JP2024030143A - refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator that can reduce power consumption in an interior operation display part provided in a storage chamber.SOLUTION: A refrigerator comprises a refrigerator body 2 provided with a storage chamber 10 comprising an opening part in a front surface, a door 20a provided on the opening part, a door opening device 50a for opening the door 20a by pressing the door 20a frontward, an estimation unit 71 for estimating an opening force needed to open the door 20a, and an output adjustment unit 72 for adjusting a pressing force with which the door opening device 50a presses the door 20a. The output adjustment unit 72 adjusts the pressing force with which the door opening device 50a presses the door 20a, on the basis of the opening force estimated by the estimation unit 71.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a refrigerator.

2. Description of the Related Art Refrigerators are known that are equipped with a door opening device that senses a predetermined operation by a user, such as a touch operation on the door, and presses the door forward to open the door.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-17021

In the door opening device described above, a pressing force for pressing the door forward is set so that the door can be opened even when the door is in a state where it is difficult to open. Therefore, if the door is in a state where it is easy to open, the door may be opened forcefully by the door opening device, which may cause problems such as stored items stored in the door falling out.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator equipped with a door opening device that can open the door with an appropriate pressing force.

The refrigerator of one embodiment includes a refrigerator main body provided with a storage chamber having an opening on the front side, a door provided in the opening, and a door opening device that presses the door forward to open the door. an estimating unit that estimates an opening force necessary to open the door; and an output adjusting unit that adjusts a pressing force with which the door opening device presses the door, the output adjusting unit The door opening device adjusts the pressing force with which the door is pressed based on the opening force estimated by the department.

A perspective view of the refrigerator according to the embodiment with the door open Front view of the refrigerator in Figure 1 with the door closed Cross-sectional view of the refrigerator in Figure 1 with the door closed Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the refrigerator in Figure 1

Embodiments will be described based on the drawings. The following embodiments are illustrative, and the scope of the invention is not limited thereto. The following embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. The following embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

In the following description, the left-right direction, the front-back direction, and the up-down direction indicate directions when the refrigerator is viewed from the front, and the left-right direction corresponds to the width direction of the refrigerator. In addition, right, left, top, bottom, front, back, back, back, and front refer to the position or side when looking at the refrigerator from the front, unless otherwise specified, and refer to the position or side when the refrigerator door is closed. Indicates the position and side of the refrigerator when viewed from the front.

(1) Configuration of refrigerator 1 The configuration of refrigerator 1 of this embodiment will be explained with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment includes a refrigerator main body 2 made of a heat-insulating box with an opening at the front.

The refrigerator main body 2 includes a heat insulating material such as a panel-shaped heat insulating material such as a vacuum heat insulating material or a foamed heat insulating material in a heat insulating space formed between an outer box made of a steel plate and an inner box made of a synthetic resin. has been done. The refrigerator main body 2 has a plurality of storage spaces provided inside an inner box, and the storage spaces are divided into upper and lower sections by a heat insulating partition wall 3.

The interior of the space above the heat insulating partition wall 3 is further partitioned vertically by a partition wall 4. A refrigerator compartment 10 is provided above the partition wall 4, and a vegetable compartment 11 is provided below the partition wall 4. The refrigerator compartment 10 and the vegetable compartment 11 are cooled to a refrigeration temperature range (for example, 1 to 4° C.) based on the temperature detected by a refrigerator temperature detection unit 15 provided at the rear of the refrigerator compartment 10.

In the space below the heat insulating partition wall 3, an ice making compartment 12 equipped with an automatic ice making machine and a first freezing compartment 13 are installed side by side on the left and right, and a second freezing compartment 14 is provided below. The ice making compartment 12, the first freezing compartment 13, and the second freezing compartment 14 operate within a freezing temperature range (for example, −17°C ).

A front opening of the refrigerator compartment 10 is provided with a left door 20a and a right door 20b that open double doors. Among the two doors 20a and 20b, the left door 20a on the left side when viewed from the front is rotatably supported by the refrigerator main body 2 at the upper left end of the left door 20a by the upper support part 30a, and the lower left end is supported at the lower side. It is rotatably supported by the refrigerator main body 2 by the portion 31a. In addition, the right door 20b on the right side when viewed from the front is rotatably supported at the upper right end by the refrigerator main body 2 by the upper support part 30b, and by the lower right end by the lower support part 31b. movably supported. The left door 20a and the right door 20b open and close the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 10 by rotating around the upper support parts 30a, 30b and the lower support parts 31a, 31b.

On the storage room side of the left door 20a and the right door 20b, a plurality of stages (in this embodiment, three stages) of door storage sections 32a and 32b are installed vertically spaced apart from each other.

An opening/closing detection section 33a for detecting opening/closing of the left door 20a and an opening/closing detection section 33b for detecting opening/closing of the right door 20b are provided at the peripheral edge of the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 10.

The left door 20a is provided with an operation display section 25 through which the setting of the operating mode of the refrigerator 1 can be entered, the operating state of the refrigerator 1, etc. can be confirmed. The operation display section 25 functions as an operation section that accepts various operations of the refrigerator 1 from the user, and also functions as a display device.

Further, door opening operation parts 26a and 26b are provided on the front surfaces of the left door 20a and the right door 20b to operate the door opening devices 50a and 50b by user's operation.

The front openings of the vegetable compartment 11, the ice making compartment 12, the first freezing compartment 13, and the second freezing compartment 14 are opened and closed by pull-out doors 21, 22, 23, and 24. On the back side of each pull-out door 21, 22, 23, 24, storage containers 21a, 22a, 23a, 24a are provided.

At the rear of the refrigerator compartment 10 and the vegetable compartment 11, a first cooler compartment 40 is provided. The first cooler chamber 40 is provided with a first cooler 41 and a first blower 42 . The first blower 42 supplies the air in the first cooler chamber 40 cooled by the first cooler 41 to the refrigerator compartment 10 via the first flow path 43 . The air supplied to the refrigerator compartment 10 circulates through the refrigerator compartment 10 and the vegetable compartment 11, is then sucked into the first cooler compartment 40, and is cooled again by the first cooler 41.

Further, a second cooler chamber 44 is provided at the rear of the ice making chamber 12, the first freezing chamber 13, and the second freezing chamber 14. The second cooler chamber 44 is provided with a second cooler 45 and a second blower 46 . The second blower 46 supplies the air in the second cooler chamber 44 cooled by the second cooler 45 to the ice making chamber 12, the first freezing chamber 13, and the second freezing chamber 14 through the second flow path 47. do. The air supplied to the ice making compartment 12, the first freezing compartment 13, and the second freezing compartment 14 circulates through these storage compartments, is then sucked into the second cooler compartment 44, and is cooled again by the second cooler 45. Ru.

A machine room 5 is provided at the lower rear of the refrigerator 1. The machine room 5 houses a compressor 48, a condenser (not shown), and the like. The compressor 48, the condenser, the first cooler 41, the second cooler 45, etc. constitute a cooling mechanism called a refrigeration cycle. The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 48 alternately flows into the first cooler 41 and the second cooler 45, and when the refrigerant flows, cold air is generated in each cooler.

At the front end of the upper wall of the refrigerator body 2, door opening devices 50a and 50b are provided, as well as a sound output section 51 such as a speaker and a sound detection section 52 such as a microphone. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a control board 6 for controlling the refrigerator 1 is provided at the rear end of the upper wall of the refrigerator main body 2.

The control board 6 includes a control section 7 made of a microcomputer and a readable/writable storage section 8 such as a flash memory, and controls the overall operation of the refrigerator 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 7 is connected to the device adapter 9. The device adapter 9 is connected to a wide area communication network including the Internet via a short area communication network such as a wireless LAN installed in the house where the refrigerator 1 is installed.

(2) Configuration of the door opening devices 50a, 50b The door opening devices 50a, 50b are provided in the refrigerator main body 2, and are used from the closed state to the initial stage of door opening when the doors 20a, 20b move a predetermined amount and begin to open. , the doors 20a, 20b are pushed forward, and then the doors 20a, 20b are opened by inertia.

Specifically, the door opening device 50a is arranged behind the upper end of the left door 20a. The door opening device 50a includes a solenoid, and when a drive current is supplied to a coil included in the solenoid, a plunger 50a1 moves forward and pushes the left door 20a forward. Thereby, the door opening device 50a can automatically open the left door 20a.

Furthermore, the door opening device 50b is arranged behind the upper end of the right door 20b. Like the door opening device 50a, the door opening device 50b includes a solenoid, and when a current is supplied to a coil included in the solenoid, the plunger 50b1 moves forward and pushes the right door 20b forward. Thereby, the door opening device 50b can automatically open the right door 20b.

(3) Electrical configuration of refrigerator 1 As shown in FIG. , operation display section 25, door opening operation section 26a, 26b, opening/closing detection section 33a, 33b, first blower 42, second blower 46, compressor 48, door opening device 50a, 50b, sound output section 51, sound detection section Electrical components such as 52 are electrically connected.

The control unit 7 receives detection signals from various detection units such as the refrigerator compartment temperature detection unit 15, the freezer compartment temperature detection unit 16, and the opening/closing detection units 33a and 33b, as well as operation signals output from the operation display unit 25 according to user operations. etc. are input, the settings of the operating intensity of the first blower 42 and the second blower 46, the setting of the operating frequency of the compressor 48, etc. are controlled based on the control program stored in the storage unit 8. Cool each chamber to a predetermined temperature.

Further, when the detection signals from the door opening operation units 26a and 26b are input, the control unit 7 controls the operation of the door opening devices 50a and 50b to open the left door 20a and the right door 20b.

(4) Control of the door opening devices 50a, 50b by the control section 7 Next, control of the door opening devices 50a, 50b by the control section 7 will be explained.

When the door opening operation section 26a provided on the left door 20a receives an operation from the user, the control section 7 moves the plunger 50a1 forward by supplying a drive current to the door opening device 50a. Push the left door 20a forward and open the left door 20a. Further, when the door opening operation section 26b provided on the right door 20b receives an operation from the user, the control section 7 supplies a drive current to the door opening device 50b to move the plunger 50b1 forward. to push the right door 20b forward and open the right door 20b.

Further, the control unit 7 functions as an estimation unit 71 and an output adjustment unit 72 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 8. The estimating unit 71 and the output adjusting unit 72 cause the plunger 50a1 and the plunger 50b1 to move the left door 20a and the right door 20b forward when the door opening device 50a and the door opening device 50b open the left door 20a and the right door 20b. Adjust the pressing force.

Note that the control of the door opening device 50a and the door opening device 50b differs in the magnitude of the pressing force of the plungers 50a1 and 50b1, but since the basic control is common, the control of the door opening device 50a will be explained. However, a description of the control of the door opening device 50b will be omitted.

Specifically, the estimation unit 71 estimates the opening force required to open the left door 20a. The opening force estimated by the estimator 71 may be the magnitude of the opening force of the left door 20a measured by an opening force measurement test specified in the Japanese Industrial Standards (JISA 1519:2020); The force required to move the left door 20a from the closed position where the front side of the refrigerator compartment 10 is closed to the predetermined open position can be set in multiple stages (for example, in 3 stages of "large", "medium", and "small"). ) may be the evaluation results evaluated.

In the present embodiment, the estimation unit 71 calculates the detected temperature Ta of the refrigerator compartment 10 detected by the refrigerator compartment temperature detection unit 15 in response to the reception of the user's operation by the door opening operation unit 26a, and the previous detected temperature Ta of the left door 20a. Temperature difference ΔT from the detected temperature Tb of the refrigerator compartment 10 detected by the refrigerator compartment temperature detector 15 in response to the detection by the opening/closing detection unit 33a of the closed door (that is, in response to the previous closing of the left door 20a) Based on (ΔT=Tb−Ta), the opening force required to open the left door 20a is estimated. Here, "the left door 20a was closed last time" means that the left door 20a was closed one time ago, that is, the left door 20a was closed for the first time retroactively from the present time, and the most recent It is synonymous with the door being closed.

That is, when the left door 20a was closed last time, air outside the refrigerator is drawn into the refrigerator compartment 10. When the outside air taken into the refrigerator compartment 10 is cooled after the door is closed, the volume decreases due to thermal contraction and the volume decreases due to a decrease in the amount of water vapor contained. Therefore, the larger the temperature difference ΔT is, the smaller the volume of air in the refrigerator compartment 10 becomes, and the pressure difference between the interior of the refrigerator compartment 10 and the atmosphere in which the refrigerator 1 is installed increases, and the left door 20a opens. It becomes difficult to open the door.

Therefore, the estimation unit 71 estimates that the larger the temperature difference ΔT is, the more difficult it is for the left door 20a to open, and the larger the opening force is. For example, if the temperature difference ΔT is 20°C or more, the opening force is estimated to be "large," and if the temperature difference ΔT is 10°C or more but less than 20°C, the opening force is estimated to be "medium." If ΔT is less than 10° C., the opening force is estimated to be “small”.

The output adjustment unit 72 adjusts the pressing force with which the door opening device 50a presses the left door 20a forward based on the opening force estimated by the estimation unit 71. That is, as the opening force estimated by the estimation unit 71 increases, the output adjustment unit 72 adjusts the pressing force so that the pressing force with which the door opening device 50a presses the left door 20a forward becomes larger.

The output adjustment unit 72 adjusts the driving current supplied to the door opening device 50a to adjust the operating amount of the plunger 50a1, thereby adjusting the pressing force with which the plunger 50a1 presses the left door 20a forward.

For example, the output adjustment unit 72 adjusts the total amount of drive current supplied to the door opening device 50a by adjusting the duty ratio of the pulse current supplied to the door opening device 50a. The output adjustment unit 72 increases the duty ratio by setting a longer time period in which the voltage is applied in the ON state, thereby increasing the amount of operation of the plunger 50a1, and increasing the pressing force with which the plunger 50a1 presses the left door 20a forward. becomes larger. Further, by setting the time period in which the voltage is applied in the ON state to be short and reducing the duty ratio, the amount of operation of the plunger 50a1 becomes small, and the pressing force with which the plunger 50a1 presses the left door 20a forward becomes small.

In this embodiment, the output adjustment unit 72 changes the pressing force on the left door 20a generated by the door opening device 50a in stages by adjusting the duty ratio in stages. For example, when the opening force estimated by the estimation unit 71 is “large”, the output adjustment unit 72 sets the duty ratio to D1 (for example, D1 = 80%), and the opening force estimated by the estimation unit 71 is In the case of "medium", the output adjustment section 72 sets the duty ratio to D2 smaller than D1 (for example, D2 = 50%), and when the opening force estimated by the estimation section 71 is "small", the output adjustment section 72 sets the duty ratio to D2 (for example, D2 = 50%). The ratio is set to D3 which is smaller than D2 (for example, D3=20%).

In addition, in this specification, "the detected temperature Ta of the refrigerator compartment 10 detected by the refrigerator compartment temperature detection unit 15 in response to the reception of the user's operation by the door opening operation part 26a" means that the door opening operation part 26a is Not only the detected temperature Ta detected by the refrigerator compartment temperature detection unit 15 when the user's operation is received, but also the refrigerator compartment temperature detected within a predetermined time retroactively from the time when the door opening operation unit 26a receives the user's operation. It may be the detected temperature Ta detected by the section 15 or the detected temperature Ta detected by the refrigerator compartment temperature detecting section 15 within a predetermined time after the door opening operation section 26a receives the user's operation.

For example, when the refrigerator 1 is operating and the refrigerator 10 temperature detecting section 15 periodically detects the temperature of the refrigerator 10 at predetermined intervals (for example, every minute), the door opening operation section 26a is operated by the user. The detected temperature Ta may be the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 10 detected by the refrigerator compartment temperature detection unit 15 within a predetermined period of time retroactively from the time when the door opening operation unit 26a received the user's operation. The temperature of the refrigerator compartment 10 detected by the refrigerator compartment temperature detection unit 15 before the left door 20a is opened may be used as the detected temperature Ta, and when the door opening operation unit 26a receives an operation from the user, the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 10 is In addition to the regular temperature detection of the refrigerator compartment 10 by the room temperature detector 15, the refrigerator compartment temperature detector 15 may detect the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 10, and this may be used as the detected temperature Ta.

In addition, in this specification, "the detected temperature Tb of the refrigerator compartment 10 detected by the refrigerator compartment temperature detection unit 15 in response to the previous detection by the opening/closing detection unit 33a of the closed door of the left door 20a" refers to Not only the detected temperature Tb detected by the refrigerator compartment temperature detection unit 15 when the closed door opening/closing detection unit 33a detects the temperature, but also the temperature Tb detected by the opening/closing detection unit 33a of the left door 20a when the closed door is detected by the opening/closing detection unit 33a. The detected temperature Tb detected by the room temperature detection section 15 may be used.

(5) Effect In the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment, as the opening force of the left door 20a estimated by the estimation unit 71 increases, the output adjustment unit 72 increases the pressing force generated by the door opening device 50a, so that the output adjustment unit 72 increases the pressing force generated by the door opening device 50a. The door can be opened by pressing force.

(6) Modification Example Modification examples of the above embodiment will be described. Any one of the plurality of modification examples described below may be applied to the above embodiment, or any two or more of the modification examples described below may be applied in combination. good. Moreover, various changes are possible in addition to the following example of change.

(Change example 1)
An outside temperature detection unit is provided to detect the temperature of the atmosphere in which the refrigerator 1 is installed, and the estimation unit 71 calculates the temperature of the refrigerator detected by the refrigerator room temperature detection unit 15 in response to the door opening operation unit 26a receiving the user's operation. Temperature difference ΔT'(ΔT'=Tc- Based on Ta), the opening force required to open the left door 20a may be estimated.

The larger the temperature difference ΔT' is, the smaller the volume of air in the refrigerator compartment 10 is due to thermal contraction and the decrease in the amount of water vapor. 20a becomes difficult to open.

Therefore, in this modified example, the estimation unit 71 calculates that the larger the temperature difference ΔT' is, the greater the pressure difference between the inside of the refrigerator compartment 10 and the atmosphere in which the refrigerator 1 is installed, the more difficult it becomes to open the left door 20a, and the greater the opening force is. We estimate that.

Even in this modified example, the estimation unit 71 can estimate the opening force of the left door 20a, and can open the left door 20a with an appropriate pressing force.

Note that "detected temperature Tc detected by the outside temperature detection section in response to the previous detection by the opening/closing detection section 33a of the closed door of the left door 20a" refers to the detected temperature Tc detected by the opening/closing detection section 33a of the closed door of the left door 20a. Sometimes, not only the detected temperature Tc detected by the outside temperature detection section, but also the detected temperature Tc detected by the outside temperature detection section within a predetermined period of time from when the opening/closing detection section 33a detects the closing of the left door 20a. , it may be the detected temperature Tc detected by the outside temperature detecting section until a predetermined time has elapsed after the opening/closing detecting section 33a detects that the left door 20a is closed.

(Change example 2)
A humidity detection unit that detects the humidity of the refrigerator compartment 10 is provided, and the estimation unit 71 calculates the detected humidity of the refrigerator compartment 10 detected by the humidity detection unit in response to the previous detection by the opening/closing detection unit 33a of the left door 20a. Based on H, the opening force required to open the left door 20a may be estimated.

In other words, the detected humidity H of the refrigerator compartment 10 detected by the humidity detection unit when the opening/closing detection unit 33a detected the previous closed door of the left door 20a, or the detection humidity H of the refrigerator compartment 10 when the opening/closing detection unit 33a detected the previous closed door of the left door 20a. The opening force required to open the left door 20a may be estimated based on the detected humidity H of the refrigerator compartment 10 detected by the humidity detection section until a predetermined time has elapsed since then.

The larger the detected humidity H is, the smaller the volume of the outside air taken into the refrigerator compartment 10 is due to the decrease in the amount of water vapor it contains when it is cooled after closing the door. The difference in air pressure between the left door 20a and the left door 20a increases, making it difficult to open the left door 20a.

Therefore, in this modified example, the estimation unit 71 calculates that the larger the detected humidity H, the greater the pressure difference between the inside of the refrigerator compartment 10 and the atmosphere in which the refrigerator 1 is installed, and the more difficult it becomes to open the left door 20a. presume.

Even in this modified example, the estimation unit 71 can estimate the opening force of the left door 20a, and can open the left door 20a with an appropriate pressing force.

Note that a humidity detection section that detects the humidity of the atmosphere in which the refrigerator 1 is installed is provided, and the estimation section 71 detects the humidity of the refrigerator 1 detected by the humidity detection section in response to the detection by the opening/closing detection section 33a of the left door 20a that was previously closed. The opening force required to open the left door 20a may be estimated based on the detected humidity H of the installation atmosphere. That is, the detected humidity H of the installation atmosphere of the refrigerator 1 detected by the humidity detection unit when the opening/closing detection unit 33a detected the previous closed door of the left door 20a, or the detected humidity H of the installation atmosphere of the refrigerator 1 detected by the opening/closing detection unit 33a of the previous closed door of the left door 20a. The detected humidity H of the atmosphere in which the refrigerator 1 is installed is detected by the humidity detecting section within a predetermined period of time from the time when the left door 20a was closed, and the detected humidity H of the atmosphere in which the refrigerator 1 is installed is detected within a predetermined period of time from the time when the left door 20a was previously closed by the opening/closing detection section 33a. The opening force required to open the left door 20a may be estimated based on the detected humidity H of the atmosphere in which the refrigerator 1 is installed, which is detected by the humidity detection section.

(Change example 3)
A refrigerator room pressure detection unit that detects the atmospheric pressure inside the refrigerator compartment 10 and an outside air pressure detection unit that detects the atmospheric pressure of the atmosphere in which the refrigerator 1 is installed are provided. In response to the reception, the opening force is estimated based on the pressure difference ΔB (ΔB=Bb−Ba) between the detected atmospheric pressure Ba detected by the refrigerator room pressure detection unit and the detected atmospheric pressure Bb detected by the outside pressure detection unit. .

In other words, when the door opening operation section 26a receives the user's operation, the estimating section 71 calculates whether the door opening operation section 26a Until a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the reception of the user's operation, the refrigerator compartment air pressure detection unit and the outside air pressure detection unit detect the detected air pressure Ba and the detected air pressure Bb, and obtain the air pressure difference ΔB. Then, the estimating unit 71 estimates that the larger the acquired air pressure difference ΔB is, the harder it is to open the left door 20a and the larger the opening force is.

Even in this modified example, the estimation unit 71 can estimate the opening force of the left door 20a, and can open the left door 20a with an appropriate pressing force.

(Change example 4)
A door weight detection unit is provided to detect the weight of the left door 20a, and the period from when the left door 20a was previously closed until the left door 20a is opened (for example, immediately after the left door 20a is closed, or when the left door 20a is The larger the detected weight detected by the door weight detection section (immediately before the left door 20a opens), the estimation section 71 estimates that the left door 20a is difficult to open and the opening force is large.

The door weight detection section may be a weight sensor that is provided on the bottom surface of the door storage section 32a provided in the left door 20a and detects the weight of the stored items stored in the door storage section. Further, the door weight detection section may be a weight sensor that is provided on the lower support section 31a that supports the lower part of the left door 20a and detects the weight of the left door 20a supported by the lower support section 31a.

Even in this modified example, the estimation unit 71 can estimate the opening force of the left door 20a, and can open the left door 20a with an appropriate pressing force.

(Change example 5)
A tilt detection section for detecting the tilt of the refrigerator body 2 is provided, and the estimation section 71 estimates the opening force necessary to open the left door 20a based on the tilt of the refrigerator body 2 detected by the tilt detection section. It's okay.

Specifically, the inclination detection unit detects the inclination angle θ of the front surface of the refrigerator main body 2 with respect to the vertical direction as the inclination of the refrigerator main body 2. The estimation unit 71 estimates that the larger the inclination angle θ in the direction in which the front side of the refrigerator main body 2 is tilted forward as it goes upward, the greater the force of gravity pulling the left door 20a forward, and therefore the smaller the opening force is. In addition, the estimating unit 71 estimates that the larger the inclination angle θ in the direction in which the front side of the refrigerator main body 2 is tilted upward and backward, the larger the force of gravity pulling the left door 20a rearward, and therefore the larger the opening force is. do.

For example, a pendulum-type or float-type tilt sensor, an acceleration sensor, or the like can be used as the tilt detection section. The inclination detection unit can be installed at any position of the refrigerator 1, such as the refrigerator main body 2 or the left door 20a, but since it is easy to accurately measure the inclination angle θ, it can be installed at the top of the opening where the left door 20a opens and closes. It is preferable to provide it at the upper part of the left door 20a.

Even in this modified example, the estimation unit 71 can estimate the opening force of the left door 20a, and can open the left door 20a with an appropriate pressing force.

Note that the inclination detection section can detect the inclination angle θ at any timing while the left door 20a is closed.

(Change example 6)
The output adjustment unit 72 adjusts the pressing force with which the door opening device 50a presses the left door 20a forward based on the opening force estimated by the estimation unit 71 and the user's operation on the operation display unit 25. good.

That is, the operation display unit 25 receives an operation from the user to adjust the pressing force of the door opening device 50a. The operation display section 25 adjusts the pressing force of the door opening device 50a in multiple levels (for example, three levels of "large", "medium", and "small", nine levels from "strength 1" to "strength 9", etc.). ) or can be set steplessly.

When the operation display section 25 receives the setting of the pressing force of the door opening device 50a from the user, the output adjustment section 72 causes the door opening device 50a to open the left door 20a based on the pressing force set from the operation display section 25. Temporarily set the pressing force to press forward.

Then, the output adjustment unit 72 determines the pressing force with which the door opening device 50a presses the left door 20a forward by adjusting the temporarily set pressing force based on the opening force estimated by the estimating unit 71.

For example, in a case where the operation display unit 25 can set the pressing force of the door opening device 50a in three levels: “large”, “medium”, and “small”, the setting of the pressing force received from the operation display unit 25 is “ If “large”, the output adjustment unit 72 temporarily sets the duty ratio of the pulse current supplied to the door opening device 50a to D1 (for example, D1 = 80%), and sets the pressing force received from the operation display unit 25. is "medium", the output adjustment unit 72 temporarily sets the duty ratio to D2 (for example, D2 = 50%), which is smaller than D1, and the pressing force setting received from the operation display unit 25 is "small". Then, the output adjustment unit 72 temporarily sets the duty ratio to D3, which is smaller than D2 (for example, D3=20%).

Then, the output adjustment unit 72 increases the temporarily set duty ratio by a predetermined amount when the opening force estimated by the estimation unit 71 is “large”, and when the opening force estimated by the estimation unit 71 is “medium” , by maintaining the temporarily set duty ratio of the door opening device 50a as it is, and when the opening force estimated by the estimation unit 71 is "small", reducing the temporarily set duty ratio of the door opening device 50a by a predetermined amount, The duty ratio of the pulse current supplied to the door opening device 50a is determined.

Thereby, the output adjustment section 72 corrects the duty ratio temporarily set based on the pressing force received from the operation display section 25, within a predetermined range, based on the opening force estimated by the estimation section 71.

Note that in this modification, it is preferable to set a range of modifiable duty ratios so that the duty ratios do not overlap with different pressing forces that can be set from the operation display section 25.

For example, when the pressing force setting received from the operation display unit 25 is “large”, the output adjustment unit 72 adjusts the duty ratio range from 70% to 90% based on the opening force estimated by the estimation unit 71. %, when the pressing force setting received from the operation display unit 25 is “medium”, the range of duty ratio that can be modified by the output adjustment unit 72 is set to a range smaller than 70% (for example, 40% to 60%). ) and the pressing force setting received from the operation display unit 25 is “small”, the range of duty ratio that can be modified by the output adjustment unit 72 is set to a range smaller than 40% (for example, 10% to 30%). ) is preferable.

In this modification, the pressing force of the door opening device 50a set by the user from the operation display section 25 is adjusted based on the opening force estimated by the estimation section 71. Therefore, it is possible to give priority to the pressing force set by the user and to modify it according to the opening force of the left door 20a, so that the left door 20a can be opened with an appropriate pressing force.

(Change example 7)
In modification example 6, a case has been described in which the pressing force of the door opening device 50a set by the user from the operation display section 25 is adjusted based on the opening force estimated by the estimating section 71. The pressing force of the door opening device 50a may be temporarily set based on the force, and the temporarily set pressing force may be adjusted based on the pressing force of the door opening device 50a set by the user from the operation display section 25.

For example, when evaluating the opening force estimated by the estimation unit 71 in three stages of “large”, “medium”, and “small”, if the opening force estimated by the estimation unit 71 is “large”, the output adjustment unit 72 temporarily sets the duty ratio of the pulse current supplied to the door opening device 50a to D1 (for example, D1 = 80%), and when the opening force estimated by the estimation unit 71 is “medium”, the output adjustment unit 72 temporarily sets the duty ratio to D2 (for example, D2 = 50%), which is smaller than D1, and if the opening force estimated by the estimation unit 71 is “small”, the output adjustment unit 72 sets the duty ratio to D3 (for example, D2 = 50%), which is smaller than D2. For example, it is temporarily set to D3=20%).

Then, when the setting of the pressing force received from the operation display unit 25 is “large”, the output adjustment unit 72 increases the temporarily set duty ratio by a predetermined amount, and the setting of the pressing force received from the operation display unit 25 increases. If it is "medium", the temporarily set duty ratio of the door opening device 50a is maintained as it is, and if the setting of the pressing force received from the operation display section 25 is "small", the temporarily set duty ratio of the door opening device 50a is maintained. By reducing the ratio by a predetermined amount, the duty ratio of the pulse current supplied to the door opening device 50a is determined. Thereby, the output adjustment section 72 corrects the duty ratio temporarily set based on the opening force estimated by the estimating section 71, within a predetermined range, based on the pressing force setting received from the operation display section 25.

In addition, in this modification, it is preferable to set the range of duty ratios that can be corrected so that a portion of the duty ratios overlap between the different opening forces estimated by the estimation unit 71.

For example, when the opening force estimated by the estimation unit 71 is “large”, the output adjustment unit 72 sets the range of the duty ratio that can be modified to 60% to 100% based on the pressing force received from the operation display unit 25. When set, when the opening force estimated by the estimation unit 71 is “medium”, the upper limit of the range of duty ratio that can be corrected by the output adjustment unit 72 is set to exceed 60% (for example, 30% to 70%). is set so that when the opening force estimated by the estimation unit 71 is “small”, the upper limit of the duty ratio range that can be corrected by the output adjustment unit 72 exceeds 30% (for example, 10% to 40%). ) is preferable.

In this way, by giving priority to the opening force estimated by the estimation unit 71 and temporarily setting the pressing force of the door opening device 50a, the pressing force that reflects the user's wishes can be set while considering the opening force of the left door 20a. The left door 20a can be opened.

(Change example 8)
When the operation display unit 25 receives an operation from the user to adjust the pressing force of the door opening device 50a, the output adjustment unit 72 adjusts the user's response to the operation display unit 25 without considering the opening force estimated by the estimation unit 71. Based on the operation, the pressing force with which the door opening device 50a presses the left door 20a forward may be adjusted.

Further, when the operation display section 25 receives an operation from the user to adjust the pressing force of the door opening device 50a, the opening force estimated by the estimating section 71 and the user's operation on the operation display section 25 are used. Adjust the pressing force of the door opening device 50a, or adjust the pressing force of the door opening device 50a based on the user's operation on the operation display section 25 without considering the opening force estimated by the estimation section 71. Alternatively, the user may be able to select from the operation display section 25.

(Change example 9)
In Modification Examples 6 to 8, the case where the user adjusts the pressing force of the door opening device 50a from the operation display section 25 provided on the left door 20a has been described. The pressing force of the door opening device 50a may be adjusted from the communication terminal.

(Change example 10)
The output adjustment section 72 may adjust the pressing force of the door opening device 50a based on the sound detected by the sound detection section 52 provided in the refrigerator main body 2.

For example, the control unit 7 includes an abnormal noise detection unit that detects abnormal noise. Here, the abnormal noise is a sound that is different from the sound normally generated when the refrigerator 1 is used. When the sound detection unit 52 detects the sound generated when the left door 20a is opened, the abnormal noise detection unit compares the sound detected by the sound detection unit 52 with the normal sound model stored in the storage unit 8. By doing so, abnormal noise generated from the upper support part 30a and the lower support part 31a that support the left door 20a is detected.

Then, when the abnormal noise detection unit detects an abnormal noise, the output adjustment unit 72 sets the pressing force (duty ratio) of the door opening device 50a to be smaller than when the abnormal noise detection unit does not detect an abnormal noise, The operation of the door opening device 50a may be stopped.

In this modification example, when abnormal noise is generated from the upper support part 30a and the lower support part 31a, the door can be opened by reducing the pressing force of the door opening device 50a or stopping the operation of the door opening device 50a. It is possible to soften the impact that sometimes acts on the side support part 30a and the lower support part 31a, and it is possible to prevent damage to the upper support part 30a and the lower support part 31a.

In addition, in this modified example, when the abnormal noise detection section detects an abnormal noise, it outputs a sound that tells that the upper support part 30a and the lower support part 31a are damaged, a sound that recommends that the refrigerator 1 be replaced, etc. It may also be output from the section 51.

(Change example 11)
In the above-described embodiments and modifications, the case where the left door 20a is opened by the door-opening device 50a has been described. Alternatively, a door-opening device for pushing the pull-out doors 21, 22, 23, 24 forward may be provided and the present invention may be applied to controlling the pressing force of the door-opening device.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments and modified examples, the left door 20a and the right door 20b that open double doors are provided in the refrigerator compartment 10, but one rotating door is provided in the refrigerator compartment 10, and the rotating door is opened. The embodiments and modifications described above may be applied to control the pressing force of the door opening device.

(Change example 12)
In the embodiments and modifications described above, the same control may be applied to the door opening device 50a regardless of whether the right door 20b is opened or closed, or different controls may be applied.

In other words, when the door opening operation unit 26a receives an operation from the user while the left door 20a and the right door 20b are closed, the control of the door opening device 50a described above is applied, and the right door 20b is already opened. When the door opening operation section 26a receives an operation from the user while the door is closed, the door opening operation section 26a performs different control than when the door opening operation section 26a receives an operation from the user when the right door 20b is closed. Good too.

For example, as in Modification Example 4, the estimation unit 71 detects the opening force based on the detection result of the door weight detection unit, or as in Modification Example 5, the estimation unit 71 detects the opening force based on the detection result of the inclination detection unit. When detecting force, the same control may be applied to the door opening device 50a regardless of whether the right door 20b is open or closed. In addition, the detection result of the refrigerator temperature detection unit 15 as in the embodiment, the detection result of the refrigerator compartment temperature detection unit 15 and the outside temperature detection unit as in the first modification, and the detection result of the humidity detection unit as in the second modification. When the estimation unit 71 detects the opening force based on the detection results of the refrigerator compartment pressure detection unit and the outside pressure detection unit as in Modification Example 3, it is assumed that the left door 20a and the right door 20b are closed. When the door-opening operation section 26a receives an operation from the user in the state where the right door 20b is already open, the door-opening operation section 26a applies the control of the door opening device 50a as described above. When the user's operation is received, the door opening operation section 26a may perform different control than when the user's operation is received with the right door 20b closed.

1... Refrigerator, 2... Refrigerator body, 7... Control unit, 8... Storage unit, 10... Refrigerator compartment, 11... Vegetable compartment, 12... Ice making compartment, 20a... Left door, 20b... Right door, 25... Operation display unit, 26a... Door opening operation section, 26b... Door opening operation section, 33a... Opening/closing detection section, 33b... Opening/closing detection section, 50a... Door opening device, 50a1... Plunger, 50b... Door opening device, 50b1... Plunger, 51... Sound output Device, 52... Sound detection section, 71... Estimation section, 72... Output adjustment section

Claims (11)

A refrigerator main body provided with a storage chamber having an opening on the front side, a door provided in the opening, a door opening device that presses the door forward to open the door, and a door opening device that opens the door by pressing the door forward. an estimating unit that estimates the opening force required for the opening, and an output adjusting unit that adjusts the pressing force with which the door opening device presses the door,
In the refrigerator, the output adjustment unit adjusts the pressing force with which the door opening device presses the door based on the opening force estimated by the estimation unit. A temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the storage room, a door opening operation unit that receives an operation from a user who operates the door opening device, and an opening/closing detection unit that detects opening and closing of the door,
The estimation unit is configured to calculate the temperature of the storage room detected by the temperature detection unit in response to the door opening operation unit accepting the operation, and the temperature in the storage room detected by the opening/closing detection unit in response to the previous closing of the door. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the opening force is estimated based on a temperature difference between the opening force and the temperature of the storage chamber detected by the temperature detection section. comprising a humidity detection section that detects the humidity of the storage room or the humidity of the atmosphere in which the refrigerator is installed, and an opening/closing detection section that detects opening/closing of the door,
The estimating unit estimates the opening force based on the humidity of the storage room or the humidity of the atmosphere in which the refrigerator is installed, which is detected by the humidity detecting unit in response to the opening/closing detecting unit detecting the previous closing of the door. The refrigerator according to claim 1. comprising an air pressure difference detection unit that detects an air pressure difference between the air pressure inside the storage chamber and the air pressure of the atmosphere in which the refrigerator is installed;
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the estimator estimates the opening force based on the air pressure difference detected by the air pressure difference detector. comprising a door weight detection section that detects the weight of the door,
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the estimator estimates the opening force based on the weight of the door detected by the door weight detector. The door includes a door storage section for storing stored items on the inside of the door,
The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the door weight detection section detects the weight of stored items stored in the door storage section. comprising a door support part that rotatably supports the door,
The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the door weight detection section detects the weight of the door supported by the door support section. comprising a tilt detection section that detects a tilt of the refrigerator main body,
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the estimator estimates the opening force based on the inclination of the refrigerator main body detected by the inclination detector. comprising an operation section capable of accepting a user's operation to adjust the pressing force,
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the output adjustment section adjusts the pressing force based on the opening force estimated by the estimation section and a user's operation on the operation section. comprising an operation section capable of accepting a user's operation to adjust the pressing force,
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the output adjustment section adjusts the pressing force based on the user's operation on the operation section when the user operates the operation section. comprising a sound detection unit that detects sound when the door is opened and closed,
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the output adjustment section adjusts the pressing force based on the sound detected by the sound detection section.

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