JP2024033514A - refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator capable of making a user notice an abnormality easily even when a door of the refrigerator is left open.SOLUTION: A refrigerator comprises: a refrigerator body 2 provided with a storage chamber 10 having an opening part on a front surface; a door 20 provided in the opening part; lighting devices 17, 18 that illuminate the inside of the storage chamber 10; a control unit 7 that when the door 20 is in an open state, turns on the lighting devices 17, 18 to illuminate the inside of the storage chamber 10, and when the door 20 is in the open state for a first time T1, changes a lighting mode of the lighting devices 17, 18; and notification means 25 that when the lighting mode of the lighting devices 17, 18 is changed, notifies that the lighting mode of the lighting devices 17, 18 has been changed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a refrigerator.

If the door of a refrigerator is left open for a long time, the cold air inside the refrigerator will leak out and have an adverse effect on the temperature inside the refrigerator. Therefore, if the refrigerator door is left open for a long time, the lighting device that illuminates the inside of the refrigerator may be turned on or off, or the brightness of the lighting device may be changed to make the user aware that the door remains open for a long time. Refrigerators that call attention to this are known (for example, see Patent Document 1 below). In such a refrigerator, it is possible to gently notify the user that the door will remain open for a long time, thereby making it less likely that the user will be bothered.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-164250

However, even if the brightness of the lighting device is changed to alert the user that the door has been left open for a long time, the intention may not be conveyed to the user, leading to a misunderstanding that the lighting device is malfunctioning. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can reduce misunderstandings that may occur when a door is left open for a long time by changing the brightness of a lighting device to call attention to the fact that a door remains open for a long time.

A refrigerator according to an embodiment includes a refrigerator main body provided with a storage chamber having an opening on the front surface, a door provided in the opening, a lighting device for illuminating the inside of the storage chamber, and a refrigerator body in which the door is in an open state. a control unit that turns on the lighting device to illuminate the inside of the storage room when the door is open for a first period of time, and changes a lighting mode of the lighting device when the door is continuously open for a first time; When the mode is changed, the lighting device includes the notification means for notifying that the lighting mode of the lighting device has been changed.

A perspective view showing a state in which the door of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment is opened. Cross-sectional view of the refrigerator in Figure 1 Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the refrigerator in Figure 1 Flow diagram showing control of the lighting device 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. Embodiment 1
(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 and 2, 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.

As shown in FIG. 2, a first lighting device 17 is housed in the upper wall of the refrigerator main body 2, which forms the ceiling surface of the refrigerator compartment 10, in a recess that sinks upward from the inside of the refrigerator (that is, toward the heat-insulating space side). ing. The first lighting device 17 includes a circuit board on which a light source such as an LED is arranged, and illuminates the inside of the refrigerator compartment 10 from above.

In the space below the heat insulating partition wall 3, an ice making compartment 12 equipped with an automatic ice maker 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 or lower) based on the temperature detected by the freezing compartment temperature detection unit 16 provided at the rear of the second freezing compartment 14. ).

The front opening of the refrigerator compartment 10 is closed by a pair of left and right rotatable refrigerator compartment doors 20 rotatably supported by hinges 27 provided on both left and right sides of the refrigerator body 2. On the storage compartment side of the refrigerator compartment door 20, a throat portion 20a that projects rearward toward the refrigerator compartment 10 projects in the shape of a rectangular frame surrounding the peripheral edge of the refrigerator compartment door 20. Inside the space surrounded by the throat portion 20a, door storage portions 28 are provided vertically at intervals.

A second lighting device 18 is provided on the hinge 27 side of the throat portion 20a to illuminate the inside of the refrigerator compartment 10 from the front of the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 10 when the refrigerator compartment door 20 is opened. The second lighting device 18 includes a circuit board on which a light source such as an LED is disposed, and the light source emits light toward the outside of the throat portion 33 provided so as to surround the peripheral edge of the refrigerator compartment 10 on the storage compartment side. It is arranged to emit. When the refrigerator compartment door 20 is in an open state as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, light is emitted toward the refrigerator compartment 10 from the front of the front opening.

On the outside (front side) of one of the left and right refrigerator compartment doors 20 (for example, the left refrigerator compartment door 20), there is an operation that allows you to input the operating mode setting of the refrigerator 1 and check the operating status of the refrigerator 1. A display section 25 is provided. 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.

An opening/closing detection section 29 is provided at the periphery of the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 10. The opening/closing detection unit 29 detects whether the refrigerator compartment door 20 is in an open state or a closed state.

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. Storage containers 21a, 23a, 24a are provided on the back side of each pull-out door 21, 22, 23, 24.

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 is circulated through these storage compartments, then sucked into the second cooler compartment 44, and cooled again by the second cooler 45. Ru.

As shown in FIG. 2, a machine room 5 is provided at the rear of the lower part 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.

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 (see FIG. 3). The control unit 7 is connected to a 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. Thereby, the control unit 7 is connected to the external server.

(2) Electrical configuration of refrigerator 1 As shown in FIG. , an operation display section 25, an opening/closing detection section 29, a first blower 42, a second blower 46, a compressor 48, and other electrical components are electrically connected.

The control unit 7 receives detection signals from various detection units such as the refrigerator temperature detection unit 15, the freezer temperature detection unit 16, and the opening/closing detection unit 29, as well as operation signals output from the operation display unit 25 according to user operations. When input, based on the control program stored in the storage section 8, predetermined information such as the operating state of the refrigerator 1 is displayed on the operation display section 25, and the operating intensity of the first blower 42 and the second blower 46 is displayed. , and the operating frequency of the compressor 48, each chamber is cooled to a predetermined temperature.

Further, when the opening/closing detection unit 29 detects the open state of the refrigerator compartment door 20, the control unit 7 causes the light sources provided in the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 to be turned on while maintaining a constant brightness. Lighting control is executed to illuminate the inside of the refrigerator compartment 10. Furthermore, when the open/close detector 29 detects the open state for a predetermined period of time or more, the control unit 7 executes open notification control to notify the user of the open state of the refrigerator compartment door 20.

(3) Opening notification control by the control section 7 Next, the opening notification control by the control section 7 will be explained with reference to FIG. 4.

In the open notification control, when the time period during which the refrigerator compartment door 20 remains open (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "door opening time") reaches a predetermined time or more, the first lighting device 17 and the first lighting device 17 are activated. By changing the lighting mode of at least one of the two lighting devices 18 and changing the display state on the operation display unit 25, the user can be informed that the lighting state of the first lighting device 17 or the second lighting device 18 has been changed. inform.

Specifically, in step S1, the control unit 7 determines whether the refrigerator compartment door 20 is in an open state based on the detection result of the opening/closing detection unit 29. If the refrigerator compartment door 20 is not in the open state (that is, if it is in the closed state), the process proceeds to step S14, where the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 are turned off, and the open notification control is ended. If the refrigerator compartment door 20 is in the open state, the process advances to step S2.

In step S2, the control unit 7 performs normal lighting control, and lights the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 while maintaining constant brightness. For example, in normal lighting control, the duty ratio of the pulse current supplied to the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 is set to 100% to illuminate the refrigerator compartment 10 with a constant brightness.

In step S3, the control unit 7 determines whether the opening time of the refrigerator compartment door 20 is longer than the first time T1 (for example, T1=1 minute). If the opening time of the refrigerator compartment door 20 has not reached the first time T1 (No in step S3), the process returns to step S1 and the opening time of the refrigerator compartment door 20 does not reach the first time T1, or until the opening time of the refrigerator compartment door 20 reaches the first time T1. Steps S1 and S2 are repeated until the normal lighting control is continued. Moreover, when the opening time of the refrigerator compartment door 20 reaches the first time T1 or more, the process proceeds to step S4.

In step S4, the control unit 7 causes the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 to perform the first lighting and the second lighting, which is lower in brightness than the first lighting, a predetermined number of times (for example, six times each). ) Execute alternately repeated first lighting control.

For example, in the first lighting control, a first lighting is performed in which a pulse current with a duty ratio of 100% is supplied to the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18, and a pulse current with a duty ratio of 50% is supplied to the first lighting device 17. and the second lighting supplied to the second lighting device 18 are alternately supplied for a predetermined period of time a predetermined number of times. Thereby, the brightness of the refrigerator compartment 10 is changed a predetermined number of times while the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 are turned on. After changing the brightness of the refrigerator compartment 10 a predetermined number of times, a current with a duty ratio of 100% is supplied to the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 to perform control similar to normal lighting control.

Further, the control unit 7 executes notification control for changing the display state on the operation display unit 25 as well as the first lighting control. By executing the notification control, the lighting mode of the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 is changed from the normal lighting control to the first lighting control, and the refrigerator compartment door 20 is continuously opened for a predetermined period of time. Inform the user of this.

For example, in the notification control, the display state on the operation display section 25 may be changed such as turning on or blinking a warning light on the operation display section 25, or displaying on the operation display section 25 that the refrigerator compartment door 20 is open. to change from the display state during normal lighting control. The user is notified that the lighting mode of the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 has been changed from the normal lighting control to the first lighting control by notifying the user using a means separate from the lighting control that prompts the door to close.

In addition, notification content that is provided by means other than the lighting control that prompts the door to close may include, for example, ``Lighting is being changed due to the door remaining open'', which changes the lighting mode when the door remains open for a predetermined period of time or more. It is not limited to something that indicates that the lighting mode has been changed, even if it simply calls attention to the continuation of the door opening time, such as "door open" or "door ajar," without clearly indicating that the lighting mode has changed. good.

In addition, the notification control may be performed only while the brightness of the refrigerator compartment 10 is being changed a predetermined number of times, or may be performed while the brightness of the refrigerator compartment 10 is being changed a predetermined number of times, and the notification control may be performed while the brightness of the refrigerator compartment 10 is being changed a predetermined number of times. Notification control may also be performed while the control is being performed.

Next, in step S5, the control unit 7 determines whether the refrigerator compartment door 20 is closed based on the detection result of the opening/closing detection unit 29. If the opening/closing detection unit 29 detects that the refrigerator compartment door 20 is closed, the process proceeds to step S14, where the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 are turned off, the notification control is ended, and the opening notification control is ended. If the opening/closing detection section 29 does not detect that the refrigerator compartment door 20 is closed, the process advances to step S6.

In step S6, the control unit 7 determines whether the opening time of the refrigerator compartment door 20 has reached a second time T2 (for example, T2=3 minutes) or longer, which is longer than the first time T1. If the opening time of the refrigerator compartment door 20 has not reached the second time T2 (No in step S6), return to step S5, and if the opening time of the refrigerator compartment door 20 has reached the second time T2 or more, step Proceed to S7.

In step S7, the control unit 7 performs second lighting control on the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18, which alternately repeats the first lighting and the second lighting with lower brightness than the first lighting. After that, the process advances to step S8.

The second lighting control is performed by changing the duty ratio of the current supplied to the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18, so that the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 are turned on. Control similar to the first lighting control described above is performed in that the brightness of the lighting is changed. However, in the second lighting control, unlike the first lighting control, there is no limit to the number of times the brightness of the refrigerator compartment 10 is changed, and as will be described later, until the refrigerator compartment door 20 is closed, or until the refrigerator compartment door 20 is closed. The brightness of the refrigerator compartment 10 continues to be changed until the door open state reaches the third time T3.

In addition to the second lighting control, the control unit 7 also performs notification control on the operation display unit 25, such as turning on a warning light on the operation display unit 25. Note that the notification control in step S7 may be similar to the notification control executed in step S4 described above, or may be different from the notification control executed in step S4.

In step S8, the control unit 7 determines whether the refrigerator compartment door 20 is closed based on the detection result of the opening/closing detection unit 29. If the opening/closing detection unit 29 detects that the refrigerator compartment door 20 is closed, the process proceeds to step S14, where the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 are turned off, the notification control is ended, and the opening notification control is ended. If the opening/closing detection section 29 does not detect the closing of the refrigerator compartment door 20, the process advances to step S9.

In step S9, the control unit 7 determines whether the opening time of the refrigerator compartment door 20 has reached a third time T3 (eg, T3=5 minutes) or longer, which is longer than the second time T2. If the opening time of the refrigerator compartment door 20 has not reached the third time T3 (No in step S9), the process returns to step S8, and if the opening time of the refrigerator compartment door 20 has reached the third time T3 or more (step (Yes in S9), the process advances to step S10.

In other words, when the opening time of the refrigerator compartment door 20 reaches the second time T2 (Yes in step S6), the control unit 7 controls the operation of the refrigerator compartment door 20 until the opening time of the refrigerator compartment door 20 reaches the second time T2 (Yes in step S6). The second lighting control continues to change the brightness of the refrigerator compartment 10 until the door opening time reaches the third time T3 (step S9).

In step S10, the control unit 7 executes third lighting control for the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18, which alternately repeats turning on and off, and lights up a warning light on the operation display unit 25. Notification control is performed on the operation display unit 25, such as to cause the display to appear, and then the process proceeds to step S11.

Note that the notification control in step S10 may be similar to the notification control executed in step S4 or step S7 described above, or may be different from the notification control executed in step S4 or step S7. good.

In step S11, the control unit 7 determines whether the refrigerator compartment door 20 is closed based on the detection result of the opening/closing detection unit 29. If the opening/closing detection unit 29 detects that the refrigerator compartment door 20 is closed, the process proceeds to step S14, where the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 are turned off, the notification control is ended, and the opening notification control is ended. If the opening/closing detection unit 29 does not detect the closing of the refrigerator compartment door 20, the process advances to step S12.

In step S12, the control unit 7 determines whether the opening time of the refrigerator compartment door 20 has reached a fourth time T4 (eg, T4=10 minutes) or longer, which is longer than the third time T3. If the opening time of the refrigerator compartment door 20 has not reached the fourth time T4 (No in step S12), the process returns to step S11, and if the opening time of the refrigerator compartment door 20 has reached the fourth time T4 or more (step (Yes in S9), the process advances to step S13.

That is, when the opening time of the refrigerator compartment door 20 reaches the third time T3 or more (Yes in step S9), the control unit 7 controls the operation of the refrigerator compartment door 20 until the refrigerator compartment door 20 is closed (step S11). The first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 continue to blink until the door opening time reaches the fourth time T4 (step S12).

In step S13, the control unit 7 ends the third lighting control for the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 while performing notification control on the operation display unit 25, such as turning on a warning light on the operation display unit 25. Then, the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 are turned off, and the opening notification control is ended.

(4) Effect In this embodiment, when the opening time of the refrigerator compartment door 20 reaches the first time T1 or more, the control for the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 is changed from normal lighting control to first lighting control. to change the lighting mode of the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18, and perform notification control to notify the user that the lighting mode of the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 has been changed. Execute. Therefore, even in situations where it is difficult for the user to notice changes in the lighting modes of the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18, such as when the environment in which the refrigerator 1 is installed is bright or when the opening degree of the refrigerator compartment door 20 is small. , it can be known from the notification control that the refrigerator compartment door 20 is in the open state.

In this embodiment, in order to execute notification control, even if the lighting mode of the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 changes from normal lighting control to first lighting control, the refrigerator compartment door 20 remains open for a long time. It is possible to know that the cause is that the refrigerator 1 continues to be damaged, and the user does not misunderstand that the refrigerator 1 is malfunctioning.

In this embodiment, since the first lighting control is performed to change the brightness of the refrigerator compartment 10 with the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 turned on, it is possible to control the lighting even when the environment in which the refrigerator 1 is installed is dark, such as at night. Even when the refrigerator door 20 is continuously open for a predetermined period of time, the user can be informed that the refrigerator door 20 has been opened for a predetermined period of time, while ensuring safety by illuminating the user's hand.

In this embodiment, when the opening time of the refrigerator compartment door 20 reaches the first time T1 or more, the normal lighting control is changed to the first lighting control, and the opening time of the refrigerator compartment door 20 reaches the second time T2 or more. Then, the first lighting control is changed to the second lighting control, and when the opening time of the refrigerator compartment door 20 reaches the third time T3 or more, the second lighting control is changed to the third lighting control, and the opening of the refrigerator compartment door 20 is changed to the third lighting control. As the door time becomes longer, the lighting modes of the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 change, so the user is more likely to notice that the refrigerator compartment door 20 is opened.

Further, in this embodiment, when the opening time of the refrigerator compartment door 20 reaches the fourth time T4 or more, the third lighting control for the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 is ended, and the first lighting device 17 And since the second lighting device 18 is turned off, it is possible to suppress the rise in temperature inside the refrigerator compartment 10 due to the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 being turned on for a long time.

(5) Modification example of Embodiment 1 Modification example of the above embodiment will be explained. 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)
In the first embodiment described above, the first lighting control is to change the brightness of the refrigerator compartment 10 a predetermined number of times, and the second lighting control is to change the brightness of the refrigerator compartment 10 until the refrigerator compartment door 20 is closed or until the refrigerator compartment door 20 is open. By repeatedly changing the brightness and darkness of the refrigerator compartment 10 until reaching the third time T3, and changing the number of repetitions of the brightness and darkness of the refrigerator compartment 10 between the first lighting control and the second lighting control, the first lighting device 17 and Although the lighting mode of the second lighting device 18 has been changed, various configurations can be adopted to change the lighting mode. Also, various configurations can be adopted between the second lighting control and the third lighting control in order to change the lighting mode of the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18.

For example, by changing the cycle of switching the brightness of the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 and changing the speed of switching the brightness of the refrigerator compartment 10, between the first lighting control and the second lighting control, The lighting mode of the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 may be changed. In addition, by changing the difference in brightness between the first lighting and the second lighting, or changing the emitted light color of the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18, the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 can be The lighting mode of the device 18 may be changed.

(Change example 2)
In the first embodiment described above, the operation display section 25 provided on the outside of the refrigerator compartment door 20 is used as a notification means for notifying that the lighting mode of the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 has been changed. Although the notification control is performed by changing the display state of the section 25, for example, an operation display section provided in the refrigerator compartment 10, a user's communication terminal, a speaker provided in the refrigerator 1, etc. may be used as the notification means. Notification control may also be performed.

For example, an operation display section provided in the refrigerator compartment 10 may display that the refrigerator compartment door 20 has been opened for a predetermined period of time, or a user's communication terminal may display the refrigerator door via the device adapter 9 and an external server. Displaying that the compartment door 20 has been open for a predetermined period of time, outputting a sound from a speaker installed in the refrigerator 1 indicating that the refrigerator compartment door 20 has been continuously open for a predetermined period of time, Alternatively, by outputting a warning sound or melody from a speaker installed in the refrigerator 1, the user can be notified that the lighting mode of the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 has been changed from normal lighting control to first lighting control. You may perform notification control to notify.

In addition, as notification control, the display state of the operation display section 25 is changed, and a notification is sent to the user's communication terminal to inform the user that the refrigerator compartment door 20 has been opened for a predetermined period of time. Alternatively, notification control may be performed by combining a plurality of notification means, such as outputting a warning sound or voice from a speaker and changing the display state of the operation display section 25.

(Change example 3)
In the first embodiment described above, the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 are provided as lighting devices for illuminating the refrigerator 1, but only one of them may be provided to illuminate the refrigerator compartment 10.

In the first embodiment described above, in the first lighting control and the second lighting control, the brightness of the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 is switched, but the brightness of only one of the lighting devices is switched, and the brightness of the other lighting device is switched. The lighting device may be turned off or turned on at a constant brightness.

2. Embodiment 2
Next, a second embodiment will be described. Embodiment 2 differs from Embodiment 1 described above in that the lighting mode of the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 during execution of normal lighting control can be changed.

For example, the operation display unit 25 receives a brightness setting from the user as a lighting mode setting for the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18. The operation display unit 25 can set the brightness of the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 in multiple stages (for example, three stages of "high", "medium", and "low"), or can set the brightness of the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 in a stepless manner. Can be set.

When the operation display unit 25 receives settings for the brightness of the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 from the user, the control unit 7 lights up the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 by normal lighting control. The brightness at that time is the brightness set from the operation display section 25.

Moreover, when the opening time of the refrigerator compartment door 20 reaches the first time T1 or more, the control unit 7 executes the first lighting control in which the first lighting and the second lighting are alternately repeated a predetermined number of times. At this time, as the first lighting, the brightness of the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 is set to a constant brightness regardless of the brightness set by the user from the operation display section 25.

For example, in a case where the brightness of the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 during normal lighting control can be set in three levels: “high,” “medium,” and “low,” the operation display unit 25 If the received brightness setting is "high", the duty ratio of the pulse current supplied to the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 in normal lighting control is set to D1 (for example, D1 = 100%), If the brightness setting received from the operation display unit 25 is "medium", the duty ratio of the pulse current supplied to the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 in normal lighting control is set to D2 (for example, D2 = 60%). ), and the brightness setting received from the operation display unit 25 is "low", the duty ratio of the pulse current supplied to the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 in normal lighting control is set to D3 (for example, , D3=25%).

Then, in the first lighting control, the control unit 7 sets the duty ratio to 100 as the first lighting, regardless of whether the brightness received from the operation display unit 25 is “high,” “medium,” or “low.” % pulse current is supplied to the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18, and a pulse current with a duty ratio of 50% is supplied to the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 as second lighting. In other words, when the brightness received from the operation display unit 25 is “medium” or “low”, the control unit 7 controls the lighting mode including lighting at a higher brightness than the brightness received from the operation display unit 25 in the first lighting control. The first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 are operated.

Also, in the second lighting control and the third lighting control, similarly to the first lighting control, regardless of whether the brightness received from the operation display unit 25 is "high", "medium", or "low", As the first lighting, a pulse current with a duty ratio of 100% is supplied to the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18.

In this embodiment, since the user can change the brightness of the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 during execution of normal lighting control, the refrigerator compartment 10 is illuminated at a brightness that is easy for the user to use. can do.

Moreover, even if the brightness setting received from the operation display unit 25 is “medium” or “low”, the first lighting of the first lighting control is performed at a higher brightness than the brightness received from the operation display unit 25. Since the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 are turned on, the refrigerator compartment 10 is easily illuminated during execution of the first lighting control, and the user is more likely to notice that the refrigerator compartment door 20 is opened.

Next, a modification example of the second embodiment will be shown. Note that modifications of the first embodiment are also applicable to the second embodiment.

(Change example 1)
In the second embodiment described above, regardless of whether the brightness received from the operation display unit 25 is "high", "medium", or "low", the first lighting control, the second lighting control, and the third lighting control The first lighting is set to the same brightness as when the brightness setting is "high", but for example, if the brightness received from the operation display unit 25 is "medium", the brightness of the first lighting is set to "medium". The brightness of the first light is also changed in conjunction with the brightness received from the operation display unit 25, such as setting the same brightness or setting the first light to the same brightness as "low" when the brightness is "low". It's okay.

That is, in the second embodiment described above, the first lighting in the first lighting control, the second lighting control, and the third lighting control is set to a constant brightness regardless of the user's brightness setting received from the operation display unit 25. However, the brightness of the first lighting in the first lighting control, the second lighting control, and the third lighting control may be changed according to the user's brightness setting.

In addition, regarding the first lighting, which is the higher brightness of the first lighting control, the brightness is set according to the lighting brightness setting by the user, while the second lighting control and subsequent lighting when the door remains open for a longer period of time. Regarding the first lighting, the brightness may be higher than the brightness setting of the illumination by the user. That is, in the first lighting control, the brightness of the first lighting is set to the brightness corresponding to the user's brightness setting received from the operation display unit 25, and after the first lighting control is executed, the door open state is continued. When performing the second lighting control or the third lighting control, the brightness of the first lighting may be set to a higher brightness than the brightness set by the user from the operation display section 25. In this way, while respecting the user's lighting settings and giving a gentler warning, if the door opens for a longer time, the degree of warning can be increased to more strongly urge the user to close the door.

Further, as described above, instead of changing the brightness as the lighting mode in the lighting control to prompt door closing, or together with the brightness, the color of the emitted light may be changed. For example, in the initial stage of lighting control such as first lighting control, the first lighting and second lighting may emit light in the color set by the user, and the brightness may be adjusted between the first lighting and second lighting. If the door is changed and the door opening time continues, the light may be emitted in a different color than the one set by the user during the first or second lighting, or when both the first and second lighting are switched on. It is possible to emit light in a different color from the one set by the user, or even change the luminance to a different color from the one set by the user and then change the brightness between the first lighting and the second lighting. You may. In this way, by changing the lighting mode of the first lighting and the second lighting to a lighting mode that is different from the lighting mode of the illumination set by the user, it is possible to more strongly urge the user to close the door.

(Change example 2)
In the second embodiment described above, when the brightness setting is received from the operation display unit 25, the brightness at which the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 are lit by normal lighting control is set from the operation display unit 25. Although the brightness has been changed, the brightness at which the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 are turned on by normal lighting control may be changed during a predetermined time period.

For example, during the late night hours from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m., the duty ratio of the pulse current supplied to the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 is set lower than in times other than the midnight hours. , the brightness when the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 are turned on may be set low.

In this modification example, when the refrigerator door 20 remains open for a predetermined period of time or more and the first lighting control, second lighting control, and third lighting control are executed, regardless of whether it is late at night or not. First, the brightness of the first lighting may be set to the same brightness. In addition, when performing the first lighting control, second lighting control, and third lighting control during the late night hours, the brightness of the first lighting is set lower than in times other than the late night hours, and the brightness of the first lighting is set lower than the brightness of the first lighting control. In conjunction with the brightness when the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 are turned on, the brightness of the first lighting may be changed between late-night hours and other times.

Note that the time period for changing the brightness when the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 are turned on by normal lighting control may be a time period stored in advance in the storage unit 8 of the refrigerator 1; , or the time period set by the user from the communication terminal via the external server and device adapter 9.

(Change example 3)
In the second embodiment described above, when the brightness setting is received from the operation display unit 25, the brightness at which the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 are lit by normal lighting control is set from the operation display unit 25. However, the refrigerator 1 is provided with an illuminance detection section that detects the illuminance of the installation environment of the refrigerator 1, and the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device are controlled by normal lighting control based on the detection result of the illuminance detection section. The brightness when 18 is lit may be changed.

For example, when the detection result of the illuminance detection unit provided in the refrigerator 1 is lower than a predetermined illuminance, the brightness when the first illumination device 17 and the second illumination device 18 are turned on by normal lighting control is higher than when the illuminance is higher than the predetermined illuminance. may be set low.

In this modification example, when the refrigerator compartment door 20 is in an open state for a predetermined period of time or more and the first lighting control, second lighting control, and third lighting control are executed as lighting control to prompt the door opening, the illuminance detection unit The brightness of the first lighting may be set to the same brightness regardless of the detection result. In addition, when the detection result of the illuminance detection section is lower than a predetermined illuminance, the brightness of the first lighting is set lower than when the illuminance is above the predetermined illuminance, and the brightness of the first lighting is changed according to the detection result of the illuminance detection section. It's okay.

(Change example 4)
In the above explanation, in the lighting control that prompts the door to open, the lighting control that prompts the door to open is performed by changing the lighting mode such as the brightness, emitted color, and whether or not to emit light between the first lighting and the second lighting. Although it has been described that, in addition to the first lighting and the second lighting, further different lighting modes may be used to perform lighting control that prompts the door to open using three or more types of lighting modes.

(Change example 5)
In the above explanation, the termination condition for the lighting control (see Figure 4) that prompts the door to close is that the door is closed or that the door remains open for a predetermined period of time (T4 elapsed). The lighting control that prompts the user to close the door may be terminated upon receiving an instruction from the person. The operation unit that accepts instructions from the user may be an operation display unit provided on the refrigerator, or may accept instructions from an external communication terminal that is provided to communicate information with the refrigerator. In order to terminate the control that prompts the user to close the door in response to an instruction from the user, a predetermined sound is output when the refrigerator door is opened for a predetermined period of time without depending on the lighting control described above. The present invention can also be applied to the case where control is executed to prompt the closing of the door. By terminating the control that prompts the door to close even when instructions are received from the user, the door can be opened for relatively long periods of time, not just when putting food in and out of the refrigerator, but also when organizing or cleaning the inside of the refrigerator. It is possible to avoid causing trouble to the user by continuing to execute control to prompt the door to close even when the user is aware of this.

(Change example 6)
In the above description, the operation display unit 25 provided on the outside of the refrigerator compartment door 20 was used as the operation unit that accepts the setting of the lighting mode of the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18. The setting of the lighting mode of the first lighting device 17 and the second lighting device 18 may be accepted using an operation display section provided inside or a user's communication terminal as an operation section.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Refrigerator, 2... Refrigerator main body, 7... Control part, 10... Refrigerator compartment, 11... Vegetable compartment, 12... Ice making compartment, 13... First freezing compartment, 14... Second freezing compartment, 17... First lighting device, 18...Second lighting device, 20...Refrigerating compartment door, 25...Operation display section

Claims (5)

A refrigerator body provided with a storage chamber having an opening on the front;
a door provided in the opening;
a lighting device that illuminates the inside of the storage room;
A control unit that turns on the lighting device to illuminate the inside of the storage room when the door is in an open state, and changes the lighting mode of the lighting device when the door is in an open state for a first period of time. and,
A refrigerator comprising: a notification means for notifying that the lighting mode of the lighting device has been changed when the lighting mode of the lighting device is changed. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the control unit further changes the lighting mode of the lighting device when the door is kept open for a second period that is longer than the first period. comprising an operation unit that accepts settings for a lighting mode of the lighting device,
When the control unit receives the setting of the lighting mode from the operation unit, the control unit causes the lighting device to emit light in the lighting mode set from the operation unit from when the door is opened until reaching the first time. 3. The storage room is illuminated, and when the door is kept open for a first period of time, the lighting device is operated using a lighting mode different from a lighting mode set from the operation unit. Refrigerator according to 1 or 2. When the control unit receives a brightness setting as a lighting mode setting of the lighting device from the operation unit, the control unit controls the brightness set by the operation unit from the time the door opens until reaching the first time. When the lighting device is made to emit light to illuminate the inside of the storage room, and the door is kept open for a first period of time, the lighting mode includes lighting at a brightness higher than the brightness set from the operation unit. The refrigerator according to claim 3, which operates a lighting device. comprising an operation unit that receives an end instruction from a user to end changing the lighting mode of the lighting device;
1 . The control unit, upon receiving the termination instruction from the operation unit, ends the control for changing the lighting mode of the lighting device and the control for notifying that the lighting mode of the lighting device has been changed. Or the refrigerator described in 2.

Images