JP2021042861A - refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a configuration that can display a proper view at the time of re-energization in a display device that becomes a non-energization state when a door of the refrigerator becomes an open state.SOLUTION: A refrigerator 100 includes: at least one temperature sensor including temperature sensors 191, 192; a memory 120 for storing control for multi-stage strength; and a processor 110 for selecting control on the basis of measured temperature from the temperature sensors 191, 192.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a refrigerator technique, and particularly to a technique for performing efficient control.

A normal refrigerator is equipped with an internal temperature sensor that measures the internal temperature. The cooling operation is started when the temperature of the internal temperature sensor becomes higher than the first predetermined temperature (for example, 4 ° C.), and the cooling operation is started when the temperature of the internal temperature sensor becomes lower than the first predetermined temperature (for example, 3 ° C.). Stop the operation.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1-234781

However, in such a configuration, depending on the position of the temperature sensor inside the refrigerator, the position where the food or beverage newly added into the refrigerator is placed, or the like, as shown in FIG. 19, the inside of the refrigerator may be overcooled or appropriate. There is a possibility that the inside of the refrigerator cannot be cooled.

Specifically, if an uncooled object, for example, a canned beverage that has become accustomed to a warm room temperature, is placed near the internal temperature sensor, the measured temperature of the internal temperature sensor will rise, and the canned beverage will be separated from the placement position. There is a high possibility that the hot spot will be cooled more than necessary. On the contrary, when a cold canned beverage is placed near the temperature sensor inside the refrigerator, the temperature measured by the temperature sensor inside the refrigerator is low even if uncooled food or drink is placed elsewhere. Therefore, there is a possibility that the temperature of the place away from the place where the canned beverage is placed exceeds the temperature suitable for food and drink.

On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for forcibly stopping the cooling of the cold insulation chamber when the cooling of the cold insulation chamber exceeds a predetermined time to prevent supercooling of the cold insulation chamber. It is difficult to prevent supercooling by forcibly stopping cooling after a certain predetermined time for various states of foods and beverages. In addition, the above technology cannot take measures against insufficient cooling.

The refrigerator according to one aspect of the present invention includes at least one temperature sensor, a memory for storing control over a plurality of steps of intensity, and a processor for selecting control based on the temperature measured from the temperature sensor. Is provided.

The present invention provides a refrigerator capable of efficient control even in various storage states.

It is a side sectional view showing a general refrigerator. It is a graph which shows the transition of the temperature in the refrigerator which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the refrigerator 100 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the operation strength table 121 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the control process which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the temperature intensity setting process which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the temperature intensity setting process which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the operation strength table 121 which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the control process which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the temperature intensity setting process which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a graph which shows the 1st transition of the temperature in the refrigerator which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the operation strength table 122 after the first user adjustment which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a graph which shows the 1st transition of the temperature in the refrigerator concerning 4th Embodiment. It is a graph which shows the 2nd transition of the temperature in the refrigerator which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the operation strength table 123 which concerns on 6th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the temperature intensity setting process which concerns on 6th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the sensor invalidation processing which concerns on 7th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the sensor invalidation processing which concerns on 8th Embodiment. It is a graph which shows the transition of the temperature inside a normal refrigerator.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are the same. Therefore, the detailed description of them will not be repeated.
[First Embodiment]

<Construction of refrigerator>

First, the technique according to this embodiment can be applied to a general refrigerator 100 as shown in FIG. For example, it can be applied to a refrigerator having a refrigerating room and a freezing room, a refrigerator having only a refrigerating room, and a refrigerator having a vegetable room, a chilled room, and the like.

The refrigerator according to the present embodiment effectively utilizes the already cooled food and drink and the air in the refrigerator without being overly influenced by the food and drink newly put into the refrigerator. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerator basically repeats a cooling operation based on the intensity selected from a plurality of intensity settings. Since the pre-programmed operation is repeated in this way, even when a stored object having a large heat capacity is placed near the temperature sensor inside the refrigerator, it is possible to reduce the temperature inside the refrigerator from dropping or rising too much. be able to.

In addition, the upper limit of the internal temperature higher than usual (for example, 10 ° C) and the lower limit of the internal temperature lower than usual (for example, 1 ° C) are set, and the compressor or damper is set based on the internal temperature. To control. As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, when a new food or drink is placed near the internal temperature sensor at around 4 am, the temperature of the internal temperature sensor becomes lower than the upper limit (10 ° C.) in the morning. Until around 5:20, the cooling operation will continue regardless of the program settings. Further, although not shown in the figure, when the temperature of the internal temperature sensor falls below the lower limit value, the cooling operation can be stopped regardless of the program setting.

In this way, the basic cooling follows a pre-programmed operation, and by using the temperature sensor inside the refrigerator as a secondary, avoiding over-control and reducing the temperature inside the refrigerator from dropping or rising too much. can do.

Further, in the refrigerator according to the present embodiment, if the temperature of the refrigerator temperature sensor is higher than the upper limit value at a predetermined timing, the strength setting for cooling the refrigerator is increased, and conversely, the refrigerator temperature sensor at a predetermined timing. If the temperature of is lower than the lower limit, lower the strength setting to cool the inside of the refrigerator. As a result, the cooling strength is appropriately selected for various storage states in the refrigerator, so that the temperature inside the refrigerator is prevented from dropping or rising too much.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the refrigerator 100 according to the present embodiment mainly includes various texts and images based on signals from the CPU (Central Processing Unit) 110, the memory 120, and the CPU 110 mounted on the control board. Display 130 for displaying, operation unit 140 for receiving various commands from the user, timer 150 for measuring the time and elapsed time from a predetermined timing, compressor 160, fan 170, damper 180, internal temperature sensor It is equipped with 191 and an external temperature sensor 192.

The memory 120 according to the present embodiment stores the upper limit temperature (for example, 10 ° C.) of the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor and the lower limit temperature (for example, 1 ° C.) of the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor. Further, the memory 120 stores the operating intensity table 121 as shown in FIG. The operating intensity table 121 according to the present embodiment stores a combination of cooling ON time and cooling OFF time for each operating intensity.

The operating strength table 121 is not limited to such a table 121, and as will be described later, the rotation speed of the compressor 160, the rotation speed of the fan, and a combination thereof for each operating strength may be stored.
<Processing by the control unit>

In this embodiment, the refrigerator 100 executes the process shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing information processing of the CPU 110 according to the present embodiment.

When the power is turned on, the CPU 110 calls the on-time and the off-time from the operating intensity table 121 with respect to the set operating intensity, and sets the on-time timer and the off-time timer of the compressor 160, the fan 170, and the damper 180. Then, the measurement of the off time is started (step S102).

The CPU 110 refers to the timer 150 and determines whether or not the off-time timer has reached the set value (step S104).

When the off-time timer reaches the set value (YES in step S104), the CPU 110 sets the operating intensity (step S108). In the present embodiment, the previous operating intensity is stored in the memory 120, and the CPU 110 sets the current operating intensity by executing the operating intensity setting process described later based on the previous operating intensity. The operating intensity setting process will be described later. At the time of shipment, an intermediate strength may be preset as the previous operating strength.

Based on the current operating intensity, the CPU 110 starts the cooling operation by the compressor 160, the fan 170, and the damper 180 according to the operating intensity table 121 (step S110). The CPU 110 starts measuring the on-time (step S112). The CPU 110 determines whether or not the cooling end condition has been reached (step S114). In the present embodiment, the CPU 110 ends cooling when the on-time timer reaches the set standby period and the temperature measured by the internal temperature sensor 191 is lower than a predetermined upper limit temperature, for example, 10 ° C. Judge that the conditions have been reached.

When the cooling end condition is reached (YES in step S114), the CPU 110 stops the cooling operation by the compressor 160, the fan 170, and the damper 180 (step S116). The CPU 110 starts the off-time timer (step S118).

Next, the operation strength setting process in step S108 in FIG. 5 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operating intensity setting process by the CPU 110 according to the present embodiment.

With reference to FIG. 6, the CPU 110 determines whether or not the step-down condition is satisfied (step S1081). Here, when the measured temperature of the internal temperature sensor 191 at the end of the previous cooling operation (step S116) is a predetermined lower limit temperature, for example, 1 ° C. or less, the CPU 110 determines that the step-down condition is satisfied. When the step-down condition is satisfied (YES in step S1081), the CPU 110 determines that the cooling capacity is excessive and lowers the operating intensity by one (step S1082).

The CPU 110 further determines whether or not the step-up condition is satisfied (step S1083). Here, when the current measurement temperature of the internal temperature sensor 191 at the start of the cooling operation (step S108) is a predetermined upper limit temperature, for example, 10 ° C. or higher, the CPU 110 determines that the step-up condition is satisfied. .. When the step-down condition is satisfied (YES in step S1083), the CPU 110 determines that the cooling capacity is insufficient and increases the operating intensity by one (step S1084). The CPU 110 shifts to the process of step S110 of FIG.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the basic cooling is performed according to the operation setting programmed in advance without controlling the sequential cooling operation by the measured value of the internal temperature sensor 191. Since the cooling operation is controlled based on the upper limit value and the lower limit value and the operation intensity setting is changed, excessive control can be avoided and efficient control can be realized.
[Second Embodiment]

The operating intensity setting process is not limited to that of the above embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the step-down condition is satisfied (YES in step S1081), the CPU 110 reduces the operating intensity by one (step S1082) to determine the step-up condition. It may be in a form that does not. Although not shown, on the contrary, when the step-up condition is satisfied (YES in step S1083), the CPU 110 does not determine the step-down condition when the operating intensity is increased by one (step S1084). You may.
[Third Embodiment]

Alternatively, regarding the operating intensity setting process, the operating intensity may be determined based on the temperature outside the refrigerator 100. In this case, the memory 120 stores the operating intensity table 122 as shown in FIG. The operating intensity table 122 according to the present embodiment stores the correspondence relationship between the external temperature condition of the refrigerator 100, the cooling ON time, and the cooling OFF time for each operating intensity.

Then, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, when the off-time timer reaches the set value (YES in step S104), the CPU 110 is external to the refrigerator 100 from the external temperature sensor 192. Acquire the temperature (step S106). By setting the acquisition timing of the external temperature of the refrigerator 100 by the external temperature sensor 192 to immediately before the start of the cooling operation by the compressor 160, the influence of the external temperature change of the refrigerator 100 due to the cooling operation such as heat generation from the compressor 160 is set. It can be made difficult to receive.

Then, in step S108, as shown in FIG. 10, the CPU 110 specifies the operating intensity with reference to the operating intensity table 122 based on the measured temperature from the external temperature sensor 192. Then, in step S110, the CPU 110 starts the cooling operation by the compressor 160, the fan 170, and the damper 180 with reference to the operation intensity table 122 based on the specified operation intensity.

Thereby, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, it is possible to reduce the temperature inside the refrigerator 100 from dropping too much or rising too much due to a change in the temperature outside the refrigerator 100. Further, even if the measured value of the temperature sensor in the refrigerator suddenly rises by putting new food and drink in the refrigerator at around 4 am (see FIG. 11), it is identified as in the first embodiment. Since the cooling operation is controlled with reference to the operating strength table 122 based on the operating strength, it is possible to reduce the possibility and the degree of the temperature inside the refrigerator falling or rising too much.

Further, it is preferable that the refrigerator 100 can customize the determination criteria of the operating intensity from the user via the operation unit 140. For example, the CPU 110 may receive a setting command for uniformly raising the external temperature condition of the refrigerator 100 of each operating intensity by 2 ° C., and store the setting information in the memory 120 as shown in FIG. This allows the user to set the temperature inside the refrigerator to a desired temperature. For example, if the setting command for uniformly raising the external temperature condition of the refrigerator 100 of each operating intensity by 2 ° C. is given as described above, the temperature inside the refrigerator can be raised by about 1 ° C.

Here, the CPU 110 determines the optimum one from a plurality of operating intensity levels based on the measurement data of the external temperature sensor 192, but the plurality of operating intensities are determined based on the measured temperature of the internal temperature sensor 191. It may be in the form of determining the optimum one from the level.
[Fourth Embodiment]

The operating intensity setting of the above embodiment may be combined. In the operating intensity setting process (step S108), the CPU 110 may determine the temporary operating intensity by the process shown in FIG. 10 and then increase or decrease the operating intensity by the process shown in FIGS. 6 or 7. ..

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, regarding the operating intensity from 5 am to 6 am, the operating intensity due to the outside temperature of the refrigerator 100 is 4, but the step-up condition is set at the start of the cooling operation this time. Since it is satisfied, the CPU 110 corrects the operating intensity to 5. Regarding the operating intensity from 15:00 to 16:00, the operating intensity due to the outside temperature of the refrigerator 100 is 5, but since the step-down condition is satisfied at the end of the previous cooling operation, the CPU 110 has an operating intensity. Is corrected to 4.

Further, regarding the operating intensity from 4:00 am to 5:00 am, the operating intensity due to the outside temperature of the refrigerator 100 is 4. The step-down condition is satisfied at the end of the previous cooling operation, but the step-up condition is satisfied at the start of the current cooling operation, so the CPU 110 determines the operating intensity to 4.
[Fifth Embodiment]

As shown in FIG. 14, the CPU 110 may be in a form in which once the temperature of the internal temperature sensor becomes higher than the upper limit temperature, the cooling operation is continued until the temperature becomes lower than the lower limit temperature.
[Sixth Embodiment]

Further, the operation strength setting target may include the opening / closing control of the damper and the rotation speed of the compressor. In the present embodiment, for example, in the operating intensity table 123, as shown in FIG. 15, the external temperature condition of the refrigerator 100, the opening time of the damper, the ON time of the compressor, and the ON time of the compressor are determined for each operating intensity. Stores the correspondence between the OFF time of the compressor, the rotation speed of the compressor at normal times, the rotation speed of the compressor after defrosting, and the like.

Then, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, the CPU 110 refers to the timer 150 and determines whether or not the off-time timer has reached the set value (step S104).

When the off-time timer reaches the set cooling period (YES in step S104), the CPU 110 acquires the temperature outside the refrigerator 100 from the external temperature sensor 192 (step S106).

The CPU 110 sets the operating intensity based on the measurement results of the operating intensity table 123 and various sensors (step S108).

The CPU 110 starts the operation of the compressor 160 as a cooling operation process (step S110) (step S1100). At this time, the CPU 110 determines the rotation speed of the compressor 160 with reference to the operating intensity table 123. The CPU 110 starts the on-timer of the compressor 160 (step S1101). The CPU 110 opens the damper (step S1102). The CPU 110 starts the damper open timer (step S1103).

The CPU 110 refers to the operating intensity table 123 and determines whether or not the damper open timer has reached the set value (step S1104). When the damper open timer reaches the set value (YES in step S1104), the CPU 110 closes the damper (step S1105).

The CPU 110 refers to the operating intensity table 123 and determines whether or not the compressor on-timer has reached the set value (step S1106). When the compressor on timer reaches the set value (YES in step S1106), the CPU 110 stops the operation of the compressor 160 (step S1107).

The CPU 110 determines whether or not the defrosting condition is satisfied (step S1108). When the defrosting condition is satisfied (YES in step S1108), the CPU 110 performs a defrosting operation (step S1109). When the defrosting operation is completed, the CPU 110 starts the off-time timer (step S118).

As shown in FIG. 15, since it is assumed that the temperature of the freezing chamber has risen after the defrosting operation is completed, the compressor rotation speed may be set higher than in the normal state. Further, the off-time timer may be set shorter than the normal time.
[7th Embodiment]

In addition to the above embodiments, the refrigerator 100 may have a mode for disabling the internal temperature sensor 191. Disabling the sensor specifically means disconnecting the communication between the sensor and the CPU 110, or disconnecting the power supply to the sensor. In many cases, the temperature sensor 191 inside the refrigerator is connected via wiring instead of the control board, and is exposed to an environment with large temperature changes and humidity changes, so that the element is soldered to the control board. In comparison, there are many factors that cause failure. Therefore, the refrigerator 100 according to the present embodiment receives a shift command to a mode for disabling the temperature sensor 191 in the refrigerator, for example, a first service mode, via the operation unit 140. Alternatively, the first service that determines whether or not the CPU 110 is out of order based on the measurement data from the internal temperature sensor 191 and disables the internal temperature sensor 191 when it is determined that the CPU 110 is out of order. You may switch to the mode. In this case, it is preferable to provide a display mechanism for notifying the user when the service mode is entered.

For example, as shown in FIG. 17, when the CPU 110 receives the instruction to shift to the first service mode, the CPU 110 disconnects the communication with the internal temperature sensor 191 or the power supply (step S302). Then, when the instruction to end the first service mode is received (YES in step S304), the CPU 110 returns the communication with the internal temperature sensor 191 or the power supply (step S306).

During the execution of the first service mode, no determination regarding the upper limit value or the lower limit value is made in the cooling end condition of step S114.
[8th Embodiment]

Alternatively, in addition to the above embodiments, the refrigerator 100 may have a mode of disabling the external temperature sensor 192. The refrigerator 100 according to the present embodiment receives a shift command to a mode for disabling the external temperature sensor 192 and the internal temperature sensor 191, for example, a second service mode, via the operation unit 140. Alternatively, the CPU 110 determines whether or not it is out of order based on the measurement data from the external temperature sensor 192, and when it is determined that the CPU 110 is out of order, the external temperature sensor 192 and the internal temperature sensor 191 are invalidated. You may shift to the second service mode. The second service mode may be one in which the external temperature sensor 192 is disabled and communication with the internal temperature sensor 191 is continued.

In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the CPU 110 stores the measured temperature of the external temperature sensor 192 in the memory 120. For example, the latest measurement temperature may be stored in the memory 120, the maximum value of the measurement temperature in the last 24 hours, or the average value of the measurement temperature in the last 24 hours may be stored. Further, the external temperature of the refrigerator 100 finally acquired by communication from the server may be used, or the predicted value of the external temperature acquired from the server in advance may be used. In this case, the external temperature acquired from the server may be the external temperature measured by another electric device installed near the refrigerator 100, the temperature of the area where the refrigerator 100 is installed, or the like acquired from the Internet or the like.

As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, when the CPU 110 receives the instruction to shift to the second service mode, the CPU 110 disconnects the communication or power supply between the external temperature sensor 192 and the internal temperature sensor 191. (Step S402).

The CPU 110 refers to the timer 150 and determines whether or not the off-time timer has reached the set value (step S404).

When the off-time timer reaches the set cooling period (YES in step S404), the CPU 110 acquires the external temperature of the refrigerator 100 acquired in advance from the memory 120 (step S406).

The CPU 110 sets the operating intensity (step S108). Since the processing after the setting of the operating intensity is the same as those of the above-described embodiment, the description thereof will not be repeated here.

As a result, even if the internal temperature sensor 191 or the external temperature sensor 192 fails, it is possible to prevent the cooling operation of the refrigerator 100 from operating abnormally. Further, since the operating intensity is set by the measurement temperature of the latest external temperature sensor, the temperature inside the refrigerator can be maintained in a normal state even during the period when the temperature sensor cannot be used.
[Summary]

In the above embodiment, at least one temperature sensor 191 and 192, a memory 120 for storing control for a plurality of steps of intensity, and a processor for selecting control based on the measured temperature from the temperature sensors 191 and 192. A refrigerator 100 with 110 is provided.

Preferably, at least one temperature sensor 191 and 192 includes a first sensor 191 for measuring the temperature inside the refrigerator. The processor 110 changes to control for stronger intensity when the temperature of the internal temperature sensor 191 becomes higher than the upper limit value, and changes to control for weaker intensity when the temperature of the internal temperature sensor 191 becomes lower than the lower limit value. To do.

Preferably, the processor 110 continues the cooling operation until the temperature of the internal temperature sensor 191 becomes lower than the upper limit value.

Preferably, the processor 110 accepts a first mode designation instruction to invalidate control changes with respect to upper and lower limits.

Preferably, at least one temperature sensor 191 and 192 includes a second sensor 192 for measuring the temperature outside the refrigerator 100. Processor 110 chooses control based on external temperature.

Preferably, when the processor 110 receives a second mode designation instruction, it selects control based on past external temperatures.

It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims rather than the above description, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims. In addition, a configuration obtained by combining the configurations of different embodiments described in the present specification with each other is also included in the scope of the present invention.

100: Refrigerator 110: CPU
120: Memory 121: Operating strength table 122: Operating strength table 123: Operating strength table 130: Display 140: Operation unit 150: Timer 160: Compressor 170: Fan 180: Damper 191: Internal temperature sensor 192: External temperature sensor

Claims (6)

With at least one temperature sensor
A memory that stores controls for multiple levels of intensity,
A refrigerator comprising a processor for selecting a control based on the temperature measured from the temperature sensor. At least one temperature sensor includes a first sensor for measuring the temperature inside the refrigerator.
The processor changes to control for stronger intensity when the temperature inside the refrigerator becomes higher than the upper limit value, and changes to control for weaker intensity when the temperature inside the refrigerator becomes lower than the lower limit value, according to claim 1. The listed refrigerator. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the processor continues a cooling operation until the temperature inside the refrigerator becomes lower than the upper limit value. The refrigerator according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the processor accepts a first mode designation instruction to invalidate control changes relating to the upper limit value and the lower limit value. At least one temperature sensor includes a second sensor for measuring the temperature outside the refrigerator.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the processor selects the control based on the external temperature. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the processor selects the control based on a past external temperature when it receives a second mode designation instruction.

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