JP4948319B2 - Display device for refrigerator and display method for refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation panel of a refrigerator displayed at a store, and more particularly to control of an illumination LED of a liquid crystal display device of an operation panel during execution of a demo mode function.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an operation panel is installed on a refrigerator door (mainly a refrigerator door) as means for performing operations such as temperature adjustment and rapid cooling setting of each room of the refrigerator. When a liquid crystal element is used for the operation panel, the illumination LED of the liquid crystal element is turned off when a certain time has elapsed in order to reduce power consumption (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-74548 (page 4, FIG. 2)

  However, in the refrigerator displayed in the store, in order to appeal to the visitor, the LED for illumination provided in the liquid crystal display device of the operation panel is always turned on, and there is a problem that the life of the LED is shortened. there were.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to obtain an operation panel for a refrigerator that can extend the life of an illumination LED of a liquid crystal display device.

The display device of the refrigerator according to the present invention includes a display means for displaying the operating state of the refrigerator body, an LED for irradiating the display means with light, and no switch operation during the simulated operation of the refrigerator body, and the state is maintained for a predetermined time. At the time, the preset temperature and the degree of the preset temperature of the refrigerator main body, which are simulated in advance, are sequentially displayed on the display means, and when this display is repeated a predetermined number of times , the LED is turned off. And a simulation control means for continuing the LED off state until either the switch operation or the opening of the door of the refrigerator body is detected .

According to the present invention, when there is no switch operation during simulated operation of the refrigerator main body and the state continues for a predetermined time , at least the preset temperature and the degree of the set temperature of the refrigerator main body that are simulated in advance are sequentially set. When displayed on the display means and repeating the plurality of displays a predetermined number of times , the LED is turned off and the LED is kept off until either the switch operation or the opening of the refrigerator main body door is detected. . Thereby, even if a refrigerator is exhibited at a store for a long time, the lifetime of LED can be secured.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 is a front view showing a refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail view showing an operation panel of the refrigerator according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2A is a front view of the operation panel, and FIG. 2B is a side view of the operation panel as viewed from the lower surface side.

  In FIG. 1, the refrigerator main body 10 is provided with, for example, a refrigeration room 11, a switching room 12, an ice making room 13, a vegetable room 14, and a freezing room 15 adjacent to each other in order from the top, and doors are provided in front of each room. Is provided. The door 16 of the refrigerator compartment 11 is attached with an operation panel 1 for performing operations such as temperature adjustment and rapid cooling setting of each room of the refrigerator main body 10.

  The operation panel 1 is mounted on a substrate 7 as shown in FIG. 2, and is for LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 2, LED 3 for irradiating the LCD 2 with light, and for spreading the light of the LED 3 uniformly on the LCD 2. The light guide plate 4 and the reflection plate 5 that reflects the light of the LED 3 are provided. The board 7 has a microcomputer 6, a switch 8 a for selecting a room of the refrigerator body 10, a switch 8 b for setting the temperature of the room selected by the switch 8 a, and a switch 8 c for setting the rapid cooling. Etc. are implemented.

  The microcomputer 6 enters a normal operation (control) when, for example, a special operation of the switches 8a to 8c cannot be detected before a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) elapses after the refrigerator body 10 is turned on. When a special operation of the switches 8a to 8c is detected before the time elapses, the demo mode is entered. The special operation is, for example, an operation of simultaneously pressing the three switches 8a to 8c. In the demo mode, a manual demo mode displayed on the LCD 2 according to the switch operation, and when predetermined information is detected during the simulated operation of the refrigerator body 10, that is, there is no switch operation during the demo mode, for example, There is an auto demo mode in which a plurality of display patterns in which various operation states are simulated in advance are sequentially displayed on the LCD 2 when the operation is continued for 3 minutes, and the LED 3 is turned off when this is repeated a predetermined number of times. Further, during the demonstration mode, control other than the electrical parts related to the design such as the interior lamp (not shown) that illuminates the inside of the refrigerator compartment 16 and the operation panel 1 is not performed, and the refrigerator main body 10 is not cooled. You can feel the sense of use.

Here, the operation | movement at the time of normal driving | operation is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example of the operation panel during normal operation.
As shown in FIG. 3 (a), the microcomputer 6 selects the room of the refrigerator body and displays it on the LCD 2 each time the switch 8a is pressed, and the switch 8b is pressed as shown in FIG. 3 (b). Each time, the temperature setting of the refrigerator compartment 16 selected by the switch 8a is changed, and as shown in FIG. 3C, the refrigerator compartment 16 and the set temperature are displayed on the LCD 2 in accordance with the operation of the switches 8a and 8b. If the switch 8c is pressed during the operation, rapid cooling is displayed.

  Next, the operation in the demo mode in the refrigerator displayed at the store will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the operation panel in the demonstration mode according to the first embodiment, FIG. 5 is a display pattern diagram showing an example of the operation panel in the auto demonstration mode, and FIG. 6 shows the operation of the operation panel in the auto demonstration mode. It is a flowchart.

  When the refrigerator main body 10 is turned on, the microcomputer 6 turns on the LED 3 to determine whether or not a predetermined time (1 minute) has elapsed since the power was turned on (step 1). It is determined whether an operation has been performed (step 2). When a predetermined time has elapsed without performing any special operation, control for normal operation is entered (step 3). In this case, the refrigerator displayed at the store is actually being used by the purchaser. On the other hand, when a special operation is detected before a predetermined time elapses, for example, when the three switches 8a to 8c are pressed simultaneously and it is detected that the state continues for 10 seconds, the demo mode is started ( Step 4).

  First, it is determined whether or not a switch operation has been performed (step 5). If no switch operation has been performed, for example, it is determined whether or not 3 minutes have elapsed (step 9). When a switch operation is detected in step 5, it is determined whether or not the operation is a special operation similar to the above (step 6). In the case of a special operation, the demo mode is terminated and the control shifts to normal operation control (step 7). If the switch operation is not a special operation, the manual demo mode is started, and the room, temperature, etc. of the refrigerator main body 10 are displayed on the LCD 2 according to the switch operation (step 8). As described with reference to FIG. 3, each time the switch 8a is pressed, each room of the refrigerator main body 10 is sequentially displayed, and each time the switch 8b is pressed, the room temperature (high / medium / weak) is selected by the switch 8a. ), And when the switch 8c is pressed, the room is rapidly cooled by the selection of the switch 8a.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a switch operation has been performed (step 5). If no switch operation is detected, it is determined whether or not the state has passed for 3 minutes (step 9). When 3 minutes have passed without a switch operation, the mode shifts to an auto demo mode in which the display is automatically switched (step 10).

  When the mode is shifted to the auto demo mode, as shown in FIG. 6, first, the auto demo lap number is reset to “0” (step 10-1), and then the auto demo lap number is a predetermined number (for example, 10 laps). It is determined whether or not (step 10-2). For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the number of laps of the auto demo is one lap when the LCD 2 sequentially displays all of the display patterns 1 to 20 simulating each image when the switches 8a to 8c are operated. And the number of times this is repeated.

  At this time, since the number of laps of the auto demo is “0”, the process proceeds to Step 10-3, where the first display pattern 1 is set to n = 1, and it is determined whether or not n is “20” or less (Step 10-). 4). In this case, since n is “20” or less, display pattern 1 is displayed on LCD 2 (step 10-5), and it is determined whether or not a switch operation has been performed (step 10-6). When the switch operation is detected, the process proceeds to step 5 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, but when there is no switch operation, for example, the operations of step 10-5 to step 10-7 are repeated until 1 second elapses. When 1 second has elapsed, “1” is added to n (step 10-18), and it is determined whether or not n is “20” or less (step 10-4).

  This operation (step 10-4 to step 10-8) is repeated up to the display pattern 20. That is, the display patterns 1 to 20 are switched and displayed on the LCD 2 every second (steps 10-4 to 10-8). If a switch operation is detected in step 10-6 while the display patterns 1 to 20 are being switched, the process proceeds to step 5 (manual demonstration mode) in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 as described above (step 10-9). ) And display on the LCD 2 in accordance with the operated switches 8a to 8c. When all of the display patterns 1 to 20 are displayed, the auto demo lap number is set to “+1” (steps 10-4 and 10-10), and the process returns to step 10-2 to determine whether the auto demo lap number is equal to or less than a predetermined number. judge. When the number of turns is equal to or less than the predetermined number, the above-described series of operations is repeated (steps 10-3 to 10-8). Then, when the switching display of the display patterns 1 to 20 is performed a predetermined number of times (10 laps), the LED 3 is turned off and a standby state is entered (step 10-11).

  During standby, it is first determined whether or not a switch operation has been performed (step 10-12). When a switch operation is detected, the LED 3 is turned on again, and the process proceeds to step 5 in the flowchart shown in FIG. Further, when there is no switch operation, it is determined whether or not the door of the refrigerator main body 10 is opened (step 10-13). When the opening of the door is detected, the LED 3 is turned on again in the same manner as described above. Return to -1, and repeat the auto-demo display switching again 10 times. On the other hand, when it is determined that the door is not open, the process returns to step 10-11. That is, when there is no switch operation and the door of the refrigerator main body 10 is not open, it is assumed that the visitor is not looking at the refrigerator, and the standby state (LED off) is continued.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, in the refrigerator 1 displayed at the store, the LED 3 is turned off when the visitor is not using it even in the demonstration mode for appealing to the visitor. Therefore, the life of the LED 3 is not shortened.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the first embodiment, the display patterns 1 to 20 are sequentially displayed on the LCD 2 in the auto demo mode, and this is repeated 10 times as one round (one time). However, in the second embodiment, the display patterns 1 to 20 are displayed. Are sequentially displayed on the LCD 2, and this is repeated for 10 minutes as one round. Since the structure of the refrigerator and operation panel which concern on Embodiment 2 is the same as Embodiment 1 demonstrated in FIG. 1, 2, description is abbreviate | omitted. The operation of the operation panel in the demo mode is also the same as that in the first embodiment, so that the description thereof will be omitted and only the operation in the auto demo mode will be described.

  As described above, the microcomputer 6 enters the normal operation (control) when the special operation of the switches 8a to 8c cannot be detected until a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) elapses after the power is turned on to the refrigerator body 10. When a special operation of the switches 8a to 8c is detected before a predetermined time elapses, the demo mode is entered. In the demo mode, the manual demo mode displayed on the LCD 2 according to the switch operation as described above, and when predetermined information is detected during the simulated operation of the refrigerator body 10, that is, there is no switch operation during the demo mode. For example, when the state is continued for 3 minutes, a plurality of display patterns in which various operation states are simulated in advance are sequentially displayed on the LCD 2, and when this is repeated for a predetermined time, the auto demo mode in which the LED 3 is turned off is turned off. is there.

Next, the operation in the auto demo mode will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the operation panel in the auto demo mode in the second embodiment.
When the microcomputer 6 starts the auto demo mode (step 10), the microcomputer 6 first starts counting the auto demo time (step 10-15), and then whether the auto demo time has elapsed (for example, 10 minutes). It is determined whether or not (step 10-16). When the execution time is less than 10 minutes, the process proceeds to step 10-17, where n = 1 is set as the first display pattern 1, and it is determined whether or not n is “20” or less (step 10-18). When n exceeds “20”, the process returns to Step 10-16 to determine whether or not the predetermined time has elapsed. When n is “20” or less, the display pattern 1 is displayed on the LCD 2. It is displayed (step 10-19), and it is determined whether or not there has been a switch operation (step 10-20). When a switch operation is detected, the process proceeds to step 5 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, but when there is no switch operation, for example, the operations of steps 10-19 to 10-21 are repeated until 1 second elapses. When 1 second has elapsed, “1” is added to n (step 10-22), and it is determined whether or not n is “20” or less (step 10-18).

  This operation (step 10-18 to step 10-22) is repeated up to the display pattern 20. That is, display pattern 1 to display pattern 20 are switched and displayed on LCD 2 every second (steps 10-18 to 10-22). If a switch operation is detected in step 10-20 while switching the display patterns 1 to 20, the process proceeds to step 5 (manual demo mode) in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 as described above (step 10-23). ) And display on the LCD 2 in accordance with the operated switches 8a to 8c. When all the display patterns 1 to 20 are displayed, the process returns to step 10-16 to determine whether or not the execution time of the auto demo has elapsed for a predetermined time. When the execution time has not passed the predetermined time, the series of operations described above are repeated (steps 10-17 to 10-22). When the switching display of the display patterns 1 to 20 is performed for a predetermined time (10 minutes), the LED 3 that is lit when the power is turned on is turned off and a standby state is entered (step 10-24).

  During standby, it is first determined whether or not a switch operation has been performed (step 10-25). When a switch operation is detected, the LED 3 is turned on again, and the process proceeds to step 5 of the flowchart shown in FIG. Further, when there is no switch operation, it is determined whether or not the door of the refrigerator body 10 is opened (step 10-26). When the opening of the door is detected, the LED 3 is turned on again in the same manner as described above. Return to -15 and repeat auto-demo display switching again for 10 minutes. On the other hand, if it is determined that the door is not open, the process returns to step 10-24. That is, when there is no switch operation and the door of the refrigerator main body 10 is not open, it is assumed that the visitor is not looking at the refrigerator main body 10 and the standby state (LED off) is continued.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, in the refrigerator 1 displayed at the store, the LED 3 is turned off when the visitor is not using it even in the demonstration mode for appealing to the visitor. Therefore, the life of the LED 3 is not shortened.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the LCD 2 is used for the operation panel 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. You may make it apply to the type of operation panel which switches the display of a character and a symbol by lighting and light extinction.

It is a front view which shows the refrigerator which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. 3 is an enlarged detail view showing an operation panel of the refrigerator according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the operation panel at the time of normal driving | operation. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the operation panel in the demonstration mode in the first embodiment. It is a display pattern figure which shows an example at the time of the auto demo mode of an operation panel. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of the auto demo mode of an operation panel. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the operation panel in the auto demo mode according to the second embodiment. It is a front view of the operation panel which shows other embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 operation panel, 2 LCD, 3 LED, 4 light guide plate, 5 reflector, 6 microcomputer,
7 substrate, 8a-8c switch, 10 refrigerator body, 11 refrigerated room, 12 switching room,
13 Ice making room, 14 Vegetable room, 15 Freezer room, 16 Cold room door.
As described above, according to the second embodiment, in the refrigerator 1 displayed at the store, even in the demonstration mode for appealing to the user, the LED 3 is turned off when the user is not using it. Therefore, the lifetime of the LED 3 is not shortened.

Claims (5)

Display means for displaying the operating state of the refrigerator body;
An LED for irradiating the display means with light ;
When there is no switch operation during simulated operation of the refrigerator main body and the state continues for a predetermined time , the preset temperature and the degree of the set temperature of the refrigerator main body, which are simulated in advance, are sequentially displayed on the display means. , when repeating this a plurality of display predetermined number of times, before Symbol LED lighting off the simulated control to continue the off state of the LED until detecting one of the open door switch operation or refrigerator body And a refrigerator display device. Display means for displaying the operating state of the refrigerator body;
An LED for irradiating the display means with light ;
When there is no switch operation during simulated operation of the refrigerator main body and the state continues for a predetermined time , the preset temperature and the degree of the set temperature of the refrigerator main body, which are simulated in advance, are sequentially displayed on the display means. , when repeating this a plurality of display the time longer than the predetermined time, off the lighting of the previous SL LED, the off state of the LED until detecting one of the open door switch operation or refrigerator body A display device for a refrigerator, comprising: a continuous simulation control means. It has a plurality of switches for switching the operating state of the refrigerator body,
The display device for a refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the simulation control means turns on the LED again when any of the switches is operated while the LED is turned off.   4. The refrigerator display according to claim 1, wherein when the LED is turned off, the simulation control unit turns on the LED again when detecting the opening of the door of the refrigerator body. 5. apparatus. Power irradiates light to the display unit to light the Once turned LED,
When there is no switch operation during simulated operation of the refrigerator main body and the state continues for a predetermined time , the preset temperature and the degree of the set temperature of the refrigerator main body, which are simulated in advance, are sequentially displayed on the display means. ,
The plurality of display when the repetition time longer than a predetermined number of times or the predetermined time is off the lighting of the previous SL LED, off of the LED to detect any opening of the door of the switch operation or the refrigerator body A display method of a refrigerator characterized by continuing the state .

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