JP4552764B2 - Storage device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides a storage device such as a refrigerator for storing articles, in which a wireless sensor is provided in the storage chamber, and information in the cabinet is acquired by the wireless sensor to create an environment in the storage chamber (cooling or heating). This is related to the load control.

  In recent years, a wireless sensor in which a sensor for measuring temperature, humidity and the like and a wireless transmission unit are integrated has been proposed. As a device using a conventional wireless sensor, there is one that centrally manages measurement values obtained by arranging wireless sensors at a plurality of locations (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of a device control system using a conventional wireless sensor described in Patent Document 1. In FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the temperature sensor 1 and the humidity sensor 2 constitute a sensor unit 3, and necessary information is selected by the switch 4 and input to the A / D converter 5. The first CPU 6 inputs a signal from the A / D converter 5, outputs an information signal to the wireless transmission unit 7, and transmits from the transmission antenna 8.

  The power supply 9 supplies power to each component, and the above-described components constitute the wireless sensor transmitters 10, 11, and 12 provided in each of the plurality of chambers.

  The main device 13 is provided with a receiving antenna 14, receives information radio waves from the wireless sensor transmitters 10, 11, and 12 and inputs an information signal to the second CPU 16 via the wireless receiver 15. .

  From the second CPU 16, a signal for controlling the main device 13 based on the read information is output to the first load 18, the second load 19, and the third load 20 via the load control means 17. .

  The operation of the device using the wireless sensor configured as described above will be described below.

  First, information (temperature and humidity) detected by the temperature sensor 1 and the humidity sensor 2 of the sensor unit 3 is selected by the switch 4 and the necessary information that has been washed is input to the A / D converter 5 as an analog signal. .

  Next, the A / D converter 5 converts the signal from analog to digital and outputs information to the first CPU 6. In the first CPU 6, the ID code of the wireless sensor transmitter 10 is assigned to the information data, and the transmission data is transmitted to the main body device 13 as a radio wave of a predetermined frequency via the wireless transmission unit 7 and the transmission antenna 8.

On the main device 13 side, the information data transmitted from each of the wireless sensor transmitters 10, 11, and 12 is detected by the receiving antenna 14, the radio signal is converted into a digital signal by the wireless receiving unit 15, and output to the second CPU 16. To do. The second CPU 16 determines the optimum control method as a device from the location where the wireless sensor transmitters 10, 11, 12 are installed and the information data thereof, and controls the load control device 17 to control each load 18, 19 and 20 are operated.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 8-6955

  However, when the above conventional configuration is used in a consumer device with many wirings such as a refrigerator, the signal wiring can be eliminated and the sensor can be freely attached to any location, but the radio wave from the wireless sensor can be obtained. There have been problems such as an external device malfunctioning due to leakage outside the installed device, or an erroneous reception of a wireless signal from the outside causing the device to malfunction.

For example, when a refrigerator using a wireless sensor is adjacent, if radio waves from the wireless sensor leak outside the refrigerator, the information reading device installed in the adjacent refrigerator sends the signal of the wireless sensor installed in the refrigerator. It may be the cause of malfunctioning as a refrigerator.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, limits the reception range of the wireless sensor, and even when the refrigerator using the wireless sensor is adjacent, the signal of the wireless sensor installed in the adjacent refrigerator is An object is to prevent erroneous reception.

In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the storage device of the present invention is a wireless sensor installed in the storage room so that transmission / reception can be performed only in the space in the refrigerator storage room in which the wireless sensor and the information reader are installed. it is intended for exchanging transmit and receive radio waves information reader and.

  This prevents erroneous reception of signals from the wireless sensors even when a plurality of storage devices in which the wireless sensor and the information reading device are installed are adjacent to each other.

  In the storage device of the present invention, when a wireless sensor is used in the storage chamber and a signal is transmitted and received by the information reading device, even if a plurality of storage devices in which the wireless sensor and the information reading device are installed are adjacent to each other, By limiting the transmission and reception of signals only in the storage room where the sensor and information reader are installed, it is possible to prevent the transmission and reception of signals between adjacent storage devices and to perform highly reliable signal transmission and reception. is there.

The invention according to claim 1 is a storage room that is a heat insulating housing with a door, an environmental condition creation device that creates the storage room in a predetermined environmental condition, and a wireless sensor that detects indoor information in the storage room, an information reader for reading information by receiving signals the wireless sensor transmits, acquires the information reading device has read the information, and control means for controlling the operation of the environment creation device, said wireless sensor The radio wave radiation is radio wave radiation having directivity in the ceiling direction of the storage room, and the information reading device is disposed on the ceiling of the storage room and includes a non-directional reception area. Information can be transmitted and received.

  By setting it as this structure, the transmission outside the storage room by the excessive output of a transmission / reception signal, or the reception from the outside of a storage room can be suppressed, and the reliability of transmission / reception in a storage apparatus can be improved.

Further , by giving directivity to the radio wave output from the wireless sensor, it is possible to ensure reception to the information reading device disposed at a predetermined position. Therefore, transmission in the wrong direction by the wireless sensor can be prevented, and malfunction of a plurality of adjacent storage devices due to transmission by the adjacent wireless sensor can also be suppressed.

Further , the signal can be transmitted and received in the vertical direction in the storage device, and the erroneous reception operation of the storage device due to the transmission to the outside of the storage room or the reception of the signal from the outside of the storage room can be prevented.

The invention according to claim 2 is a storage room that is a heat insulating housing with a door, an environmental condition creation device that creates the storage room in a predetermined environmental condition, and a wireless sensor that detects indoor information in the storage room, An information reading device that receives a signal transmitted by the wireless sensor and reads information; and a control unit that acquires information read by the information reading device and controls the operation of the environment creation device. By radiating omnidirectional radio waves, the information reading device is disposed on the ceiling of the storage room, and has a reception area having directivity in the vertical direction of the storage room so that the transmission radio wave of the wireless sensor can be received. The indoor information can be transmitted and received in the storage room .

  By providing directivity on the information reading device side that is the receiving side as in this configuration, reception of transmission signals from directions other than a specific direction can be suppressed, and a plurality of adjacent storage devices are adjacent to each other. It is also possible to suppress malfunction caused by receiving transmission by the wireless sensor.

  Hereinafter, although an embodiment of the present invention will be described with a storage device serving as a refrigerator with reference to the drawings, the same components as those in the conventional example will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a refrigerator as a storage device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the refrigerator in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the wireless sensor of the refrigerator in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating radio wave transmission / reception directions of the wireless sensor of the refrigerator and the information reading device according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, the refrigerator includes a refrigerator main body 21 including a heat-insulating housing, and a first refrigeration chamber 22, a second refrigeration chamber 23, and a freezing chamber 24 that function as storage chambers. The first refrigerator compartment 22 includes a first refrigerator compartment door 25, the second refrigerator compartment 23 includes a second refrigerator compartment door 26, and the freezer compartment 24 includes a freezer compartment door 27. , 26 and 27 are closed so that the cold air in each storage chamber does not touch the outside of the storage chamber.

  The refrigeration cycle 33 for creating cold air as the creation of the environment in each storage chamber is constituted by a closed circuit of a compressor, a condenser, a capillary tube and an evaporator (all not shown) as is well known, and the refrigerator main body 21 It is mounted inside.

  A first wireless sensor 28 is in the first refrigerator compartment 22, a second wireless sensor 29 is in the second refrigerator compartment 23, and a third wireless sensor 30 is in the freezer compartment 24. Are buried in arbitrary positions. Moreover, you may arrange | position each wireless sensor 28, 29, 30 in the stationary state which can move as needed. Furthermore, the information reading device 31 that receives the transmission signals of the wireless sensors 28, 29, and 30 from the antenna 31 a and reads information is embedded in an arbitrary position in the first refrigerator compartment 22.

  In the present embodiment, the information reading device 31 is the first refrigerating room 22, but if it is within a range in which signals from the wireless sensors 28, 29, 30 can be received, It may be arranged.

  Next, the outline control content of the indoor state of the refrigerator in this Embodiment is demonstrated using the functional block diagram of FIG.

  The room information read by the information reading device 31 from the wireless sensors 28, 29, and 30 is input to the control means 32, where an operation pattern for maintaining an optimal interior state is determined. Then, an operation signal is output to the components (for example, compressor) which comprise the refrigerating cycle 33, and the cool air circulation means 34 (for example, ventilation fan) which sends cold air into the storage chamber, and the state in the storage chamber is controlled.

  Next, the configuration of the wireless sensors 28, 29, and 30 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, each wireless sensor 28, 29, 30 is the same, and it is assumed that three types of gas concentrations such as temperature, humidity, and CO2 are detected as information to be detected.

In FIG. 3, first, temperature, humidity, and indoor gas concentration, which are room information of each storage room, are detected by the sensor units built in the wireless sensors 28, 29, and 30. The detected information is transmitted to the information reader 31 via the A / D converter 5, the first CPU 6, the wireless transmission unit 7, and the transmission antenna 8, as in the case of the conventional wireless sensor. The power supply 9 also supplies power to each component as in the conventional case.

  About the refrigerator comprised as mentioned above, the electromagnetic wave condition in a refrigerator store | warehouse | chamber is demonstrated based on FIG.

  In general, radio wave transmission / reception has directivity in which the directionality of radio wave radiation and the characteristics of the radio wave reception area vary depending on the wavelength of the radio wave and the antenna shape of the transceiver (the radio wave directivity has a higher frequency) It is known that a parabolic antenna, a Yagi antenna, etc. are mentioned as antennas that are so strong and have straightness and directivity. In the information reading device 31 and the wireless sensors 28, 29, and 30 in the present embodiment, such well-known methods and configurations are adopted, and adjustment values such as the directivity and output of transmission / reception radio waves are set. Since this is not the gist of the present invention, the description is omitted.

  In FIG. 4, an information reading device 31 that receives radio waves from the wireless sensors 28, 29, and 30 is installed on the top surface of the first refrigerator compartment 22, and has a reception directivity 38 that is a circular reception area centering on the device. . The reception directivity 38 of the information reading device 31 is nondirectional because it can be received from all directions.

  On the other hand, the wireless sensors 28, 29, and 30 that detect the indoor information such as temperature, humidity, and indoor gas concentration and transmit the detection data by radio wave are respectively wireless sensors 35, 36, and 37, as indicated by the radio wave orientations 35, 36, and 37, respectively. Radio waves are transmitted to the upper side of the place where 28, 29, and 30 are installed, that is, toward the information reading device 31, and radio wave radiation with high directivity indicated by a narrow elliptical shape is obtained.

  Therefore, the communication area of the wireless sensors 28, 29, 30 and the information reading device 31 is an area where the radio wave orientations 35, 36, 37 and the reception orientation 38 intersect with each other, and the inside of the refrigerator main body 21 (in the first refrigerator compartment 22). ) Or a communication area is formed above the refrigerator body 21, and information can be transmitted and received only within the communication area.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the wireless sensors 28, 29, and 30 radiate radio waves having directivity in the vertical direction in the refrigerator, and the information reader 31 includes a non-directional reception area. Thus, in order to enable transmission and reception of radio waves inside the refrigerator cabinet or outside the refrigerator main body 21, even when a refrigerator equipped with a wireless sensor of the same specification and an information reader are adjacent to each other, It is possible to prevent erroneous reception of the signal of the wireless sensor.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing radio wave transmission / reception directions of the wireless sensor of the refrigerator as the storage device and the information reading device in the second embodiment. In addition, about the same structure as previous Embodiment 1, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted. The adjustment of the directivity and output of transmitted / received radio waves is the same as that in the previous embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 5, an information reading device 31 that receives radio waves of each of the wireless sensors 28, 29, and 30 is installed on the top surface of the first refrigerator compartment 22 and has a reception directing 38 downward from the installation position. ing. That is, it has a reception directing 38 that is an elliptical reception area in the vertical direction of the refrigerator main body 21.

  The reception directivity 38 has directivity that can be received only below the installation position of the information reading device 31.

  On the other hand, the wireless sensors 28, 29, and 30 that detect the temperature, humidity, and indoor gas concentration, which are room information, and transmit the detection data by radio wave, are respectively shown in the radio wave orientations 35, 36, and 37, as shown in the respective radio wave orientations 35, 36, and 37. , 29 and 30 are omnidirectional radio wave radiation having a circular shape with a predetermined range around the place where the devices are installed. Therefore, depending on the installation location, it is also confirmed that a part (the circles of the radio wave directing 35, 36, and 37 protruding outside the refrigerator) leaks out of the refrigerator main body 21.

  However, since the information reading device 31 has the reception directivity 38 in the downward direction from the installation position, the information reading device 31 and the wireless sensors 28, 29, and 30, which are areas where the radio wave directivity 35, 36, 37 and the reception directivity 38 intersect, are read. The communication area of the device 31 is formed only in the refrigerator compartment, and information can be transmitted and received only within the communication area.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, each wireless sensor 28, 29, 30 radiates radio waves having vertical directivity in the refrigerator main body 21, and the information reading device 31 receives omnidirectional reception. By providing the area, it is possible to transmit and receive radio waves only in the refrigerator.

  Therefore, even when a refrigerator including a similar wireless sensor and an information reading device is adjacent to each other, it is possible to prevent erroneous reception of signals from the wireless sensors.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is an output electric field strength characteristic diagram of the wireless sensor of the refrigerator as the storage device in the third embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing radio wave transmission / reception directions of the wireless sensor and information reader of the refrigerator in the third embodiment. It is. In addition, about the same structure as previous Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted. The adjustment of the directivity and output of transmitted / received radio waves is the same as that in the previous embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

In FIG. 6, for example, in the weak radio, an allowable value of the electric field strength output from the radio apparatus is determined by the radio wave method according to the frequency. Further, since the output electric field strength from the wireless device is also related to the radiation distance of the radio wave, each of the wireless sensors 28, 29, and 30 in this embodiment has an output electric field strength for the same frequency band f [Hz]. It is different from P ₁ , P ₂ , P ₃ (P ₁ <P ₂ <P ₃ ) [μV / m]. In addition, about this frequency setting, the radio wave of each wireless sensor may be a different frequency.

  In FIG. 7, the information reading device 31 that receives the radio waves of the wireless sensors 28, 29, and 30 is installed on the top surface of the first refrigerator compartment 22 as in the second embodiment, and is received downward from the installation position. It has a directivity 38.

  The wireless sensors 28, 29, and 30 that detect indoor information such as temperature, humidity, and indoor gas concentration and transmit detection data by radio wave are installed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The radio wave is transmitted to the upper side of the place where it is located, that is, toward the information reading device 31, and the radio wave radiation with high directivity indicated by a narrow elliptical shape is obtained.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the output electric field intensity from each of the wireless sensors 28, 29, and 30 is different from P _{1 to} P ₃ (P ₁ <P ₂ <P ₃ ) [μV / m]. The radiation distances are also different, and as a result, the distances of the radio wave orientations 35, 36 and 37 are also different. That is, the distance of the radio wave directing 35 in the first wireless sensor 28 provided in the first refrigerating chamber 22 closest to the information reading device 31 is the shortest and farthest from the information reading device 31. 27, the distance of the radio wave directing 37 in the third wireless sensor 30 provided in 27 is the longest.

  Therefore, the radio wave of each wireless sensor 28, 29, 30 does not leak out of the refrigerator body 21, and the communication area of each wireless sensor 28, 29, 30 and the information reading device 31 is formed only in the refrigerator cabinet. Information can be transmitted and received only within the communication area.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the output electric field strength is differentiated as shown in FIG. 6 depending on the installation location of each wireless sensor 28, 29, 30 and the distance to the information reader 31. The distance between the radio wave orientations 35, 36, and 37 of the wireless sensors 28, 29, and 30 can be made different, and wasteful radio wave leakage outside the refrigerator is suppressed as compared with the first and second embodiments. Even when a similar wireless sensor and a refrigerator equipped with an information reading device are adjacent to each other, it is possible to prevent erroneous reception of signals from the wireless sensors. Moreover, suppression of useless radio wave leakage outside the refrigerator also leads to prevention of adverse effects on other equipment outside the refrigerator.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing radio wave transmission / reception directions of the wireless sensor of the refrigerator as the storage device and the information reading device in the fourth embodiment. The same components as those in the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The adjustment of the directivity and output of transmitted / received radio waves is the same as that in the previous embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

In FIG. 8, each wireless sensor 28, 29, 30 is installed at a different location in the first refrigerator compartment 22, and only in the refrigerator cabinet as in the first to third embodiments. Therefore, the output electric field strengths P ₁ , P ₂ , P _{3 of the} wireless sensors 28, 29, 30 and the respective radio wave orientations 35, 36, 37 can be In addition, the information reader 31 also adjusts the received electric field intensity to be lower than that in the first to third embodiments, and only the radio waves of the wireless sensors 28, 29, and 30 provided in the first refrigerator compartment 22 are adjusted. The area of the reception directing 38 is formed so that it can be received.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, a plurality of wireless sensors 28, 29, and 30 are installed in one storage chamber 22, and transmission / reception field strengths of the wireless sensors 28, 29, 30 and the information reader 31 are transmitted. By adjusting the directivity, for example, when each of the wireless sensors 28, 29, and 30 performs temperature detection, the temperature of the storage chamber can be easily detected at multiple points without the need for wiring of the temperature sensor.

  Therefore, it is possible to accurately grasp the temperature state of the storage room, contribute to improving the cooling accuracy of the refrigerator, and prevent malfunction due to erroneous reception of radio waves.

  In the present embodiment, the refrigerator is described as an example of the control device including the wireless sensor 30. However, the storage device capable of cold storage or the house facility that maintains the environment in the predetermined space under a predetermined condition. The same applies to the above.

  Further, the creation of the heat source is not limited to the heat pump, and a heat source device using electronic refrigeration using a Peltier element or the like, gaseous fuel, or liquid fuel may be used.

  Furthermore, the information to be measured can be detected and controlled in the same manner as long as it is a measurement object that targets a substance that can be converted into an electrical signal, such as humidity, gas, ions, and light, as well as temperature.

  As described above, the storage device according to the present invention can be applied not only to a household or commercial refrigerator, but also to uses such as a storage and an air conditioner that obtains indoor information and performs optimum operation. .

The block diagram of the refrigerator as a storage apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention Functional block diagram of the refrigerator of the embodiment The block diagram which shows the control structure of the wireless sensor in the refrigerator of the embodiment The figure which shows the electromagnetic wave transmission / reception directing of the wireless sensor and information reader in the refrigerator of the embodiment The figure which shows the radio | wireless transmission / reception directivity of the radio | wireless sensor and information reader of a refrigerator as a storage device in Embodiment 2 of this invention Output electric field strength characteristic diagram of wireless sensor of refrigerator as storage device in embodiment 3 of the present invention The figure which shows the electromagnetic wave transmission / reception directing of the wireless sensor and information reader in the refrigerator of the embodiment The figure which shows the radio | wireless transmission / reception directivity of the radio | wireless sensor and information reader of a refrigerator as a storage device in Embodiment 4 of this invention Block diagram of a device control system using a conventional wireless sensor

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Refrigerator main body 22 1st refrigerator compartment 23 2nd refrigerator compartment 24 Freezer compartment 25 1st refrigerator compartment door 26 2nd refrigerator compartment door 27 Freezer compartment door 28 1st wireless sensor 29 2nd wireless sensor 30 1st Three wireless sensors 31 Information reader 32 Control means 33 Compressor (refrigeration cycle)
34 Blower fan (cool air circulation means)
35 Radio Direction of First Wireless Sensor 36 Radio Direction of Second Wireless Sensor 37 Radio Direction of Third Wireless Sensor 38 Reception Direction

Claims (2)

A storage room that is a heat-insulated housing with a door, an environmental condition creation device that creates the storage room under predetermined environmental conditions, a wireless sensor that detects room information in the storage room, and a signal transmitted by the wireless sensor An information reading device that receives and reads information, and a control unit that acquires information read by the information reading device and controls the operation of the environment creation device, wherein the wireless sensor emits radio waves, and the ceiling direction of the storage room A storage device capable of transmitting and receiving the room information in the storage room by arranging the information reading device on the ceiling of the storage room and including a non-directional reception area. . A storage room that is a heat-insulated housing with a door, an environmental condition creation device that creates the storage room under predetermined environmental conditions, a wireless sensor that detects room information in the storage room, and a signal transmitted by the wireless sensor An information reading device that receives and reads information; and a control unit that acquires information read by the information reading device and controls the operation of the environment creation device, and the wireless sensor emits omnidirectional radio waves, The information reading device is disposed on the ceiling of the storage room, and includes a reception area having directivity in the vertical direction of the storage room so that the transmission radio wave of the wireless sensor can be received. A storage device that enables transmission and reception.

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