JP4945496B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator capable of notifying the progress of a predetermined service life.

Not only home appliances but also mechanical products are set to have a useful life, for example, in terms of design and durability. These mechanical products may cause mechanical or electrical malfunctions beyond the service life. Further, in the case of a refrigerator, even if the mechanical or electrical operation part is normal, there is a possibility that cold air leakage or the like may be caused by deterioration of rubber parts such as packing. This deterioration of parts over time has a problem that it is difficult for the user to notice. As a result, home appliances such as refrigerators may continue to be used beyond the useful life expected by the manufacturer.
Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses that the user is encouraged to check the home appliance before the trouble due to aging occurs in the home appliance such as a refrigerator.
JP 2007-268163 A

  In Patent Literature 1, the cumulative number of operations or the cumulative operation time is recorded every time the home appliance is operated. When the accumulated number of operations or accumulated operation time reaches a preset number of operations or operation time, a warning is issued to prompt inspection of the home appliance, and control is performed so as not to start operation even when the switch is turned on. ing. This prompts the user to check or maintain home appliances.

  However, in the case of Patent Document 1, when the cumulative number of operations or cumulative operation time reaches the set number of operations or operation time, the home appliance does not start operation even when the switch is turned on, that is, the function is forcibly stopped. However, it is difficult for the user to know when the number of operations or operation time of the home appliance reaches a predetermined value and the function is stopped. Therefore, the user has a problem that when the home appliance reaches a predetermined time, the user cannot suddenly use the home appliance and interferes with daily life.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the purpose of the present invention is to notify that the expiration of the useful life is near or before the occurrence of a malfunction due to secular change, It is in providing the refrigerator which can reduce the trouble given to.

In order to achieve the above object, the refrigerator according to the present invention includes a capability reduction timing detection means for detecting a cooling timing reduction time and / or a function deterioration timing of an electrical component, and the capability reduction timing detection means has a reduction in cooling performance. Functional control means for reducing the function of the electrical component when the timing and / or the degradation time of the function of the electrical component is detected, and the functional control means controls the electrical equipment to be controlled by the compressor included in the refrigeration cycle. As a product, when the capability fall time detection means detects a fall time of cooling performance and / or a fall time of function of an electrical component, the function of the compressor is lowered stepwise .

  According to the present invention, the function control means detects when the cooling performance is lowered due to deterioration of the door packing or the like and / or when the function of the electrical component is lowered, and lowers the function of the electrical component. As a result, the user feels a sense of incongruity that the refrigerator is different from the normal one and becomes aware of the malfunction. For this reason, it is possible to take countermeasures such as inspection and purchase of a new product before the electrical component causes a failure such as a failure.

Hereinafter, the refrigerator of the present invention will be specifically described by a plurality of embodiments. Note that, in a plurality of embodiments, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.
(First embodiment)
1 to 12 show a first embodiment of the present invention. First, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, in the refrigerator main body 1, a refrigerator compartment 2, an ice making compartment 3, a specification switching compartment 4, a vegetable compartment 5, and a freezer compartment 6 are formed in order from left to right. . These storage chambers 2 to 6 are opened and closed by doors 7 to 11, respectively. In addition, the door 7 of the refrigerator compartment 2 is a kannon type, and consists of two doors, a left door 7a and a right door 7b. The doors 8 to 11 of the other storage chambers 3 to 6 are of a drawer type. Each door 7a, 7b, 8-11 is provided with a door packing made of a well-known magnet gasket so that cold air does not leak from the storage chambers 2-6.

  Of the doors 7 to 11 of the storage chambers 2 to 6, the doors 7a and 7b of the refrigerator compartment 2 are provided with push button type opening switches 12 respectively, and the door opening switches 12 of the doors 7a and 7b are provided. When pressed, the automatic door opening device 13 of each door 7a, 7b provided in the upper part of the refrigerator main body 1 operates to open the doors 7a, 7b. The automatic door opening device 13 uses a solenoid 14 (see FIG. 2) as a drive source. When the door opening switch 12 is pressed, the solenoid 14 is energized to suck a movable iron core (not shown). Thus, the movable iron core moves forward and presses the doors 7a and 7b forward (in the opening direction).

  Moreover, the liquid crystal display 15 as a display means and various pushbutton switches 16 are provided in the panel part of one door 7a among both doors 7a and 7b of the refrigerator compartment 2. The liquid crystal display 15 of the door 7a includes a temperature in the refrigerator compartment 2 measured by the refrigerator room temperature sensor 17, a temperature in the freezer compartment 6 measured by the freezer room temperature sensor 18, and a room selected in the specification switching chamber 4. Seeds etc. are displayed. Further, the pushbutton switch 16 includes a temperature adjustment switch for the refrigerator compartment 2 and the freezer compartment 6, a room type selection switch for the specification changeover chamber 4, and the like.

  Two cooler chambers 19 and 20 are formed in the rear part of the vegetable chamber 5, a cooler 21 for refrigeration is provided in one cooler chamber 19, and a freezer cooling is provided in the other cooler chamber 20. A vessel 22 is provided. Then, the cold air cooled by the refrigerating cooler 21 is sent from the cooler chamber 19 to the refrigerating side circulation path 24 by the refrigerating fan device 23 as a cold air blowing fan device, and passes through the refrigerating chamber 2 and the vegetable compartment 5. It returns to the cooler chamber 23 and circulates. Further, the cold air cooled by the freezing cooler 22 is sent from the cooler chamber 20 to the freezing side circulation path 26 by the freezing fan device 25 as a cold air blowing fan device, and passes through the ice making chamber 3 and the freezing chamber 6. It returns to the cooler chamber 20 and circulates.

  Further, when the specification switching chamber 4 is set to a refrigeration room, a vegetable room, etc., a part of the cold air sent to the refrigeration side circulation path 24 is sent to the specification switching room 4, and a freezing room, a chilled room, etc. Is set, the part of the cool air sent to the refrigeration side circulation path 26 is sent to the specification switching chamber 4. In addition, switching of the cool air to the specification switching chamber 4 is performed by switching the damper 27 (see FIG. 2).

  An ice making device 28 is provided in the ice making chamber 3. The ice making device 28 includes an ice making plate 29 and an ice removing plate for turning the ice making plate 29 upside down by an ice removing motor 30 (see FIG. 2) to separate the ice from the ice making plate 29 and drop it into the ice storage case 31. Mechanism 32. The water supplied to the ice tray 29 is stored in a water storage tank 33 detachably disposed in the refrigerator compartment 2. Water is supplied from the water storage tank 33 to the ice tray 29 by a water supply pump 34.

  Some foods stored in the refrigerator compartment 2 emit odors, and the odors are transferred to other foods. In order to prevent this odor transfer, an ozone generator 35 as an electric deodorizing device is disposed in the refrigeration side circulation path 24. The ozone generator 35 generates plasma by applying a high voltage between one electrode, and performs deodorization and sterilization by the action of ozone and catalyst generated by the plasma.

  Since the air circulated by the refrigeration fan device 23 and the refrigeration fan device 25 contains moisture, when the moisture passes through the refrigeration cooler 21 and the refrigeration cooler 22, And become attached. Since frost lowers the cooling performance of the refrigeration cooler 21 and the refrigeration cooler 22, defrosting is performed periodically. The defrosting of the refrigeration cooler 21 and the refrigeration cooler 22 is performed by heating the refrigeration cooler 21 and the refrigeration cooler 22 with the defrosting heaters 36 and 37. In the case of the refrigerator 21 for refrigeration, the completion | finish of defrost is detected when the upper defrost temperature sensor 38 and the lower defrost temperature sensor 39 which detect the temperature of the upper part and the lower part detect more than predetermined temperature. . Further, in the case of the refrigeration cooler 22, the defrosting temperature sensor 40 that detects the temperature of the upper part of the refrigeration cooler 22 is detected by detecting a predetermined temperature or higher.

  A machine room 41 is formed at the lower rear side of the refrigerator body 1, and a compressor 42 and a condenser 43 (see FIG. 3) in the machine room 41 and a cooling fan device for air-cooling the compressor 42 and the condenser 43. 44 is arranged. As shown in FIG. 3, the compressor 42 constitutes a refrigeration cycle together with the condenser 43, the refrigeration cooler 21, and the refrigeration cooler 22. During this refrigeration cycle, the three-way valve 45 supplies the refrigerant condensed by the condenser 43 to one of the refrigeration cooler 21 and the refrigeration cooler 22 or to supply both of them. Function as.

  The storage chambers 2 to 6 are provided with door switches 46 for detecting opening and closing of the doors 7a, 7b and 8 to 11. This door switch 46 stops the refrigeration fan device 23 and the refrigeration fan device 24 in order to prevent cold air from flowing out of the storage chambers 2 to 6 as much as possible by opening the doors 7a, 7b, and 8-11. In particular, when the door switch 46 of the refrigerator compartment 2 detects the opening of the doors 7a and 7b, the interior lamp (illuminating means) 47 made of a light emitting diode is turned on.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control circuit. In FIG. 2, the control circuit 48 is mainly composed of a microcomputer, a ROM storing a control program for the refrigerator, a RAM storing primary data, A CPU for performing various computations, a ROM, a RAM and a bus for connecting the CPU are provided. The control circuit 48 includes the opening switch 12, pushbutton switch 16, refrigerator temperature sensor 17, freezer temperature sensor 18, defrost temperature sensors 38 and 39 above and below the refrigerator cooler 21, and cooling for freezing. The defrosting temperature sensor 40 of the storage unit 22 and the door switches 46 of the storage chambers 2 to 6 are connected, and the solenoid 14, the liquid crystal display 15, the refrigeration fan device 23, and the freezing fan are connected via a drive circuit 49. The apparatus 25, the damper 27, the deicing motor 30, the feed pump 34, the ozone generator 35, the defrosting heaters 36 and 37, the compressor 42, the cooling fan device 44, the three-way valve 45, and the interior lamp 47 are connected. .

  Further, a memory 50 as a storage means, a counter 51, a timer 52, and a room temperature sensor 53 are connected to the control circuit 48, and a backlight 54 and a buzzer 55 of the liquid crystal display 15 are connected via a drive circuit 49. It is connected. The functions of the counter 51 and the timer 52 will be apparent from the following description. The room temperature sensor 53 detects the temperature of the room in which the refrigerator is installed, and is provided on the panel portion of the door 7a where the liquid crystal display 15 and the push button switch 16 are provided. The backlight 54 irradiates the display screen of the liquid crystal display 15 from the back side. The buzzer 55 is composed of a piezoelectric element or the like and vibrates to generate a buzzer sound, and is provided on the panel portion of the door 7a.

In the present embodiment, the time when the cooling performance is lowered and the time when the function of the compressor 42 as the electrical component is lowered are detected and notified to the user. The control circuit 48 detects the cooling performance drop time and the compressor 42 function drop time. Prior to the description of the detection of the cooling performance and the function deterioration time, the drive configuration of the compressor 42 shown in FIG. 1 will be described first.
That is, in FIG. 1, a DC power supply circuit 57 connected to a commercial AC power supply 56 includes a full-wave rectifier circuit 58 and a smoothing capacitor 59, and six switching terminals are connected between a pair of output terminals of the DC power supply circuit 57. A three-phase bridge circuit 61 composed of a transistor for operation 60 is connected. The output terminal of the three-phase bridge circuit 61 is connected to the compressor 42.

  In this case, correctly, the output terminal of the three-phase bridge circuit 61 should be connected to the motor coil (not shown) of the compressor 42. That is, although the compressor 42 is driven by a motor, the motor is constituted by a three-phase brushless motor, and each output terminal of the three-phase bridge circuit 61 is connected to each coil of the three-phase brushless motor. The three-phase bridge circuit 61 is included in the drive circuit 49 and constitutes a drive circuit for the motor of the compressor 42. However, in the following, it is not referred to as a motor of the compressor 42, but simply referred to as the compressor 42.

  The compressor 42 is of a variable capacity type by controlling the rotation speed. In this rotational speed control, the rotational speed of the compressor 42 is detected by the rotational speed detection circuit 62. The control circuit 48 compares the rotation speed of the compressor 42 detected by the rotation speed detection circuit 62 with the target rotation speed, and controls each transistor 60 of the three-phase bridge circuit 61 by a pulse width modulation signal having a duty according to the difference. ON / OFF control. Thereby, the rotation speed of the compressor 42 is controlled by a pulse width modulation (PWM) method using an inverter.

  The detection of the decrease in cooling performance is performed by the control circuit 48 in accordance with a detection program stored in the ROM. For example, the temperature detected by the refrigerated room temperature sensor 17 and the freezing room temperature sensor 18 after a certain time from the start of operation of the compressor 42 ( The detection value) is compared with the expected cooling temperature (reference value) of the refrigerator compartment 2 and the freezer compartment 11. The processing of the control circuit 48 according to this detection program (capability reduction timing detection means) is shown in FIG. The expected cooling temperature includes the detected temperature of the room temperature sensor 53 at that time, the detected temperatures of the refrigerated room temperature sensor 17 and the freezing room temperature sensor 18 at the start of operation of the compressor 42, the target rotational speed for the compressor 42, and a certain time after the start of operation of the compressor 42. The cooling temperature to be reached (predicted cooling temperature) is tabulated and stored in the memory 50.

  On the other hand, the control circuit 48 also detects the time when the function of the compressor 42 is lowered according to the detection program. In this case, the function deterioration timing detection includes detection performed by the current flowing through the compressor 42, detection performed by the rotation speed of the compressor 42, and detection by the accumulated operation time of the compressor 42. The processing of the control circuit 48 that performs these three types of detection (capacity reduction timing detection means) is shown in FIG.

  Among these detection units 64 to 66, a current detection circuit (current detection means) 66 for detecting a current supplied from the DC power supply circuit 57 to the three-phase bridge circuit 61 (compressor 42) for the current dependence detection unit 64. Is provided. The current dependency detection unit 64 is supplied with the current value detected by the current detection circuit 67 and an initial set current value (hereinafter simply referred to as an initial set value). Further, the rotational speed detection unit 65 is supplied with the rotational speed detected by the rotational speed detection circuit 62 and an initial set rotational speed (hereinafter simply referred to as an initial set value). Further, the time-dependent detector 66 is given the cumulative operation time of the compressor 42 and the initial set cumulative time (hereinafter simply referred to as the initial set value) counted by the timer 52. The initial set accumulated time of the compressor 42 is a standard use period until the function degradation time of the compressor 42 is reached. Note that the above initial setting values are stored in the memory 50.

  Each of the detection units 64 to 66 has a detection current value (detection value) and an initial setting value (reference value) of the current detection circuit 67, a detection rotation number (detection value) and an initial setting value (the detection value) of the rotation speed detection circuit 62. Reference value), the cumulative operation time (detected value) of the timer 52, and the initial set value (reference value) are compared to detect the time when the function of the compressor 42 is lowered. In this embodiment, when any one of the detection units 64 to 66 detects a function deterioration, it is determined that the function deterioration time of the compressor 42 has been reached.

  The deterioration of the cooling performance and the function of the compressor 42 gradually proceed after the start of use of the refrigerator, and when the standard service life is over, the cooling performance deterioration time detection unit 63 reaches the cooling performance deterioration time. Alternatively, it is assumed that the function-decreasing time has been reached by the current dependency detection unit 64, the rotation speed dependency detection unit 65, and the time dependency detection unit 66. Thereafter, the cooling performance is lowered, or the function of the compressor 42 is lowered.

  In the present embodiment, when the cooling performance degradation time detection unit 63 first detects that the cooling performance degradation time has been reached, or the current dependency detection unit 64, the rotation speed dependency detection unit 65, and the time dependency detection unit 66 are included in the compressor 42. Until the time when it is detected that the function degradation time has been reached is divided into the normal period, and thereafter the degradation levels 1 to 4 are entered. The set value (reference value) given to the detectors 64 to 66 is lowered step by step. Each set value at the deterioration levels 1 to 3 is also stored in the memory 50. Note that when the deterioration level 4 is entered, no set value (reference value) is given. Therefore, the end of the degradation level 4 is the failure point.

  Then, when it is detected that the cooling performance decline time has been reached and the function decline time of the compressor 42 is reached, in order to inform the user of the arrival of the cooling performance decline time and the compressor 42 function decline time, The functions of the electrical components such as the compressor 42, the refrigeration fan device 23, the refrigeration fan device 24, the solenoid 14 of the automatic door opening device 13, the ice removing motor 30 and the water supply pump 34 of the ice making device 28, and the ozone generator 35 are deteriorated. Each time 1 to 4 is entered, the level is lowered step by step, and the alarm mode by the liquid crystal display 15, the interior lamp 47 and the buzzer 55 is lowered step by step every time the degradation level 1 to 4 is entered.

  Here, when entering the respective deterioration levels 1 to 4, when the function of the electrical component is lowered from the previous level, the function value (decreased function value) after the reduction is the previous level, that is, the deterioration level 1. Then, it is set to a value lower than the set value in the normal period, deterioration level 1 if deterioration level 2 and deterioration level 2 if deterioration level 3. FIG. 8 shows the set values in the normal period and the deterioration levels 1 to 3 and the lowered function values in the deterioration levels 1 to 4 for the cooling performance deterioration time detection unit 63. In FIG. 8, when the cooling performance at the beginning of the refrigerator purchase is 100%, the reduced function value a in the normal period is 95%, and in the deterioration level 1, the reduced function value b is 90% and the set value c is 87%. At the deterioration level 2, the lowered function value d is 82% and the set value e is 80%. At the deterioration level 3, the lowered function value f is 79% and the set value g is 78%. At the deterioration level 4, the lowered function value h is 77%. Respectively.

Also, the initial set values of the current dependency detection unit 64, the rotation speed dependency detection unit 65, and the time dependency detection unit 66, the set values (reference values) of the degradation levels 1 to 3, the operation rate of the electrical components (decrease function value), The level 4 operating rate (decreasing function value) is shown in FIG. 9 by taking the time-dependent detector 66 as an example. That is, when the standard service life (cumulative operation time) of the compressor 42 is T, the normal initial setting value of the time-dependent detection unit 66 is T, and the deterioration level 1 is a setting value of 1.0 to 1.2 T, for example. Compressor 42 has an operating rate of 95% and deterioration level 2 with a setting value of 1.2 to 1.4T, and similarly, compressor 42 has an operating rate of 90% and deterioration level 3 with a setting value of 1.4 to 1.5T and also operates compressor 42. The rate of 80% and the deterioration level 4 are also set to 70% of the operation rate of the compressor 42.
In addition, the reduction function value, the operation rate (capability), etc. of each electrical component of the deterioration level 1 to 4 are stored in the memory 50 in advance, and the control circuit 48 uses the stored data in the memory 50 to determine the deterioration level 1 to 1. 4, the cooling performance is lowered and the functions of various electrical components are lowered.

Hereinafter, the functional deterioration of the electrical components will be described separately.
(1) Function reduction control of the compressor 42, the refrigeration and refrigeration fan devices 23 and 24 The cooling performance reduction timing detection unit 63 detects a decrease in cooling performance, or the current dependency detection unit 64 and the rotation speed dependency detection unit 65. When any of the time-dependent detectors 66 detects a decrease in the function of the compressor 42, the control circuit 48 decreases the capabilities of the compressor 42 and the refrigeration and refrigeration fan devices 23 and 24 by one step. In other words, the cooling performance decrease timing detection unit 63 compares the detected temperatures of the refrigerated room temperature sensor 17 and the freezing room temperature sensor 18 with the expected cooling temperatures of the refrigerated room 2 and the freezing room 11, and the cooling performance is determined based on the comparison result. When it is detected that the refrigerator has been reduced to 95% from the beginning of use, it is determined that the cooling performance has been lowered. Then, the control circuit 48 reduces the ability of the compressor 42 and the refrigeration and refrigeration fan devices 23 and 24 to 90% of the normal period, and sets the expected cooling temperature of the cooling performance deterioration timing detection unit 63 to the deterioration level 1. Change to value (87% of normal period).

  In addition, in the normal period, when any of the current dependency detection unit 64, the rotation speed dependency detection unit 65, and the time dependency detection unit 66 detects that the function deterioration time has been reached based on the comparison result between the detection value and the initial setting value. Thereafter, the control circuit 48 controls the compressor 42 and the refrigeration and refrigeration fan devices 23 and 24 so as to have a capability of 95% of the normal period, and the current dependency detection unit 64 and the rotation speed dependency detection unit 65. And the setting value of the time dependence detection part 66 is changed into the installation value of the deterioration level 1.

  When any one of the cooling performance deterioration timing detection unit 63, the current dependency detection unit 64, the rotation speed dependency detection unit 65, and the time dependency detection unit 66 detects the end of the deterioration level 1, the control circuit 48 as the function control means Then, the compressor 42, the refrigeration and freezing fan devices 23 and 24 are controlled to have the capability and function of the degradation level 2, and the set value is changed to that of the degradation level 2. Thereafter, every time it is detected that the deterioration level is lowered step by step, the control circuit 48 reduces the functions of the compressor 42 and the refrigeration and refrigeration fan devices 23 and 24 step by step.

(2) Functional Deterioration Control of Solenoid 14 of Automatic Door Opening Device 13 FIG. 4 shows a drive configuration of the solenoid 14, and the drive circuit 49 of the solenoid 14 is specifically configured by a transistor 68 shown in FIG. ing. When any one of the cooling performance deterioration detection unit 63, the current dependency detection unit 64, the rotation speed dependency detection unit 65, and the time dependency detection unit 66 detects a cooling performance decrease or a function deterioration of the compressor 42, the control circuit 48, until the deterioration level 2, every time a decrease in cooling performance or function is detected, the magnetic attraction force of the solenoid 14 is decreased step by step by controlling the on-duty of the transistor 68. After the deterioration level 3, the solenoid 14 Is not energized (see FIG. 9). As a result, the momentum when the doors 7a and 7b are opened decreases step by step, and after the deterioration level 3, the doors 7a and 7b are not automatically opened even if the door opening switch 12 is operated.

(3) Functional Deterioration Control of Ice Removal Motor 30 and Water Supply Pump 34 of Ice Making Device 28 FIG. 5 shows the drive configuration of ice removal motor 30 and water supply pump 34. Drive of ice removal motor 30 and water supply pump 34 is shown. Specifically, the circuit 49 includes transistors 69 and 70 shown in FIG. Then, when the cooling performance decrease timing detection unit 63 detects a decrease in cooling performance, or when any of the current dependency detection unit 64, the rotation speed dependency detection unit 65, and the time dependency detection unit 66 detects a decrease in the function of the compressor 42, The control circuit 48 controls the transistor 70 of the water supply pump 34 to reduce the energization time per time of the water suction pump 34 step by step, or reduces the applied voltage of the water supply pump 34 step by step by duty control. As a result, the amount of water supplied to the ice tray 29 decreases, so that only small ice can be made. When the deterioration level 4 is reached, the control circuit 48 does not turn on the transistor 69 of the ice removing motor 30 and does not turn on the transistor 70 of the water supply pump 34. As a result, the ice in the ice tray 29 is not de-iced, and no water is supplied to the ice tray 29, so that the ice making is stopped.

(4) Function reduction control of ozone generator 35 FIG. 6 shows a drive configuration of the ozone generator 35. The drive circuit 49 of the ozone generator 35 is specifically configured by a relay 71 shown in FIG. ing. Then, when the cooling performance decrease timing detection unit 63 detects the cooling performance decrease, or when any of the current dependency detection unit 64, the rotation speed dependency detection unit 65, and the time dependency detection unit 66 detects a decrease in the function of the compressor 42, the control is performed. Thereafter, the circuit 48 does not turn on the relay 71 of the ozone generator 35. Thereby, since the ozone generator 35 does not generate | occur | produce ozone after the deterioration level 1, it will be in the state which the odor transfer of a food tends to occur.

(5) Control of the alarm mode by the liquid crystal display 15, the interior lamp 47, and the buzzer 55 In the normal period, the cooling performance decrease timing detection unit 63 detects the cooling performance decrease, or the current dependency detection unit 64, the rotation speed dependency detection. When either the unit 65 or the time-dependent detection unit 66 detects a decrease in the function of the compressor 42, the control circuit 48 decreases the illuminance of the liquid crystal display 15 as shown in FIG. 7 (decrease in illuminance of the backlight 54). . Thereby, at the deterioration level 1, it becomes difficult to see the liquid crystal display 15 as compared with the normal period.

  At the next deterioration level 2, the control circuit 48 displays a warning character indicating that the function has deteriorated on the liquid crystal display 15 and blinks the liquid crystal display 15 (flashes the backlight 54). At the deterioration level 3, the control circuit 48 controls the interior lamp 47 to blink when the doors 7a and 7b are opened. At the deterioration level 4, during the next deterioration level 4, the control circuit 48 does not light the interior lamp 47 even if the doors 7a, 7b are opened, and instead the doors 7a, 7b, 8-11 are opened. When it is, the buzzer 55 is sounded. In this way, the control circuit 48 changes the alarm mode so as to become gradually stronger (more easily noticed by the user) in the normal period and the deterioration levels 1 to 4.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the deterioration of the cooling performance due to the deterioration of the door packing or the like or the deterioration of the function of the compressor 42 is detected or the deterioration of the function of the compressor 42 is detected, the compressor 42, The functions of the fan device 23 and the freezing fan device 25 are forcibly lowered step by step. As a result, the user feels uncomfortable that the refrigerator is different from the normal one, and notices that the cooling performance has deteriorated, or that the function of the electrical components has deteriorated, and the user has requested a check of the refrigerator. You can take measures such as considering purchasing a refrigerator. In addition, unlike the configuration in which the compressor 42 is stopped when the useful life has elapsed, the electrical components directly related to the cooling of the compressor 42 and the like are gradually deteriorated in function, so there is no risk of disturbing daily life. .

  Further, since the notification to the user lowers the function of the electrical component such as the compressor 42 step by step, even if it is not noticed at first, it gradually becomes noticed as the degree of function deterioration gradually increases. In this case, in particular, the liquid crystal display 15 is dimmed, a caution character is displayed, the interior light 47 is blinked or not lit, or the buzzer 55 is sounded. An alarm can be issued through visual and auditory senses, and the user can be surely noticed.

(Second to seventh embodiments)
In each of the second to seventh embodiments of the present invention described below, the function deterioration time of the electrical component is detected by means different from the above-described embodiment.
<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 13 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment accumulates energization time to the refrigerator, and when this energization accumulated time has passed a preset time (standard use period), This is to detect that the time when the cooling performance is lowered and the time when the function of the electrical component is lowered are reached. In FIG. 13, the refrigerator electrical components refer to all electrical components including the compressor 42 (excluding the electrical components 48, 50, 52, 71, and 72 shown in FIG. 13).

  As shown in FIG. 13, the power supply of the control circuit 48 is obtained by stepping down the commercial AC power supply 56 with a transformer 71 and rectifying it with a DC power supply circuit 72. When the control circuit 48 receives power supply from the DC power supply circuit 72 (when the refrigerator power plug is connected to a commercial AC power outlet), the control circuit 48 starts operation and receives power supply from the DC power supply circuit 72. The timer 52 counts the remaining time. Then, when the cumulative energization time counted by the timer 52 reaches the time previously stored in the memory 50, the control circuit 48 detects that the cooling performance has been lowered and the function of the electrical component has been lowered. (End of normal period, start of deterioration level 1) Thereafter, the control circuit 48 detects the end point of the degradation levels 1 to 3 every time the cumulative energization time reaches the time stored in the memory 50 in advance.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 14 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the number of defrosts in either or both of the refrigeration cooler 21 and the refrigeration cooler 22 is counted and the number of defrosts is counted. When the number of times reaches the number of times in advance, it is detected that the cooling performance is lowered and the function of the electrical component is lowered.
The third embodiment of FIG. 14 shows a configuration for counting the number of times of defrosting of the refrigeration cooler 21, for example, and the defrosting heater 36 is connected in series with a relay 73 that constitutes a drive circuit 49. It is connected to a commercial AC power source 56. The control circuit 48 turns on the relay 73 to energize the defrosting heater 36 every time the accumulated operation time of the compressor 42 stored in the timer 52 reaches a predetermined time, and defrosts the refrigeration cooler 21. When the upper and lower defrosting temperature sensors 38 and 39 detect a predetermined temperature or higher, the control circuit 48 determines that the defrosting is finished, turns off the relay 73, and finishes the defrosting.

  When the defrosting is completed, the control circuit 48 increments the defrosting frequency of the counter 51 once by assuming that the defrosting is performed once. The function as the function decrement timing detection means executed by the control circuit 48 in accordance with the detection program is shown in FIG. And when this defrost frequency dependence detection part 74 reaches the predetermined number of times when the defrost frequency counted by the counter 51 reaches | attains the memory 50, the defrost frequency dependence detection part 74 is the time when cooling performance falls, and Judged that it has reached a time when the functionality of electrical components has declined. Thereafter, the defrosting frequency dependency detection unit 74 detects the end point of the deterioration levels 1 to 3 every time the defrosting frequency reaches a predetermined number stored in the memory 50 in advance.

<Fourth Embodiment>
FIG. 15 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the number of times of opening / closing the doors 7a, 7b, 8 to 11 or any one of them is counted, and the number of times of opening / closing is preset. When the predetermined number of times is reached, it is detected that the cooling performance is lowered and the function of the electrical component is lowered.

  15 shows a configuration for counting the number of times the door 7a is opened and closed, for example. A resistance voltage dividing circuit 75 is connected between a pair of output terminals of the DC power supply circuit 72, and two resistance voltage dividing circuits 75 are connected. A door switch 46 of the door 7b is connected between the common connection point of the resistors 75a and 75b and the ground. A voltage signal at a common connection point between the two resistors 75a and 75b is supplied to the control circuit 48.

In FIG. 15, when the door 7a is opened and closed, the door switch 46 is turned on and off, so that the potential at the common connection point of the two resistors 75a and 75b once drops to the ground level. The control circuit 48 detects that the door 7a has been opened and closed once due to the potential drop to the ground level, and increases the number of times the door of the counter 51 is opened and closed. The function as the function deterioration timing detection means that the control circuit 48 executes according to the detection program is shown as a door opening / closing frequency dependency detection unit 76 in FIG. When the door opening / closing count counted by the counter 51 reaches the predetermined number stored in the memory 50, the door opening / closing count dependency detecting unit 76 is at a time when the cooling performance is lowered and the function of the electrical component is lowered. Judge that it has arrived. Thereafter, the door open / close count dependent detection unit 76 detects the end point of the deterioration levels 1 to 3 every time the door open / close count reaches the number stored in the memory 50.
In addition, as the frequency | count of door opening and closing, you may count the frequency | count of opening and closing of the other doors 7b and 8-11.

<Fifth Embodiment>
FIG. 16 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment measures the cumulative power consumption of the refrigerator, and when this cumulative power consumption reaches a preset power amount, the cooling performance is shown. It is detected that the time when the power supply decreases and the time when the function of the electrical component decreases are reached.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 16, among the pair of power buses 77a and 77b of the refrigerator connected to the commercial AC power source 56, an ammeter 78 is provided on one bus 77a and a pair of buses 77a and 77b. A voltmeter 79 is provided between them. The current and voltage detected by the ammeter 78 and the voltage type 79 are input to the integrator 80. The accumulator 80 counts time by the timer 81, obtains the amount of power used from the count time, current value, and voltage value, and accumulates this.

  The function as the function deterioration timing detection means executed by the control circuit 48 in accordance with the detection program is shown as an electric energy dependency detection unit 82 in FIG. Then, when the amount of power used accumulated by the integrator 80 reaches the amount of power stored in the memory 50, the power amount dependency detecting unit 82 is at a time when the cooling performance is lowered and the function of the electrical component is lowered. Judge that it has arrived. Thereafter, the power amount dependency detecting unit 82 detects the end point of the deterioration levels 1 to 3 every time the accumulated power consumption reaches the power amount stored in the memory 50.

<Sixth Embodiment>
FIG. 17 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the number of operations of the three-way valve 45 is measured, and when this number of operations reaches a preset number, the cooling performance decreases. This is to detect that the time and the time when the function of the electrical component is reduced.
That is, as shown in FIG. 17, the three-way valve 45 uses the DC power supply circuit 57 as a power source and performs a switching operation by the drive circuit 49. Each time the control circuit 48 outputs a switching command to the drive circuit 49, the control circuit 48 increments the number of switching of the three-way valve 45 of the counter 51 by assuming that the switching operation of the three-way valve 45 is performed. The function as the function deterioration timing detection means executed by the control circuit 48 in accordance with the detection program is shown as a three-way valve switching dependency detection unit 83 in FIG. The three-way valve switching dependency detecting unit 83, when the number of switching of the three-way valve 45 counted by the counter 51 reaches the number stored in the memory 50, the time when the cooling performance is lowered and the function of the electrical component are lowered. Judge that the time has come. Thereafter, the three-way valve switching dependency detecting unit 83 detects the end point of the deterioration levels 1 to 3 every time the number of switching of the three-way valve 45 reaches the number stored in the memory 50.

<Seventh Embodiment>
FIG. 18 shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the temperature change due to the season is measured, the number of years of use of the refrigerator is counted based on this temperature change, and a predetermined number of years (standard use period) is shown. ), It is detected that the time when the cooling performance is lowered and the time when the function of the electrical component is lowered are reached.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 18, the control circuit 48 stores the change in the room temperature measured by the room temperature sensor 53 in the memory 50. For example, if there is a day of 5 ° C. or less, winter, 30 ° C. For example, the number of years used is counted by repeating summer and winter as summer. The usage years are stored in the counter 51. The function as the function fall time detection means executed by the control circuit 48 in accordance with the detection program is shown as a year-dependent detection unit 84 in FIG. Then, when the number of years counted by the counter 51 reaches the predetermined number of years stored in the memory 50, the year-dependent detection unit 84 determines that the time when the cooling performance is lowered and the function of the electrical component is lowered. . Thereafter, the year-dependent detection unit 84 detects the end point of the deterioration levels 1 to 3 every time the year reaches the number of years stored in the memory 50.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, and can be expanded or changed as follows.
It may be configured such that the function of the electrical component is lowered by one step only when the cooling performance degradation time is detected and the function degradation time of any electrical component is detected.
As the alarm means, the reaction time required for the control circuit 48 to accept the operation of the push button switch 16 may be increased stepwise when it is detected that the function degradation time has come. Thereby, since the operation time of the pushbutton switch 16 becomes long, it can be made to function as a warning means which issues a tactile warning.
The liquid crystal display 15 is composed of a color liquid crystal, and when it is detected that the cooling performance has fallen or the function of the electrical equipment has fallen, the color tone is changed step by step or the display ground color is changed step by step. You may comprise so that.
The interior lamp is composed of lighting elements that can change the color tone, for example, a plurality of light emitting diodes with different emission colors, and the color tone is changed step by step when it is detected that the cooling performance has fallen or the functionality of the electrical equipment has fallen. You may comprise as follows.

The block diagram of the control circuit which shows the 1st Embodiment of this invention Electrical configuration block diagram Refrigeration cycle diagram Circuit diagram showing control configuration of solenoid Circuit diagram showing control configuration of ice making equipment Circuit diagram showing control configuration of ozone generator Diagram showing the relationship between the cooling performance, the level of functional degradation and the alarm mode Diagram showing the relationship between the level of cooling performance degradation and the target cooling performance Diagram showing the relationship between the function degradation level and the target function Vertical side view of the left side of the refrigerator Vertical side view of the right side of the refrigerator Perspective view of refrigerator The circuit diagram which shows the 2nd Embodiment of this invention Circuit diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention Circuit diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention Circuit diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention Circuit diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention FIG. 7 shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a circuit diagram and (b) is a graph showing a detected temperature change.

Explanation of symbols

  In the drawings, 1 is a refrigerator body, 2 to 6 are storage rooms, 7 to 11 are doors, 13 is an automatic door opening device, 14 is a solenoid, 15 is a liquid crystal display (alarm means, display means), and 17 is a refrigerator temperature. Sensor, 18 is a freezer temperature sensor, 21 is a refrigeration cooler, 22 is a refrigeration cooler, 23 is a refrigeration fan device (cool air blower fan device, electrical component), and 25 is a refrigeration fan device (cold air blower) Fan device, electrical component), 28 ice making device, 29 ice making tray, 30 ice release motor (electrical component), 34 water supply pump (electrical component), 35 ozone generator (electric deodorizing device, electrical component) , 36 and 37 are defrosting heaters, 38 to 40 are defrosting temperature sensors, 42 is a compressor (electrical equipment), 45 is a three-way valve, 46 is a door switch, 47 is an interior lamp (alarm means, display means), 48 is a control circuit (function control means, ability degradation time detection hand) ), 49 is a drive circuit, 50 is a memory, 51 is a counter, 52 is a timer, 54 is a backlight, 55 is a buzzer (alarm means), 63 is a cooling performance degradation timing detection unit (capacity degradation timing detection means), and 64 is Current dependency detection unit (capacity decrease timing detection unit), 65 a rotation speed dependency detection unit (capacity decrease timing detection unit), 66 a time dependency detection unit (capacity decrease timing detection unit), and 74 a defrosting frequency dependency detection unit ( (Capacity reduction timing detection means), 76 is a door opening / closing frequency dependence detection section (capacity reduction timing detection means), 80 is an integrator, 82 is an electric energy dependence detection section (capacity reduction timing detection means), and 83 is a three-way valve dependence detection section. (Capacity decline time detection means) and 84 indicate a year-dependent detector (capability decline time detection means).

Claims (21)

In a refrigerator main body having a storage chamber opened and closed by a door and a refrigerator having a refrigeration cycle for cooling the storage chamber,
A capability deterioration timing detection means for detecting a cooling timing and / or a function deterioration timing of the electrical component;
A function control means for reducing the function of the electrical component when the capability decrease timing detection means detects a cooling performance degradation time and / or a function degradation time of the electrical component ;
The function control means uses the compressor included in the refrigeration cycle as an electrical component to be controlled, and when the capability fall time detection means detects a fall time of cooling performance and / or a fall time of function of the electrical component, the function of the compressor A refrigerator characterized by lowering in a stepwise manner . A cold air blowing fan device for sending the cold air cooled by the cooler included in the refrigeration cycle to the storage chamber;
The function control means uses the cold air blowing fan device as an electrical component to be controlled when the capability reduction timing detection means detects a cooling performance degradation time and / or a function degradation time of the electrical component. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the function of the fan device is lowered step by step . In order to open the door, further comprising a door opening device using a solenoid as a drive source,
The function control means determines the function of the solenoid stepwise when the capability reduction timing detection means detects the cooling performance reduction timing and / or the electrical equipment function reduction timing, with the solenoid as an electrical component to be controlled. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerator is lowered . An ice making device is further provided that performs ice making by supplying water in a water storage tank to an ice making tray by a water supply pump, and after ice making is completed, the ice making plate is inverted by an ice removing motor.
The function control means uses the water absorption pump or the deicing motor as an electrical component to be controlled, and when the capability decrease timing detection means detects a cooling performance decrease timing and / or a function decrease timing of the electrical component, 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the water supply pump and the ice removing motor are stopped . An ice making device is further provided that performs ice making by supplying water in a water storage tank to an ice making tray by a water supply pump, and after ice making, the ice making plate is inverted by an ice removing motor.
The function control means uses the water absorption pump or the deicing motor as an electrical component to be controlled, and when the capability decrease timing detection means detects a cooling performance decrease timing and / or a function decrease timing of the electrical component, The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the water supply function of the water supply pump is lowered stepwise . An electric deodorizing device for deodorizing the storage chamber;
The function control means uses the electric deodorizing device when the electric power deodorizing device is an electrical component to be controlled, and when the capability decrease timing detecting unit detects a cooling performance decreasing timing and / or a function decreasing timing of the electric component. The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the deodorizing function is gradually reduced or the deodorizing operation is stopped . An alarm means for issuing an alarm through visual, auditory or tactile sensation;
2. The function control unit according to claim 1, wherein the function control unit issues an alarm by the alarm unit when the capability decrease timing detection unit detects a cooling performance decrease timing and / or a power capability decrease timing . refrigerator. The alarm means comprises display means for emitting information to the outside by turning on or off,
The function control means is configured to dimm or turn off a part or all of the display means when the capability fall time detection means detects a cooling performance drop time and / or a function drop time of an electrical component. The refrigerator according to claim 7 . The alarm means comprises a display means capable of changing color or displaying a caution character,
The function control means discolors a part or all of the display means or displays a caution character when the capability fall time detection means detects a cooling performance drop time and / or a function drop time of an electrical component. The refrigerator according to claim 7 . The display means constituting the alarm means comprises an interior lamp that illuminates the storage room,
The function control means is characterized in that the internal lamp is dimmed or extinguished when the capacity fall time detection means detects a cooling performance fall time and / or a function fall time of an electrical component. 7. The refrigerator according to 7 . The display means constituting the alarm means comprises a color-changeable interior light that illuminates the storage room,
The function control means, when the capacity reduction timing detecting means detects a drop timing of timing degradation of the cooling performance and / or electrical equipment functions, claim 7, characterized in that to change the color tone of the in-compartment lamp The refrigerator described. The function control means issues an alarm by the alarm means on the condition that the door is opened when the capability reduction timing detection means detects a cooling performance deterioration timing and / or an electrical component function deterioration timing. The refrigerator according to claim 7 . The function control means, when the capacity reduction timing detecting means detects a drop timing of lowering timing and / or electrical equipment functions cooling performance, according to claim 7, wherein the causing the alarm mode stepwise change Refrigerator. The said capability fall time detection means detects that it became the fall time of the cooling performance and / or the fall of the function of the electrical equipment due to the elapse of a preset standard use period. The refrigerator according to 1 . It further has a timer that counts the accumulated time in the power-on state,
The refrigerator according to claim 14 , wherein the standard use period is set in advance as an accumulated time in a power-on state . A timer for accumulating the operation time of the compressor included in the refrigeration cycle;
15. The refrigerator according to claim 14 , wherein the standard use period is preset as an accumulated operation time of the compressor . A defroster for defrosting the cooler of the refrigeration cycle;
A counter for counting the number of times of defrosting of the defroster,
The refrigerator according to claim 14 , wherein the standard use period is preset as the number of times of defrosting of the defrosting device . A counter that counts the opening and closing of the door;
The refrigerator according to claim 14 , wherein the standard use period is preset as the number of times the door is opened and closed . A power consumption accumulation means for accumulating the power consumption;
The refrigerator according to claim 14 , wherein the standard use period is preset as a cumulative value of the power consumption . The refrigeration cycle includes two coolers and has a three-way valve that controls supply of refrigerant to the two coolers,
Furthermore, a counter that counts the number of times the three-way valve is switched is provided,
The refrigerator according to claim 14 , wherein the standard use period is preset as the number of times the three-way valve is switched . A room temperature sensor for detecting the temperature;
A counter that counts the number of repetitions of a high temperature and a low temperature of the detection temperature of the room temperature sensor;
The refrigerator according to claim 14 , wherein the standard use period is preset as the number of repetitions of a high temperature and a low temperature detected by the room temperature sensor .

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