JP2022065404A - refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator that can restrain a deterioration in taste even if cooked food containing much starch is stored, and can contribute to convenience of a user.SOLUTION: A refrigerator 10 comprises a storage chamber 11 capable of being kept in a refrigerating temperature zone, and a special section 60 provided in a portion of the inside of the storage chamber so as to be separated from surroundings, and capable of being switched between the refrigerating temperature zone and a special temperature zone higher than the refrigerating temperature zone. The refrigerator comprises a heating part 61 for heating the special section to the special temperature zone, a ventilation passage 33 comprising an opening leading to the special section, and capable of supplying cold air to the special section, and an opening/closing device capable of opening/closing a path leading to the special section from the ventilation passage.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a refrigerator.

In recent years, as the number of double-income households has increased, the number of meals that are eaten at home by purchasing ready-made foods cooked outside the home or by delivering them, that is, so-called ready-to-eat meals, is increasing. Such foods for ready-to-eat meals tend to be consumed within a relatively short period of time after purchase, but in some cases, they may be stored for about half a day to several days. Therefore, there is an increasing need to preserve such cooked foods deliciously.

Here, the reason why the taste of cooked rice or bread deteriorates with the passage of time is that the starch contained in the rice or bread is pregelatinized immediately after cooking but becomes β with the passage of time. .. The β-formation of starch is most likely to proceed when the water inside the starch is in a liquid phase state, that is, at about 2 ° C to 4 ° C. On the other hand, many cooked foods contain a large amount of starch.

In the conventional refrigerator, the refrigerating room is maintained in a refrigerating temperature range of, for example, 1 ° C. to 5 ° C. or a so-called chilled temperature range of, for example, 0 ° C. to 3 ° C. so that fresh foods and the like can be stored for a longer period of time. Therefore, when the cooked food is stored in a conventional refrigerator, the β-formation of starch is promoted, and the taste is rather impaired. Therefore, the conventional refrigerator is not suitable for storing cooked foods.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-125178

Therefore, for example, even if a cooked food containing a large amount of starch is stored, deterioration of the taste can be suppressed, and a refrigerator that can contribute to the convenience of the user is provided.

The refrigerator of the embodiment has a storage chamber that can be maintained in the refrigerating temperature zone, and a special temperature zone that is partitioned from the surroundings in a part of the storage chamber and is higher in temperature than the refrigerating temperature zone and the refrigerating temperature zone. It is equipped with a special section that can be switched to. The refrigerator has a heating unit for heating the special section to a special temperature zone, a ventilation path having an opening leading to the special section and capable of supplying cold air to the special section, and a route from the ventilation path to the special section. It is equipped with a switchgear that can be opened and closed.

A perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. Vertical sectional view of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment as seen from the side surface as an example of the configuration around the refrigerator compartment. The figure which shows an example of the electric structure about the refrigerator by 1st Embodiment Partial vertical sectional view of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment as seen from the side surface as an example of a special section. A partial vertical sectional view showing an example of a special section along X5-X5 of FIG. 4 for a refrigerator according to the first embodiment. Partial cross-sectional view showing an example of a special section along X6-X6 of FIG. 5 for a refrigerator according to the first embodiment. Flow chart of an example of control by the control device for the refrigerator according to the first embodiment Flow chart of an example of control of special operation by the control device for the refrigerator according to the first embodiment Flow chart of an example of control of normal operation by a control device for a refrigerator according to the first embodiment Vertical sectional view of the refrigerator according to the second embodiment as seen from the side surface as an example of a special section. A partial vertical sectional view showing an example of a special section along X11-X11 of FIG. 10 for a refrigerator according to a second embodiment.

Hereinafter, the refrigerator according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9.
The refrigerator 10 shown in FIG. 1 is configured to have a plurality of storage chambers in a heat insulating box 11 as a vertically long rectangular box-shaped refrigerator body having an open front surface. In the following description, the opening side of the heat insulating box 11 is the front side of the refrigerator 10, and the side opposite to the opening is the back side of the refrigerator 10. Further, the vertical direction with respect to the gravity direction when the refrigerator 10 is installed on the floor surface in the posture of FIG. 1 is defined as the vertical direction of the refrigerator 10. Further, the left-right direction when the refrigerator 10 in FIG. 1 is viewed from the front side is defined as the left-right direction of the refrigerator 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator 10 is mainly composed of a heat insulating box 11. The heat insulating box 11 is composed of a box having an open front surface, and has a plurality of storage chambers inside. The heat insulating box body 11 is configured by providing a member having high heat insulating properties between the inner box and the outer box. The member having high heat insulating property may be a foamed heat insulating member such as urethane foam, or may be a so-called vacuum heat insulating panel in which glass wool or the like is covered with a film on which aluminum is vapor-deposited and the inside is depressurized to improve the heat insulating property. good.

The heat insulating box 11 includes, for example, a refrigerating room 12, a vegetable room 13, an ice making room 14, a small freezing room 15, and a freezing room 16 as a plurality of storage rooms for storing stored items. The refrigerating room 12 and the vegetable room 13 are storage rooms in the refrigerating temperature zone. Further, the ice making chamber 14, the small freezing chamber 15, and the freezing chamber 16 are storage chambers in the freezing temperature zone.

In this case, the refrigerated temperature zone and the frozen temperature zone are temperature zones suitable for refrigerating or freezing and storing food or the like. In the case of the present embodiment, the refrigerating temperature zone is set to, for example, 1 ° C. to 5 ° C., which is a general refrigerating temperature zone. Further, the freezing degree zone is set to, for example, −18 ° C. or lower, which is a general freezing temperature zone.

The refrigerating chamber 12 is provided at the uppermost portion of the heat insulating box body 11. The vegetable compartment 13 is provided below the refrigerating chamber 12. The ice making chamber 14 and the small freezing chamber 15 are located below the vegetable chamber 13 and are provided side by side. The freezing chamber 16 is provided below the ice making chamber 14 and the small freezing chamber 15, that is, at the bottom of the heat insulating box 11.

The refrigerator 10 includes left and right refrigerating room doors 121 and 122, a vegetable room door 131, an ice making room door 141, a small freezing room door 151, and a freezing room door 161. The refrigerating room doors 121 and 122 are, for example, hinged doors that open with double doors, and open and close the front opening of the refrigerating room 12. The vegetable room door 131, the ice making room door 141, the small freezing room door 151, and the freezing room door 161 are all drawer type, and the vegetable room 13, the ice making room 14, the small freezing room 15, and the freezing room 16, respectively. Open and close the front opening.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, the vegetable compartment 13 has a drawer-type case 132. The case 132 is attached to the vegetable compartment door 131 so that it can be taken in and out integrally with the vegetable compartment door 131. Similarly, the ice making chamber 14, the small freezing chamber 15, and the freezing chamber 16 also have a case (not shown) that can be integrally taken in and out of the ice making chamber door 141, the small freezing chamber door 151, and the freezing chamber door 161, respectively. ..

As shown in FIG. 2, the heat insulating box 11 has a heat insulating partition wall 17 and a non-heat insulating partition wall 18 inside. The heat insulating partition wall 17 vertically partitions the storage chambers 12 and 13 in the refrigerating temperature zone and the storage chambers 14, 15 and 16 in the freezing temperature zone in a heat-insulated state. The non-insulating partition wall 18 partitions the refrigerating chamber 12 and the vegetable compartment 13 in the vertical direction in the storage chambers 12 and 13 in the refrigerating temperature zone without insulating them.

As shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerating chamber 12 has a ceiling portion 20, a side wall portion 21, a back wall portion 22, and a bottom portion 23. The ceiling portion 20 constitutes a part of the inner box of the heat insulating box body 11 and forms the upper surface of the inside of the refrigerating chamber 12. The side wall portion 21 constitutes a part of the inner box of the heat insulating box body 11 and forms the left and right side surfaces inside the refrigerating chamber 12. The back wall portion 22 constitutes a part of the inner box of the heat insulating box body 11 and forms the inner back surface of the refrigerating chamber 12. The bottom portion 23 constitutes a part of the non-insulated partition wall 18 and forms the inner bottom surface of the refrigerating chamber 12.

The refrigerating chamber 12 has a chilled chamber 24 as shown in FIG. The chilled chamber 24 is provided at the bottom of the refrigerating chamber 12. In the present embodiment, the chilled chamber 24 is provided at the lowermost part of the refrigerating chamber 12 on one side of the left and right sides, in this case closer to the right side. In another embodiment, the chilled chamber 24 may be provided over the entire width of the bottom of the refrigerating chamber 12. The temperature of the chilled chamber 24 can be set in the chilled temperature zone. The chilled temperature zone is a temperature zone below the refrigerating temperature zone and higher than the freezing temperature zone, and can be, for example, a temperature zone of 0 ° C. to 3 ° C.

The side where the chilled chamber 24 is not provided at the bottom of the refrigerating chamber 12 In this case, a tank for ice making (not shown) is provided on the left side. The refrigerating chamber 12 has a partition plate 25. The partition plate 25 partitions the chilled chamber 24 and the ice making tank (not shown) in the left-right direction at the lowermost portion of the refrigerating chamber 12.

The refrigerating chamber 12 includes a plurality of shelves 26, 27, 28, 29 in this case. The plurality of shelves 26, 27, 28, 29 are arranged in the vertical direction to partition the refrigerating chamber 12 into a plurality of areas. The plurality of shelf boards 26, 27, 28, 29 form a horizontally extending surface, and the food to be stored in the refrigerating chamber 12 is placed and supported from below. The plurality of shelf boards 26, 27, 28, and 29 are provided side by side in the vertical direction from the top. The ceiling portion 20 is located above the uppermost shelf board 26. Below the top shelf 26, one or more, in this case, two middle shelf 27, 28 are located. Below the middle shelf board 28, the lower shelf board 29 is located. Below the lower shelf plate 29, a chilled chamber 24, a partition plate 25, and a tank for ice making (not shown) are located.

The refrigerating chamber 12 further includes one or a plurality of chilled chamber cases 30, 31 in this case, and a middle plate 32. The chilled chamber cases 30 and 31 are provided inside the chilled chamber 24 so as to be able to be pulled out, and food can be stored inside. In this case, the chilled chamber cases 30 and 31 are provided side by side in the vertical direction. Above the upper chilled chamber case 30, a lowermost shelf board 29 is provided, which functions as a ceiling of the chilled chamber 24. The bottom portion 23 is located below the lower chilled chamber case 31.

The middle plate 32 is provided between the upper chilled chamber case 30 and the lower chilled chamber case 31 to vertically partition the chilled chamber 24. Of the chilled chambers 24, the upper portion above the middle plate 32 is referred to as an upper chilled chamber 241 and the lower portion below the middle plate 32 is referred to as a lower chilled chamber 242. The shelves 26, 27, 28, 29 and the chilled chamber cases 30, 31 are made of, for example, resin or glass. In this case, the temperature zones in the upper chilled chamber case 30 and the lower chilled chamber case 31 may be the same or different. For example, the temperature zone in the upper chilled chamber case 30 may be a chilled temperature zone, and the temperature zone in the lower chilled chamber case 31 may be a refrigerated temperature zone.

The refrigerator 10 includes a refrigerating cooler 41 shown in FIG. 2 and a compressor 42 shown in FIG. In the case of the present embodiment, the refrigerating cooler 41 and the compressor 42 constitute a refrigerating cycle together with a refrigerating cooler, a condenser, a switching valve and the like (not shown). In this case, in the refrigerating cycle, the switching valve is switched to the refrigerating cooler 41 side to supply the refrigerant to the refrigerating cooler 41 side, so that the refrigerating cooler 41 is a storage chamber in the refrigerating temperature zone including the chilled chamber 24. Generates cold air to cool 12 and 13. Further, in the freezing cycle, the switching valve is switched to the freezing cooler side to supply the refrigerant to the freezing cooler side, thereby cooling the storage chambers 14, 15 and 16 in the freezing temperature zone to the freezing cooler (not shown). To generate cold air for. It should be noted that one cooler may be configured to generate cold air for cooling the storage chambers 12 and 13 in the refrigerating temperature zone and the storage chambers 14, 15 and 16 in the refrigerating temperature zone.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerator 10 includes a ventilation passage 33 and a blower 34. The ventilation passage 33 is provided on the back side of the refrigerating chamber 12 and the vegetable compartment 13, and houses the refrigerating cooler 41 inside. The front wall of the ventilation passage 33 constitutes a part of the back wall portion 22 in the refrigerating chamber 12. The ventilation passage 33 forms a ventilation path for supplying the cold air generated by the refrigerating cooler 41 to the refrigerating chamber 12 and the vegetable compartment 13. The blower 34 is provided in the ventilation passage 33 and downstream of the refrigerating cooler 41. The blower 34 has a function of sending the air cooled by the refrigerating cooler 41 to the storage chambers 12 and 13 in the refrigerating temperature zone including the chilled chamber 24.

The ventilation passage 33 has a return port 35 and a plurality of outlets 361, 362, and 363. The return port 35 is formed by opening a part of the lower part of the ventilation passage 33 toward the vegetable compartment 13. The plurality of outlets 361, 362, and 363 communicate the inside of the ventilation passage 33 with the refrigerating chamber 12 including the chilled chamber 24.

In the case of the present embodiment, the upper outlet 361 provided at the uppermost portion of the ventilation passage 33 communicates with the refrigerating chamber 12 above the shelf board 26. Further, the lower outlet 363 provided at the lowermost part of the ventilation passage 33 communicates with the chilled chamber 24. Specifically, the lower outlet 363 communicates with the upper chilled chamber 241. That is, the lower outlet 363 is provided above the middle plate 32 and below the shelf plate 29. The middle outlet 362 provided between the upper outlet 361 and the lower outlet 363 communicates with the refrigerating chamber 12 between the shelf plate 26 and the shelf plate 29.

The ventilation passage 33 further has an opening 37 and a switchgear 38. The opening 37 communicates the ventilation passage 33 and the chilled chamber 24. Specifically, the opening 37 communicates the ventilation passage 33 and the lower chilled chamber 242. That is, the opening 37 is provided below the middle plate 32 of the chilled chamber 24 and above the bottom 23. The opening 37 is provided, for example, in the central portion of the lower chilled chamber 242 in the left-right direction. Further, the opening 37 is provided, for example, near the lower part of the lower chilled chamber 242. In another embodiment, the opening 37 may be provided at the central portion in the vertical direction of the lower chilled chamber 242.

The switchgear 38 is provided in the ventilation passage 33 or the opening 37, and can open and close the path from the ventilation passage 33 to the lower chilled chamber 242. In this case, the switchgear 38 is rotatably provided in the opening 37 as shown by the arrows in FIGS. 2 and 4. The switchgear 38 closes the opening 37 so that it can be opened and closed. The cold air travels forward from the outlets 361, 362, 363 and the opening 37.

The non-insulated partition wall 18 includes one or more communication holes 181 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. The communication hole 181 is provided in front of the chilled room 24 and communicates the refrigerating room 12 and the vegetable room 13. The communication hole 181 has a function of passing cold air on the refrigerating chamber 12 side to the vegetable compartment 13.

The air cooled through the refrigerating cooler 41 is blown out from the lower outlet 363 to the upper portion of the chilled chamber 24 by the blowing action of the blower 34. Further, of the air flowing through the ventilation passage 33, the remaining air that has not flowed out from the lower outlet 363 to the chilled chamber 24 is blown out to the refrigerating chamber 12 from the upper outlet 361 and the middle outlet 362. The cold air that has cooled the refrigerating chamber 12 descends to the bottom 23 and then reaches the vegetable compartment 13 through the communication hole 181. The air that has cooled the vegetable compartment 13 flows from the vegetable compartment 13 through the return port 35 into the ventilation passage 33. The air flowing into the ventilation passage 33 passes through the refrigerating cooler 41 while being cooled. Then, the cold air is sent to the refrigerating chamber 12 again by the action of the blower 34.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the refrigerator 10 includes a control device 50 and an operation panel 51. The control device 50 is mainly composed of a CPU and a microcomputer having a recording area such as a ROM, RAM, and a non-volatile memory. The control device 50 manages the operation of the entire refrigerator 10. The compressor 42, the blower 34, and the switchgear 38 are electrically connected to the control device 50 and are driven and controlled by the control device 50.

The operation panel 51 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 is electrically connected to the control device 50. The operation panel 51 has a function of accepting operations from the user and receiving control from the control device 50 to change and display various settings such as the operation contents of the refrigerator 10. In the case of the present embodiment, the operation panel 51 has, for example, an electrostatic touch type input unit. The operation panel 51 is built in, for example, one or both of the refrigerating chamber doors 121 and 122. In this embodiment, the operation panel 51 is provided on the left refrigerating room door 121 as shown in FIG. Further, the operation panel 51 has, for example, a display unit composed of an LED light, a liquid crystal display, or the like.

The control device 50 controls the switching valve of the refrigerating cycle (not shown), and also controls the compressor 42 and the blower 34 to control the supply of cold air to the storage chambers 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16. Further, the control device 50 opens and closes the opening / closing device 38 to control the supply of cold air to the lower chilled chamber 242.

The refrigerator 10 further includes a special section 60 shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and the like. The special section 60 refers to a space formed by partitioning at least a part of the inside of the refrigerating chamber 12. The special section 60 is a section in which the internal temperature can be set to a special temperature zone different from the refrigerating temperature zone and the chilled temperature zone. In this case, the special temperature zone is set to a higher temperature than the refrigerating temperature zone and the chilled temperature zone. Furthermore, the special temperature zone is set to be higher than the refrigerating temperature zone and lower than the so-called normal temperature. In this case, the normal temperature means, for example, 15 ° C to 25 ° C. The special temperature zone is, for example, a temperature zone in which β-formation of starch can be suppressed and deterioration of the taste of cooked food can be suppressed, and specifically, for example, a temperature zone in the range of 6 ° C. or higher and lower than 14 ° C. Can be set to. Preferably, the special temperature zone can be set to, for example, 9 ° C. plus or minus 2 ° C., that is, 7 ° C. or higher and 11 ° C. or lower. More preferably, the special temperature zone can be set to, for example, 8 ° C. or higher and 10 ° C. or lower.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the special section 60 is provided inside the chilled chamber 24. Specifically, the special section 60 refers to a space separated by a lower chilled chamber 242, that is, a partition plate 25, a middle plate 32, a side wall portion 21, and a bottom portion 23. That is, the special section 60 includes the space inside the chilled chamber case 31 and the space between the chilled chamber case 31 and the bottom 23. In this case, the partition plate 25, the middle plate 32, a part of the side wall portion 21, and a part of the back wall portion 22 accommodate the chilled chamber case 31 and form the outer peripheral portion 601 of the special section 60. ..

As shown in FIG. 4, the bottom portion 23 has a recessed portion 231 recessed downward at a position below the chilled chamber 24, that is, at a position overlapping the chilled chamber 24 in a plan view. The recess 231 constitutes at least a portion of the bottom of the special compartment 60. When the chilled chamber 24 is not divided into a plurality of stages, the special section 60 may be a space inside the chilled chamber 24. Further, when the bottom portion 23 does not have the recessed portion 231, the bottom portion 23 may be configured to form the bottom portion of the special section 60.

The special section 60 is adiabatically partitioned from a portion other than the special section 60 in the refrigerating chamber 12. The middle plate 32 is made of a member having higher heat insulating properties than the shelf plates 26, 27, 28, 29 and the chilled chamber cases 30 and 31. The middle plate 32 may be configured to include, for example, a foamed heat insulating material. Further, the partition plate 25 has a higher heat insulating property than the shelf plates 26, 27, 28, 29 and the chilled chamber cases 30, 31 at least at a position corresponding to the lower chilled chamber 242, that is, below the middle plate 32. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, the thickness of the partition plate 25, which is the length dimension in the left-right direction, may be changed between the upper part and the lower part of the middle plate 32. That is, the lower portion of the partition plate 25 than the middle plate 32 may be formed thicker than the upper portion of the middle plate 32. Further, on the chilled chamber 24 side, in this case, the right side wall portion 21 may project to the inside of the refrigerator compartment 12 at a position corresponding to the lower chilled chamber 242, as shown in FIG. In this case, the heat insulating thickness between the inner box and the outer box is set to be thicker at the position corresponding to the lower chilled chamber 242 than the portion other than the lower chilled chamber 242 of the refrigerating chamber 12.

Further, the refrigerator 10 includes a heating unit 61 as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 and the like. The heating unit 61 can heat the temperature inside the special section 60 to a special temperature zone. That is, the heating unit 61 has a function of heating the temperature of the food stored inside the special compartment 60 to a special temperature zone. As shown in FIG. 3, the heating unit 61 is connected to the control device 50 and is driven based on the control from the control device 50.

The heating unit 61 can be configured to include, for example, a heating wire heater in which electricity is passed through the heating wire to generate heat. The control device 50 can adjust the calorific value of the heating unit 61 by adjusting the energization rate or the operating current for the heating unit 61. In the present embodiment, the heating unit 61 is, for example, a so-called aluminum foil heater in which a heating wire is wrapped with aluminum foil. The heating portion 61 may be light and thin, and may be drip-proof. In another embodiment, the heating unit 61 may be a flexible planar heating element in which the heating wire is wrapped with, for example, a sheet of silicon rubber. The operating current of the heating unit 61 is set to, for example, 5 to 15 mA. Preferably, the operating current of the heating unit 61 is set to 9 to 11 mA. The above operating current value is an example, and the operating current value of the heating unit 61 may be set outside the above range.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the heating portion 61 is provided at the bottom of the recessed portion 231. The heating portion 61 covers at least a part of the bottom of the recess portion 231. In the present embodiment, for example, the heating portion 61 is provided over the entire bottom of the recessed portion 231. Further, when the bottom portion 23 does not have the recessed portion 231, the heating portion 61 may be provided in the bottom portion 23.

The refrigerator 10 may include a cover member (not shown). The cover member is formed, for example, in the shape of a plate or a container and is provided between the heating portion 61 and the special compartment 60 so that the heating portion 61 is not directly exposed to the special compartment 60.

The refrigerator 10 includes a detection unit 63 as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, and the like. The detection unit 63 is provided in the special section 60 and detects the temperature of the special section 60. The detection unit 63 is connected to the control device 50, and the control device 50 can acquire the temperature of the special section 60 detected by the detection unit 63. At least a part of the detection unit 63 is provided outside the region of the opening 37 where the opening 37 extends in the direction in which the cold air travels, that is, at a position where it is difficult for the cold air blown out from the opening 37 to be directly blown. In this case, the direction in which the cold air advances in the opening 37 is the direction including the component toward the front at least in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 10. As a result, the detection temperature of the detection unit 63 is less likely to be affected by the cold air for cooling the inside of the special section 60, that is, the cold air blown out from the opening 37, and accurate temperature detection is possible.

In other words, the detection unit 63 is provided at a position where at least a part thereof is displaced from the opening 37 in one or both of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. That is, the detection unit 63 is provided so that at least a part thereof does not overlap with the opening 37 in either one or both of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. In the case of the present embodiment, the detection unit 63 is provided at a position where the entire detection unit 63 is displaced from the opening 37 in the left-right direction and in this case, in the left direction. Further, the detection unit 63 is provided at a position where at least a part thereof is displaced upward from the opening 37. The detection unit 63 is provided, for example, on the outer peripheral portion 601 of the special section 60. In the present embodiment, the detection unit 63 is provided on the partition plate 25. In this case, the detection unit 63 may be embedded in the partition plate 25.

Further, the detection unit 63 is provided so as to be separated from the opening 37 in the front-rear direction. In this case, the detection unit 63 is provided at the center of the partition plate 25 in the front-rear direction. That is, the detection unit 63 is provided in the central portion in the front-rear direction of the lower chilled chamber 242 and faces the central portion of the chilled chamber case 31. Therefore, the detection unit 63 is located in the central portion of the special compartment 60, and can detect the average temperature inside the special compartment 60. In this case, the central portion in the front-rear direction does not have to be exactly the center point, and means, for example, the central portion in the case of being divided into three equal parts in the front-rear direction.

Further, the detection unit 63 is provided so as to be separated from the heating unit 61 in the vertical direction. In this case, the detection unit 63 is provided above the special section 60. That is, the detection unit 63 is provided in the special section 60 closer to the middle plate 32 forming the ceiling portion of the special section 60 than the heating section 61 located at the bottom portion 23. Therefore, the detection unit 63 can suppress the influence of the direct heat radiation from the heating unit 61 on the detection temperature.

In another embodiment, the detection unit 63 may be provided on the back surface or the bottom surface of the chilled chamber case 31. In this case, the detection unit 63 can detect the temperature of the chilled chamber case 31 itself for storing food. Further, when the detection unit 63 is provided on the bottom surface of the chilled chamber case 31, the influence of the heating unit 61 on the detection temperature T of the detection unit 63 can be suppressed by providing the detection unit 63 at a position deviated from the heating unit 61 in the left-right direction. can.

The refrigerator 10 further includes a switching unit 511 shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the switching unit 511 is composed of, for example, a mechanical or electric switch provided on the operation panel 51, and is connected to the control device 50. For example, when the operation panel 51 uses a touch panel display, the switching unit 511 can be configured with buttons set on the touch panel display. Further, the switching unit 511 can also be configured by, for example, a button using a capacitance sensor, a mechanical push button, or the like.

The switching unit 511 transmits an input operation from the user to the control device 50. Then, the control device 50 executes a process of switching the temperature zone of the special section 60 based on the operation content for the switching unit 511. Here, the switching of the temperature zone refers to the switching from the chilled temperature zone or the refrigerated temperature zone to the special temperature zone and the switching from the special temperature zone to the chilled temperature zone or the refrigerated temperature zone. Operation in the chilled temperature zone or the refrigerated temperature zone is referred to as normal operation. Operation in a special temperature zone is called special operation.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the control device 50 executes normal operation, special operation, and switching between these operations. First, when the power is turned on to the refrigerator 10 and the operation of the refrigerator 10 is started, the control device 50 starts the control shown in FIG. 7 for the special section 60. In step S11, the control device 50 advances the process to step S21 of FIG. 8 if the current setting content by the user is special operation. In step S11, the control device 50 advances the process to step S31 in FIG. 9 if the current setting content by the user is normal operation. Immediately after the power is turned on, the refrigerator 10 records the setting contents of the operation of the special section 60 immediately before the power is turned off last time. Further, the control device 50 is configured to selectively switch between the special operation and the normal operation under the control of the switching unit 511.

The control device 50 controls the switching of the temperature zone of the special section 60 by the switching instruction based on the operation from the user transmitted from the switching unit 511. That is, the control device 50 controls switching between normal operation and special operation. Specifically, the control device 50 controls either one or both of the heating of the special section 60 by the heating unit 61 and the opening / closing of the opening / closing device 38. In the present embodiment, the control device 50 controls both the heating of the special section 60 and the opening / closing of the opening / closing device 38 by the heating unit 61.

The control device 50 can switch between the presence and absence of heating by the heating unit 61. The control device 50 controls the supply of electric power to the heating unit 61. In the case of the present embodiment, the heating unit 61 is configured to operate at a constant operating current, for example, and to adjust the calorific value by controlling the energization period, that is, the energization rate with respect to a unit time. The control device 50 may be configured such that the calorific value can be adjusted by changing the magnitude of the operating current of the heating unit 61, for example. Further, the control device 50 can switch between opening and closing the opening / closing device 38.

Further, the control device 50 controls either one or both of the heating of the special section 60 by the heating unit 61 and the opening / closing of the opening / closing device 38 based on the temperature of the special section 60 detected by the detection unit 63. In the present embodiment, the control device 50 controls switching of the operation of the heating unit 61, that is, ON and OFF of energization of the heating unit 61 by, for example, a hysteresis control method. The hysteresis control method in the present embodiment means that the threshold value for turning on the energization of the heating unit 61 and the threshold value for turning off the energization of the heating unit 61 are different. In the present specification, in order to turn on the energization of the heating unit 61, in addition to starting the energization of the heating unit 61, the electric power supplied to the heating unit 61 is increased to generate heat by the heating unit 61. Increasing the amount may also be included. Further, in the present specification, in order to turn off the energization of the heating unit 61, in addition to stopping the energization of the heating unit 61, the electric power supplied to the heating unit 61 is reduced to reduce the electric power supplied to the heating unit 61. It may also include suppressing the amount of heat generated by the power.

For example, the control device 50 controls the presence / absence of heating by the heating unit 61, that is, the presence / absence of energization of the heating unit 61, based on the temperature of the special section 60 detected by the detection unit 63. In this case, the threshold value for turning on the energization of the heating unit 61 is set to the first temperature T1, and the threshold value for turning off the energization of the heating unit 61 is set to the second temperature T2. That is, if the temperature of the special section 60 detected by the detection unit 63 is equal to or lower than the first temperature T1, the control device 50 starts energization of the heating unit 61 or increases the calorific value of the heating unit 61. In the present embodiment, if the temperature of the special section 60 detected by the detection unit 63 is equal to or lower than the first temperature T1, the control device 50 starts energizing the heating unit 61. Further, if the temperature of the special section 60 detected by the detection unit 63 is higher than the second temperature T2, the control device 50 stops energizing the heating unit 61 or reduces the calorific value of the heating unit 61. In the present embodiment, the control device 50 stops the energization of the heating unit 61 when the temperature of the special section 60 detected by the detection unit 63 is higher than the second temperature T2.

Then, the first temperature T1 and the second temperature T2 are set to different temperatures. In the case of the present embodiment, the first temperature T1 is set to be lower than the special temperature zone, that is, lower than the lower limit of the special temperature zone. Further, the second temperature T2 is set to be higher than the special temperature zone, that is, higher than the upper limit of the special temperature zone. In this case, the second temperature T2 is inevitably higher than the first temperature T1. In the case of the present embodiment, the first temperature T1 can be set to, for example, 5 ° C. Further, the second temperature T2 can be set to 15 ° C.

The presence / absence of operation of the heating unit 61 and the opening / closing of the opening / closing device 38 do not affect the cooling control of the refrigerator 10 by the control device 50, that is, the control contents of the compressor 42 and the blower 34. That is, the control of the heating unit 61 by the control device 50 and the control of the compressor 42 and the blower 34 by the control device 50 are performed independently. Further, the opening / closing control of the opening / closing device 38 by the control device 50 and the control of the compressor 42 and the blower 34 by the control device 50 are performed independently.

Here, the control of the special operation for maintaining the inside of the special section 60 in the special temperature zone set to, for example, 7 ° C. or higher and 11 ° C. or lower will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the following description, the detection temperature by the detection unit 63 is defined as the detection temperature T. First, the control device 50 starts the special operation (special operation in step S11) based on the instruction from the user to switch from the normal operation to the special operation to the switching unit 511. Immediately after the start of the special operation, the switchgear 38 is open, cold air can be supplied from the opening 37 into the special section 60, and the heating unit 61 is not operating.

Subsequently, the control device 50 determines whether or not the temperature of the special section 60 detected by the detection unit 63 is the second temperature T2, which is 15 ° C. or lower in this case (step S21). If the detection temperature T is higher than the second temperature T2 (No in step S21), the control device 50 repeats step S21. As a result, the supply of cold air from the opening 37 to the inside of the special compartment 60 is continued, and the special compartment 60 is continuously cooled. On the other hand, if the detection temperature T is the second temperature T2 or less (Yes in step S21), the control device 50 proceeds to step S12 and closes the switchgear 38. As a result, the supply of cold air from the opening 37 to the inside of the special compartment 60 is stopped, and the cooling in the special compartment 60 by the supply of cold air is stopped. Subsequently, the control device 50 starts energizing the heating unit 61 or increases the operating current of the heating unit 61 (step S23).

Next, the control device 50 determines whether or not the switching unit 511 has been operated by the user (step S24). When the switching unit 511 is operated (Yes in step S24), the control device 50 advances the process to step S11 in FIG. 7. If there is no operation of the switching unit 511 (No in step S24), the control device 50 advances the process to step S25.

Next, the control device 50 determines whether or not the detection temperature T of the detection unit 63 is higher than the second temperature T2 (step S25). If the detection temperature T is the second temperature T2 or less (No in step S25), the control device 50 proceeds to the process in step S24. If the detection temperature T is higher than the second temperature T2 (Yes in step S25), the control device 50 proceeds to step S26 to stop energization to the heating unit 61 or reduce the operating current of the heating unit 61. As a result, the heating of the special section 60 by the heating unit 61 is stopped or reduced.

Next, the control device 50 determines whether or not the user has operated the switching unit 511 (step S27). When the switching unit 511 is operated (Yes in step S27), the control device 50 advances the process to step S11 in FIG. 7. If there is no operation of the switching unit 511 (No in step S27), the control device 50 advances the process to step S28.

Further, the control device 50 determines whether or not the detection temperature T of the detection unit 63 is the first temperature T1 in this case, 5 ° C. or lower (step S28). If the detection temperature T is higher than the first temperature T1 (No in step S28), the control device 50 proceeds to the process in step S27. If the detected temperature T is equal to or lower than the first temperature T1 (Yes in step S28), the control device 50 proceeds to step S23 to start energizing the heating unit 61 or increase the operating current of the heating unit 61. As a result, the heating of the special section 60 by the heating unit 61 is started or increased.

Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the control contents when the control device 50 switches from the special operation to the normal operation will be described. When the control device 50 receives an instruction to switch from the special operation to the normal operation by the operation of the switching unit 511 by the user (normal operation in step S11), the control device 50 stops energizing the heating unit 61 or the heating unit. The calorific value of 61 is reduced (step S31). Subsequently, the control device 50 opens the switchgear 38 (step S32). As a result, the control device 50 switches from the special operation to the normal operation. That is, the heating of the special section 60 by the heating unit 61 is stopped or reduced, and the supply of cold air from the opening 37 to the inside of the special section 60, that is, the cooling of the inside of the special section 60 by the supply of cold air is started.

In the above control contents, the start of energization of the heating unit 61 or the increase of the operating current is only the change from the state where the heating unit 61 is not energized or the state where the power supply is reduced to the state where the energization is performed. It also includes continuously energizing the heating unit 61 from the energized state and continuing the state in which the operating current of the heating unit 61 is increasing. Further, closing the switchgear 38 means not only the operation of closing the switchgear 38 from the state in which the switchgear 38 is open, but also the continuation of the state in which the switchgear 38 is closed from the state in which the switchgear 38 is closed. Also includes. That is, the control content includes the case where the special operation is already set and the user resets the special operation.

Similarly, in the above control contents, stopping the energization of the heating unit 61 or reducing the operating current means stopping or operating the energization from the state where the heating unit 61 is energized or the power supply is increased. Not only the change to the state of reducing the current, but also the state of stopping the energization of the heating unit 61 or continuously stopping the energization from the state where the operating current was reduced, and the state of reducing the operating current of the heating unit 61. Also includes continuing. Further, opening the switchgear 38 means not only opening the switchgear 38 from the closed state of the switchgear 38, but also continuing the open state of the switchgear 38 from the open state of the switchgear 38. Also includes. That is, the control content includes the case where the normal operation is already set and the user resets the normal operation.

In another embodiment, the control device 50 may be configured to stop or reduce the supply of electric power to the heating unit 61 after a predetermined period has elapsed after the switching unit 511 is pressed. In this case, the predetermined period can be set to, for example, 6 hours to 48 hours. The predetermined period can be preferably set, for example, from 12 hours to 24 hours.

Here, as a method of providing the special compartment 60 in the refrigerating chamber 12, there is also a method of separately providing the ventilation passage to the special compartment 60 and the ventilation passage to the portion other than the special compartment 60 of the refrigerating chamber 12. Then, when blowing air to the special compartment 60, the compressor 42 is not operated to send air at room temperature, and when blowing air to a portion other than the special compartment 60, the compressor 42 is operated to send the cooled air to the refrigerating temperature zone. It is also possible. In that case, the portion other than the special compartment 60 cannot be cooled while the air is being blown to the special compartment 60. Therefore, it may be difficult to maintain the portion other than the special section 60 in the refrigerated temperature zone.

On the other hand, the refrigerator 10 is provided with a storage chamber 12 that can be maintained in the refrigerating temperature zone and a part of the inside of the storage chamber 12 partitioned from the surroundings, and is higher in temperature than the refrigerating temperature zone and the refrigerating temperature zone. It is provided with a special section 60 that can be switched to a special temperature zone. Further, the refrigerator 10 includes a heating unit 61, a ventilation passage 33, and a switchgear 38. The heating unit 61 can heat the special section 60 to a special temperature zone. The ventilation passage 33 has an opening leading to the special section 60 and is configured to be able to supply cold air to the special section 60. The switchgear 38 is configured to be able to open and close the path from the ventilation passage 33 to the special section 60.

According to this, the refrigerator 10 can switch the temperature of the special section 60 to the special temperature zone by heating by the heating unit 61 and preventing the cold air generated by the cooler from flowing in by the switchgear 38. Therefore, the temperature of the special compartment 60 can be heated to the special temperature zone while the portion other than the special compartment 60 is maintained in the refrigerating temperature zone. In addition, the temperature of the special compartment 60 can be raised to the special temperature zone more rapidly than when only one of the heating unit 61 and the switchgear 38 is used. As a result, even if the cooked food containing a large amount of starch is stored, the deterioration of the taste can be suppressed, which contributes to the convenience of the user.

Generally, when storing cooked food in the refrigerator, it is often the case that the food is cooled to near room temperature. The user's consciousness is almost the same. On the other hand, in the case of the special compartment 60, it is necessary to assume that the user puts the cooked food in a warm state without cooling it to near room temperature. Further, since the special compartment 60 is a narrow space from the refrigerator 10 as a whole, the temperature in the special compartment 60 is easily affected by the temperature of the food inside, the cold air supplied, and the like. For example, if the temperature of the food itself when it is put into the special compartment 60 is high, the special compartment 60 may be heated by the food and become hot. In this case, whether the temperature of the special compartment 60 should be heated or cooled differs depending on whether the temperature of the special compartment 60 is higher than that in the special temperature zone or the temperature is lower than the special temperature zone. That is, when performing the special operation, the optimum control may differ depending on the temperature of the special section 60.

On the other hand, the refrigerator 10 further includes a detection unit 63 and a control device 50. The detection unit 63 detects the temperature of the special section 60. The control device 50 is configured to be able to control either one or both of heating by the heating unit 61 and opening / closing of the switchgear 38 based on the detection result of the detection unit 63.

According to this, the control device 50 can execute the optimum temperature control according to the current temperature of the special section 60. For example, when the temperature of the special section 60 is low, it is immediately heated to the special temperature zone, and when the temperature is high, it is not heated, so that more power consumption than necessary can be suppressed. Further, when the temperature of the special section 60 is low, the opening / closing device 38 is closed to prevent the special section 60 from being cooled more than necessary, and when the temperature is high, the opening / closing device 38 is opened to cool the special section 60. The temperature of the compartment 60 can be adjusted to a special temperature zone as soon as possible.

In the present embodiment, the control device 50 controls the switchgear 38 in two states of open or closed, but in another embodiment, the control device 50 is blown by the opening degree of the switchgear 38, that is, cold air. The amount may be controlled. Even in that case, the control device 50 can control the opening degree of the opening / closing device 38 according to the temperature of the special section 60. That is, the control device 50 can increase the opening degree of the opening / closing device 38 when the temperature of the special section 60 is high, and decrease the opening degree of the opening / closing device 38 when the temperature of the special section 60 is low. Thereby, the control device 50 can execute the optimum temperature control according to the temperature of the special compartment 60.

The heating unit 61 includes an electric heater whose calorific value can be adjusted based on the energization rate. The control device 50 may be configured to control the energization rate to the heating unit 61 based on the temperature of the special section 60 detected by the detection unit 63. In this case, the degree of heating of the special section 60 by the heating unit 61 can be changed depending on the temperature of the special section 60. Therefore, the control device 50 can further perform optimum temperature control. For example, when the temperature of the special section 60 is low, the energization rate can be increased to quickly heat up to the special temperature zone, and when the temperature is high, the energization rate can be lowered to suppress unnecessary power consumption.

Further, if the temperature of the special section 60 detected by the detection unit 63 is equal to or lower than the predetermined first temperature T1, the control device 50 starts heating by the heating unit 61 or increases the calorific value of the heating unit 61. If the temperature of the special section 60 detected by the detection unit 63 is higher than the predetermined second temperature T2, the heating by the heating unit 61 is stopped or the calorific value of the heating unit 61 is reduced. In this case, if the temperature of the special section 60 detected by the detection unit 63 is equal to or lower than the predetermined first temperature T1, the control device 50 starts energizing the heating unit 61 or increases the operating current. If the temperature of the special section 60 detected by the detection unit 63 is higher than the predetermined second temperature T2, the heating unit 61 energization is stopped or the operating current is reduced.

According to this, it is possible to suppress the power consumption in the heating unit 61 as compared with the case where heating is continued at the same output even though the temperature of the special section 60 is high. Further, when the temperature of the special compartment 60 drops due to stopping the heating by the heating unit 61 or reducing the calorific value, the control device 50 immediately starts heating by the heating unit 61 again or increases the calorific value to increase the calorific value in the special compartment 60. The temperature of 60 can be adjusted to be a special temperature zone.

Further, the refrigerator 10 further includes an operation panel 51 capable of setting the switching of the temperature zone of the special section 60 based on the operation from the user. The control device 50 controls either one or both of the heating by the heating unit 61 and the opening / closing of the opening / closing device 38 based on the switching operation to the operation unit by the user.

According to this, the user can switch between the special operation and the normal operation at an arbitrary timing. Therefore, the convenience of the user is further improved.

At least a part of the detection unit 63 is provided outside the region of the opening 37 in which the opening 37 extends in the direction in which the cold air travels. That is, at least a part of the detection unit 63 is provided so as to be displaced with respect to either one or both of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the opening 37 and the refrigerator 10.

According to this, since the cold air blown out from the opening 37 is less likely to directly hit the detection unit 63, the influence of the cold air on the temperature detected by the detection unit 63 can be suppressed as much as possible. Therefore, the detection unit 63 can detect the temperature of the special section 60 more accurately. Further, the control device 50 can more accurately control the temperature zone of the special section 60.

Further, the refrigerator 10 includes a chilled chamber case 31 which is formed in a container shape with an open upper part and stores food inside, and an outer peripheral portion 601 for accommodating the chilled chamber case 31 in the storage chamber 12. The special compartment 60 is provided at least inside the chilled chamber case 31. The detection unit 63 is provided on the partition plate 25 that forms the bottom or back of the chilled chamber case 31 or a part of the outer peripheral portion 601.

According to this, the detection unit 63 is provided on a member surrounding the special section 60 such as the case 31 or the outer peripheral portion 601. Therefore, in the refrigerator 10, the storage space in the special section 60 is less likely to be suppressed by the detection unit 63, and the storage space in the special section 60 can be secured.

Further, in this case, the special section 60 is provided in at least a part of the chilled chamber 24 in this case in the lower chilled chamber 242. The chilled chamber 24 is physically partitioned from a portion of the refrigerating chamber 12 other than the chilled chamber 24 by a shelf plate 29 or a partition plate 25. Therefore, the special compartment 60 is likely to be partitioned from the portion of the refrigerating chamber 12 other than the special compartment 60 in terms of the temperature zone. That is, the refrigerator 10 can easily adjust the special compartment 60 to another temperature zone, that is, the special temperature zone while keeping the portion of the refrigerating chamber 12 other than the special compartment 60 in the refrigerating temperature zone.

The refrigerator 10 further has a highly heat-insulating member provided between the special compartment 60 and a portion other than the special compartment 60. That is, in the present embodiment, the middle plate 32 and the partition plate 25 adiabatically divide the special section 60 from the portion other than the special section 60.

According to this, it is easier to keep the temperature in the special compartment 60 in a temperature zone different from the temperature zone of the portion other than the special compartment 60, that is, a special temperature zone due to the heat insulating effect of the middle plate 32 and the partition plate 25. Become.

In the present embodiment, the heating unit 61 is provided at the bottom of the special section 60, but in another embodiment, the heating unit 61 is provided on the outer peripheral portion 601 of the special section 60, for example, a partition plate 25 or a side wall. It may be configured to be provided in the section 21.

Further, in the present embodiment, the partition wall between the refrigerating room 12 and the vegetable room 13 is a non-insulating partition wall 18 made of a member having low heat insulating properties, but in another embodiment, the refrigerating room 12 and the vegetable room 12 are used. The partition wall with 13 may be a heat insulating partition wall configured to include a member having a high heat insulating property. In this case, heat propagation from the heating unit 61 to the vegetable compartment 13 through the partition wall can be suppressed.

Further, in another embodiment, the control device 50 may be configured to control the opening / closing device 38 to be opened when the temperature of the special section 60 becomes high during the execution of the special operation. That is, when the temperature of the special section 60 detected by the detection unit 63 is higher than the third temperature T3, which is higher than the special temperature zone and higher than the second temperature T2, the control device 50 is the switchgear 38. You may open. For example, the third temperature T3 may be higher than normal temperature. In this case, the third temperature T3 is, for example, 40 ° C.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. In the second embodiment, the refrigerator 10 includes a special section 60, a heating section 61, and a special section 70, a heating section 71, and a detection section 73 instead of the detection section 63.

In the present embodiment, the special section 70 is provided at the uppermost part of the refrigerating room 12. For example, the special section 70 is a space separated from a portion other than the special section 70 of the refrigerating chamber 12 by the uppermost shelf board 26. That is, the special section 70 is a space surrounded by the uppermost shelf board 26, the ceiling portion 20, the left and right side wall portions 21, and the back wall portion 22. In other words, the ceiling portion 20 constitutes the ceiling portion of the special section 70. The uppermost shelf board 26 constitutes the bottom of the special section 70. Further, the left and right side wall portions 21 and the back wall portion 22 form the outer peripheral portion 701 of the special section 70.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the present embodiment, the refrigerator 10 does not include an opening 37 and a switchgear 38. That is, the rear portion of the lower chilled chamber 242 of the back wall portion 22 does not communicate with the ventilation passage 33. Instead, the ventilation passage 33 has a switchgear 74. The switchgear 74 is configured to be rotatable as shown by an arrow in FIG. The switchgear 74 is provided in the downstream portion of the ventilation passage 33, and opens and closes a path from the refrigerating cooler 41 to the uppermost stage of the refrigerating chamber 12, that is, the special section 70. In this case, the upper outlet 361 constitutes an opening leading to the special section 70. The switchgear 74 is provided between the upper outlet 361 and the middle outlet 362. In this embodiment, the switchgear 74 is provided behind the shelf board 26. The opening / closing device 74 is connected to the control device 50, and the opening / closing is controlled by the control device 50. As a result, the control device 50 controls whether or not the special compartment 70 is cooled by the cold air.

The refrigerating chamber 12 has a heat insulating plate 75. The heat insulating plate 75 is formed in a plate shape by a member having high heat insulating properties. The heat insulating plate 75 is provided on the upper surface or the lower surface of the uppermost shelf plate 26. In the present embodiment, the heat insulating plate 75 is provided on the upper surface of the shelf plate 26. The heat insulating plate 75 adiabatically divides the special section 70 from a portion other than the special section 70. In this case, the heat insulating plate 75 may have a rising edge at the front end portion. Due to this rise, the heat insulating plate 75 can reduce the amount of air flow between the special section 70 and the portion other than the special section 70, and further partition the special section 70 from the portion other than the special section 70 in a heat insulating manner. can. In another embodiment, the refrigerating chamber 12 may have a heat insulating plate 75 instead of the uppermost shelf plate 26.

Further, the non-insulating partition wall 18 has a communication hole 182 instead of the communication hole 181. As shown in FIG. 10, the communication hole 182 is provided on the rear side of the chilled chamber 24, that is, on the side close to the ventilation passage 33. In this case, the cold air that has cooled the refrigerating chamber 12 descends to the bottom 23 and then passes through the lower part of the chilled chamber 24 to reach the communication hole 182. The cold air is supplied to the vegetable compartment 13 through the communication hole 182.

The heating unit 71 is provided above the special section 70. Specifically, the heating unit 71 is provided on the ceiling unit 20. For example, the heating portion 71 is provided so as to be embedded between the ceiling portion 20 and the outer box constituting the heat insulating box body 11. In this case, the heating portion 71 may be provided by being embedded in a heat insulating member between the ceiling portion 20 and the outer box. In this embodiment, the heating unit 71 is provided by being embedded in a heat insulating member, but in another embodiment, the heating unit 71 may be provided so as to be suspended from the ceiling unit 20. The heating unit 71 is connected to the control device 50, and the presence / absence of energization and the energization rate are controlled by the control device 50. As a result, the control device 50 controls the heating of the special section 70 by the heating unit 71.

The detection unit 73 is provided on the outer peripheral portion 701 of the special section 70. Further, the detection unit 73 is provided at a position deviated from the upper outlet 361 in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. That is, the detection unit 73 is provided so as to avoid an extension line in the traveling direction of the cold air coming out of the upper outlet 361. In this case, the detection unit 73 is provided on the back wall portion 22. Further, the detection unit 73 is provided above the upper outlet 361.

Also in the present embodiment, the control device 50 controls the switching of the temperature zone of the special section 70 by the switching instruction based on the operation transmitted from the switching unit 511, as in the first embodiment. Specifically, the control device 50 controls either one or both of the heating of the special section 70 by the heating unit 71 and the opening / closing of the opening / closing device 74. In the present embodiment, the control device 50 controls both the heating of the special section 70 and the opening / closing of the opening / closing device 74 by the heating unit 71. Further, the control device 50 executes normal operation, special operation, and switching between those operations according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, as in the case of the first embodiment.

According to the present embodiment, the storage chamber 12 includes one or more shelf boards 26, 27, 28, 29 arranged in the vertical direction for partitioning the storage chamber 12 into a plurality of areas. The special section 70 is provided at the uppermost stage among the plurality of areas of the storage chamber 12. The ventilation passage 33 is provided on the back side of the storage chambers 12 and 13. The detection unit 73 is provided on the back side of the special section 70, in this case, on the back wall portion 22.

According to this, it is difficult for the cold air blown from the ventilation passage 33 to be directly blown to the back side of the special section 70. Therefore, even when the switchgear 74 is in the open state, it is possible to suppress the influence of cold air on the detection temperature T of the detection unit 73. Therefore, the control device 50 can more accurately control the temperature of the special section 70.

An opening / closing door may be provided in front of the special section 70 of the second embodiment. In this case, the special section 70 can be opened and closed from a portion other than the special section 70 by the opening / closing door. Therefore, it becomes easier to maintain the temperature of the special compartment 70 in the special temperature zone.

(Other embodiments)
Further, in each of the above embodiments, the special section is provided in the refrigerating room 12, but may be provided in the vegetable room 13. In that case, the special section can be provided, for example, in the case of the vegetable compartment 13.

The above embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. The present embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

10 ... Refrigerator, 11 ... Refrigerator room (storage room), 20 ... Ceiling part, 21 ... Side wall part, 22 ... Bottom, 24 ... Chilled room, 241 ... Upper chilled room, 242 ... Lower chilled room, 25 ... Partition plate, 26 , 27, 28, 29 ... Shelf board, 301, 302 ... Chilled room case (case), 32 ... Middle board, 33 ... Ventilation channel, 34 ... Blower, 361 ... Blowout port (opening), 362, 363 ... Blowout port, 37 ... opening (opening), 38 ... opening / closing device, 41 ... refrigerating cooler, 42 ... compressor, 50 ... control device, 511 ... switching part, 60 ... special section, 601 ... outer peripheral part, 61 ... heating part, 63 ... Detection unit, 70 ... Special section, 701 ... Outer circumference, 71 ... Heating unit, 73 ... Detection unit, 74 ... Opening and closing device, 75 ... Insulation plate

Claims (8)

A storage room that can be maintained in the refrigerated temperature range,
A special compartment that is provided in a part of the storage chamber from the surroundings and can be switched between a refrigerating temperature zone and a special temperature zone that is higher than the refrigerating temperature zone.
A heating unit that heats the special section to a special temperature zone,
A ventilation path having an opening leading to the special section and capable of supplying cold air to the special section,
A switchgear that can open and close the path from the ventilation path to the special section,
A refrigerator equipped with. A detector that detects the temperature of the special section,
A control device capable of controlling one or both of heating by the heating unit and opening / closing of the switchgear based on the detection result of the detection unit is further provided.
The refrigerator according to claim 1. When the temperature of the special section detected by the detection unit is equal to or lower than the predetermined first temperature, the control device starts heating by the heating unit or increases the calorific value of the heating unit, and the detection unit detects it. If the temperature of the special section is higher than the predetermined second temperature, the heating by the heating unit is stopped or the calorific value of the heating unit is reduced.
The refrigerator according to claim 2. Further equipped with an operation unit capable of setting the switching of the temperature zone of the special section based on the operation from the user.
The control device controls either one or both of heating by the heating unit and opening / closing of the switchgear based on the operation of switching to the operation unit by the user.
The refrigerator according to claim 2 or 3. At least a part of the detection unit is located outside the region extending the opening in the direction in which the cold air advances in the opening.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 2 to 4. Further, the storage chamber is provided with a case formed in the shape of a container having an open upper part to store food inside, and an outer peripheral portion for accommodating the case.
The special compartment is provided at least inside the case.
The detection unit is provided on the bottom or back of the case, or on the outer peripheral portion.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 2 to 5. The storage chamber is provided with one or more vertically arranged shelves that partition the storage chamber into a plurality of areas.
The special compartment is provided at the uppermost stage of the plurality of areas of the storage chamber.
The opening is provided on the back side of the storage chamber.
The detection unit is provided on the back side of the special section.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 2 to 5. Further having a highly heat-insulating member provided between the special section and a portion other than the special section.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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