moreover, the cool storage unit 56 is provided so as to be detachable from the cool storage unit case, so that products having different sizes of the cool storage unit 56 can be made into common parts at the time of manufacture and can be easily disassembled at the time of product disposal.

(Configuration of control circuit etc.)
The refrigerator 10 includes a control circuit 4 and a communication function unit 5. The control circuit 4 is a microcontroller including an arithmetic processing unit and a storage unit (RAM, ROM, etc.). The control circuit 4 is connected to the compressor 1, the cooler 2, the fan 3, the first damper 12, the second damper 22, the third damper 32, and the cold storage unit damper 52, and gives control signals thereto. it can. The control circuit 4 is connected to the first sensor 13, the second sensor 23, the third sensor 33, and the cold storage material detection unit 53, and can receive detection signals from these detection means. The communication function unit 5 can communicate with the user terminal 76. The user terminal 76 includes various terminals such as a remote controller, a mobile phone, a PDA, a mobile computer, and a tablet PC, and the type is not limited.

(Configuration of refrigerator system A)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining a system configuration of the refrigerator system A according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the refrigerator 10, electrical components (compressor 1, cooler 2, fan 3), sensors (first sensor 13, second sensor 23, third sensor 33), control circuit 4, and communication function unit 5 are provided. ing.

  The refrigerator 10 is installed in the house 60. In the house 60, a home energy management system (HEMS) controller 62 and a storage power generation device 64 are also installed. The HEMS controller 62 is also connected to other home appliances other than the refrigerator 10 (not shown).

  The HEMS controller 62 is connected to an information server 72 installed outside the house 60. The HEMS controller 62 and the information server 72 are connected via a telecommunication network. The information server 72 is further connected to a user terminal 76 via a telecommunication network 74. The telecommunication network is the Internet, an intranet, a LAN, or the like. In this way, a network capable of transmitting and receiving information is formed among the user terminal 76, the information server 72, the HEMS controller 62, and the refrigerator 10.

[Operation of Embodiment 1]
(basic action)
As cooling operation control for keeping each storage room at a predetermined temperature, first, the temperature is detected by the sensors (first sensor 13, second sensor 23, third sensor 33) of each storage room. When some or all of the storage chambers reach a predetermined temperature or lower, the damper provided in the storage chamber that has reached the predetermined temperature or lower is closed to stop the inflow of cold air. Conversely, when the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature or higher, a damper provided in the storage chamber that has reached the predetermined temperature or higher is opened, and a cooling operation is performed in which cool air is introduced.

  In the refrigerator system A, the refrigerator 10 can be controlled with a temperature control pattern stored in advance in the storage unit of the control circuit 4 in accordance with the operation status of the refrigerator 10 and user settings. The control circuit 4 can also operate the refrigerator 10 in response to a control instruction from an external device such as HEMS.

(User notification function and system operation)
The inventor of the present application has advanced earnestly research, and in order to realize the demand to suppress power consumption without degrading the food as much as possible, comprehensively consider the type of food and the amount of storage, etc. It has been found that it is preferable to determine the contents, and it is preferable to leave the judgment of what kind of power saving operation the refrigerator performs to the user. Furthermore, after earnestly researching the relationship between the technology related to power saving operation, the handling of information such as the state of the storage room (for example, food storage status), and the technical concept that entrusts the user to determine the content of power saving operation, As a result, the present inventors have found an improved refrigerator system that achieves both the suppression of deterioration and the reduction of power consumption.

  In the refrigerator system A according to the present embodiment, in response to a request to start a power saving operation (for example, a power saving operation start instruction from HEMS), the control circuit 4 “information for causing the user to select the content of the power saving operation” Is generated. This information is generated based on the state in the storage chamber detected by the first, second, and third sensors 13, 23, and 33.

  The control circuit 4 transmits this information to the user terminal 76 via the communication function unit 5 and a communication network such as a wireless network. That is, the communication function unit 5 is connected to the control circuit 4. The communication function unit 5 transmits “information for allowing the user to select the content of the power saving operation” to a device outside the refrigerator 10. Specifically, it may be transmitted directly to the user terminal 76 or may be temporarily output to the HEMS controller or an external server and indirectly transmitted to the user terminal 76. In this manner, the refrigerator system A notifies the user of “information for allowing the user to select the content of the power saving operation” to be described later, on the user terminal 76.

  The communication function unit 5 has a function of receiving an instruction for controlling a part or all of the operation of the refrigerator 10 from an external device (such as HEMS) of the refrigerator 10. The control circuit 4 receives an instruction received from the external device by the communication function unit 5 and controls the cooler based on the instruction. When the signal received from the user terminal 76 is a power saving operation instruction, the power saving operation is performed according to this instruction.

(Information to let the user select the content of power saving operation)
The “information for allowing the user to select the content of the power saving operation” notified to the user by the user terminal 76 is one or more pieces of information selected from the group consisting of the following various types of information (1) to (5). In the first embodiment, among the following various pieces of information that require calculation based on sensor values, a program stored in advance in the control circuit 4 is executed and the calculation result is notified to the user. This calculation is based on “primary information detected by a sensor provided in the refrigerator” such as temperature and food storage amount among the information on the operation status of the refrigerator notified to the user. This is a calculation for predicting the temperature change of the storage room.

(1) You may alert | report to a user "information regarding the internal state of the refrigerator 10." Specifically, at least one of the following (1-1) to (1-4) may be notified to the user.
(1-1) “The operating state of the cooler 2” may be included. The information related to the operation state of the refrigerator is the operation implementation status of temperature and cooling control. Specifically, it is operation information of the compressor 1, the fan 3, the damper, and the like controlled by the control circuit 4.
(1-2) A part or all of sensor detection information by the first sensor 13, the second sensor 23, and the third sensor 33 may be notified to the user.
(1-3) The user may be informed of the storage status of articles in the storage room. Specifically, the user may be notified of information on the ingredients stored in the refrigerator and the amount of the ingredients.
(1-4) Information regarding opening / closing of the refrigerator door may be notified to the user. For example, how long the refrigerator door has not been opened and closed, the number of times the door is opened and closed within a predetermined time (frequency), etc. The number of times and frequency based on the output of this sensor by attaching a sensor that detects the opening and closing of the door May be detected.

(2) “Information indicating what kind of power saving operation is possible” may be notified to the user. Specifically, at least one of the following (2-1) and (2-2) may be notified to the user.
(2-1) “Information on the power saving operation mode” may be included. The control circuit 4 has a plurality of power saving operation modes in which the power consumption of the cooler 2 is different. In the first embodiment, the plurality of power saving operation modes are specifically composed of a power saving level 1 and a power saving level 2 in which power consumption is suppressed more than the power saving level 1. The plurality of power saving operation modes may be notified to the user by the user terminal 76. In the first embodiment, the plurality of power saving operation modes include the cold storage unit use mode. The cool storage unit use mode is a mode in which the cooler 2 is operated at a setting in which the power consumption is lower than that during normal operation, and the storage room is cooled using the cool storage unit 56.
(2-2) The “selectable power saving operation mode” may be notified to the user. The selectable power saving operation mode refers to a power saving operation mode that can be selected at the present time. The selectable power saving operation mode is based on the state in the storage chamber detected by the first sensor 13, the second sensor 23, and the third sensor 33, and the user can actually select the power saving operation mode among the plurality of power saving operation modes at the present time. The operation mode is calculated by the control circuit 4.

(3) The “target state in the storage room in the power saving operation” may be notified to the user. Specifically, it is a target set value for the state of the storage room temperature or food material when the power saving operation is performed. This may notify different values for each of the plurality of power saving operation modes.

(4) “Temperature information on the cooling state of the storage room” may be notified to the user. Specifically, at least one of the following (4-1) to (4-5) may be notified to the user.
(4-1) The user may be notified of the temperature difference between the storage room and the outside of the refrigerator. The temperature outside the refrigerator may be obtained from a temperature sensor (not shown) outside the refrigerator 10.
(4-2) The user may be notified of the heat entry load in the door closed state. This value may be calculated based on the temperature difference between the storage room and the outside of the refrigerator.
(4-3) The result of digitizing the clogged state in the storage chamber may be notified to the user. The clogged state in the storage chamber can be quantified from the time difference from when the damper is opened until the temperature sensor detects a decrease in the air temperature.
(4-4) The user may be notified of an increase in cooling load due to the entry of air outside the refrigerator. The presence / absence and the amount of entry of air outside the refrigerator may be calculated using a sensor that detects the frequency of opening and closing the door and the opening time.
(4-5) The cooling load increase amount due to the increase in the food storage amount or the cooling load decrease amount due to the decrease in the food storage amount may be notified to the user. What is necessary is just to calculate about the increase or decrease of food storage amount using the weight sensor, camera, etc. which were arrange | positioned at a door pocket or a shelf.

(5) The “predicted state in the storage room when the power saving operation is performed” may be notified to the user. Specifically, at least one of the following (5-1) to (5-3) may be notified to the user. This may notify different values for each of the plurality of power saving operation modes.
(5-1) When the power saving operation is performed, the user may be notified of the prediction result about the storage room temperature and the state of the food.
(5-2) A predicted temperature change that will occur when the operation control is switched to the power saving mode may be notified to the user.
(5-3) The predicted food freshness deterioration degree may be notified to the user based on the predicted temperature change prediction.

(Power-saving operation of the refrigerator body)
The refrigerator system A can cause the refrigerator 10 to perform a power saving operation. The power saving operation is an operation in which the power consumption of the cooler 2 is suppressed.

The following (A) to (C) contribute greatly to the power consumption of the refrigerator.
(A) Compressor 1 for compressing refrigerant used for cooler 2
(B) Blower fan 3
(C) Defrost heater for periodically melting frost on the cooler 2

Therefore, in the refrigerator 10, in order to save energy, the control circuit 4 performs control processing in a power saving operation mode determined to perform at least one of the following controls as a power saving operation that consumes less power than during normal operation. Can be executed.
(A) The operation time of the compressor 1 is reduced.
(B) The damper closing time is increased to reduce the number of storage rooms to be cooled.
(C) Stop the air blowing by the fan 3.
(D) Reduce the number of defrosts.
(E) The following cool storage unit use mode is used.

(Cool storage unit and cool storage unit use mode)
Here, the operation | movement using the cool storage unit 56 is demonstrated. During normal cooling operation, the cold air blown by the compressor 1, the cooler 2, and the fan 3 of the refrigerator main body is blown to the cold storage unit 56 through the cold storage unit damper 52. This cool air cools the regenerator material inside the unit, and the cooling state of the regenerator material can be controlled by the damper opening / closing operation.

  During power saving operation, the operation of the compressor 1 and the fan 3 is suppressed to reduce power consumption, and the air in the refrigerated storage room is cooled by passing it through the cold storage unit 56 to cool each storage room. Depending on the limit of the amount of heat stored in the cold storage unit 56, the set temperature of each storage room should be increased by giving priority to cooling operation for a long time (the risk of food deterioration is high), or priority is given to suppression of food deterioration to the cold storage unit It is possible to select whether to blow air (cooling time is short). The control content is changed in accordance with the power saving level setting and the user instruction.

[Specific Processing of System of First Embodiment]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a routine executed by the control circuit 4 in the refrigerator system A according to the first embodiment of the present invention. A communication and control flow will be described with reference to FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 3 is executed in the control circuit 4 in the refrigerator 10. Note that the refrigerator 10 in a state where the communication function unit 5 can be used automatically enters the communication function use mode ON state or when the user selects the communication function use mode. The flowchart in FIG. 3 is executed when the communication function use mode is ON.

  In the routine of FIG. 3, first, the control circuit 4 executes a process of determining whether or not there is an instruction for power saving operation from the external device of the refrigerator 10 (step S <b> 100). The external device of the refrigerator 10 here is assumed to be the HEMS controller 62 in the present embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other than the HEMS controller 62, for example, a mode in which a power saving operation instruction is issued from the user terminal 76 or the information server 72 may be used.

  If it is determined that there is no power saving operation instruction from the external device of the refrigerator 10, a normal cooling operation is performed (step S102).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is an instruction for power saving operation, a user notification sequence (described in the next section) is performed (step S106). This step is a process for notifying the user of “information for allowing the user to select the content of the power saving operation” on the user terminal 76. Specifically, in this routine, the amount of food stored in the storage room, the temperature, the power-saving level, and the risk of food freshness deterioration during power-saving operation are notified to the user.

  Next, the apparatus enters a state of waiting for a power saving operation instruction from the user (step S106). If there is no instruction, normal operation is continued (step S102). The power saving operation may be performed after a certain time has elapsed.

Next, it is determined whether or not power saving level 2 has been instructed (step S108). When there are two or more power saving levels instructed by the user, the instructed operations are performed. In this Embodiment, the refrigerator 10 using the detachable cold storage unit is assumed in order to implement a higher power saving level.
When there is no operation instruction for power saving level 2, an operation corresponding to power saving level 1, for example, an operation such as temperature setting up is turned on (step S140).

  When receiving an operation instruction at power saving level 2, whether or not the regenerator unit is connected (with or without the regenerator unit), whether or not the regenerator material is frozen and can be cooled (the regenerator state of the regenerator material) ) Is determined (step S112).

If the operation is possible, the operation at the power saving level 2 is performed as instructed by the user (step S114).
On the other hand, if the cold storage unit cannot be operated, the flow is returned to and a practicable power saving level notification sequence is performed (to step S104). That is, when the user can select the cool storage unit use mode, the cool storage unit use mode is transmitted to the user terminal 76 as one of the selectable power saving operation modes.

  By setting it as such a specification and flow, when the refrigerator 10 receives the power-saving instruction | indication from an external apparatus, a user can know the driving | running state of the refrigerator 10. FIG. Based on the information obtained, the user can determine and instruct the operation of the refrigerator. Therefore, the user can select the balance between the power saving level and the level of food material deterioration, and both the suppression of the deterioration of the food material and the suppression of the power consumption can be achieved.

[Actual operation example of the system according to the first embodiment]
As a specific example, for example, when the user goes out, if the power consumption is reduced by 10% for 3 hours in the daytime to the home area, a notification from the power company that the rate of electricity charges will be reduced, or Assume a case notified to the HEMS controller. At this time, the user is notified of the power saving instruction content and the information on the operating state of the refrigerator. As information on the operating state of the refrigerator, that is, the remaining vegetable room is maintained at 5 ° C, the freezer room is full and maintained at -18 ° C, and the refrigerator door has not been opened or closed over the last few hours. The following three items are notified.

Furthermore, 10% power saving is informed that the power saving level 1 is expected to be achieved. In addition, at the power saving level 1, there is no problem if the vegetable room temperature is increased by 1 ° C and the freezer room is increased by 2 ° C. If the vegetable is eaten during the day, there is no problem. Prediction information that there is little food deterioration may be notified.
Furthermore, if it is set to power saving level 2, 15% power saving is possible, and the freezing room will be raised by 5 ° C by stopping the cool air blow to the freezing room, but there is no problem if there is no ice or easily deteriorated food It is desirable to notify the prediction information.

  The user confirms these contents, and power saving level 1 is sufficient for 10% power saving. However, power saving level 2 may be selected, and this can be instructed to refrigerator 10 using user terminal 76. . In accordance with this instruction, the refrigerator 10 performs the operation control at the power saving level 2 over a specified time (3 hours in this actual operation example).

  According to the first embodiment described above, when there is a power saving instruction, the user selects a power saving level according to the food storage state, so that the user can allow the deterioration of the food in the refrigerated storage room. It will be possible to suppress. Moreover, the usage method of a refrigerator can be devised by the information alerting | reporting to a user so that power consumption may decrease more. Moreover, the range of the power-saving level which can be selected can be expanded by attaching the cool storage unit 56 etc. FIG.

[Modification of Embodiment 1]
(Hardware that executes arithmetic processing)
In the first embodiment, for “information for allowing the user to select the content of power saving operation”, a program stored in advance in the control circuit 4 is executed and the calculation result is notified to the user. It is said. However, the present invention is not limited to this. You may construct the refrigerator system A so that it may calculate in other than the control circuit 4 of the refrigerator 10. FIG. For example, in one piece of hardware selected from the group consisting of the HEMS controller 62, the information server 72, and the user terminal 76, “information for allowing the user to select the content of power saving operation” is calculated and this information is generated. Anyway.

  In addition, it is desirable that the software for performing such calculation can be upgraded by a manufacturer or can be added with a new function such as detecting a failure based on a difference between the predicted temperature and the temperature at which it can be executed.

(Refrigerator without cold storage unit)
In the first embodiment, the refrigerator 10 using the cold storage unit 56 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Even in a refrigerator that does not use the cold storage unit 56, it is possible to apply the “technology for generating information for allowing the user to select the content of the power saving operation and informing the user of this information at the user terminal” according to the present invention. it can.

  FIG. 5: is typical sectional drawing which shows the modification of the refrigerator which the refrigerator system concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention has. As shown in FIG. 5, a refrigerator in which the volume of the first storage chamber 11 is expanded instead of having the configuration of the cold storage unit case 54 and the like of FIG. 2 may be used. In this case, as the power saving mode, the control circuit 4 is not the mode using the cold storage unit 56 but the power saving operation mode determined to implement at least one of the power saving operation controls (a) to (d) described above. May control the cooler 2. In addition to these power saving operation controls, various known power saving operation techniques may be used in addition to or instead of the power saving operation control according to the present embodiment.

  In addition, although FIG. 3 demonstrated and assumed the power-saving level-up using a cool storage unit, this invention is not limited to this. In power saving level 1, the food temperature is set to a mode that minimizes the deterioration of food by increasing the set temperature by 1 to 2 ° C. In power saving level 2, food deterioration such as compressor stop control and control to stop cool air blowing in a predetermined storage room is performed. It is good also as a mode which accepts. Further, the power saving level is not limited to two stages, and three or more different power saving levels may be provided.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
[Configuration of Apparatus and System According to Second Embodiment]
In the refrigerator system A according to the second embodiment, when there is a request to start the power saving operation, the contents of the power saving operation differ depending on the operation selected by the user among the quality priority operation and the power saving priority operation. "Information for making the user select" is generated and notified. Except for this point, the refrigerator system A according to the second embodiment has the same hardware configuration and system configuration as those according to the first embodiment, and the hardware described with reference to FIGS. The hardware configuration and the system configuration are the same as those in the second embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. The same or corresponding configurations in the first and second embodiments will be described below using the same reference numerals.

[Specific Processing of System of Embodiment 2]
6 and 7 show a user notification sequence according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and correspond to a modification of the processing content of step S104 of FIG. That is, in the refrigerator system A according to the second embodiment, the control circuit 4 executes the process of the flowchart of FIG. 3 as in the first embodiment, but the specific process of the second embodiment is step S104 of FIG. The processing content is replaced with FIG. 6 and FIG.

(Priority content judgment routine)
First, as a premise of specific processing of the refrigerator system A according to the second embodiment, the user is notified in advance when a power saving instruction is given in advance through an external device such as the refrigerator 10 main body or the HEMS controller 62. Select the type. In the second embodiment, the user selects “quality priority” or “power saving priority”, and the content selected by the user can be transmitted to the control circuit 4 of the refrigerator 10 through the user terminal 76 or the like. Which is selected by the user is stored in the storage device of the control circuit 4.

  In the refrigerator system A according to the second embodiment, when the control circuit 4 executes the flowchart of FIG. 3 as in the first embodiment, when the process proceeds to step S104, the second embodiment is first selected at the present time. Determination processing for determining whether “quality priority” or “power saving priority” is present is executed. Here, when “quality priority” is selected, the control circuit 4 executes the routine of FIG. 6, and when “power saving priority” is selected, the routine of FIG. 7 is executed.

(Quality priority notification sequence)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a routine executed by the control circuit 4 when the user selects “quality priority”.

  In the routine of FIG. 6, first, the control circuit 4 executes a process of collecting the food storage amount of each storage room based on the sensor output of each storage room (step S200). As described in the first embodiment, each of the first sensor 13, the second sensor 23, and the third sensor 33 includes a sensor that detects the amount of an article stored in the storage chamber. Based on the outputs of these sensors, the amount of food stored in each storage room (the first storage room 11, the second storage room 21, and the third storage room 31) is detected.

Next, the control circuit 4 performs the process of step S202. In step S202, the following two processes are executed.
A process for determining the temperature control change level of each storage room A process for determining a control sequence for the dampers (first damper 12, second damper 22, third damper 32), fan 3, and compressor 1

  Next, the control circuit 4 executes a process for determining a feasible power saving level (step S204). This step is a process of determining whether the power saving operation that can be performed by the refrigerator 10 is both the power saving levels 1 and 2 or only the power saving level 1. It is determined whether the power saving levels 1 and 2 are within a range that does not impair food storage quality.

  Next, the control circuit 4 executes processing for notifying the user of the determination result of step S204 (step S206). In this step, the control circuit 4 determines the determination result in step S204 toward the user terminal 76 through the communication function unit 5 (that is, whether the executable power saving operation mode is both power saving levels 1 and 2 or only power saving level 1). Is transmitted to the user.

Thereafter, the current routine ends.
As described above, according to the routine shown in FIG. 6, the power saving level is derived in a range that does not impair the food preservation quality (step S204) according to the amount of food stored, the outside temperature (step S200), and the like. The possible power saving level can be notified (step S206).

(Power saving priority notification sequence)
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a routine executed by the control circuit 4 when the user selects “power saving priority”.

In the routine of FIG. 7, first, the control circuit 4 executes the process of step S300. In step S300, the following two processes are executed.
-Setting of power saving level based on power saving level specification content from user-Control sequence determination process for damper (first damper 12, second damper 22, third damper 32), fan 3, and compressor 1

  Next, the control circuit 4 executes a process of collecting the amount of food stored in each storage room based on the sensor output of each storage room (step S302). The processing in step S302 can have the same contents as the processing in step S200 in FIG.

Next, the control circuit 4 executes the process of step S304. In step S304, the following two processes are executed.
・ Calculation of estimated temperature rise for each storage room ・ Calculation of estimated food deterioration level and estimated shortened shelf life

  Next, the control circuit 4 executes processing for notifying the user of the determination result of step S304 (step S306). In this step, the control circuit 4 sends the calculation result in step S304 toward the user terminal 76 through the communication function unit 5 (that is, the estimated temperature increase value, the food deterioration level estimated value, and the storage period shortened estimated value of each storage room). Is transmitted to the user.

Thereafter, the current routine ends.
As described above, according to the routine of FIG. 7, when the user designates the power saving level (step S300) and performs the operation control according to this, the temperature rise in the storage room, the food deterioration level, etc. are derived. (Step S304), these can be notified to the user (Step S306).

  Since the information is notified to the user through the user terminal 76 by executing the routine of FIG. 6 or FIG. 7, the user approves the presented operation based on the notified information or performs another operation. Can be instructed. According to the specific processing according to the second embodiment described above, it is possible to avoid the user from being confused or complicated by the information content to be notified, and the user-friendly power-saving operation instruction can be provided. It becomes possible.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 8: is typical sectional drawing which shows the structure of the refrigerator 150 which the refrigerator system A concerning Embodiment 3 of this invention has. FIG. 8 shows a cold storage unit mounting position and a method for attaching and detaching the cold storage unit. Here, the cold storage unit 156 is detachable from the drawer 211 of the second storage chamber 21 provided in the refrigerator 150.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the cold storage unit 156 used in the refrigerator system A according to the third embodiment of the present invention. On the inner surface of the cold storage unit 156, a cold storage unit connection portion 151 is provided in a portion of the refrigerator 150 main body facing the blower air flow path 41 to the second storage chamber 21. Thus, in the state where the cold storage unit 156 is installed in the second storage chamber 21 and the door is closed, the second damper 22, the forward air passage 41, the cold storage unit connection portion 151, the inside of the cold storage unit, and the remaining space of the second storage chamber 21. An air passage is formed from the second storage chamber 21 to the return air passage 42 to the space where the fan 3 is located.

  In the third embodiment, the second sensor 23 can detect the attachment / detachment status of the cold storage unit 156 and the cooling state. That is, in the third embodiment, the second sensor 23 is configured such that the cold storage unit 156 is disposed in the second storage chamber drawer 211 and the cold storage unit connection portion 151 is a predetermined portion on the inner surface of the second storage chamber 21. An attachment / detachment sensor for detecting whether or not the connection has been made is included. This is provided with a detachable sensor (regardless of mechanical, electrical, magnetic, or optical) that detects mechanical connection between the cold storage unit connection portion 151 and a predetermined portion of the back surface of the second storage chamber 21. do it. In the third embodiment, the second sensor 23 also includes a temperature sensor for detecting the cooling state of the cold storage unit 156.

  In the third embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the cold storage unit 156 includes a cold storage material cover 157 and a plurality of cold storage materials 158 arranged therein. Each of the regenerator materials 158 has a substantially parallel plate shape. In the cool storage material cover 157, the plurality of cool storage materials 158 are parallel to each other so as to form a gas flow path parallel to the direction from the opening of the cool storage material cover 157 to the cool storage unit connection portion 151 facing the opening. Is arranged. Thereby, the pressure loss of ventilation can be suppressed and the heat absorption and heat generation speed of the cold storage material 158 can be improved.

  By setting it as the apparatus structure concerning Embodiment 3, the power saving operation mode using the cool storage material 158 can be provided, without enlarging the refrigerator 150 main body. Further, in the case of normal operation (operation that is not power saving operation) or when the amount of stored food is large, the cold storage unit 156 can be removed from the main body and the entire refrigerator 150 can be used for food preservation. On the other hand, when the time when power saving is required and when the amount of food stored may be small, setting the cold storage unit 156 reduces the amount of food stored, but enables more power-saving operation.

  The operation and the specific processing (FIG. 3) according to the first embodiment and the modification thereof may be executed in the refrigerator 150 according to the third embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Compressor, 2 Cooler, 3 Fan, 4 Control circuit, 5 Communication function part, 10 Refrigerator, 11 1st storage room, 11a 1st door, 12 1st damper, 13 1st sensor, 21 2nd storage room, 21a 2nd door, 22 2nd damper, 23 2nd sensor, 31 3rd storage room, 31a 3rd door, 32 3rd damper, 33 3rd sensor, 41 airway, 42 airway, 51 cool storage unit connection part, 52 Cold storage unit damper, 53 Cold storage material detection unit, 54 Cold storage unit case, 56 Cold storage unit, 60 House, 62 Controller, 64 Power storage device, 72 Information server, 74 Telecommunications network, 76 User terminal, 150 Refrigerator, 151 Cold storage Unit connection portion, 156 cool storage unit, 157 cool storage material cover, 158 cool storage material, A refrigerator system

Claims (7)

A storage room;
Detecting means for detecting a state in the storage chamber;
A cooler for cooling the storage chamber;
A communication means for communicating with the user terminal;
Cooling control means for controlling the cooler and capable of carrying out a power saving operation that is an operation in which power consumption of the cooler is suppressed;
An informing means for informing a user of information indicating a target state to be reached in the storage room when the power saving operation is performed when there is a communication instructing the power saving operation from a device outside the refrigerator; ,
With
The refrigerator system, wherein the cooling control unit performs the power saving operation according to a signal received from the user terminal via the communication unit after the notification by the notification unit is performed.   The information indicating the target state notified by the user terminal indicates a state in which at least one of the temperature in the storage chamber and the state of the food in the storage chamber is set when the power saving operation is performed. The refrigerator system of Claim 1 containing a target setting value. A storage room;
Detecting means for detecting a state in the storage chamber;
A cooler for cooling the storage chamber;
A communication means for communicating with the user terminal;
Cooling control means for controlling the cooler and capable of carrying out a power saving operation that is an operation in which power consumption of the cooler is suppressed;
When there is a communication instructing the power saving operation from a device outside the refrigerator, the temperature difference between the storage chamber and the refrigerator, the heat ingress load with the door of the storage chamber closed, and the clogging state in the storage chamber are numerical values At least one of the normalized value, the cooling load increase amount due to air outside the refrigerator entering the storage room, the cooling load increase amount due to the increase in food storage amount, and the cooling load decrease amount due to a decrease in food storage amount Informing means for informing the user at the terminal;
With
The refrigerator system, wherein the cooling control unit performs the power saving operation according to a signal received from the user terminal via the communication unit after the notification by the notification unit is performed. A storage room;
Detecting means for detecting a state in the storage chamber;
A cooler for cooling the storage chamber;
A communication means for communicating with the user terminal;
Cooling control means for controlling the cooler and capable of carrying out a power saving operation that is an operation in which power consumption of the cooler is suppressed;
When there is communication instructing the power saving operation from a device outside the refrigerator, a notification means for notifying a user of the predicted state in the storage room when the power saving operation is performed, on the user terminal,
With
The refrigerator system, wherein the cooling control unit performs the power saving operation according to a signal received from the user terminal via the communication unit after the notification by the notification unit is performed.   The refrigerator system according to claim 4, wherein the predicted state notified by the user terminal includes a predicted result for at least one of a temperature in the storage room and a food state in the storage room when the power saving operation is performed.   The refrigerator system according to claim 4, wherein the predicted state notified by the user terminal includes a predicted temperature change predicted when the power saving operation is performed.   The refrigerator system according to claim 4, wherein the predicted state notified by the user terminal includes a predicted food freshness deterioration degree based on a temperature change predicted when the power saving operation is performed.

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