JP4097832B2 - Refrigerator sensor state detection method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sensor state detection method for a refrigerator suitable for use in detecting that a core temperature sensor inserted into a food material has been removed.
[0002]
[Prior art and problems]
In general, in the cooling process of ingredients required in the cooking process, it is necessary to suppress the propagation of germs and maintain freshness, taste, nutritional value, etc., so rapidly heat treated ingredients at high temperatures (60-80 ° C) Cooling. A suitable refrigerator for cooling such a high-temperature food has already been proposed by the present applicant in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-10463. According to this refrigerator, the surface temperature of the food is measured by a temperature sensor. And the internal temperature (core temperature) is detected, and until the surface temperature reaches the first set temperature set to the temperature just before the freezing temperature of the food, it is rapidly cooled with cold air at a temperature lower than the first set temperature. After the surface temperature reaches the first set temperature, the surface temperature is controlled to be maintained at the first set temperature. In this case, the temperature sensor detects the surface temperature and the internal temperature of the food at the same time by being inserted into the food, and when the food is cooled or stored, it is extracted from the food and the food is taken out of the refrigerator.
[0003]
By the way, a cooling end process is performed to automatically turn off the operation of a chime (buzzer) or an alarm lamp for notifying that the cooling is completed when the temperature sensor is extracted from the food and the food is taken out of the refrigerator. In this case, it is necessary to automatically detect that the temperature sensor has been extracted from the food.
[0004]
Conventionally, as a method of automatically detecting that the temperature sensor has been removed, there are a method using a switch contact that is turned on when the temperature sensor is inserted into the food material, or an electrical resistance that changes when the temperature sensor is inserted into the food material. However, the reliability of detection is such that any additional hardware configuration is required, which increases the cost of the entire detection system, and is likely to cause failure or malfunction of the detection system. And there was a problem inferior in reliability.
[0005]
The present invention solves such problems existing in the prior art, and can reduce the cost of the entire detection system by eliminating the need for additional hardware, and can prevent failure and malfunction of the detection system. An object of the present invention is to provide a sensor state detection method for a refrigerator that can improve the reliability and reliability of detection.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Embodiments]
The sensor state detection method for the refrigerator according to the present invention is to cool the ingredients Fa ... when detecting that the core temperature sensors 2a ... inserted into the ingredients Fa ... are extracted after the ingredients Fa ... are cooled. Is completed, a deviation y between the detected temperature Tda detected by the core temperature sensors 2a ... and the internal temperature Tm detected by the internal temperature sensor 6 is obtained, and the deviation y is equal to or less than a preset set value. If so, the core temperature sensors 2a ... are detected as being extracted from the foodstuffs Fa ....
[0007]
The sensor state detection method according to another aspect of the present invention obtains the change rate x of the detected temperature Tda ... detected by the core temperature sensor 2a ... when the food Fa ... If the deviation y between the temperature Tda... And the internal temperature Tm detected by the internal temperature sensor 6 is obtained and the rate of change x is equal to or higher than a preset value, and the deviation y is equal to or lower than a preset value. The core temperature sensors 2a are detected as being extracted from the foodstuffs Fa.
[0008]
Thus, when the cooling of the foodstuff Fa ... is completed, the operator extracts the core temperature sensor 2a ... from the foodstuff Fa ... with the open / close door of the refrigerator 1 open, and therefore the core temperature sensor 2a ... detects the extraction. The detected temperature Tda ... rises rapidly, and after the foodstuffs Fa ... are taken out, if the open / close door is closed, the detected temperature Tda ... falls rapidly, and thereafter the inside temperature Tm is detected. Therefore, if the temperature change, that is, the change rate x of the detected temperatures Tda, is obtained, it can be detected that the core temperature sensors 2a are extracted. Further, since the extracted core temperature sensors 2a are left in the storage, the difference between the detected temperature Tda detected by the core temperature sensors 2a and the internal temperature Tm detected by the internal temperature sensor 6 is theoretically. It becomes zero. Therefore, if the deviation y between the detected temperatures Tda and the internal temperature Tm is obtained, it can be detected that the core temperature sensors 2a are extracted.
[0009]
The present invention detects that the core temperature sensors 2a have been extracted from the foodstuff Fa based on the above principle. Basically, the above-described deviation y becomes equal to or less than the set value. It is detected that the temperature sensor 2a is extracted, and the core temperature sensor 2a is extracted when the above-described rate of change x is equal to or greater than the set value and the deviation y is equal to or less than the set value. To detect. In this case, detection with higher certainty and reliability is performed.
[0010]
【Example】
Next, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be given and described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0011]
First, the structure of the refrigerator 1 which can implement the sensor state detection method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0012]
The refrigerator 1 includes an opening / closing door 21 on the front surface portion of the heat insulating case 20, and a cooling chamber 22 at an inner front portion. The cooling chamber 22 is provided with a plurality of trays 23, and the foods Fa, Fb, Fc to be cooled are placed on the trays 23. In this case, the foodstuffs Fa ... in the embodiment are assumed to finish cooling in the order of the foodstuffs Fa, Fb, Fc. For example, the foodstuff Fa is "Fried", the foodstuff Fb is "Croquette""Tonkatsu" can be applied. On the other hand, the rear portion of the heat insulation case 20 includes a refrigerator 24 and a pair of upper and lower internal fans 3u and 3d, and the heat insulation case 20 includes an upper controller 4 having a computer function, and the refrigerator 24 and the internal fan 3u. 3d is driven and controlled by the controller 4.
[0013]
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the core temperature sensors 2a, 2b, 2c are connected to the input side of the controller 4 via cords 5a, 5b, 5c, and the internal temperature sensor 6 for detecting the internal temperature. Connect. In this case, the core temperature sensors 2a, 2b, and 2c are arranged in the cooling chamber 22 and inserted into the food materials Fa, Fb, and Fc accommodated in the cooling chamber 22, so that the core temperatures of the food materials Fa, Fb, and Fc ( Detection temperature) Tda, Tdb, Tdc are detected. Further, an operation unit 7 including a setting unit is connected to the input side of the controller 4. On the other hand, the internal fans 3u and 3d are connected to the output side of the controller 4 through an inverter 8, and a notification unit 9 that can use a chime (buzzer), sound, alarm lamp, and the like is connected.
[0014]
Next, the usage method of the refrigerator 1 including the sensor state detection method according to the present embodiment will be described according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 (FIG. 1) with reference to the drawings.
[0015]
First, in the refrigerator 1, the storage temperature Tp after the detected temperature Tdc detected by the last core temperature sensor 2 c reaches the set temperature Ts, and the heat-treated foods Fa, Fb, Fc in the cooling chamber 22. A cooling temperature Tcs after the storage and the rapid cooling time tw has elapsed, and a set temperature Ts for ending the cooling mode are set. In this case, the example illustrates the case where the storage temperature Tp is set to 18 [° C.], the cooling temperature Tcs is set to 15 [° C.], and the set temperature Ts is set to 18 [° C.].
[0016]
Assume that the foodstuffs Fa, Fb, and Fc heat-treated are accommodated in the cooling chamber 22 of the refrigerator 1. In this case, the temperature of the foodstuff Fa ... is in a high temperature state of about 60 to 80 ° C. Each food Fa is placed on each tray 23, and a core temperature sensor 2a is inserted into the food Fa, a core temperature sensor 2b is inserted into the food Fb, and a core temperature sensor 2c is inserted into the food Fc (see FIG. 6). ). Then, in the rapid cooling process mode, the refrigerator 24 is operated at full power and the internal fans 3u and 3d are operated, for example, cool air having a wind speed of about 5 to 7 m / s is sent to the cooling chamber 22 at around -20 ° C. The foodstuffs Fa are cooled at once by rapid cooling (step S1). The cooling temperature Tcf at this time is as shown in FIG. Further, the internal fans 3u and 3d rotate one side forward, reverse the other side, operate one side, stop the other side, and reverse the blowing direction at a predetermined cycle. In FIG. 6, the forward direction of the blowing direction is indicated by an arrow H1, and the reverse direction is indicated by an arrow H2.
[0017]
The rapid cooling time tw in the rapid cooling processing mode is set by the method disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2668320 already proposed by the present applicant. In other words, a plurality of temperature drop times between different chamber temperatures set in the rapid cooling period are detected in advance under different conditions, and an optimum quench time corresponding to each temperature drop time is obtained, and conversion characteristics between the temperature drop time and the quench time are set. Seek and remember. And when it cools rapidly by the said rapid cooling process mode, the temperature fall time between different internal temperature is detected, the corresponding quenching time tw is calculated | required from this temperature fall time and conversion characteristics, and quenching is performed only for this quenching time tw. On the other hand, when the rapid cooling time tw has elapsed, differential control is performed so that the internal temperature Tm becomes the preset cooling temperature Tcs.
[0018]
The controller 4 also monitors the internal temperature Tm detected by the internal temperature sensor 6 and the detected temperatures Tda, Tdb, Tdc detected by the core temperature sensors 2a, 2b, 2c. Since the foodstuffs Fa, Fb, and Fc are rapidly cooled with the passage of time, the detected temperatures Tda, Tdb, and Tdc are rapidly lowered. In the embodiment, since the food Fa has the fastest cooling end, the detected temperature Tda first reaches the set temperature Ts at time ta as shown in FIG. When the detected temperature Tda reaches the set temperature Ts, the controller 4 records the elapsed time (cooling time) from the start of cooling at time ta (steps S2 and S3). Further, a command signal is given to the notification unit 9 to activate the notification unit 9 (step S4). In this case, a chime (buzzer) can be sounded for a certain period of time, or notification can be given by voice. At this time, since the operator may miss the chime, the chime can be sounded every predetermined time or the alarm lamp can be turned on at the same time until the foodstuff Fa is removed from the refrigerator 1. One alarm lamp may be used in common, or a plurality of alarm lamps may be provided corresponding to each core temperature sensor 2a. When the notification unit 9 is activated, the operator opens the open / close door 21 and removes the core temperature sensor 2a from the foodstuff Fa, then removes the foodstuff Fa from the refrigerator 1 and the removed foodstuff Fa is quickly packed (vacuum). Pack).
[0019]
On the other hand, the controller 4 automatically detects that the core temperature sensor 2a has been extracted from the food material Fa, and performs a cooling end process when the cooling of the food material Fa is completed. The cooling end process is, for example, a chime stop in the notification unit 9 or an alarm lamp is turned off. The detection that the core temperature sensor 2a has been extracted from the foodstuff Fa is performed by the sensor state detection method according to the present embodiment. In this case, it can be easily performed by monitoring the detected temperature Tda and the internal temperature Tm, and a specific processing procedure will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
[0020]
Assume that the operator opens the open / close door 21 in order to take out the food Fa from the refrigerator 1 (step S11). Since the operator pulls out the core temperature sensor 2a from the foodstuff Fa in the state in which the open / close door 21 is opened, the detected temperature Tda detected by the core temperature sensor 2a rapidly rises as indicated by a symbol Tdap in FIG. If the opening / closing door 21 is closed after the food Fa is taken out, it rapidly descends and thereafter the internal temperature Tm (cooling temperature Tcs) is detected. Therefore, if this temperature change is detected, it can be detected that the core temperature sensor 2a has been removed by opening the open / close door 21, and therefore the controller 4 monitors the detected temperature Tda and the internal temperature Tm, and the detected temperature Tda is set. When the temperature Ts is reached, the change rate x of the detected temperature Tda is obtained by calculation (step S12). That is, the detected temperature Tda is sampled at a constant period, and the change rate x is calculated from the ratio of the detected values before and after sampling. If the rate of change x is equal to or greater than the set value, the controller 4 temporarily determines that the core temperature sensor 2a has been extracted (step S13).
[0021]
Next, a deviation between the detected temperature Tda and the internal temperature Tm is obtained (step S14). Since the core temperature sensor 2a is left in the cooling chamber 22 in a state of being extracted from the food Fa, the core temperature sensor 2a detects the internal temperature Tm, and the difference between the detected temperature Tda and the internal temperature Tm. Is theoretically zero. Therefore, the deviation y between the detected temperature Tda and the internal temperature Tm is obtained, and if the deviation y is equal to or less than the set value, it is determined that the core temperature sensor 2a has been removed (step S15).
[0022]
Therefore, if both results are obtained that the rate of change x is equal to or greater than the set value and the deviation y is equal to or less than the set value, it is determined that the core temperature sensor 2a is finally extracted (detected). Then, a cooling end process associated with the end of the cooling of the foodstuff Fa, that is, a process of stopping the chime and turning off the alarm lamp in the notification unit 9 is performed (step S16). Such determination (detection) may be basically performed based only on the deviation y being equal to or less than the set value, or simply, the rate of change x being equal to or greater than the set value. May be performed based on That is, it is possible to detect that the core temperature sensor 2a has been extracted only by monitoring either the deviation y or the change rate x. However, by combining both the change rate x and the deviation y, more certainty and reliability can be obtained. High detection can be performed.
[0023]
On the other hand, the same processing is performed on the remaining food materials Fb and Fc. That is, since the food Fb is cooled after the food Fa, the detected temperature Tdb reaches the set temperature Ts at time tb as shown in FIG. Therefore, the controller 4 records the elapsed time (cooling time) from the start of cooling at the time tb as in the case of the foodstuff Fa, and gives a command signal to the notification unit 9 to operate the notification unit 9 ( Steps S5, S1, S2, S3, S4). In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the last food Fc reaches the set temperature Ts at the time tc as shown in FIG. Therefore, the controller 4 records the elapsed time (cooling time) from the start of cooling at time tc, as in the case of the foodstuff Fa, and gives a command signal to the notification unit 9 to operate the notification unit 9 ( Steps S5, S1, S2, S3, S4). In this case, each of the foodstuffs Fa may be stored, but it is automatically detected that the core temperature sensors 2a have been extracted. At this time, the next foodstuff Fb is further stored in the storage mode. If so, the notification unit 9 may continue to sound a chime or continue to turn on an alarm lamp.
[0024]
When the detected temperature Tdc detected by the last core temperature sensor 2c reaches the set temperature Ts, the cooling temperature Tcs is changed to the preset storage temperature Tp, that is, shifted up (steps S5 and S6). Moreover, the process which decelerates the fan 3u and 3d in a store | warehouse | chamber is performed (step S7). In this case, the wind speed of the internal fans 3u and 3d is suppressed to about 0.1 to 0.2 [m / s] as much as possible by the inverter 8 that performs frequency control. Thereby, even if the foodstuff Fa ... that is not taken out from the refrigerator 1 is present, the regular storage mode is set and the foodstuff Fa ... is prevented from drying.
[0025]
Therefore, according to such a sensor state detection method of the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment, no additional hardware configuration is required, and the implementation can be performed only by changing the software, thereby reducing the cost of the entire detection system. In addition, the reliability and reliability of detection can be improved by avoiding failure and malfunction of the detection system. Further, according to the food material cooling method of the embodiment using a plurality of core temperature sensors 2a ..., the fact that the cooling has been completed is notified corresponding to each of the plurality of types of food materials Fa, Fb, Fc. Optimum cooling can be performed without causing overcooling and insufficient cooling with respect to all of the various food materials Fa, Fb, and Fc to be cooled, and reliable deterioration prevention of the food material quality can be achieved. Further, since the transition to the storage mode is made when the detected temperature Tdc detected by the last core temperature sensor 2c reaches the set temperature Ts, it is possible to accurately cool the food Fc that has the latest cooling completion. In addition, since the entire cooling time is shortened, the cooler 1 can be used efficiently.
[0026]
As described above, the embodiments have been described in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and detailed configurations, methods, numerical values, and the like can be arbitrarily changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. Can be added or deleted. For example, the set temperature Ts and the storage temperature Tp may be the same value or different values. Moreover, although the core temperature sensor 2a ... illustrated the case of three, it can implement by single or arbitrary quantity.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the sensor state detection method of the refrigerator according to the present invention basically includes the detection temperature detected by the core temperature sensor and the internal temperature detected by the internal temperature sensor when the cooling of the food is completed. If the deviation falls below the preset value, the core temperature sensor detects that it has been removed from the food, so it can be implemented only by changing the software. As a result, the cost of the entire detection system can be reduced, and the reliability and reliability of detection can be improved by preventing failure and malfunction of the detection system.
[0028]
Further, the change rate of the detected temperature detected by the core temperature sensor is obtained, the deviation between the detected temperature and the internal temperature detected by the internal temperature sensor is obtained, and the change rate is equal to or higher than a preset set value, and If the core temperature sensor detects that the deviation is equal to or less than the preset set value, it can improve the reliability and reliability of further detection in addition to the above effects. There is a remarkable effect.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing step by step a processing procedure of a sensor state detection method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing step-by-step a processing procedure of a food cooling method for a refrigerator that can implement the sensor state detection method;
FIG. 3 is a timing chart of the temperature of each part and processing by the same material cooling method;
FIG. 4 is a temperature characteristic diagram of each part for explaining the detection principle of the sensor state detection method;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an electrical system block diagram of a refrigerator that can implement the sensor state detection method;
FIG. 6 is an internal structure diagram of a refrigerator capable of performing the sensor state detection method;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cooling chamber 2a ... Core temperature sensor 6 Chamber temperature sensor Fa ... Foodstuff Tda ... Detection temperature Tm Chamber temperature

Claims (2)

In the sensor state detection method of the refrigerator that detects that the core temperature sensor inserted into the food material has been removed after the cooling of the food material is finished, the detection detected by the core temperature sensor when the food material has been cooled. A deviation between the temperature and the internal temperature detected by the internal temperature sensor is obtained, and if the deviation falls below a preset value, the core temperature sensor detects that the core temperature sensor has been extracted from the food. To detect the sensor state of the refrigerator. In the sensor state detection method of the refrigerator that detects that the core temperature sensor inserted into the food material has been removed after the cooling of the food material is finished, the detection detected by the core temperature sensor when the food material has been cooled. The temperature change rate is obtained, the deviation between the detected temperature and the internal temperature detected by the internal temperature sensor is obtained, the change rate is equal to or higher than a preset set value, and the deviation is a preset set value. If it becomes below, it will detect as the said core temperature sensor having been extracted from the foodstuff, The sensor state detection method of the refrigerator which is characterized by the above-mentioned.

Images