JP2020071003A - refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

To enable the temperature of a beverage in a container supplied with ice to stably reach a set temperature regardless of a type of the container.SOLUTION: A refrigerator comprises: a heat capacity calculation part 70d calculating the heat capacities of a beverage-included container and a beverage in the beverage-included container using information output from a camera 61, a distance measuring sensor 62 and an infrared sensor 63; an ice supply amount setting part 70c setting an amount of ice to be discharged from a dispenser part so that the temperature of the beverage after inputting ice in the beverage-included container becomes a set temperature, using the heat capacity calculated by the heat capacity calculation part 70d; and a partition control part 70a controlling a first partition 52 and a second partition 53 such that ice of the amount set by the ice supply amount setting part 70c is discharged from the dispenser part 60.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator.

  Patent Document 1 describes a refrigerator including a dispenser unit. This refrigerator is capable of discharging ice from a dispenser section.

JP, 2017-15323, A

  The container to which the ice is supplied by the dispenser is not always constant. In some containers to which ice is supplied by a dispenser, it is difficult to cool the contents, and in other containers, it is easy to cool the contents. In the conventional technique such as the refrigerator described in Patent Document 1, the problem that the temperature of the beverage in the container after the ice is supplied greatly varies depending on the type of the container to which the ice is supplied by the dispenser. There is.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. An object of the present invention is to make the temperature of a beverage in a container to which ice is supplied stably reach a set temperature regardless of the type of the container in a refrigerator having an ice dispenser function.

  The refrigerator according to the present invention is installed in an ice making mechanism that produces ice, a dispenser unit that discharges the ice produced by the ice making mechanism, an adjusting mechanism that adjusts the amount of ice discharged from the dispenser unit, and the dispenser unit. An image pickup means for picking up an image of the beverage-filled container, a distance detection means for detecting the height of the beverage in the beverage-filled container, a temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the beverage in the beverage-filled container, a heat capacity calculation means, and an ice cube. A supply amount setting means and a control means for controlling the adjusting mechanism are provided. The heat capacity calculating means calculates the heat capacity of the beverage-containing container and the beverage using the information output from the imaging means, the distance detecting means, and the temperature detecting means. The ice supply amount setting means uses the heat capacity calculated by the heat capacity calculating means to set the amount of ice discharged from the dispenser portion so that the temperature of the beverage after putting the ice in the beverage container becomes the set temperature. To do. The control unit controls the adjusting mechanism so that the amount of ice set by the ice supply amount setting unit is discharged from the dispenser unit.

  With the refrigerator according to the present invention, the temperature of the beverage in the container to which the ice is supplied can be made to reach the set temperature stably regardless of the type of the container.

It is a front view of the refrigerator of Embodiment 1. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the internal structure of the refrigerator of Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an enlarged structure of the ice making chamber, the ice storage chamber, and the periphery of the dispenser unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing functions of the control device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for realizing the function of the control device according to the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the refrigerator of the first embodiment.

  Embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in each drawing indicate the same or corresponding portions. In the present disclosure, redundant description will be appropriately simplified or omitted. It should be noted that the present invention can include all modifications and all combinations of the configurations disclosed in the following embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a front view of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view showing the internal structure of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, as a general rule, each direction is defined with reference to when the refrigerator 1 is installed in a usable state.

  The refrigerator 1 is for home use, for example. The refrigerator 1 is not limited to a home refrigerator, but may be a commercial refrigerator or the like. In addition, the dimensions, positional relationships, shapes, and the like of the respective members constituting the refrigerator 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 may not be completely the same as the actual ones. The configuration of the refrigerator 1 is not limited to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

  The refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment includes a heat insulating box 1a as an example of a refrigerator body. The heat insulating box 1a is composed of an outer box, an inner box and a heat insulating material. The outer box is made of steel, for example. The inner box is made of resin, for example. The inner box is arranged inside the outer box. The heat insulating material is, for example, urethane foam, a vacuum heat insulating material, or the like. The heat insulating material is filled in the space between the outer box and the inner box.

  The front surface of the heat insulating box 1a is open. A storage space is formed inside the heat insulating box 1a. The storage space is a space in which an object to be stored such as food is stored. The storage space formed inside the heat insulating box 1a is divided into a plurality of storage chambers for storing and storing food and the like by one or a plurality of members.

  As an example, a refrigerating room 10, a freezing room 20, and a vegetable room 30 are formed as a plurality of storage rooms inside the heat insulating box 1a. The refrigerating room 10 is a space for refrigerating and storing foods and the like. The freezer compartment 20 is a space for freezing and storing foods and the like. The vegetable compartment 30 is a space mainly for storing vegetables and large-capacity plastic bottles. The above storage chambers are arranged in a three-tiered configuration in the vertical direction within the heat insulating box 1a. Each storage chamber formed inside the heat insulating box 1a is partitioned by a member having a heat insulating property.

  In the present embodiment, refrigerating compartment 10 is formed in the upper part inside heat insulating box 1a. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of shelves are provided inside the refrigerator compartment 10 as an example. The inside of the refrigerating compartment 10 is partitioned into a plurality of spaces in the vertical direction by these shelf plates. The space below the lowest shelf in the refrigerating compartment 10 is a chilled compartment 11. The chilled chamber 11 is a space for mainly storing fresh food such as meat and fish.

  In the present embodiment, freezer compartment 20 is formed in the lower part inside heat insulating box 1a. The freezer compartment 20 is arranged below the refrigerator compartment 10. The vegetable compartment 30 is formed below the freezing compartment 20. The vegetable compartment 30 is arrange | positioned at the lowest stage in the heat insulation box 1a.

  A refrigerating compartment door 12 for opening and closing the refrigerating compartment 10 is provided on the front surface of the refrigerating compartment 10. The refrigerator compartment door 12 is a rotary door. Moreover, the freezer compartment 20 and the vegetable compartment 30 are each opened and closed by a drawer type door, for example. These drawer type doors can be slid in the depth direction of the refrigerator 1 along rails formed horizontally on the left and right inner wall surfaces of each storage chamber.

  Further, the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment has an ice dispenser function. The ice dispenser function is a function of discharging ice according to a user's request. An ice making chamber 40 and an ice storage chamber 50 are provided in the refrigerator 1 having an ice dispenser function. Further, the refrigerator 1 having the ice dispenser function includes a dispenser unit 60.

  The ice making chamber 40 is a space for producing ice. The ice storage chamber 50 is a space for storing the ice generated in the ice making chamber 40. The ice making chamber 40 and the ice storage chamber 50 are separated by a member having a heat insulating property. The dispenser unit 60 is a mechanism that discharges the ice stored in the ice storage chamber 50 to the outside of the refrigerator 1.

  As an example, as shown in FIG. 2, the ice making chamber 40 is provided in the uppermost stage in the heat insulating box 1a. The ice storage chamber 50 is provided below the ice making chamber 40. The ice storage chamber 50 is provided inside the refrigerator compartment door 12. The dispenser unit 60 is provided below the ice storage chamber 50. The dispenser part 60 is provided in the refrigerator compartment door 12 in this Embodiment. The front side of the refrigerator compartment door 12 is opened by the dispenser unit 60.

  Further, inside the refrigerating compartment door 12, as shown in FIG. 2, an ice transport path 51 is provided. The ice transport path 51 is a path for transporting the ice in the ice storage chamber 50 to the dispenser unit 60. The dispenser unit 60 is connected to the ice storage chamber 50 via the ice transport path 51. The upper end portion of the ice transport path 51 communicates with the lower portion of the ice storage chamber 50. The lower end of the ice transport path 51 communicates with the upper portion of the dispenser unit 60.

  A water supply tank 41 is provided below the refrigerating compartment 10 as shown in FIG. The water supply tank 41 is provided on the step above the chilled chamber 11. Water used for ice making in the ice making chamber 40 is stored in the water supply tank 41.

  Note that the number, types, and arrangement of the storage chambers formed inside the heat insulating box 1a are not limited to the above example. Further, the structure of the door for opening and closing each space formed inside the heat insulating box 1a is not limited to the above example. The arrangement of the ice making chamber 40, the water supply tank 41, the ice storage chamber 50, the ice transport path 51, and the dispenser unit 60 is not limited to the above example.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment includes a compressor 2 and a cooler 3 as cooling means for cooling air. The compressor 2 and the cooler 3 form a refrigeration cycle circuit with a condenser, a throttle device, and the like, which are not shown.

  The compressor 2 compresses and discharges the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle circuit. The condenser condenses the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2. The expansion device expands the refrigerant flowing out of the condenser. The cooler 3 cools the air with the refrigerant expanded by the expansion device. The compressor 2 is arranged, for example, in the lower portion on the back side of the refrigerator 1 as shown in FIG.

  The refrigerator 1 includes a blower 4 for supplying cold air to the refrigerator compartment 10, the freezer compartment 20, the vegetable compartment 30, the ice making compartment 40, and the ice storage compartment 50. Further, the refrigerator 1 is formed with an air passage 5 for supplying cold air to the refrigerator compartment 10, the freezer compartment 20, the vegetable compartment 30, the ice making compartment 40, and the ice storage compartment 50. The air passage 5 is arranged, for example, on the back side of the refrigerator 1. The cooler 3 forming the refrigeration cycle circuit is installed in the air passage 5. The blower 4 is also installed in this air passage 5.

  When the blower 4 operates, the air cooled by the cooler 3, that is, cool air, is sent to the refrigerating compartment 10, the freezing compartment 20, the vegetable compartment 30, the ice making compartment 40, and the ice storage compartment 50 through the air passage 5. The air sent to the refrigerator compartment 10, the freezer compartment 20, the vegetable compartment 30, the ice making compartment 40, and the ice storage compartment 50 is returned to the air passage 5 in which the cooler 3 is installed. The air returned to the air passage 5 is cooled again by the cooler 3 and circulates in the refrigerator 1.

  Further, a damper (not shown) is provided at a midway point from the air passage 5 to the refrigerating compartment 10, the freezing compartment 20, the vegetable compartment 30, the ice making compartment 40 and the ice storage compartment 50. The air volume of the cool air supplied to the refrigerator compartment 10, the freezer compartment 20, the vegetable compartment 30, the ice making compartment 40, and the ice storage compartment 50 is adjusted by changing the open / close state of each damper. Further, the temperature of the cold air supplied to the refrigerator compartment 10, the freezer compartment 20, the vegetable compartment 30, the ice making compartment 40, and the ice storage compartment 50 is adjusted by controlling the operation of the compressor 2.

  Further, the refrigerator 1 includes an operation panel 6 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The operation panel 6 is for a user to operate the refrigerator 1. By operating the operation panel 6, the user can set, for example, the cold storage temperature of each storage room. In addition, the user can operate the operation panel 6 to cause the refrigerator 1 to discharge ice from the dispenser unit 60. The operation panel 6 also displays various information such as the temperature of each storage room to the user. The operation panel 6 is provided on the outer surface of the refrigerating compartment door 12 as an example.

  The refrigerator 1 includes an outside air temperature sensor 7 as an example of an outside air temperature measuring unit. The outside air temperature sensor 7 is a sensor that can measure the outside air temperature around the refrigerator 1. The outside air temperature around the refrigerator 1 is one piece of information necessary for adjusting the driving ability of the refrigerator 1. As an example, the outside air temperature sensor 7 is built in the operation panel 6 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The positions of the operation panel 6 and the outside air temperature sensor 7 are not limited to the above example, that is, the outside surface of the refrigerating compartment door 12. Further, the operation panel 6 and the outside air temperature sensor 7 may be provided in different places.

  The refrigerator 1 includes a control device 70 as an example of control means for controlling the operation of the refrigerator 1. The control device 70 is provided, for example, in the upper portion on the back side of the refrigerator 1 as shown in FIG. The control device 70 is built in the heat insulating box 1a, for example. The control device 70 includes a processing circuit for controlling the operation of the refrigerator 1.

  The control device 70 is connected to the operation panel 6. The control device 70 controls the operations of the damper provided in the air passage 5, the compressor 2, and the blower 4 based on, for example, a signal including information on the temperature in each storage chamber, a signal input by the operation panel 6, and the like. To do. The temperature in each storage room can be detected by the thermistor installed in each storage room. This thermistor is connected to the control device 70.

  The control device 70 may be configured to be able to communicate with an external device such as a smartphone. For example, the control device 70 may change the settings such as the cold storage temperature of each storage room based on the information input from an external device such as a smartphone. Further, the control device 70 may transmit the information on the state inside the refrigerator 1 to the external device based on the instruction input from the external device such as the smartphone.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view showing the structure around the ice making chamber 40, the ice storage chamber 50, and the dispenser unit 60 according to the first embodiment. The configuration around the ice making chamber 40, the ice storage chamber 50, and the dispenser unit 60 will be described more specifically with reference to FIG. It should be noted that FIGS. 1 to 3 schematically show the refrigerator 1, and do not always completely match the actual appearance and structure. Further, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show different cross sections.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an ice making mechanism 42 is installed in the ice making chamber 40. The ice making mechanism 42 is a mechanism for producing ice from water. Further, the ice making mechanism 42 includes, for example, an ice tray 42a. The ice tray 42a is a dish-shaped member capable of storing water.

  A water supply pipe 43 is provided between the ice making chamber 40 and the water supply tank 41. The water supply pipe 43 is for supplying the water in the water supply tank 41 to the ice making mechanism 42 in the ice making chamber 40. The water in the water supply tank 41 is sent to the ice making chamber 40 through the water supply pipe 43 by a pump (not shown). The water supply pipe 43 is arranged, for example, along the back surface of the refrigerator compartment 10. The water sent to the ice making chamber 40 is supplied into the ice making tray 42a of the ice making mechanism 42 and freezes to become ice.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ice storage chamber 50 is arranged below the ice making chamber 40 with the refrigerating chamber door 12 closed. For example, the upper surface of the ice storage chamber 50 is open, and the ice generated in the ice making chamber 40 drops from the ice making chamber 40 and is transferred to the ice storage chamber 50. The ice storage chamber 50 stores the ice generated in the ice making chamber 40.

  An opening is formed in the lower surface of the ice storage chamber 50. The upper end of the ice transport path 51 is connected to the opening of the lower surface of the ice storage chamber 50. A first partition 52 that opens and closes the opening is provided on the lower surface of the ice storage chamber 50.

  As described above, the lower end of the ice transport path 51 communicates with the upper portion of the dispenser unit 60. An opening is formed in the upper portion of the dispenser portion 60. The ice transport path 51 and the dispenser section 60 communicate with each other through this opening. A second partition 53 that opens and closes this opening is provided on the upper portion of the dispenser unit 60.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the dispenser unit 60 is configured to be able to set the beverage-containing container 80. The beverage container 80 is a container containing a beverage. In the present disclosure, for example, cold water, coffee, soup, or the like corresponds to the beverage. Further, in the present disclosure, the container includes not only a cup but also a bowl or the like. The container corresponds to various materials such as paper, wooden, glass, and ceramics.

  The bottom surface of the dispenser unit 60 may be provided with, for example, a marking that indicates the installation position of the beverage container 80. In addition, for example, it may be described in an instruction manual or the like of the refrigerator 1 so that the container 80 containing the beverage is installed in a state of being in contact with the inner wall surface of the dispenser unit 60. The installation position of the beverage container 80 in the dispenser unit 60 is set so that the ice is appropriately supplied from the dispenser unit 60 to the beverage container 80.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment includes a camera 61, a distance measuring sensor 62 and an infrared sensor 63. The camera 61, the distance measuring sensor 62, and the infrared sensor 63 are provided in the dispenser unit 60.

  The camera 61 is installed so as to capture an image of the beverage-containing container 80 installed in the dispenser unit 60. The camera 61 is an example of an image capturing unit that captures an image of the beverage-containing container 80 installed in the dispenser unit 60. The distance measuring sensor 62 is installed so as to be able to detect the height of the beverage in the beverage container 80 installed in the dispenser unit 60. The distance measuring sensor 62 is, for example, an ultrasonic type device. The distance measuring sensor 62 is an example of a distance detecting unit that detects the height of the beverage in the beverage container 80 installed in the dispenser unit 60. The infrared sensor 63 is installed so as to be able to detect the temperature of the drink in the drink-filled container 80 installed in the dispenser unit 60. The infrared sensor 63 is an example of a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the beverage in the beverage container 80 installed in the dispenser unit 60.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing functions of the control device 70 according to the first embodiment. As described above, the operation panel 6 is connected to the control device 70. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the camera 61, the distance measuring sensor 62, the infrared sensor 63, and the outside air temperature sensor 7 are also connected to the control device 70. The control device 70 operates according to various kinds of information output from the operation panel 6, the camera 61, the distance measuring sensor 62, the infrared sensor 63, and the outside air temperature sensor 7. Further, as described above, the control device 70 is also connected to a thermistor (not shown) installed in each storage compartment. The control device 70 operates according to the temperature information detected by the thermistor.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 70 is connected to the first partition 52 and the second partition 53. The control device 70 controls the operation of the first partition 52 and the second partition 53. Further, as described above, the control device 70 is also connected to the damper, the compressor 2 and the blower 4 which are provided in the air passage 5 not shown in FIG. The control device 70 controls the operations of the damper, the compressor 2 and the blower 4 provided in the air passage 5.

  In the present embodiment, the operation panel 6 can output a signal for ejecting ice from the dispenser unit 60 to the control device 70 in response to an operation by the user. The user operates the operation panel 6 with the beverage container 80 installed in the dispenser unit 60, and outputs a signal for ejecting ice from the dispenser unit 60 to the control device 70.

  The control device 70 opens the first partition 52 when a signal for ejecting ice is input from the dispenser unit 60. At this time, the second partition 53 is closed. By opening the first partition 52, a certain amount of ice drops from the ice storage chamber 50 to the ice transport path 51. The control device 70 opens the first partition 52 for a certain time and then closes it. After the first partition 52 is closed, the control device 70 opens the second partition 53. As a result, ice is ejected from the dispenser unit 60 toward the beverage container 80.

  Note that the number of partitions provided from the ice storage chamber 50 to the dispenser unit 60 need not be two. The partition provided from the ice storage chamber 50 to the dispenser section 60 may be either the first partition 52 or the second partition 53.

  In the present embodiment, both the first partition 52 and the second partition 53 are provided from the ice storage chamber 50 to the dispenser section 60. The second partition 53 is configured to open after the first partition 52 is closed. As a result, the amount of warm air that enters the ice storage chamber 50 can be reduced.

  Further, the dispenser unit 60 may be provided with, for example, a switch for discharging ice from the dispenser unit 60. The control device 70 may be configured to sequentially open the first partition 52 and the second partition 53 when the switch is pressed by the beverage container 80.

  The amount of ice discharged from the dispenser unit 60 is adjusted by the time when the first partition 52 and the second partition 53 are open. The first partition 52 and the second partition 53 in the present embodiment are an example of an adjusting mechanism that adjusts the amount of ice discharged from the dispenser unit 60. The adjustment mechanism according to the present disclosure may be configured as a mechanism such as a screw conveyor other than the first partition 52 and the second partition 53. The adjustment mechanism can be configured as any mechanism.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 70 of the present embodiment has a partition control unit 70a as an example of control means. The partition control unit 70a has a function of controlling the first partition 52 and the second partition 53, which are an example of an adjusting mechanism.

  Further, the control device 70 has a beverage temperature setting unit 70b as an example of a beverage temperature setting means for setting the set temperature. The beverage temperature setting unit 70b has a function of setting a set value of the temperature of the beverage in the beverage container 80 after ice is supplied from the dispenser unit 60. This set value is also referred to as a set temperature in the present disclosure.

  In the present embodiment, the user can operate the operation panel 6 to set the target value of the temperature of the beverage in the beverage container 80 after the ice is supplied from the dispenser unit 60. This target value is also referred to as “target temperature” in the present disclosure. The operation panel 6 is an example of a beverage temperature input means for inputting a target temperature according to an operation by the user. The beverage temperature setting unit 70b has a function of setting the set temperature to the target temperature input by the user operating the operation panel 6.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the control device 70 has an ice supply amount setting unit 70c as an example of ice supply amount setting means. The ice supply amount setting unit 70c has a function of setting the amount of ice discharged from the dispenser unit 60.

  More specifically, the ice supply amount setting unit 70c discharges from the dispenser unit 60 so that the temperature of the beverage in the beverage-containing container 80 after the ice is put in the beverage-containing container 80 reaches the set temperature. Set the amount of ice. Then, the partition control unit 70a controls the first partition 52 and the second partition 53 so that the amount of ice set by the ice supply amount setting unit 70c is discharged from the dispenser unit 60.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the control device 70 has a heat capacity calculation unit 70d as an example of heat capacity calculation means. The heat capacity calculator 70d has a function of calculating the heat capacity of the beverage-containing container 80 and the beverage in the beverage-containing container 80. Then, the ice supply amount setting unit 70c sets the amount of ice discharged from the dispenser unit 60 using the heat capacity calculated by the heat capacity calculating unit 70d.

  The heat capacity calculation unit 70d calculates the heat capacity using information output from the camera 61 which is an example of the image pickup means, the distance measurement sensor 62 which is an example of the distance detection means, and the infrared sensor 63 which is an example of the temperature detection means. I do. More specifically, the heat capacity calculation unit 70d calculates the heat capacity using the result of image recognition by the image data captured by the camera 61. The control device 70 of the present embodiment has an image recognition unit 70e as an example of an image recognition unit that performs image recognition based on image data captured by the camera 61.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, the heat capacity calculating unit 70d calculates the heat capacity using the estimated value of the temperature of the beverage container 80. The control device 70 has a temperature estimation unit 70f as an example of an estimation unit that estimates the temperature of the beverage container 80. The temperature estimation unit 70f estimates the temperature of the container 80 containing beverage from the detection result of the infrared sensor 63 and the detection result of the outside air temperature sensor 7. A more detailed specific example of the heat capacity calculation method by the heat capacity calculation unit 70d will be described later.

  Further, the control device 70 is also provided with, for example, a storage unit 70g that holds preset information and the like and a timer unit 70h that measures a time required for control.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for realizing the function of the control device 70 according to the first embodiment. Each function of the control device 70, which is an example of a control unit, is realized by a processing circuit, as shown in FIG. 5, for example. The processing circuit may be dedicated hardware 71. The processing circuit may include a processor 72 and a memory 73. The processing circuit may be partially formed as dedicated hardware 71, and may further include a processor 72 and a memory 73. FIG. 5 shows an example in which a part of the processing circuit is formed as dedicated hardware 71, and the processing circuit further includes a processor 72 and a memory 73.

  The processing circuit, a part of which is at least one dedicated hardware 71, is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof. .

  When the processing circuit includes at least one processor 72 and at least one memory 73, each function of the control device 70 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software and firmware are described as programs and stored in the memory 73. The processor 72 realizes each function by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 73.

  The processor 72 is also called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a central processing unit, a processing unit, an arithmetic unit, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, or a DSP. The memory 73 corresponds to, for example, a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, a nonvolatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as an EPROM and an EEPROM, or a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a mini disk, a DVD, and the like.

  In this way, the processing circuit can realize each function of the control device 70 by hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, a specific example of the control operation of the refrigerator 1 and the control device 70 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. A specific example of the method of calculating the heat capacity by the heat capacity calculating unit 70d is also shown below.

The user of the refrigerator 1 first installs the beverage container 80 in the dispenser unit 60 (step S101). The user who has installed the container 80 containing beverage in the dispenser unit 60 operates the operation panel 6 to input the target temperature. The beverage temperature setting unit 70b sets the set temperature to this target temperature (step S102). The set temperature set in step S102 is hereinafter referred to as T _order .

  Next, various kinds of information on the container 80 containing a beverage are set. Specifically, information on the material and thickness of the beverage-filled container 80 is set (step S103). The information on the material and thickness of the beverage container 80 is set using the image data of the beverage container 80 imaged by the camera 61 and the detection result of the distance measuring sensor 62. For example, the storage unit 70g stores image data of various containers having different materials, heights, and thicknesses in advance. The image recognition unit 70e performs image recognition to compare the image data of the beverage container 80 captured by the camera 61 with the image data stored in advance in the storage unit 70g, and estimates the material of the beverage container 80. Then, based on this estimation result of the material of the beverage container 80, information on the material of the beverage container 80 is set. The image recognition unit 70e estimates the material based on information such as the color, transparency, and gloss of the container. Deep learning or the like is used for the image recognition by the image recognition unit 70e.

Further, the image recognition unit 70e estimates the thickness of the beverage-containing container 80 from the image data of the beverage-containing container 80 captured by the camera 61 and the beverage height data detected by the distance measuring sensor 62. Then, based on this estimation result of the thickness of the beverage container 80, information on the thickness D _cup of the beverage container 80 is set.

In addition, various information on the beverage in the beverage container 80 is set. Specifically, information on the height, area, and temperature of the beverage is set (step S104). The data of the temperature of the beverage measured by the infrared sensor 63 is also used for setting each information in step S104. The height H _drink of the beverage is set as a value obtained by subtracting the thickness D _{cup of the} container 80 containing the beverage from the height detected by the distance measuring sensor 62. In addition, the projected area A _drink of the beverage on the horizontal plane is set by the image recognition unit 70e from the image data captured by the camera 61. The temperature T _drink of the beverage is set based on the measurement result of the infrared sensor 63.

Next, the container temperature T _cup information of the container 80 containing a beverage is set (step S105). The beverage-containing container 80 is in contact with both the beverage in the beverage-containing container 80 and the outside air. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as an example, the container temperature T _cup is considered to be an intermediate temperature between the beverage and the outside air. The container temperature T _cup is estimated as an intermediate temperature between the measured value of the outside air temperature T _air around the refrigerator 1 and the temperature T _{drink of the} beverage, as shown in the following formula (1). The outside air temperature T _air around the refrigerator 1 is measured by the outside air temperature sensor 7. The estimation of the container temperature T _cup is performed by the temperature estimation unit 70f.

Next, from the various information set in steps S102 to S103 described above, the volume V is determined as the amount of ice discharged from the dispenser unit 60 so that the temperature of the beverage in the beverage container 80 reaches the set temperature. _ice is set. The ice supply volume setting unit 70c sets the volume V _ice of the ice discharged from the dispenser unit 60.

More specifically, after the beverage container 80 and the cooling amount Q _drink + Q _cup of the beverage in the beverage container 80 necessary for the temperature of the beverage in the beverage container 80 to reach the set temperature are calculated. , And the volume V _ice is calculated (step S106). This volume V _ice is calculated as the temperature of the beverage becomes T _order when all the _ice of the volume V _ice is melted.

The cooling amount _Qdrink + _Qcup and the volume _Vice of ice discharged from the dispenser unit 60 are calculated by, for example, the following formulas (2) to (6). The symbols in each equation are ρ for weight density, π for circular constant, A for area, C for heat capacity, Cp for specific heat, D for thickness, H for height, and L for latent heat of melting ice. , T means temperature, Q means heat and V means volume. In addition, the respective subscripts mean air for the outside air, cup for the beverage-containing container 80, drink for the beverage in the beverage-containing container 80, ice for ice, and order for the set value. In the present embodiment, as one specific example, the heat capacity calculation unit 70d calculates the heat capacity C _cup of the beverage container 80 and the heat capacity C _drink of the beverage in the beverage container 80 as shown in the following equations. calculate.

Next, as the time required for the _ice of the volume V _ice calculated and set as described above to be discharged from the dispenser unit 60, the time Time _open for opening the first partition 52 and the second partition 53 is Is calculated. This time Time _open can be calculated as a value with _Vice as a variable, based on the size of the opening for opening and closing the first partition 52 and the second partition 53, the design dimension of the ice transport path 51, etc. (step S107). The process of step S107 is performed by, for example, the partition control unit 70a.

When the time _open is calculated, the partition controller 70a opens the first partition 52 (step S108). As a result, ice is sent from the ice storage chamber 50 to the ice transport path 51. When the first partition 52 is opened in step S108, the elapsed time Time _cnt after the first partition 52 is opened is measured by the timer unit 70h. The partition control unit 70a determines whether the elapsed time Time _cnt has reached Time _open (step S109).

The first partition 52 is kept open until the Time _cnt reaches Time _open . While the first partition 52 is open, ice is continuously sent from the ice storage chamber 50 to the ice transport path 51. The partition control unit 70a closes the first partition 52 when Time _cnt reaches Time _open (step S110). As a result, ice having a volume V _ice is accumulated in the ice transport path 51.

  After closing the first partition 52 in step S110, the partition control unit 70a opens the second partition 53 (step S111). As a result, the ice accumulated in the ice transport path 51 is discharged from the dispenser unit 60 to the beverage container 80.

When the second partition 53 is opened in step S111, the elapsed time Time _cnt from the opening of the second partition 53 is measured by the timer unit 70h. The partition control unit 70a determines whether the elapsed time Time _cnt has reached Time _open (step S112). The second partition 53 is kept open until Time _cnt reaches Time _open . While the second partition 53 is open, the dispenser unit 60 continues to discharge ice. When the time _cnt reaches Time _open , the partition control unit 70a closes the second partition 53 (step S113). This completes the discharge of ice from the dispenser unit 60.

In the present embodiment, as an example, the time when the first partition 52 is opened and the time when the second partition 53 is opened are the same Time _open , but they may be different from each other. For example, the time for which the second partition 53 is opened may be set longer than the time for which the first partition 52 is opened so that all the ice accumulated in the ice transport path 51 is surely discharged.

The refrigerator 1 according to the above-described embodiment uses the information output from the camera 61, the distance measurement sensor 62, and the infrared sensor 63 to determine the heat capacity C _cup of the beverage container 80 and the heat capacity of the beverage in the beverage container 80. and a heat capacity calculating portion 70d for calculating a C _drink. Further, the refrigerator 1 uses the heat capacity C _cup of the beverage container 80 calculated by the heat capacity calculating unit 70 d and the heat capacity C _drink of the beverage in the beverage container 80 to put ice in the beverage container 80 after The ice supply amount setting unit 70c is provided to set the volume V _ice of the ice discharged from the dispenser unit 60 so that the temperature of the beverage becomes the set temperature T _order . The refrigerator 1 includes a partition control unit 70a that controls the first partition 52 and the second partition 53 so that the _ice of the volume V _ice set by the ice supply amount setting unit 70c is discharged from the dispenser unit 60. There is. With the refrigerator 1 configured as described above, the temperature of the beverage in the beverage-containing container 80 can be stably reached to the set temperature regardless of the type of the beverage-containing container 80.

  At home, the temperature and quantity of beverages vary. That is, the heat capacity of the beverage varies. There are also various types of containers for beverages. For example, there may be a nearly 30-fold difference in heat capacity between a paper cup with a capacity of 500 ml and a ceramic cup. Further, the heat capacity of the container varies depending on the volume of the same material. According to the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the temperature of this beverage is determined according to the material and volume of the beverage-containing container 80 and the temperature and volume of the beverage in the beverage-containing container 80. It is possible to stably reach the set temperature.

  Further, the refrigerator 1 according to the above-described embodiment includes the operation panel 6 for inputting the target temperature according to the operation by the user. The refrigerator 1 includes a beverage temperature setting unit 70b that sets the set temperature to the target temperature input by the operation panel 6. With the refrigerator 1 configured as described above, the user can cool the beverage in the beverage container 80 to a desired temperature.

In the present disclosure, the set temperature may be preset as a fixed value, for example. The information about the set temperature may be stored in advance in the storage unit 70g, for example. In other words, the refrigerator 1 according to the present disclosure may include one that does not include the beverage temperature input means and the beverage temperature setting means. Further, the set temperature may be automatically set according to the type of beverage, the temperature T _{drink, and the} like based on the image data captured by the camera 61 and the measurement data of the infrared sensor 63, for example. In other words, the refrigerator 1 according to the present disclosure may include a refrigerator that includes the beverage temperature setting means but does not include the beverage temperature input means.

In the above embodiment, the container temperature T _cup is estimated as the intermediate temperature between the beverage and the outside air. The container temperature T _cup may be measured by, for example, a sensor provided separately from the infrared sensor 63. Further, the container temperature T _cup may be measured by using the infrared sensor 63 and the camera 61 both of which have a compound eye configuration. The infrared sensor 63 configured as a compound eye is configured to be able to detect the temperature at the edge position of the container 80 containing a beverage specified from the image data captured by the camera 61.

Further, the amount of ice discharged from the dispenser unit 60 does not have to completely match the volume V _ice shown in the above embodiment. For example, the dispenser unit 60 may discharge ice in an amount equal to or larger than the volume V _ice . As a result, the temperature of the beverage can be lowered below the set temperature. In addition, the amount of ice discharged from the dispenser unit 60 may be corrected based on the usage environment such as the outside temperature.

  In addition, the ice making mechanism 42 may be configured to be capable of producing ice having a first size and ice having a second size larger than the first size. For example, the ice making mechanism 42 is provided with a plurality of types of ice trays 42a. Then, the ice storage chamber 50 is configured to be able to separately store the first size ice and the second size ice generated by the ice making mechanism 42. The ice storage chamber 50 is provided with, for example, a partition that divides a space in which the first size ice is stored and a space in which the second size ice is stored.

  Then, the ice storage chamber 50 and the first partition 52 may be configured to be able to selectively send the ice having the first dimension and the ice having the second dimension to the ice transport path 51. As a result, the dispenser unit 60 can selectively discharge the ice having the first dimension and the ice having the second dimension.

For example, the dispenser unit 60 selectively discharges ice of the first dimension and ice of the second dimension according to the temperature difference between the temperature _Tdrink detected by the infrared sensor 63 and the set temperature. For example, the dispenser unit 60 discharges ice of the first dimension when the temperature difference is larger than a preset reference value. In addition, the dispenser unit 60 discharges ice of the second dimension when the temperature difference is smaller than a preset reference value. The above reference value is preset as a value of, for example, about 5K to 10K.

If it is desired to cool the beverage rapidly, a small population of ice having a large surface area and a high melting rate may be used. Specifically, for example, when the temperature _Tdrink is 90 ° C. and the set temperature is 60 ° C., it is considered that it is necessary to cool quickly, so that small ice, that is, ice having the first dimension, is used as the dispenser unit 60. It is better to discharge from.

When it is desired to maintain the temperature of the beverage at a low temperature for a long time, it is preferable to use a large population of ice having a large total surface area and a slow melting rate. For example, when the temperature _Tdrink is 3 ° C, which is equivalent to the refrigeration temperature, and the set temperature is 0 ° C, etc., it is considered that the user desires to keep the temperature of the beverage at a low temperature for a long time. That is, it is preferable that the second-sized ice is discharged from the dispenser unit 60.

Further, the ice transport path 51 may be provided with an ice crushing mechanism configured by a blade capable of crushing ice, for example. The ice crushing mechanism is driven according to the temperature difference between the temperature _Tdrink detected by the infrared sensor 63 and the set temperature. Specifically, the ice crushing mechanism is driven when the temperature difference is larger than a preset reference value, and stopped when the temperature difference is smaller than the preset reference value. Thus, when the temperature difference between the temperature _Tdrink detected by the infrared sensor 63 and the set temperature is large, a group of fine ice pieces crushed by the ice crushing mechanism can be discharged from the dispenser unit 60. Further, when the temperature difference between the temperature _Tdrink detected by the infrared sensor 63 and the set temperature is small, a large ice group that has not been crushed by the ice crushing mechanism can be discharged from the dispenser unit 60. Even when the ice crushing mechanism that operates as described above is provided, the same effect as when the dispenser unit 60 can selectively discharge the ice having the first dimension and the ice having the second dimension. Is obtained.

  1 Refrigerator, 1a Insulated box, 2 Compressor, 3 Cooler, 4 Blower, 5 Air passage, 6 Operation panel, 7 Outside temperature sensor, 10 Refrigerator, 11 Chilled room, 12 Refrigerator door, 20 Freezer, 30 Vegetable room, 40 ice making room, 41 water supply tank, 42 ice making mechanism, 42a ice making tray, 43 water supply pipe, 50 ice storage room, 51 ice transport path, 52 first partition, 53 second partition, 60 dispenser section, 61 camera, 62 Distance measuring sensor, 63 infrared sensor, 70 control device, 70a partition control unit, 70b beverage temperature setting unit, 70c ice supply amount setting unit, 70d heat capacity calculation unit, 70e image recognition unit, 70f temperature estimation unit, 70g storage unit, 70h Timer unit, 71 dedicated hardware, 72 processor, 73 memory, 8 Beverage container filled

Claims (4)

An ice making mechanism that produces ice,
A dispenser unit that discharges the ice generated by the ice making mechanism,
An adjusting mechanism for adjusting the amount of ice discharged from the dispenser portion,
An image pickup means for picking up an image of the beverage-filled container installed in the dispenser section;
Distance detection means for detecting the height of the beverage in the beverage-containing container,
Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the beverage in the beverage-containing container,
Using the information output from the image pickup means, the distance detection means, and the temperature detection means, a heat capacity calculation means for calculating the heat capacity of the beverage-containing container and the beverage,
Using the heat capacity calculated by the heat capacity calculating means, ice for setting the amount of ice discharged from the dispenser unit so that the temperature of the beverage after putting ice in the beverage-containing container becomes a set temperature Supply amount setting means,
Control means for controlling the adjusting mechanism so that the amount of ice set by the ice supply amount setting means is discharged from the dispenser section;
A refrigerator equipped with. Beverage temperature input means for inputting the target temperature according to the operation from the user,
The set temperature, a beverage temperature setting means for setting the target temperature input by the beverage temperature input means,
The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising: The ice making mechanism is capable of producing ice of a first dimension and ice of a second dimension that is larger than the first dimension.
When the temperature difference between the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means and the set temperature is larger than a preset reference value, the dispenser section discharges ice of the first dimension, and the temperature difference is the reference. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ice of the second dimension is discharged when the value is smaller than the value. An ice crushing mechanism provided between the ice making mechanism and the dispenser section is provided,
The ice crushing mechanism is driven when the temperature difference between the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means and the set temperature is larger than a preset reference value, and when the temperature difference is smaller than the reference value. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, which is stopped.

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